Kiddo crazy

This past week all of our kids had fun things to do.  Brooke, Tanner, Annee and Chubba took our ski boat to Bear Lake with a reunion with Brooke's family.  We got to babysit Annee's frog.  Travis and Tenille went to Lake Powell with friends and family (not us)...and we got to babysit Nash and Boston for a few days.  Since I am still "in recovery"mode, I was really afraid I wouldn't be up to full-time kiddo sitting but David promised he'd help.  And he did!  He took them horse back riding and swimming several times.  We really had a great time together.  I had them cook with me and we made Corn dog Muffins.  They thought it was fun to help.  I'll put the recipe on the cooking blog.

 Boston and Nash's favorite thing, by far, was toad catching.  Apparently we have tons hatching down by the barn and the boys went nuts.  It started off with just two and I made a little house for the terrified duo in a food saver with a hole cut out on the top.  The next thing I knew, the toads had escaped.  I found one hopping on my kitchen counter and a couple of hours later, found the other one hopping down the hallway.  After thinking they were secure once again, they later escaped...and one has yet to be found.  Little boys!  So much fun!

 This was the first night....both conked out from all the fun.

The boys went home Sunday night....then Monday morning we picked up Ryan and Marci's 4 kiddos...and we'll have them for the week.  Marci has been in Guatemala for a week singing in a special choir, then Ryan left this past weekend and he'll join her, then stay for another week for business.  Again, lots of swimming and horseback riding.  Josh and I play dominoes and I conned the kids into helping me with projects. (below are cute storage containers I bought at Ikiea.  WHY do I buy things there that have to be put together????  Then after hours of the putting together, the bins were actually too big for my pantry.....)  (but heh, they are red and cute...)

So if you already have chaos with 4 kids, why not take on 3 more.  Brandi had a date with her friendaboy and Parker last night.....so I said the girls could come over as well.  I had made candy balls for Nash and Boston and they LOVED it....so I made some more for all these kids.  We had two of them going at a time and it is probably the funnest game we've played.  I wrote instructions about them a few entries ago.  If you are confused by how to make them or how to play the game, just call me or email.

So, truly, I am ready for a nap!  BFF Cathy has been out of town, and then had out of town kids for a month so we haven't really had any time together so while David held down the fort, I picked her up for lunch today.  A rehab center that her son-in-law runs (and Kirk is part owner of) caught on fire last night so we went way out west to see the damage.  (I thought we should take hot dogs and marshmallows but then realized maybe that wasn't appropriate.....)  They have things all under control.  Loved my break time...
then home to more games and taking the kiddos for snowcones.  We're having a (whew!) good time. (except for the last 4 kiddos brought their caterpillars that they are hoping will turn into butterflies.  Both the caterpillars escaped from their mesh home and only one of those has been found.  The kiddos "pets" are wearing me out!)


"Do you know why grandchildren are always so full of energy? They suck it out of their grandparents."  Gene Perret

Articles of Faith.....

We have a proclamation in the Church basically to explain principles that we believe in to other people.  They are called the Articles of Faith....and are something that we learn as children. Annee recently turned 12, which means she graduates from Primary (the children's classes) to Young Women's (12-18) and one of the things that is encouraged, besides regular scripture reading and service and church attendance, is memorizing the Articles of Faith.  Since memorization is hard for Anne, how touched I was to learn that Lindsay, Brooke's sister, took it upon herself to work with Annee for literally months to memorize these 13 tenets.  What an awesome act of love.  Following are the 13 Articles of Faith....and one funny interpretation of the last one1

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
   
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
   
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
   
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
   
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
   
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
   
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
   
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
   
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
   
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
    
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
    
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
    
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Addi

One of the blessings out of the chaos of a broken family was that I as a grandma was lucky to be able to step up to the plate and have regular Addi time.  She wasn't in school when the other kiddos were and she has a working mama that works soooo hard to provide for her family....which meant Addi regularly stayed overnight with us for a year twice a week so I could then have her for the following days.   This past year she has been in kindergarten, which means pick-up at school in the middle of the day (they live across the valley from us so it really isn't close).  Thankfully Brandi has wonderful friends and neighbors who have each taken a day as well.  But I've loved our special Addi time.  We have played "I'm going to the moon" at least 1349 times (I'm going to the moon and I'm taking  Addi, a banana, a cowboy, a donkey, an elephant, Frito's, etc.)  We have sung every song there is to be sung.(You are my sunshine, my only sunshine....)  We have spied out of our little eye, eaten more than I care to say of chicken McNuggets, swam like fishes, painted art projects.  Addi has been my partner at the garden store and when I pick up a flower, she'll say, "let me smell it to see if the deer will like it."  She knows the plants I choose must be stinky. She has helped me deliver neighborhood meals and learned about the families I serve. We have swung on the swings plus she can go across the monkey bars like crazy.  I've caught her eating Creamies from the downstairs grandma (my MIL) at 9 or10 in the morning- since she knows that downstairs grandma is a little clueless about time.  We have watched princess movies and Barbie movies so much that I can quote lines. (our favorite is the "outtakes" after Barbie and the Three Musketeers.)  I love, love, love this girl.  Little Miss Attitude.

