More 4th of July...

In our part of the woods, you can set off fireworks 3 days before and after New Years, 4th of July, Pioneer Day and Chinese New Year.

We always do the 4th, but not the others... mostly because... who cares about the others.

Luckily, this year, we had all of the girls and the boy with us. No one was working. We did our fireworks on the 3rd so that we could go to the big show on the 4th.

The kids loved the sparklers... but, I remember that being my favorite part when I was a kid.
...and I had to throw in a shot of Cadi being... well, Cadi.

Home from Camping...

We came home from camping yesterday... but, I was so tired!

We had such a wonderful time. You know, just hanging out with each other and getting dirty and eating around the campfire... Oh, sleeping on the ground was worth it... just to be with all of my favorite people!

After we arrived at the campground, we set up camp... which is a pretty big job even when you don't have ten people... eight of them kids.

Now that the older girls are getting big, though, it relieves Mark and I of some of the work.

Miranda put up one of the tents almost by herself. Dad helped a little at the end. Cadi helped set up all of the Pallets and make comfy looking "beds". Chey was helping unload what seemed like a never ending supply of "stuff" that you just must have to survive... right? Aubrey and Sydnee were in charge of taking the little ones for a series of walks that basically kept them from being under foot while we set up camp.

And then...

we walked the 10 steps from out tents to the river...

BEAUTIFUL!

There were little steps carved into the earth that led to a "pool". This was perfect for the little ones to "swim". They could have stayed there forever! Infact, Brysen tried.

The following picture is my favorite!!!

I love to get those shots where Mark is totally full of joy! We don't see him relax often enough. What a blessing to see him fully relax and enjoy the moment...

My son has been very fascinated with pushups lately... why... I don't know...

Why do boys do half the crazy things that they do???

This was his attempt at pushups in the water.

He does this everywhere... we can be walking through a crowded store and he will drop and try a pushup... Maybe he's planning on being the next fitness guru.

From the moment we arrived, Raider decided it was his job to "patrol" our campsite. He was such a good boy. He made several other "camping friends". He didn't like it at all when one of us walked away from the site. He wanted to make sure everyone was in their spot... whatever spot he thought we should be in , that is...

This was a really hot day... and then the sun went down. Soon the hoodies and long pants were coming out and the kids were getting cozy around the fire. The guitar came out and we sang worship songs and did our devotion. We filled that campground with some beautiful words.

What would camping be without smores?

In case you're not familiar with the look Mark is giving me... it is saying... why are you taking my picture when I have a huge smore shoved in my mouth?!

So I heard his message...

and...

...took a closeup! Haha...

Now, lets talk about sleep or the lack thereof...

It was COLD!!!!!!

Brrrrrr.......

I did not plan for it to be quite that cold and forgot a couple of things. I made sure all of my babies would be warm, though... but, that meant I was really cold and didn't sleep more than an hour and a half. Then next morning we got up and started a fire at 5:30 because we were freezing!! We were sitting around the fire with hoodies on and several layers of clothing wrapped in blankets. I will remember this next time.

Then, finally, the sun came out and started to warm things up. The kids started wandering around, playing, enjoying...

Then, the jackets came off and it started getting really, really warm...

...walks were taken...

chatting was done...

and it was time to come home...

take a shower...

and get some SLEEP!

Oh Yeah...

sleeping on the ground...

We will be camping for a couple of days.

So....

If you are wondering why we can't be found on the computer, facebook, twitter, cell phone, home phone, here, there, or anywhere...

We are out in the wilderness... sleeping in tents... on the ground...

Boy, these kids better enjoy what I put myself through so they will have some great memories!

Oh sleep...

Have I ever mentioned my sleeping issues?

Sleep...

Hmmm....

I don't do a lot of that.

When I was a kid, I could sleep with the best of them.

Twenty years ago, I became a mother and sleep went away. Now, some of you are thinking, "yeah, I didn't sleep when my kids were little either...". No, that kind of lack of sleep is not what I am talking about. I just rarely sleep.

It doesn't have anything to do with my kids... they are all sleeping.

