Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Fun-Filled Fourth.
Only a few days after we arrived back home we had a slew of activity at our house because it was so close to the fourth of July. Our friends, the Porter's from Idaho, drove through and had dinner with us. The plan was that we were going have a BBQ here at our house. However, in the move, I couldn't find everything that I needed and I didn't want to go the grocery store again, so we took them out. I just couldn't get it all together that fast after having been gone for such a long time. We ended the night with fireworks of our own for the first time ever. We had a lot of fun setting them off. They were a lot better than the picture...but they were legal, so not huge.
The next day we went to visit one of the Boy Scout Camps with Mike. Camp Kiesel is beautiful. We saw it when we came out for the interview, but it was my first time back and it was beautiful again, but green and warm this time. There were butterflies flying all over in this one patch of parking lot so they all stood still and tried to get one to land on them. They were unsuccessful, but they had fun trying.
I found some pretty wildflowers to take pictures of while the other three went out in a row boat with another cub scout pack. I was glad I did as they got into a splashing war, apparently the main reason for getting in the water...in their minds.
It was my three against two filled row boats. They did pretty well for themselves. Although, Katie was not all that happy with it. She lived though.
I think Mike did most of the work, but the kids were putting forth a valiant effort. I was on the bank with some of the water front staff. Because it was the day before the Fourth, not as many campers were there as usual, so some of the staff were joking and playing around a bit...not the ones on lifeguard duty. They had no idea that Mike worked for the scouts or who we were apparently, because when we were invited to lunch with the staff and showed up, they looked a little worried. It was pretty funny. They had done nothing bad, but the looks on their faces was very amusing. I smiled and tried to let them know they were just fine, but it is also good to know, you never know exactly who is watching you. I have had that happen way too many times in my life and not always with such a gentle outcome. :)
These flowers were bigger than my outstretched hand They were really fun to see. I haven't seen anything like these since I lived in Pennsylvania.
I know, we do a lot of shooting pictures. But they have BB gun ranges at all of these scout camps. And I have to say as a proud Mom that they did a really good job at shooting the targets. Katie wasn't willing to put the butt of the gun right next to her cheek so she was a little off, but Christian really took to it and was hitting a lot of targets, including cans and bottles. He was really excited by that.
That night we had my sister's family over, since she was in town, for a pre-fourth of July BBQ. My first flag cake. It was fun to decorate, but I am going to look for a better cake recipe next time.
We did the rest of our fountain fireworks that night. I have say, this might become a tradition.
The next morning we went to a Fourth of July parade in Kaysville with my sister and her in-laws, complete with candy being thrown. It has been a while since we have done a parade with crazy temperatures in Phoenix.
They had some really good floats. I was really impressed with some of them. The bands were good too.
The next day we went to visit one of the Boy Scout Camps with Mike. Camp Kiesel is beautiful. We saw it when we came out for the interview, but it was my first time back and it was beautiful again, but green and warm this time. There were butterflies flying all over in this one patch of parking lot so they all stood still and tried to get one to land on them. They were unsuccessful, but they had fun trying.
I found some pretty wildflowers to take pictures of while the other three went out in a row boat with another cub scout pack. I was glad I did as they got into a splashing war, apparently the main reason for getting in the water...in their minds.
It was my three against two filled row boats. They did pretty well for themselves. Although, Katie was not all that happy with it. She lived though.
I think Mike did most of the work, but the kids were putting forth a valiant effort. I was on the bank with some of the water front staff. Because it was the day before the Fourth, not as many campers were there as usual, so some of the staff were joking and playing around a bit...not the ones on lifeguard duty. They had no idea that Mike worked for the scouts or who we were apparently, because when we were invited to lunch with the staff and showed up, they looked a little worried. It was pretty funny. They had done nothing bad, but the looks on their faces was very amusing. I smiled and tried to let them know they were just fine, but it is also good to know, you never know exactly who is watching you. I have had that happen way too many times in my life and not always with such a gentle outcome. :)
These flowers were bigger than my outstretched hand They were really fun to see. I haven't seen anything like these since I lived in Pennsylvania.
I know, we do a lot of shooting pictures. But they have BB gun ranges at all of these scout camps. And I have to say as a proud Mom that they did a really good job at shooting the targets. Katie wasn't willing to put the butt of the gun right next to her cheek so she was a little off, but Christian really took to it and was hitting a lot of targets, including cans and bottles. He was really excited by that.
