Emily rides the bull

What kind of parent would let their 3 year old little girl ride the bull? Why don't you act surprised??!!

Jaron Jetstar--2nd time is the charm

For those of you who thought the vidoe of Jaron was kind of mean, here you go! Sorry, while it is cute, I don't think it is quite as funny.

Lagoon trip2, day 2

Sean and Nate in line for the airplanes at Lagoon. It was really fun to hang out with the kids on their terms. We loved going on rides with them and seeing their expressions. It was really special when we had one on one time with each of them. They have such fun personalities.
Jaron loves Trevor. Trevor has the ability to get down on Jarons level and a great imagination. It was great to see Jaron having fun and being treated well. It was also nice to know that we could have a little space from the kids and that they were perfectly safe and happy.
This was not at all an uncommon sight for the trip. Hailey was so sweet to Emily. She would walk with Emily and go on rides with her, and even carry her along.
We had to take 2 logs for the log ride. Eric, Kandi and the boys took the first on. Sean and I sat together with Emily and Hailey in the back. Note to self: If you are on the log ride weighing 7 times the amount of the back passengers, YOU WILL GET SOAKED!!

Kandi was so sweet. While the guys took the big kids on the bigger rides. Kandi joined Emily and I for the kiddie rides. She took Emily on the Puff the Magic Dragon roller coaster. They both looked like they were having fun!

So even though we just planned on 1 Lagoon trip this year, we are so happy we were lucky enough to have two! It was great to have had fun with the Swallows, and Eric, Kandi and the kids. It really makes you appreciate living in Pocatello, having so many great friends and family so close.

This video is Seans idea to capture the moment of us on the big ferris wheel. We have really had an awesome summer with our kids. I hope that they have had as much fun with us and made some great memories.

Photo Tag...Yikes!!!

My friend Heather sent this to me. You go thru your home. Right now, with NO CLEANING FIRST! You know me, I am not about putting on heirs, so this is right up my alley. I followed the rules and did not clean first. I also made sure to show the floor as well. Hope you can handle my filth and don't tell Sean--He would be totally embarrased and make me take it off!!

Here goes:

1. Dream Vacation

I would like to go on a 3 week American History tour with Sean and the kids (maybe a babysitter) and an RV.

2. Self portrait

Okay....I'm thru.

3. What the kids are doing now

Nate is downstairs tidying up his room and bathroom. Already pretty clean, and he wants to make Orange Julius.

Emily is Sneaking pop

Jaron is watching Sandlot.

4. Closet

No Laundry...You will see it soon!!

5. Favorite room

Our favorite room is the kitchen. It really is the heart of the home and a great place to gather. It is so awesome to cook in this kitchen, because there is so much counter space, and we have a blast visiting and playing games in the kitchen. There is plenty of room, we can see what the kids are doing outside, and you can quickly run downstairs to check on them WHEN you need to.

6. Favorite shoes

These are my "sexy shoes" They are really cute, and despite the heel, if I walk very slowly I CAN walk in them! After the sunbeam incident, I am a little nervous to wear them to church.

7. Laundry room

There it is. I actually really love the built in laundry bins. Seans complaint is the piles of clean laundry on the counters...At least it isn't dirty!

8. Bathroom

Not too bad. Today there is only 2 bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Some days you might find 6 or 7. BRAGGING MOMENT: The best part of the bathroom is turning on the steam!

9. Sink

Seriously this is pretty rare to see an empty sink. If it makes you feel better there is crusted fruity pebbles inside.

10. Fridge

Okay, so my fridge would be covered with stuff, but Sean won't let me do it. Also, magnets won't work on it, so I showed the side of the fridge, and my cabinent where I post my photos. If you do not see photos of your family, that means that you need to send me one!!

Hope you enjoyed getting a closer look at the way we really are. Are we still friends??!!!?? Now to the best part! Tag, You are it. I have seen Heathers, so Diggy, Anne, Cami, and Tammy. Looking forward to seeing your version of photo tag.

More family fun at Lagoon!!

