Memorial Day Weekend at the Cabin

For the second year in a row we spent Memorial Day weekend at the cabin in Duck Creek. Last year it snowed...this year it rained. But it was nice and cool all weekend so nobody complained. We did have a small case of cabin fever Saturday but again, nothing to complain about. Las Vegas is already scorching hot.

Our family arrived late Friday night. We waited for Kyle to get home from school and sadly bid him farewell as he left to spend the weekend with his mom, then we hit the road. We stopped off in Cedar City to say "Hello" to MamaThom and PapaThom and drop Kramer off for his weekend with his grandparents. When we arrived at the cabin, it was time for bed.

Saturday, Dad & Barb went up to SLC for the day to spend with their dear friend Babs at her "Ta Ta for Now" party. We played at the park, installed some swings, bought a fire pit and installed it for Dad for Father's Day and made a short appearance at the town dance (it was raining so we didn't last long). I should say that Tripp and Wes (and Sam) installed the swings and the fire pit...I didn't really do any hard labor.

Sunday was a rest day. We took a short nature hike then headed out to fish in the late afternoon. After dinner, we gave the fire pit a whirl and roasted marshmellows.

Monday morning Dad rented a bunch of ATVs. I packed and cleaned while the kids (and Tripp) rode around all morning. After some dirty fun, we headed down the mountain to collect Kramer and spend some time with Tripp's parents. We had lunch at the Pizza Factory then Tripp mowed their yard while the girls played with MamaThom.

It was a lovely weekend. Below are some of my favorite photos, in no particular order. If you want more of a timeline, check out Lindsay's blog.

pg" border=0> Abbie's first Smore

Sam Fishing

Abbie Fishing

Abbie & Nate on the Rhino

Daisy during her ride on the Rhino

Abbie & Papa

Nate & Abbie

Flower Girls

Sad

My stepmom's very best friend Babs passed away today. She fought cancer for way too many years. Although she was in remission for several (10 perhaps?), it came back and with a vengence. She was such a kind lady...always remembering each us of (Linds, Sam and I) at holidays or when our kids were born (not Sam of course). She was a talented artist and a loving wife, mother and grandmother. But the one thing I will always remember about Babs was that she was a friend.

Barbara and Babs have been BFFs since well, forever. High school at least but probably before that. She even dated my dad in high school. The have been so good, kind and caring to each other for so many years. They have been such a wonderful example to me and I can only hope to be half the friend to the ladies in my small friendship circle as they were to each other. Whenever I think about how I can be a better friend, those two are the first to come to mind. She will be missed not only by her family and Barb & Dad but by us girls as well.

So please say a little prayer tonight for Steve, Kim, Stephanie, Megan, her grandkids and Barbara as they all lost someone wonderfully dear today.

He Did It....

That's right, for a second year in a row Kyle is Bartlett Elementary's top earner for the Jog-A-Thon. Along with $150 in gift certificates to Toys R Us, he also gets the privilege of exiting the school with more than just a huge stack of citations. I hope people choose to remember Kyle for his awesome smile, his excitement for school activities, his 100 miler JAWS pace (4 years in total) and his stellar efforts to raise money for the school. Thanks to all who donated and congrats Kyle!

What I'm Loving About My Kids Right Now

Kyle * 11 3/4 - The Atomic Fireball

• He can be the wimpiest 11 yr. old you've ever seen but he steps into the goalie box and he turns into the atomic fireball (if I had to give him a superhero name, that's what it would be). Each week I'm impressed with how much courage he has in that position. I really think it is his calling.
• He may fight with Abbie all day long but when he is away and sees something or receives something he thinks she would like, he always brings it home for her. Not Daisy (his visible favorite) but Abbie. I know underneath all the frustration he currently has for his 3 yr. old sister he really still adores her.
• The loyalty he inspires in his friends. He got into a scrape at school a few weeks ago and at least two kids we know went home that night terribly upset that Kyle got a raw deal. A parent from each home found Tripp later that week to tell him that their child was disturbed by what transpired with Kyle and tried to get the teachers to do the right thing. I don't think many pesky 11 yr. olds can say that.
• His reading skills. The kid can read. He was on restriction for 9 days recently and read the entire Harry Potter series so that he would be ready for the 6th movie this summer. He is having a harder time finding books at his reading level that are also at his age level but he is an amazing reader which I know has translated into his great writing this year.

