~Day 2• 176: we are not hobos

Day 1~ our annual trip north started out a little rocky.  Well, first our kiddos were a great help in getting ready to go. They helped wipe down the car-inside and out.  

We aimed to leave by noon, but my work had other plans. Fiscal year end is brutal and surprises always pop up. We left 3 hours later than we wanted to. Then, just as we started driving we found out a fuse was blown to the power source of the electronics. I'm not driving a hundred hours with bored kids. I don't know how we did it growing up... 

After the fuse was replaced, we found out the charger for an iPad was dead. So back to the house we went to get one that worked. 

Finally on the road... Cailee dozed off for awhile. The kids were really good. Then we stopped for gas and food. We let the kids play on the play place for a bit to get the wiggles out. Then back on the road. 

We stayed in Mesquite, at a casino. Mesquite feels more like Vegas than Vegas did. We almost didn't know we drove thru Vegas because the lights were  so dim. Mesquite lights were flashy. 

We got to our room and the key didn't work. We felt like hobos. Nick had to go get a new key. We were all tired, so sitting outside our room where the beds were was not too fun. 

The kids had to sleep sideways on the bed. They were All grumpy and tired and fighting over who slept with what blanket or pillow... Silence now. Bliss. Except for the very loud air conditioner. 

Tomorrow we are on to Zions National Park, then further north to visit my grandparents and then my parents. I hope the drive tomorrow goes ok. 

~Day 2• 175: great job!

Today was Cailee's last day of summer school. She was very excited to go. But also a little sad. I got to go with her to see the projects that she worked on. She made a maze with little bits and pieces like Legos and Styrofoam. She made her own rocket and showed  me and nick how high it flew. She made another contraption that she didn't know what it was called. She just said it was something she thought of making. 

I also got to see her grades from the last four weeks. She has improved so much! I hope she's going to be as excited for the upcoming school year as she was for this. She did really well!

This morning I started out working from home, so that I could go to Cailee's  school. The house painters came over and had covered every window and every door on the outside of the house. It was a kind of eerie feeling to have the house browned out. Then when I went to leave, the doors were all taped shut and I was basically locked in the house. I had to leave so I could get to work on time, so I had to basically bust through the paper. Fun. I don't think the painters were very happy. I had no choice and I didn't think we were going to be prisoners. 

Work knows how to take care of us to keep our spirits up. This week has been a really  hellish week. They had a Hawaiian ice truck outside and a kettle corn truck. It was a fun little break to get out of the office for a minute for a fun treat. They have been doing little things like this for the last two weeks. It's nice. 

Brookie was invited to go with her friend Bridget to her swim meet. She got to play in the water a little bit and then afterwards they went out to dinner and ice cream. These two girls are really goofy together. Brookie is very lucky to have such a good friend. (And her friend's mom who spoils them!)

~Day 2• 174: it's getting close!

She was close to missing the bus! Cailee had to run this morning. It is close to her last  day of summer school and we dawdled a bit too much. She is sad it's close to ending. She has had a great time and learned a lot, I hope.  I look forward to seeing the reports from the teachers. 

The tooth is close to coming out! Ashton came out of his room after we thought he had been sleeping. Turns out he was working on a very loose tooth. He showed me. But wasn't interested in me pulling it out for him. I got my phone out and started taking pics. I got him the minute he pulled the tooth. That's the blurry picture. Good job buddy! Pulling teeth kind of hurts..  In a good way.  

~Day 2• 173: It was a day

I worked more than 10 hours today. It was a day from hell. It's fiscal year end. On Friday. Today was just icky. I vented and let out my frustrations and now it's time to let it go and continue working. Today was frustrating, but tomorrow will be better. I ate my healthy dinner of cereal and water. The kids ate all the dinner  before I got home, but that's ok. Nick had salad, but I didn't feel like it. Cereal it was. It was just that kind of day. 

