We went to San Antonio in the middle of August (I know wrong time of year for there!) for a quick family vacation. We had a good time seeing and learning new things and just being together.

This dinosaur was just at the front of Ripley's wax museum. We didn't go in the museum but the kids thought it was pretty cool, especially when it started moving it's head and roaring!

Now, on to the things we actually did do!

Look at this huge cactus!

Here we are in the front of the Alamo. This was a great learning experience. But, because it is a shrine to the men who died here you can't take pictures inside the chapel part, the barracks and all the artifacts.

With a Cannon.

It was all just too exciting for Spencer.

Is that an Aloe Vera?

The kids sitting in a little ampitheater at the Alamo.

I think our days of 3 kids in 1 bed are over. They are just getting too big even to do this (2 regular and 1 at the feet).

This place is a lot cooler, literally, than the Alamo.

We also went to Natural Bridge Caverns. Think Timpanogas Cave and you will be about right. But, we didn't have to hike up the mountain! These caverns are about 80 feet underground.

Stalactites and stalagmites.

Some neat formations.

We all had a good time in San Antonio. It all ended too soon. But, I guess that is what next summer is for.

More Catch Up

Once again a disclaimer for being out of order and totally random. But here is my meager attempt at catching up on my severe lack of blogging lately, i.e. the whole summer!

On the chopping block, a.k.a. the bathroom counter
I chopped off Spencer's hair. His curls were really cute and I don't think they were any longer than when I gave the other boys their first haircuts but people were starting to think he was a girl. So, one night I just stopped procrastinating and did it. He looked so old after I did it!

In the middle of August Carly had her right front tooth pulled. You may remember that it has been green and dead looking for a couple of years. We have always been told that she would be fine unless she developed a little abscess in her gum above it. Well, she finally got one and so we had to have her tooth pulled out. She did such a good job and lay very still and very cooperatively for the dentist. I think having Pocahontas playing on the ceiling helped too! This is her with her little cotton rolls in her mouth. I know have taken close up pictures post tooth extraction but can't find them.

I just thought this was a cute picture of Carlyn.

Happy Birthday to Carter. He wanted a dinosaur cake this year. No laughing peanut gallery. It has been a very long time since I used colorflow so it didn't turn out quite like I had wanted it but he was happy and that is what matters.

Like I said these pictures are out of order. Here we have the finished product of what he is opening in the picture below. He was so excited to get this Lego set that he and Taylor immediately went upstairs to play---before eating, getting dressed, etc.

Spencer helping Scott play the guitar.

What did you do to celebrate Lunar Landing Day?
Well, we didn't really celebrate it at home but Scott and his company did. I made this cake for their little party.

One day Scott was out mowing the lawn and Taylor went out into the garage to get his scooter. This is what he found next to Carter's bike. AAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
This PYTHON was only 15 feet from my door. Apparently it was the neighbor's pet. I kept begging Scott to kill it. I didn't care that it wasn't poisonous. I was literally standing getting the number for animal control and the neighbors came to get it. Good news, shortly after this they fed the snake a rat because it had graduated from eating little small mice. Well, the rat and snake had a fight and the snake didn't fare so well so the neighbor had to put the snake out of it's misery. That must of been some rat!!!! I never thought I would say this but "Yahoo for Rats!!!"

Oh what do you do in July, when all the world is green?
Harvest pumpkins of course! Yep, you read that correctly. Our pumpkins were ready in July. Spencer thought they mad great balls so we had to watch him. They are now safely pureed and in the freezer awaiting fall baking. Yum.

Spencer, pre-haircut. I told you these weren't chronological! If you look closely you can see his very first band-aid on his finger. Ouch.
In May, Carly and Spencer and I went to a strawberry farm. I was in absolute heaven. We picked about 20 lbs of strawberries in and hour. They were juicy and succulent. Can't wait for next spring!
One day I was looking for Carly to come in for dinner. She had been outside jumping with the boys but they had been inside for awhile. I went out to the backyard and found her asleep on the trampoline. She acts so grown up most of the time it is so nice when she does something to remind me she is still just a little girl.