Today was her first day of 1st grade.  This is how both she and her mommy feel.  This is a sad day for my heart as well.....

Yellow and Blue

Yellow and blue has been a constant in my life.  Yellow is definitely my favorite color but blue always sneaks in there as a BFF.  I think I have had a yellow and blue kitchen in every house I've ever built.  This one has more red....but I was trying to expand my color palate. (The walls are mustard yellow...)

I love yellow and blue in my flowers.

 In my bedroom.....

 Blue and yellow, yellow and blue just seem beachy to me.  Soothing.  Refreshing.

 Dreamy.

 And since I've had time on my hands....twiddling my thumbs, nursing my bruises.....

I've been dreaming of the beach (Myrtle Beach that is)....and thinking of yellow and blue.

 If I just started collecting yellow and blue like seashells, I would totally be ready for the beach.

 Love this handbag with a blue chevron stripe.

 Love the sweater (we will be there in Sept/Oct)  Maybe a scarf instead of the hat.  I feel like I am playing dress-up when I wear a hat....

 Okay, I would definitely be wearing some denim Capri's with this shirt....and maybe dye my hair black....

 I want, I want.

 a little gray is okay...

 the scarf looks like a must-have.  I can dream

but truly, the reality of it is that I might look more like this.....

sigh......

Bored. Bored. Yawn. Bored.

10 days but who is counting?   I have watched more mindless t.v. this past week.  About every episode of every HGTV program.  I have House Hunted in practically every State and searched out housing in all part of the world (House Hunters International)  I have wondered why the Property Brothers never completely shave and if I should write a note to Love It or List It and tell them to "just be nice."  I have even resorted to viewing rental properties......

THEN with my spare time, I have watched Ina make a  Croque Monsieur (or Madame)             (basically a fancy French ham and cheese sandwich with a bechamel sauce)  But wait!  Paula ALSO made one on her show but she put a egg on top. (They must have spies in each other's camp since I also saw them both make meatloaf....  dang, I wish David liked meatloaf....) I've seen Paula easily use  2 tons of butter and heard Ina say her husband's name (Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey) at least 1238 times. I have been bedazzled by Giada's white teeth.  I have watched wacky Alton explain the weird science of different foods.  It has even been so pathetic (or I have been) that I googled a bizarre recipe for Kool-Aid pickles. (apparently big in the South- served right next to pickled eggs and pig's ears.)   I have watched cooking wars using weird cuts of meat, okra in dessert recipes, pans catching on fire and been totally mesmerized by the fact that most professional cooks (seemingly)  have large piercings throughout their ears, nostrils, eyebrows and lips.  I have gained 23 1/2 pounds watching 5793 cupcakes whipped up for every event imaginable.

Reading is out of the question.  Squinting is totally permissible.  Ted hose are a torture device. The grand kiddos are having nightmares.

 

Unfortunately the news has been filled with tragedy with the shooting in Aurora, Colorado.  Oh, that anyone could be filled with such rage or be empty of any compassion.  A national tragedy. 

So, I'm trying for happy thoughts.  Next week we celebrate a State holiday in Utah- called Days of 47 - when the pioneers first entered Salt Lake valley.  It is a day of parades and BBQ's- family and friends.  Pretty sure I'll still be out of commission but I'm thinking I could at least do something with my time other than house hunting and twiddling my thumbs...

Tomorrow I'm going to have David pick me up some bags of goodies so I can start making a few treat balls.  I think they'll be fun at the next family gathering.  The ball is made with all kinds of tape and newspapers and treats and prizes and more tape.  You have a person trying to cut through the ball with gloves on (I've found out the gloves don't work with kiddos) and scissors (they get all the goodies that come untrapped) while the next person in line is rolling dice as fast as they can.  When they roll doubles, they get to work on the ball until the next person in line gets doubles.  (It is like the mummy game we play at Halloween.)  I've heard that several small balls are better than one giant and more people would be more involved at one time.