~Day 2• 172: You look like real parents

Brookie asked to walk with Cailee and me to the bus stop. This morning it was more like running to the stop. This morning was a little rough, but Cailee made it! Brookie had to bring her doll on her walk too. Spoiled doll. 

Ashton was able to go play with Ian today. These goofy boys have fun!  Then tonight all three kids were invited over while nick and I went out for our anniversary. So nice of Tom and Linda to offer to keep our monkeys. They had so much fun! They played Star Wars games and flash light tag and did a scorpion hunt!  They loved it! 

Nick and I have been married for 13 years. He was sweet and brought me flowers. (The kind that will die haha) we went to dinner at carrabbas. It was good.  Then we ended up at Best Buy. Sad. We have an evening out and we were basically window shopping. Lots of fun toys in there! 

The highlight of the day was when Cailee was looking at our wedding pictures. It took her a minute... Then she said, "You look like teens. Now you look like parents." Lol as Nick said, it's her way of saying we look old. We do look young in our pictures! Then Cailee asked if Ashton was in my tummy. And Brookie, and her. It was cute! I had to explain that they came into our lives a little while later. Very observant little girl!

~Day 2• 171: Dad, could you please not disturb me?

That is what Cailee said to Nick when he got home  from  work on Friday.  Cailee heard him come into the house, she walked out of her room and proceeded to ask him not to disturb her.  She was in there working on her father's day card. (cards are below) She wanted to make sure that it was a surprise.  So cute! 

Each kid did a good job on their cards!

I posted a bunch of different pictures that Nick has taken in the past.  Each picture shows the love that he puts into things.  Whether it be the love he has for his children, the love of photography... you can see it in what he does.  He always has time to give the kids loves.  He listens to their stories and plays games with them.

From the moment Ashton was born, I could tell he had a special love for his kiddo. With the two girls joining our family, his love grew for them. 

He has taken up golfing with Ashton, and I love that they have this together.  Brookie loves that she can share the artistic gene with him.  And Cailee has a special weekly activity they do togehter... every saturday morning.  He can be goofy and serious and loving and.... the kids love him very much.  They had fun giving him the gifts this morning.  We got him some snacks that he could take to work.  And an item that he can't use and will be returning (my bad).  They were excited to see his face when they presented him their cards.  The truly love their daddy.  I am very fortunate to have a great man, who I love very much, be the father of our wonderful kids.  Happy Father's Day, Nick.

~Day 2• 170 : I never want to leave school

First, she came out of her room when she should have been in bed. Second, She loves school! She is so excited to go every day.  She told me she loves reading and math and the STEM lab... I wish she could continue with this program for the regular school year. She has improved so much in the short amount of time she had been in summer school. It's huge. 

After telling us that, Nick took her back to her room and she hasn't come out again. Goodnight Beans. 

~Day 2• 169: I killed it...

I'm a genius.  I broke my computer.  I know just enough to be dangerous.  Nick was great and tried to fix my oops.  In my all-consuming-smartness, I shut down some programs that probably shouldn't have been shut down.  Like permanently shut down.  On accident.  I was trying to get my computer to stop running constantly.  Well, I did that.  It kept shutting down every time we restarted the thing.  So it was silent.  It seems to be working better now... so we'll cross our fingers.

Oh yes... and the temperature just about killed me today.  Holy crap.  I don't think I have ever seen my temp thingy get up to 120 before.  Luckily we were in the car, and on a very black, very hot road.  So I'm sure that's why the temp is that high.  But still!!!  It's too early in the season for this.  Bleh.

~Day 2• 168: In the bathroom

Brookie made some sugar scrub yesterday at Activity Days.  Hers smelled like peppermint.  She was dying to have me try it, so I told her after work today I would let her fix me up.  She had fun putting it on my feet and then rubbing it in.  And yes, my skin did feel smooth!  She was so happy.  Cailee wanted to try it, too.  She put it on her hands and then came out and had me feel how soft her skin was.  It's good stuff.

