Y wounds

I know it doesn't look like much, but the burning feeling I received from rocks being embedded in my hand felt just as bad as the other scraped hand that looked practically untouched. Here's one of the bruises on my leg.

Hiking the Y

On July 11th we hiked the Y with the Nelson family. It is something that we have wanted to do as a family for a long time. The hike was harder than I remembered it to be. I did hike it once...without kids and 13 years younger.
Abby and Josie were very helpful with Weston as he was scaring me half to death. He would run ahead and I admit I am a bit obsessed with keeping my kids within arms reach. Can you blame me? I am a concerned mother.
When we got to the Y all I could do was worry that someone could fall and roll down the mountain. However, the view was spectacular.


I held Weston in a death grip while sitting on the Y. I told him he couldn't get up and walk around on the Y because I was too worried that he would fall. He kept saying and finally became so frustrated that he was screaming, "I won't die! I WON'T die! I WON'T DIE!!!" Sorry, buddy, you STILL can't walk on the Y.

This is what happened when I was standing RIGHT by Weston. I said, "Stand right here and smile." From the time it took me to put the camera up to my face, Weston had gone under the "safety fence." I just have one question. Can a person die from anxiety?
Bob and Rob held Weston's hands for a while to keep him occupied.
"Take a picture of us like this, " was a common phrase while hiking with these two.
Bastian was a trooper. He was so hot and wanted to be carried a few times but as soon as he realized there were 12 posts like this on the way to the Y he would race us to each post and wait for us to get there. On the way down I was running after Weston trying to get him to hold my hand when I tripped and fell on my face. It was a slow motion kind of fall. I will forevermore be more sympathetic when my kids get road rash. I picked a few rocks out of my hand and got a couple nice bruises. Even with my fall it was worth the trip because the prize for hiking the Y was ice cream at the BYU creamery.

Fourth of July Fireworks

Turk wanted to be part of the festivities. He jumped up on the four-wheeler and didn't want to get down. We sat out on our driveway and watched the fireworks.

Weston was surprisingly scared of the fireworks! When we lit the first one he ran screaming into the garage. This made us laugh hysterically. This boy is usually fearless. Often it is US running after HIM doing a bit of fearful screaming.


Abby was a little scared of the sparks as well.
Bastian had us light his sparkler and throw it on the ground so we could watch it. He didn't like getting close to the sparks. Hayden and Abby said, "Bastian, you wasted it!" Bastian watched it glow until it was out. He said, "No, I didn't." He knew he had enjoyed it in a different way.

Hot Air Balloons

This 4th of July started early this year. We went to Provo to watch the hot air balloons launch off from Fox field. Last year they launched at 7am. This year it was earlier...we didn't get the memo. This is what the sky looked like right after we parked.


We met some friends at the field. This is Tara Nelson, me, and Jeanine Reynolds.
They were indulgent of me and posed for this picture. This is Bob Nelson, Rob, and Danny Reynolds.

My First Great Neice

This is my first great neice, Olivia! She came to attend her cousin Gavin's baby blessing. Gavin is my great nephew pictured with Weston on an earlier post. I have two other great nephews that I haven't met yet, Oliver and Drew Danger. I can't wait to meet them someday soon....I hope.
Olivia is the daughter of my neice, Aubrey. Aubrey and I are the same age and grew up together with dreams of marrying twin brothers.....or having a double wedding. Instead, we had the same boyfriend (not at the same time), who later became my husband. And here I am all done having kids and she is just starting! I am so happy that I get to have such sweet babies in my life especially since I am SO BABY HUNGRY!

Our Trip to Basin City, Washington

At the very beginning of summer break the kids and I jumped in the mini-van and headed to Washington to visit my sister and her family. It took us about 11 hours to arrive at her home. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the family dogs, Cy and Sheena. The next morning, Aunt Krista showed us that they had just gotten four new kittens. My kids were thrilled as they have never really seen, let alone held, cute little kitties! And there were enough kittens that each of them got to hold their own. While their cousins were at school (Washington schools stay in later than Utah schools) my kids played for hours with the kittens. They came in and announced that they had named all the kitties. The black kitten was named Midnight by Hayden. Abby named her kitty, Sally. Bastian named his Sherald, which was later changed to James. Hayden named Weston's kitty Silver.

