Life at our house...

It's that time of year where I start to lose track of time.

The school year is coming to a close
It seems as if we have event after event to attend.

Bailee is officially home for the summer.
She became employed her second day home
and started work that same day.
She is working at Port of Subs in Draper.
She loves it, the people are great and it's not open Sunday.
Drop in and give it a try.
Delicious. I don't think I'll ever eat at Subway again.
She is also running for Miss Riverton again.
Come see her on June 11th.
This has kept us busy with
the search for an evening gown,
a song,
a swimsuit,
an interview outfit,
shoes,
and much more.
~sigh~
She gets to raise money for "The Children's Miracle Network"
or Primary Children's Hospital for all of us Utahn's.
A worthy worthy cause. A blessing in our lives for sure.
If you want to donate to her cause go here:
She needs to raise $100.00
Ben has performed in many things the last few weeks.
He had a great role with a lot of speaking lines
in RHS spring MDT musical "Smile"
He did a great job and it was a fun show.
We also watched him in a one act student directed scene
at Center Stage Showcase.
He is really enjoying his experiences in the Drama Department.
And he continues to rock the grades.
His social life is busy busy busy.
Hanging with a great group of friends
and getting "digits" from girls daily.
Who knew?
His health is amazing.
The new meds they have him on seem to be doing the trick.
Another great blessing. We have great doctors.

Brooklyn is getting amped up for her Spring dance recital.
She has a great duet part.
She is loving dancing on her pointe shoes.
She is also counting the days till she gets to join Young Women's
and attend girls camp with me as I am the camp director.
She recently cut a little over 6 inches off her hair.
It is sassy and fits her personality so much.
She and Ben performed in their spring voice recital.
Brooklyn sang "When will my life begin" from "Tangled"
Ben sang "I can go the distance" from "Hercules".
They both did amazing.

Linc and I drug Bailee along and went to the Tulip festival.
Hence the above photos.
It was a nice sunny day and the flowers were beautiful.
Our family (sans Bailee) went to St George for Mothers Day weekend
and had a wonderful time.
Took a camera with a dead battery and no charger
so we don't have photos to mark this short vacation.
It was sunny and warm and we enjoyed our time with family.
The garden is in.
The lawn requires mowing twice weekly.
The window are open.
Spring seems to have finally arrived.
Life is good.

Snapshots of Summer

You may or may not have noticed...

But, I have been on Hiatus from blogging.

Writing not reading.

Writing takes time and forethought

reading is just plain leisure.

So during this busy time I have taken a break from writing.

Now I must play a bit of catch up.

Snapshots of Summer So Far....

Summer started of with a bang!!

The long awaited trip to NYC with Bailee.

Instead of downloading all 100+ pictures I took

here are a few highlights.

Times Square

Billboard in Times Square...

Wait...who is that famous person...

on the American Eagle Sign?!

Yes Bailee had her 15 seconds a fame. ;)

Bailee and I on the ferry at the Statue of Liberty.

Us again at the "Top of the Rock"
or the top of the Rockefeller Center.
You can see the Empire State Building behind us.
The view was amazing!


Times Square at night before we attended one of our
9 Broadway shows!

In the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The trip was amazing and we saw so many great things.

The shows and the sights.

The food was amazing too.

For the rest of the summer we are having us a

"Staycation"

A vacation from home.

We have so much going on.

The kids have many responsibilities, we decided to do a lot of small things.

The Bingham Copper Mine.

We had never been as a family.

The girls had never been at all.

Did you know it's one of the things visible from space?

It was a beautiful day.

Lincoln of course torturing the kids during the photo op.

He's such a tease!

The Fourth of July is such an awesome time.

We attended the Rodeo

Where Bailee and the rest of the Riverton Royalty

sang the National Anthem.

They were all amazing.

These girls are so nice and genuine.

They are all becoming great friends.

Then it's the Parade.

I didn't get many pictures but I did capture a few.

Benjamin opted to stay home and hang with friends.

Lincoln was working...

so just me and Brooklyn.

We sat with my great friend Kathie Perkins.

Brooklyn waiting patiently for the start.

Bailee on the Riverton Royalty float.