Then Ashton was being goofy with the girls, so I got him on camera brushing his teeth while Brookie teased him.  The shots are blurry because he was moving a little fast.  Silly Kids.  I'm going to bed now and enjoy my silky feet.

~Day 2• 167: the monkey and raccoon

Cailee was telling me about her day at school and how fun it is. She got to take apart electronics just to build other stuff. She is really enjoying the STEM program. This might be something to look for in her future. And the night wouldn't be complete without her goofy side coming out. Silly monkey sitting on a tired raccoon. I just noticed how black my eyes are. I think my mascara had had enough today, too. It's bedtime. 

~Day 2• 166: relief

Brookie had some help from a neighbor girl today. She helped Brookie get her room organized.  It was nice to have some outside help. We will see if Brookie keeps her room clean this time. 

~Day 2• 165: holy moly....

I LOVE that the monsoon season is here.  Except for the humidity that comes along with it.  So I'm excited for the rain storms and hope they don't miss our location.  I think we got hit last year, but the year before that it seemed like we were never in the pathway of the storms.  I hope we get some good rain!  

Oh, and the heat.  Holy crap.  It seems too early to reach these temps!  Start taunting us now... but we will get back at you when we are enjoying the nice 70's while you are getting snow.  You know I will rub it in.  Just wait.

Today after church was pretty laid back.  Ashton found a nice spot on the floor while Brookie was creating a cat mask in her room.  Cailee was sleeping, and she needed it.  She really hasn't felt very good this weekend.  I also spent a good hour on the phone with my cousin Cami. It was so good to talk to her!  We talked a lot about our grandpa Bud and some of the fun stories she has from him living with her.  Cami has a couple of boxes of history stuff that she has started scanning.  I think she has gotten the family  history 'bug' and I'm excited for her, even if she is lovingly cursing me haha

~Day 2• 164: Y, M, C....helicopter!

Oh, my monkeys.  I was out with the girls for a bit today.  They had it in their heads for some reason to sing the song "YMCA."  Brookie was telling Cailee how to do the actions to it.  While we were driving, we went past a hospital with a helicopter on the roof.  From the back seat I hear, "Y, M, C, Helicopter!" It was pretty funny.  Maybe you had to be there, but it was cute haha

I took Ashton to the library to renew our library cards.  He was so excited, so we checked out the entire library.  He will read them all pretty quickly, so I was ok with him getting a bunch.  He has found a new author and series he likes.  I'm excited.

Nick was great and started on part of my mother's day presents.  I finally got my room semi-organized so there is room to put my new sewing table.  It will hold my sewing machine and new serger. I'm excited.  I am grateful he put it together for me.  If i did it, who knows what it would come out looking like.

Tonight was game night at Alissa and John's house.  Bart and Stephanie, Nathan, Erica and Sophie were there.  It was a lot of fun! We had pizza, donuts, cookies and homemade salsa.

JJ was cute and all over the place.  Stephanie found his kryptonite thought... she was scratching his back and that kiddo looked like he was about ready to fall asleep. It was funny.

We played Catchphrase Decades.  It was quite fun, especially when we started to date ourselves.  The highlight of this game was when John was trying to describe the word Cronuts.  It's a croissant-Donut pastry, but that is not what he was describing.  I cannot type it here, but I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.  When the boys finally guessed the word, John threw me the game device and I dropped and had a hard time picking it up and taking my turn because I was still laughing so hard.  It was great!

Nathan and Erica had to leave to take Sophie home to bed.  After they left we played a game of Pictionary.  Also pretty fun, especially since Nick is the only one who could really draw.  Poor Bart though... he had to use his phone to magnify the words so he knew what to draw.  Of course we all gave him a hard time.  I'm sure I'm going to pay for this by publicizing it on my fabulous blog haha sorry Bart!

It was a great night and we look forward to the next one!

