Our Family Home Evening

We try to be good. We try to hold our family home evenings. We try to have a lesson where all four kids actually sit and listen and participate. But, somehow, it always seems to end up like this.

Somebody's always distracted. Somebody always wants to goof off. Is this because I have three boys? Or is it something in their raising? A lack of discipline? Or is it in their genes? probably their father's genes, right:) Have you heard the stories about him? jk

At least we can claim that we "bonded" ...we grew closer together....literally....during our family home evening, right?!

Sneaky Dog!

Hmmm. Why is Cash looking so guilty?

Double hhhhmmmm..... Why is the recliner mysteriously rocking as we enter the room when we get home? No one has been home....except that dogs that is. Surely, no. ????

Cash KNOWS that he is not allowed on the furniture. Yet, when we feel the seat on the recliner it is warm and Cash is looking very guilty!!

Sneaky dog. He knows to get off before we come in. Smart dog. But, the recliner gives him away as it continues to rock. So, Cash gets in trouble. Bad dog.

Now when we come home, the recliner isn't rocking anymore. Good dog? But, the seat is still warm when we go check. Hmmmm. Very Smart dog. Very Sneaky dog.

Now, that's a real horse lover!

You know you're a real horse lover, when you make dessert for your horse!

Sierra found a recipe for "Frosty Apples" in one of her horse magazines. This is actually the 2nd time she's made them. The horses just gobbled them up. ...Apples covered in some molasses mixture with sprinkles and strawberries (or last time...it was grapes) on top. YUM. Do you want one?

TAG?! I'm IT, I guess?

So, my cousin Terri decided to "tag" me. So, here it goes:)

The rules: Answer the question using only one word....(although that 's not always possible).
Then tag 4 others.

1.Where is your cell phone? countertop
2. Your significant other? todd (I wanted to put someone else, but I thought I might get in trouble if I did. JK!!!:)
3. Your hair? bleached...natural color is way too ugly nowadays
4. Your mother? Geneen, set too high of a standard for me. I'll try to be half as good.
5. Your father? Steven, a big, gentle teddy bear.
6. Your favorite thing? ?"thing" got me on that one....camera?
7. Your dream last night? last one I remember was about riding horses:) seriously. oh well. lol
8. Your favorite drink? Mr. Pibb, Dr Pepper is a close runner up though.
9. Your dream/goal? raising four children that are responsible, compassionate, and strong in the gospel (I know....that's more than one word).
10. The room your in? our front room
11. Your hobby? horsebackriding or photography
12. Your fear? sitting still at great heights - hate the ferris wheel and how it leaves you sittin' up high in the sky as they load and unload people. But, you can get me on a fast roller coaster anyday.
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? ten lbs lighter, still living here, and loving life with my family.
14. What your not good at? keeping things organized....I can get them that way, but then it all fall apart within a few weeks of living life.
15. Muffins? blueberry, I guess.
16. One of your wish list items? a new camera, of course
17. Where you grew up? Mesa
18. The last thing you did? I made a new jello dish for our family dinner tonight that was gross:(.
9. What are you wearing? jeans and t-shirt, of course
20. Favorite gadget? cell phone? sooooo convenient.
21. Your pets? horses, dogs, and a cat....still working on chickens and rabbits. shhh, don't tell todd.
22. Your computer? who knows, who cares as long as it's runnin'----maybe wishin' it was a MAC
23. Your mood? great.
24. Missing someone? yea, my baby sis and her family
25. Your Car? surburan
26. Something you're not wearing? jewelry
27. Favorite Store? don't have one...wherever I can get a good deal
28. Favorite Word? todd
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? oh, that's a good one. - At my parent's house today when we were all teasing Michelle about Antonio. Go ahead and ask her. She's gonna kill me now. But, we P____ are all well known for loving to tease. And her reaction just makes it more fun.
31. Last time you cried? hmmmm.....got teary eyed? today worrying about my baby sis and her family. wishing they were here so we could all put our arms around them.


I tag Michelle, Cindy G, and Claire, cause they need to post more, and Cindy B. since she's just getting started on her blog:) love ya gals!

I Jinxed Myself

I had to go write that last post about Wes not having any accidents anymore. I should have known that as soon as I wrote that something would happen.