This is one of 5 parades she will do.

It was very crowded and Brooklyn gathered

TONS of candy.

What would Riverton Town Days be w/out the Parade?

The Aquarium.

Our kids participated in the Penguin Experience

and feeding the sting rays.

To see the Penguins...visit Bailee's blog.

Our kids loved it!!

They also loved feeding the Sting Rays.

Except for the splashing

and well...holding dead raw fish in your hands. ;)

They will come up and eat it right out of your hands.

Brooklyn opted for the metal hook....

I do think she may have tried it bare handed a few times.

It was funny to watch them all.

Lucky me!! I was the photographer!

I'm just sayin'...

I did not want to hold raw fish

and feed a sting ray.

Maybe next year on our cruise?!

We are really enjoying ourselves.

We have seen many fun movies together.

Picnics at Liberty Park.

Seven Peaks.

(where I wiped out and bruised many parts of my old body)

I'm too old for water slides. Lazy River and Wave pool for me.

Games of Frisbee.

Video Nights.

Gardening.

Barbecue, barbeue, barbecue!

Our newest adventure.

Kayaks.

We just purchased two sea kayaks.

Some friends have some and we love them.

As soon as we take them out I'll post pictures.

Although I can't guarantee regular posting till school starts.

Too much fun still to be had.

The end of summer is coming fast.

It's a bittersweet thing.

Kids back to school.

Bailee off to college. :( and :)

What will I do with myself?

"Dreary"

The weather today is "Dreary"
and so am I.
Tomorrow is a new day.


That's all!!

Anyone Home?!

We're not here right now,
leave your message after the beep.

Life is CRAZY!!!
I keep thinking things will slow down.
After Bailee's play is over, life will be slower....hm no.
After Ben's done with Drivers Ed, life will be slower... hm no.
After Miss Riverton life will surely be slower...hm no.
After Ben and Brooklyn have voice recital life will ease up....
After Graduation and all the precursor pomp life will be slower.....hm no.
After New York life will surely slow down....
After Brooklyn's Ballet recital life will absolutely slow down....
Here's hoping.

I really need a breather.
Catch up on laundry,
shampoo the carpets,
mow the lawns,
weed the flower beds,
buy college supplies,
a nap.

Really hoping to hook up the trailer and head to parts unknown,
sit by a campfire, make s'mores, read a book and chill.
Here's to the summer and a little rest and relaxation.
So until then....
Leave a message at the tone.

Happenings...

As usual I have been remiss in blogging.

I could lie and say I've been really busy...

Not true!!

Really lazy more like it.

Brooklyn has been out of school..

Now the teens are out

and well there you have it.

We have had some fun happenings....

Bailee went to her second and final Junior Prom.

Sad. ;(

Here are a few pictures to mark the event...

Her date, Dylan a really good friend

who will also be going to Weber State University.

I just love the dress!

She will be wearing to compete in

Miss Riverton next month.

Come support and cheer for her.

I'm not a pageant fan...

But scholarship money is always good.

We also hear it's a fun good experience.

The day after Prom Bailee and a friend went to the

"Holi Festival"

or

"Festival of Colors"

a Hindu celebration about equality....

and more I'm sure but I am not educated.

Basically at a certain time of day

everyone throws colored chalk into the air..

on other people...everywhere.

She said it was amazingly fun and cultural.

She really was WAY more covered with chalk..

Especially on the front.

A lot came off in the car.

Next..Easter and General Conference.

The girls dyed eggs during the Sunday Conference break.

Then when conference was over,

they decided to have a little photo shoot.

So the two of them went outside

and took a bazillion pictures of each other.

Cute!

I posted just a few.

I love that they enjoy spending time together.

Of course Brooklyn is the photographer of Bailee..

Bailee the photographer of Brooklyn...

They both have skills, if I do say so myself.

You may notice the absence of the men in our house...

It's because they are indeed absent.

They are on a vacation to the Washington D.C. area.

Apparently that is where spring is.

Because they have 74 degree weather and sun.

I am jealous.

They will return tomorrow. ;)

However, in June Bailee and I will be the ones on vacation..

