Today...

Alicia and I walked for an hour.  And Addy only got her hand stuck in the stroller wheel once...so that's good...

Amy rocked the house, and helped me clean out a toy room, toy closet, hall closet, and Colton's room... Seriously, she was here for hours.  It always makes me feel kind of bad when I realize I'm not sure if I would have done the same...seriously, it took hours...

I discovered I am a borderline hoarder, or at least a recovering hoarder, given the fact that I have a giant yard sale pile, and I filled at least 3 garbage bags full of crap.  I was feeling really good about all of it, until Mallary told me she feels bad throwing all that extra stuff away, because she feels like she is just filling up the landfills...good thing I recover quickly from guilt that feels a bit removed...it's not like I live next door to the landfill or something...and think of all the water I conserved this summer by hardly bathing my kids...cause a swimming pool or a sprinkler are equivalent to a shower or a bath...

Mallary brought me cupcakes for my up and coming birthday.  They were delish...seriously, who doesn't love an unexpected knock on the door when cake is waiting on the other side...and it was pretty cute to see how excited all the kids were to see her...she even got some love from Addy, and that's sayin something...

I finished a book called The Candymakers.  It was filled with characters that were good, kind, thoughful 12 year olds.  I thought the messages it portrayed were excellent, I really enjoyed reading it...

Josh left me a comment that totally made my day.  Thank you, dear cousin.  Compliments and cake, all in one day.  I have a great family.

Amy, you totally owe me a pack of yogurts.  I hope Carson doesn't go into a dairy comma...

I am so ready for bed...but the nice quiet alone time, leaves me feeling torn...

Picture...

this picture she be titled "poor, unsuspecting brother"  Colton had no idea that this sweet little bundle would soon be jumping, wrestling, pinching, squeezing, punching, tackling, and doing everything she could to make him crumble to the ground.  He begs her to stop, and that just encourages her more...I'm sure his giggling through the whole thing doesn't help much...

Sometimes, even when I have a lot to write about, I can't think of a way to start...like the things I'm thinking just don't have a natural beginning, or the beginning I can think of is full of pointless crap, the stuff that makes Kent's eye's glaze over just before he rushes me through the background details...

So, despite the horror stories I have been told, Colton survived his first day on the bus.  I watched him run down the street to his bus stop, and then watched for the bus to come, just to make sure he got on ok.  It was such a weird feeling, sending him off with someone I don't know.  I'm hoping maybe tomorrow or the next day Addy will actually be awake and I can walk down to the bus stop with him and meet the driver.  Do parents do that?  Can they do that?  Stop the driver for a minute for an introduction?  We have back to school night to meet our teachers, so why don't we have a meet your bus driver night?  They are transporting our most precious things in the world, and we don't even know their names...

Yesterday when I took Colton and Payson to the store with me, I heard him ask Payson if he had any 'man hair' yet.  I swear my ears physically perked up to listen, I was praying his idea of 'man hair'  wasn't my idea of man hair...totally dodged a bullet when I heard him follow up with 'like do you have any hair on like your arms and legs?  I totally have hair like all over my arms, and some on my legs...'

So dropping Aubrey off at school was as emotional as I thought it would be.  At first she held my hand a little, and then we walked over to the playground to find Lydia.  Just about the time we got there the duty called them all to line up.  I had her give me a hug, and then she just walked away to get in line...cue tears...but only for the briefest moment, because I turned around to find Addy refusing to get off the play ground toys.  Snapped back into reality.  But then, as we were walking through the parking lot, soft breeze blowing...Addy just kept waving this sad little wave in the direction of Aubs classroom...cue tears again...then I stopped to chat with Miss Molly for a second.  And then finally my last bout of tears started as I drove out of the parking lot, quivering lip and all...

Then I headed over to Amy's to have a little birthday lunch for Lisa.  Nachos good.  Mini fruit pizzas  goood.  It was totally laid back, and I had a really good time. which wasn't the point of course, it was Lisa's birthday, but I'm pretty sure she had a good time too...whatevs

Cutest thing, when Addy and I dropped Lisa off at home, Addy started crying and when I tried to console her she just reached out her little hand and said "mama, E!"  That's what she calls Easton.  My heart melted a little...

