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.

Trip to Utah

Photoshow of May 2008

Rather than try to explain to all of you what we have been up to, I thought I'd just post a photoshow so you can see. This is a photoshow of Ella's birthday, a visit with Tia and Kalani, and also our Memorial Day weekend in Mansfield. It was good fun!

I'm Going Home

Yep, I get the insanity award. I flew this week with the three kiddos by myself. After flying to Virginia in March with Walker screaming the WHOLE way....I was a little anxious about flying without Dan, but we did it. We made it. We had a minor mishap in Denver. We only had a 45 minute connection, and because of storms we landed 25 minutes late....leaving us 20 minutes or so. So, I was waiting on the jetway for my stroller that was supposed to be gate checked so I could use it in Denver....we waited...and waited...(mind you I am holding Walker the whole time...my arm is beginning to shake) and then they inform us that our stroller was checked with the regular luggage and we could get it in SLC. So, I get off the plane and check where we need to go...we just lost 10 minutes waiting for the stroller so we are down to 10 minutes before our flight leaves. I discover that we are at gate A 29 and we need to get to gate A 51...which is accross the airport and I have NO STROLLER. So we start running....and thank goodness for the moving walkways or I don't think we would have made it. Right before the end of our final moving walkway (ella is screaming...."mommy don't leave me." I am screaming "Run...just keep running...we are almost there) we hear "Final boarding call for the flight to SLC. All ticketed passengers should be on board." We run faster, Ella screams louder and Tarin is just trying to keep up. When we hand the lady our ticket she says, "you didn't need to run, you have plenty of time." I wanted to slap her. What do you mean we don't need to run? Apparantly "Final Boarding Call" only means that we are thinking about getting ready to close this flight. We then sat on the plane for another 10-15 minutes while my bicep muscle is convulsing because of the long run we had carrying Walker in my arms. But, we made it and all is well. Walker actaully slept on the flight to SLC so we are good now! My arm has been sore ever since.

But, we made it and it is SO good to see my little bro. We missed him so much and it is fun to see him all grown up. He is the highlight of all family parties and we can now visit knowing that we will be rolling the entire time. He is so handsome and so mature. I really look up to him. He calls Walker "Chuck" and Walker adores him. He followed him around the church today and was very sad when Robby went to a different class than we did. He has given Robby more hugs than he has given me since we got here. It is fun to see them bond. I think it is because Robby took him outside and showed him ALL of Grandpa's tractors and toys. He likes Grandpa too, because Grandpa took him out to the garage and let him pet all of his "moo's" hanging on the wall. Funny stuff.

Yesterday we got to hang out with my BFF for the last 20+ years. It is wierd to think that I could have had a friend for that length of time. She has a little girl 6 weeks younger than Tarin and they always have a GREAT time playing together. We just had lunch at my mom's and let the kids run around playing. It was so much fun. I LOVE COMING HOME! It is so comfortable and so fun to be around family and friends that you have known and loved for so long, and that know and love you...even though they have known you for so long. I love sharing this with my kids. I love showing them things I did as a kid and introducing them to people I have had in my life for SO VERY LONG! I am so grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful and peaceful place. Did I mention I love it here??

Cute Pic

Tarin had her last Sunshine Generation performance on Saturday. While we were waiting for it to start Walker just wouldn't leave her alone. He had to be on her lap waiting in front of the audience. It was very cute. Tarin was a little embarassed that her little brother only wanted to be with her, but she was a good big sister and let him relax with her until the instructor told him he had to leave. My awesomely talented neighbor took this pic of them. I thought it just had to be posted. Walker does love his big sister, and she loves him too. Seeing your kids like to be with eachother is one of those things that just makes a mom happy. This made me happy.