NYC here we come!!

Yes we will be spending 7 days in NYC seeing

9 Broadway shows and all the sights.

Life is good!!

Time is flying by...

which makes me sad.

In just a few months Bailee will be graduating

and on her way to college.

Ben is driving and dating...

And Brooklyn continues to grow up.

I have to remind myself to enjoy the moment.

They come and go so quickly.

Remodel Riot

I feel like we have been remodeling our basement for a year!
In all honesty it HAS been 6 months.
We started in September, not knowing we would spend one month in the hospital with Ben.
Because of this, Lincoln's time off was used up.
So the project has drawn itself out unbearably.
Now...due to the National Fire Academy, another delay.
We have been in rush mode all month.
This is the cause for my absenteeism from blogging.
Luckily painting is finally done!! :-)
I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
This truly brings a smile to my face.
It will at least be usable space again.

I anticipate a finished project, cabinets and all by mid April.
Pictures posted then.
I am really pleased with how it is turning out.
For a while there I wasn't so sure,
picking the paint was a nightmare.
4 squares of sample colors covered one wall
and none of us liked the same one.
I finally brought in the expertise of friends to vote...
Lincoln's color won.
Lighter than mine...but looks great after all.

So, after all is said and done...
I will hopefully be returning to the blogging world
it's a good thing too as this is like a journal for me,
well as close as I'm ganna get to journaling.

New Year...New Look

I figured with a New year my blog needed a New Look.
I like, no Love to read.
So I'm giving this one a try.
We'll see. I might find something I like better.

2010 is starting out Fantastic!!


Benjamin is gaining weight, eating everything,
and learning to be a High School Student finally!

Bailee is in the middle of College Applications
and "All that Jazz".

Brooklyn is learning she likes to "chat" with friends..
on the phone and online.
My baby is growing up too fast.

Lincoln is finishing the HUGE honey do project he has been working on.
Enlarging my family room downstairs and getting the bathroom started.
Yeah!

I am finally going to see what if feels like to be "stay at home mom" again.
I really didn't get the feeling before because I was still doing Home and Hospital with Ben. However, I feel some serious digital scrap booking coming on.
Plus some workout time....Finally.
Maybe even a little reading.

Looking forward to a great year.

22 Big Ones!

I hate putting pictures of myself on my blog...

-fyi-

but for this I will.

It seems like just yesterday and forever at the same time.
Lincoln and I have been married 22 years.
Can you believe it?
22 years on November 7th.


We commandeered Bailee into sitting with Benjamin for part of the day.
We went shopping and out to dinner.
Dinner at Ruby River Steak House, which is my all time favorite for a good steak.
Knocked out some much needed Christmas shopping.
Time is getting away from us, sitting at the hospital day in and day out.
So this was time well spent.

So to celebrate this mark of 22 years,
I want to list just a few reasons I am so lucky to have my husband.

* He works hard to provide for us.
* He is a wonderful Dad.
* He takes Bailee clothes shopping and enjoys it. (I don't.)
* He always remembers the little things.
* He appreciates the work I do at home.
* He can make me laugh.
* He can do minor fix it's on the automobiles.
* He is my best friend.
* He loves to travel. (bonus for me)
* He understands the need for girls night out. ;)
* He honors his priesthood.
* He loves me unconditionally.

I could go on and on. But I wont. It's sorta sappy. :)
So the weekend was a success.

P.S. Goal for the month...Be home from the hospital by Thanksgiving.

Metal Mouth

We decided after much deliberation to just do it.

So to add insult to injury...

we put braces on Benjamin.

I felt really bad about adding one more thing for the poor boy.

However, the dad decided what better time to put braces on.

On Friday when he has surgery he will be on major Pain Med,

so by the time he finally gets to eat...

He should be pain free.

That's the theory.

I personally think he looks good no matter what. :)

Time Flies...

It really does.
So again I find myself needing to play catch up on my blog.
Thanks to my cousin...I have learned this is OK!

Just don't make a habit of it. ;)
So I give you the "mini blog posts"
In chronological order backwards.

MINI POST #1 The Quest for a Dress!

