Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!!

This weekend while Joe was at the father's and son's campout with our ward, we decided to have a girls night. We had pizza's for dinner and watched the Princess Protection Program (P.P.P.) and we slept over at our friend Laura's house. The next morning we made smores and ate them for breakfast. Then we had fun by making some new vinyl to go in Kaylee's room for her birthday. Thanks Laura for a fun night.

I'm MELTING

Every year since we have lived in our house we have had problems with our central air conditioning upstairs. This year again, it is not cooling the upstairs. So we had our wonderful brother-in-law, Armand come over to take a look at it and see if he could get it working. We have tried everything from refilling the freon to checking for leaks. We even tried a jump start kit on the compressor. After all of this we have come to the conclusion that our compressor is shot and we need a new one. I am just venting but, this is all very frustrating since we bought our house brand new and every year it has not worked. Although, let me add that we are truly grateful for all the work and effort that Armand has put into trying to help us. Armand thinks that it has had a small leak of freon from the beginning. Then we top it off every year and it helps it hold out for another year. This has put added strain on the compressor and now it has completely given out. This could prove to be a very long summer with no air. So if we show up on your door step and we look like we are MELTING, please let us in.

Let me just say one more time, Thank you Armand for helping us. We love you and appreciate all your hard work. You are a great brother-in-law...so glad that Sara married you.

Taking a Dip...

We had fun on Wednesday evening running through the sprinklers. It was so hot, we decided we needed a way to cool off. Mariah and Cayden kept chasing each other in circles, and playing races in the water. I would have liked to have joined them but I didn't want to scare anybody.

Skyler's Eagle Project

Last week while Joe was off work we were able to get started on donations for Skyler's eagle project. We got a generous donation from Industrial Container of (40) 4 gallon buckets with lids. Also, Albertson's donated 10 gallons of water, all the pencils, and all the crackers. They also gave us 2400 cups at cost. Special thanks to these wonderful companies for their help. We truly appreciate it. If there is any family or friends who would like to help us in any way please let us know. We still have a long way to go.

Cayden's New Room

Right before Cayden's birthday he told me that he wanted a spiderman room. So when he got Spiderman vinyl for his bedroom walls he was so excited (Thanks, Hamilton's). When we got it done he said, "This room is so scary, now." I was a little worried he might be too scared but he has done fine sleeping. I really don't think I would sleep very well with all those spider's on my wall. Anyways, here is the finished product and he loves it to say the least.

Kaylee's New Hair!!!

Before Kaylee left for camp she got her hair cut. She said she wanted it cut like mine. So they cut off about 5 inches, layered it, and thinned it. Most of her perm was cut off, so now she can have the straight look much easier. Here she is...I think she looks very cute and much older with her new hair.

Welcome Home Kaylee!!!

Kaylee came home from Oakcrest on Friday. We made her a Welcome Home sign and posted it on the garage door. Boy was she dirty and stinky. She said that she had a fun time but she did not like the food. She got the "pickiest eater" award from her cabin. Now, we can't get her to quit singing camp songs and teaching them to her siblings.

Scout Field Trip

This last Thursday me and Joe took the Webelos Scouts and Varsity Scouts on a field trip to the West Valley Police Station. We had a fun time touring the station and learning about the law enforcement in our city. We were able to play with their handcuffs, learn about tazer's, and see the judges court room. Some of us were handcuffed in this picture. I only wish we could have kept some of them that way J/K. I was amazed at how well they were behaved at the station. I think I should hold scouts there every week. We really wanted to be able to go into a holding cell however, they had a criminal in there so we were unable to. Maybe next time. Afterwards we took the boys to Arctic Circle for ice cream cones.

I wanna come home

We got a letter from Kaylee in the mail on Wednesday afternoon reporting on Oakcrest. I thought it was so funny that I would share it...

6-15-09

Dear Mom and Dad,

I just got here and I'm not sure what to think. Its durty and not my way of living life. But its nice. Happy Anniversary to you people. My councler is named Scrumptious and is so silly like Cayden. Its very planned days. I love you. See you soon. I got here about 11:45.

Love Always/ Kaylee Anderson

This wasn't quite the letter I thought we would receive. I thought she would tell us how much she misses us, that she loves us, and can't wait to come home, ect. You know the sappy camp letters you hear about. Anyway, Kaylee we love you and miss you and can't wait for you to come home. Hope you have a good time.

This little piggy...