Wes wakes up from his nap, crying and upset, yesterday. Apparently, he had pooped in his pants sometime during his nap. Did he have one of those dreams where he thougth he had gotten up and gone to the toilet? Who knows. But, he was very upset to have something in his undies. (Yes, it's a good thing that that does bother him now). So, I very carefully try to caryy him to the bathroom and pull down his pants without smearing you know what all down his legs. I was doing fine until he tried to pull his foot all the way out. The poop falls out and lands on the floor, all the while Wes is totally distraught and still half asleep about the poop in his big boy, Thomas the Train, undies. I grab t.p. to pick the poop up off the ground. Of course, it falls into two and some of it again lands onto the bathroom floor. Then, Wes then steps into that one. GAG!. Why did write that in my last blog? stupid me.

No more posting about potty training. No more jinxing myself and asking for trouble.

In other news, in a moment of weakness today, as I was grocery shopping I walked past the chocolate oreos. I love oreos....regular oreos and chocolate oreos. So, I caved and bought them. I really shouldn't have. I know when I buy them that I will be eating way too many of them. I usually just resist at the store and refuse to buy them. But, not this time. Before I even get my groceries unloaded, I have the package open. YUM. I ate a WHOLE ROW of chocolate oreo cookies. YUM. Some plain. Some dipped in milk. Unfortunately, I didn't feel too great when I was done. Maybe I'll remember that feeling next time I feel so weak at the grocery store and want to buy oreos. Maybe next time I'll have more slef-control.

You Know It's Going to Be a Bad Day When.....

....Your day starts off like this.


Now, let me preface this by saying Weston has been doing a great job as far as his potty training is concerned. I would say that he's done. I can't remember the last time he had an accident. He wears pull ups at night, but he wakes up dry. Of course, we are still working on the aiming while under pressure issue, hence the reason why I encourage him to pee in the grass most of the time instead of inside in the toilet. He does use the toilet sometimes, but I prefer to be close by to be able to see if and where I need to wipe up....like if I need to wash the shower curtain again.

So, back to first thing this morning. I come in to find him sitting on the toilet. Oh, he's going #2 on the toilet. "Good job for keeping your underwear dry and clean!!!" But, my praise was spoken a bit too hastily.

Next thing you know he's peeing, not pooping. And, he's still sitting on the toilet, not standing up facing it. So, of course, it's shooting straight out all over the place. Not a good way to start the day. ARGH!

But, wait, there's more. And, by that, I mean THERE'S MORE!!!

As I kneel down to start wiping the pee up (after reminding him to aim "it" down when he's sitting on the toilet) I, all of a sudden, feel myself getting squirted in the head. In.my.hair.

Yea, there was definitely "more". It is going to be a bad day when you start it off by getting shot in the hair with pee.

I guess it was at least convenient that I had not taken my shower yet.

*on a side note, I still had a good day, ....luckily:) and I learned to make sure he's done before I get anywhere near him.

Happy Veteran's Day

We had a great day today. We were lucky that the shop has now slowed down so that Todd could take off work. Our long time ol' friends (of 16 yrs) joined us for a day of family fun in the desert. Matt, Sonya, and their kids met us at Upper Sycamore Creek for the day. Above, Sierra is leading Weston on a ride. She was such a good little mommy to take care of him.

The kids had fun running around and just getting dirty. I really should have gotten a shot of each kid for a "Which kid is the dirtiest contest." I guess that's what it's all about though. Here, Wes goes out to check out the ol' abandoned water tank.

Here, Kynlee gave Cash some loves. Yes, Cash joined us too, of course. He loved it and wanted to follow everyone around on their quad rides (just like Kota used to do in his younger years). Unfortunately, we were short on space in the truck, so we left Kota home. We figured he's old enough that he'd rather simply lay at home and rest. ?? Hopefully.

Weston couldn't get enough riding in on his quad. Even when Sierra stopped, Wes just kept on going...like the Energizer Bunny.

Well, everyone enjoyed the riding. It's one of family's favorite past-times. When Zane first started riding quads, he could barely talk. He was under the age of two. We remember he'd simply say "ride. ride. ride." while we were at the dunes. Zane didn't want to stop riding either....just like Wes now. I guess all the boys have it in their genes.

Zane ....cruising along.

Sierra and Kynlee....best friends since birth. We wish we still lived in the same ward as they do.

The boys brought along their paintball gear also. So, the two dads and the two young men headed out for a paintball war. I guess the boys beat the dads out by a long shot. Oh, to be young again. Go Lance and Aspen!!! (l to r: Todd, Aspen, Lance, and Matt)

The little boys (l to r: Colton, Wes, and Zane) spent a long time playing with golf balls. Yes, golf balls. Don't ask me why there were golf balls up there, but there were. And, there were a lot of them. The kids rounded them up and started playing with them.

