Joining the higher ranks

If you can't tell...that is me passing the test to be a yellow belt with a green stripe--Tae Kwon Do. This is something our family has really enjoyed. It is great exercise, helps me with flexibility and memorization, and I've met some great people. Tonight Madalyn found Carver's old uniform and put it on and started doing all the exercises she has watched us do and asked when she could be tested for her belt... I told her, "well, you have to start taking classes and learn your forms and stuff. And you have to wait until you are 5 years old (which isn't that far away:( )". But later she decided that really didn't matter, she would start practicing her nun chucks and form and pass them off as soon as she is 5. And she will have them change Carver's name on the uniform to Madalyn. Clint and I decided that would be just fine. I have a feeling she will be the fastest learner in the family... watch out Master Kwon!

A Happy Father's Day

To the dad we adore...

who plays with us in the pool, whether it be the backyard, the rec center or anywhere else we may be

who loves to play whatever the weather

And enjoys a good adventure challenging himself

Who works hard in the yard

And teaches us things

But also knows when we need a hug and a rest...

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

What Every Great Father Knows...

That how much time you spend with your family is more important than how much money you spend on them.

That kids grow up faster than you realize; spend time with them now; and cherish every moment.

That it's more important to know how to fix a child's broken heart than anything around the house.

That what you do as a father today will be with your children throughout their lives.

That in any difficult time, the best thing you can do is just be there.

That you have all the wisdom, love, and insight you need to help your children become the kind of adults that both you and they will be proud of.
Edmund O'Neill

Luckily, we have someone in our family who already knows what it means to be a great father! The children in our home will never wonder how much their dad loves and cherishes them. He loves to play, listen, watch, help, laugh, teach, discover and it shows in everything he does for his kids. I have had several different neighbors come up to me and say what a great dad he is and how fun it is for them to see how involved he is with his children. Things like going to the park, bike riding, playing night games have all been mentioned. Carver and Clint are like two peas in a pod. They will always be buddies. Madalyn and Clint are very close emotionally he has such a soft spot for her. Nicalee is the little bug who stares in wonder and has now become Clint's little shadow. If dad is up doing something, everyone wants to be up. Sometimes I feel bad for Clint and how adored he is, but then I smile and pick up a good book and find my little corner and read :)

We had a great father's day! The kids and I made Clint breakfast in bed... and of course the kids wanted to eat breakfast in bed with him. He did get a song with it and the best melt in your mouth pancakes ever made, yogurt, oranges and OJ. He has some great new sandals and an Ifly Utah adventure coming up. We then had a fantastic BBQ dinner with family and it couldn't have been a nicer day for that. We went for a visit to my Grandpas grave and told stories about him and some of the things I loved best. Then we went to the park and played ghost in the graveyard (Carver really wanted to do that at the cemetery... we told him that would probably not be appropriate...) and we had soooo much fun (while Nicalee slept). Then we had to go on a mini bike ride, read some BOM, had family prayer and then Clint and I had some time. And we watched the Bucket List--- some really good things to think about. I just can't believe how lucky we are to be together. My little family means everything to me and I am so greatful to have all that we have, which brings me full circle. Dad's are incredibly important!!

Lake Powell

Kayla, Madalyn and Jack playing on the bunk bed mattresses

Yes, I still got it! Me waterskiing

Clint and Carver being the tough guys that they are

Kate, Madalyn, and Kayla playing on the red sand with all the buckets, shovels, rocks, shells, sand castles, laughs and sun that they could get!

Grandkid/cousin movie night! They could not have had more fun. A disney movie, popcorn, and goodies galore!

Clint showing his stuff on the Air Chair. I have yet to do more than swallow a bunch of water doing this stunt!

But I can wakeboard. Sort of. I really can't do any tricks. Maybe in my next life!

Carver looking so cool in his sunglasses. He had to move to the adult size because the children's sizes are too small for his head. He loves the speedboad.

Popsicle queen loves everything about the water. Swimming underwater (or at least with her face under), the boats, the sand, you name it.

The girls going on a cruise.

Nicalee just loved the sand and the water. I was so worried about how she would do down there and she was easy and happy as can be.

More sand.

Clint and Carver on the "wobbily" jetski. Having fun tipping over!

Carver and Madalyn going on a hike with dad and throwing rocks-- that never gets old.

Beach fashion princess!

Nica didn't totally like the lifejacket, but who cares as long as her feet are in the water!

The fishing crew! Just don't make any of them eat their catch!

The houseboat slide and the Island. A new experiment in fun this year, since the water was quite cold the kids didn't want to land totally in the water so the Island make it fun to slide without going completely under, most of the time.

Lake Powell might be the best vacation on the planet. At least that is the opinion of me and most of my family and has been for the past 25 years or so. I have only missed going a couple of times during that time span. There is something for everyone. Hikes, water sports, sand, the most amazing sunsets and sunrises around, gorgeous geological sites-- canyons, arches, Indian ruins,--- Book reading time, family, no TV, no Phones and plenty of laughs and good times. Thanks for all the memories and fun!

A Tale of Two Strollers

Before:


I could have entitled this little blurb "Woman vs. the machine" or "The Brave Little Sewing Machine that Could", but since the real meat of the story involves Madalyn's baby strollers, I'll stick with what I've got.

My adventure started a few days ago when Madalyn brought me these two broken and sad looking strollers and asked me if I could fix them-- again. I said to myself, "yes, you bet, it is about time I get the ole sewing machine out again." Then I realized that my neighbor still had the machine after borrowing it nearly a year ago. And just like I had snapped my fingers, the doorbell rang and it was my neighbor bringing back the machine, and a few treats to go with it. Problem solved. Well, I decided to do one better than mending this time, I was going to create two matching strollers with cute fabric from Material Girl (which is really just too cute!). Madalyn came with me to pick the fabric... she won on the choice, I wanted cherries (which I still think was the better pick:) )and she wanted tulips or polka dots.
The next stop was preparing the sewing machine. I did my best and realized that the bobbin wasn't quite functioning properly. I went to Floyds (a sewing machine store) for some help. They looked up the correct size and we determined that someone switched my bobbins-- that detective work wasn't too hard. Then, I thought everything was in place. I had cut the fabric and made some adjustments to the stroller details and I hit another roadbump. Something else was wrong with my machine. Well, about 5 hours later, a pretty thorough reading of my sewing machine manual, some experimenting with stitches, width, tension, threading a few bobbins, threading the machine and pulling a few hairs out, I FINALLY figured out my machine and had it running smoothly. There may have also been a few bad words used, but I got the job done and even fixed a purse. Yes, I can sew! Perhaps my skill level is still on par with the 7th grade home ec students, but what do I care! I received a few "way to go mom" cheers-- at my request, and a big smile and hug from Madalyn, so I am a happy mom! And I'm very motivated to use this cool sewing machine more!! Beware!!

After: TaDa!

Nicalee: "I wonder what the old lady has to eat around here?"

Nicalee: "oh, ya, this looks familiar. I'll just reach up here and take a swig. I bet no one will even notice that I can get in the fridge."

sidenote-- yes, my refridgerator is a mess. Someday, I'll get to organizing it again. After I clean out the closets, the pantry, some of my cupboards and the mudroom.