Herman the Worm

One of my very favorite camp songs is Herman the Worm. It's such a silly song but the kids love it! Today while they were cleaning out garbage cans they ended up flooding the front yard which brought out the worms in force. They probably had about 30-40 worms caught. I told them to spread them out over the yard so the worms could make it back into the ground, well a few ended up on the sidewalk. My sweet Savana started singing Herman the worm and when the part came that says "he was this big" she picked up a big ole worm! I was laughing so hard, tears came to my eyes. So, it is my motherly duty to share this with you! So here are Tommy and Savana singing "Herman the worm" (with props)!

No animals were harmed in the making of this film!

Once upon a swimming pool

This summer has just been crazy. With me being gone to girls camp, youth conference, and my high school reunion we just haven't been able to take the kids swimming. And swimming is one of their favorite summer activities. Thank goodness their friends have pools otherwise the kids would've been super cranky! Anyways, a couple of days ago we got to of to Lava Hot Springs. It's my favorite pool. The kids immediately sprang for the water and would hardly get out. Siera was the only one of my kids that braved the slides- and she cried the whole way down, but at least she did it! Timothy kept dunking himself and the girls were dunking each other while Tommy was busy exploring beneath the water with his goggles. I became apparent to me that I really need to put my kids in swim lessons- for safety if anything else. Emily, Avery, Brooke, Grammy, Aunt Cindy and her kids came with us. We had a lot of fun. Em, Avery and I braved the BIG slides- it was scary but a lot of fun. It's too bad that the lines took forever! Overall, it was a great day, it wasn't too hot, the water was perfect and there were a lot of smiles, which makes it all worth it!

Pioneer Day Weekend

What a fun weekend! We love to celebrate with our family and friends. This weekend we got to go to the Pioneer Day Parade. We were at the end so we had time to kill, so the kids were just posing with their sunglasses, having a good time. Then the floats started coming and we saw some fun stuff, but of course it was all about the candy. We didn't get too much and for that I am grateful. Then they had free lunches in the park, there the kids played at the playground, raced around, and climbed up anything they could. It was such a great time- the day was beautiful and perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better day!

Emily painted Brooke's toenails to match her own, aren't they cute?
Check out this pioneer buggy! I'd love one of those!

The Aunt's visit...

Aunt Peter and Aunt Theresa came to visit us all the way from Seattle. (No, there is nothing wrong with Peter, it was a slip from a little kid so many years ago and we just call him Aunt Peter, and he likes it!) We had so much fun. We went to the fairgrounds for the Pioneer Day Celebration, and we got to watch the Indian Pony Races- they were great. I've never seen a horse run directly into other horses before, I wish I would have had my camera with me- oh well. Then we got together on Sunday for dinner, we played and talked, and did a lot of laughing. The kids took to wrestling and horsey rides, and then a water fight. It was great to spend time with them. Hopefully we'll get to visit them in Seattle sometime.

(Oh, Theresa is Gary's sister.)

classic Rocky

We love to play with Rocky, every morning and night we throw his toy- he chases it down and brings it right back, covered in slobber. But it's sure fun to watch him run and jump. We just happen to capture it on film!! How awesome are we?

We also discovered, purely by accident, that Rocky LOVES bubbles. Tommy went out to play bubbles with Timothy the other day, and when he was blowing the bubbles Rocky started chasing them down. He would then wait patiently for Tommy to blow more bubbles. He would bite them, lick them and paw at them to get the bubble to pop. It was the funniest thing I've seen in awhile.

VACATION

Josh and I got to take a trip to New Mexico for my 11 year High School Reunion. I know, 11 years seems like a weird number for a reunion, but what can I say- my class is unique! Anyways, it was 4 days to ourselves. The kids got to stay with Grammy; she is way cool! They got to go to the zoo, play in the hot tub, sprinklers, and dirt. They rode horses and just had a great time. So did Josh and I. It is about 800 miles from here to there, and that translates into a lot of hours in the truck. We took our time, stopped at "Hole in the Rock", rest stops and just enjoyed our time. After 15 hours we made it to Albuquerque. We got to see my parents for a little while before they left on a trip of their own. I sure love to visit with them- there is always some sort of accent that comes out, this time was the "Russian Dental Hygienist". It was hilarious!! Anyways, Josh and I just got to hang it with each other. Then we got to visit with some friends before the reunion. That was fun. Thanks for the laughs guys!!! Saturday was reunion day- we had a picnic in the afternoon (108 degrees outside- what were they thinking) and it was fun. I got to see some friends and reconnect- for a few minutes at least. The evening produced a few more people, but not many more- just different ones. It was great to see how people have changed, either in personality or appearance! Now I'm glad it's over and I could come home. I sure love home! I am really glad I got to go, and even happier that Josh could go with me. So here are some fun pictures from along the way...

There was a bigfoot sighting at "Hole in the Rock"- Josh fit! And they have these awesome statues that are made out of tools- like wrenches, gears, hinges, etc.- pretty cool!

At the reunion- Here is Linsey and I, then Josh and I, then me, Maria, Linsey and Phuoc.

Look, I have proof- I DID DRIVE!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa

These are my dear grandparents-

Bill and Marge Gardner.

Josh and I got to go visit on our way back home from our trip to New Mexico. I always love to go visit them. I'm sure glad I live close enough to see them every now and then. I love them very much!

Independence Day Celebrations

Happy 4th of July Everyone! I know I'm a little late in posting these pictures, but oh well! We had such a fun holiday. Since it was Sunday this year we didn't get to go to the parade, but no fears there are still a couple more this summer, but we did get to go to Uncle Mike's to have an amazing BBQ and watch the fireworks. We even got to do some of our own. Tommy learned how to light fireworks by himself and he was having a blast. I'm not quite sure when he got big enough to do that, but I'm not sure I like it! Anyways it was a great holiday with great food, great fun and amazing family and friends!

I am so grateful to live in a country where I can have so many freedoms! To worship how and where and when I want, to vote on leadership, to have many opportunities of employment and education afforded to me. I am grateful to all the many men and women that have sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom. I appreciate their efforts in peacekeeping in other countries as well. We are truly blessed to live in such a place! I thank God every day for my blessings, and this country is one of them. God Bless America- and all those who live here!

Ode to Foam- again

So this year for the 4th of July celebrations we headed to Soda Springs to play in the foam. The kids had a blast, and we all got wet and foamy- some more than others though. Thanks to Emily I was saved from being thrown in, but I did get wet. Timothy didn't like it, but he at least tried it. Tommy and the girls, along with Avery and even Brooke just loved it. It was a perfect day to get all wet!