Campground

We went up to Matt's Grandparent's campground in the beautiful mountains today. It was nice and warm. (Nearly 100)- but up there it was only the high 80's/low 90's. The kids love to go there. They run free, go on hikes, build dams in the water, play with cousins, catch bugs, play on the swing set, BBQ, and look for deer and moose. It really is so much fun. Camden is at a hard age for the campground. He wants to wander, but the ground is very uneven, and he can be unstable- so he fell at least 5 times. He wants to go to the water, but of course- that's not happening, and he wants to 'sword fight' with sticks. Next year will be a little better for him, but we still enjoy going. We were able to visit with most of Matt's brothers and sisters, and his parents. We love to go there, and we dream of building a cabin there someday. I say dream- because it will never happen, there are too many other families involved in the property, for that to ever happen. But it is a nice dream- because it's the perfect location, and has lots of trees and shade. I forgot to bring my camera- and wished I would have. The kids were as dirty as I can remember them. The downside of the trip- I am sick and feeling pretty rotten. Matt still isn't feeling better either. We decided we would rather be in the mountains feeling sick, than at home- and the kids would definitely have more fun, so we went anyway. I'm glad we did.

16 years!

Matt and Jennie Aug. 27, 1992
Pre digital age... A picture of a picture.

Wow- I got married young. I am only 29 :) and have been married 16 years already. Okay, so I might be a few years older than 29, but I don't feel old enough to have been married that long. Time sure passes quickly. It has been a wonderful 16 years. We started dating when I was only 17, so I have been with him longer, than I was without him. I'm going to get sappy and say it was the best decision I ever made. Matt has been such a wonderful husband. He does so much for me, and he is the most genuine, and humble person I know. Happy 16th!

Flowers Matt sent me. One of my favorite flowers are tulips.

My kids have been so excited about our anniversary. They all bought treats, presents, and cards for us two weeks ago, with their own money. Logan has been so funny. Literally every day for the past two weeks he would ask how much longer until your anniversary? Can I give you your present early? etc...


Logan would say:



Mom, do you like caramel?



Me: Yes. Why?



Logan: I was just wondering if you liked it, I don't have any reason.





a few minutes later....



Logan: Mom, do you like milk chocolate?



Me: Yes.



Logan: Sweet! Then he looks worried.



He recovers and says, "Me too- I think it's sweet, because I like it too, not because I have any milk chocolate." He then 'hid' it in the fridge, so it wouldn't melt, for the past two weeks.







"Sweet" kids! :)

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for the kids. Morgan is in 6th grade, Dillon in 3rd, and Logan in 1st grade. I remember when Morgan started first grade, I had a harder adjustment, than when she started kindergarten. It is hard for me to 'let them go' for such a long day. However, Logan is very ready! He was so excited, and wore his backpack around all morning, even while he ate breakfast. I think Dillon was excited, but he was 'playing it cool', and saying he wasn't excited for school. However, he sure acted like he was. :) Morgan is the type of kid that cannot sleep if anything remotely exciting is going on. She has always been that way. She is not a sleeper! I went in to check on her last night at 10:30 (She'd been in there trying to sleep since about 8:45) and she was still WIDE awake. Who knows when she actually fell asleep. She was up well before 6 am this morning, too. Hopefully tonight she will crash...

They had a good first day of school. They all had friends in their classes, and liked their teachers. Hopefully the trend of enjoying school will continue.

Golf Tournament

Dillon, Logan, and their cousin Hayden

The boys have been enjoying golf club this year. At one of the local golf courses, they have a junior golf club. The kids get to play every Monday, with a regular foursome. Them have loved it! They had a tournament, for two weeks in a row, and then last Monday, had a ceremony, to announce winners, and have a luncheon. The boys had such a great time playing, and being recognized. Dillon came in 1st place for the 8 year old boys, and Logan came in 2nd place for the 6 year old boys. They had so much fun, and enjoyed practicing, when they were at home, too. We find the foam golf balls they practice with, all over our yard, and our neighbors. (I'm sure they appreciate it.---Hey-at least they are foam!) I am sure they will want to participate in this again next year. I think Logan's favorite part of it all was that he would bring a dollar every week, and then get to spend it on something in the pro shop. :)