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.  Thomas Carlyle

Recovery

I'm here. 

I've been rather indisposed.  I had surgery a week ago Tuesday and I'm still in recovery mode.  Nothing serious...just rather girlie and private and putting things back where they belong.  I've learned many things this past week-

1- I have wonderful people in my life.  Niece Mallorie rearranged her work schedule in Idaho to take time off to come and take care of me for several days.  David happened to be at scout camp all last week and I couldn't be alone.  Brandi came and stayed overnight with me my first night as well and let me (ha!) throw up all over her....and still came back.  Brooke and Tanner brought me whatever sounded good.  All my kiddos are wonderful.

2-I have fabulous friends.  Cathy and Brendalyn and Valene have been so attentive- showing up with treats or to make funny faces at me or making meals.  Brendalyn brought me a book and several talks on tape to listen to.  I got the above beautiful flowers from one of my visiting teachers, Lynda.  Lots of phone calls. And David has been wonderful (when he finally got home!) and attentive.

3- being alone A LOT is a great time of reflection.  Heavenly Father and I have had some great one on one talks together and there is always lots of soul searching and learning.  I have been totally stir crazy (and thinking I have one more week to go!)...but this special quiet time is totally a bonus.  Time to regroup and get back to important things. I do love the Lord.

4-  I hate missing out on all the fun stuff going around.  Weddings and showers, showers and weddings!  We have so many going on in our Ward/neighborhood right now. You know how I love a party!

5- My mom actually got out of the hospital (after a week) the day I went in. (Of course, States apart)
But she's doing a little better. So relieved!

I'm ready to cross off July and move on to better things.  We have a fun trip planned to Kirk and Cathy's cabin for our anniversary week in August, watching kiddos while Ryan and Marci go to Guatemala, hosting Brandi's Ward youth conference here one weekend.

But September?  September is REALLY going to be fun- a trip to California with girlie friends and a trip to Myrtle Beach with my high school friends!  I'm gonna just shut my eyes and think of fun things in the future rather than concentrating on this week.  Feeling blessed!

Hollywood Shower

Saturday friends hosted a bridal shower for Brieann Duncan (far right)....with a Hollywood theme.  Brieann and her fiance both live in California and he's trying to break into film work so the Oscar party was perfect.

(friends- from left to right- Linda Madsen, Brendalyn and Loretta then Brieann)

Here's a trip down the longest food table I've ever seen.  The colors were black and gold.  Very Hollywood.

Since this was a movie theme- there was a popcorn bar, a candy bar (center) a pretzel bar, veggie bar, nacho bar and a "oscar" bar.


The popcorn would have been enough to impress anyone even without anything else.  In the cutest tubs ever we found Snickers popcorn, red velvet popcorn, s'more popcorn, cinnamon popcorn, milk dud, parmesan, cheddar....and on and on.  I can't even remember them all.

I loved the idea of hanging the fresh baked pretzels off of a what?  mug rack?  There were condiments for the pretzels but I didn't even go there because the rest of the table was so amazing.

I loved the movie love quotes found throughout the tables.  More about those later.

Cute tuxedo drinks!

I almost forgot the movie cookies.  Three different shapes of "action" boards, microphones and an old time movie camera.  Really?  Who does this......

The veggie bar (okay, I did cut some of the vegetables for this.  My SMALL contribution)

The candy buffet....

But these little guys stole the show!  Tuxedo bun with grilled "oscars!"  With every trimming you could think of....

Here's cute Brieann and darling sister Seneca.  Presents galore!

I didn't get a really good picture of all the oscar statues.  Aren't they wonderful!  They were holding up various paper flower balls or congratulation signs.  (Ken dolls spray painted gold.....)

Here's another Pinterest version of tuxedo dogs and drink.

 

Okay....back to the movie thoughts.  Every where were black frames with movie quotes.  We were reading them when a gal standing next to me said to  Kathy (whose daughter is Megan and loves horses to death)....  "now there is something Megan would love.  Two horses were in my yard this morning making whoopee."  and I turned to her and said, "What movie was THAT in?" 

 (no movie...the gal was just reporting what she had seen outside her window that morning.")

(okay, it lost a little in its translation.....it WAS funny!"

What a fun, fun shower.  So glad to be invited.

