H.2.O=F.U.N

We have really been taking advantage of the warm, scratch that, HOT weather. The pool in the backyard has saved us. I don't know what we did before we had it. The kids were in it all day for the first week. They all looked like drown rats. In a good way.

**************************************

We have also uncovered a gem about 10 minutes away. Eagle Island State park. I used to go when I was little. It was kinda scummy then. The bottom of the water was all sea-weedy (yes, it's a word, my word). The beach was yucky and had awful horse flies. I have been hearing for the last few years about friends going and thought I would try it out. And yes, I am well aware of all the drownings that happen there.

Last Tuesday we decided to check it out with my sister and her boys. The girls were shocked that there was a beach so close to home! The cost is $5/vehicle and you can bring your own food and drinks. As we rounded the bend to the beach I was so happy to see that it was clean and so well groomed. The kids were all so excited too! We played and ate, built a sand castle, enjoyed the sun.......it was bliss.

We went this week too. And we are going again on Monday. I would love to be able to take my kids to Roaring Springs, but let's be honest.....$$$$$$$$HELLO???? The cost is bananas.

Here are some pictures of our 1st trip. (Burke has yet to go, but will on Monday)

Hauling in all our goods!

Taylor Bug

Nattie Girl

Caillou. jk Graden John

Sand Castle 101

Voila!

sUmMeR sO fAr~

So guess who loves bath time?

Raisin Feet

And the splash park.

And his Sissy.

I hope you are having a great summer. A neighbor down the street from us gave the kids a really good sized pool last week. They have been in it non stop since. Does that count as bathing? ;)

Drinking kinda day.

I woke up that way. Not in the "wrong side of the bed" kinda way. I just knew today would be a doozy. Jason is at a wrestling camp this week. He is having fun and I am glad. I am just used to for the last month+ having him home some what during the day. It was cold turkey starting Monday. The kids have been good, they are happy. I have nothing to complain about. I just think I need a good cry. Why is that? It's like I need one once in a while. I am not even upset about anything. Weird. There doesn't need to be a reason either. I am declaring that. So if you are having a day like I have had today. Cry it out. No rhyme, no reason, no time limit, no tissue limit. Cry cry away. I feel better just venting about it!
I took the girls to the doctor today. 6 year check a weee bit late. They both have allergies and are starting a series of meds to help. They also have to go see the ENT (ears, nose, throat) Doctor. Tonsils, adenoids. The works. Same with Graden. I am blessed that my kids are so healthy. I am blessed that I have a husband that works so hard for our family, even if the ends don't always meet. I am blessed to have a calling that keeps me on my toes. I have a roof, and a bed, and a challenge to read the BoM by the end of 2o1o. I have all I need.

I am better now.

Humanitarian quilt #2

“All about us there are many who are in need of help and who are deserving of rescue. Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving. There are the homeless, the hungry, the destitute.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Our Mission of Saving,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 59

I volunteered to do another top to a Humanitarian Quilt. I just love doing them. Our ward is in charge of putting 8 quilts together. I have done 2 tops so far. This one was a double size. So 10x10 squares. It was much bigger than I thought.

I wanted to document the stages of putting it together so I have it in my history.

They come in bags like these. You just need thread.

I start by laying out the blocks so I see what I have to use. They come from donated fabric. So they tend to be a bit hodge podge. This one was actually not that bad.

As you can see I under estimated the size and ended up on the love seat.

Then when I am happy with the look of it I number the top rows.
1-10

Then those rows get stacked into their piles.

This is a bit out of order. But when you sew them you put them "face to face" so the side you like shows.

I stack my whole pile together.

Then a trick I learned was to sew rows 1-5 together. Then 6-10 together. Then you sew 5 and 6 together. It makes for MUCH less bulk on the work surface.

Me, not sewing my fingers!

What one row looks like. Plus Graden.

This is the finished product. It is the top only. My next adventure is to learn how to do the rest of the steps.

I am not sure where this quilt will end up. But it was sewn with love. And sweat. It was crazy hot on Saturday. ;)

4th, food, fireworks, family...fun

Big surprise....We had the Gauby's over for the 4th. We were officially ditched by Austin and Caitlin. I guess sparklers and ground bloomers are not "cool" enough for teenagers. Pssshh.
So Jeff, Julie and Mason came over for wings, and works. Fire works that is.

The Chefs.

A match made in culinary heaven.

DUR.


Our neighbor Paul has inspired us to become wing masters. Just kidding. I would have had him cook them but they had their baby. Geez. ;) He did get us some of his famous BB Wolfe sauce! holla! Not too shabby if I do say so! Thanks Paul.

Eat your heart out.

This is when the real fun begins. NOT! My mom is such a worrier that it turns me into a worrier. When she rides me about the kids and safety, I get all gnarley. As you can tell, Jeff is having the time of his life listening to Judy!

~SpArKlErS~

Graden kept trying to light the wrappers from the poppers on fire. It was funny. He also did this bizar sparkler dance. It ended in the word "Fyyyya" (fire). Scary huh?

We walked down the street by the Bishops house. I guess theie cul de sac had crazy fire works! Did you see them Cherie? They were all done by the time we went down!

(um, crack kills Graden!)

It was a great day.

~eIght MoNtHs~

My sweet boy is 8 months old. Where the time went I do not know. Why can't my stretch marks disappear as quickly? Burke is really turning into his own person. He very much likes and dislikes certain things:

Burke's likes:

Mountain Dew.

I know I know. It's Jason's fault. Burke see's that green can and goes bonkers. He has never actually gotten a swig, but he sure tries!

Blankies on his face.

Rocking on his knees.

Willy Wonka song.

You know that commercial that plays the Willy Wonka song? (Pure Imagination) It stops Burke in his tracks. He is mesmerized by it! It is so funny to watch. Then he snaps right out of it!

I put it on my play list if you want to listen to it!

Sitting at the table.

Napping.

This kid sleeps more than a teenager!

Burke's dislikes:

Sleeping anywhere but his crib.

This has proven to be difficult with three older siblings who enjoy being at parks, or out and about.

Hair Cuts

The clippers scare him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know I say this all the time, but he is really a gem. A dream baby. He is content, happy, calm, easy going, adorable and best of all...MINE!

Happy 8 months Birthday Lil Man.

And he likes Twizzlers. Holla!