Jubilee Lake

On Labor Day we went up to Jubilee Lake. It is really beautiful and peaceful up there. First we had a lovely picnic.Then everyone decided to sit on Samantha. Not sure why but it looked like fun anyway. Those black and white shoes are her feet. Okay there she is. Resting up before the big hike. Or is it that she is now flat as a pancake?The lake has a really nice paved trail half way around the lake. The rest of the trail is not as nice and easy. Checkin out the sceneryReady for some fishin.So about half way around the lake the older four kids take off way ahead of us and the little ones. We never ran into them again. The hike was a little longer than we expected and the little ones were very tired. We couldn't stop to rest though because Samantha had to get back to work. But the three oldest got ahead of Dallin too. Mistake. He was the only one smart enough to stay on the trail back to our spot and the parking lot.

When we got back they were no where to be found but Dallin was happily fishing on the dock all alone. He had not seen or heard from them and there was no cell service. We couldn't find them anywhere and were getting very worried about them. Not to mention if we didn't leave right away Samantha would be late to work. Todd finally started back up the trail to look for them. It was pretty frightening since they knew they needed to be back before now. Well they finally showed up coming from the other direction. They had taken a wrong turn and went all they way to the other side of the lake again. I still haven't figured out how that happened. Garrett ran down the trail and found his dad and we were on our way much relieved that they were safe.

After Labor day was finally the first day of preschool for Eli. He could hardly wait! He goes to Betty's preschool just like Bridget, Dallin and Lydia did. Here he is in front of the famous sign where everyone has had their picture. He loves it there. His two best friends are also in his class.

Loss of Wisdom, School starts and Labor day weekend

In preparing for his mission, Garrett had to have his wisdom teeth out. Really it wasn't as bad as all the horror stories he had heard but it didn't feel real good either. But he did look a little funny for awhile. This picture doesn't show the real chipmunk cheeks. He just kept holding ice packs on his face all day.
Here is Lydia on her first day of first grade. She was so excited and she loves first grade and her new teacher. Unfortunately I missed the high schoolers before they left for school. It was a big day for Dallin as it was his first day of High School!

Every year the band plays at the fair on Labor Day Weekend. This year was Dallin's turn to be in the fair concert.

And the cheerleaders always do a dance and cheer. There is Bridget on the end.

The little kids and I went to look at all the animals. They loved these little pigs because we were reading Charlotte's Web at the time.

They each got to pick one ride plus we all got on the ferris wheel. Of course Eli chose the fastest and scariest ride. Lydia is just tolerating it...barely.

Look at that mop of hair.

Right after the fair was the first football game. Bridget is in the front third from the left.

Dallin enjoying the game from the stands with the band. He has watched all his older siblings play in the marching band and complain about it. Especially the goofy outfit. He was glad he had some warning about the weird get up but he really enjoys being in the marching band.

Bright and early the next morning we were at the parade.

Dallin is the third one in on the last row.

Bridget on the cheerleaders float.

Bridget practicing her stunt- "the Basket"

Fun times had by all.

We Hoped, They Called

The biggest news of the summer was the much anticipated mission call. It got here the day before he was leaving on a trip. We were relieved it came in time so we didn't have to stare at it all weekend before he got home. Todd had meetings that night and everyone was going their usual 12 directions that day so we had to wait until 10:30 pm to open it so everyone could be there. The anticipation was killing me. Garrett was feeling a little ill just imagining that it could be anywhere in the world and thinking of all the years he has waited for this moment. We got all the grandparents on the phone and the unveiling began.
Letting it sink in while the rest of us are dying to hear.
Argentina Rosario Mission!

He was so happy and excited to be going Spanish speaking!
Sharing his excitement with the grandparents.

Then out came the laptops to learn a lot more about Argentina!
The preparations have been quite an adventure. Especially the Visa and Passport stuff. We are so excited for and proud of him. But suddenly two years seems a lot longer to me.