Major Summer Catch Up

Okay I realize it has been the entire summer and you were only given one single post. For those of you who are faithful followers, sorry to disappoint. I just got busy and then when I did have the time I would much rather sit and catch up on all of your blogs. So here is a weak attempt at trying to catch up. It may not be in order but here are some pictures. Okay, is anyone else really bugged by this blue underlining. I can't seem to get rid of it! Sorry, I am not techno-savvy enough to get rid of it. There is no underline button to click on to get rid of it like in Word. So bear with me and we shall attempt at a little info on our family. Ummmmmm. Look! the underlining is gone! I promise it wasn't me. I was just typing. Moving on..........


In the middle of June Taylor and Carter took swimming lessons at the City pool. They had a great time and did a really good job. They are turning into fish. This summer Taylor and I had a little race across the pool and I barely beat him.

This is Taylor, well his arm anyway.

This is Carter.


The day after school got out I got to do something I have been waiting many years to do. I got to go on a "vacation" all by myself. My good friend Vikki got married and I was lucky enough to get to go. Vikki and I worked together before I had Taylor so we go pretty far back. It was great to go to Arizona and see her and meet her amazing family and the great guy she married. They are just too cute together and I am so happy for her. No offense to anyone else but I have to honestly say that she was absolutely the happiest and most beautiful bride that I have ever seen in my entire life.
Yeah for little Vikki!

I told you this would not necessarily be in order. Here is Taylor at the end of school with some awards and his 2nd grade teacher.
Here is Carter with his Kindergarten teacher.

Happy Birthday Spencer!

After much frustration I have finally been able to upload some pictures of Spencer's birthday. The computer was still not letting me put everything on, though. So, let's all remember what we tell our preschoolers, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." Just be happy that you get so see some pictures of his birthday.

We went to Galveston in the morning. Here is Carly making Sand Dollar Cookies!

Carter probably spent the most time in the water of everyone. He loves to walk out as far as he can and jump as the surf comes in and tries to knock him over. I have to admit it is pretty fun especially since you can walk out so far and it is still shallow.

Taylor is trying to build a little boat and sail away. (We watched the Legend of Johnny Lingo a couple of weeks ago.)

Spencer absolutely LOVES the water. He too likes the surf to come and knock him over. He loved to splash and wouldn't let me hold his hand (MR. INDEPENDANT).

"Mom, this sand is sooooooo cool."

My cute little baby is all grown up.

Spencer's favorite thing is balls, and since we went to the beach for his birthday I thought a beach ball was just right!

My little baby is a year old. I can't believe have fast this past year has gone. They say "time flies when you're having fun." I can truly say I have really enjoyed this past year with my cute little Spencer Bruce. Spencer you are so happy that it just oozes from you. Everyone comments on how happy you are even when they hardly know you. When I have a bad day it is always lessened when I get to hold you or you give me a big, slimy, open mouthed kiss. I love being your "MA" and love to play "BA" (ball) with you. Your cute little "evil man" laugh is unforgettable and you are so fun to tickle. Thanks for being so patient when I need to help your brothers and sister. I am so lucky that I get to be your mom for eternity. I love you little "coke-roch".

Oops!

Thanks goes out to Con. I don't know why that link didn't work below. And since I am a dunce and can't figure out how to change it here is the name of the website and you can just get there yourself. www.kneadfulthingsnow.com

Technical Difficulties and More....

I realize some may think that I have fallen off the face of the earth. But, alas, I am still here. We have had a busy couple of months and when I did have the time to blog I chose to sleep instead. So now that life has slowed down a tad and I actually have a desire to blog I am being kept from it. For some reason when I try to upload pictures the computer works on it for forever and then comes back and says it was a bad request. So sorry, all you who were waiting for visual entertainment will just have to sit tight. But, I wanted to talk about something else so read on if you dare.


If you have known me for any length of time you probably know how much I work on my food storage. Not only is it something that brings me joy but also security. When I was a teenager my dad lost his job and so we ate A LOT of food that my mom had stored over the years. I was very grateful for that experience because when Scott was in school it saved us a lot of money to bottle fruit and have other things stored and because I had lived that way before it wasn't so hard. Then, last fall when Hurricane Ike hit it was once again a great blessing in our lives. We were able to just eat what we had stored and be happy with that. It took a few weeks for the stores to really be back up and running full steam so I honestly didn't go grocery shopping for nearly a month after the hurricane because I had almost everything I needed in my home. Thus, because of these experiences in my life I have a very strong testimony of having a good supply of food in your home. And, with these troubled times especially wouldn't it be nice to have some extra just in case. There are all kinds of reports of diseased crops, drought, frost, etc. If you don't think we are in the last days just read the book of Revelation and other books of Scripture again.