Then on to home where I started panicking that I didn't tell Colton to make sure he waited for Aubrey before he started walking home.  I imagined her sitting there, not getting off at her stop, and started to panic a little.  So when the bus drove by we headed over to the stop, they both got off and all was well again...until about 5 minutes after they got home and it was total madness. 

Pictures.....

Here is Colton, and try as I may, it was just not his best day for a picture, plus I wanted to make sure he got to the bus on time so I only snapped a few pictures...

I swear, it must have been "Don't Look Natural Day"  because I couldn't get a very good pic of Aubs either... neither one of them wanted me to take their picture at all, least of all Aubrey...even so, I think she is one adorable kindergartener...

this is the dollar I paid her to wear her adorable dress instead of some heinous mismatched outfit...

I am trying so hard to remember anything worth writing about from this weekend...and I keep coming up with nothing.   Kent was working over time again on Saturday, I traded Graycie for Tyson...now I remember Aubrey and Tyson having some funny conversations, but I can't remember what they are anymore.  I made cookies with the 2 of them, and that was pretty fun...I don't know, whatevs...On Sunday church was awesome, Kent's dad came, and that was super cool.  We went over to my moms and ended up having to have a little talk with all the boys about the 'f word'.  Apparently Colton saw it under the bridge riding bikes with my mom and Spencer, didn't know what it meant or that it was a bad word, but asked Easton what it meant....fishy...Spencer the Reporter came and blew the whistle on the convo, and Amy intervened, saying stuff like how it's the worst word in the world, and it was all I could do to point out that I think we all know a few worse ones...then we talked about how some people make regular words into bad words, like how ass means donkey...it was great...but I think my favorite part was how Colton kept telling us it was spray painted right next to a few other words, and one of them was Alex, like it was of some importance...

Today my Visiting Teachers came by, I of course forgot they were coming, which means I wasn't dressed so I had to force Colton to go open the door.  I looked horrible, Addy was still wearing the dress she wore to church yesterday...luckily the house wasn't to much of a disaster.  They talked to me a bit about being more Holy, and what that meant to me...I couldn't come up with anything...and given the way I felt the rest of the day, I'm not surprised I drew a blank...

I decided that I wanted to take Colton to get the few school supplies we didn't have yet, and take him out to lunch.  Cause you know, I was feeling like I hadn't done anything with him in awhile, I told myself I would enjoy the time with him...let's just say it was bit strained.  He is driving me crazy, with the random outbursts of noises and words, the constant trash talk, the 'I want' the grabbing on to the freakin cart every 2 seconds....He redeemed himself a bit at lunch, but just barely...then I'm pretty sure he yelled out something stupid again, leaving me wondering why I took him anywhere in the first place.  Good thing I love that kid with my whole heart...

We went to Back to School night this evening, which felt more like Back to Sweat night.  They didn't have any air conditioning on, and about 50 billion people roaming the halls.  Colton's teacher seems pretty nice though, which was such a relief.  And thanks so much to my dad for coming and sitting with a sleeping Addy.  There is no way I would have made it through the heat and the halls carrying a cranky 2 year old. 

I think I'm gonna switch Addy's nick name from Helen Keller to Bam Bam...a total down grade I know, but holy crap, that girl beats the crap out of my arm when she's trying to get my attention.  And the other day, she spanked me on the behind and it actually stung.  She is so Lenny, it's ridic...and Heaven help you if she juts out her jaw, clenches her teeth, and heads in your direction...

Picture...

Aubs on her first day of Preschool...stop growing, please stop growing....on to her first day of kindergarten...if you stop by tomorrow after 12:45, you might find me curled up in the fetal position crying...I am so sad to have her go...

 

Colton on his first day of preschool...2nd grade?  Seriously?  It's so heart breaking some times....

