Happy Father's Day!

What do you get the Dad who has everything? How do you begin to tell him how much he is loved? Who can measure up to such a man as our Dad? Every year I struggle with these questions. Actually every gift giving holiday. Anniversary, Valentine's Day, Birthday, Christmas, and now Father's Day. I don't claim to have found my answer. But this year I had some pretty good ideas. Thanks to talented friends...

Father's Day Quiz

(K is blue, A is orange, M is pink, F is green)

What does Dad do at work? he takes care of money, I don't know, he works for money, listens to his work people.

What does Dad do at home? reads and watches basketball, chores, read his books and take a nap, he takes showers and spanks my bum bum and i spank his bottom.

What are Dad's favorite sports? basketball, basketball, basketball, basketball.

What does Dad like to watch on TV? basketball, basketball, basketball, basketball.

What does Dad do after you go to bed? watch TV, read and sometimes watch tv, watch more basketball, i don't know.

Whad does Daddy do at church? teaches doctrine...I forget the name of that class he teaches, teaches a class and goes to class, talk about the speaker, teaches the kids that he has.

Who does Dad love? all of us, mom and our family, all four kids and mom, me, grandma sanchez, grandma creswell, grandpa sanchez, grandpa creswell, mom, a, k, m, the heussers, the johnsons.

What is Daddy's favorite food? Tri Tip Roast, sweet and sour chicken, pizza, all the food we have.

What is Daddy's favorite color? blue, blue, green, blue.

What size shoe does Daddy wear? 9, 11, 18, 7.

What time does Daddy like to wake up in the moring? 4:30am, 5 something, 1 o'clock, early.

Where does Daddy like to eat? Reds, home, home, home and at the restuarant.

How old is Daddy? 35, 35, 34, i don't know, do you know?

How many brothers and sisters does Daddy have? 5, 10, i don't know, 2 sisters...he doesn't even have a brother.

What kind of car does Daddy drive? Nissan, a jeep, i don't know, his car.

What's Daddy's favorite book? Louis L'Amore, does he actually have a favorite book? cause he reads a lot, this guy...picking up a Louis L'Amore book, his book.

We love you so much, Brandon. You are the best father!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Growing up I thought I had the funniest dad. I still think that. I unfortunately did not inherit my father's humor, my siblings have all told me this, and I have come to accept that. Whatever.

My dad taught me how to play and love basketball. In Jr. High I couldn't get enough of basketball. I loved it so much. And I remember dad came to as many games as he could. I loved having him there cheer me on. And though I may not play basketball that much anymore...when I do think of those days...I think of my dad.

There were so many of life's lesson you taught me through teaching me to play basketball...you taught me to work hard and that nothing in life is ever handed to us on a silver platter. Patience and diligence are attributes that will bring me happiness and a sense of accomplishment. Also that I will appreciate things more if I work for them. You taught me the commandments of the Lord. Specifically, to keep the sabbath day holy. This was a hard lesson to learn but because I was forced to live it...I now love it. And try to teach my children to do the same. This brings me peace. You taught me that if I have faith in myself...nothing is impossible. I am 5'2" at the most and so a basketball career was not in my future...but when I was young, I believed I could be anything I wanted. Whatever our individual challenges are, if we believe in ourselves, we can accomplish great things. Smile. Laugh at yourself. This is so important and not something I have mastered.

I have a great dad. And love him so much. Thanks, Dad for being the best Dad. I love you.

Second week of summer

I love Sundays. This is probably the one day that I look forward to. Because I love being at church and partaking of the spirit. It starts my week off perfectly. Jenni and I were already to go, Monday, for Christmas in June. By the end of the week our projects were completed and what a great feeling that is. I have 3 more that I am working on and they will be done...hopefully, before we leave for Idaho. A spent the morning at the Workmans and after working for hours on our projects we decided to call it good for the day. Jenni then took my two youngest home with her. It was so nice to get some stuff done with only K. And the house was so quiet.

Tuesday was brutal. I had a 3 hour pres. mtg that lasted a total of 4 hours. My kids asked what I was doing for 4 hours. I hope that never happens again. After lunch, A went swimming with Kobey and K went swimming with Emma. So I took M and F Father's Day shopping. What a great time. We got Jamba Juice...which I've never had before...and they were actually pretty good. When we got home the two older kids were still out with friends and honestly I can't remember what M, F, and I did that afternoon? Emma spent the night with K and they all the kids watched a movie in the backyard until about 9:30. That was fun.