Yep! This is truly what it is all about

So we really did think that this last trip to Lagoon would be our big trip of the summer, but earlier we had promised our friends the Swallows and Eric (Seans brother) that we would go with them. We never go back on our promises..LOL. Sean had a couple free nights at the Courtyard, we bought the Deseret Book discount passes, did the Bounceback and cooler thing and headed back to Utah.

The first day we did Lagoona Beach with the Swallows. I am getting better on the Outrigger waterslide. This time I never fell off at every pool. (Small improvements.) Troy had to get home for work, so we went on a couple rides before they left. We rode the bat and the Rocket.

We were sad to have to Swallows leave, but we went on more rides that evening as a family. It was so fun to see all of the kids having fun together. The last hour and a half I was able to go on some ride with just Nate. We did the Music Express, wild mouse and Collasus

Steadmans Place

Thursday, the Harpers had reserved Steadmans Place in Raft River. Steadmans are sod farmers who have this awesome set up at their home and let people come and use it. They have a 500' waterslide, 500' zipline, trampoline, swings, firepit and ampitheater, that you can use for free.

The Harpers invited the ward to come, so there were the Jones (Bev and Claudette's), Ellis, Gardners, Ramseys, us, Claysons, Jen Mecham, Grovers, Stacey Buffaloe..am I forgetting anybody???
Sean and Emily make their first trip down the slide.

It was mostly a contest to see how many you could fit on a tube.

I went down with Anne and Tiffany one time and the next time we had kids (maybe 5) wanting to join us. Anne chose to bail because our tube was full. As we went down Tiffany and I were going down backwards. When we reached the bottom, her and I both fell out on our backs. That water was COLD!!Lane and Tiffany and the kids joined us. We tried to do a train going down. We learned that I am not strong enough to be the middle person. Sean and Emily went down, I fell off my tube and went down without one, and later the Claysons went.

As I started falling down the hill without a tube, I began to realize the term "point of no return" I was going down, I missed the first group, and had no tube, so I could either fumble around hopelessly or throw my hands in the air and shout "WA HOO!!!" Guess what I did!

Next time I was the caboose and Lane held my tube, It worked much better!

The kids loved the zipline. Sean, Nate Jaron and my mom all went down it. I knew that I lacked the upper body strength to hold on, so I was the cheerleader and rode the slide.

The grand finale was the candy cannon. It took about 15-20 minutes for the compressor to build up enough pressure to shoot it off. As you can see it was a big hit.

This was one of the most amazing places I have been. It was so awesome to me that these people would lend their home to groups of strangers. (They weren't even home when we were there.) I thought to myself "with so many sue happy people these days I sure hope nobody gets hurt and sues them and ruins it for everybody.

This was truly one of the best family moments ever!!!

24th of July Celebration!

One of the highlights of the celebration...Free Hotdogs, snow cones, and cotton candy!!

Nate and Logan......WAR.....Sumo Style!!

Now, It's Jaron and Jake's turn. This was a riot!! Wish you were here sweetie!! (Sean is in California on a flight!--don't feel bad for him, he is surfing and staying in a Jacuzzi suite in the Courtyard, a few steps from the pool!!

Emily was going to do it with another little girl about her same size, but when she was in the suit and they started filling it up I think that it freaked her out!

Now it was Trevor and Haileys turn. This was a riot!!

Trevor and Hailey are such great kids. They were really sweet and helpful. I hope that everyone had fun, and will remember this day for a long time!

24th of July Parade

A better photo is still to come, I get so wrapped up in the fun that I never remember to get a good one in time! We met up with the Ramseys for the parade today.

After the parade, we picked up Trevor and Hailey and headed up to the fairgrounds.

Jaron, Emily, and Hailey took a spin on the bull. Here is Jaron on the bull. As I was cleaning up the memory on my camera, I erased to clip of Emily on the bull.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY--for real!!

Sean and I the day we were married in the Bountiful Utah Temple. I guess you could say "the happiest day of my life", but I think life just keeps getting better, to where you can't choose just one favorite.

Sean and I at our 11th wedding anniversary dinner at Famous Daves.