I get up between 6 and 7:30 each morning (you know sometimes earlier and sometimes... no never later) I work hard all day to keep my household running smoothly. About 3 in the afternoon, I get sleepy and wish I could crash for awhile.. but such is the life a mom whose little ones are waking around this time from their nap. Bedtime is around 10 or 11... By bedtime, I mean the time I climb in my bed... I do not mean the time I go to sleep. I will continue to lay there with my eyes wide open until 2 or 3 in the morning. Finally after begging God to give me some rest, I fall asleep only to wake again in a few SHORT hours. My husband asks me all of the time how I can function on such little sleep. I wish I knew... because then maybe I could cure it.

Oh sleep... why do you torture me so?

Oh sleep... why do you torture me so?

4th of July...

We woke up on the 4th to a cloudy and humid day.... but, it could have been 9 million degrees so...

We decided to go to the North Ogden "Cherry Days" parade. You know, one of those small town parades that can be... well, good or bad.

Let's just say, this is the best parade I have ever been to... and I have been to A LOT...

Before the parade began, the motorcycle cops were cruising the edges of the crowds giving high fives to anyone that wanted one... of course all of my kids jumped right out there and lifted their hands for a high five.

We started by sitting on the oposite side of the street from this picture, but it was way to crowded so we switched sides. This was a great decision... thanks honey!

My children... ever the showman... were out in the street dancing for the crowds.

Where do they get this stuff... (looking around) anyone?...

And...

then it began... the sirens and water spraying and candy throwing and...

hugs from big major cheeto stuffed people! Brysen was so excited. The Cheeta tried to high five him but Bry ran straight into his arms and held on for dear life!

Man, you'd think we don't love on this little guy or something...

Dancers, dancers and more dancers.

Aubrey and Ari were right out there dancing.

Is there anything cuter than a 2 year old dancing in the street?



I wish you could see the bouncing going on in this photo... tis girl has some serious rhythm.

Brysen is trying to figure out why in the world a moose is in swim trunks and roller blades...

I will have to keep thinking on that one.

One woman was handing out footballs. Brysen wanted one so badly that he almost got ran over by a float when he ran out to tell the woman he wanted one.


And all of the candy...

This boy had his pockets stuffed!

And that is what he didn't stuff in his mouth first!

Most importantly...

He never, ever let go of his football!

After the parade we went home and put the kids down for a nap. Mark and I went to a car show and walked around picking out our favorites. We went out shopping with Miranda and Brysen. After running around we came home and bbq'd. That was the best summery dinner we have had so far this year... the yummiest corn on the cob was devoured! We went in the back and played soccer with the whole family and then headed to the big fireworks display. What a show! When we returned home, we had soda pop cake and put all the kids to bed. I joined them and slept like a baby.

What a great day!

A Day At The Beach...

One of our favorite summer activities is to hang out at the beach.

Sometimes we are out there 3 or 4 times a week.

This year, summer has taken its sweet time arriving.

So this has been our first trip of the year.

The kids always have so much fun. They run and run and swim and dig and eat... and then fall asleep on the way home.
I mean... does it get any better than that?


I will say, though, that Mama is feeling the pain of not going swimming since last year.

OUCH!

Those darned muscles...



I will also say...


That something was seriously NOT working with the sunscreen!

Everyone, except Mark (who doesn't really venture outside of the umbrella's shade), is sunburned. Chey joined us at the beach and is really RED.


I know, I know... but I did cover everyone... more than once... with sunscreen...spf 50...


What's a girl to do?

Me, Me, Me...

I was chatting with an aquaintance the other day, who was asking how our summer was going.

I proceeded to tell them some of the activities we have been doing (hiking, picnicing, going to the beach, sprinklers, games outside, etc).

After listing several of our activities, this person told me she doesn't know how we do it. She can't stand going to the beach or camping or this or that...

I smiled and said that's too bad. I mean, I really felt sorry for her.

You see, I may not LOVE every activity that our family takes on. Everything that is done is not my favorite thing in the world. Sometimes, I smile and grit my teeth. Sometimes, I have to pray my way through an activity. Sometimes being an encourager to my kids and my husband is downright difficult. But, for our family, it is not about the individual needs, wants, desires, likes or dislikes. For our family, it is about creating those memories.... those laughable moments... those events that my children will recall long after I am gone from this earth.

Our society has created such a "me, me, me" complex. Everywhere you look it is about your this and your that. What happened to the days when we looked at someone who was hurting or in need or just needed a friend and we put ourselves aside and focussed on them?

I can think of nothing better than investing in my family.

My husband and my children are gifts and I want to spend every single moment that God gives me cherishing those gifts... even when that means that "I" don't always get "my" way.