A sand turtle, water, & bubbles - a recipe for fun

On a hot afternoon we get out our sand turtle (is supposed to be a sand box but we plugged up the hole with a plastic grocery bag and fill it up with water). Turn on the water and the kids poured a huge thing of bubble bath in it. Why I would want to save the bubbles for bathtime is beyond my kids thinking. Again, whatever keeps them happy and busy when the temperature is over 100 is fine with me. I would much rather them play in the water than sit in front of the TV.

Baylee at the Parade

Baylee has never been a kid to fight other kids in the street for parade candy. Today was no different. She did get a few pieces that hit her in the head though. After the parade was over she complained that she hardly got any candy and David and I just laughed because it's usually us in the street collecting candy for her. This year we sat behind some elderly people that we just couldn't butt in front of. Anyway, it put a crimp in her candy bag. Maybe she will get out there and fight for the candy in the next parade. Since we usually go to all Highland (heck we live there got to support that one), Cedar Hills (Dad's job as City engineer requires us to be there), and Alpine (I don't need to explain why there - it's just tradition.) Steel Days has been an extra one we picked up on the last few years and I think we go to it just because it's first and were not totally sick of them yet.

Braxton enjoying the day

Braxton is so fun because he gets really, really excited about things. It's fun to take him to a parade because he just can't believe he is that close to a police car or fire truck. He loves it all.

Just Cute Jennica

I rarely get Jennica to look at the camera. For her to smile at it is highly unusual. So I was very pleased with sneaking in these shots. Plus, I annoy my kids with my new Rebel everywhere I go. I just love it though.

Children's Primary Bike Parade

The primary organized a bike parade this morning. Last night I bought crepe paper and balloons and we decorated their tricycles and bike. By this morning all that was left was a heap of crepe paper all over my driveway with popped balloons everywhere. There went that. So we took our bikes to the park undecorated. When we got there Braxton took off with all the big kids on his tricycle. Baylee and Jennica refused to get on their bikes and just waked along. It's funny because I have such happy memories of decorating my bike as a kid and riding it in the parade. I used to think it was so fun. Guess my kids have a different idea. Tomorrow morning were going to brave the steel days parade. David and I already put our chairs out in front of Albertsons for good seats under a small tree. Anyone that wants to join us is welcome.

Blast from the Past

My cute niece Kristen uploaded these pictures on her blog today. I've never seen these pictures so because they are new to me I am going to share them with all of you. These pictures are really special because of how crazy our lives were when the twins came home. We hardly took any pictures due to the fact that our camera died for good about two days before Braxton and Jennica were born.

Looking at these pictures I remember the flood of feelings I had at this time. I remember feeling like we finally had our family. It was wierd going from one to three kids in one day. Wow! What an experience that was. It was definately one of the best experiences I've had in my life - to get these three babies here.

I also appreciate the picture of Baylee. She had given herself a mullet about 4 months before this picture was taken. I remember putting her little pieces of hair in small elastic bands on the sides to hide that they were only about 2" long. I got really creative when I did her hair. I just didn't have the heart to cut off the back to match the length she cut off on the sides.

Anyway, thanks again Kristen for sharing your pictures with us.

Mountain Dew Cake

Here is the recipe for Mountain Dew Cake. David loved this cake on his birthday. Thanks Gretchin for this recipe.
MOUNTAIN DEW CAKE
1 box yellow cake mix
1 pkg instant coconut cream pudding
2/3 c oil
1 (10 oz ) bottle of mountain dew
4 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix and dry pudding mix. Add oil and mountain dew, mix. Beat in eggs, one at a time, about 4 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Add topping while hot.
TOPPING
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c chopped nuts
Mix sugar and flour. Add to butter and pineapple. Cook in saucepan until lightly thickened. Remove from heat. Add coconut and nuts. Spread on hot cake.

Happy Birthday David

Happy Birthday David. You are are one year away from being officially over-the-hill. Hope your day was good and that you enjoyed your "mountain dew cake".

Having Fun on the 4th of July

Sadie, Cymoni, and Corianne

Went swimming and played kick the can

After dinner the little kids went swimming while the big kids (Dad's and some Mom's included) played kick the can. Sometimes the Dad's can get a little too competitive. (lol)

Goodbye Zan Par Smarty

Last night Zan Par Smarty was covering a mare and was kicked square in the shoulder. The vet came today and told us the bad news that Smarty had broken his shoulder and would have to be put to sleep.

Smarty was an own son of the great stallion Zan Par Bar. He was one of the last living stallions out of Zan Par Bar. He always produced great babies with small heads, defined necks, and a huge hip. Smarty has been suffering from arthritis and other ailments in his old age. We will miss having such a great stallion in our barn - he was trully a great individual. Luckily we have several of his babies that we will have to keep his legacy alive.

Dad and Braxton

Braxton loves his Dad. Especially lately. When David is gone he always asks "where's Dad?" Or I miss Dad. Or when he's in trouble, "I WANT DAD". Anyway, I think Braxton gets a little tired of all the girls in his life. The poor thing has had to wear princess dresses, get his fingernails painted, and act like a Mommy. He has been a good sport but I can see a few of those things ending. He is definately all boy and is starting not to be such a willing participant to his sisters requests.

Braxtons Hair

Little Boys seem to always have their hair sticking straight on end at the crown of their head. Braxton is no exception. No matter how much gel we put in it still seems to stick straight on end. It makes me laugh. The other day we had one of Braxtons friends in the car with us. When I looked in my rear view mirror all I could see was two little heads with hair sticking straight on end.

Old Stone House

Today Me, Cheryl and Camille went to the Old Stone House for more pics. We didn't get near as many as Cori and I did last week because of the sun. It sure makes a difference if you take pictures outside on a day when the sky is cloudy. We stole a couple though. It was fun.

Jennica

Brooke and Baylee together

Pictures of the Poppies

Yes Lori these pictures were taken at the old stone house in Alpine. The poppies were not out in full bloom yet. Wait for maybe one more day and it will be perfect for some real good pictures. This week I think Tuesday or Wednesday is supposed to be cloud cover. We should get anyone that wants to come up and take pictures to go. My sister-in-law Lore was at Thanksgiving Point and got charged a $75.00 picture taking fee when she was helping her sister take someones senior pictures. So we can all go to the old stone house for free. Rachelle, you should bring Azure, Lexi, and Gabby. It would be fun. This time we need to have Camille's kids there too. It would be cute to get some pictures of the cousins and friends.

Taking Pictures