A Lot Like Me...

Louie is so cute, and she is so smart, but sometimes she gets things a little mixed up. She'll try to remember the right words, or understand something, and it just doesn't come out right when she repeats it. I'm a lot like that, I get common phrases mixed up all the time. Aaron teases me, so I'm sure Louie will be in for a lifetime of torment. Aaron took her and Lanny camping and she was so upset because those big pesky flies were buzzing all around her. She got so mad, "I hate these antelope flies!" See what I mean. We all know that they're deer flies, but at least she called them a hoofed animal name. I've mentioned this before, but she calls a harmonica a fiddle (so does Lanny) and finally, last night Aaron put on the song "Puttin' on the Ritz" for them to dance to. I stopped it after a few minutes and Louie got mad. I love that song...then she started to sing it for me, "dah, dah, cuttin' up the ribs"! Yeah, she's cute.
That's all for now, but hopefully, I'll have some pictures up later this week.

Lovely Star Valley

This was one of my highlights of the trip...meeting my new nephew, Joshua. He is so stinkin' cute and loves to chat and smile! He is a happy baby and loves his Auntie Bri!

Batter Up...

Off the face...

I know most people think we fell off the face of the planet, but sorry to disappoint, we're still here, just way behind. I'll try to catch up, but that will never happen, so just go with it. We've been back from our Flaming Gorge trip for a week. It was really fun. We had my grandparents, Aaron's friend and some of his kids, Aaron's folks and Uncle Derek and Whit all come and camp with us. It was great! We loved seeing everyone. First, let me tell you the highlight of Lanny's trip. We pulled into our campsite at dusk on Wed. and all my children immediately got in the lake. We hadn't even been there a half hour when they all started screaming. I thought, "Great, they've drowned!" But no, Lanny had seen a carp and decided to catch it. And when he decides to do something, he does it. He was sopping wet and struggling, but he had a huge carp in his butterfly net that he was trying to get to the bank. I ran for the suburban to get my camera. He caught this thing with his hands and his $1.29 net. So I never want to hear anyone say that the big one got away because they didn't have the right equipment! He was so proud! I was too, except for the fact that he smelled disgusting. I made him wipe down with sanitizing wipes and then I wouldn't let him sleep near me! But he didn't care, it was his "prized possession!"
Other than that initial excitement, we had a relatively calm trip. Aaron caught loads of fish, Grandma made killer meals for us, the kids swam, Kessie kissed her new "best friend" in the trailer (yeah, we're in so much trouble with that girl), and I took a few pictures.
Here's just a couple:





This is my all time favorite picture from the trip. Uncle Derek had been playing with the kids while they floated on the tube. He of course, kept them steady and spun them. They all had linked arms and were screaming with delight. Well, this one time they all were leaning to the side and he decided not to stop gravity, he also says he can't remember if he nudged them a little...we all know though. Over they went. Oh yeah, love these feet! Their faces when they surfaced were also quite priceless!

First...

I know I'm suppose to post pics, but first I wanted to share a story that happened several weeks ago. We were on our way to somewhere when we passed a house and Lanny suddenly yelled, "Mom, that sign said...Seen, Alien!!! That means they spotted an alien at their house." Well, I just thought that those people must have kids and were having fun by saying that they'd seen an alien. Meanwhile Lanny was in the backseat ready to wet his pants because he was so excited. "I knew it, I knew they were still here!" Apparently he'd been told that all the aliens on earth had died out, but he didn't believe it. He knew they were still among us. Anyways, I giggled at how excited he was and continued driving. Then on the way home, I saw another house that had spotted aliens, apparently these aliens are all over the place. They also had a sign in their front yard which said, "Sean Allen...Ward I". Yes, he's running for public office, but I'll tell you this, I'm voting for him. Anyone who can get my kid that excited about politics, even though we didn't know it had to do with politics, has got my vote! So now, we make a point of finding alien signs. Their all over town, so if you're afraid of aliens, don't visit Cheyenne, because this is a hot spot for them!

Just in Case...

