June 19, 2010

Idaho Cabin

2 weeks after school let our we headed up to the Idaho Cabin with the Dustins.  Brandon and Kevin left on Sunday night to start their 3 day Golf Trip!  What fun.  I don't have any pictures documenting the fun they had but maybe I could ask Brandon to email me some of the pictures he took with his phone.
We all got to the cabin Tuesday night.  It's always fun going to the cabin with friends.  I learned how to play Horse Shoes.  I have never had the desire to play.  But I relented if it meant spending time with Brandon.  There's not much I wouldn't do for him.  Moving on.
We had yummy food, I gained 5 lbs. by the end of the week.  The weather was a bit cold...in fact Wednesday morning I had to go into town and get a fleece.  I only paid $5 for it so I was happy.  Then we made our way to Wal-Mart to get things for Father's Day.  The girls wanted a date night with dad so we got candy and movie tickets.  The boys wanted to golf with dad.  So we got a Callaway cap, view finder that tells you the distance to the flag, tees, and golf balls.  

The kids only really swam one day.  It was really kind of chilly up there.  We went to the head of the ditch, tradition.  The kids found a few 4 leaf clovers.  I tried to capture them but all I got were blurry pictures.  Blast.  Brandon and Kevin played Sequence, tradition.  The kids did sit-ups on Brandon, tradition.  I made Makinley's baptism dress.  We did lots of reading and naps, tradition.  And we tried to stay up late and watch movies, tradition that is slowly dying out as we get older.  Friday, we headed into Boise to watch 'Toy Story 3'.  It was really funny.   
We had a good week.  It was nice to see friends and wish we lived closer.

June 15, 2010

How Much Can You Squeeze In?

We stayed in Utah for a day and a half.  What did we do?  
Shopped at DI, TJMax, and Target for camp shorts.  
Stopped at Costco for last minute snacks on the way to Idaho.  
Grabbed lunch at Subway and Nielsen's Frozen Custard.  
Rode scooters outside Grandma Creswell's house.  
Went to Gateway and played in the fountains.  
Shopped at DownEast.  
Spent hours playing with Fun Fusion.  
Went shopping for Fun Fusion.  
Played Pirate's Chess with Aunt Melissa.  
Visited with Aunt Abby, cousins Eli and Sam.  
A short visit but worth it.

June 10, 2010

Sacramento

Throughout this post there are numbers in ().  This means there is a whole story that goes with it.  The stories will appear at the end of the post in chronological order.
Early Thursday morning I started getting ready for Sacramento, California.  We were really excited.  I had loaded all the kids bikes on the back of the van (1) the night before and just needed to pack food and life jackets.  Wake the kids up, make sure they got dressed, feed them breakfast, and brush their teeth and hair.
I got everyone up and dressed when Makinley comes to me in the kitchen and says that Ford is throwing up in the toilet.  'Oh no', I thought.  He had a low fever the night before but I chalked it up to not enough water on Tuesday.  When I came in my room he was laying on the floor and looking very pale.  I asked him how he felt and he shrugged his shoulders.  I called Paula and asked, 'Am I a bad mom if I make him come?'  She said, 'No.'  I decided to see how he felt as the morning went on.  I loaded all the kids in the car and by this time he was feeling much better.  And he continued feeling better and the morning went on and he drank some water and ate a little bit.
With fevers and throwing up behind us, the Heussers and Creswells headed for Sacramento.  Paula told me it took 2 hours to get to the temple and so we left at 7am to get there by 9am. Little did we know about the 50 Horse Wagon Train (2).  And some construction.  We reached the Sacramento Temple at about 10am.  Paula and I spent 1/2 hour in the temple, took pictures of the kids outside the temple,




changed our clothes, and headed off for our bike ride.  I forgot my helmet and my shoes.  Luckily, I travel with  friends who are always prepared.  Paula had an extra pair of shoes I was able to borrow.  Thanks!
The bike trail we went on was a total of 32 miles, no we did not ride the entire distance... though if we had time I think we may have tried.  It was a nice ride.  There were little inclines or hills, as Ford calls them.  Jaynie and Ford did awesome!  I was so proud of these little kids.  Everytime Ford saw a hill...I would say, 'Pedal! Pedal! Pedal!' (3).
After our bike ride and lunch...we headed for the Folsom Aquatic Center.  WOW is all I can say.  Here is a picture of the lap pool.  

Ginormous Wipe Out Courses and a Rock Wall.

Here is the 3 Story Slide.


And here is the Kiddie Pool.

Paula said that leaving Dayton can be dangerous to the point that you may never come back. And she isn't kidding.  The kids had so much fun playing in the cold water.  Poor Jaynie!  Everytime she came out the of the water, her teeth would chatter and she'd run back in to keep warm.  The kids finally found a bigger pool that was warmer...probably from pee.  That's what I always think.
  
We spent a good 2 hours there and it wasn't long enough.  But we had to get back for Makinley's baseball end of season party.  And whenever dinner is prepared by someone else I don't say no.  We went to the Pizza Factory.  The kids had fun, ate pizza, and Makinley got a trophy and a picture with her coaches, Zach and Josh.  She just loves them.


