The Guys Trip

A couple of weeks ago the guys in the family headed out to visit Brett's brother in New York. T-man was in heaven since they have five very active boys that he got to play with. They had such a great trip exploring Niagara Falls, Palmyra and Syracuse. I must admit, I haven't even been there myself. I think T-man had the most fun just playing with his cousins. They had fun touring the church history sites in Palmyra. T-man even got to see his cousin be baptized in the same river Joseph Smith was baptized in and on the same day, just 180 years later. The girls did manage to party while they were gone, so don't feel too bad that we were left out!

My New Style

I came downstairs the other day to find this in my family room:

I wasn't very happy with the kids and decided that for time-out instead of just sitting against the wall they all would keep their noses against the wall. They all thought it was so funny and I must say I couldn't help but laugh as I watched them all. The little one wasn't quite sure what she was doing and kept looking at the other kids. Loved it.

The 'Zag Trip

Brett and I headed up north this weekend to check out Spokane, Washington. It was a beautiful trip. However, we left Sunday night, drove 4 hours and stayed in Rigby, Idaho with my brother. We got pounded on pretty good by some severe thunder storms so it took us a little longer. I think that was worse than driving through some of the snow storms I have been in.
The next morning we headed up to Spokane. It took us a little longer because we actually got out of the car to look around in Couer d'Alene and when we ate. That night we had dinner at a restaurant called the Clinkerdagger. It was a beautiful location and we ate dinner on the patio overhanging the river.
We scoured the city trying to figure out what neighborhoods we might want to live in. So, we were in the car even longer. Same thing the next day. We finished the city off and went to tour the Law School. I didn't realize the campus would be so small and that there are only 5,000 undergrads. I think they have done quite well for themselves establishing their name.
We headed for home right after and pretty much drove 10 hours straight. It hurt. We stopped only twice for about ten minutes each time. I was so ready to get out of the car. I don't know why, but ever since I have had kids I tend to get a little more motion sick, and that was a winding road trip. We had fun checking out the city and still haven't made a decision, but at least now it can be an informed one.

Battle Wound

The other night for mutual we went to the Hoyt Factory of Archery. We got to see how compound bows are made. It was interesting. Afterwards we went to the target range. I only shot a few arrows and decided I better be done before I caused some serious damage, to my arm. I think this happened on shot 5, when I ended up less than 3 inches from the bulls eye mark from about 20 yards. So, maybe it was worth it. But I am paying for it now. The way I hold the bow makes the string hit my arm when I release. I had a few other minor stingers before this one. I needed an arm shield. Badly.

What to do....

Brett and I are heading up to Spokane, Washington to check out Gonzaga University for Law School. Wish us luck, because we are driving 20 hours in 48 hours. It should be a blast. We got a very disappointing letter from the Y a couple of weeks ago that just said they wouldn't have room to let Brett in this year. We pretty much knew this was going to happen since we heard they had 146 seat deposits from the first round. Bummer!
School is wrapping up for the kids and I am actually ready to have a break from everything-related to extracurricular activities and school for the kids for a while. Great timing.

I have had some great conversations with my kids lately. To share:

P: Mom, what is that car?
M: That is a limousine, or a limo
P: What is it for, I want to go in it
T: That is where the SUPERMODELS ride
M: THE WHAT??!!!??? How do you know what a supermodel is?
P: It is the girls that are the hottest
M: What? What does it mean to be hot?
P: It means that you are really cute.

I must admit that I really am truly a little bit scared that my children have even the slightest idea what a supermodel is.

And another conversation with P and my mother-in-law:
P: Grandma, when my mom goes to jail, you are going to take care of me.
G: Why would your mom go to jail?
P: Or if she dies you would take care of me.

Great, my girl is plotting my demise. Apparantely she had a dream that Brett and I went to jail because either we were capturing bad people or the kids weren't wearing their seatbelts. Her dream changes to match her mood, so does her story. Love this girl, she really makes me laugh.

A Little Bit Nervous

My little four year old is growing up way to fast. She speaks like an adult (when you can understand her) and loves to say things like Well, actually mom, or I am impressed with that or you are frustrating me. It makes me laugh. She really is pretty light hearted and a good sport about life.
At church on Sunday one of the Primary Leaders came up to me and told me that my little girl did such a good job on her talk. I didn't have a clue what she was talking about. Apparantely during sacrament, little p asked Brett to write down a lesson about the prophet. Brett wrote a few sentences down thinking she would use it for family home evening the next night becuase she always has to give her own lesson. But, no. She walked into Primary with it and told the leader she was ready to give her talk but she was a little bit nervous. Not sure what to do and not wanting to miss out on a great opportunity, they let her give it. Of course they had to help her out, but I am sure they heard a great little message!

Seriously, Boooooring

I can't say that I feel that my life is boring, but I must admit when it comes to posting on the blog lately, I am having a tough time. And then I think of what is going on in my life and think that it is boring. I am ever reminded though that I keep this blog more for my posterity than anything so that entitles me to feel like I should post.
I went to Missouri this past weekend for my aunt's wedding. She and the groom are both 50. It was my aunt's first marriage, his second and they both just seemed very content with each other. It was very low key, just how my aunt is, so perfect for her. It was fun to catch up with cousins I haven't seen in 20 years and to see the town my mother grew up in. It wasn't much, that little town of 13,000, but I am glad the neighborhood Wal-Mart was the local gathering hole. I flew, but don't think I got the flu. My brothers and their wives and my mom drove. Wow. 36 hours of driving with only a 24 hour stop. I still love being around the mountains and was glad to get back to my hubbie and kids.
As for the law school thing. We are still, atleast I am, holding out completely and utterly for the Y. I think Brett feels the best option for us so far is Gonzaga. We have yet to hear from a few more schools though, but I don't know that any of them would change much. It hasn't been a fun journey thus far like I thought it could be. Reality is sinking in and it makes me realize I just don't want to go anywhere.
I started a new thing with my kids as well. I picked up all their stuff on the ground and put it in a basket. I made a drawing of extra chores they have to do to get their stuff back. My kids love it. They keep asking me if they can choose from the hat a treat chore. Or they want to know when they can do a special chore. I wonder how long this will last but I am loving it.
So a totally random post with bits and pieces pulled from here and there. But maybe, just maybe, I will start thinking again and have something else to write about.