Park City Getaway

Swimming pictures



We went to Park City for a few days this week. Matt has been so busy at work- that we haven't had a chance to go anywhere for a family vacation this summer. We went to Park City a couple months ago, and decided to do it again for a quick trip, before school starts on Monday. We stayed at the Marriott Mountainside Resort. They have a great pool and hot tubs, so we took advantage of that and went swimming several times. We also went on the Alpine Slide and Alpine Coaster. Logan and Dillon played miniature golf, while Morgan jumped on the Legacy Launcher. Morgan also got her haircut in a cute new style- she looks so grown up! The Marriott has programs for kids and families. They enjoyed playing in the Rock Band contest- and came in second place. They also loved the tie dying shirts, and doing Dance Dance Revolution. One night the kids were able to go to Laser Tag and out to dinner, while we took Camden and went out to dinner, without them. It was almost like a date. :) Matt and I tried to see a movie, but Camden is way past the stage where he will be quiet and sit still in a movie. I ended up leaving and went to the outlet mall, while Matt finished the movie. I was able to do a little back to school shopping, and Matt got to sit peacefully through a movie, so we were both happy. :) Afterwards, we went and visited my Aunt Terri, and Uncle Mark, who live in Park City. It was good to see them and visit with them. We also had a good time watching some of the Olympics. I think we will all be sad when they are over in a couple of days. Dillon is so funny about things. He couldn't get over why the beach volleyball players have to wear "immodest" bathing suits. Then when we were watching the men's diving- he kept saying. "Wow! I am glad the girls don't have to wear what the boys are wearing that would be really immodest." Yes Dillon, it would be immodest to be topless. :) We tried explaining that it is easier for them to wear the Speedos , rather than a regular swimming suit, but he was still a little bugged by it. He is the morality police or our house for sure. He is all about the rules, and in his mind, there shouldn't be exceptions. We love Dillon!

Morgan doing tricks on the Legacy Launcher

Dillon and Logan playing miniature golf.

Logan on the Alpine slide.

Dillon and Morgan on the Alpine coaster.
3 high points of our trip:

1. We enjoyed spending time in the beautiful mountains of Park City.


2. The Alpine coater was a blast.




3. Spending time together as a family.

3 low points of our trip:

1. Logan woke up for several hours in the night, because he was cold. Even with several blankets, the air off, and a hot bath.


2. Camden woke up the next night for several hours- no apparent reason.


3. Matt is feeling sick again. Darn auto-immune disease. Grrr....

Enjoying the moment

Me enjoying Camden as a newborn. I am sure in this picture I was smelling his sweet little baby head. MMMM.. the best smell ever.
Last week, when we went to the Mrs. Cavanaugh's factory tour, there was a big group of children from a daycare taking the tour ahead of us, and Dillon says, "They are so lucky- they are here on a field trip!" at the fair we saw a cub scout group there, and he says, "Mom- they are so lucky- they got to come to the fair for a field trip!" Okay..... now is it me, or is it hard to understand that logic? We were at both places having 'field trips', too. How are they more lucky, than him? I pointed out to him, that we were actually at the same places that they were too, and he kind of got this look on his face like, "You're right!" I guess we are never really happy with what we have. I know I fall into the same boat sometimes. I know I have been on vacation and said, "I can't wait to come back here someday." I guess I just need to enjoy the moment, instead of wishing for another one. I like the quote, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's learning to dance in the rain." I have been trying to 'enjoy the moments' a little more with my kids lately. I know they grow too fast and I will be wishing they stay little for longer.

County Fair

This morning we went to the library and then I took the kids to the County Fair today. They really had a good time. Of course, I forgot my camera. They came out of there wanting to buy a bunny, or a hen. That did NOT happen. :) I think their favorite thing was the petting zoo, and seeing all of the other animals. None of the rides were open- because we got there right when the fair opened. After our experience at the Oklahoma State Fair, when Dillon fell off a ride and onto the tracks, I haven't been to keen on rides at the fairgrounds, so I was happy they weren't opened. That experience still gives me nightmares! The boys spent their snow cone money on a magnifying glass each, and Morgan bought a laser pointer. Camden liked the free balloon the best. :)



Summer is coming to an end. I can't believe how fast it has gone. Next week is their last week before school starts. I know some Mom's can't wait for school to start. I'm not there yet. Sure- I could do without the fighting, because they are around each other too much. But, I like having them around. I hate that they are with their teachers, more than with me. I don't like that they have so many other influences that I can't control. (Call me a control freak.) I know it's part of life, but I'm not ready for it. But ready or not, here it comes!

