Roy Pool

We LOVE the pool, we are a family of sun worshippers and pool loungers.

So, when it's 100 degrees in Utah on a Saturday - what do you do?

Go to the pool!

(Really everyone did - by about noon the pool was at maximum capacity.)

If you put goggles on Jaxon he has no fears... this is him swimming in 7 foot water.

Kyah loves any chance she gets to play with Colby.

I love it.

They laugh so hard together, I wonder have they ever lived with out each other.

It was a lovely day.

Everyone came home slightly redder and a lot tanner.

Sluffing Work

Jaxon had a doctor's appointment at Primary's this morning and since I didn't feel like driving 2 hours back and forth to work today, Jax stayed with me at work for a half day and then home we went.

Colby and I had a sluff day with the kids and this is how it went...

BOONDOCKS - our first stop.

This kids ran around like crazies playhing games and getting tickets.

Then out to the bumper boats where they all got SOAKED!

Notice the kids ducking their heads and hiding from the water?

Next stop - DUCK POND.

This kids love to go to the Layton park and feed the ducks.

Aren't we a roudy looking bunch?

After the park we went to the kids favorite spot for dinner - BRICK OVEN, where they ate more than I did. And finally home for popcorn and a movie.

Everyone is exhausted!  But, it was a great day.  I love getting to spend time with my little family.

FHE General Conference Edition

Here are some links for ideas for Family Home Evening in preparation of General Conference this weekend.  There are also some game/activity ideas.

LDS.org

Name that Apostle

Bingo

Notebooks

In that past we have either played General Conference Bingo or a Candy game in which I have a bowl of candies and we pick a word each session, (Prayer, Repentance, Faith, Jesus, etc.) and every time the kids hear the word they can come and get a treat.  Yes, I know this sounds like a recipe for a sugar high and generally it it, but I'd rather have them high on sugar and listening then not.  I am generally a stickler for at least one session each day and they must sit and listen to the Prophet each time he speaks.

What do you do with your kids during conference?  Do they listen? Participate?  Any great advice?

End of Summer Pictures

I'm sorry, but seriously - I love these kids!!

This is us messing around with the camera one day after church.  Take advantage of the warm weather and sunshine while you can.

 His karate moves.

I bet you can't tell that these two are related.

Zoo Adventures

Jaxon would not take a drink and risk the Lion's mouth.  Colby was proving you could do it without incident.  Jax wasn't convinced.

We love to see the Tigers.  They are everyone's favorite.

Everytime we come to the zoo Kyah has to pose for a picture on this statute... everytime.

Box Elder Campground & Brigham City Pool

This is our first attempt at tent camping.  The kids have camped with their grandparents, but usually in a camp trailer.  Out of lack or equipment and possibly fear I have never taken the kids camping.  This summer I bought a tent and we packed up and tried it out.  The kids did great.  Kyah was a little hard to get to sleep and Jaxon woke up pretty early, but really other than that they did fantastic for their first time.

(This picture is taken thru the tent screen, but I love her morning hair.)  

What a happy bunch!

We camped Friday night and then Saturday we drove in to Brigham City and went to the pool.  These two little fishes just can't get enough.

Ready. Set. Jump! 

Weekend Fun

Pretty much I am gone ALL THE TIME. 

During the week there is work and during the weekend we do a ton of errands.

So, because my guilt is so heavy and because I'm the most un-fun mother in the world, I have started

"Five Minutes of Fun."

SUPER Cheesy - I know. 

But, my thought process is that instead of planning great and elaborate things, which seem to always run into snags... I can do simple things more often that are still fun for me and the kids.

So, we made ice-cream cupcakes this weekend.  Don't they look like real ice cream?  Jaxon had fun decorating and eating his, Kyah prefers eating the toppings separately and eating the cupcake minus the frosting.

Whatever works!

It was my baby brother's birthday this weekend as well.  Happy Birthday Daniel!

Kyah stayed up late Saturday night "helping" me cut out the circles.  She was so proud of herself and covered in powdered sugar.

Seeds - Update

Our other row of seeds/herbs came up.  See this post for more details.

The kids are tickled!  What a fun learning experience this is for them.

"Pants gowin Mom!" - Kyah

Saturdays

If you come to my house on Saturday, you will probably see some of this...

and this...

and definately some of this...

I love Saturdays! 

My day at home with the kids. 

My day at home to pray that the kids will want to spend 15 minutes longer in their beds. 

My day at home to catch up on all the "Mom" stuff I didn't do because I was at work doing the "Dad" stuff. 

MY day to willing surrender to them. 

(And the cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, bill paying, cooking, running around and every other thing we can possible pack into 24 hours.)

Seeds

We took dirt, added some seeds, water and sunlight and got...plants!

I went to the store the other day with the kids and we found these great starter sets.  The kids picked out watermelon and pumpkin starters and I picked out herbs.  The germination period for the herbs was very short - about 1 week.  For the kids this was perfect - instant gratification.

To take this...

and a week later get this!

They check on the plants every day.

I love spring and the promises that come with it.  I love that doing a few simple things can produce benefits and results for weeks/months/years to come.  I am in aw of these "seeds" of mine and how they grow right before my eyes.  I worry about what I am "feeding" them, are they getting enough "light," is their "thirst" and "hunger" being quenched from the right source?