Catching Up

I am still trying to keep things somewhat normal for the kids as Burke is spending as much time with his parents as he can.

I have taken the kids to the park, to the library, to the doctor, the grocery store, the movies, and to the amusement park (Burke came along for that one). Despite all the rain we have had lately--I thought we were back in Michigan for a while--we have had a lot of fun.

I let the kids run through the sprinklers and of course that requires jumping on the trampoline

Nathan and Kade challenged me to get a picture of them doing synchronized flips. Unfortunately, the only shot I got of Kade was his little backside sticking up behind Nathan.

For Father's Day, we had my family over for dinner. The weather was nice, so we ate outside and let the cousins go crazy.

Adrienne and her cousin played dress up while everyone was here and loved every minute of it.

Kade had another belt test on Saturday. He tested for his Brown Belt. He was so excited...and nervous. I was nervous for him.

The test took two and a half hours, but he did very well and we expect to see him awarded his new belt this evening when he goes to class.

Burke wasn't able to be there, so I braved it with all of the kids (they did great!) and took lots of pictures and video for Burke to watch later.

In other news, Burke was called as a member of the High Council in our new Stake yesterday. He is excited about his new calling, but will really miss the Young Men he worked with.

And, although I will probably be sick of it in a few weeks, I am excited to announce that we will be eating zucchini from our garden for dinner tonight! Yum?

Never Enough

Where are all the pictures from the family parties, the "just stopped by" visits, and the I-traveled-1000-miles-to-work-on-your-house-and-play-with-my-grandkids visits, the birthdays, the holidays, and the Grandpa-is-dancing-again opportunities?

Why don't I have more video to show my kids of happier times?

Where did all the time go?

How did I lapse into assurance that there would always be another party, another visit, another opportunity?...

I think there are never enough pictures, video, or memories.

Dads

My van waited until I pulled into the garage...then it completely shut off.
What are the chances that it made it until I got home? That's the big guy looking out for me there.
Alternator.
Bummer.
My dear sweet husband spent the evening fixing it, and didn't get to bed until 11:30 PM, even though he has to get up at 5:30 AM to go to work.
Before the kids had to go to bed, Kade spent some time in the garage hanging out with his dad. I am so grateful for a husband who is able and willing to explain to him what an alternator is, and what it does.
Then I thought about the man who taught my husband what an alternator is and what is does, and how to change an old one and make a car "go" again.
He taught my husband how to fix stuff, how to work hard, how to be an honorable priesthood holder, how to save money, and how to be a good father.
He is a dad, a grandpa, a brother, and a husband. He is also very sick. We are going to lose him.
We love him so much and ask for prayers on his and his wife's behalf.

Just Askin'

I love it when kids say funny things (not embarrasingly funny, just regular funny).

The other day I was driving to the grocery store and Adrienne asked if she could play a game when we got home. I asked her which game she would like and she said Mr. Frog-Head.

It took a while, but I figured out that meant this:

The girls and I were driving past a park the other day when Annika saw a bunch of blow up bouncy things to play on. It was obviously some sort of party. Annika and Adrienne both asked if they could go play on them. I explained that it was a party, and they weren't invited, so they couldn't go play. Annika then answered, "Ask, mom, and ye shall receive. All we need to do is ask."

At church on Sunday a little Sunbeam excitedly announced to me it was Father's Day. I asked her if she had wished her dad a Happy Father's day. She told me, "Yes, in the bathtub!" Her mom looked at me and said that it was the girl in the bathtub, not the dad.

Most Embarrassing

Who wins the title of "Most Embarrassing?"
You decide.

I never knew how humbling motherhood could be until my first child was able to speak and able to say things that are truly embarrassing.
Each child has, in succession taken his place as Embarrasser in Chief. It is currently Annika's turn, and her reign has been long and fruitful. Here is the latest:
We make the kids do chores on Saturday mornings. Nathan and Kade do the bathrooms, Annika vacuums and dusts, and Adrienne wipes down the walls. Of course, there is much complaining going on while the jobs are (or are not) being done.
One week Annika decided that Burke and I do nothing but sleep in while they are working. I just rolled my eyes and ignored that statement as I mopped the floor, did laundry, and helped Burke with the yard work. That was a mistake. Annika had a playdate at a friend's house about a month ago. When it was over, the little girl's mom stopped by to let me know what Annika had said. Not a good sign. Apparently, in front of all the other children (and the mom) present, Annika said, "All my mom and dad do on Saturday is lay around in their underwear and kiss."
Although this sweet mom was laughing, I had to try hard to laugh along with her as I concentrated on suppressing the horrible flush that was creeping into my cheeks.

We had a little talk, and I don't think it will happen again.... Although with Annika, you never know...

I recently had my own embarrassing experience from my own actions, though. Nobody to blame but me.
Nathan just had his first real hit in baseball the other day. He was so excited and I was so proud of him. He had been practicing and finally had success!!! The game was over and I went to congratulate him with a sportsman's slap on the backside.
I slapped, and then looked up and saw Nathan standing by his dad watching me in horror. I had just slapped his teammate, who turned around and looked at me like I was a weirdo-- which I guess I was! I apologized profusely, then started laughing, then with the blushing... I hate that.

Summer Fun?

The weather lately hasn't been very summer-y and the activities haven't been very fun-ny. Yesterday the kids and I went to our second summer movie. It was Hoodwinked. A very lame movie I didn't enjoy the first time I saw it, and have enjoyed less and less with each subsequent viewing. I think I am on #4 now... The kids had a good time though.

After the movie, we went to see a special train that was coming to our area for only one day. It was supposed to be great and fun, but instead was a line for three hours. I decided that nothing is worth standing in line for three hours with four kids, so we played in the fountain instead. I think they liked it just as much as they would haved liked the train.

Monday, the kids and I weeded the jungle--I mean flower bed in the front yard. It had been postponed, delayed, and ignored for much too long and had become something to behold, but not in a good way. What I expected to take about an hour ended up taking about three. It looks much better now, but all of us have sore muscles, and I think I lost about twenty tulip bulbs in the chaos. Oh well, you get what you pay for, and the labor was free...

Except for the Happy Meals they got when we finished.

Here are some picts from yesterday's fun in the fountain after the train trip was aborted.

Excuses

Mmmmm....

Check out this site and see what today is.

If you ever needed an excuse, I've just given you one.

Enjoy!