Baby step 2

So after we got home from the wedding and California trip Bridget and I rushed right off to Girl's Camp. I went as a stake leader and Bridget went as a 2nd year YCL. I have never gone to camp as a stake leader before. Now I know why everyone likes it. That was so fun! I camped down in the YCL camp with a couple of other stake leaders. It was fun being there with Bridget. Of course she volunteered to go on the fourth year hike. She must have the most adventurous time possible. I don't have any pictures but I pretty much never slept and never had to cook anything! Woot! There was a little drama in that there was a bear in camp all week. It was seen pretty much everyday and had the girls a little worked up at times but apparently it was friendly because it never ate anybody.

There was always something going on all summer but now it is getting a little hazy in my brain. I think the next week was Dallin's scout camp trip to the coast. Nope, no pictures of that one either. But it sounded like a fun camp.

I think after that it was Bridget's leadership camp for the 4 ASB officers at school. She made a lot of new friends that are all just as motivated as she is and had tons of fun. They went somewhere on the west side of the state I just don't remember where. Once again I am getting an old foggy brain. Here she is with some of the kids in her group.
Next was cheer camp for Bridget. Or cheer camp came first then leadership. I can't remember. Of course she had a blast and learned a lot. Her most exciting news was that she was nominated for all state cheer! She was so excited! She is the only one on her team who can do tumbling and she is hands down their best flyer. Okay so I'm bragging but that is what blogs are for right? And well I have to tell the truth. It's my job. She is totally enjoying her cheer experience and the best part is she is still a really nice girl and not one of those snobby obnoxious cheerleader types. I hear it from teachers, leaders at church and younger kids from church and school. Makes a mom proud.

Next was Dallin's turn to go to EFY. Once again I have no pictures of this. Dallin is not nice to me when I try to take his picture. So I have nothing. Dallin went to the EFY in Tacoma with a friend from church. It was held at the University of Puget Sound. It was a beautiful campus. All of his older siblings could hardly believe Dallin was going to EFY. They all had LOTS of advice for him. On Sunday night before he left they all decided to give him dance pointers as this would also be his first dances. I REALLY wish I had video of this. Everybody demonstrated their best techniques and tips in the kitchen. Garrett and Samantha danced for him. Garrett and Bridget danced for him. Samantha and Bridget danced. Garrett and Todd danced. Samantha and Dallin danced and Dallin and Bridget danced. Pretty much everyone danced with everyone else at some point. Advice went something like this...make sure you hold out your arm to escort her, HOLD her hand while dancing, don't do the limp fish thing, put your hand on her back here-not here or here, TALK, don't ask a group of girl's "anyone wanna dance?", ask a specific girl, Garrett prefers large circles around the dance floor rather than tight circles in the middle. It went on and on. He was pretty confused by the end. He said he wasn't worried at all until he started getting all the advice. Fortunately it all worked out and he had a great time. His group won the cheer off. He was pretty happy about that. Unfortunately I noticed while I was there dropping him off that they were sharing the campus with a cheer camp! (Not the one above)Why did it have to be my SON I was taking to this EFY instead of a daughter? So all week they ate with and heard and saw cheerleaders and cheering all week. As if he doesn't get enough of that at home.
While Dallin was still at EFY I took Bridget to her EFY. (I couldn't get them both in the same one. It's getting harder to get into EFY these days.) Somehow Bridget talked me into taking her to Aunt Cindy's house to do some school shopping before she took the shuttle up to Rexburg where she went to EFY. I stayed at Cindy's for the week with the two little ones then she rode the shuttle back down and then we went home. When the kids couldn't take any more shopping, Cindy and I watched the kids play in the fountains at the Gateway Mall while Bridget shopped some more.

When they really couldn't take anymore Cindy took them to a movie while finished up the shopping with Bridget. By the end of our time there the little ones would freak out and cry if the even heard the word shopping. Maybe they will be so psychologically damaged that I will never have to take them shopping when they are teenagers.
On Sunday the kids and I went down to Orem to see Aunt Linda and Family and the newlyweds who only stayed for about five minutes. It was fun to see everyone and for the little cousins to play together. Although they are a generation apart they are the same age. Cindy stayed home to go on a mystery date. Don't ask, it's still a mystery to me.

