Family Luau

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Max

Max is the little fuzzy one in the middle front. He is also the newest member of the family. The kids have been begging for a dog forever, and we finally gave in. We went to my sister-in-law's parents house in Manassa for lunch on Friday (The food was amazing, Thank you Kelli) and after lunch they brought out there four new puppies (again, Thank you). For the kids it was love at first sight. Sam's sister Karen and her two kids were there also. With seven begging children we never really had a chance. So after all of the kids signed a contract promising to be responsible and take care of their dog we agreed that they could have one. So on Saturday we headed back to Manassa and Ryan and Katelyn picked out a puppy which they named "Rocky" and we picked out our "Max". Unfortunately I didn't mention "sleeping on the floor next to the dog all night because he won't stop crying" in the contract. So I ended up with that job. But I don't mind too much because through all of this our family has witnessed a miracle. Sam, a sworn animal hater, got up this morning and put Max outside to eat and pee. He also took care of Max while I took the kids to the carnival yesterday. Now I know he only did it to get out of going to the carnival again, but he did it. That's a big step for him. Don't tell him I said so but I think deep down he's just a big softy.

Lake Powell

Okay, so if I can just hang in there for six more weeks. Yea! The countdown to Lake Powell has begun. 40 days to go. Today I fell like that number is especially significant. Something about 40 days and 40 nights. Only I don't have and arc, so I'm trying to tred water, at least until school starts. I fell like our trip to Lake Powell is the familys reward for not killing eachother during summer vacation. The slide show is of our 2007 trip. We had an amazing time, and are looking forward to many more years of great trips with awesome friends.

Lake Powell Slide Show!

Gracie's Hair

I am writing this story mostly so I will remember it myself but for those of you who haven't heard the story, it's kind of cute.

This is Gracie. She is 4. I don't remember exactly when it happened. It was a few months ago, sometime around her birthday, I think. She had recently gotten a super cute hair cut (not the one in the picture, I'm getting to that). One morning she came down stairs for breakfast and all of the hair on the top of her head was missing. A reverse mohawk if you will. Of course I was mortified. This is not the first time I've dealt with this problem, but after the initial shock I have always been able fix the problem and make the hair somewhat presentable without taking drastic measures. It was very clear this time that that would not be the case. So I very calmly explain to her that I was going to have to shave her head ( that would teach her). Actually, she didn't seem to mind. I started with the longest attachment on the razor, but ended up having to use the #2 attachment. Now it was time to look in the mirror. "Go ahead" I told her "you know, you look like a boy now". She went to the bathroom and I sat waiting for her reaction. Tears were probably too much to hope for but some remorse would have been nice. No. She walked out of the bathroom with a smile on her face and said "It's OK, I'm still pretty." I don't think she learned her lesson about cutting her own hair but I hope she will always have that same level of self esteem. Her hair is growing back nicely and she hasn't been called a boy in weeks. Not that she ever cared.

Sand Dunes

In June we went camping at the Sand Dunes with Sam's sisters Kathy and Karen and their families. The wind blew like I have never seen before. When we were driving to the hot springs swimming pool it looked like driving through a blizzard because of the blowing sand. No one slept the first night because it was so loud and felt like the whole camp was being lifted up and carried away. Other than that we had a great time. We hiked to Sapata Falls, played bocci ball and did dutch oven cooking. What more could we ask for, other than less wind of course.

Sept. 2007 Family Picture

This picture was taken last Sept. and was on our family Christmas card that I printed 100 copies of and never sent out. Oh well.

Could you bring home take-out?

Sooo, it's dinner time. I've just spent the day folding what seemed this morning to be an insurmountable pile of laundry. I've changed three stinky diapers and I'm quite sure I smell another one (I don't know what his problem is). I've dealt with 4 year old girl drama, 9 year old boy attitude, and managed to get all of the kids to do there chores (it would be faster and less stressful to just do it myself, but I have to teach them responsibility on top of everything else). I've just finished cleaning the kitchen from the two other meals I made today (so what if they were cold cereal and mac & cheese), and now they have the nerve to ask me "What's for dinner?". I don't give up immediately. First I go to the fully stocked pantry. Then the fully stocked freezer and refrigerator. At each of these places I stand and scan the items in front of me. I may even pick up a few boxes or cans of different things. This all takes about 10 minutes. Sometimes I will sit and think about it for a bit and then get up and look again. First the pantry and so on.
Keep in mind that while I am going though this evening ritual I am surrounded by a constant buzz of energy. Finally, completely worn out and over whelmed I head for the phone. "Has anyone seen the phone?" "Seriously, someone better help me find the phone." Now finally, with phone in hand I call my dear husband. "Could you bring home take-out". I haven't even enough brain power left to tell him what I want, but I know he won't let me down. Thanks Sam.