Fishing

Another tradition around the 4th of July. We did lots during this holiday this year. We get together with Brent's family and go to Vivian Park. This year to avoid the crowds we met up at 7am. It was cold, cold, cold. It's always fun to watch my kids get excited about reeling in a fish, or trying to cast thier own line. Jaren, in particular, has gotten quite good at both skills.




Here, Sean caught the fish but had Beckham come and reel it in.
Notice the excitment on Beckham's face.
It's still so early they both of puffy eyes!




This has to be my favorite picture of the entire day. Every time I'd pull the camera out and review the photos, this one would always make me laugh out loud!

Hannah reeled the fish in and Brent had her grab it. Just as she grabbed it the fish did it's thing, flipping and a flopping. Can you tell if freaked her out?

Stinking hilarious!!






Isabel Proudly holding her fish!




Later that morning this is how I found her.






Dirty Baby Grace!
At least this year she stayed some what clean. No sucker stuck to her hair or smeared all over her face, hands and legs.





Annika delicately holding up her prize.
Out of all the girls, she is the best at casting.

Several times the fish would unhook themselves from the line and swim away.

Here you see Brent trying to unsuccessfully reach down and grab the escaping fish.






Hook, Line and Sinker!
Jaren successfully bated his line, cast it into the sweet spot and reeled this fish in!




The Whole Gang!
Minus Grandma Donna, Aunt Kelli and myself. Why we never manage to get in the photo shoot is beyond me. I guess we're the ones taking the photos. I need to do a better job of documenting EVERY BODY!!




DA' BOYS!!

4th of July at the Zoo

This time at the zoo we saw the elephants,


Check out how this dude is resting his mouth and trunk on the old tree trunk.
I've never seen anything like it before!





Grace turned into a turtle




Annika rode a spider!




As did Beckham.




Jaren wrestled an alligator!




And Hannah hatched from an egg!




The good old Lion drinking fountain I remember from my youth!




It was hot, and we were thirsty!




Apparently we weren't the only ones trying to quench our thirst!





Admiring baby Zuri, resident baby elephant.

Jaren and his Mom.




Two sisters and a brother.

When we first arrived at the zoo the celebrations were just ending. I have never experienced it so busy. I thought last time was a mess. As we entered the park we looked to our left and saw a rock climbing wall. The kids at first weren't interested. Until they noticed there was no line! It was so much fun to watch the kids get harnessed, tugged on "Tight means Safe!", clipped in and climb up!

Jaren, Annika and Hannah all looking for foot holds and hand holds!!




This cracked me up!! The army dude carried Beckham from the front of the line clear over to the climbing wall!



Beckham doing a masterful job for a 6 year old.
He made it half way up!
Way to go dude!!




Isabel. Always a little hesitant at first, which is surprising.
She made it 3/4 of the way up!




Miss Hannah, made it all the way to the top!



Annika gave it her best effort, twice!


I noticed that a few women were going to climb the wall. I thought to myself, "Hey I want to try this too!!" I don't know what I was thinking. I haven't climbed a wall in over 20 years! I haven't exercised hard core for over a month. The desire to accomplish something in front of my 6 kids was over powering. So into the harness I climbed allowing some strange man to wrap his arms around my ever increasing waist, and tighten me to safety. And off I went. It was exhilirating and scary all at the same time. I just kept hoping and praying that I wouldn't slip and fall to my demise. I carefully chose my foot and hand holds, making adjustments where needed. I gradually made my way to the top! Yes, to THE TOP!!! I rang that stinking siren with pride! Then I clumsily leaned back, lost my balance and just about took out another climber in the process and landing, not so gracefully on my rear. Not the way I had invisioned my decent. I was a shacking mess. But I did it. I really, truly made it to the top of that climbing wall. Holy Crap, it was fun!!

Kudos to Grandma too. If she had on better shoes she would have made it to the top too. I don't think she wanted to get down until she made it to the top. She finally gave into the shoes and climbed down.

It was an awesome experience! I'm so glad my kids were able to watch me climb to the top. Jaren got some great pictures too!

Notice her tiny tiny waist! Something I DID NOT inherit from her!




You go Granny!!



Here we go...
Notice how cute my hair is.



Eyeing a good foot hold.



Almost to the top.
Making another adjustment.



Success! I totally ROCK!!

I can't describe how amazing it felt to reach the top. It had so many hidden meanings. I suggest every Mom scale a climbing wall!! And do it with your kids watching!

