Day of Independence!

I have to write this down so I don't forget it. Scotty was assigned to give a talk the Sunday before last. Scott talked with him that night and asked if he could help him write it. Scotty said, "no Dad I already wrote it." And sure enough he had. Not only did he write it but he drew pictures to go with it. When I looked at his kindergarten handwriting all over the paper, I was a little skeptical if he would be able to read it and give it, but he read it to us that night. Well, fast forward to Saturday, and we asked him to give his talk to us so he could practice. In our minds we were thinking we would be writing a last minute talk for him because he would not be able to read what he wrote on his paper. He surprised us once again and recited his talk several times. He was having a little trouble going from reading his talk to holding up pictures, so I offered to help him hold them up. Once again he did not need help. So on Sunday my heart was filled and overflowing with love and joy watching him give his first talk that he wrote completely on his own. The only thing I regret is that I did not scan it on Saturday night. When we got home from church I asked him for his talk and he had thrown it away. He had given his talk and did not see any further need for it. That is my boy!!! It is moments like this that remind me how special my kids are and why I love being a mother. This rough and tough dirty boy who pees on everything, throws major temper tantrums, hits and throws things sometimes....is the best snuggler, super sweet and kind, smart, independent, loves to play and create things, has a wild imagination and I love him!

Warning...not a good activity for the elderly!

I am always posting things late, so this happened last month but I ran across the pictures and had to post it as a warning. Last month we planned to take our beehive class ice blocking. Nothing wrong with that, I did it for young women's when I was a kid. Well, one of the Laurel advisers was surprised that we were doing that and made the comment, "isn't that against the law?" Apparently in California there is a law against ice blocking. I thought that was the silliest thing I had ever heard, government should really stay out of things. So, we went and had a great time except for this........


Yes, that is my thigh!! I fell off the ice block and rolled over the top of it. I knew instantly it would leave a bruise, but never imagined it would be that big. This picture was taken after a week or so of healing. So, now I know why they have laws against it, but maybe the law she set an age limit on the activity... no ice blocking if pregnant or over the age of 30! Man I am getting old and my body is sure not letting me forget that. Imagine if that were my head, I may not have lived to WARN you all of the dangers of ice blocking!

The Most Amazing Pool Ever!

A family in our ward, the Walters, have the most amazing pool in their backyard. The best thing about it is they love to have people swim in it. They are so generous and kind!!! A great family. Well, another family in our ward invited us to come swim and BBQ a few weeks ago in honor of their sons baptism. So we went and had a wonderful time. The pictures do not to the pool justice, the sight of it really makes your jaw drop. I think it is 12 feet deep, three slides a bridge (where I was standing to take pictures, a BBQ built in the ground so you are at the level of the swimmer (I failed to get a picture of that, and bar stools built in the pool right around the BBQ pit, etc....

Haley going down one of the slides.

Trevor, Scotty and Cody (he is the one who got baptized) jumping off the water fall!


Marianne and Lilly just hanging out!


Scotty in action~ I think he jumped into the water over 50 times!!

Here is a video of Haley going down one of the slides. Haley is the second one to go down, she is wearing a red swimsuit.



Here is a video of Scotty doing flips into the pool! He got braver and braver with each jump!

Cooking Class!

Some of you know that Madeline is taking a cooking class this summer. These two adorable girls in my ward put together a 6 week cooking class for little girls Maddy's age. Maddy looks forward to it every Thursday and has a great time. She makes all kinds of fun things and I get an hour and a half of babysitting all for only $5, what a bargain!

Haley's Dance Recital

We hurried back from our trip to Utah for Haley's dance recital! She had a dress rehearsal Friday night (June 26th) and then the real thing on Saturday (June 27th) afternoon. She did such a great job we are so proud of her. She has been practicing and practicing. I think we all can do the dance with her, especially her father.

As a side note that I want to remember is that Haley was really concerned about their dance costumes. In activity days a month or so ago they learned about modesty. So, when they got their costumes she was very disappointed that they were immodest. So, she decided to wear her jacket up until she had to go on stage and then put it back on right after she performed. She has such a strong sense of right and wrong, which will be a great blessing to her as she gets older. The only thing I worry about is if she is a little too self righteous, but that we can work on and I would much rather than issue!!! I count my blessings for such an obedient child that will be a great example to her younger brother and sister.


Taking off her ballet shoes! She has had a great time dancing this year!

Waiting for the show to begin!

Here is a video of her dress rehearsal. We were not allowed to video tape or take pictures of the actual performance because they were recording it and selling. They will do anything to make money I guess! Hope you enjoy!

