Cabin Take Two

Maryanne with the garden they made and watered.

Elizabeth in the tree.

Everyone outside with the fire. They were sure they needed one and we decided "go ahead"

Making the village with dominoes

Me and Bre at the fire pit.

A month ago we tried to visit the family cabin and it ended up being an adventure since when we arrived it was locked. However, I got my own keys...and we took a second try.
We were off for 2 days of school and I needed something to do will all that time. The girls and I went with my sister Suzette (who was watching Cherie's kids) and had a great day of sitting in the house and telling the kids to run and play outside.

The made a garden in the sand box, picked apples, climbed trees, and ran around. We left at 7pm and they mostly all fell asleep on the way home.

It was a great day off and I didn't have to do to much;)

Hiking to Elephant rock

A few weeks ago Ben was post call and wanted to go hiking. So we called my sister and family. She sent her husband and the older 4 kids. So we were one with hike to Elephant Rock or Big rock...up in the canyon in Bountiful. At some point we separated because Maryanne was going TOO slow. So it ended up with everyone making it to the rock but Maryanne and me. She actually fell asleep for a while and I hiked down the mountain ALONE carrying a 36 lb. 2 year old. In case you are wondering it is really hard and she was TOTALLY floppy. I did try stopping but it was getting so cold and late I couldn't handle sitting for long.
But Ben trying to come to my rescue although by the time he caught me I only had about 1/4 of a mile left. However, I think it is the thought that counts!! The older girls did have an AWESOME time.

The Tree House Museum

For Christmas, my sister Heather gave us money to go to the Tree House museum. I thought we would go during the summer...but it never worked out. And Ben schedule makes it had to do things because he does not have lots of Sat. off. However, Oct 1 we finally made it;) The girls had lots of fun and no problem staying there for the last 3 hours it was open for the day. Then afterward with the left over money, we went to the Farr's ice cream and shared a big treat. It was a long afternoon but we had a good time! Thanks Heather.

We went to Hyrum (Blacksmith Fork Creek) to Ben's parent's cabin. We thought his sister was still there...but NO. So we were locked out. We parked the car by the front gate and went and played outside. It was fun and you can see we found stuff to do. We also got some apples that made 5 jars of apple sauce. We are thinking of getting the rest when we go up next time (with KEYS)

Red Buttes

The U was having a health fair at the Red Butte Gardens. A kind of arboretum. So we all went up. I have just hurt my foot the Monday before so I was still hobbling around. Here are the girls with some of the flowers. It is very pretty there. We had a good time and the girls LOVED getting all of the free stuff at the health fair.

If you ever wonder what life with Maryanne is like...here is what I woke up to one morning at 7am. She was making the chocolate.

School days

First day of school. I often wondered in KY what school life would be like. Elizabeth did go to 1/2 day KG there but that seemed not really too big of a deal and it was very relaxing for me to have some time to myself.
Now I have two kids in school and one is in KG so I am in errand and running around jail. I try to make all of my activities fit around 12:45 or 3:25 so I don't have to be in my car all day...and once they come home...I try to get everyone to get the homework done and take bath.
Such a different life from just being at the house all day with little kids.

Holbrook Canyon

Last weekend we hiked in the afternoon after Ben got home from work. There is a trail up Holbrook Canyon just a few miles from our house. We took some snacks and a swim suit to get cool in the stream. We tried to find out old spot...but this Spring it got washed over. So we had to look for a new spot.The girls after a refreshing dip in the stream. It was good thing there was water because it was HOT outside. We were up in the 90's that weekend.
Here is our family in the stream. It was so nice of the couple to take this for us. Just so you know the water was REALLY cold. I am kind of surprised the girls jumped in and got so wet.

This Is The Place

By the sheep in front of our house...cousin Sophia came to visit us this day.

Elizabeth in front of the Rich home where we volunteered.

All of the girls up on the hay stack.

On a stump in front of "our" home
This was quite an experience for us. 8 Tuesday mornings from 10-2 we were there. It took most of the morning to get us all ready and out the door. Then the girls had to go for a pony ride and play at the small village before they could go home. The little girls were usually asleep before we got to Foothills Dr. I would guess about 1/2 to 1 mile. Elizabeth absolutely loved it. Breanna and Maryanne were more challenging. I have heard I should have waited until my kids were older...but...I fear when they are older they will be more busy and not want to go as often. In the end, it was worth the experience and the fun we had for the frustrations. I learned and experienced new things and will probably look at pioneers in a different light.

Elizabeth's Birthday

Elizabeth turned 7 this year. She had a sleep over with cousin Hazel the night before her birthday. I don't think they got a lot of sleep.

Then there is a picture of her with friends at her party. It was lots of good fun.
I was thinking the other day about how Elizabeth turned 2 the year we moved to KY. That is how old Maryanne is...I guess all my babies will some day grow up.

Library Storytime

I have read several blogs about decisions with school, jobs, and being a mom. So here is mine! I have never wanted to totally give up teaching Spanish. It seems at times it is my link to being a real person...it seems to give my something professional to say in my world of doctors and professional people who can more than match my bachelors degree. I have been told a million times that mom is fine but I have never been able to feel professional when I tell people I am a mom.
Also, I like to feel like I am helping with our money situation during the times of NO or little money. I want to be able to do something that makes more than $0 a hour so I can buy a package of almonds if Ben wants them.

