July 3rd

We have the most fun for the fourth of July here in our town.

The celebration starts on the third with a children's parade, concert in the park & fireworks. It's my favorite two days of the year!

We take a traditional meal of-

Albertson's fried chicken (my favorite),

shrimp pasta salad,

watermelon &

cupcakes, of course...

WE only eat this meal once a year- so it means a lot to the kids? I don't know why, but we never eat this salad or fried chicken except for on the 3rd. The kids were so excited about the salad.. who knew?

This year - second year in a row-- we had my sister Johnna & her family with us from WA state!

we wish this would become a tradition, it was so fun to have them here.

Next year-

Jack will most likely be gone on a mission, so this was his last year at the park for a while... someday I hope we are all here together again. It would mean the world to me. But, for now- I'm just happy my children are all doing so well, wherever they are!

Trent is currently obsessed with Transformers.

The cartoon & ya- I broke down & let him watch the first Transformer movie.

It's rated PG 13... so as family arrived at our house before the festivities he would announce- "I'm watching a violent movie!!" with excitement. He will NOT be watching the second one currently in theatres- pretty much ever, if I have my way, which I won't.

So- he came along to the park with Optimus Prime in hand- fun- not & the movie with my laptop. This was the second year he hasn't gotten lost & the first year he has not been difficult, so apparently "violent movies" are good for something.

Brittany & Marcus were with us!

They will be married in less than a week- amazing.

Marcus has been with us for the fourth of July for years & it is just more special when he is here. It just feels right.

The band this year, The BEAch ToYs were fantastic!

I will admit I was a little worried when I saw their name...

but seriously the were GREAT!!

-We loved them-

They even look like the beach boys-

It was so fun to be together.

I sure love these girls.

They have been an absolute joy this summer.

They helped me to get ready for company & with dinner, and with Trent- they are awesome.

They are leaving soon for a week with Megan in Arkansas...

I don't know what I will do without them!??

Miraculously the Beach Toys turn into the Monkeys part way through the show, really great stuff here. They really sounded like them & hey- look like them too!

We sat near great friends at the park & here is Cassidy enjoying a cupcake-

I think she is my biggest cupcake fan here.

We even talked to Joy- from Joy's of Home- yep, she only lives a block from me... wow knowing a cool blogger like her is better than knowing a celebrity!
do you read her? she is amazing!

These pictures are especially for Megan & the missionary.

Jack & one of his best friends Zach.

They are going to be college roommates soon.

Cool beans man.

Soon after the Monkeys preformed--

they morphed into

The Beattles
Their best band yet!

Trent found a little friend who wandered over to see what he was watching.

Is she darling or what?

He offered her one of his head phones... so cute.

At least he's nice, I mean- for someone who watches violence??

The fireworks & patriotic music was oh so wonderful....

I have been trying for hours to upload video with this post - with no success.

Maybe later I will try it again?

It was a great day!

MOre on the fourth to come.

off to work

So yesterday there was No School due to the end of term last Friday. I'm all good with that- except for the weather was rough- snow/rain mix all day. Trent didn't care- he was over the top thrilled - because dad had invited him to lunch at his office. This is a rare occurrence & therefore VEry exciting for the big/little guy. He got up & got dressed- I reminded him he needed to look nice at dad's office.

He replied that sometimes he doesn't "do his hair very good"

so we decided he should wear a hat.He took along his NIntendo DS - just in case he got bored.Dad decided it would be a good thing to let Trent come up to his office on his own...? I'm a little over protective- but agreed & dropped him off, watched him walk in, then waited for brett to confirm he made it off the elevator- feewww. I guess I should lighten up?

Trent had so much fun & was so good, he ended up spending the whole afternoon. this was so helpful for me - I finished my quilt & dropped it off at the quilters. (This is thrilling- making a quilt was one of my year goals & here it is only March!!) We used the same system picking him up- He looks so big.

(I don't know why this is sideways? I didn't take it sideways like I usually do-)

My house is TRashED & I am feeling really low.
I am plagued with negative thoughts & overwhelmed with the mess I have created.
Maybe it's the lazy eye taking over--
or the severe wrinkles on my forehead?
Somehow- making a quilt- threw me off my groove.
Oh the price of getting something done.....

from the senate to the solar system

Yesterday was such a busy but great day.

I got up early & went with Karrie to PTA day at the legislature. I always love going to these things at the capitol. I just love being at the capitol & seeing all that is going on.

It's fascinating to me. Here is the senate floor. Karrie & I went into the House of Representatives for an hour or so, then to the Senate to see what was going down. After that we went to a class on what the PTA is supporting/not supporting as far as bills go. Interesting.