~Day 2• 163: All are accounted for

Look closely. We are all present and accounted for. The kids were playing monopoly tonight. Nick was in his chair. I was on the couch. Nothing too exciting. But it seems that Cailee is more interested in seeing how far she bend my foot.  I only use it to walk on...

~Day 2• 162: look at this monstronsity

Those are Ashton's words.  Cailee likes to take the  video game boxes and stack them up to use them for her toys.  He was gathering up boxes that were left on the floor and then he said, "Look at this monstrosity!" It was pretty funny lol the pile wasn't that large, but his use of very descriptive words always gets me.

The second picture is a different kind of monstrosity. It's a very fun type!  My cousin has a couple of boxes full of documents and pictures from my grandma and grandpa.  She started scanning them tonight.  She lives in a different state than me, so she and her hubby set up a drop box so they can just load the  documents there.  Tonight they discovered a diary written by my grandma's 11-yo cousin, Annette, while my grandma lived with her family.  It was so fun to read through it.  It is just a couple of lines each day describing what she did that day, like clean the house, bake bread, walk to school in very deep snow.  The highlights of the  docum ent was when Annette talked about my grandpa Bud coming over and taking Beth on dates.  Having dinners together.  Proposing to my grandma!  Annette's mom Rozena making my grandma Beth's wedding dress (I never knew that!) and then she and my grandpa getting married!  All from the view of an 11-yo.  It was so fun! So this monstrosity of papers that my cousin is tackling is a wealth of information that is enjoyable to read.  I really appreciate Cami and Kevin taking the time to do this.  

OH! and I almost forgot!  My grandma's sister Ann sent me a cassette tape of my grandma telling her famous 'Hobie Haws' story.  I sent the tape on to Cami and Kevin, and Kevin was able to clean up the sound and digitize it.  Last night, very late, I heard my grandma's voice after nearly 10 years.  She passed away in August 2005.  Whenever the grand kids get together, we usually end up talking about grandma's story.  And now to have it so we can all hear it again.... it's such a wonderful gift!!  Kevin had helped give us this great treasure.  I am so appreciative of this.  Thank you Kevin and Cami!

~Day 2• 161: morning/night togetherness

This morning, Cailee asked if Brookie would walk with her to the bus. I loved that she wanted her sister to come! It was cute watching them walk together. 

Tonight, we had some cute visitors over. Their parents were moving their stuff to a new house, so we were happy to have the boys over. I know it would be more fun playing with friends than moving boxes! The kids played some Minecraft. A card game Ian brought over and then some Harry Potter Scene It.  They had a great time together!

~Day 2• 160: all her own

Love her sense of style. It is all her own. She told me that she liked her outfit because it 'looked summery.' This reminds me of a creamsicle. I actually think it's kind of cute!

~Day 2• 158-159: Denied?

Day 158: We spent the morning of Grandma's last day together.  It was fun.  We started out taking some updated  pictures with the kids.  We went over to the barn with the lake and ducks. The kids really wanted to feed the ducks, but the ducks were not cooperating.  The kiddos were denied this privilege.  They tried chasing the ducks into the water, and some obliged them, but they weren't that interested.  The fish ended up eating most of the bread.  The water looked like it was boiling sometimes.  Pretty cool.  I wish my kids would know what it was like to really fish, like I did growing up.  Maybe some day...

We had breakfast at one of the kids' favorite places, IHOP. I'm not sure why they love this place so much, but they always ask to go.  It ended up being a nice breakfast/brunch.

Dinner that night was over at Alissa and John's house.  Nathan, Erica and Sophie were there, as were Bart and Stephanie.  It was fun to get together.  JJ was all over the place, of course and discovered Grandma's shoe. I don't think it ended up in his mouth... did it?

There were a lot of people there and I think the babies get a little overwhelmed.  My kids really love playing with the babies, but sometimes we had to tell them to stay out of their faces.  JJ was quite enamored with Erica and just sat and stared at her for quite a long time.  The girls decided they had enough fun and went home to watch their Barbie movie before bed.  They gave grandma loves before she left the next morning.  It won't be long until we see her again since we will be up north in less than a month.