Happy Anniversary! Friday (July 11) we celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary. We have found a great babysitter who was willing to watch our kids overnight, so off we headed for Utah. Sean had some Marriott points from all his travels, so we went to the Courtyard in Layton. We had a really nice room. We spent some time there and then we went out for ribs at Famous Daves. It was really yummy, especially the cornbread.

After the ribs, Sean did the sweetest thing a man could ever do for his wife---He took me shopping!! (And didn't tell me anything was too expensive or to hurry up!!!) They were Tai Pan was only open for an hour and a half, and I used every minute of it! While I awed at all the decor, Sean followed me with the shopping cart and played with his new cell phone. We were both happy, but I have to admit I was wearing a perma-grin the whole night.

My friend Tammy offered to make me some floral arrangements, and she is so unbelievably talented. So I was shopping with a mission--Find the flowers! I think we will be able to pull together 2 arrangements: purple for the front room, and rust and amber for the kitchen! don't I look like Mrs. America with my flowers! LOL

We did miss the kids. I had to take their photos with us, and I called about 7 times on Friday. By Saturday, I knew I was coming home soon enough, and only called to tell our sitter that we would be about an hour late!

While this doesn't sound like a magical anniversary, this is what we like. We just enjoy spending time together, and it is great to have a night away from the house, kids and worries. I was trying to remember "Where did I think we would be 11 years ago?" I honestly can't really remeber, I think I can consider that a blessing. There have been several opportunities for growth, maturity and calming. Sean has been so patient and kind to me. He has taught me how to cook, do laundry, bathe kids, and on and on. We have had a lot of fun together, and I can honestly say I love him more and more each day. These things tend to help you become a more rounded individual, and I am greatful. I am greatful to a Heavenly Father who knows me way better than I know myself and gives me opportunities to be truly blessed in ways I never would have imagined. I am greatful to a wonderful husband. His patience and love has helped me become a better person (I hope!)

I am so greatful to be blessed with wonderful children who have showed me unconditional love and given me forgiveness time after time for my mistakes. I am greatful for additional family who have given me both advice and encouragement when I needed it most. One of the nicest things my dad said to me is "Sis, you are doing really good. You are doing as good as any, and better than many." Whether it is true or not, it is just what I needed to hear on that day, and several days since. I cannot forget to express my gratitude for my friends. Those who repeatedly he about me feeling sick, tired or sad. There always seems to be a "Lets get lunch, or bring the kids over" exactly when I need it most.

Thanks for caring about me. My heart feels so full of love.

Goofs

Yes, We are getting ready to have professional photos taken!!! Augh!!!! Wish me luck.










Emily has been letting me get her a little girlie! For those of you wondering about my "Sexy shoes" She found them!!!

Lagoon

Thursday we headed up to Lagoon. The Ellis' and Hardy's were already there and stayed at the campground. We tried to get a campsite for both nights, but they could only accomidate us for Thursday night. We figured it wouldn't be worth the effort for just one night, Luckily the Ramseys were at a hotel. We decided to stay at a hotel with the Ramseys. We were eventually able to find one together, and they put us straight across the hall from eachother. It worked out great for us, hopefully they would agree too. After checking in to the hotel, we went to Lagoon and met up in Lagoona Beach. It was a lot of fun.

Kymball and McKay Ellis had fun trying to tip me off my tube in the lazy river. I had one successful round, but as we started the second lap, they finally won, and I went head over heels into the water. As if that wasn't bad enough, Then they took my tube! I always thought that a 31 year old woman would have a better chance of catching up to 6 and 8 year old little girls, but they were weaving in and out of people so fast that before too long they were out of sight and laughing all the way. I told them the storm was coming, but I am afraid my bark is worse than my bite. If any of you have ideas of how I can get back at them, I am open for suggestions.

Okay, now I have been accused of crazy things in my life, but....
I was innocently holding Leigh on Thurday while Anne, Cami and Kim were demonstrating their bravery (I was too late to be involved in the stunt--Yeah!!). She had already been eating licorice when I got her, but Cami has the nerve to think that I gave it to her. True that is me holding her, and everyone knows how much I love her, but really, WOULD I DO A THING LIKE THAT?!!!