I wrote a note to my representative stating my point of view on a couple of bills & sent it in to the floor.

Pretty cool stuff!

One of the things I love most is the incredible art & architecture of the capitol building.

Oh, it is beautiful! Here is a shot of the ceiling in the Senate chambers.

It is really stunning & I love to walk around all that marble.
You just can't take a photo that does it justice.

Because of traffic & snow- (yes it snowed 2 inches... I told you we've got a while to go of this winter stuff) Brett drove us up & dropped us off, then picked us up early. We live really close to downtown. It only took 15 minutes but still- thanks honey :).

{Trent- The Native American Program}

We left early, before lunch with our representatives because

HOoray

Trent had his third grade Native American program.

I wouldn't miss that for anything!!

funny thing- Trent left the house with a white button down shirt & church shoes on. When we got there- he was in his tennis shoes & undershirt...? he said "that shirt was too hot & the shoes are uncomfortable" (just in case he had put his tennis shoes in his backpack)- hmmm, boys-
Lucky for me I have such great friends- Kristy saved us seats in the front row, right in front of the little, big guy. He was not too thrilled about his part in the square dance- dancing with a girl in the third grade is pretty much the most embarrassing thing ever. The cool dance to be in was the Bear dance...you know- all boys, with arrows, mimicking killing a bear, well not really but- you know? Of course, all parts in programs are important, but dang it's hard being a kid.

Later that night-

It was time for our monthly scout field trip.

This month I planned a REally special trip.

We went to the U of U observatory & earned the observatory patch.

It was so much fun! SERiously!!

I had six boys- again Brett came with me- and we went up to the top floor of the physics building on the University of Utah campus to the observatory. Up there a couple of Physics majors (astronomy minors) met us & showed us the brilliant night sky.

I unfortunately forgot to tell the boys to dress warm. BIG OOPS.

They nearly froze to death, but had a lot of fun anyway.

It was an unusually clear night with an amazing view of Venus right next to the moon. Through the telescope you could even see the craters on the moon. We saw a nebula, Beattle Juice, the big dipper, seven sisters- I think brett & I enjoyed it as much as the scouts.

That little sliver of white on the left is the moon.
The pictures here are not too good... but you get the idea.

Lucky for the boys I had some blankets in the car.

It was a Great but busy day.

I think those kind of days are my favorite-

even though I am glad it's over.

happy birthday dad- 80 years!!!

Happy Birthday DAD!!

We love you~

(can you believe I took this video sideways....? When will I ever learn?)

bragging... damn right

someone told me once that "blogging was just for bragging"

no it wasn't you - holly

Well, tonight... she's right!

WAy to Go HaiLeY

faster than a speeding bullet?

the peanut's visit

(sorry about the side ways video- when will I learn?)

This peanut (I call him peanut because he was so small when he was born & had a tough time gaining weight-not an issure anymore) is so funny. If I am holding him & he can't really see my face he's totally fine, even cooing & babbling. As soon as he sees me or if I talk to him... cry baby. A girl could get a complex or something. I am bbsitting him & his 8 yr. old brother & 12 yr. old sister while my sister & her other two kids & husband go on a pioneer trek with their congregation. Just for 2 nights so it's not that bad.

dad's birthday- megan & tony this one's for you

Megan & Tony we missed you at dad's birthday dinner tonight!

We BBQ'd hamburgers & hot dogs. We had dad's favorite three bean salad, potato salad, & cake from the recipe you gave me. It turned out great!

Trent gave dad a very special gift.

A new screw driver that he promises not to touch!! I hope it lasts.

It's been years since dad has been able to find one. This one is really spiffy. It has a changeable head that's magnetic- fancy.

The girl's gave him a cold stone gift certificate- they are planning on going with him to get ice cream soon- it was just so dang thoughtful of them!

Jack picked out his present with no help from mom- and it's a good one.
A solar shower for the next time they go camping- nice, I know. I have already warned dad not to shower naked. Jack says he already knew that...

Grandma & Grandpa are here along with cousins so we had a full blown party goin' on!
We miss you both!!



Love you guys~
Mom

6th grade celebration

Today was chloe's sixth grade graduation!

It's really a celebration of making it this far & now moving on to the pit of evil- oops I mean jr. high. (actually I really like our jr. high- just not all the hormones swimming around in there)

Anyhow, it was her last official program in elementary- dang it! I happen to know from experience that the next 6 years will go pretty darn fast.

