Oh my hail! Rained out again. . .

The airplanes that the kids played with forever! I gotta get some of these.
The cool visitor center.

The awesomely awesome mansion!

Saturday was slow starting. We couldn't decide on what we all wanted to do. Pete had bought some styrofoam airplanes so the kids killed some time playing with those at the park. They loved them! We finally decided to visit an old mansion in town that was built by two brothers who owned a log mill there. They built a duplex mansion! The mansion was connected in the middle by a great room. I was super excited to go on this tour. I love stuff like this! We got to the tour center 40 minutes before the tour started so we had to keep the kids entertained. There was a 'touch' table full of artifacts the kids could touch and stuff. Gabby and Brooklynn did some worksheets to become Junior Rangers. Then it started to hail and the kids were thoroughly entertained by this! They grabbed umbrellas and ran outside! It was freezing cold but they didn't care. Brea absolutely loved her umbrella and we had a hard time getting her to give it up. When the tour finally started some of the kids were pretty restless so it made things interesting! I really enjoyed walking through this home and seeing the cool design of the home. It was a craftsman style house and I'm thinking if we ever build again this will be incorporated into our plans! After the tour we ate at a pizza place called Oregano's. Super yummy and they give the kids each a dough ball to play with while waiting. The rest of the day was just cold and rainy so after a nap and a few errands we both decided to throw in the towel and head home. It was a bummer that we didn't get to go out and see more around Flagstaff! But driving last night definitely had it's benefits--two of the kids slept the majority of the way home. Not Brea though! She was up the whole way home. We all finally got to bed around 2 a.m. Church this morn at 9 was stinkin' rough but I'm glad we're home now! (Now there is just the matter of cleaning out this SOLD trailer!)

Day #2 in AZ

Today was such a great, relaxing day. We all slept so good and woke up feeling great. We hit up breakfast at the KOA breakfast trailer. It was so nice this morning with the sun shining and squirrels running around. Gotta love it. We had to make a quick trip to Wal-Mart because I forgot my roll brush and there is no way I could get ready without that! The kids hit up the park that is right next to our spot while I got ready and then we hit the mall. Yup, this is definitely my kind of camping! My kids aren't the best shoppers but they did ok. I was just in heaven being in a mall. It's my happy place! And Brooklynn got her ears pierced! It was totally spur of the moment. She loves that she finally did it! Check out her blog for her take on it. (And leave comments--she loves them!)

The process: Talking about it and not feeling so sure, picking out earrings, sitting in the chair, and tah-dah!

We grabbed some lunch at a local pizza place (Fratelli's) and then came back for a nap. Well, Jer got a nap and I took the kids to the park again. It started to sprinkle so we decided to take a drive. The scenery here is so awesome! It is just covered with trees. We drove up to the Snow Bowl and then looked up Jer's aunt's old house. By this time our friends from phoenix were arriving so we met up with them at the KOA. It was so good to see them. We haven't seen them since May of 2007! Their kids are adorable and so grown-up now! We let all the kids play together at the park for a bit and then we hit up Salsa Brava for some yum Mexican food. McD's was next for some ice cream. Excited for a full day tomorrow out sight seeing with friends. . .

The cool playground here at the KOA. Some KOA's have lame-o parks but this one rocks! I mean it has an old-school merry-go-round. Classic.

The whole group together--minus Grace. The kids got along great. It's so neat to see them all be friends even after such a long time apart. So cute.

Camping Trip #2--rough start!