That night we had my sister's family over, since she was in town, for a pre-fourth of July BBQ. My first flag cake. It was fun to decorate, but I am going to look for a better cake recipe next time.
We did the rest of our fountain fireworks that night. I have say, this might become a tradition.
The next morning we went to a Fourth of July parade in Kaysville with my sister and her in-laws, complete with candy being thrown. It has been a while since we have done a parade with crazy temperatures in Phoenix.
They had some really good floats. I was really impressed with some of them. The bands were good too. My sister Barbara (far right) saw my Mom's Cousin and husband while we were there. This picture is for you mom so you can see Ann and Lex. They have been around in that town for a long time and are/were very involved there. While we were talking to them, people kept on coming up and waiting to talk to them. They are rock stars here. :)
Christian made a friend with one of my sisters nephews and they enjoyed playing before the fireworks went off later that night. The fireworks were really amazing and we had great seats to watch them. There is nothing like feeling the concussion of the fireworks as they go off. I think we are going to like it here. :) Especially with so many friends and family that come through here.
The Long Trip and a Visit to the Beach
You would think that having grandparents in California, and ones that are within 2 hours of the beach, that we would have been many times over the years. But no. I learned this last trip that my dad actually doesn't like the beach because you come back with so much sand in everything. That and the fact, once again, that when we usually come it is for such a short time with so many people to see that we just haven't done it. Unfortunately, my (past) surf boarding husband was not with us to experience the kids first time really going to the beach.
After a week and a half of being in California I realized I had an old roommate that I hadn't seen in years that lived in San Jose and I actually had time to see her. So we decided to meet for a fun day visit to Santa Cruz. It was the beach I grew up going to when we would visit my grandparents (before and after my family moved there). I beat her there, but only because I had a posse (aka my parents) getting me ready for the little trip. Maybe it was because they were excited to have the house to themselves for the day (ha, ha)...but it was really nice.
When we first got there, the kids were wearing shirts to try to avoid too much sun exposure. That didn't last too long as they were not swim shirts and were just hanging off of them. But the kids loved the water. I honestly thought they would last 2-3 hours and that was it. We had been going to my parents pool and Katie didn't last over an hour there. They were the energizer bunnies...6 hours and I finally had to say it was time to go.
Look at those sweet cheeks. This boy can't keep a swimsuit up if his life depended on it. At least he never completely lost it.
This is my friends little boy, isn't he just so cute. He wasn't into the water scene. We just hung out with him away from the water and enjoyed watching the kids.
Her other son found a big strand of seaweed. It was fun for the kids to go and discover.
Christian and Joseph were born the same month. They really got along and had so much fun together. They took a little break from the water to build.
Below are all four of our kids that were willing to get in the water (obviously someone got in the way that was not part of the group.). Her little girl is in the pink suit and was just adorable too. By the end of the day, the waves were really getting big. The kids loved it. It was fun watching them, as long as the undertow wasn't too strong.
It was fun to finally get together again after about 8 years and see each others kids. Reconnecting with those we have loved and still love is so important. Thanks for a great day Maren! We will have to do it again sometime.
(Katie took this picture, I had to throw it in somewhere for her. I really like it)
After a week and a half of being in California I realized I had an old roommate that I hadn't seen in years that lived in San Jose and I actually had time to see her. So we decided to meet for a fun day visit to Santa Cruz. It was the beach I grew up going to when we would visit my grandparents (before and after my family moved there). I beat her there, but only because I had a posse (aka my parents) getting me ready for the little trip. Maybe it was because they were excited to have the house to themselves for the day (ha, ha)...but it was really nice.
When we first got there, the kids were wearing shirts to try to avoid too much sun exposure. That didn't last too long as they were not swim shirts and were just hanging off of them. But the kids loved the water. I honestly thought they would last 2-3 hours and that was it. We had been going to my parents pool and Katie didn't last over an hour there. They were the energizer bunnies...6 hours and I finally had to say it was time to go.
Look at those sweet cheeks. This boy can't keep a swimsuit up if his life depended on it. At least he never completely lost it.
This is my friends little boy, isn't he just so cute. He wasn't into the water scene. We just hung out with him away from the water and enjoyed watching the kids. 
Her other son found a big strand of seaweed. It was fun for the kids to go and discover.
Christian and Joseph were born the same month. They really got along and had so much fun together. They took a little break from the water to build. 
Below are all four of our kids that were willing to get in the water (obviously someone got in the way that was not part of the group.). Her little girl is in the pink suit and was just adorable too. By the end of the day, the waves were really getting big. The kids loved it. It was fun watching them, as long as the undertow wasn't too strong. 