Aunt Krista let Jenna and Jared stay home from school on the last two days. We went into town and went shopping at Fred Meyer. Hayden got car sick on the way and while shopping Hayden's car sickness came out his mouth. Yep, he threw up in the middle of the aisle at Fred Meyer. A boy walking by his throw up said, "Oooh, someone peed." We ate lunch at a big Pizza Hut that has tables to sit at and eat. The Pizza Hut around our house is only take out, so this was a rare treat for my kids and they have been talking about it ever since saying, "Don't you wish WE had a Pizza Hut like that one?"

Jenna and Weston
Abby, Jenna, and Weston
Justin and Hayden
Bastian and Jared
Weston and Midnight
Our trip to town wouldn't have been complete without going to Wal-Mart. This picture shows just how much fun a trip to town can be with six kids in tow.

We were very well fed on our trip. Krista makes everything taste delicious. I think it may be a quality she inherited from our mother. Jenna is not too far behind. She is quite the baker in the family. We had so much fun visiting, looking at pictures, playing the piano, watching TV, and playing outside. Before we knew it...it was time to go back home. As my Dad would say, "The party is over." We left at 6 a.m. for home. Krista waved goodbye by twirling a rag around and around high in the air, the signature farewell when my Mom and Dad would leave anyplace. I too waved in a like manner as we left her driveway. It is only at her house that I ever make this exchange of farewell. I thought that I might continue this tradition with everyone that leaves MY home, but I don't think I can handle the swell of emotion that arises within me. I cried for a few minutes and then had to put on some happy music.
I took this picture on the way home from our exciting adventure in Washington. They were exhausted from all the fun. I welcomed the quiet moment and had some great "alone time".....alone in a crowd.

FAMILY CHORE=Raspberry Jam

I love summer! Not only do I get my kids home all day with me, but it is also a time of working together and having fun while doing it. Our mornings in the summer are first and foremost SLEEP IN! Then after waking we have a morning routine. It includes: get dressed, make your bed, say your prayers, eat breakfast, and brush your teeth. I made a chart with a list of our morning routine on it. It is called "Morning Routine." I spent a lot of time thinking up the name. The chart came into existence about 2 years ago when I got tired of hearing my own voice ask each child, "Did you make your bed? Did you brush your teeth? Did you talk with Heavenly Father like He is your best friend....because He is!" It was exhausting, so the chart was born. Now I say, "Is your morning routine done?" Ahhh, so much simpler.
Now that it is summer not only do we have our morning routine but also a chore or two that must be done before any video game playing, outside playing or movie watching can be done. On this particular day we had a family chore. It was hardly a chore...it was making raspberry jam! Not very chore-ish if you ask me. I loved making raspberry jam with my mom and I hoped to share this experience with my kids. I hope they will have good memories of helping in the kitchen.
Weston watching the berries float in the water.
Hayden getting ready to puree the berries.
Abby being a cheerful worker.
Hayden pretending to eat the seeds. Yuck!

Bastian being a cheerful worker.

Hayden thought this picture looked like his face was bleeding. If that were the case, he'd have some sweet blood!
The finished product-a castle of jam! It took a lot longer than the usual family chore or individual chores, but it was worth it. I have decided that my favorite jam is the same as Hayden's favorite jam. RASPBERRY!

Raspberries with Half and Half

Thanks to Ream's grocery store we were able to enjoy an oh-so-very-good treat just a few weeks ago. Raspberries were on sale for $10 a case. I can't tell you how giddy I was to show my children how to make raspberries with half and half "correctly." It was taught to me by my sweet father. I remember sitting at the route house kitchen table when he first showed me how to make a bowl of my very own. How I have been missing him these past few months! We had a huge garden at my childhood home with the most amazing raspberry patch.  Here is how it is done.
1. Wash berries.
2. Pour in half and half till berries are almost submerged but still visible.
3. Add lots of granulated sugar. (No sugar substitutes allowed!)
4. Smash berries with your spoon until the milk turns a divine color of pink.
5. Savor EVERY single bite.
6. Slowly slurp the pink, raspberry flavored half and half from your bowl.
There you have it. Pure perfection in a bowl. Who says you can't buy happiness? I did and it was soooooo worth it.


I think Grandpa Bastian would have been pleased.