Andrew asked Bailee to his Junior Prom about a month ago.
I told her I wasn't going to buy another dress this year.
"Borrow one." I say. "No problem" she says.

Monday, one week before the dance, (procrastinator)
she borrows a darling dress from a friend.
Thursday late at night we decide it's just too big.
PANIC MODE!!
He has already ordered the corsage to match pink.

My house becomes the Dress Barn. Literally.
Ask the dad how he likes dresses hanging from every available surface.
NOT!

Not one of these....

But if it was we would add a jacket. ;)

Hmmm... Not one of these either.
This pink one is the one that was too big.
The blue in the background is from her Junior Prom
Heavens, can't wear the same dress.

Finally, Friday night at 6:00 p.m.
the Dress quest is over.


And we have the finished product.
One more crisis avoided.

All is well that ends well.

Lessons learned...

Procrastination causes angry mothers.

MINI POST #2 Car Trouble - Fixed

The car wound up having a blown power steering hose.

Not a huge deal...fixed for a mere $200.00.

But then, the fixed car starts smoking.

SMOKING BIG TIME.

Hmmm. Not fixed.

Our master mechanic (who is a great friend)

tells us the bad news.

When the hose blew it shot power steering fluid straight into the alternator.

HE cleaned it and hoped for the best.

The best was not to happen.

Smoking, smelly car = burning up alternator.

Not a huge deal...fixed for a mere $200.00.

Transportation back in swing. $400.00 later. :(

I told Lincoln, we should just be grateful we had the money to fix it without charging it.

Still hoping it doesn't break into my remodel project.

We are now shopping for a $3ooo.oo or less car for Bailee.

Something we can pay cash for.

This must get her to work and school for the upcoming year.

Plus it gives us a back-up, when car trouble occurs.

Which it always does. Eventually.

Lessons Learned...

You need a car to get from here to there.

Not having one causes inconvenience.

Having a friend who is a mechanic...Priceless.

MINI POST #3 Sickness=Stress

Ben is back at it.

After a 10 month hiatus. He is suffering again.

We really thought we were over the hump.

We spent an entire day at Primary Children's,

the results...just what we expected.

Scar tissue and more scar tissue.

Now it's decision time.

Do we run the tests, and have the surgery to remove the scar tissue?

Which could possibly cause more scar tissue with worse problems.

Or do we continue on as we are?

The ultimate goal. No more symptoms.

Sick a few days. Feeling good more than not.

So now were in tracking mode again.

We track what his symptoms are and exactly how often they occur.

For example. For the month of April so far, Ben has been sick 14 days of them.

Not the optimum life for a 15 year old boy.

If it continues like this... Surgery for sure.

But if he's sick more like 3-5 out of the month?

Can we live with that?

His symptoms include:

Pain comparable to child birth.

Extreme Nausea.

Vomiting every one to two hours.

His weight is already low. He just can't seem to get any meat on him.

No wonder why. He could use a little junk in his trunk. :)

When he is sick, he can't be left alone.

This causes me to be absent from work and church at any given time,

and at the last minute.

Luckily my work is very understanding,

and just happens to be his school too.

And double lucky, There is a great brother in my ward who takes my Sunday School class at a moments notice.

Honestly it breaks my heart.

Causes me extreme stress.

And still it's not an easy decision.

Lessons Learned... In the Lord's time not ours.

Patience.

Gratitude for understanding friends and family.

Finally...

MINI POST #4 Mud Mania!

Lincoln and the kids spent a day four wheeling.

In the mud.

It was a mess.

I made them strip down (one at a time, it was mixed company after all)

Leaving their clothes on the back deck.

I sprayed them off with the hose.

The clothes that is.

I would have sprayed them in their clothes, but it was just too cold outside.

That would have been fun.

The spraying them off that is.

Who says a little mud hurt anyone?

I wish you could see the four wheeler better.

It would give you a true idea about the mud.

Or maybe if you saw the mud tracks in the street outside our house

you already got the idea.

Lessons Learned...

Mud makes kids happy.

Time spent together is time well spent.

Now, if you've made it to the bottom of this blog...

I absolutely promise no more catch up blog posts.

They are just toooo LONG!