Wednesday was the last day of Cub Scouts for the summer and a Father's Day BBQ with Activity Days. I remember hiking in the morning with Jenni and making a stop at the post office to mail Father's Day cards but we must not have done anything else because I don't remember anything. I do remember thinking this week how much I love our backyard. The kids have mastered riding the scooter along the curbing in the backyard. And they're fast. Incredible. Jenni had asked me if we use our hammock much...'Not really' was my reply. But after seeing the kids this week I'd have to say, 'We use it everyday!'

Thursday after all the chores were done to my liking we headed to the library. I told the kids to get lots of books or long chapter ones that would hold them for a week and a half. Well M is already done with her 3, F, too, and K is done with 2 of her 4. I love that they are fast readers but we'll have to make a trip on Tuesday before we leave. By the time we got home and ate lunch it was time to take A over to the middle school for his Gifted and Talented Test. It's a 2 hour oral questions test. I asked him what he thought of the test and he said, 'It was hard.' I am kind of nervous for him. He was nervous going into it and Miss Dakin said she'd call me with the results. We had a slow day...the kids played really good most of the day out back. They love being out their together. They have made a new game with the hammock. They tip it up to see who falls off and who can stay on. They have so much fun with it but I am afraid if I keep letting them play with the hammock like that...we won't have a hammock much longer. It does entertain them.

Friday was our Vikingsholm hike at Lake Tahoe. It was so pretty. The lake is always pretty but the green plants were just beautiful. When you live in a brown desert you learn to appreciate green plants more. And I do. We went up early and the hike is 1 mile each way. So we hiked down, had lunch on the beach, and hiked to the Lower Eagle Falls. They were spectacular! I couldn't take enough pictures. We bought a magnet for our magnet board...I have yet to make. And called it a day. We hiked back up...steady incline. Ooooh. And once we reached the top I told the little ones that they did so well and didn't complain that much that they deserved a treat. I told them to pick...Coldstone Ice Cream, Nestle Toll House Cookies, or...'the lollipops Grandma got us last week?' asked M. We picked up Dad from work and headed over to the little shop where the kids picked out their lollipops. I noticed that K was the only one who actually finished her lollipop. Next time we're getting Coldstone! We did have a great afternoon. On the way home the kids fell asleep and were full of energy by the time we pulled into the garage. But I had to sleep.

Saturday started off early with soccer at 7. What a fun time. We played 'Around the World' cause there was only 5 of us...then 6. But I was sweating like a pig. It was a great workout. I came home just in time for Brandon to leave for his Golf Tournament...a fundraiser for the High School. He was gone till almost 3 so I put myself and the kids to work. We cleaned the house and got projects completed. What a great feeling. At 4 we headed over to the church to clean with the Johnsons. Fun times. By 5:30 we were done and the kids were hungry. We ate and I asked Brandon if he'd go get a movie. I never do this but we had a ginornous pile of laundry to fold and Brandon likes to do it while watching a movie. So off he went. He came back with treats and 3 movies. With F fast asleep, by 6:45, it was easy to let the other kids watch their own movie while we watched 'Australia'. Good movie. Long movie but good. By the end we were so ready for bed. It's been a good, relaxing week.

First week of summer

We started our summer in Tahoe with Brandon's parents, Leah, Emilie, and Ashley. Lyn and Rachel traded out their Park City timeshare for Tahoe this year. After Sunday mtgs., we headed up to the lake. We walked down to Lakeside Beach, walked along the beach, played on the high bars and swings, and let the kids play in the water.

They loved it. It was such a pretty evening. On Monday we walked around the shops and visited Brandon, hard at work.

Then it was pool time. Ashley and I got burned. Ashley worse than me and only on the tops of her legs. The backs of her legs were white! Too funny. I always say, 'One good burn to start the summer off.' It was totally worth it though.

Emilie and Makinley enjoying the cool water.

The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun in the water. F played in the kiddie pool the entire time. I had to bribe him to go in the hot tub. This was nothing like 2 summers ago when I couldn't keep up with him. He was jumping off boulders and into the big pool without floaties or me! He's calmed down a bit. Tuesday we took the kayak to Sand Harbor. We got their about 11:00 and we had the beach to ourselves. It was such a pretty day.

