"ABBA" LIVE --at the Scera!

We had a great time on Thursday night! We went with our friends Tracy and Mindy to the "Abba" tribute concert at the scera shell. It was great. This band was called "Arrival" and they arrived! Holy Dancing Queen! This is the only band that has been given rights to portray Abba, plus they were wearing some of the original costumes. Growing up with Abba-it was like a total "deja vu". We took Kayla and Megs. They loved it, and it was so much fun dancing with them as Abba sang. The crowd was crazy and it was a sell out.



Arrival--the Abba Band. (one of the actual guitarists, was playing that night!)



Waiting for Arrival to Arrive!


Enjoying the Concert!

Mama Mia! Here we dance again!


Thank you for the music-and swaying with my daddy.

One of our "Dancin Queens".

Thanks Mind and Trace for the photos!

Almost 9 Toes

This is what Mason looked like at the beginning of Family Home Evening on Monday night---

This is what he looked like at the end of the evening--

A toe full of stitches later, and a nice bandage to boot-not to mention no swimming for a week.

We went to our friend Tracy's brothers home for some fun FHE on Monday night, and Mace found trouble. (am I surprised? No). He stepped into a out-take drain and nearly sliced his toe off. The bleeding was terrible! The cut was to the bone. He screamed all the way to insta-care. He screamed not because he was in pain, but because Dr. Platt (his doc) would not be there. He said that he didn't trust anyone but Dr. Platt to stitch him up. Poor boy-he is 6 what does he know about trust?! He screamed when he got the shot but was totally enthralled at the procedure.
Dr. Jim said he had never had a patient let alone a 6 year old watch so closely at how they were stitched up. His lucky number was 6 and he argued with Dr. Jim that he needed 6 stitches in "Blue". He only got 5 stitches, so his lucky # changed to 5 instead. He had a rough night, but is doing well. On Monday when he goes back in, they will check his toe out for nerve damage, and bone breakage. He is one tough cookie! And lucky for him he is still our "10 toed boy!"

A "WAX" job!

It's been one of those weird weeks where you were busy, and you don't quite know or remember what you did or accomplished. I do know that my kids have all had some ear issues as of late, due to all of the swimming etc. So my sister years ago told me about these "ear candles", and she swears by them. My friend Jane posted about them a few months back. I've never tried them-----until----yesterday. Holy COW! It was pretty crazy! I cannot believe all of the wax, and moisture that is accumulated in your ears. That is enough said. I do highly recommend that everyone try them. Trish (my sister) kids have not had ear aches for several years now, as she does the ear candle faithfully every 6 months. It is safe, easy, and very intriguing. Call me if you want the details. You can purchase these candles at the "Good Earth" for about $1.24 per candle.

Stevie Wonder Buns was our first guinnea pig.

All our Candles in a Row.

Family Night

So I am "Hoping" that I can convince my fam that "biking" is the bomb! We had a great Family Home Evening this week. We all biked out to the lake and back. I thought that Mace would have a hard time, but nope he rocked! He was the first one there, and the first one back. Mikayla is NOT a biker! After teaching them all the bike rules of ettiquette, it was so funny to hear Meg yell,"biker on your left!" Cracked us up. They kept getting the turn signals mixed up too-but I am sure it will come with time. Mace ran into a metal gate when he saw "AFLAC" the white duck near the river. OMG I was laughing my head off. He was NOT hurt folks. He always has to stop for the AFLAC duck. Hmmmm maybe his dad has him brain washed. I don't know. We did stop for a quick potty break for the boys in the trees and got EATEN alive by mosquitos. It was so cool to take the entire family out for a ride. It was slow going for me, but I loved the idea of us all out together. Steve, well he liked it, but lets just say he needs to work on the bum callouses. LOL.

And Summer Continues.....

Our weeks of summer just continue to continue on without a break or even a mere thought of a break. We are always doing something and I would say for the most part-everyone is pretty darn happy! This past week I got several great rides in. My cousins Mick and Kim have taken up a liking to the "roadie" show too, so it has been fun for me to go out with them in the mornings and put some miles on our bikes. This past week we rode from Cedar Hills (switch backs), to American Fork,up Highland, through Alpine and up to the mouth of the canyon. It was a little challenging, as it was all uphill in a gradual climb, BUT the ride down is always the reward! I love flying down the hills-as do my knees!

Here is Mick and Kim refilling our water at 4 corners in Highland!

We always love to go play in the canyon, and South Fork is always a fave for my kids. WHY? Well there are hours of fun there. Between little hikes, rock throwing, grass galore to play on, and playing in the river, life dosent get much better. Here are a few photos of the fun "neighborhood Thrusday" excursion.

Rock Painting (we had some super critters!)

A little "Outdoor fondue"

And life is happy on a swing into the river.

Our week ends with our family--We had a fabulous/busy weekend. Steves brother Blake and his fam came in from Arizona for a month. They stayed with us for a few nights. We had a huge family Barbeque/get together on Saturday with all of his sibs. Here are a few shots.

We have some pretty cute cousins!