So after finally finishing the laundry yesterday from last weekend's trip, we loaded up the trailer again today to set back out on the road. This time we are venturing out a bit farther than Duck Creek. We are meeting some friends from Phoenix in Flagstaff. I've never been here so I'm pretty excited to check it out. And seeing friends is always good too! :) I was pretty much all ready and just waiting for Jeremy to get home. He only worked a half day so we were planning on leaving around 2. Well, i should've known nothing goes as planned when we plan it! A dental student applying to school stopped by Jeremy's office and needed some letters of recommendation so that took forever. Then a lady showed up to look at the trailer (that Jeremy just listed YESTERDAY) and was debating for like an hour whether or not she wanted it. She decided she wanted it and wrote out a check right there! Kind of feels weird camping in the trailer now knowing that it's not ours anymore! As we are finally getting in the truck, Jeremy remembers he can't find his wallet. So we search forever all over the house and everywhere. I asked if maybe it fell out of his pocket when he was in his counselor's car when they went to do EQ visits. Sure enough we drove over to the car (which was locked up) and it was sitting in the back seat. Good thing his brother is a cop! Justin so very, very nicely came over and let us in the car to get the wallet. We then buzz over to the Mav to get some gas and the hitch grabbed the trailer brake switch thing and locked up the trailer brakes so we couldn't move. Good times. It was just a fiasco for the first two hours of the trip. I was half tempted to throw in the towel. The drive here was quite interesting and pretty for some of it. I saw Lake Powell for the first time ever so that was neat. The kids did ok but were definitely antsy. We stopped in Page where the people just weren't very nice but that was the only stop. I sure wish my kids would broaden their movie horizons! Signing Times and Barney are getting old! I tried to sneak a little HSM3 in but Brea wasn't having it. And if Brea's not happy, we're all miserable! We rolled in around 9:30 so I have no idea what anything looks like here. Very excited to go out and explore tomorrow. Our friends show up tomorrow as well so it will be a good day!

Quirky Joke

So it's pretty obvious to those around me that I'm struggling a bit with keeping it together with my high-maintenance munchkins! Not sure what it is but I feel very overwhelmed and sort of like I'm treading water but not getting anywhere. Anyway, I was reading the Hydrocephalus Association Spring Newsletter which always gets me a bit teary eyed when I read all the stories of the kids with hydro who go on to college and stuff. I got to the kids page and there were some jokes that I just had to laugh at. Hydrocephalus is a club we didn't ask to belong to, but now that we do I find that these jokes are hilarious! Hope you think so too!

Q: What did Mama Shunt say to the anxious Baby Shunt?
A: Relax, just go with the flow! HE HE

Q: What happens to the kitty at the checkout register?
A: She gets a CAT scan.

Love it.

1st camping trip--2009

Good old fashioned dirty camping!
At the cabin.

So it's already camping season! We are super excited to be able to look forward to all sort trips--big and small. We got the trailer all ready last week and headed up to Duck Creek. We thought a close-to-home trip would be best for the first one just in case something major didn't work right! It was definitely a big chilly so we spent most of our time surrounding the campfire. It was some true camping and we loved it! It definitely had it's moments (being rained on most of Saturday night with three energetic kids pestering each other!) but for the most part it was a lot of fun. We went with a family that had 4 girls so Brooklynn was in heaven! She was very entertained the whole time and it was great. She is usually so bored with us! Brea and Bubba did great! It's the first year that they can just play with the other kids and just run around. It was awesome. They absolutely loved it. I think I gained like 5 pounds at least just snack, snack, snacking. Trav and Mary came up and were troopers to spend the night in their tent! We offered our couch bed but they toughed it out! They have the camping bug too so hopefully we'll get some more trips in with them this summer. Sunday night we drove over to Panguitch Lake to hang at my aunt's cabin with my aunt, uncle, cousin Ang and her fam. We got to shower (YAY!) and then they fed us. It was awesome! Camping is a lot of work before and after but it's pretty much worth it--I think. . . The laundry pile in my laundry room says otherwise!

Last few days of school!

Brea on her last day.

So last week was pretty busy with all of the end of school things. Brea finished up on Thursday although I'm not sure she gets that she's on break now. She will go back to summer school for a month in the middle of summer but for now she's home with me! She's also lined up for swimming lessons so that should be interesting! I am so proud of her and all of the accomplishments she's made this year. She had amazing teachers and therapists and she has really just come so far. We love watching her run around and sing and just laugh. She has the best laugh. We just love this little munchkin!

Brooklynn had field day, crazy hair day, and a swimming field trip for reading all in the last few days of school. She had a fun time doing stuff that wasn't 'regular' school stuff! I can't believe she finished up another year already. She is growing up so fast and becoming less and less like a little girl. We fight a lot more, which makes me so sad and worried about the teen years! But on the other hand, she can be a great help and is becoming a fast friend to me. Last week I had a little breakdown at dinner time (Jer was at golf, Bubba was wreaking havoc) and she stepped in and helped me out. I felt like a loser having her see me not be tough, but it was so neat to see her be so compassionate and helpful. It is these glimpses of the grown-up inside of her that make me feel like I just might be doing something right. Maybe! I am so proud of her and for the good year she had. She did great with reading and all other subjects. She has made lots of new friends and has really become more confident in social settings. She is quite the gal and we love her!