On Monday I took Bridget up to the shuttle. Here she is only slightly nervous about going all alone. The last time she went alone she loved it. And yep this time was the best ever.

While she was gone we filled our days with fun. It was great having only me and the little ones to worry about. Every day we had a new adventure. In the midst of all the crowds I kept wondering why I was so relaxed. Then I remembered why- I don't have a BABY that's why. It was so easy and they were so easy to please. No teenagers and no babies- good times!

On Monday we went to the Children's Museum. First we met up with my friend Ann Marie and her family who used to live here but moved to Utah a few years ago. It was so much fun to see them.

On Tuesday we went to 2 Dollar Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point. Apparently everyone in the state thought that was a good idea too. The line wrapped around the dinosaur museum. Lydia loves this kind of thing she ate it up. She wanted to look at everything. Eli just kept asking if the signs say do not climb which all of them did. He just wanted to climb on everything.


After the dinosaur museum we went to the kids farm. It was blazing hot as we got in line for the pony rides. After about a half an hour the kids said they didn't want a pony ride anymore. But we already had the tickets and I wasn't getting out of line after investing that much time. So we waited another half an hour and they finally got their ride. All Eli cared about was that he got to ride a boy horsey and that I not stand anywhere near him. Lydia on the other hand wanted me to walk by her the whole time. When I told her she was to old for that she was annoyed with me and gave me this look. After the ride she said it was boring. So glad I waited in the blazing sun for that. Eli on the other hand loved it.
After that we went to see a friend of mine from Ohio. We were very close in Ohio and I miss her a lot. Three years ago she was in a terrible accident and was in a coma for months. It was so good to see her and talk to her after wondering if I ever would again. I was glad to see her doing so well.
On Wednesday we went to the aquarium. Once again Lydia loved seeing everything and wanted to know everything there was to know about it. Eli just wanted something to climb on. They had some great stuff there. This bird talks and does some cool tricks.
We got to pet these stingrays. Okay I got to and they watched. But the stingrays would come right up and flap their "wings" at you. They were really soft and slimy.
We also saw sharks. And all the fish from "Finding Nemo".
We loved these really cool jelly fish.
We talked Aunt Cindy into taking some time off work and going to the zoo with us. Here's Cindy and Lydia checkin out the map.

We got to ride the merry go round and of course Eli picked the tiger.

We went to a really cool bird show. The birds would fly by and almost touch you. So close you could feel the wind.

Watching the show.

We rode the train. Funny how Cindy thinks she can get out of the picture.

There was a brand new baby Giraffe. It was so cute!

They loved the zebras.

On the way home we had to take a picture of East High for all our High School Musical fans.
We went to We went to Cowabunga Bay Waterpark. They had some really fun slides that were just right for their ages. Of course Eli couldn't get enough of the water slides (even though it felt like they were using ice water on them) and Lydia had to be forced to go on them. Then there was the pool and lazy river that felt like a hot tub. So Cindy and I took turns going over to the slides with Eli and then running back and jumping in the warm pool.

I decided to leave off the swimsuit pictures of Cindy 'cause I like visiting her. Just kidding! I am so nice I didn't even take any!

On our last day we went to see Harry Potter in 3D at the Imax theater. Yeah, I know, I took my little kids to see Harry Potter. That's why I did it in Utah so I could do it where only strangers would judge me. I didn't want anyone I know to see me except everyone who reads this blog. Besides these little kids live with big kids and they watch this stuff all the time and had been dying to see it. Yeah I used to be a perfect parent. I got over it.
In between all that was a lot of shopping. If the kids even heard the word shopping they would start crying. I finally got to see an IKEA. Even the kids liked that store. I seemed like I was going to be in Utah for a really long time but it went by really fast. (Hope Cindy thought so too) And there was a lot of eating at places like Marie Callandars and The Cheesecake Factory WITH cheesecake and Cafe Rio! Yummy! And I still lost weight! Utah must be a magical place.