It was kind of a tear jerker type program. Lots of cute video & pictures of them all as babies, singing & funny skits. Oh my they grow up so fast. It's so hard to believe she is 1/2 way done with school!!??

We were pretty thrilled that chloe's cousin brittany came- we just love brittany. You know it's a really special occasion around here when Brittany comes.Chloe's teacher is the BEST EVER & actually won the Huntsman teacher of the year award 2 years ago. She is over the top AMAZING!These posters - wow! Wende the photographer took everyone's picture- they are fantastic. Wende is such an amazing photographer & so willing to share her talents- thanks wende!

Here's chloe & bunch of friends after the festivities. Later in the day they were having a big party & dance.... wo. Chloe assured me it was only group dances that they learned- she was NOt about to dance with one of the boys- no way.

I know this video is a little long, but darn it I wish I wish I could have posted the whole program! It was only an hour.... it was just so darling!

Chloe's favorite things about sixth grade-

1. her teacher

2. all the treats they get

3. science was so fun

4. being the oldest in the school

5. everything!

ukulele program 2008

Everyone who goes to our school learns the ukulele in second grade. Everyone. We are a neighborhood of ukulele players- really. Trent's class had their annual spring ukulele program yesterday. It was so darling! I am telling you, that teacher is nothing short of a miracle worker. Teaching 25 seven & eight year olds to play more than 20 different songs-- downright amazing.

Trent was really excited. Oh no, not about the concert... he kept saying-" after the concert we get to go home with our parents!! We get to go home early, before all the other kids!! Hey guess what? We get to go home early!"

Apparently going home early, before everyone else is a real treat.

Watching Trent play with the other kids was- well- sweet & to be honest... stung just a little. He just can't help it - the ol' aspergers really shows up in crowds of his peers. Don't get me wrong, he did great. He was darling. He was also obsessed with tucking in his shirt & checking his shoe laces, but hey- he did it & we loved watching him. Every kid had two solos. Trent needed a little boost so a girl in his class helped out. This is a huge accomplishment for Trent. Being in front of an audience, playing an instrument, singing into a microphone- these are big steps for my little guy. It was thrilling & so much fun.

(I'm really not squeezing his neck)

After the program all the kids brought out their moms a present they had been working on all month. A card & flower they had planted themselves. LOVE IT! His card said, I love my mom because... (he filled in) she plays with me.

Good times :)

hailey... i mean annie get your gun- parent preview

Last night Brett, Chloe & I went to the parent preview of Hailey's show. We opted to not bring -for obvious reasons- Trent which meant Jack stayed home. Jack is so willing to bbsit for jr. high events when needed- aren't you impressed? It was so great!- experience tells me it will be even better by Saturday, closing night.

All of my kids so far have taken this musical theatre class in school. It's been a great experience. Meg, Brian & Jack have made some of their closest friends as a direct result of this class. Funny how even on stage Hailey seems to hide from the camera?? I think she could see me taking this video. What a stinker.

Looks like fun, huh!?

I'm feeling guilty because I didn't help with the show this year, I'm just too busy. I just can't be everywhere. It sure is fun to sit back & watch!

Pay Back

SPT- What's Extra Special About Me?- MOVIE STYLE

Last night while I was laying in bed thinking about my really busy day today, I remembered today's SPT challenge. Even though I believe I have special qualities, I really couldn't think of what to SPT about so I came up with this little movie idea.

I hope you enjoy it!

What's special about my mom... Hailey & Trent edition.

What's special about my mom... chloe edition.

What makes mom special... jack edition.

What's special about mom... dad edition.

So there you have it. What's special about me? I have a fun loving family!

Piano Recital

Hailey & Chloe had their fall piano recital tonight. It was fantastic. I am uploading videos of each of their performances.

After the recital we ran over to the Gateway so that Brett could stop in at Franklin Covey & get something. The missionary in waiting came up with a great plan to scare his dad by running after him when he came back to the car- he was hiding out in the IPOD store until I gave the signal. (he's gonna be a fun missionary companion...?) Hailey came up with her own great plan to scare the missionary in waiting by hiding next to the car and jumping out after the first great plan. Chloe & I were parked next to the Olympic fountain & while we waited & kept watch the Olympic music actually played - I love that!

Well, I blew the signal & gave it too early... Brian came out before Brett got down the stairs then Hailey got them both, kind of. Just for fun Brett challenged the missionary in waiting to a race across the fountains. They were supposed to run on three, Brett took off & Brian jumped in the car. I told you he's gonna be a fun companion.

I hope you enjoy the recital.

* has anyone else completely OD'd on Halloween candy today?

I'm gonna be sick