On Wednesday Mariah had a little minor surgery on an ingrown toenail on her left big toe. She was very brave. The doctor told her to stay off of it as much as possible for at least 3 days. She was supposed to elevate it above her heart to keep the swelling down. Both of these proved to be quite the chore. Today is the 3rd day and she can't wait to take the bandage off. She has been a trooper though. Cayden thought he would be funny and try to lay on the couch with his leg elevated like Mariah's.

Anniversary Getaway

On Monday Night this week, Joe and I went away for our 16th anniversary. We stayed over night at the Castle Creek Inn. Our room was the Kings Palace. It had a king size bed, jetted tub, large flat screen T.V., and a pool table. The pool table was fun to look at although we didn't play any. Thanks Skyler for watching the kids so that we could go. We really enjoyed ourselves.

Oakcrest

On Monday Kaylee left for Oakcrest. She was very nervous. She woke up at 5:30 in the morning to get ready. The last time she went to girls camp was in Girl Scouts and she cried every night she was gone. I guess she is a little like her mother and doesn't enjoy camping very much. Let's hope that she has a fun time. Above she is pictured with Samantha Hardy her bunk partner and friend.

Missionaries

On Sunday night we had Elder Spriggs and Elder Bunker the full time missionaries over for dinner. We had Parmesan chicken, caesar salad, garlic roll pull aparts, and Cheesy potatoes. For dessert we had brownies with vanilla ice cream and chocolate topping. We really enjoyed having them over and for the spirit they brought into our home. They had fun playing with Cayden's Car-nivore cars (they are cars that transform into an animal). In the picture above Elder Bunker is holding the shark and Elder Spriggs is holding the python. Because they liked Cayden's cars so much we thought we would buy them one to take home with them. We also thought we would give them a copy of these pictures to help them remember our family. Thanks Elder's for spending the evening with our family.

Dance Recital

Yesterday was Skyler, Kaylee, and Mariah's dance recital. This year it was held at the Empress Theater on Magna Main Street. We got there early which is a miracle in itself. I was feeling like it was going to be a good day. When we walked in we were told that they did not have us scheduled to do the dance recital there. They had the stage set up for a play later that day and they were unwilling to move anything. So we all sat and waited while they figured out what was going on. We were finally let into the theater and they had only 3 rows facing the front, the rest were side views. We were trying to save 20 seats for family and friends and people were not very happy with me. Then Skyler forgot one of his costumes and they had to improvise for that dance. The kids did a great job clogging though. Skyler and Kaylee were both awarded an 90% and higher attendance award.

After the show it was Mariah's turn to do a tumbling pre-show for her studio. I was walking her down to where she was supposed to be and I fell. I twisted my ankles and then slid down about four steps on my knees before coming to a stop. Needless to say I was absolutely humiliated and hurt at the same time. I am Ok but my body hasn't moved that way in years and I hurt. I was really glad to leave by the time it was over.

We are so proud of the kids and the hard work they put into their dancing.

Good Job Skyler, Kaylee, and Mariah.

Julie's New Hair

On Thursday I went and got my hair highlighted and cut. When I woke up the next morning Cayden came into my bathroom and said, " Mom why do you have your hair like that?" I told him it was because I went and had it done. Then he said, " I don't like it! " Leave it to kids to tell you the truth. In this picture it was really early in the morning and the sun was shining right in my eyes which is why I look like I am asleep standing up.

All I want for Christmas

This week Mariah lost another tooth. In the past two months she has lost at least 3 teeth. The tooth fairy has been very busy visiting our house. We used to have to hold her down kicking and screaming to pull a tooth. Now, she comes to us and tells us she wants it pulled. This tooth came out very easy and the floss stayed wrapped around it just as you see in the picture. When the tooth fairy visited she brought a Hannah Montana necklace and some Twizzlers red licorice lip balm.

Look at what I won at Bonko!

Every 2nd Tuesday of the month I get together with friends and play "Bonko". This week we played and I won this cute Americana wall hanging. It is a 12x12 square piece of wood with scrapbook paper modge podged onto it. Then over the top is vinyl words and lettering. I just thought it was cute and I would share. It doesn't look too hard to make.

Somewhere over the Rainbow...

It has been raining for it feels like over 1 week straight. I really like rain and especially the smell of rain. However, it started raining about the time the kids got out of school for summer break. We have been stuck in the house and I am going crazy. Anyway, on one of the days after the storm I was able to capture this rainbow outside our front door. Along with this rain it has brought a little friend to my flower garden out front; that friend would be SLUGS. I am not having much luck getting rid of them since they like dark moist areas which would be my front flower garden. So last night I pulled out some of my ground cover to hopefully shed some light on them and to help the ground dry out. If you have any good slug control solutions please share.