Just in case any of you wanted to see the hole in Goliath's mouth. I took a picture of the picture the vet sent home with me. For all of you who don't know, Goliath is amazing and was able to bite completely through his gum/jowl tissue and get it impaled on his lower canine. I had to pull it off his tooth. Then the tissue started to die so he had to have surgery and they removed his tissue. The hole was huge. He seems to be doing fine other than the fact that he is mad at me because I won't play ball with him for 10 days...don't know if he'll make it. Yeah, it was exciting and adventurous and crazy and now I'm hoping for a calm, boring summer...I can't deal with too much excitement!

Can't Get Enough of the Park

Go Fly A Kite

We went to the park on Monday and had so much fun. Lanny, of course, looked for worms. Then we played on the playground, which has lots of things that twirl and make you want to hurl. I had tons of fun taking pictures of those twirly things because the kids are thrilled, but look oh so freaked out! Then we flew a kite. I didn't know if the kids had the coordination to just keep a kite up, so I made them run with it. Kessie was first, and when I said run, those little legs flew. She didn't slow down, it was so cute! It was an excellent experience. So you'll probably see more park pictures because I've decided that is my favorite thing to do now...and in Cheyenne, you can always fly a kite!

Lawn

Yep! We have a lawn. Since my children have never had a lawn to play on, unless we go to the park, this is a huge accomplishment. It has now been in for over three weeks, so we can play on it....gently. The kids are loving it, and so are the dogs. I can't get over how pretty it is, that is, until we get our first water bill, then I'll probably rip it out blade by blade, along with my hair! Just had to share some pics of it.


The kids were so excited the first time it was mowed they decided to play in the freshly cut grass and rub it all over themselves. This pic was taken after I scrubbed their feet and hands with the hose. Their hands had been so stained they almost looked black! Can't see the fun in bathing in grass clippings, but hey, they enjoyed it!

Beauty...

We went to the garden center to buy some tomato and pepper plants...and strawberry, seeing as how the chickens ate all 15 of my strawberry plants from last year. Seriously, I think I'll have chicken for dinner, but anyhoo. I came home with this one plant. It's all I wanted. I just love it. It is so simple, yet elegant! I saw it planted and had to have one but couldn't find them. So I hunted the sales clerk down and she got one for me. It makes me happy to look at it. Aaron asked why I wanted it so badly. I couldn't tell him, there was just something about this flower. It won't come back next year, and I usually only buy perennials, but I think I might just buy one of these every year. Hope you enjoy it too!

Memorial Day Part II

Couple More of my girls!

Memorial Day

Is everyone sitting down, because here's a shocker...we went camping and fishing for Memorial Day...I know, you're stunned. That is so unlike us to go out in the wild and get dirty. And the most amazing part...I drove the truck...while the trailer was attached! I'm amazing aren't I? Well, I was pretty proud that I didn't wreck, of course, I can't back-up, hook up, or do anything but drive forward, but that was enough to get us home. Lanny and Aaron went on to another lake on Tues. so that left the girls and I to get the trailer home. I even remembered to put up the step. On our way out, while we were still on the dirt road, we saw a moose. She was fast, don't mess with a moose, I didn't know they could run that fast, and she wasn't even trying. The girls were so excited to tell Daddy and Brother. They practiced saying, "We saw a moose!" in unison half way home. Aaron and Lanny drove for hours and hours to catch a trout and didn't get one. They were pretty upset, but they did catch one little walleye. I think that helped a little, but you can guarantee I wouldn't drive half way across the state for one fish. But I might for a good scrapbooking sale...each to their own! The reason there are no pics of Lanny is because he went fishing on the day I got my camera out. So I made due taking pics of my girls. Kessie is my animated one. She always has a different look, while Louie just looks beautiful, really...I mean we're camping, where's the dirt...thus, no pictures of me. We actually had a really great time and we made some new friends. On Monday we had a dutch oven dinner with some families from our ward and now that's all the girls talk about is playing with our new friends. We've already scheduled one play date, so that's more than last summer. Maybe we'll actually get something accomplished this summer....fun, fun, fun...hope everyone's summers are starting off great!

The End!