Brooklynn's crazy hair!

Her teacher gift.

Last day--she had planned this outfit MONTHS in advance!

Idol rocks!

So like pretty much all the rest of America, I am a follower (and huge fan!) of American Idol. Watched it from season one. Well, this season was quite an interesting one. I picked Danny from the beginning to win it all but Kris just snuck right in there and took it home! I was so excited for him. And so happy that Adam didn't win. What a weirdo. I also think it's just so fun to be a part of something so big that you know everyone else is watching it with ya. It's so fun. And the icing on the cake is that I won the 'Idol pool'. We do a little game every season and I usually suck it up big time. Not this time, baby! I won and I'm thrilled. Getting out now while I'm ahead. :) Congrats, Kris!

Talent/Arts Night!

My superstar

Brooklynn with her fabulous teacher; dinner at Applebee's;

Grandma Ludlow; Nana and Papa Nelson; the enthusiastic men!

Brooklynn's school did an end-of-the-year talent show tonight. There were performances by all of the classes, art displays, and individual musical numbers. Brooklynn has been looking forward to this for a long time. She has been singing these songs forever--the babies even know them just from listening to her sing them. We went up to the school and went into the school gym to wait for her class to come in. It was so unbelievably hot! It was miserable. But it was still fun to see the kids do their performance and show off their skills. The end of school is always such a fun time--so exciting for the kids as they pass off another grade. I am so proud of Brooklynn and all she has learned this year in the first grade. She had a great teacher! Can't believe there are only 4 more days of school! (3 for Brea--I'm nervous!) Anyone have any fun activities or ideas to keep the kids busy?

Evil window update

So we finally got the solar screen put up and it did the trick! No more nasty glare to burn holes in my children's favorite plaything! (Jeremy hates the color of it. It does stick out but oh, well!) Jeremy ordered a new trampoline and so now we are set--I hope! Next item on the list---swing set. Any recommendations?

The end of the dog saga

(Brooklynn saying good-bye)
Boy oh boy am I glad the whole dog thing is over and done! It was definitely not painless but we have learned that we are not animal people. Our dogs were great animals--super cute and quiet. They were easy dogs--for the most part. We just don't like animals. Jeremy and I don't like them in our house, we don't like cleaning up after them, we don't like playing with them. So anyway. After we made the decision to let them go, Jeremy's mom decided she wanted to have them. I was hesitant only for one reason--I just thought it might be hard for Brooklynn to share the dogs with all of her cousins when we are all there. I was just worried about her feelings. We had already broken her heart enough! Anyway, we decided to do that because Brooklynn was happy that she would get to still see them. I was just glad that Brooklynn was happy and the dogs were taken care of. Well, that lasted like a day. Within two days, Jeremy's mom and split up the dogs to go with two of her daughters. I was not happy--not because I don't like his sister's just that I knew it would be not good for Brooklynn. So we ended up bringing the dogs home again. Yup, had to break Brooklynn's heart again. Great. Jeremy's sister in Vegas offered to take both of them so we shipped them down there. However, Jeremy's mom decided she really wanted one so now there is one in Vegas and one in Parowan. Brooklynn is okay with it all though since she'll get to still see both of them. I'm glad she's happy with it--and I'm glad we can say we tried it and it didn't work. Not. Doing. It. Again!

New bows

Got some new bows from my fave website Snugglebugbowtique and just had to share. The tealish ones and the purple ones are custom bows. I just took her some shirts and she whipped these up. Love them! She has some way cute new ones up. Check them out!

Brian Regan

Well after my blog 'blah' post last week, I got to do a few fun things that definitely helped brighten the mood! Bunco's was last Thursday night and nothing is funner than a night out with my fave gals! Yummy food, diet coke, and lots of chatting. Just what the doctor ordered. :) Friday night, our friends the Williams' invited us to go to Brian Regan. I had never really heard of him but he was performing at Tuacahn. I was super excited--didn't really care what we were going to see, I just love going to Tuacahn! Jer and I stopped by the mall first (without kids which was heavenly!) and then headed out to the show. The weather was absolutely PERFECT and the show was awesome! Brian Regan is a comedian who is hilarious without being crude or using bad language. Love it! It was so fun to just go and be entertained by him and his opening act for like 2 hours! Definitely a great night that was much needed! Check out this video of Brian. (This clip was aired the same night of the show. Funny stuff!)