Finding Joy

I want to find joy in more around me. I know that I have so many blessings and I need to find joy in those. I think by nature I am a fairly positive, glass is half-full type of person. However, I still forget to find beauty, joy and happiness in everyday things. I think the mommy often sets the tone around the house, and I can definitely say, when I'm not happy- they aren't happy! So today I am going to try to commit to recognizing my blessings more, and finding joy in my everyday life.

Snow cones

My kids are always trying to come up with ways to make some money. They really are motivated by money. Morgan always wants to sell her stuff that she doesn't use anymore. I, on the other hand, would like to give it away, either to the DI, or to someone that needs it. I would rather somebody that I know have it, than to make money off of neighbors and friends. This summer practically everyday they want to have a lemonade stand, or sell ice cream bars, snow cones, or even their books and old toys. I usually come up with an excuse, but today I told them they could have a snow cone stand. You would have thought it was Christmas! They quickly started grinding ice for the snow cones, and making signs. Logan was in charge of "P.R." He rode his little heart out with a sign on his bike, and yelling, "Snow cones for sale!" They were so cute, and had so much fun making money and playing together. I think maybe I have done a disservice to them, by always giving their stuff away. They were outside for several hours in the heat, and came in hot- but happy, and a little bit richer. :)

Morgan wasn't happy that I was taking pictures, because "You ALWAYS take pictures of EVERYTHING."

Logan really brought in the business, by riding all over the neighborhood.

Olympics!

I love the Olympics! It always makes me tear up when the athletes come out and are so proud of their countries. I am so proud of our country as the athletes march into the Olympic arena. I love the unity I feel, that at this time, despite the competition, there is a common goal, and feeling of love for people of all different kinds. I have to admit, I often cheer for the underdog- no matter what country they are from. I love a good come-back story! I am glad that China gets to host. I think the people of China deserve to show what they are capable of. I am sure that they will be wonderful hosts. So- go USA....let the games begin!

Field Trips

Water fountain at the Gateway

Yesterday Matt took a half a day off work. We went to the Gateway. We ate lunch, then Matt took the boys to the Planetarium. I took Morgan back to school shopping. She was looking for a bag for school. She has something specific in mind, we just haven't seen it yet. We were at Aeropostale, when I spotted one, that I thought was like the one she wanted. She looked at it and says, "Mom- it's kind of like that, but without the words on it. I don't think I'm ready to start endorsing Aeropostale quite yet." :) Then it hit me. I have a PRETEEN! We are shopping at 'big girl' stores, and using words like endorsing. She also bought her first pair of jeans from the junior sizes- not the little girls. She's growing up! The boys had a fantastic time at the Planetarium. Much more fun than they would have had shopping.

Planetarium at the Gateway

After Gateway, we headed down to Provo to visit our friends. We saw their new house, and went out to dinner with them. We had a great time. Logan misses their daughter Katie so much. He told her he loved her, and she gave him her number. (It was all the talk at the kids end of the table at dinner.) :)

Morgan, Ashley, Dillon, Logan, Camden and Sydney at Mrs. Cavanaugh's.

I worked for Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates for a few years in high school/college. My kids love hearing stories about it. So today, I took my kids, and Ashley and Sydney to lunch, and then to Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate Factory for a tour. They had a lot of fun. Of course- it's a chocolate factory, and they give free samples! Dillon was not fond of his samples, but everyone else loved them. They all spent $1 on a treat- and Ashley and Sydney spent a lot more than that, with their mom's money. (She is going to love their stash- I'm sure!) All in all it was a fun trip, and now they are all at my house on a sugar high....

The kids in front of the viewing window, where they make chocolates.

Morgan and Ashley doing their 'cool' pose.

Camden playing at the factory- having a great time!