Treats are the best part of a picnic lunch! Oreos and Chocolate Chips cookies...the cardboard kind according to Leah.
Kayaking on the lake. Leah and K.

We all took turns taking the kayak out. M and F aren't kayak lovers. They each thought we were going to die. Leah, K, and I took it out just before we left and the wind and waves were picking up. We had a blast. It was so fun to crash into waves. The kids loved playing in the sand, as always.

Then we loaded everything up and headed home.

A's first game of the championships were tonight. And what a game! There were four teams in A's league. The Tigers, who were ranked #1, the Athletics, ranked #2, the Diamond Backs, ranked #3, and the Boston Red Sox, who were ranked #4. A's on the Red Sox. The score was so close the entire game! Both teams played so well but in the end...it was the Red Sox who came out on top! We were so proud of our boys. They played and hit so well tonight. And they had fun! Way to go, Red Sox!

Wednesday...I can't remember what we did...Cub Scouts, Activity Days in the evening...I think Kobey may have come over to play. I had a RS mtg... Thursday we joined the Creswell's for a morning hike to Cascade Falls in South Lake Tahoe. It was so pretty.

I will always remember the story behind this picture. My fil was trying to take a picture of me and M but when I went to view it on my LCD screen...we weren't there? Our bodies weren't there. He asked me how it turned out and I told him the scenery was perfect. He says, 'I saw you in the camera. Where'd you go?' LOL.

Eating lunch.

Being adventurous and walking across a stream.

The family. Me (reminding myself not to stand like this EVER again), Lyn, F, Ashley, K, Emilie, A, Leah, Rachel, and M.

Scenery.

The high cliffs and F in M's pink sweater. Nice.

Leah, M, and me.

Lyn and the baby tree growing between the rocks.

On our way to conquering the mountain.

Lizard.
We really enjoyed ourselves. That night was A's baseball championship game.

He invited Grandma and Grandpa Creswell and his aunts. Again, what a game. Both teams played amazing. And in the end...the Sox took the championship! Hurray! Or so we thought. Technically the Boston Red Sox won the championship...but because one of the other coaches couldn't deal with his team losing the championship to a team that never beat them in the season...3 out of the 4 coaches decided to have a double elimination. We found out about it in the middle of the game on Thursday. And because our coach has values...one being his family...he told the other coaches that the Red Sox were done. The championship games were added to the schedule after the season had ended and weren't technically part of the season. We played the two games they wanted us to and now we were done. Those coaches said that if we didn't show up for an additional game we would forfeit the championship. We were so mad! These coaches were ruining this experience for our boys. So technically we won...but as far as the league is concerned we forfeited because our families and our summers are more important than baseball. I feel so good with that.

Red Sox...you're all champions to us!

Friday was Father and Sons and Mother and Daughters. The men went off camping and the women came to our house for goodies and girly things. We had such a good time. We played with make-up, learned some new cute hair styles, ate lots of yummy treats, and talked about what it means to be virtuous.

The next morning, Saturday, we joined our brothers and fathers at the temple. We helped clean the grounds of the Reno Temple. What a great activity. We are so blessed to have a temple close by. After the temple, Jenni and I headed for Michaels to get supplies for our Christmas in June projects next week. We had to be sly because Oakley was with us and one of the gifts was for him. Sneaky. That afternoon we went back up to Tahoe for a BBQ with Brandon's parents. It was raining so we had the BBQ inside. All the food was delicious and the entertainment...hilarious. They set off the fire alarm and Brandon had to call down and let someone know that it was just his family and that we weren't trying to set the building on fire. Ashley made a good observation...something always interesting happens with the Creswells. Later, Brandon and I went to get some dessert. Sherbet floats and BYU Mint Brownies. Yummmmmmmm. We got home later than expected and were dead tired. What a fun week.

Funky Town

F and I went to Target on Friday.  While we were there I was looking for sunglasses.  And of course he wanted to try some on too. 

He put on some big orange ones and looks at me and asks, 'How do I look.'

I laughed and said, 'You look funky.'

He starts dancing and singing, 'Won't you take me to...Funky Town.  Won't you take me to...Funky Town.'

There was an associate nearby who started to laugh.  She turned to F and said, 'You just made my day.'