 

I had such a great day today.  It started by actually getting out of bed by 8:45, just a smidge earlier than the 10:30ish it has been lately.  Then I had a few friends and some family, over with their daughters that will be starting kindergarten with Aubs.  I think the girls had a pretty good time, and I know Amy and I did.  Josh came over too, total added bonus, and if that wasn't enough, Danielle showed up as well.  It's like I won the lottery. 

And because I have the messiest toy closet on the planet, clean was a cinch.  It literally took me and Aubrey like 10 minutes to pick up, and that included the lunch mess in the kitchen.  Since the kids drank all the capri suns, and the adults pretty much cleaned out the sandwich supplies, there was little to do, but feel all good about myself for doing something nice and having a really good time. 

At the end of the day we went over to Denice's for some swimming.  She wasn't home, but she was a gracious hostess from afar.  I super appreciate her letting me take the whole Landoni-Buchanan-Grandma and Grandpa Lo clan over to her house for a swim.  We had a really nice time and the kids of course had a blast.  I'm still amazed every time I watch Addy scoot all over the pool in her floaties.  I couldn't believe how fast she made it to the deep end and back.  So thank you so much Denice, I know my family really appreciated it. 

Picture...

So as most evenings spent together go, all the kids wanted to switch houses and spend the night.  Colton ended up going with Steve and Lisa at the last minute, and Graycie came home with me.  Lisa sent me this picture....

 

It looks like the boys are having a bit more fun than the girls...we just watched Project Runway...but I did have fun talking with Graycie about how rude certain designers were, and which outfits we did and did not like.  She would tell me what she thought should be different, we discussed fabric choices and such...

Tonight I enjoyed the company of amazing, strong, hilarious women.  We talk about everything from A-Z, laugh, share secrets, laugh some more....I always leave feeling better than when I showed up.  I find comfort and strength in their company.  I feel truly blessed....and exhausted, we never know when to stop talking....

Picture....

I'm looking forward to tomorrow....

So here's the thing, I love my kids unconditionally, no doubt about it.  But, I realized I almost never like all of them at the same time...I like one, maybe two...but never all 3 at once.  Maybe that makes me a crap mom, I think it's just proof I'm a stay at home mom.  But that works for me, I'd rather like 1 or 2 at a time, and be with  all 3 always...

Very exciting event that took place right here at home today...I asked Addy if she wanted to go sit on the toilet and she said yes!  then she got down, walked to the bathroom, and had herself a little sitsy on the toilet for a minute...diaper free days may be ahead...or she could just be toying with me, with her you never know....

Addy-isms...

mom= I want_____

mom(with a bit of finality to her tone)= I'm done with what I wanted

ma-AH-m(sing-songy)= I'm tattle telling

moooom= come on already, get up

mom!(light and fluffy like)= what's that?!

She says mom about a million different ways, and mom means a million different things.  For a little girl who doesn't talk much, she communicates quite well...

I have been feeling like such a loser lately.  I never go to bed at night, I never want to get up in the morning, and I don't ever want to get ready.  It's the vicious cycle of feeling like crap-so I stay in bed-but that makes me feel like crap-but I stay in bed anyway-then I stay up late-and then feel like crap because I stay in bed all morning-now how to break this cycle because I feel like crap...

Today I tried to put a skirt on Addy and she pushed it away and said 'uh-uh'.  Then she walked over to her dresser and pulled out a pair of over-alls and handed them to me.  I will seriously die, like dead to the floor, bury me now die if she starts to get picky about her clothes already.  Seriously, everyone say their good byes while they can...

Picture....

I know she's a little out of focus, but check out that bee flying right at her head...I think she looks like she has an old lady mouth with no teeth, but really she just shoved a chip in her mouth

We pretty much spent the weekend at Denice's.   I spent my time holding Lily as much as I could.  On Sunday I had to share her a bit with Aubrey though...she loved holding her too.  It totally reminded me of myself when I was little...good times...

Today Kent and I took all the kids to what felt like a million stores looking for back packs and lunch boxes, new shoes...the works for school.  I still have a ton of school supplies left...boo.  It actually wasn't so bad until I realized at the mall that hoisting Addy up on my hip over and over resulted in my stomach hanging out from under my shirt that had ridden up.  I felt so gross.  I don't even know how long it was like that.  And it happened at least twice.  I could have cried.  Just like Kim Kardashian when she lost her $75,000 earring in the ocean...