JJ was sure fun to watch.  He ended up underneath the chair that Stephanie was sitting in.  He was there for a long time!  He found mom, and then Grandma stole him.  Uncle Nick stole him once I think, and then didn't want to go back to grandma.  Then he went back to grandma and denied Nick.  He knows what he's doing.  He's a smart little man.

Ashton loves playing with the dogs.  Edward is his favorite I think.  They have a lot of fun playing together.  

It was good to see Jocelyn for a little while.  We can't wait to head up north again to see the rest of the family.

Day 159: Tonight was Peter  Piper Pizza night.  Cailee had received two certificates for free tokens from school.  One for reading and one for math.  She really wanted to use them and had been waiting quite awhile to go.  Tonight we made it happen and it was worth the wait.  We had the place almost to ourselves.  Nick was denied the fun of watching the first game of the Women's World Cup.  I felt bad, but it was nice that he came with us.  Hopefully we will be able to catch some more games before it's all over.

Everyone had fun I think.  Nick went and played some games with the kids and helped them pick out their prizes. Brooki e was most excited about her mustaches.  So was Cailee...it was good to see the kids having fun.  They also played in the little play area and burned off some much-needed steam.  They came home and went to bed pretty good. 

~Day 2• 157: A Day of...

Fun!  Started off with Ashton getting a new book from Grandma. (i forgot to get a picture) and  the girls going shopping with grandma Jocelyn.  Cailee has been holding on to her bday money to spend and suddenly remembered she had it.  So we went in search of something.  She ended up  getting little walking  dog.  She named it 'Punkin,' then changed it to 'Minty.' Whatever floats your boat kiddo.  The girls also got a new dress and some playdough to keep them entertained while they are stuck inside during the hot summer.  The neighbor kids came over later and they made me a nice meal of a hamburger, banana, and two ice cream cones.  Very delicious! 

After shopping we went to lunch at Chick-fil-a.  It was a fun morning with Grandma.  Nick and Ashton decided to go golfing.  It ended up being pretty warm outside, so Ashton became the designated golf cart driver.  Nick hopes he is a better driver when he turns 16. 

~Day 2• 156: Is your mom the wingman?

I totally hijacked these pictures from Lorelei... Brookie and Bridget have so much fun together.  Brookie had fun watching Bridget dance last night, and then got spoiled rotten while she was out and about with Bridget and her mom.  They had so much fun!  Brookie talked about how much fun she had.  I'm glad she has a good friend to do things with!

Ashton was able to hang out with Ian and his brother Conner today.  They started out with having donuts for the free donut day.  He spent most of the day with them and had a great time!

Cailee was able to have most of the day to herself and the babysitter, Abbey.  They started out by going to the weekly movie with Abbey's mom and a bunch of kiddos.  Then she had Abbey all to herself.  She loved it!  It was one of those weird days with kids going everywhere.  I'm lucky I have good friends who step in and help out.  Great babysitter and mom.  Made good friends w/ my kids' friends moms... it's very nice.

Tonight was an adult night out.  We all went to celebrate Nick's mom, Jocelyn's, birthday.  Her bday is next week, but she is in town this weekend to go see Phantom of the Opera with Chris Mann.  So we get to see her a bit this weekend.

I had never been to this place.  The room was pretty nice.  I loved the murals on the wall.  They depicted a social scene from the what looked like the early 1800s.  One of my favorite eras to read about.  We sat in the back corner, which was probably a good thing since we got kind of loud a few times...

Joc got her 'birthday  cake,' which was Strawberry Shortcake.  It was SO GOOD.  But not as good as our horrible singing.  I think we offended the people down the street... It was really fun night.  Topped off with the comment being made "Is your mom the wingman?"  I'm sure Jocelyn would make a fabulous wingman.... but for what?  I don't know.  Maybe we need to try it out sometime.  Any volunteers?