Abbie * 3 1/2

• That she is old enough now to really play. It is so fun to watch her talk anyone she can into playing elaborate princess or pony games with her. Aunt Sam and Kristen Howie are some of my favorites to watch although Grandma Sandy playing the endless round of ponies was quite a hoot as well.
• When she asks me for the flashlight so she can look under the couch for "cwews" - clues. She thinks she is a detective.
• Watching her put on a pair of glasses (the plastic Harry Potter ones Tara and I got from the last book release party), get out a piano book and sit down for her lesson which consists of her playing the piano and singing Scripture Power, I Love to See the Temple, or some other Primary song.
• That her very favorite clothes (outside of dress-up princess clothes) are always, without fail, the ones Aunt Sam payed a couple of bucks for off the Gap sale rack. She doesn't know where they came from but it's like a magnet, she is drawn to whatever Sam gave her.
• How much she loves to read. Our house is covered in stacks of books that Abbie has left after being called to dinner or for school or whatever. She pulls stacks out and finds a place to sit down and read then inevitably gets called away. It's a miracle we haven't lost any library books.
• She's moved on to princess movies (yes, the day finally came when she got hooked on Cinderella) but I love that she will still make room for other great movies. For example, she is into Aladin right now but every couple of days will watch Mary Poppins instead then out of the blue will ditch both for Alice in Wonderland or some old non-princess favorite for the week.

Daisy * 17 Months

• Watching her sign "socks" is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Abbie's signing was cute but Daisy's is seriously funny.
• That she cracks herself up...on a regular basis. I mean belly laughs at herself. She thinks she is the funniest person ever.
• Her snuggle bed which she loves filled with her two small blankies, a blankie Tripp and I bought her in London and the huge blankie Nikki B. made for her when she was born (over top). Then, she likes all her stuffers (stuffed animals) shoved in around her. It's quite a site. A pillow, four blankets and at least four stuffers (snoopy, grover, teddy and giraffe) all around tiny Daisy is something to behold.
• Her insane hair. It's like a frizzy puffball most of the time. I've cut it so many times now just so that it won't look totally insane but it just keeps growing and getting curlier but not curling quite like Abbie's and mine...more of a wavy frizz. Tripp's or Aunt Lindsay's perhaps? I'm not sure but until it gets longer (which it doesn't want to do everywhere, just in crazy places) it is an interesting hairdo. It gives me a good laugh on a daily basis.
• That she loves to play babies. She will ask for the baby bucket and get them all out and give them bottles and put them to bed. It's pretty funny to watch such a biddy baby want to take care of baby dolls.

Bubble Blowing Skirt and Top GIVEAWAY!!!!

Bubble Blowing Skirt and Top GIVEAWAY!!!! - Abbie would love this. Cross your fingers for us.

New Plants and Other Fun Things...

We spent Friday night and Saturday taking care of the planters in our yard. They've been empty for quite awhile but we didn't want to just throw some plants in there...we really wanted to do something we would like. So, after many months of careful thought, we came up with a plan and spent this last week putting it into action. We are so happy to say the planters are finally complete.

We also had some fun visitors on Saturday. Grandma Sandy came for a three day stay and has been hanging out with us. And on Saturday, Paul and his kids dropped by for lunch and a couple hours of play time along with MamaThom and PapaThom. It was quite a site with Tripp and I planting and all the grandparents and kids here playing but everything got done and everyone had fun so mission accomplished.

The weekend prior we finished some items in our side yard. We got our compost bin up and operational (hooray! Now I can start on my next project...beekeeping. You think our neighbors hate us now, just wait until I start my beehive). While Tripp planted our lemon and peach trees, I took care of our herb and veggie garden.

Compost bin - The Christmas gift is out and operational! I'm reading the directions tonight and will start dumping in the trash tomorrow!

Herb/Veggie Garden - small portion. It wraps around the house.

Abbie and Grandma Sandy jumping on the trampoline.

Daisy tearin it up in the back yard. She isn't a trampoline fan quite yet. Thanks Kristen for the great threads...nothing says classy lady like an outfit with "Way Out" on your buns.

Top Five Reasons Why We Love Aunt Ham

5. Months after quitting the Gap, she still brings over a bag full of clothes much to the delight of my two small girls (especially the larger one...every single one of her favorite items is something Aunt Sam bought her).

4. When she comes over she gives 100% of her attention to playing potato head - with Daisy.

3. When she comes over she gives 100% of her attention to playing princesses - with Abbie.

2. For gifts she often gives rides on roller coasters - Kyle is anxiously awaiting his ride on the NY NY Coaster.

1. She can provide endless amusement and stories from Disneyland trips including, but not limited to, "Swamp Crotch", "Another Bite of Gumbo" and "Frozen Banana in the Honey I Shrunk The Theatre".

We really, really love our Aunt Ham!!!!!