I love watching the kids so excited to try on their new stuff, they want to wear it all right away, and I totally get it, because it killed me to see all of those new clothes in my closet and not be able to wear them when I was a kid.  Aubrey picked out black converse, and be still my heart, she looks so cute in them.  I love the way she always shows us how her shoes make her run "super fast"...especially because when she runs, it totally reminds me of Phoebe on friends. 

And then of course, no day seems complete without a mini-meltdown from good ole me.  Ok, so here's the thing, I don't do nice things for my family so that they will do nice things for me, I do it because I love them, and making them happy makes me happy.  But for the love, after I have spent my whole day and all my money and all my patience on them, can't they give me like 5 freakin minutes on the phone!  Can they not try a little harder to be nicer to each other?  Can't they do any of this with out me reminding them all that I just did for them?  And trying my best to force appreciation down their little stinkin throats...Seriously, for the love! 

Today I requested $180 from an ATM machine, and it only spit out $40.  I just stood there and stared at the machine, like any minute now it was gonna give me the rest, or give me some explanation for the mistake.  It didn't.  So 3 operators later, and a million, "what, I couldn't understand you?"'s later, my money will be credited back to my account in 1 business day.  Which will be awesome, because I owe all that money to my mom.  Because the other day I felt like a teenager again when I asked my mom if I could borrow a check so I could go pay my over due speeding ticket.  Only, now I actually have to pay her back.  In my defense, I wouldn't have had to borrow the money if we wouldn't have had over $300 in charges tied up in debit card fraud. 

And it's only Monday...

Picture...

Sweet Lily and Aubs...the first day...I think this was the only time I saw her cry...

and then again, the second day...a much happier baby...

Steph even let Aubs feed her, and she loved it...

So sweet...I hope they come back soon...

I literally sat on my couch and watched a whole season of America's Next Top Model  today.  From like 11 a.m. to some time after 9 p.m.  Such a loser, right.  The best part of watching this show, is that I think a bunch of the girls are hella ugly in person, but then they take these amazing pictures...which is my personal gateway to rationalizing, that even though I'm not all pretty and shiny, if I had some professionals do me up all nice, I could totally look as good as they do...totally...I mean some of those girls are total butt...

I seriously have nothing else to say, because I literally did nothing else today.  In my defense, I had a killer headache...and it was Marathon on Bravo...really I had no choice...

Picture...


I think I have the embarking Kindergarten Blues...I can't believe these 2 munchkins will be riding the bus together in just over a week...it is seriously consuming my thoughts, and giving me anxiety...

Today I read the big PUSH sign on the door, and then pulled really hard.  Needless to say, I was really glad no one was around to see...

I was at the mall trying to find some school clothes for my kids...and I just felt so completely un-cool. 

Picture....

I'm gonna miss her when she's at school...

Tuesday...I wanted to blog last night, I really did but the pain in my head that felt like a butcher knife being whacked into my skull, pulled out, and then whacked again over and over thwarted my plans.  I ended up just going to bed, willing my body to fall asleep to escape the pain.  I would have taken Excedrin, but I was afraid it might be a leaky bleed on the brain, and if I increased the blood flow, it would turn into a full on bleed, and I would die in my sleep... but before all this happened I went to book club...

I love that no matter how much my friends and I enjoy the book we read for Book Club, we spend most of our time discussing the things we thought were dumb, corny, ill written...you know because we are legit book critics who could all do better ourselves...the highlight of the evening though, was when I saw this monster of a spider running across the floor in front of half the girls in the group...cue screaming, jumping on chairs, running out of the room, flushed faces, sickened stomachs...the works.  It. Was. Awesome.  And totally gross...


Earlier in the day, Aubrey informed me it was time to get a new baby.  I pretty much responded with a 'yeah right!  I'm not having any more babies!'  and she said, "then why did you pick this one?" and pointed at Addy.  I told her I didn't pick her, Heavenly Father sent her to us, and we have to love her even if she can be a total monster...she didn't seem convinced...