So I use Spanish...I tutor, I teach classes, or I do story time. However, every time I embark on one of these missions, I feel a drain. I ignore my kids or get mad as I try to explain that I don't look professional with nutella on my white shirt. Then when people pay you money...you have to be more than a mom and this hard to be when you are already working 24 hours a day. In the end, the money I make doesn't seem much more than $0 an hour and I am not sure the drain I took is worth it. But in the past, I could not let go of my ideals.

Now after all of these years...(partly because we now have money) I think I am going to let my ideals GO. What I am really committed to is my kids learning some Spanish and more importantly learning about languages and people. I want them to feel like learning a language is obtainable. I want them to understand that their are countries and people in our world who look and speak differently than us and that there is a way for us to understand them. I think when I teach them Spanish and we talk about countries that speak Spanish; they get this.

I have often thought that the library might be my key...and I am going to try it out. So on the last Tuesday of the month for $0 I am going to teach Spanish story time at the library....for my kids (and if others want to come that's fine). I would just teach them at home...but I need an extra motivational push. The library will by my motivation to keep up with their Spanish and practice a little with them.

Then one day when Elizabeth learns Chinese (she says she has to learn since she is going on her mission there...that is a whole post itself) I will know that all my effort to help her be accepting of language and people will have been worth it.
I guess (just like the commercial says) it will be worth more than $0 because it will be priceless.

Okay, maybe being a mom does sound more professional.

Car Break In

My girls and I volunteer at "This is the Place Heritage Park". A week ago when we came back from doing our job...we found our window bashed in. Needless to say we were all a bit of a wreck. I drug the girls back to the visitor center to call 911.
I found out that cops DO NOT come out. They just have you file something on line.
Breanna was crying hysterically. I was trying to be really calm so that she didn't freak out any more.

Holly, who works with the volunteers, came and and helped me get some things cleaned up.
In the end the car was the easy fix.
It was calling the banks, going to the bank, trying to get a driver's license, waiting for you credit card to arrive..and your check book to come.

Then you have to call work to fix direct deposit, and direct withdrawal.
Then try to get all your bills still paid in time with no money.
Then try to eat something since this happened right after vacation and there was no food.
Then try to throw a 7 year old birthday party.
I am wiped out.

Family Reunion=
Lots of playing
Lots of craziness
No Sleep
Lots of Food

and friends for life
Elizabeth asked if Kate (a second cousin that lives in Arizon) could come to her birthday party. She said she want to play more with her.

I never can get enough either. So much fun.

Zoo trip

Here we are at the Hoogle zoo. We went with PIM a group for spouses of residents. The girls loved going. And Elizabeth had to take a picture of me by the giraffes. Unfortunately NO giraffes posed in the picture so it is just me by the fence with Maryanne.

4th of July

Here we are on the night of the 4th with Sparklers. Maryanne had to go to bed early (unfortunately for her).
We ended up staying up SO late as all of the neighbors pulled out a bunch of fireworks and so we joined the party from across the street.

Yellowstone Trip

The girls on a short hike trip.
Maryanne pouring dirt all over herself at the camp site.
All us of at Mammoth Hot Springs.
The girls, Ben and my dad fishing at Joffee lake.

Ben said last year as we were driving back from FAILED attempted at camping...ie...cold, sick, throw-up. That he would NEVER never under any circumstances take our girls camping again.
So imagine my surprise when he said, "Meet me and your dad in Yellowstone and we can stay the night and see some stuff with the girls."

So here are pictures of the successful camping trip...ie...happy, warm, NO sick kids.

Summer Parties

Here are some photos of a party at my sister Cherie's house. She rented a cool blow up thing and we all got a turn on it. Here is Maryanne coming off the slide going into a little somersault.
Here we are at the top getting ready to go down. Notice Elizabeth not in the picture. She didn't like going on it much.



Here is Country Fest. aka. Aunt Heather's party since she runs special event in South Jordon.
Here are the girls on some of the rides.
Here are the girls watching shows on the community stage with their lemonades from A. Heather.
Here I am going down the slide. I was trying to go down with everyone...but Maryanne took off. At the end she started to spin out so Ben never got another picture of us...making sure Maryanne was alive:)
Here we all are with the Famous A. Heather. She is hanging out in her golf cart ready to put out another fire.

Memorial day trip

Here is my lone picture of Maryanne at the party. She was kind of doing her own thing with eating and drinking. That hair is SO wild.
This is Issac and Aunt Pam the birthday kids...with Elizabeth and Breanna by them.
This is Bre, Maryanne, and grandma at the zoo in Idaho Falls...we went on Monday before I came home.
Here is another shot of the birthday with Isaac and the girls.

Ben is working 14 hour shifts at the ICU and over Memorial weekend he was working night and was home from 11am to 7pm...and trying to sleep...so I decided to take my kids and go visit some family in Idaho.

This is the Place

This is two of the girls in their pioneer outfits. We are volunteering this summer on Tuesday morning. I think they look so cute.

Breanna's Preschool Play

Breanna with her preschool class getting ready for their play.
I thought I was not going to have her in preschool this year since we just moved here and I didn't know where to send her...but then in January she was not getting enough playing/ social time and it was making me crazy so I decided to send her to the Quick Cricket and she has really loved it.

She is very excited about KG next year.

Heather's Birthday

Here is Heather's birthday dinner...well it was here but then we ate it all. I think you can still see one roll left.
Here is the cake. This is before most of us ate it...It was pretty much gone by the time we left.