Then, they would roll all the balls down the trailer at one time. They would get so excited to try and catch the balls as they rolled down. It was pretty cute to watch.

When the men came back from paintballing, Todd was covered in cockaburros (?) from crawling on the ground through bushes (trying not to get shot). Pretty soon, a new war started....of throwing these cockaburros at each other. The kids had fun joining in on the battle. They would just throw them at each other and the cockaburros would stick to everyone's clothes. Zane decided to get artsy with his cockaburros on his shirt.

At the end of the day, we had the older kids babysit so that the couples could go out and do a quick couples ride. I haven't ridden a quad on that kind of terrain for a while. Todd was leading the way on some pretty steep, uneven hills. I told Sonya, "Either it's a compliment and our guys think we are such great riders that we can handle this crazy terrain....OR... they are trying to kill us cause they both just took a out great life insurance policy on their wives." Some of the hills were scary. The last one had both Sonya and I sliding down sideways. I was starting to think it might have been the latter choice! :) We had a great time trying to keep up with our men.

Well, we had a fabulous day with one of our FAVORITE families. We don't get to see them often enough. Somehow, we need to convince them to move across the street from us again. What do you think, Matt and Sonya? Give up that nice custom home just to be with us:).

Thanks Cherokee for not Ripping My Leg Off!

A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a friend about our blog and how I started it for a family journal since my memory stinks. Somehow, we got on the subject of remembering more spiritual things though. Not long ago, Elder Bednar, an apostle of our church, spoke on "Tender Mercies" from our Father in Heaven. And, then since that, another leader spoke on the importance of writing things down. I know our blog has been more about remembering the fun, family activities. But, at the moment I was talking to my friend, I realized that I should also include the tender mercies in my life...for my sake...and for my children's sake. It is important that my children know of my beliefs, my faith, and of my gratitude towards my Heavenly Father for my many blessings that I have in this life.

And, so I am going to include little things here and there that I feel I should share with my children and my posterity. ....It won't be anything too personal since anyone else might also be reading this on my blog:). If you're not interested in the sappy stuff, skip it. But, this is for me and my kids.

About a week and a half ago, I was taking our horses down the street to our neighbor's pasture. They don't have any animals on it, so we are lucky enough to let our horses go graze on their lot when ours is irrigated or simply gone from four horses chowing down on it.

Now, anyone that knows horses has probably seen horses run out into the field, bucking and tooting. They can get pretty excited to be let out into the pasture. And, anyone that knows horses will also know that horses can be pretty buddy sour. Meaning they like to stay together...with their herd buddies. When one horse goes running and bucking, the others quickly follow in a bucking fest. It can be pretty entertaining to watch.

Well, I walk down two horses at a time to the neighbor's pasture. I had walked Trigger and Cherokee down the street. As I unbuckled Trigger's halter, he decided it was time for one of the running/bucking fests. However, my horse, Cherokee was still haltered up with his lead rope in my hands...and as I quickly noticed....the rope was somehow also wrapped around my leg. In that split second, I was terrified. I knew that if Cherokee followed suit, he would be pulling me down as he ran out bucking to join his herd buddy. (FYI - we have had a friend who had his hand badly hurt when the rope was wrapped around his hand and his horse went off.... So, normally, I am very careful about NEVER letting the rope wrap around my hand or arm as I lead horses. I am not sure how it got around my leg. I had just stepped around as I untied Trigger and went to untie Cherokee). ???

Anyways. In that brief second, I was scared that Cherokee would take off and who knows what would happen to my leg. Maybe just a bad friction burn....maybe a broken bone. But, I quickly yelled out "Whoa" to my horse and said a quick plea to my Father in Heaven. And lo, and behold, my horse stood frozen... but still keeping his eye on his buddy that was taking off and having a heyday out in the pasture. I quickly undid his halter and let him go without any problems.

Whew. And, then I immediately realized how grateful and how blessed I was. I know that my Father in Heaven watched over me in that second. I know that I could have been hurt, but I wasn't at all. I titled the post "thanks Cherokee", but the real thanks doesn't go to my horse. I am really most grateful for the many tender mercies that my Father in Heaven gives to me. I know that he heard my plea for help, as he hears all prayers from His children down here on earth.