Recently I have come into contact with an absolutely amazing lady here in my neck of the woods. She is working hard to help those around here get the essentials for very good prices. Some of you can get those things much easier than we can here. Take advantage of that!!! She has a wonderful website that is full of information. Even if you live in Utah I strongly encourage you to check out and read all of the sections on her website. She has so much information on things like appetite fatigue (huh! yeah it can and will happen if you aren't prepared.), wheat intolerance, and so much more. She has some great bread recipes that help your body digest grains better. Also, this summer she is doing 2 meal recipes per week with all the ingredients you would need to make them 12 times. If you follow her plan you can get a years supply of dinners by the end of the summer! She has done all the brain work for you. All you have to do is go to the store and buy it! It doesn't get easier than this people!! Click here if you would like to check it out. I don't get on my soap box very often so you know that this is something I feel very strongly about. If you have any questions you can also always call me-- I LOVE to talk on the phone. Okay, stepping down from the soapbox. You may now resume your regular blogging entertainment.

Amme??????

About 6 or seven weeks ago I made a deal with Scott that if I lost 10 pounds could I get my hair cut and colored. I have been putting off getting my haircut for about 6 months wanting to get some more weight off. Well, I lost the weight and last Saturday was the big day. I have been told before that I look like Katie Holmes (Tom Cruise's wife). Wow! She's pretty. Thanks! Anyway so I looked at some pictures of her for inspiration. It's not quite as short as Katie's hair. I think the stylist could tell I was a little nervous. But, I went quite a bit darker than my natural color. Finally, my eyebrows are the same shade as my hair!!! My kids think I look like my sister, Tammie. When I went to church so many people didn't recognize me. I would walk past friends and they would say "hi" but then they had to do a double take. So, then the other night I was asking my dear sweet husband what could my reward be if I lost another 20-30? He said I could have a piano!! Wish me luck!!

I HATE CRAYONS

Hate---it is a VERY strong word. I don't allow my children to use it because I feel it is a word with such an ultimatum and leaves not room for forgiveness. I really try not to use it myself except in extreme situations. Well, this is an extreme situation. I HATE CRAYONS!!!! Even as a child I didn't really like them. I didn't like the way they smelled and I didn't like how they made my hands feel. For those reasons I still don't like crayons as an adult. But, I have one more reason as an adult that I don't like crayons----they go through the laundry and RUIN clothing. A few years ago Taylor left an orange crayon in his pocket. It went through the laundry and ruined many things. Being the poor college student's wife that I was I desperately called the Crayola 800 number and followed their suggestion on how to get crayon out---this involved a lengthy process of applying WD-40, dish soap, and maybe one other thing to the clothing, rubbing it in and then washing the clothing, and then repeating if necessary!! It took forever. Not something I wanted to repeat again.
Fast forward 3 1/2 years--- last week I was pulling clothes out of the dryer. What do my tired, I've had a long day, mother of 4 children, I just want a break eyes behold????!!!!! "NO, it can't be, not again. I thought we learned that lesson." Yep, it was orange crayon. But, says me, "It will be okay. It ruined a few things but it was on mostly dark things and mostly play clothes." I was upset and reprimanded my children the next morning. I thought that was the end of it. But, apparently there is something I didn't learn the two previous times. Today, being Monday and laundry day because all good wives in Boston do their laundry on Monday (name that book), I pulled a load of clothes---jeans no less--- out of the dryer. And what do my little peepers see? Yet another crayon wrapper in my dryer. "Oh, maybe they peeled it off and put the wrapper in their pocket," I foolishly think. Then I begin to look more closely at the new fodder for the landfill. Yes, there is WHITE melted crayon on the freshly washed clothes.
Two weeks in a row. This is ridiculous. I don't want to wait around and see what will go through next week---maybe purple or perhaps turquoise? No thank you. I can now say my home is a "crayon free" zone. That's right, I threw every crayon in my house away (with the exception of one lone brand spankin new orange one--I just couldn't throw away a new one and it is carefully hidden). Now, hold on there. I know you are thinking I am a terrible mother. Where and how will my children share their creative abilities and express themselves. Lest you turn me into Child Protective Services let me tell you my children do have WASHABLE markers and colored pencils. So you may rest easy knowing that my children will still be able to share with the world their creative side through other mediums. Also, I've been thinking maybe I should start a new designer children's clothing line. I'll call it CRAYOLAWEAR. No two pieces will be alike. I'll make a bundle!!