Today...

So today we had a little family outing with some of Kent's friends from work out on the river.  We hung out on Strawberry Island and rode around on a boat.  Mostly I just did whatever Addy wanted me to do.  The crazy part was Kent and Colton went out and the girls and I stayed behind, that's not the crazy part, anyway Kent called and said I should bring the girls out, and told me to go buy the girls some life jackets, which I so was not gonna do...still not crazy yet...so I called Amy and said how grumpy I was and that Kent wanted us to go out but we didn't even have life jackets...and now the crazy part...Amy was all like "I have 2 life jackets"  She was cleaning out her garage and had found the 2 of them, and they were both the perfect weight size for both the girls.  Destiny. 

So here's the thing, I had fun, the kids had a blast, but oh my gosh, Kent will not stop googling boats and planning out our boat future.  He has always wanted one, but every time he's out on one, it like a hit of boat crack, and it's all he can talk about...

Pictures....

Colton got a new haircut.  He really wanted it long on top so he can spike it...I'm on the fence about it...

The River...

I kept trying to get her to look at me, and she just kept telling me 'uh-uh'

It's never an outing with Addy without Cheetos...

Colton, Braden, and Tucker out on the tube...I'm not even gonna lie, the first time he went out I was so freakin' nervous...especially because I wasn't on the boat the first time...

weirdest thing ever, to see him floating in the middle of the river...

Kent decided to do a little wake boarding...none of my boat pics turned out so great  because I was at the front of the boat trying to get pictures of Colton and Kent while trying to avoid getting the people on the back of the boat in the pictures too...

They refused to smile at me...

so I threatened them...

For the first time in a few weeks I am actually using my old lappy, that I thought for sure was dying, but it seems to be doing a lot better.  I missed her...

Weekend in Review...

Saturday I spent the day making dessert for a barbecue at my moms house, my Aunt and Uncle were in town, and even though he didn't see much point in acknowledging his upcoming birthday my Aunt still thought it would be fun to have a bit of a party. 

About half way through the day I decided it would be cute to make some golf themed cupcakes, because he loves to golf...so I did what I always do, I called Amy.  Her and Mallary and Kimmie came by a little while later with some lamps Amy snagged me for $6, and some much needed help.  They made me flags, golf balls, sand trap cupcakes, and made every decision I asked them too...They turned out pretty cute for some last minute cupcakes if I do say so myself...

Sunday I had this great idea, we could have the Nursery kids glue some noodles to construction paper in an effort to break up the 2 long hours we are in there.  The kids seemed to like it, and of course Addy was the only one who ate the glue.  More than once.

Today we had lunch with my grandma and the Portland Family before they headed out of town, then Steve was crazy awesome and watched all of my kids, Amy's kids, and pretty much every neighborhood kid while all of the girls headed over to Hobby Lobby...which ended up turning into me, Aubs, and Lisa shopping until about 5 o 'clock.  And then today turned into a day like so many have lately, and I was gone from noon until after 8pm. 

I don't know why I'm not sleeping.

I feel like my whole life is revolving around Words with Friends...

I am excited and stressed about school starting...

I feel like I have been so short with my kids lately.  Snapping at them, sending them to their rooms, threatening them....so tonight on the way home, I tried to take a minute to point out the sunset, and just talk to them about it...the colors, the trees...then we saw the humongous orange moon so we talked about that for a minute.  I know it sounds stupid, but it made the rest of the evening flow a little bit better.  Colton and I snuggled on the couch and watched Design Star, and Aubrey cracked me up when she wrapped a rubber band around her hand and finger and said 'mom, what if I went to school and my finger looked liked this?' 

Picture....

the group effort cupcakes for the un-birthday party...

I went and saw The Help today.  And I bawled my eyes out.  And I kinda sobbed.  And then I laughed.  and it when on like this for the whole movie. 

Kudos to Kent for watching Amy's kids so we could all go together...he totally offered all on his own...it was almost like he couldn't believe the words coming out of his own mouth at first...or maybe it was just that I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth...either way, I know Amy and I were super grateful.