Rite of Passage

Scotty has been needing a haircut for weeks now. I like to keep his hair short and neat, but it grows so fast I cannot keep up with it. He has his kindergarten graduation tomorrow so that finally motivated me to get the clippers out and get the job done. Well, he says, "Mom I want to be bald!" I say, "OK, it is summer I can handle that." So I got the clippers out and started. Scott could hardly stand it and took over for me. There is something about a dad shaving his son bald. Every little boy needs a buzz at least once in the summer huh? I honestly was just glad he did not ask for a Mohawk. He has been into spiky hair, Mohawks, and tattoos lately. Going bald sounded great to me!!

BEFORE


AFTER (he has a great shaped head! What a cutie!)

2 Weddings and a Funeral

Isn't there a movie called 2 weddings and a funeral? Maybe it was 3 weddings... anyway we only had two. That is what I am going to call our adventure to Utah. It started with a funeral that we actually missed. Ken's sister Lavonne passed away. She was a beautiful lady full of spunk and personality. I am sure Ken will miss watching the BYU games with her. We all loved her and have sweet memories of her. That was Thursday...

On Friday we sent Scott off to his race, the Wasatch Back. This is a grueling 188 mile relay from Logan to Park City. This is the second year he has ran in it. I personally think he is crazy, but whatever it takes for him to keep up his manly physique is fine with me!!!

That rest of the day we spent at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house with Scott's mom and sister Briana and her kids. What a beautiful temple with a gorgeous view. The kids were so excited to actually be able to go inside the Temple. Haley loved the Celestial room and the brides room. After sitting in the sealing room, we had to have a discussion about wedding though because she was confused about where the bride walks down with her father and where the cake would go and all the decorations. I think she was surprised how small it was. Well thank goodness we had several wedding to go to so the discussion could last all week. Hopefully she understands now that weddings are not like we see on TV and knows the importance of being sealed in the temple and then they celebrate at the reception. Here are some pictures we took.

Here we all are, a nice volunteer offered to take our picture. Oh ya, Scott's cousin Lauren went with us too. She is a doll.

Here is a picture of the gorgeous view of the mountains and valley and Marianne and Grandma!

Scotty and Jackson trying their hardest to be good and stay out of the fountains. It is hard being a boy! They both did really good walking through the temple considering there were so many stairs, chairs, and other things tempting to climb on.

Good looking kids!!! This is most of Scott's moms grand kids. We are only missing Scotlyn and Hunter who were in Texas!


After the temple we headed back to my moms house to go swimming with my sister and her kids. It brought back such fond childhood memories of when we used to go swimming at the same pool when we visited my grandma and grandpa Olsen. The kids had a great time!

Haley had her gear on. My mom quickly volunteered to stay out of the water and watch Marianne.


Scotty loves to swim and is doing really well this year despite the fact that I neglected to sign him up for swimming lessons yet this summer. My Sister Rebecca and her cute Anna!

Madeline pretty much stayed on the steps the whole time. She is a little scared in the water if her feet cannot touch the ground. That did not stop her from having fun though!


That evening we headed down to Orem for my Lorabeths 1st birthday party! I failed to get any pictures, but we had a great time! Thanks Bri!

Saturday we got up and ready for our first wedding. My niece Meagan got married. It was a fun morning. Nothing better than a wedding to get family together. I was able to see many cousins and nieces and nephews I haven't seen in years. We had a delightful time. It the rush of the morning I forgot my camera...bummer!

After that my family headed up to Park City in the rain to meet Scott at the end of his race. We definitely were not prepared for the cold and wet weather in Utah. It is JUNE for crying out loud, it is supposed to be summer!! After a stop at Rite Aid for a bottle, sweatshirts and umbrella's we braved the weather and went to meet Scott. I did not have my camera still but thanks to some of his teammates we were able to get a few!

Here we were to cheer daddy on. We love you Scott and are so proud of you !!! Yes, the kids are eating Popsicles and I think it was only 50 degrees out. I have to say that Marianne was a champ. Despite the cold and rain she was happy as could be. Maybe she doesn't like the heat and that is why she is so awnry all the time at home!!! Scott actually ran across the finish line with her because there was a sudden down pour and Maddy was a mess so I had to carry her.

Here is the team. There were 12 of them. They beat their time from last year and I think the course was 5 or so miles more.


Well, we said good bye to Scott because he had to head home with the team so he could speak in church, go to work and then get ready for camp Helaman. Yes our lives never stop they just go from one thing to the next like a whirlwind.

Sunday we slept in went to church and then went to visit Scott's Grandma Whitney. It was great to see her. The kids love to wheel her around. The highlight was when she took the kids to a window where you can sometimes see peacocks and sure enough there was one sitting on the wall. They thought that was great. When we got back to her room she gave each of the kids a peacock feather. I am so grateful that my kids are able to know their great grandmas!!