Ode to Jasmine Sparkle Rainbow

A second baby I wanted and came quickly upon the heals of the first. When I found out it was a girl with joy did I jump and down. She arrived with unknown broken collar bone and fear of colic. Healing came to both babe and Mom. With ease did mothering come to two. Then this baby grew. And grow in spunk and spark she did. A lover of the sun and sand. Rolling in it at the beach I was amazed. Sassy she was for sure. As the day I asked her if she wanted to be potty trained. Her quick 3 year old reply came," So I can be like Jaren and say Mommy come wipe my bottom." Her imagination and story telling is endless. A writer she might one day become. I see glimses of a great mother in her. As she now reaches the age of responsibilty. I'm overwhelmed at her ability to balance baby sister, takling brother and head strong sister. What would my world be without my sweet Hannah? Dare I even imagine. I'll leave that up to her. Cause I just can't.

I am so proud and honored that she is mine.

Happy 11th Birthday Hannah Edith!

Her awesome Ice Cream Cake ; Devil's food and Turtle Ice Cream

Modeling the Dress Grandma Penny gave her.

Waiting for her favorite part to any birthday, PRESENTS!!!



Her quilt.

I sewed this 3 years ago and just now got around to quilting it.

It reminds me of her personality: Bright and All over the place!

In true Hannah form, discussion began about her birthday 2 months ago. She already knew what she wanted for her dinner. She's like her mother, she loves her food. It was an easy choice, fish tacos. This year she went on another "shopping" spree. Our taste in clothing is so different. It's hard for me to bite my tongue and let her explore fashion fads. I keep reminding myself, this is a great way for her to express herself. So with a deep breath we visited 3 different stores. We went out with her best friend, Haylee and her Mom which also turns out to be one of my besties! We ended the spree with some French Fries and Ice Cream! AWESOME!! But the celebration didn't end there. Family came over on Sunday for ice cream cake and more gifts. Thanks to everyone for coming and showering her with my clothes. She was in HEAVEN!!

Hannah also expressed interest in having a quilt. Since I already had one conviently sewn together her request was granted. When she found out I was going to Gaye's for the evening she boldly asked me, " Are you making me a quilt? Cause I know Gaye is the one with the sewing machine!" I quickly responded with a resounding NO! How dare she even ask that question. When I was her age I never in a million years would have dared to aske my Mom what she was getting me! Maybe I did and I just don't remember. The guts that girl has, never ceases to surprise me!

Still the celebration wasn't over. It lasted just as long as the 4th of July. Yesterday, on her real birthday I took her to lunch atBajio. Just the two of us. A tradition I carry out with all the kids on their birthday. Thanks to Aunt Kelli for watching the younger ones for me. On our way out we ran into some ladies from the Ward. I pointed out her outfit and they commented, " You've got quite your own style. Don't ever stop, it's great." Which is so true. Hannah has a style all her own and I hope she continues in confidence and spunk! I love her for it.

Big sigh, another Hannah birthday over and done with.

Did you know?

You hear the FUNNIEST things when you serve with the Sunbeams.

For instance, today I sat down next to sweet Talmage.
He looks at me and asks, "Do you have a baby in your tummy?"
Me: No, I don't
Talmage: Oh, my Mommy has a baby in her tummy!

Sabrina: Do you see this man in the picture?
Ryan: Yes
Sabrina: What's wrong with the man?
Ryan: He's blonde.

I also love the honesty of children. As they get older they begin to filter that honesty. Today Hannah was completely honest about the show Extreme Makeover Home Edition. She wanted me to turn it because she just doesn't like watching it. I asked her why. She thought it was too sad. I couldn't figure that out. So I asked her why it was sad. This was her reply, "Well, it's not that it's sad. It's just makes me wish that someone in our family was so sick that we could have that happen to us." Sheesh, girlfriend.

Bridal Veil Falls

Exploring the enterance to an old Mine.

Now you need to be careful!
Mom #2

On the trail.

It's fun to capture everyone's uniqueness.

Scurrying up the side of the falls.
A favorite thing of the kids.
A dreaded one of Mom's.

Ahhh man, I want to go with them!




I guess I'll just sit and look at the stinking water!

Two cute heads adorned with cute flowers.

Some day when I'm older Mom will let us climb all the way up!

For now, we'll have to admire them from a distance!!

Whoa, she's buff!

One last shot in the tree.

Proud Mom of a half dozen kids!

This is a tradition that we started just last year. I hope to continue it year after year. It's nice to do other things that don't envolve sitting at a table loaded with tempting food. In fact, I would like to start doing more active things with my children on holidays instead of gathering around food. I feel like it will foster better health and strengthen family ties.

The trail is a breeze. It's completely paved and isn't even a mile long. Jaren was disappointed that I didn't let him take his shoes off and romp in the fridged water. Just another step I need to take in letting them really experience life. Next year, Jaren, next year.

Annika worried the whole time that Grace was getting too far ahead or would fall into the Provo River. I always have one child who is a worry wart. Of course nothing happened. How is that possible when there are so many "mothers" to look after her.

Kelli, Alleah and Grandma Penny came with us. I neglected to get photos of either them. I need to do a better job at getting photos of EVERYONE!