Before July is Over

I thought I had better add one more post. Last week Dan's parents were here visiting, and we had such a great time. As soon as they arrived we wisked them off to San Antonio where we went to the Riverwalk and none other than County Line BBQ...if you haven't been there...GO! We then did the boat tour on the river and just bascially sweat ourselves silly. We stayed the night and then went to Six Flags the next day. It was awesome, the Busby's came with us and between the Busby's and John and Cheryl, I think we had a thousand pictures taken. It was great, I didn't even get my camera out once.

All the kids had such a great time at Six Flags. We lasted the whole day. If we got too hot, we would go get wet on the bridge and then just walk around a little damp. Tarin and Ella got to ride as many rides as they wanted. Although, I will tell you that Julia got to ride a few without Tarin and my little dare-devil was a little disappointed. She wanted to ride the big drop one....she is crazy. I know I wouldn't have been that brave at her age. I can still remember the first time I rode the upside down rollercoaster at the theme park where I grew up. CRAZY! I really liked Six Flags in San Antonio...it had a small-town feel. We even made it to the water park. The kids were worn out, as were their parents and grand parents for that matter.

The rest of the week was filled with fun kid activities. Nana and Grandpa took the girls on separate dates and spoiled them rotten. They went to the movies, to the pool, and to see the bats. It was so nice to have visitors. We have had them non-stop for about a month. Before Nana and Grandpa was my good friend Jen. She and her husband are moving here this coming weekend and WE ARE SO EXCITED! So, in my great depression about no visitors for a while, I am consolling myself by not washing the guest room sheets.....because there is no need.

I have been spending a little more time running as of late. My good friend is getting ready to run the St. George Marathon, and I thought I would just run a little with her. Last weekend we ran 13 miles and then this morning we ran 10. The thing about running in Texas is that you have to get it done before the sun shines or it is too hot. We usually leave around 5..I know, crazy, huh? But we have been doing it for a while. Dan's dad ran with us last weekend, except he ran 18 and we only ran 13. He is getting ready for the Maui Marathon in a few weeks. I am so impressed by these people and their desire to run a marathon. I don't know that I will ever have that desire, but I do enjoy running and it is even better when you have a friend at your side. Thanks Jen for encouraging me to be a runner....something I never thought I would ever do, let alone enjoy!

Father's Day

So, my friend/neighbor/photographer extrordinaire took these pictures of the kids for Dan for Father's Day. I thought they were too cute not to post! I loved them and so did he!

Enjoy! I survived girls camp, in fact it was an awesome experience for me...kindof like a vacation. There was catered meals, a/c cabins, crafts, swimming pool, canoeing, etc. It was awesome! It was spiritual and fun and everything a 12-18 year old girl or their leader could hope for. Did I mention the food was incredible. None of this camp food stuff, we had catered meals. It was like no girls camp I have ever been to. I mean, I went to some pretty amazing girls camps myself, but this was on a grand scheme, pretty incredible. Way to go Stake Camp Leaders! YOU ROCK!!

Mother-In-Law

Some might say that the word Mother-In-Law is just another word for Terrorist. I'm fortunate that I have a mother-in-law who likes me. And I like her, as well. Not that bumps in the road don't arise sometimes, I think I’m the only person on record that has made the woman cry. (Don’t ask it’s a long story) First of all I am thankful to my Mother in Law for giving birth to Angela. If it wasn't for her, she wouldn't be here, but that's only where my appreciation for her begins. She doesn’t interfere with the way we are raising our kiddos, even when we lived with them for 6 months. I feel sorry for all those who tell me they dread spending time with their in-laws; I actually look forward to it. I recently had the opportunity to spend the last 4 days with my Mother-in-Law without my wife. Angela had to go to Girls Camp and I didn’t have enough Vacation to take off and watch the kiddos, so once again Mamma Welling came to the rescue. I’m not going to lie to you I wasn’t looking forward to it. I had several escape plans set from the get go. But after the 1^st little bit it was a piece of cake. She took me to go get BBQ on night #1. What a woman!!! She knows how to speak my language. That’s just the kind of Mother-in Law/Mom/Grandma she is… she wants us to be happy and she knows what we all enjoy and she goes out of her way to make it happen. I want to express my appreciation for not only helping us out this week but for everything that she has done for me and my family over the past 10 years. Thanks again Mamma Welling for all you do!!

Wish Me Luck

Well...off I go this week to Girl's camp for our church. This is the first time I have been in about 11 years...or since I was a youth. So, this should be exciting. It will be a little different than camping in the great state because we will be staying in air-conditioned cabins and will have a pool to go relax by when things get rough. The food is catered by some awesome church-folk, so none of that oh-so-yummy campfire food. I think we will have smores one night...as it is a requirement for the girls to learn how to cook over a fire.

So, although it may sound like a break, I do believe there will be a lot of work to be done. My mom is here watching the kiddos so Dan can work his tail off. Thanks to her, I am able to go for the entire week. It will be such great fun!

So, wish me luck and hopefully we don't get heat stroke or something like that. Seriously, who goes to camp in July when you live in Texas? I guess that's why we have A/C.

Mermaid?

You Are Ariel!

Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I guess I am Ariel. Thanks Mashelle for the link. That was fun!

Culture Shock

All of a sudden I am feeling a little bit of culture shock. I have been a part of the crazed cafuffel trying to get all my food storage up and going. It seems like there are SO many resources available if you live in certain parts of this great US, that I have taken for granted the majority of my life. For instance...case lot sales. Those things are the BEST. I would go twice a year and stock up on canned goods and then that would be a huge part of my storage. Why they don't have stuff like that here, I just do not understand. I know groceries are a little more expensive in TX than in the other great state, but why they can't go on sale here I just don't get. So, if any of you fellow Texans understand this craziness, help me to understand. I mean, I know I can find good deals if I hunt for them, but I don't have the time or energy to do the hunting. I have been looking at all the good deal blogs from the great state, and I must admit I am very jealous. Maybe one day I will gather the energy to figure it out here. Until then, I am just bugged at the one fact that Texas doesn't believe in case lot sales.