I'm tired....I almost didn't even blog at all...

Picture....

I love this kid like nobodies business, but every 5 minutes I want to karate chop him....

Today when we were out looking at bike trailer/stollers he said "so mom, I won't get a new bike today?"  and I said "No honey, we don't have the money for it right now"  and he said in a voice holding back tears, "so you're gonna spend like $300 dollars just so you can get  stroller, and I can't get a new bike?"  I just stood there and laughed...I think it was a defense mechanism...if he wouldn't have sounded like he was about to cry he probably would have gotten lectured right there on the spot, but something about the way he sounded so disappointed, made me think not getting a bike was bad enough....

A Day in The Life of A Stay at Home Mom...

Dread...was all I felt as I asked different parents at swim lessons if the blue and white striped towel in my hand was theirs...because when someone answered yes, I had to apologize profusely and explain that my two year old wiped dog poop on it....My stomach still hurts just remembering....I keep flashing back...the mom was really nice about it...said these things happen....I still feel horrible about it...

FYI-head on over to Amy's blog to see her ah-mazing parties...
 
Picture...

The culprit herself...she found a plastic spoon at the park, and I thought it was so funny to watch her look at it like it was the most interesting thing....

Today Aubrey called me out on not ever going under the water...I tried to say it's because I don't like to get my hair wet, but then she told me that I get it wet when I do my back float...

Today I actually cleaned a little...because I had to

Today was Activity Day with the girls from church.  I feel like no matter how much I prepare for it, I still end up feeling unprepared...

Today Addy made me laugh, and yell, and want to rip my hair out...and then she made me laugh again...

Tonight I ordered pizza just because it was what Aubs wanted for dinner...it was just us 3 girls, and it felt kinda special for some reason.  When I asked Aubrey if she wanted a breadstick, she made some grossed out noise, and then when I asked Addy if she wanted one, she made the exact same noise and then looked at Aubs like 'right?'

Picture...

I think Trenton thought it was pretty cool to sit in the car...someday that will be open road out the window..instead of garage crap...I can't wait.  Aubrey has been telling everybody she can that Kent is gonna drive her to school in it...

Longest Post Ever...

Seriously, if you are gonna read it, grab a snack and sit down...if you don't, that's ok, but if you saw me this weekend, there is a chance you might be in it...just sayin is all...

It's Wednesday, and I started this stupid post on Sunday or something...maybe Monday...
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Here I sit tonight, still totally not wanting to blog, and trying so hard to not drive myself crazy with the weird colored screen.  The lap top Kent got me looks all faded and washed out compared to my Vaio.  I'm sure it can be adjusted or something, but that seems like to much thinking to figure out.  So now to get on with it.  Blogging about the last 4 million days so I can make myself feel like I am still "blogging everyday"  by blogging about every day...so stupid...who came up with this super crap goal anyway....

Friday...

Let's see...Denice and Jennica came to swim lessons and then Jenn came home with us afterwards.  Then about 4:30 or so we headed over to Denice's to swim and visit with her sister San who was in town from Seattle.  I asked Colton if he remembered her and at first he said no, and then he said, "oh yeah, she's the one you can splash and she doesn't care" and that, is completely true.   They had so much fun with her in the pool.  And the milestone of the day....Aubrey started doing somersaults in the water!  She is crazy in the pool now!   We finished up the day with a trip to My FroYo...and then I went over to Amy's house to have a little chatsy with Susan while she was in town.  Seriously love that girl...

Saturday...