We usually stay with my mom when we go to Utah, however this time we decided to stay and Grandma Whitney's house in the avenues. She has a darling home on 8th avenue. It is kind of weird to be there without her, but it was very comfortable for us. She has great vintage toys that the kids adore, a dark basement that is fun to explore, and a quaint backyard. However, Scotty's favorite part of the house was the roof. Yes, I found him one morning out on the roof. I think he was shocked that I did not yell at him or get mad at him. I am finally learning that he is a boy and climbing on roofs are what boys do. I warned him to be careful and then walked back into the house to finish getting ready!

Ok...I did tell him to stay on the lower roof that is flat, so I did spoil a little of his fun. But at least I am getting better and not over reacting to every crazy idea that kid has!


Monday we spent the day at Hogle Zoo! I love that place. Again it brings back great memories from my childhood and they keep it up well and the kids love it. Here are a few pictures of the day...
Haley and Anna with the famous elephant that talks and sprays water.

Here are all the kids eating their lunch waiting for the elephant show to begin. That show was a little disappointing, but at least we got to sit down in the shade for a few minutes.

Tanner and Scotty eating a snow cone. How can you go to the zoo and not eat snow cones. Thanks Grandma for spoiling us!

I think the kids favorite part was this little Asian house where you could learn about Asian culture, try on Asian clothing, and play with all kinds of things. They were all fighting over a turn to play the drums. Here is Maddy going to town.

Marianne's favorite part was the train ride. I think it was because she finally got out of the stroller. She is just starting to like standing, although she is not steady at all. She had a great time laughing and playing. Isn't she a doll!

The other thing I like about Hogle Zoo is the play area. They have a great play area with shaded benches all around. The kids get to play and the moms get to relax and chat. I think we were at the play area for a couple hours. I think we stayed so long because we were hoping if we stayed past dinner we wouldn't have to feed the tribe!!!
Here are some pictures...the girls had a photo shoot by the turtle shell and cracked egg!




Tuesday, we hung around Grandma's house. My mom moved from the 6 bedroom house in Taylorsville that we grew up in to a 2 bedroom condo down town Salt Lake City. I love that she is right down town close to everything, but don't love the tight quarters. (Don't take this the wrong way mom and think that I am never going to visit you again. I will be there sooner than you would like probably) So we when we are all there we try to get the kids involved in something structured and quiet...like Lego's or a movie. Sometimes that does not work!

This trip they decided to go on the balcony and throw stuff off. Well the balcony overlooks the tennis courts so it is all concrete. So Madeline finds her own structured activity of throwing thing off. At first it was a plastic toy, which her cousin brought up after playing tennis. I thought it was an accident so I did not address it very strongly and soon after she decided to launch a glass cup! Yes a glass cup. Do you know how far shards of glass can fly when drops several hundred feet???? VERY FAR! Madeline and I spent a good half hour cleaning up glass. Oh the joys of highrise condo life!!!


Once all the glass was picked up and things got put together we headed out to the park. This kids loved climbing the huge trees and riding the spinning toy!

Oh, and you cannot go to the park with out getting "UNDER DOGS" on the swing!!

That evening Angela was kind enough to watch my girls so I could go to dinner with one of my best friends Kellie. Scotty had a sleepover with the boy cousins at Grandmas house! It was so fun to be with her at talk about life and catch up! She is an amazing, strong, beautiful women with two adorable children. I am so sad that I didn't take any pictures!


Thursday we went to an aquariam in South Jordan. It was really neat and the kids had a great time. My favorite part was the show at the end where they bring out the animals and talk about each one and then they let the kids touch them. They had several different talking birds, a huge snake, a nasty cockroach, and others. They also had a tank where you could touch the fish. I love this video because it show my childrens personalities. We had a great time. Thanks Shanna for taking us there!


Wednesday evening was the second wedding! My cute cousin Steve got married. He is the youngest of the cousins on my moms side of the family. He was always the baby. We grew up near his family so we played a lot. It was a beautiful reception and so much fun seeing so many cousins that we only get to see at occasions such as this. I wish we could get together more often!
Here is Stephen with his cute bride Lindsey!

My sister Rebecca and cousin Kendra and her husband Doug. They live in Idaho. Scott would love to get to their place and go fishing with Doug, maybe someday!

This is me and my cousin Judy. People always said that we look alike and I will definitely take that as a compliment, isn't she a doll. She was the ring leader when we were kids and would plan games for us to play including kissing tag. Yes cousin kissing tag....don't ask!

Four generation picture! I hope I look as good as my grandma when I am in my 90's!

Marianne and uncle Roy. My brother took pride in taking Marianne, giving her chocolate, making sure she got good and messy and then bringing her back to me. You gotta love older brothers!


Thursday we headed home! The trip home was the first time for me to drive by myself with all four kids. I have to say we did great! We made it in about 7 hours due to a few necessary stops, one for dinner and one at the new Downeast Home store in St. George!!! The kids were great they only fought a little bit and were fun to talk too.
This is how we all felt by the time we got home!