A Long Time Coming

Okay, so nobody probably even reads or checks my blog anymore since it has been so stinkin long since I updated it. Life has been busy and to be honest it is so much more fun to see what the rest of you are doing than write my own stuff. The last few months have kept us busy but we are happy and doing well. Here is an attempt to bring you up to speed. Carly turned 4 in March and had a Tinkerbell cake. We love you Carlyn!
The weekend of the father's and son's campout for our ward ended up being cold and rainy so instead we set up the tent in the living room and all the kids slep in there. Oops, I didn't get a picture of them actuallyin the tent.




Scott's mom and dad and sister came to visit us at the end of March. Thanks for coming!

Here are the boys on the ferry in Galveston with their flat Stanley's when we took Gr. & Gr. and Katie. It was a cold windy day.

Spencer like the ferry ride too, but he stayed inside most of the time.

Carter in the water on the beach. The kids were all soaked within a few minutes We thought they would stay out of the water since it was only about 60 degrees and a cold breeze was blowing. But, no. And then we got their second outfits wet too!!! AAARRGGHH!

We also took Grandma and Grandpa to Brazos Bend State park to see the alligators. There weren't really any big ones this year. Mostly 2 year old who were only about 4 feet long and they weren't on the banks so you could see them up close. Oh well. They also have a nature center where you can learn about different kinds of animals and touch some. Last year Carly loved the corn snake. This year she and Carter got to pet a Tarantula. Very brave.

Here are Carter and his good buddy AJ with a HUGE shell they found at the park. We had to take a picture because I am a mean mom and wouldn't let them bring it home. It was absolutely disgusting, all slimy and gross.

For Easter dessert we made Chocolate Pizza. It was amazing (even if I do say so myself). In this picture Taylor is upset because we put nuts on too much of it.

NEVER, NEVER let this happen to you!

Recently I was cooking some black beans in the pressure cooker. Well, the pressure got too high and my pressure release valve (no, not the rocker) blew off thus spraying hot black bean water onto my kitchen ceiling and all over the front of my cupboards and microwave. All I can say is the Lord was really watching over me that day because literally 1 minute before it happened I had been standing with Spencer right next to the stove. If we had been standing there we would for sure have gotten burned. Thankfully we had just gone out the back door and I heard a loud pop.

Spencer and Elizabeth. We trade baby sitting for date nights with a friend. Here is Spencer and Elizabeth. She is such a cute little girl. I just love her curls and chubby cheeks. She reminds me a little bit of Carly at that age except Carly didn't have those awesome curls. And guess what?! She loves me too! Just yesterday I dropped Carly and Spencer off at my friend's house to be babysat so I could go to the temple guess who cried when I left? It wasn't Spencer. It was Elizabeth! She gets excited when she sees my house and cies when I leave hers. And, when she wants her parents and they can't hold her and won't go to other people she 'll come to me. So, yea for me. I have a little friend.

HOT STUFF!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so that was probably annoying but it is really how I feel. My little baby is growing up. WAY TOO FAST! I am emabarassed to say that it has taken me until my 4th child to truly, 100% enjoy my baby. The other 3 I was always wishing for the next stage. But with Spencer I have just been happy with where we were. And I really didn't even mind getting up in the middle of the night to feed him. Some nights I would just sit there in the dark and smile while thinking about how very blessed I am. So what.......? "Time flies when your having fun or what?" But, Spencer obviously missed the memo about how he is supposed to be a baby. How many babies do you know with 8 teeth before they are 7 months old? How many babies do you know who are crawling ALL over the place by 7 1/2 months AND trying to pull themselves up to stuff and succeeding?!?! This child is breaking my heart--and the awful part is that he doesn't even care!!!! He is supposed to be my little baby. Boo hoo.

Spencer thinks he is pretty hot stuff with all these new skills he is mastering. I had almost forgotton what it is like to have a little one crawling around. I can't believe how many little things there are on the floor that I never noticed before. I guess I can try to look on the bright side of this sad (for me) event-- at least my floors are going to be cleaner!