Another Vocab Lesson

Last night I was chillin' on Sarah's bed with my two oldest girls. I was attempting to get them to talk to one another about not fighting or hurting one another's feelings. Attempting is the key word. Anyway, I was laying there and said to them:

Me: Get over here my babies. Come and cuddle me.

Sarah totally started cuddling. We're cool like that.

Kate: We are NOT babies.

Me: You guys will always be my babies. Even when you're old ladies.

Kate: Commandments! Exceedingly! See! We're not babies!

Sarah and me: What?!?

Kate: Commandments and exceedingly! Have you ever heard a baby say those words? I'm not a baby because I totally know those words!

Happy Birthday to my mama today. She's 61. When I see other 61 year olds, I think, "Man! That is one old lady!" My mom doesn't look like an old lady. I think it's because she is usually smiling. Smiles are the key to a youthful countenance. I'm sure of that.

This Thursday I'm headed to the booming town of Medford, Oregon with Mr. Man. He has some work stuff down south, so I'm going to tag along. His mom will be watching our kids. It will be nice, even though Neal will be working. I love my children exceedingly, but I think I need a little time-out from them. Even if it's only in Medford. Medford is better than No-ford.

Oh, and check this out. My sister's compelling arguement as to why the I-phone rocks.

Company

We had family at our house for a week. It was awesome! My sister Lindsey and her husband and kids were in town. I like it when family comes to visit. It's like a vacation, and I don't have to drive to Utah for the millionth time to see them. Of course, we picked berries. Can't go wrong with that activity. Ellie was born to pick. Kate? Not so much. She picked maybe 8 berries, then supervised the rest of the workers.

Ben and Ellie were running around the "block" in our house and collided around a corner. They were both howling, and I was laughing my head off. Why? Because I'm the mean aunt. Actually, they have identical cries. For some reason I found it very humorous to listen to them cry. It was so fun having them hanging around. I love my nieces and nephews.

"I'm gonna flood this mutha!" I think she really would. . .

Poking various marine life at the tidal pools.

Um. . . no. . . words. . .

Lindsey and Ryan and their family - Ellie, Ben and Emma.

Us.

The sea lions at Newport, hanging around, waiting for a free lunch from the fishing boats.

Every visit to the aquarium in Newport warrants a helmet fitting. Sarah refused this year. That's what happens when kids get older. She was also relieved when she found out I signed only Kate up for swimming lessons. "Mom! I hope you didn't sign me up too! Those are baby lessons!" Oh, the difference one summer makes.

The gift shop at the aquarium. Sarah tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Hey mom, look at my scarf. It's 100% organic!"

The smell of Bar-Berry pie is filling up my kitchen as I type. Mmmmmm. It's Bar-day tomorrow. And pioneer day. Our stake celebrates pioneer day by cleaning local pioneer cemeteries. It's a great service project. There are lots of little pioneer cemeteries throughout the valley and they don't have a budget for maintenance. So, once a year, we scrub headstones and weed-wack. It's a great way to celebrate the day.

Twenty Four Moons

"OH MY GOSH!!!! I GOT A BARBIEEEEEEEEE!!!!! AND LAY OFF! I'M STARVING!!!"

"I wonder if this whole thing will fit in my mouth . . . "
What's better than Pizza and Bob on one's birthday? It's been nice having her around these last two years. I think we'll keep her.

My sister, Lindsey, and her husbandino and kids just got into town today. We're going to party! We're headed to the coast, and everyone is very excited. We like visitors.

A couple of days ago, Kate had a friend over. They were playing truth or dare. * Red flag #1* I am no stranger to the danger of truth or dare. From that little game, I know the sound of naked butt going down a metal slide. But let's not talk about me. Let's talk about Kate and Tanner.

So, our neighbors 3 doors down were door-bell-ditched, courtesy of a dare (I didn't tell Kate what we used to call door-bell-ditching. It's considered a very bad word now-a-days. It started with an 'N' and ended in a 'knocking.' Who taught us that, anyway?!?!) And, our neighbors car across the street was licked by Kate. I told Kate not to play truth or dare anymore. But wait, I'm the one who taught it to them. . .

"Justine Bieber has rabies, rabies, rabies ooohhhhhh! Those rabies, rabies, rabies, ohhhhh!"

Kate made that song get stuck in my head.

Neal and I rented the first and only season of "Freaks and Geeks." That show was hilarious and very under-appreciated. The funniest thing is that one of the geeks is named Neal. Right when we found out his name was Neal, the character said something like, "Sam. What would Han Solo do when he's facing the mercenary Guido from across the table?"

That name fits like a glove. We had a good laugh.

Bucket of Love

I took Kate and her friend to Target to pick out some treats for their sleep-over. They begged. A lot. And I, too, am fond of cheese balls. Neal and Sarah thought we were disgusting. Their pallets aren't fond of puffed cheese product. Mine is less discriminating.

24 hours later. Seriously. To our credit though, I sent Kate's friend home with a big bag. But still, I think we ate too many. I told Kate to watch out for orange sweat and orange cheese-product fart-puffs. I had to watch out for them too.

I Cannot Tell A Lie

We have a cherry tree in our yard. We almost did a George Washington, but then we tasted one. . .

Yeah, we're keeping the cherry tree. Best cherries ever.

Worst cherry pie ever. We threw away the guts and just ate the crust. I don't know if our delicious cherries were meant for pastries. At least with the recipe I tried. I almost gag just thinking about it. Except for that exceptional crust. That's the best part of a pie anyway.

The perfect 4th of July. Our cul-de-sac does a little party every year. It was just like the 4th should be. Food, friends and fire. Especially making legal fireworks into illegal fireworks. Washington sells some good stuff! Thanks to my neighbor for breaking the law, we got to enjoy a great show. And the Volcano's baseball team is near our house, so we got to enjoy their fireworks from our front yard. Awesome.

Yay for a park near our house! A non-hobo park! But probably a child molester park. Aren't they all?

One of my dear old young women, E. Riz. She took Sarah under her wing at camp and they had a blast together. Those 5th and 6th year junior leaders are great. E. Riz came and kidnapped Sarah and took her to ice cream. She even let Kate tag along. They felt pretty cool, riding with a senior to the DQ. When E. Riz came to the door, she was embarrassed at her terrorist look. Apparently the boy across the street is hot, and he looked at her like "WTH?" She chided me for not warning her that there were cute boys lurking about our house.

This is what you get when Kate steals the camera. Mom running up the stairs (check out that ballister situation. We moved in and they just started falling off! Danger zone). Yes, I wear crocks with socks. Around the house. Unless I forget and leave to the store with them on. Oh, I'm such a fashion disaster.


Laying on the floor rubbing my allergy eyes out. Thanks Kate, for another flattering shot.

Molly sitting at her perch, waiting to bark at cats.