~Day 2• 155: X-rays, gamma rays.... Diabetes!!

We had a doctor's appointment  today.  Goofy kids always have to climb on the short, sloping wall at the entrance. And the girls love to go on the balcony to look around.  Creatures of habit...

After the appointment, we dropped Brookie off at the Mesa Arts Center so she could watch her friend's dance recital.  She loved it!  (more tomorrow)  After dropping her off, we drove by the Mesa Temple.  Beautiful building.  On the drive home, we drove through a rain storm.  Then some sun came out with a rainbow.  Ashton was telling us about he different kinds of 'rays.'  Like Xrays, gamma rays, etc.  Then cailee piped up and said, "d iabetes!"  ok.  very random and had nothing to do with rays.  It was pretty funny.  Xrays, gamma rays, d iabetes!

We decided to let Ashton try something new for dinner.  We stopped at Five Guys burgers and picked up some food.  Ashton pointed out that the potatoes were from Hamer, Idaho.  Love that they use Idaho potatoes.  Cailee didn't want anything to do with pictures and wouldn't stand still.  Then she held up paper in front of my phone.  Then both kids were being silly while we waited for our stuff.  Goofballs.

BrookLynn ended up sleeping over at Bridget's, so Ashton and Cailee were spoiled and got an ice cream treat, watched Clue and went to bed.  Not before Cailee picked up her toys and put them in a blanket to take them to her room.  She looked like a hobo.

~Day 2• 154: these girls

These girls. They both came and snuggled with me this morning. Then Brookie walked with me and Cailee to the bus stop. Brookie was cute and tried to help Cailee put on her school bus pass. After school, the kids were lucky to be able to go swimming with our babysitter and her family. The kids all came home with cute pink cheeks. Then Brookie was asleep when I got home from work. I think she got worn out today! I'm so glad they have a surrogate mom for the summer! I love Theresa and her kids. 

~Day 2• 153: One kid, two kids, three kids, more....

I'm 

Wait, no more. I just needed something that finished my 'red fish, blue fish, three fish, four' that was going on in my head. It fit. 

One kid: Cailee was cute walking to the bus this morning. She got up on her own and got all ready for school without me having to push her. She got her lunch ready snd took her pill in her own. It was a good morning. I was proud of her! 

Two kids: Ashton and Cailee were having fun playing Lego Marvel. It's fun to listen to them. The characters can be kind of funny too. It's a hard time of year when it gets so hot outside. Usually they are out playing, but not in 100 degree heat. That's why i like it here rather than a cold climate. Less time during the year stuck indoors. 

Three kids: mom was not in a cooking dinner mood. Plus two kids are all over the place on Tuesdays. So dinner usually isn't exciting. We ended up at the dollar menu at BK and then the kids got blizzards from DQ. Brookie's Activity Days teacher was sweet and bought her one tonight. We have coupons for blizzards, so we got the other two one to have after dinner. Of course they were being goofy for the picture. Sillies.

Now nick and I are enjoying the quiet while the kids are sleeping. I like quiet. That's why I stay up a lot of the time... Quiet.     

~Dsy 2• 152: Air!!!

Exciting day! Cailee is taking some STEM classes this summer and today was her first day. It will be good for her to keep up with her schooling. She struggled a bit last year. So we are trying summer school and medication. Hopefully she will be able to pull her grades up this year. She was very excited to go too! That always helps! 

And then...the dumb AC went out. Poor kiddos were a little warm today. When nick got home from work, Ashton was in his room with about 5 fans aimed toward him. I felt so bad! Ashton now knows to call us if the AC quits working... Luckily our fabulous broker got a guy out here really  fast. So we have air. But I took the kids for slushies first. They were excited. I was more excited for the air conditioned car. It's amazing what we rely on now and don't appreciate it till its gone.