Was seriously a great day.  We started by going to the Farmers Market.  We weren't even there 5 minutes and we saw my grandma.  She gave me some money to get some fruit, then she gave me little more, then a little more...and kept saying, 'Is that enough?', and 'ok, Rachie, I have to get going'  She was there and gone in a flash...we ended up with a whole stroller full of stuff, and almost all the blackberries were gone before we left...we met up with Denice and San, and had some fresh market food.  I tried the Polynesian chicken kabob.  it was delish.  Then we stopped at my grandma's for a bit...which was nice and sad all at the same time..she started crying a little and reminded me it was 3 years to the day that my grandpa passed away....After that we headed over to Denice's to swim and spend some more time with San...and Aubrey discovered that she can do 2 somersaults at a time in the water.  I have pretty much told everyone I can about it, total stage mom like...I can't believe how long she can hold her breath...We finished up swimming and headed home to get ready for Payson's baptism.  The Spirit was so strong, from the first word of the opening song I started crying.  Which probably means I cried more than Alicia did!  I can't believe that will be Colton in less than a year...on to the next event...seriously, the longest, busiest Saturday ever...We came home, changed our clothes, I took the kids to my moms, picked up food from Fiesta, and made it to Amy's house just in time for a little birthday party she put together for Mallary and Katie.  It was seriously one of the cutest, most magazine-like parties I have ever seen.  If she doesn't post pictures I'm gonna kill her.  And, the crowning glory was Mallary's cake.  Holy Cow, that thing was ah-mazing.  I still keep thinking about it's goodness.  It was 4 layers of cake, whip cream, and berries.  I can't keep writing about it, because I am salivating just remembering...and I want some more, like right now.  We finished up the party with some night swimming, which meant I was back at Denice's for the 3rd time in 2 days...All of this, and I was still home by midnight... I have to say, the presents Danielle got for the girls deserve an honorable mention.  She got Katie the cutest scarf ever, that I am coveting, and she got Mallary the prettiest cake stand...that I just so happen to be coveting as well...

Sunday...

Sacrament was pretty uplifting listening to all of the stories from the people who went on the Trek.  I can't even imagine doing it, but I'm hoping to hear some stories from Josh first hand about his experience...After church we went to my moms.  Everyone was there and I'm pretty sure all of the kids actually got along with no crying.  That is a Sunday miracle in and of itself...Then we ended the day with a new episode of Next Food Network Star.  Where the lady Kent thinks is Amy's twin was sent home...next week finale...we might have to order in some delicious food for the big event.  It kills me to watch all the crazy good food on the screen, whilst eating my low calorie snack...oh, and I almost forgot, Aubs said her first ever prayer in primary.  All by herself.  Without Kent or I being there.  I was so bummed I missed it, but truth be told, she probably wouldn't have done it if I was there.

Monday....

After swim lessons we ran a few errands and ended up..guess where...that's right at Denice's to swim.  Amy and her kids came, I had Lydia C in tow, and Steve showed up a little later with his kids.  Kent was actually off, so he was there too.  After swimming we headed to my moms for some dinner, because who wants to swim all day and then go home and cook?  I ended up being at my moms until almost 10 o' clock talking to Suzanne...who came to pick up Lydia at 6:30...another long summer day...I am willing the days to stay long and light....

Pictures...

Saturday....

Colt picking out his honey sticks...

the favorite blackberries...and Addy's easy access...

proof is in the pudding...look at that face...

Denice and San...

I couldn't believe it when I saw him sitting in the stroller...eating blackberries of course...

Addy sharing some kettlecorn with grandma...

And of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without a donut from the corner bakery... it's like the size of her head...and if you've ever seen her head...well, that's one huge donut...

 maple bar every time...

Later that afternoon...

Aubs and Aunt San swimming to each other...

Spencer went with us when we left my grandma's...I think it looks like he's totally about to land on Colton's head...

and it looks like he is running on the water...bursula or not, that's good form right there...

Aubs and Denice...

 Addy's first ride down the slide...I'm thinking she wasn't such a fan...

San helping Aubs do a backward somersault...

Colton...

Colton and Thad, San's hubby...Denice was telling Thad about the book she is reading, and how good she thought it was...and then he read us the little summary, and the way he read it with a smile on his face, made it sound like the corniest book ever...Denice defended it to the end...I think if he read the summary's of the books I read, it would sound even worse...I was cracking up...

They seriously would not leave her alone...and I think she had a lot of fun with them too...

Spencer

They thought having Thad throw them was extra fun...

I wish I had pics of the party to post, but Amy never mailed them to me...stupid...cause it was so cute...and I bet Lisa has some from night swimming with her waterproof camera too...