Thursday was an eventful and tiring day. After Louie's graduation, we had Lanny's final soccer game of the year. It was a make-up game and I'm so glad we got to play because Aaron finally made it to a game. And guess what?!? Lanny made a goal! Yipppeee! His first ever! He is usually pretty timid, so I was really proud of him. He kept after the ball and fought for it, finally putting it into the goal! I think he was pretty excited. After the game we had a little team party with snacks and the kids all got a participation trophy. Lanny was thrilled, and Louie was mad because she didn't get one. But, maybe next year, I signed her and Lanny up to play in the fall. And now Kessie is mad because I told her she is still too little. I'm am just a mean, mean Mommy. (I think Kessie would actually be old enough, but she still seems too small to me. Can you blame me for wanting to keep my baby little for just a wee bit longer?) Soccer has been a great experience and we're all glad that Lanny got to play this year. He had a fabulous Coach, seriously wish I had that much patience. He really improved, and had a great time...plus he made some new friends. I made new friends too, which is a great thing. We're already planning summer playdates!
Such form...don't you think. Aaron took this picture and the background is in focus and Lanny is out of focus, but I just love it anyway. His concentration, okay, I can't really explain it, but it makes me happy so I had to share it!

Graduation!!!

My Louie, STRIDE class of 2010, high school graduating class of 2023!

Louie recieving her diploma from Miss Gayle one of her teachers.

Miss Renee is another of Louie's teachers. We love her. She is the one that told us about the bald eagles. (Which have you checked them out yet, they're huge!!!)

Just Us!

My absolute favorite picture of Louie from her graduation!

Yep, it's official, Louie graduated from pre-school on Thursday! She was so cute. They all came in with everyone wearing their caps and gowns, well except a few who refused to wear the cute caps, yep, Louie was one of them. She was perfectly content to be just herself. They sang us some songs and then received paper diplomas from one of their teachers. Louie was so shy and embarassed, but you could tell she was thrilled at the same time. She has had a great last year with many wonderful teachers. (I didn't get a picture of all of them, but here are a couple.) Louie is so excited to go on to Kindergarten, but I know she'll miss her fabulous teachers and friends that she's made. We're proud of you Louie! Great Job!!!

Neglected....

So I don't want my hubby to feel neglected. He has been working so hard and taking such good care of us that I would feel bad if I let anymore time slip by without mentioning a very important event that happened for him. Yes, it was his birthday on the 14th. He celebrated the big 36! We just had a little celebration at home for him, since he had to work part of the day. But that isn't what I'm talking about. Two days ago....wait for it...insert intense music here...I found his first gray hair!!! Actually, it was completely white! I was laughing so hard, but he swears it's just part of his vitiligo. But really, I've never seen any vitiligo up in his hair. (The situation was made even funnier because right before our missionaries left they asked me if he had dyed his hair, because he was looking so much younger. I laughed, but maybe he's hiding more than one white hair under a bunch of dye...you never know, he's always surprising me!) Because I love him, I'll continue to let him use the vitiligo excuse, but I still get to tease him. Love that man, he puts up with me so well! Happy Birthday, Honey, I love you!!!

Aaron gets super kisses from his girls on his birthday. Kessie's hair looks a bit like a used car salesman because she had just been styling it with "hanitizer". It's what she calls hand sanitizer. You didn't know that made such a great hair product, did you?!

Lanny made this sign for Aaron and hid it in the closet for over a week!

Lanny is so excited for Daddy's birthday!

Turkey Hunting...

Last Monday Aaron took the day off so he could go turkey hunting. And yep, he got one. He was pretty excited and then we ate it on Wednesday. It was pretty tasty. After Aaron got home on Monday from hunting, he took the kids up to Pole Mountain to do some fishing. Since then, we've had terrible weather, so I'm glad they got a little outdoor time. Unfortunately for them, he made them eat hot dogs! They loved it, I'm not too keen on it. While they were gone, I did some cleaning, scrapbooking and took a walk in some major wind. I think I was pushed backward more often than I managed to go forward. They caught a fish, and yes, every one of my children ate part of it. So proud of them. I hid upstairs, because not only do I hate the taste, I also hate the smell. I love it when the kids get to spend time with Daddy.

