Arizona 2009

We made it! And we drove 1,030 miles in 15 hours with 4 kids. Pretty good. We let the kids out 3 times to go to the bathroom for like 5 minutes. They were great because they wanted to get there too! We're staying at Dallin's parent's house this time and the kids had tons of fun on Saturday (the 4th of July). We went to a pancake breakfast for a little while. We had to leave the park though when Connor wanted to do his notorious dumping-dirt-all-over-his-whole-body. Then we came home and Savannah got to help Grandpa make homeade ice cream.

All the Strong family here in town came over for lunch and games. The kids had a great time playing with some cousins and meeting the new babies of the family.

Connor kept himself occupied with the train for pretty much the entire day. He loves "chugga chugga choo choos" right now.

Someone shared their confetti "fireworks" with all the cousins. Savannah wasn't too excited with the noise and Zach just watched from inside. But Jacob liked it!

The little girls table...

The boys playing in their "fort"

We didn't watched fireworks because these kids needed sleep (and it was HOT). Connor was not sleeping well until last night...just being in new places was freaking him out I think.

On Sunday we went to church with the LeSueurs. Then we had a family dinner. It was momentous because it's the first time all 6 grandkids were together and all the kids with their spouses. My mom was so excited! We also celebrated my dad's birthday.

This morning we went back to the LeSueurs for some fun. Dallin and the boys went to shoot off model rockets with Uncle Justin. Jacob really got into it I think.

Then we went swimming. Connor LOVES to be thrown up in the air!

Grandpa brought some water guns along and let the boys get him...

In the evening we all went out to eat and then went to have family pictures taken on the Mesa temple grounds. My aunt Marilee took them. She was a trooper...it was hot and Connor was NOT cooperative. But she was fast, which was good. This is a picture I got while we were waiting.

After pictures we went into the Visitor's Center to watch the movie "The Testaments." Connor lasted through about the first 20 seconds. He and I got to examine every flower on the grounds while we waited. It was nice to take the kids there and hopefully it will be a good memory for them. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Baby birds

For the last 3 years some birds (finches I think) have built a nest on our porch. The first 2 years they got scared off after a day or so because we're always out there. This year they finally laid their eggs in it. There was 5 eggs when they finished.

Here is the view from our house. It's in that little space on top of the post. It's a good spot...wind and rain can't touch it.

On Monday or Tuesday the first egg hatched! I've been taking pictures so the kids can see. It's way too high up for them. I've been standing on the slide to get pictures.

On Wednesday I think I actually caught this one hatching...

Zach saw the eyes (that aren't opened yet) and said "Mommy, I think we have some baby turkeys back there!"

Today we're packing for Arizona. We leave tomorrow morning at 4:30am. We're driving to Mesa tomorrow...1,030 miles. Unfortunately we can only stay for a week, so we'll have to cram in time with both of our families. The kids will get to meet 3 new cousins though! I told Zach that we were going to have to work hard to pack today. He is so excited to go that he came to wake me up this morning and said "Let's get to work!" He's been helping me all morning, sorting laundry, finding things for me, etc. The kids can't wait to see you Grandmas and Grandpas!

"Wa Er Side"

We broke out the pool today! I've never set it up since we've lived in Texas, so this was Connor's first time in it. He LOVED it of course."Ter LLL Mommy!" (Turtle)

I then remembered seeing this on a friend's blog and dragged the slide over for some fun. Connor was ecstatic. First he called it a waterfall, then a "wa er side!" Notice Connor's method of getting out of the pool...

Savannah got some nice soakings compliments of Jacob. Zach went inside when he saw the slide because there was a bug on it...he missed out on all the fun.

"FUN Mommy! I'm FUN!"

Girl's Camp 2009

This last week has been crazy busy, as you can tell by my lack of blog posting. We've done lots of kid-swapping...me watching kids and my friend Erin watching all 4 of my kids for 10 hours while I was at camp for the day. Bless her heart. She even walked them to the park (where Zach and Savannah freaked out because of the bugs) and made crafts with them. Gotta love good friends.

On Wednesday I drove up to camp with Ayesha for the day. She was just baptized a couple of months ago and was able to get off work to go for the day. Luckily it was "ward night" so we got to all hang out together. It is at Camp Bovay, which is a Boy Scout Camp. We got there about 10:30. Not long after we got there they closed all outdoor activities except swimming (archery, BB guns, canoeing, paddleboats). It was just too hot...104 degrees with nice humidity. Ayesha was bummed she couldn't do that stuff but I was more than happy to spend our time inside where it was cool. I'm becoming a wimp with my old age. They do have an awesome pool with a waterslide and stuff though, so the girls had fun with that. We spent the afternoon goofing off, making crafts, and braiding hair... We played the "cup game" and the girls decided to make hats. Camp was a Dr. Suess theme so it went right along...

Then we did some dancing...

...where Jamie had a little too much fun.

Camp style...gotta love it.

For dinner the bishop and his wife came. This is our entire ward...all 5 girls, 5 leaders (2 ward leaders, 2 stake leaders, and one that was both), and the bishop and his wife.

Me and my 5 YW. One just graduated and one is moving soon so we'll be down to 3 girls. We'll miss you two!!!

After dinner we had a bishop's fireside and then a nice testimony meeting outside with just our ward. Ayesha and I left about 10:30 and got home a little after 12:30am. It was a fun time!!!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dallin!!! (A week late) We love you and all the things you do for our family. You're a great daddy and husband!

Happy Birthday Dallin!

Happy Birthday Dallin! We love you. Thanks for being such a great husband and daddy. The kids were so excited to pick out helium balloons for Daddy today.Apple pie...Dallin's favorite.

Each of the kids made Dallin a card. They were waiting all day for him to come home and read them...

Opening a new car windshield shade. Such an exciting present (NOT)...but much appreciated in the middle of the summer!

A happy Zach & Daddy after opening a new GPS for his car. I guess this birthday had a car theme. Dallin actually picked out the GPS and bought it...that's not something I'd attempt myself. I just wrapped it so he'd have stuff to open!!!

We love you!!!

Cub Scout Day Camp

Yesterday was the first day of Cub Scout Day Camp. Jacob was so excited it took forever for him to fall asleep the night before. I volunteered the first day and was able to take some pictures. Thanks Betsy for watching my other kids ALL DAY!

Jacob said his favorite thing all day was shooting the BB guns. The camp is at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown right next to the river. It has tons of trees and shade which was really nice since we were outside for over 8 hours.

Next he did cooking. They got to make little tiny foil dinners (one scoop of corn, one scoop of green beans, and a meatball). I helped at this station all day. I was in charge of the "fire" or coals...all day long. It was actually pretty fun though! It was great in the morning but was pretty hot by afternoon. I smelled like a campfire all day.

Then they did Ultimate Frisbee and I got to eat lunch with him. After lunch Jacob got to fish on his own for the first time. He was a little frustrated trying to keep his bait on, but enjoyed it I think.

Monkeyin' around. Jacob's "den leader" here is named Tom and Jacob really likes him.

I didn't get pictures of the huge slip'n'slide because it was far from my "fire," but Jacob loved it. Last he did archery. Being a cub scout is awesome.

Jacob is there from Tuesday until Friday. He was excited to sling shots today. Friday afternoon we get to go to the awards ceremony. I don't think he had any problems falling asleep last night...we were both exhausted!