Bear Lake Family Reunion-2012

Our family reunion (the James/Sparks reunion held at Bear Lake, Utah every other year- the family originally came from Rupert, Idaho.) was held last week.  It was just a miracle that my mom and my dad could attend.  My brother Gary and wife Cher drove them up from Vancouver, WA. where they all live....hauling my nephew Jason's boat!  (Can I say they LOVE their boat- which is nice- but honestly???? )  Gary's family also came for the first time.  Daughter Lisa (of the gingerbread caramel fame and the house with secret rooms) and hubby Frank, with daughter Alli and friend Melissa. 

Then nephew Jason with wife Melinda, with kiddos Jacob and Paige...who had never met their Utah cousins.

There was plenty of beach time-

Just a funny little family memory.  The boys spent hours making a sand castle, collecting little rocks and shells for the moats, etc.  The next day they were playing by the castle, off and on with the castle....when another boy comes and starts picking up the rocks and shells and stepping on the turrets (not being malicious...I think he thought they were done with it.)  Boston, age 7, was concerned because "that guy is ruining our castle." But he wasn't going to tell him so.  I watched him go to Joshua, age 12...and asked him to go talk to the guy.  Joshua is very non-confronting (as Boston is)....and Joshua wouldn't say anything either.  Finally the littlest guy, Noah, who just turned 5 went up to this much bigger boy and said, "Hey, that's our castle you're ruining!"  I just laughed watching the whole thing....interesting who took charge.  (I actually then told the boys to make friends with him ...that he was probably a cousin as well!)

We had lots of picture taking time....

and boating time (Jacob and Parker hit it off)

and watching Sadie entertain-us- time.

Gary and Cher- so awesome they came...

Raffle time- cousin Deanna won the beautiful quilt made by cousin Judy

Just seeing mom and dad smile.  We loved being with them.  They actually didn't make it all week....they can't breathe well at this altitude...and had to leave early but that was still time enough to get a million hugs.

Aunt Christine and Uncle Wayne make snow cones and cotton candy and popcorn constantly for everyone.  Paige was so excited and said to her mom, "Mom, some old lady is selling snow cones for FREE!"

Our family played a lot of Bago...which I can't wait to order one for our family.  Such fun!

Ben and Tenille

I don't know what I love most at the reunion- the food (we had hamburgers and dogs one night, pulled pork tacos one night, BBQ ribs one evening and we also have big steaks, baked potatoes and corn on the cob the last night.)

or the family games-

1.  the balloon game.  You have balloons with about 2 feet of yarn tied on one end.  Tie the balloon to your ankle.  We did this in age groups.  Try to stamp our each others balloon.  The last balloon standing wins.

2.  Pudding feed.  Clothes covers were made with garbage sacks.  Partners are blind-folded and have to feed each other pudding cups .  Heidi (happy birthday little 4th of July girl!) and Hallee won!  Wahoo!

3.  Pop can tip.  You were given two cans of soda.  You had to drink half, then tip your cans (they won't tip with more.)  Parker won this won!  (belch!)

4.  Love the tennis ball in the panty hose.  Pull the hose over your head...then by swinging your head, try to ensnare the other guys nylon and pull it off.  I LOVE this game. (you can play it with a pair of socks rolled up in the bottom as well.)

5.  Pie eating contest- Hostess cream pies with whipped cream on top.  Hands behind the back until it's all gone!

6.  This was my favorite game.  One person wears a shower cap, covered with shaving cream.  The partner stands a couple of feet away and throws Cheetos's at the others head.  The one with the most "Cheetos" head wins.  Gracie and Boston won their age group!

The crafts are amazing as well.  First was shrunken heads.  This is what they looked like when they were finished decorating (boy, did the kids love this) but they will REALLY look scary in a month!

Bottle rocks with a 2-liter bottle gave hours of fun.  This was back by popular demand.

We also made pop bottle cap necklaces,







these darling braided headbands




stamped washer necklaces, tile coasters, magnets and lots of other things.  Thanks Deanna and girls!

All in all, we loved having mom and dad there.  Loved having all our family there.  Loved seeing tons of cousins and their kids and "that old lady that sells snow cones for free!"
Bear Lake reunion is awesome!

Melinda and Brooke and Annee




Nash





Lisa (with black cap) then Brandi and Tenillie and Melinda (with purple shirt.)

Susannah matching sunglasses with Chubba.

Tanner and Brooke saying goodbye to Dad.

"Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future. We make discoveries about ourselves." -Gail Lumet Buckley