My three greatest blessings . . .

call me 'mommy!'

Today was such a great Mother's Day. Jer had meetings today before church so getting to church at 9 was hectic but Brooklynn was great to help. Sacrament meeting was one of the best I've been to. The sister that spoke was absolutely amazing--and real. She said mother's day is 'the great and dreadful day'. It's great when you are a mom because you are grateful to be one but you dread it because you might feel you don't measure up. She also said it's super hard for those who can't have children, those who have lost children, or those whose children have strayed. My mom is one who doesn't like Mother's Day. She always feels like she wasn't a good mom to me and my brothers. I completely disagree! She was and is a wonderful mom and I am so grateful for all she taught me growing up. I always feel bad when she says she hates Mother's Day. I just hope she knows how much we love her! Brea was naughty again at church and I'm debating being asked to be released from my calling. Not sure what to do!


When we got home, I laid around (literally!) while Jeremy made a yummy meal of prime rib, corn on the cob, garlic bread, and potatoes. He is such a good cook--I'm thinking he needs to cook more often! ;) After that I got to take a LONG nap. It was so heavenly. I love me a Sunday nap. In the evening, we headed to Paragonah to visit Jeremy's mom and family. I was a little nervous since there was a bit of drama lately but all was good. The kids loved playing with their cousins and it was fun to visit with everyone. We are planning a fun reunion in the summer so we got some of the stuff figured out for that. We also picked up our trailer and brought it home to get it ready for some camping! It's so nice that vacation time is a-coming!

I am so grateful to be a mom to my wonderful kids and I'm so thankful for a wonderful husband who gave me that opportunity. When I look at where my life has taken me, I am in awe and just so humbled by all of my blessings. I am so thankful that Jeremy made this day so wonderful!

Random blahness

So I've sort of been on a 'poor me' rampage lately. What do I have to feel sorry about? Nothing really. I just feel overwhelmed every day with just life. I am going through the motions but not really getting anywhere. I feel unappreciated, unexcited, and definitely understimulated intellectually--I'm pretty sure my brain would be pure mush if it wasn't for Barney and Signing Times. It's kind of depressing. But then there are the times when the kids dress themselves in something strange, or enjoying the nice weather (finally!) that help me focus on the good stuff and realize I have nothing to be sad about.

Happy Birthday my Cinco-de-Mayo Man!

So today is Jeremy's 31st birthday. I'm sure there will be lots of Alberto's involved! And softball tonight so it should be a fun day. I feel bad he has to work today! Everyone deserves to have their birthday off! Jeremy is an amazing man who can do pretty much anything. I am so happy he is my husband and such a great dad to our kids. We are so blessed for all he does to provide for us and to make our home very special. He is the best and we love him! Happy Birthday!

Dreadful day of the week

Sunday has long sinced ceased being an uplifting day for me. Brea has turned in the naughty church girl and I think has set a goal to make church torture for me! Sacrament meeting is an hour long wrestling session. I dread it every week. This week, Heavenly Father took pity on us and made sure the only seat left in the chapel was next to this cute family that has 4 kids and Brea decided to sit by them. She proceeded to put some moves on the oldest son (he's like 17) by rubbing his back and stuff. So funny. Seriously was the best sacrament meeting in a really long time! I need to make them some cookies! (And hopefully bribe them for a repeat!) I was thinking that maybe we had a shot at a good Primary session but NOPE! Wishful thinking ruins everything. She was so naughty! She hates opening exercises/sharing time/singing time. I think it's just too much sitting. So she wants to wander the halls. Which would be fine but I have a class to teach to I can't keep taking her out. I was near tears when 'HALLELUJAH' (cue heavenly choir) Brea's school teacher who is in our ward came down the hall and convinced Brea to show her where the Sunbeams sit. Bless this woman's little heart, she sat with her through the whole opening stuff until time to split for class. I sat back with my class but could not look at 'Miss Mary' without tears springing into my eyes and threatening to overflow. I am very prideful sometimes and I hate admitting that sometimes I just need help. I hate not being able to get Brea to do stuff! It humbles me everytime that I have to give in and get help. Brea is definitely my 'bring-me-to-my-knees' blessing! I am grateful for her sweet, strong, amazing spirit. I feel so privileged to be her mom and still so very unprepared and weak. I am so blessed--even when I have a hard time recognizing the blessings. I'm trying!