Now I have heard of "ice hockey", and "ice dancing"--but "Ice Jumping"? The kids loved it!
We ended the week with our newest niece Aleahs baby blessing. I will let Kristel and Ev have a chance to blog about it first on their blog, as I do not want to steal their thunder-but we are so glad to have such a great fam, and such awesome friends. It's been a great summer SO FAR!

The BIG adventure!

Every summer my parents take the opportunity to take each of the Grandkids for 3 days of camping. Our kids "LOVE" it! They love spending one on one time with their grandparents and I think my parents love having time with each of them. I know that someday our kids will look back and cherish the time that they had with their grandma and grandpa. As will they love and laugh at each memory they made.
This year Mason got to go with Jackson and Jacob. They went with Mom and Dad in the "old" camper. Mason was a little disappointed because he really wanted to go in the new trailer. BUT they had fun! They went to Mackey Reservoir in Idaho. The wind was rough so it made fishing tough. Mason said his favorite part was fishing with his Grandpa. He got to sleep on the top bunk. Mom and Dad were tired, but the boys had a great time.

Here are the boys-- Note that I did NOT cut Mason's hair my mother did! (I am sorry Ri' I know he looks like a D.I. child) Mace had to look like his cousins.


Holding their big catch.

This past week, both girls got to go with the "Big" girl cousins. Billie, Mikayla, Bailey, Megan and Hallie. They also went to Mackey. BUT they got to take the "new" trailer. My dad had a hard time saying No to the girlies. They have him twisted around their little fingers. They fished, rode bikes, swam, ate firepies and roasted s'mores. Nothing is better than being with Grandpa! Megans favorite part of the camp out was just getting to go-and Mikayla LOVED catching her first fish. Mikayla's comment on more than one occassion this past few days to me was--"I have the best grandpa in the Universe!"

Catching the Night Crawlers before the Camp out--Notice that Mikayla is holding the container! She is such a girl!

They conned grandpa into buying them all pickles at "Pickle Pete's"--ew!

The girl crew!

Now Mom and Dad only have 2 more to go. One with Caden, and one with all of the Little girls. Mom and Dad you rock, and you are the best! We sure love and appreciate all you do for all of the grandkids!

Happy 4th of July Weekend 2008

Our weekend has been such a blur! It's all gone by way toooo fast! We had a great holiday! It ranks right up there with one of the funnest! July 4th is one of our "BIG" holiday celebrations. It wouldn't be the 4th without spending it with our friends Dave and Ri'! Tradition---to get our spot the night before, and in our case the day before the 4th. We (Cheri and I--and now the girls) camp out- over night, play games, laugh, scare ourselves etc. It's one of those "remember last year?" fun memories. I was not able to spend the night out this year-I got a little food poisoning the night before and didnt make it over night this year, but Ash and Nicki were there to take my place.

Here are our sidewalk sleepers---Brady, Ash and Nicole.


Our morning was spent at the Parade....

Me--anxiously awaiting the excitement!

Steve loves his Ash!

My Mom and Dad joined us along with Steves little Sis Barb!



Ker and Cheri- we are looking a little tired and hot!

Zac and Ash--I cant believe we have come to the parade with these kids since before Ash was born! CRAZY!

Lauren, Hallie, Megs and Mikayla are ready to party!

Steve and Dave just endure the heat for their wives and offspring! LOL--the big haired boy in the middle is their exchange student Raul.

The highlite of the parade was that we were on Channel 13 News. Yes with "Big Buddha". Megan thought it was the coolest thing ever! We had lots of chanting going on. It was a Blast! My Mom and Dad said it was the best parade they had been to. Infact, my dad has not been to a parade in 10 years. But what can you expect in little Idaho Falls?! C'mon now.

We spent the afternoon getting ready for our big family barbeque and fireworks. This year we were a little more laid back than others, but we still had fun.


I made my traditional home made ice cream, and here is a photo of Barb and her very festive yummy Independance cake! Trina made some fire cracker trifle as well. It was YUM! My dad dutch ovened all of the chicken and potatoes! It was a fab meal!

The evening was spent doing fireworks. We opted not to go to the Stadium of Fire this year. Mason would not have been too fun to take quite yet-so we did the traditional fireworks in the front. The kids had a great time. Steve was frustrated because Megan and Mason would not stop bugging him about lighting the fireworks. Here is cute Mikayla doing some sparklers.

A little Kareoke and crowd wave to "Proud to be an American"! We had a great 4th! We are so blessed to live here, and to enjoy the freedoms that we do. We are blessed to be with such great families and friends! Thanks for coming guys! We love you!

S'mores

This week has been a little different than normal! The girlies went with Gramsies and Gramps for a few days to go camping and fishing, and our Daddy went to Denver to help our Auntie move back to Utah. So its just been me and Macer. He has been my little shadow, co-pilot and side kick. We have had a lot of fun together. Our Daddy returned and his affections turned immediatly to Steve. Here is what we did last night! S'mores! We love Smores ! We wanted to wait until dark to start the fire place BUT Mace was just insistent that 8:30 was late enough,as I am sure he had many things to do.