Just a little side note... I really am greatful for the rain we have had. We turned our sprinklers off and our central air off and had not had to use them for over a week. I do feel blessed to be saving money on our utility bills. However, Mr. Sun Sun, Mr. Rolling Sun please shine down on me. I can't wait to go to the outside pool.

Kaylee's new look

Yesterday I took Kaylee for an eye exam because she has been asking me for contacts for quite some time. The doctor said that she would have an easier time with contacts than most people because her prescription in both her eyes are the same. She is so excited to be able to see and wear sunglasses at the same time. So here is our new look for Kaylee. She says she doesn't like these pictures of her. It was pretty early in the morning and she was still tired. I think she looks older now.

I looked out the window and what did I see??

A red robin's bird nest starring back at me. Spring has brought us such a nice surprise twigs and grass right before our eyes. The birds can take a beak full and make a nest, a beautiful birds nest that would be so sweet. It was really so and it seemed to me, baby birds were starring back at me.

Here is the nest in our front tree that we have found. We can't wait for the baby's to be born. It is so much fun to watch the beautiful animals and nature's creations at work.

Say CHEESE!!!

Outside the Orthodontists Office

Kaylee and Dr. Elison

Today Kaylee got her braces on both top and bottom. She got metallic purple and lime green bands on them. She didn't want me to tell anyone she was getting them on because she wanted to surprise everyone including her friends at school. She sure looks cute with them.

Jimmy, Can you see me now???

On Monday I took Mariah and Cayden to the eye doctor. The reason I took Mariah is because she has been complaining about headaches and being dizzy for about 2 weeks or so. I figured I would make sure it wasn't her eyes before I took her into the pediatrician. We found out that Mariah's eyes have improved and she needed a weaker prescription for her eyeglasses which is probably the reason for her headaches and dizziness. So, Mariah was able to pick out a new pair of High School Musical glasses with stars on the sides. I am glad that we figured out what was going on.

Also, we took Cayden because he was in need of a pre-kindergarten eye screening and I figured if I was going for one kid I might as well take two. So Cayden got his eyes dilated which was not fun. They put the drops in the first eye and he started to scream because it burns a little at first. Then they tried to put the drops in the second eye but he was not very willing to open them. Cayden then got his eyes checked and they said that he is far-sighted and has almost the same prescription as Mariah. So, here is our fourth child in glasses. He picked out some cute Jimmy Neutron ones that are brown. He wanted to take them home that day and didn't understand that we had to order them with his prescription and we would get them in a few days. When we got home from the eye doctor he informed me that he no longer liked his name and that his new name was Jimmy Neutron (because of the glasses). So we have a new kid in our house.

We went and picked up his glasses last night and he sure looks cute. When he put them on he said, "I can definitely see now". I am sure grateful that we have insurance to help cover these expenses because we would go broke between glasses and braces.

On your mark, get set, read

Today I got a phone call from the school thinking there was something wrong with one of my children. To my surprise, it was Skyler and he told me that they just had their "Road to Success" assembly and he won a new mountain bike for his reading minutes in 2008-2009. Here he is showing off his new bike donated by Walmart. Thanks Walmart. Way to go Skyler!!!

My Baby Cayden is 5...

Cayden just turned 5 this last Sunday. I can't believe that my baby is turning 5 and how time flies. We celebrated by having a spiderman party. We played pin the mask on spiderman, musical spiderman walk, and then had web- slinging fun out in the backyard (see picture above). We had lots of fun. I think I forgot how hard it is to have five 5 year olds all at the same time. Also, I made my first attempt at a real decorated cake. I think I didn't do too bad for a first timer. Special thanks to Sherrie for her blog and the idea. I just wanted to tell Cayden how much I love him. I love the way you make me laugh and how you come in my bedroom in the morning and lay next to me in my bed to cuddle. I also love how you tell me how beautiful I am and always give me kisses and hugs every night before you will go to sleep. So here is a little shout out to my Spiderman, I Love You. Happy Birthday baby.

Kaylee's 13

So here is a little tribute to Kaylee. Last weekend she turned 13 and boy did we have fun. She had a sleepover party with her friends...we played night games at the school and then we went toilet papering and chalking at 1:00 A.M. We had also made each one of her friends a pillowcase and heat pressed their names on it. They were hot pink camo, except for two of them because two of her friends don't like pink. The other two pillowcases were blue camo. I just wanted to tell Kaylee Happy Birthday and let her know how much I love her. She is turning into a beautiful young lady both inside and out and I am so proud of her and the good decisions she makes in her life. Love you Kaylee.