1.  Let me just say that if you are looking to purchase a bike rack...make sure the rack is kid and woman bike friendly.  I don't even know if these kinds of racks are made.  I had a terribly frustrating time getting all our bikes loaded up.  The 2 little ones fit in the truck.  Then I had to figure out how I was going to get Kennidy's and Adam's bikes on the rack.  After scratching paint of each bike, including mine, I was able to get them all on.  Then I had to figure out how to attach the safety strap so no one could steal our bike rack.  I watched an installation video online and still couldn't figure it out.  I texted Brandon, he was in Colorado, to see if he could give me any tips but he couldn't.  So I called Paula.  She came over with the Bishop, her husband, and it took us watching the video again and another 20 min. before we figured it out.  HOLY COW!  It was suppose to be so easy!  I'll know better next time.
2.  So we come to a stop in the middle of no where.  And we notice a bunch of wagons, buggies, cowboys and cowgirls on horseback.  Then this man starts handing out magazines to all the drives in each car.  And that explains it.  The 50 Horse Wagon Train from Zephr Cove to Placerville, California.  The participants were all decked out in pioneer and indian clothing.  It was pretty cool.  We had to drive behind them for a time but were able to pass and see those beautiful animals.
3.  We were on our way back to our cars.  The trail was a little windy and downhill at times.  I told Ford not to be afraid to brake when going downhill.  So we're approaching a downhill slope that made a sharp turn left.  He was flying!  I could see his tire on the edge of the trail where it meets the gravel and told him to 'BRAKE!'  He kept going!  At full speed...around the corner...down the hill...around another corner...AAUUUHHH!  'BRAKE! BRAKE!'  But he didn't.  And he didn't fall!  I saw his life flash before my eyes but he didn't fall!  I was so scared and breathing so hard as I tried to stay close behind him.  When we leveled out I asked him why he didn't brake.  He said, 'You told me not to.'

June 08, 2010

Summer = Lake Tahoe

This was our first Lake Tahoe trip of the summer.  





June 07, 2010

Summer Chores

This past school year was a joke when it came to chores.  So now that summers here...I have to get organized.  I presented the kids with a new Summer Chore Chart.  They are super excited for Cooking, Craft, and Activity Day.  And we can't forget earning money.  My kids don't get a regular allowance and so when ever they are in the mood to do extra chores for money...they love it.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednes.
Thurs.
Friday
saturday
Kennidy
BH&T= Brush Hair & Teeth
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Piano (15 min)
Laundry
Plan for Craft Day
Story Time
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Pack Food for Tahoe
(Lunch, Snacks, Drink)
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Yard Work  $
Cooking Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Piano (15 min)
Laundry
Craft Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Yard Work  $
Activity Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Kids Bathroom
PM
Load Dishwasher
PM
PM
Load Dishwasher
PM
PM
PM
Adam
BH&T= Brush Hair & Teeth
VUDRT= Vacuum Under Dining Room Table
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Wash Dining Table
VUDRT
Plan for Cooking Day
Story Time
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Pack Van for Tahoe
(Life Jackets, Blanket, Beach Umbrella, Beach Toys, Towels)

AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
VUDRT
Yard Work  $
Cooking Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Wash Dining Table
VUDRT
Craft Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
VUDRT
Yard Work  $
Activity Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
1/2 Bathroom
PM
Fold Kids Laundry  $
PM
Load Dishwasher
PM
PM
Fold Kids Laundry  $
PM 
Load Dishwasher
PM
Makinley
BH&T= Brush Hair & Teeth
VH&L= Vacuum Hallway & Living Room
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Unload Dishwasher
VH&L
Piano (15 min)
Story Time
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Unload Dishwasher

AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Unload Dishwasher
Yard Work  $
Cooking Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Piano (15 min)
Unload Dishwasher
Craft Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Unload Dishwasher
VH&L
Yard Work  $
Activity Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Kids Bathroom
PM
Set Table
PM
Make Juice
PM
Set Table
PM
Make Juice
PM
Set Table
PM
Ford
BH&T= Brush Hair & Teeth
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Unload Dishwasher
Sort Laundry
Story Time
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Unload Dishwasher
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Unload Dishwasher
Yard Work  $
Cooking Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Unload Dishwasher
Clean Mom’s Toilet
Craft Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Unload Dishwasher
Yard Work  $
Activity Day
AM
Get Dressed
BH&T
Clean Room
Empty Trash Cans
Unload Dishwasher
PM
Make Juice
PM
Set Table
PM
Make Juice
PM
Set Table
PM
Make Juice
PM

Chores to Earn $
Vacuum Van $3.50 (this includes cleaning out all the trash first, remove floor mats, then vacuuming)
Washing Outside of Van $3.50 (this includes using soap and water and washing the entire van)
Washing Inside Windows of Van $2.00 (this means using Windex on all the windows to remove all fingerprints and smudges)
House Windows $1.00 (All windows excepts Living Room windows are $1.00.  Living Room windows are $1.00 for top and bottom)
Windowsills $0.25 each (wipe dust and dirt off with wet rag)
Sweep Backyard Patio $2.00 (remove balls, shovels, hoes, and any other item that doesn’t belong there)
Sweep Driveway $2.00 (this includes front door area of any and all dirt, rocks, or dead plants)
Baseboards $0.25 for each wall (front door wall and corners are included with the wall next to it)
Dusting Couches $0.50
Dusting TV Hutch $0.50 (this is for both the top and the shelf the TV sits on)
Summer Achievement Rewards
Kennidy -
Adam - Earn a round of golf for each Webelos Pin you complete this summer.
Makinley - Read 10 books this summer and get a FREE book at Borders.
Ford -