11 under 7

Thursday night we had a real treat

My oldest sister Debbie's three girls came to visit.

I grew up babysitting these guys & now they are all mothers!

they have 10 kids under 7 between them- wow (Ruthie came too with the peanut- so that made it 11 under 7!)

It was absolutely wonderful to have them here

My niece Wendy shares a birthday with Trent so we had to celebrate, of course!

We had make your own taco salads & the kids all played in the back yard- beautifully.

I had loads of chocolate chip cookies made ahead of time.

They loved swinging on our tree swings.

Swinging- I love this shot- it looks like he's going to hit my camera.

the kids loved exploring Chloe's garden & Trent's tree house.

Brian & Chloe put up our trampoline the day before to add to the fun. we don't like to keep it up all summer because it kills our grass.

the kids loved to see pictures of themselves jumping off the deck onto the tramp.

Guess what? A miracle occurred... no one got hurt!

there was side walk chalk.

and babies- this is the youngest.

Some of the kids were already in car seats when I decided to take group pictures...

It didn't dawn on my once to take a picture of my nieces all together. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED I MISSED MY CHANCE. when will I ever learn?

What a blessing it was to have them all come to my home- I love these girls & their beautiful families. Too bad we live so far away, but then that's what Heaven is for-- visiting all the people you love, when ever you want!

twelve is good

Last night we had a little- very little- family party. Sunday when Trent is ordained a Deacon we are having a big family party. Brian & Laura were here & Chloe, Brett & I- Hailey is away at EFY. Ethan came last minute- Trent & he had been swimming (thanks again WEnde) all day.
There was Little Caesar's Pizza, Bread sticks, Root beer, Chocolate cake & Vanilla Ice Cream. Does dinner get better than this? In my opinion- Heavens YES- apparently not when you're 12.

Trent got a new BYU tie from his very strong U fan, Sunday school teacher- and a pocket knife from his new scout master! Trent is truly loved in the neighborhood.

He also got some new things for school & a Cars 2 - Nintendo DS game. Even a really great email from missionary Jack. The highlight of the night was the model helicopter Wende & Ethan gave him. He put it together & slept with it last night. Cute.

I can't believe my baby's 12.

but I wouldn't have it any other way!

p.s. Trent got 3 birthday cards in the mail today!

You GuYs ROCk!!

12

Last night when Trent went to bed he was 11. This morning he woke up -- 12. I'm not sure he could be more excited?Dad left for work... then- there was a loud knock at the door & WA La- a bike was there!
Trent's birthday wish had come true!
He immediately took it for a spin around the cola sac & nearly got hit by a neighbor pulling out of the driveway... oh boy.

never a dull moment

This boy is so easy to love.

He is special in so many ways.

Yesterday we took him to a new doctor- a specialist at the U of U. It was amazing. In our two hour evaluation we learned so much more about Trent. About Aspergers, the adolescent brain, ADHD, turrets & tics, OCD, and what we need to do to keep on helping our guy. He is doing great & that's the way we want to keep it.

12 year old Trent loves:

cheese pizza - cake - riding bikes - scouts - playing with friends - doing hard 1000 piece puzzles- Lego's - hugs - technology & computers - his big brothers & sisters - and getting birthday cards in the mail... so far he has been extremely disappointed by getting none. (He checks EVErY DAY. If you know him please send him one!!!)

What I love about Trent: He is very honest & literal (which is great for a mom & sometimes funny) he loves to hug me, he is a great whistler, he is a good brother, he helps me with the computer & hooking up the dvd player etc.

I love you Trent!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

she's back!

Last Monday I speedily hurried down to Utah County to drop these two cuties off at EFY- BYU style. They were so very, very excited!!

Heck, I was excited for them. I told them on the way down that -exactly 29 years ago- I was the very same age, went to the very same EFY, stayed in the very same dorm rooms, with my best friend Stephanie. Boy did we have fun!

{checking in to get their dorm room key}
I adore these two girls.
They've been the best of friends since Kindergarten. Sweet.

This year they were finally old enough to go to to EFY (a summer retreat for LDS youth.) Chloe is my 5 - fifth child- I've dropped off here. What lucky kids!

I was feeling old as I drove home lickety split to put dinner in the crock pot, pick up before Marcus & Brittany came, and run off to work! I had traded my usual morning shift for evening so that I could be the dropper offer. It was worth it- so fun.

Trent of course- cried when we left Chloe there. But- all is well now Chloe is back home!

HOoRay!! We missed you girl.

25 years old

More than 25 years ago (our anniversary was in May) one of my favorite & most influential young women leaders made this quilt for me as a wedding gift. It has been a treasure to me all these years. It was on our bed forever & ever. We've slept under it & wrapped our children up in it.Because it has been so loved, it has been carefully placed in between or underneath the quilt on our bed many times. But sadly... it's just plain worn out.

today I cut out a good section & placed it here, under glass.

It's hanging in our upstairs hallway & it will always remind me- of so many important things.

I'm glad I salvaged a chunk of it while there was still a chunk left.

it's really just embarrassing...

Today I did it!

I finally cleaned out my linen closet- all this junk was in there!

It's embarrassing really how many junky ol' blankets & non matching sheets I had. Years & years of old stuff that we just-plain-don't-use. Not to mention my college bedding set. I don't think I'll be going back to the freshman dorm anytime soon-- it was just a little outdated.
I'm on a roll I tell ya- tonight I cleaned out all the old VHS tapes- wow.

It's really just embarrassing~ but it feels so good.

so lucky

This summer--- every week--- once a week- Wende takes Trent swimming with her family. Every WEEK! Trent is so lucky, that I am so lucky, to have such a good friend!

{she even ordered pizza for dinner- wowza}

Last week Chloe went too & guess what? Trent's summer dream came true- they stayed until the pool closed. He was so excited to see what happened when the pool closed. Everything shut down, the lazy river stopped running, and the life guards started stacking the chairs & cleaning up. riveting.
Allie & Ethan were there too. Ethan is Trent's summer BFF. They have had the best time swimming & playing with Lightening McQueen and his cars 2 friends. I've gotta say-- school is coming much too fast.

It looks cloudy from this picture, but it's not. Just dusk.

It's been a great summer.

Especially since he hasn't had to have "summer school" for most of the month of July- he decided he didn't want to do it anymore. Rude awakenings are coming as we get back in the groove later this week.

We are also - so lucky - because we got to see these 2 this week!

He is getting so big- love the baby yawn.

june field trip

I missed a lot of postings in June- this is one more effort to catch up! Last month I took the kiddos & a couple of our favorite friends to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
Hailey just finished taking a H.S. Art History class so she really enjoyed it- this guy- not so much. I asked these two to stand back & look at this painting & tell me what it made them think... Ella said: chairs. Trent said: Mario.

One of my favorite things to see was this. Photos of rainbows all put together into a swirl.

Caroline & Chloe liked the African masks- cool.

Warrior Gear from Mulane's time~

this was definite a treat to see!

For sure Trent & Ella's favorite was the Egyptian section. Ella kept asking me if there was really a "dead person in there?"

On the way home we stopped off at the Gateway

Then got yogurt!

NO pictures of the group... how long have I been blogging?

good grief!