Post Traumatic Stress

We have a little left over stress in our family due to Weston's horrific scorpion sting a few months back. Yes, Weston has some of it. But, one would be surprised to find out that Wes is not the only worried stressed about the possibility of another sting. Until just recently, Weston wouldn't take a bath in his bathtub anymore (that's where he was stung). He always wanted to use my shower and so I left it alone. But, I noticed Zane doing the same thing. I didn't really think much of that though. I just thought that Zane liked our shower. I worried about Wes though. I didn't want to talk about it incase he had forgotten about the sting and it was just all coincidental. I guess I didn't want to know how much Wes remembered.

About a week ago, I was in a hurry though and so I started the water in Wes' tub. I quickly put Wes in and he actually started to sit down. But, then he quickly popped up and mumbled something about a scorpion. He didn't freak out, it was like he was just stating a fact. I explained that the scorpion was gone and that I made sure there weren't anymore in his tub. It took a little bit of convincing, but he finally relented and took a bath in his own tub. YES! It might have helped that I made it a bubble bath with his very own LIGHTNING MCQUEEN bubble bath:). I tried to focus on that!!!

Since Wes' sting, Zane has voiced a little concern about what will happen if he gets stung by a scorpion. I always give him the normal reassurances that it probably won't happen and if it does, it will more than likely be like his other stings - a quick sting and maybe some soreness later. (He has been stung before and it hasn't been a big deal).

The other night, Zane comes in crying that he is worried about scorpions. Poor Kid. He didn't even see Wes' bad reaction to it, but I must have talked about it too much in front of him. First, I reassured him that since it was winter the scorpions have gone underground. (I think they hibernate?) But...if he did find one and happen to get stung...it will be no big deal....probably....hopefully. "But, what if..." questions Zane. I try to reassure him that if that did happen, we would go to the hospital and get the right medicine just like we did for Wes and everything would be all right. Then, Zane continues, crying while he explains his worry. "What if it happens at night?" I guess he thought Drs. got to sleep at night. So, I proceeded to tell him about 24 hr. emergency rooms and how all will be taken care of...even during the night. I think I finally convinced him. I suggested that he pray about it so Heavenly Father could make him feel better and not to be so worried about getting stung by a scorpion and having a reaction like Wes.

My poor little boys. That stung affected them more than I thought it did. They shouldn't have to worry like this. As Lance would say in his teenage tone of voice, "Dumb Scorpion! Get out of my boys' heads!"

Just Like We Were Kids Again

Every year, my kids ask me to dress up for Halloween. "What are you going to be, Mom?" I nicely let them know that Halloween is for kids. Kids dress up. period. Meet our friends, Cindy and Bobby, who made me look like a liar to my kids. They put on a Halloween party for adults....and we were told that we HAD to wear a costume in order to attend. And, so the fun began. I haven't worn a costume in a good 25 years!
Kevin and Julie won first place for best costumes for couples. Jim and Jenni below were a close runner up though. I won't say what Kevin had in his pocket to really "play the part"...which is probably what insured his winning.

Everyone agreed. We now think even MORE highly of Jim for wearing this costume. It takes a special man to wear a costume like that.

Todd and I had a great time. Good Food. Good Friends. Shoot, I have to admit even the dressing up was fun.

I suddenly became much more of a baseball fan:) Love this guy!

They had a pumpkin carving activity also. Todd carved the one on the left with the green nose!

It was just like we were kids again. Kids with a bit more weight and wrinkles on top of it:)

Blast from the Past

I remember going to Drive-In Movies as a kid and loving it. Thanks to Sam and Lani for bringing up the idea to do it again with our own kids! Above, are Lance, Sierra, and Zane hanging out in the truckbed. Yes, I know, one can't see my oldest two. For some reason, they like to hide from the camera. argh!

We had some YUMMY honey hot and mild wings, Krazy Sub (YUMMY again), and various fattening treats for our dinner. Yum.

Here's Sam and Lani's truck bed full of kids. It was pitch black, so the camera temporarily blinded them all:).

Brett and Nicki and their kids came too. Some of us sat in lawn chairs cause we couldn't all squeeze into the truck beds. The kids had a lot of fun.



Wes and I tried for a self portrait, but it didn't work so well. So, we had Todd take a photo. See below. I think I did a better job:). Not very flattering of me, but I had to put it in since Wes looked so dang cute.