Okay, so I would have, but this time I was too late!

I have decided that going with friends is definatly the way to go. We all have kids the same age, so we let them go off in groups by ages. Each kid had a buddy, and the adults went with the diffrent age groups of kids. This was great because you got to be with an adult, the kids got to be with friends, and we got to watch each of our kids go on rides.

So this photo is when Sean and Boyd took the "big kids" on the big rides. They waited 45 minutes to go on "Wicked", 15 minutes in the car to ride it, when finally they said that the ride had broken down. The next day Sean and I took Jake and Jaron to ride it, only to wait in line 50 minutes in the hot sun, finally ride it, and have them close the ride right after us. The ride is a total of about 30 seconds. Par for the course: Wait 100 times the ride time in line, 30 times the ride time in the car, but yes it was worth it.

You do get to find out a lot about your kids. I found out that Nathan can, will and wants to wear his swimsuit all day long! He loves the big rides, and loves being with his friends. He is a lot of fun, and sometimes he just wants to spend some one on one time with mom and dad.

I found that with a camera, and a scary ride, Jaron is hilarious! (See previous video.) Really, I found that Jaron is pretty happy go lucky. With a little encouragement (especially from Jake) he has no problem with the scary ones, and at the same time is thrilled to go on the little rides with Emily. I guess that is one of the sweetest things about him.

I learned (no surprize) that Emily loves to be with Caleb, and she wants to be in the drivers seat. They are both pretty strong willed (youngest child in the family), but they seem to know when its okay to take the lead, when to let the other one take the lead, when to get your own boat, car, stroller, whatever, and when they need to be away from eachother.

Sean demonstrated that he is a big kid and a great daddy. He loves to go with the boys and play on water slides, lazy rivers, rides, etc., and is also very happy to go on the kiddie rides with Emily and get wet. He is also very patient with his unperdictable wife that sometimes is running out of the house a million miles a minute, and other times has to be dragged out of the house kicking, screaming and crying. I truly do love you Sean!

I learned that I am a screamer and laugher when I am scared! I also realized that I have bad luck in canoes and on a tube riding the outback waterslide. And when I fall off I go completly head over heels underwater soaked! Then it takes about 2 minutes to get back on the tube. That means I average about 6 minutes more per ride than my friends. I guess that is one way to make it last longer.

I learned that Cami is a daredevil. She tries to trick her friends into riding a slide called liquid light--How mean!

Kim does not like to get her pants wet, and will actually stand up on the log ride to aviod it!

Anne hates roller coasters. She doesn't like to see the track. Her and I went on the Jetstar. As it is winding up, we are talking. She looks over and sees the part where it drops, and sais "Oh, What is that? That is not part of our roller coaster is it? Oh, I didn't see that before! Michelle did you know that this did this?" Of course I was laughing, then the screaming began. On the video it is funny to hear Jason talking to Sean "Anne hates roller coasters!"

We had a blast at Lagoon. Sean made a point when he said "We only have 8 more summers with Nate." We really do need to take these opportunities to make good memories with our family.

I agree with Cami "We had SO much fun with our kids. This is where the VISA commercial comes in... Amusement park tickets, $200.00; Gas to get to Utah, $100.00; food, $100.00; hotel $200.00; Spending time with our little family, priceless!"

So one last video of our trip. About 7:00 Friday evening we went on Rattlesnake rapids. It was a blast. I think you would fare better going around 1:00 in the hot sun, but I am glad that we did it (I was wet for the rest of the night.) Yes, the water is as cold as it looks--maybe colder! and I am the one screaming!!

Jarons Jetstar surprise

Do you ever wonder what made you laugh before you had kids. You can see that Sean and I get a little too much fun at our kids expense. Please note that it was Sean who shot the video. I had nothing to do with it.

I love how he is so happy, and then instant fear, then back to happiness at the end.

"Was it scary?" "Ya."

"Do you want to go again?" "Yes."

More lagoon and update to come. I have to get to sleep!