It was fun to finally get together again after about 8 years and see each others kids. Reconnecting with those we have loved and still love is so important. Thanks for a great day Maren! We will have to do it again sometime. 
(Katie took this picture, I had to throw it in somewhere for her. I really like it)The Long Trip (Yosemite)
When you go home for a week and have to split your time in between two sets of parents and more siblings, you sometimes don't take them time to go see the sights that are just a little farther away. This time we ventured out of our normal routine as our friends the MacArthur's had planned a vacation to Yosemite (only a few hours a way) and we were in town for so long. The kids (and I) were so excited to see their good friends so soon after moving away. It was worth the quick one day trip to see them and the wonders of Yosemite.
Here is the west entrance. Isn't it fantastic? It was a beautiful entry to the park.
As soon as we found the MacArthur's the kids paired off with their friends and had lunch. They were so excited to be together again.
Two peas in a pod.
We hiked up to see the Nevada Falls. It was farther and steeper than we thought it would be, but it was well worth the hike!
Being in nature was a real treat.
Being with close friends was a real treat too. The only thing missing was Mike. It is not often you find a family where everyone pairs up nicely and has someone to hang out with.
The kids found a rock to climb up on top of, with supervision as it was a ways down if they fell.
We got to see a bear up close, safely from the shuttle we used all throughout the park.
Look at those falls. This was a view of the upper and lower Yosemite Falls. We hiked/walked to the base of the lower falls. It was just beautiful. And apparently May and June are the best months to see the water in Yosemite. It dries up by the end of July and you have to wait until the next snow runoff the next year to see it again.
You can see Christian and Kristin playing "Star Wars" here at the base of the falls while the rest of us enjoyed the sites and sounds.
Katie and Emily on top of the log relaxing in the background while the younger ones play in the foreground.
At the end of our day as we came out from dinner, we got a beautiful view of Half Dome.
The MacArthur's were great to let us intrude on their vacation. It was a real treat!
Here is the west entrance. Isn't it fantastic? It was a beautiful entry to the park.
As soon as we found the MacArthur's the kids paired off with their friends and had lunch. They were so excited to be together again.
Two peas in a pod.
We hiked up to see the Nevada Falls. It was farther and steeper than we thought it would be, but it was well worth the hike!
Being in nature was a real treat.
Being with close friends was a real treat too. The only thing missing was Mike. It is not often you find a family where everyone pairs up nicely and has someone to hang out with.
The kids found a rock to climb up on top of, with supervision as it was a ways down if they fell.
We got to see a bear up close, safely from the shuttle we used all throughout the park.
Look at those falls. This was a view of the upper and lower Yosemite Falls. We hiked/walked to the base of the lower falls. It was just beautiful. And apparently May and June are the best months to see the water in Yosemite. It dries up by the end of July and you have to wait until the next snow runoff the next year to see it again.
You can see Christian and Kristin playing "Star Wars" here at the base of the falls while the rest of us enjoyed the sites and sounds.
Katie and Emily on top of the log relaxing in the background while the younger ones play in the foreground.
At the end of our day as we came out from dinner, we got a beautiful view of Half Dome.
The MacArthur's were great to let us intrude on their vacation. It was a real treat!Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Long Trip Part II
Finally, catching up again...but it must be recorded for me. We left for my California the beginning of June when Mike flew out of town for another scouting engagement. Quickly into our trip we pulled over at a rest stop because we needed too. The kids walked out onto the salt for the second time in their lives. They were very intrigued. I had to hose them off before they got back in the car or else it would have been a mess and made them really itchy.
The day after we got there we first went to the library (one of my favorite places) with the kids to pick out some books before we went shopping. As you can see, that idea was worth its weight in gold.
We just kept shuffling them along to other areas so they could sit and read.
We spent time at the park while we were there. And I must say, this little contraption is harder than it looks. They jump off while holding it and try to make it all the way back around to the other side of the platform.
They were very determined.
My cutie Katie. Loving the weather and being with the grandparents.
My Aunt Jean lives in the same town, which is where my parents are doing their square foot gardening. We got to see her a lot on this trip and Christian loved to tease her and then get tickled.
Christian had his actual birthday in California. Katie loves her brother very much as you can see and I was really touched by the card.
Christian and Katie looked forward to the times that they actually got to talk to their dad. With his schedule and ability to get to a working phone, it was not as much as they wanted. The talks were treasured and after three weeks they couldn't wait to see him again. I didn't realize how much they would miss him. It was hard on all of us, but I was so glad to be with my parents and other family to wait it out!