We are definitely doing it again....maybe even a pre-movie bbq out there. And, we'll definitely bring hot chocolate. bbbrrrrr. It got a little cold out there (notice my clenched fists holding onto that blanket)! Thanks Sam and Lani for the GREAT idea!

30 Bales of Hay = A New Fort

I wish I could say it was a cheap fort, but at least it serves a dual purpose and feeds the horses too. Although, since it does feed the horses, it will have to be a magical shrinking fort as the weeks pass by. Oh well. The kids seem to enjoy it every time it gets rebuilt. I was shocked to see the dog up there with them. Cash swims, Cash dives, Cash jumps, and now Cash climbs 30 bales of hay.

WIPED OUT!

After playing so hard all morning, one has gotta get some shut-eye to rejuvenate for the afternoon play. It's a rough life having to squeeze in soooo much play into one day.

A Day with Grandpa Wayne

(This happened a couple weeks ago, but I just got these pictures.)

Grandpa Wayne took Lance out for an afternoon of driving the Thing on the Saturday of Fall Break. I think this is the 2nd time he has spent some time with Lance teaching him how to drive the stick shift, etc. Grandpa says he can't believe what a good driver Lance is and how easy it comes to him (must be in his genes, huh, gramps?!). Above is Uncle Josh, Lance, and Grandpa. They spent a whole afternoon driving off road for some fun. They were going to take one of Grandpa's dunebuggies, but unfortunately Lance was too short to reach the pedals on those. So, they headed out in the THING.

One of the coolest parts of the day was the hand-me-down shirt. And, you know that says a lot for a teenager to actually LOVE a hand-me-down:). Grandpa must have rummaged through his closet cause he came out with one of the old BAJA shirts from the good ol' days. (Grandpa Wayne used to take his boys driving dunebuggies or motorcycles down the Baja Pennisula in Mexico. They would camp along the way and go through all these small towns. Those trips are some of Todd's favorite memories). So, Lance was feeling pretty special to get such a cool shirt from Grandpa. I think Todd might have been jealous.

What a cool car...I mean, THING! Thanks Grandpa for taking time for Lance. He really enjoyed his day with you!

(okay, I know I'm just being too motherly here, but Lance looks WAAYYYYY too small to be driving:) I guess Esther (their dog) went along also.

Happy Halloween!

Wes was "Bob the Builder" this Halloween. He definitely wanted to be something non-scary. And, the hand-me-down dragon suit from Zane was tooooo scary for Wes. Luckily, Mom found a "Bob" at the local child's thrift store for a few bucks. (Yes, there were a few houses that Wes wouldn't go up to cause they were "tooo scary"). For some odd reason, Wes was excited about the fire hydrants on the streets. The first one he asked what it was. Then, he was sure to excitedly point out the following ones. I think he's been hanging out with Cash (our dog) too much.








Zane was Dash from The Incredibles. Although most people thought he was Mr. Incredible cause of his muscles. He quickly corrected them. He was Dash...and so he quickly ran from house to house. He would get two houses in for every one of Wes'.




Luckily, my camera was able to catch him in his supersonic speed.


Check out those nails!



And....the red eyelashes. What a bad girl she is.


This devil has some attitude!

Time to get the goods! (They are knocking at my dear friend Sheree's house. She was the other counselor in the primary presidency with me for four years. love the smile she always has. love her!)

Beau, Wes, and Zane were ready for some fun! We started at Sam and Lani's house and ended up there too. We didn't get home till well after 10pm.

One of our friends (Greg & Jenny) put on a party for their son and all the tweens. Sierra had a great time. Here she is with Jessica and Ivy. This is one time when the red eye is perfect for the picture. She makes a pretty devil!

More friends with Sierra - Baylee, Abbey, Maddie, Jayne, and Hannah.

The party included good food, trick or treating, and guitar hero.

Here, Tate and Parker are rocking out!

Not only did Sierra party with the tweens at Parker's house, but at the end of the night she went through a haunted maze that Abbey's dad put on for all those girls.



We had a great Halloween. Lance is not in any of the photos cause he's off at the Dunes with his friend, Trevor. We covered some good distance with the little boys and filled up their buckets. We all slept in till 8am this morning. And, as soon as the cereal was gone, candy was in their mouths.

Hopefully the walking we did last night burned off all the food and candy I ate last night. NOT! (Three different homes in the neighborhood hosted parties...and I ate something at all three of them:).