Question???

We've now been sitting around the radio for over four hours. We've polished off a plate of over thirty cookies, hey, we eat when we're nervous. So here is my question. Lanny informed me that we not only were in a tornado warning, but also a flash flood warning. One telling us to seek shelter in the basement and the other telling us to go to higher ground. So which one do we follow? Go to the basement and drown, or run upstairs and get blown into Nebraska? I'm only joking, but I thought it was a good question. Just so my Mom doesn't worry, we're fine, the tornado warning is over and we're not in a flash flood area. But, just in case you were wondering...we're always told to seek higher ground in many aspects of our lives, so I think I'd opt for that option. Or, I'd just do what Aaron told me to do, I trust him completely, he thinks a lot more clearly than I do. On a side note, I called my sister to complain about the storm and she always makes me laugh. She inspired me to move my couch downstairs so that we could at least be comfortable while waiting out a storm. I'm gonna get right to it. The couch has a fold out bed, so we're all set, we'll put it right next to the storage room and be set...food, shelter, comfort. Who could ask for more!
P.S. Just wish we had our grass in, we wouldn't have to water for weeks!

Toot!

No, Mom, I'm not being gross or disrespectful, I just want to toot my own horn for a minute. Head on over to the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog and you'll see a journal I decorated. Not only do I get to be on their blog today, but they always have fun ideas and great projects to inspire...so look through some of their other posts too, you'll be glad you did! Thanks for letting me brag a bit, I promise, I'll go right back to my very humble self.

http://www.scrapbookandcardstodaymag.tyepad.com/

New E-mail

Hotmail is totally being a bum, so I have a new account at lcjmly@gmail.com. Hope this one works better than my other one!

Happy Mother's Day

Wanted to wish everyone out there a Happy Mother's Day! Hope it was fabulous! Except for you guys, sorry your turn is coming. Here are a couple pics from yesterday. Louie was so excited to bring my gift in from the car, Aaron took the picture. And my bestest gift of all...well, they love to cuddle and most the time they have messy faces and hands, but I still adore them. Love my kids and am so grateful to be their mom. And of course, my sweet hubby, don't have a pic, but he means the world to me too.



In other news. Lanny had a great game. He got the ball away from the other team several times. Here's my favorite shot from the game! Yeah, he's pretty cool!

A couple of stories for your enjoyment. Kessie is always running around in her undies. She hates keeping her clothes on. Everyone just gets used to it. Yesterday, our new Elders came over for dinner. In the middle of dinner she went up to change out of her Sunday dress. I went up a few minutes later to help. She put on a little sundress, that I usually put a onesie under, but she just put it on. Suddenly she stopped and said, "Mom, is it okay if the Elders see my shoulders?" I have no idea where her sudden sense of modesty came from, but I said it would probably be okay this once. Nope, she couldn't handle that answer, so she grabbed a jacket, zipped it up, and put the hood on! Well, no one can claim that she wasn't modest yesterday!

Louie has been having a lot of bad dreams lately and it has really been upsetting her. Yesterday morning, at the breakfast table, she was talking about one of them and asked what she could do about her dreams. Lanny, ever the helpful brother, piped right up. He explained that it helped if she realized she was dreaming, and then it wouldn't seem so scary. So he told her how to recognize if she was dreaming. "First, ask yourself, can I feel the floor?" Okay, so that is as far as his helpful list got because Aaron and I were laughing so hard. I, in fact, asked myself that very question at least a dozen times yesterday. I also asked Aaron and the kids that question multiple times...I think by the end of the day, they were sick of it, but I can't get over it. It makes me giggle every time I say it! And just so you know, yes, I can feel the floor! Go me!

And lastly, I had to add this shot of Louie feeding the chickens. My kids are always so scandalous! Gotta love it. I started by taking a picture of my funny girl, which led to training our stunt chickens. Yep, they actually will take flight if they want that food bad enough! Maybe we have simple pleasures, but hey, we enjoy it!