While we waited we went paddle boating...
on a green lake...(you can't tell from the pictures, but I warned the kids they wouldn't like it if they fell in :) ).
Aunt Melissa was really sweet and on Christian's birthday brought over a mylar balloon, bubbles and a jump rope for him (and some stuff for Katie too). She was so sweet!
The kids loved to go and garden in the backyard with Grandma and Grandpa. Christian had been helping cut off the dead flowers seconds before, I just wasn't fast enough.
Christian sat with Grandpa as he spliced an extension cord and expounded on the virtues of fixing and saving your money instead of just running out and buying new stuff. As you can also tell...Christian knew I had a camera. What a goof!
This is where Katie would go every morning as we all would be getting ready. She would sit and talk to my mom as she did her hair. I remember doing the same thing and still do sometimes, if I actually get ready before her.
We enjoyed visiting cousins which this is really the only picture of the three family of cousins that we saw while we were there. We had such a good time with all of them. Christian and Katie were so excited to see little cousins that they nearly smothered them the first time they were together and Amy fought back. So this was after the second of third time and she actually kissed Christian first. They made peace.
Grandpa with the kiddos...acting a little silly. Notice he is giving the grand kids bunny ears.
My mom was going to get her hair cut this day so her hair wasn't the way she wanted, but she was a good sport anyway. Because we had to get a picture. :)
Being with my parents for almost a month was really nice. We tried to be helpful and not be in the way, while also soaking up the grandparent time we got. We did errands with them, went and worked on their square-foot-gardening with them, and just generally enjoyed being there. I loved it! The only thing that made it not so sad to go was that I was finally returning home to my husband. Thanks Mom and Dad! We love and miss you!
The day after we got there we first went to the library (one of my favorite places) with the kids to pick out some books before we went shopping. As you can see, that idea was worth its weight in gold.
We just kept shuffling them along to other areas so they could sit and read.
We spent time at the park while we were there. And I must say, this little contraption is harder than it looks. They jump off while holding it and try to make it all the way back around to the other side of the platform.
They were very determined.
My cutie Katie. Loving the weather and being with the grandparents.
My Aunt Jean lives in the same town, which is where my parents are doing their square foot gardening. We got to see her a lot on this trip and Christian loved to tease her and then get tickled.
Christian had his actual birthday in California. Katie loves her brother very much as you can see and I was really touched by the card.
Christian and Katie looked forward to the times that they actually got to talk to their dad. With his schedule and ability to get to a working phone, it was not as much as they wanted. The talks were treasured and after three weeks they couldn't wait to see him again. I didn't realize how much they would miss him. It was hard on all of us, but I was so glad to be with my parents and other family to wait it out!
While we waited we went paddle boating...
on a green lake...(you can't tell from the pictures, but I warned the kids they wouldn't like it if they fell in :) ).
Aunt Melissa was really sweet and on Christian's birthday brought over a mylar balloon, bubbles and a jump rope for him (and some stuff for Katie too). She was so sweet!
The kids loved to go and garden in the backyard with Grandma and Grandpa. Christian had been helping cut off the dead flowers seconds before, I just wasn't fast enough.
Christian sat with Grandpa as he spliced an extension cord and expounded on the virtues of fixing and saving your money instead of just running out and buying new stuff. As you can also tell...Christian knew I had a camera. What a goof!
This is where Katie would go every morning as we all would be getting ready. She would sit and talk to my mom as she did her hair. I remember doing the same thing and still do sometimes, if I actually get ready before her.
We enjoyed visiting cousins which this is really the only picture of the three family of cousins that we saw while we were there. We had such a good time with all of them. Christian and Katie were so excited to see little cousins that they nearly smothered them the first time they were together and Amy fought back. So this was after the second of third time and she actually kissed Christian first. They made peace.
Grandpa with the kiddos...acting a little silly. Notice he is giving the grand kids bunny ears.
My mom was going to get her hair cut this day so her hair wasn't the way she wanted, but she was a good sport anyway. Because we had to get a picture. :)
Being with my parents for almost a month was really nice. We tried to be helpful and not be in the way, while also soaking up the grandparent time we got. We did errands with them, went and worked on their square-foot-gardening with them, and just generally enjoyed being there. I loved it! The only thing that made it not so sad to go was that I was finally returning home to my husband. Thanks Mom and Dad! We love and miss you!
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