Summer in a Nut Shell

Wow!! Where does the time go? It seems as though summer came and went in less than a week. Some things that happened since my last post: Seth went to scout camp. Hannah and I went to girls' camp for a day to do service projects with the entire stake. The kids and I went camping at the beach with my parents and my sister and her 2 kids. Hannah and I drove back to Idaho. I stayed with Hannah for a couple of days and met 2 of her latest boyfriends (old news now, of course. She's starting her own reality show called "Next" - lol). Sydnee performed in 2 violin recitals (one was a hoe-down and the other her "trophy recital"). Brent and I went with the YW from our ward to St. George to do tours, temple baptisms and see Les Mis. Seth and Sydnee started school again.
The trip to the beach was one of those never to be forgotten experiences. Not only was it the first time my kids have camped with my parents, but also there were TOO many hilarious stories. Security guards in the middle of the night, children beaten by waves, Marley's first experience with s'mores and phones in the ocean are things we'll always remember and laugh about. Oh, I LOVE summer and family!
A few weeks later my mom and sister and her kids came to Vegas to watch my brother's kids while he and his wife went to Alaska for a week. We swam and played every day. We went to Little Pastry Chefs and decorated cookies and cupcakes. What a mess!!! Sydnee went back 2 weeks later with our wonderful friend, Amy. When she got home Sydnee said, "Mom, I think it's my cousins who are messy. I only got a tiny spot of frosting on my apron this time." When we went with our cousins we were COVERED with frosting. (How do you get frosting under your arm?) More great memories!!!
OK - violin recital- Syd is AMAZING! I can't wait to see what the future holds for her. We are so lucky to have found the world's greatest violin and piano teacher.
Seth recently told me I don't have a sense of humor. That's so sad, because I think I'm very funny. It's good to hear what your kids think - sometimes. I know I get too caught up in the little details and sometimes forget to enjoy the moment. Sadly, my response was, "Well, if everyone would help me, maybe I'd have time to laugh." not really- I didn't say that. What I wanted to say is that I've already heard those same jokes a million times (he called LVA LV Gay- come on, that's pretty old). But this was a gentle reminder to me to LIVE and LOVE THE MOMENT! I guess that's the secret to life...but of course, I have to learn that lesson again and again and again!!!
So, enjoy today. Go out and laugh with your kids. Tickle them, laugh at their old, silly jokes and revel in their discoveries (did you know that you overeat when you're tired? I've learned that and a million other brain facts from Seth's excitement over his science class this week).

Breaking Dawn "Party"

Hannah, Syd and I went to B & N for the BD release party. I had put my name on 2 different lists (B & N and Borders) so we got the red bracelets. What an adventure. We felt like we were at the circus or something. Poor Hannah, who has been living in Idaho for 9 weeks, forgot the wide aray of unusual personalities we have in our metropolis (wow - multi-syllabic word choice). If you want a good laugh, ask one of us about our experience.
Friday morning I flew to Idaho and then Hannah and I drove the nearly 10 hours to get home, brush our teeth and make it in time to get our books. We LOVED the final book....what about you?

Where's the Party?

I am TOO excited about BD this Friday!!!! I talked with Lisa R. about plans for a big celebration. She's doing a vampire prom theme (what does an overweight 40+ year old wear to a vampire prom?) - and hitting both borders and B&N. Deseret Book cancelled their midnight opening, sad, sad. Hannah and I will be driving down from Rexburg but we won't miss the midnight release.

On a side note, I am really going to try to add a few more 2 and 3 syllable words to my vocabulary. My one syllable 100 words can only go so far. So, if you have any big, important sounding words, let me know so I can sound educated (hey, for the record, I did go to BYU on an academic scholarship). Jori has already contributed "useless" so I'm up to 101!

I Love My Husband

I was looking through old pictures (since Syd and I are scrapbooking today). It is a GREAT thing to look back and see the changes that have come in 21 years of marriage. We were so (relatively) young back in 1987!!! Anyway, short post, but I LOVE my husband. That is definitely something he doesn't hear enough. We get so busy in running our daily life - and this year has been the busiest for him- that we don't always take time to sit and stare into each other's eyes like we used to.
O.k. so I had to post this picture with the $250 football he bought at our ward auction. Brent is so generous with those he loves that rarely does he do something nice for himself. It was good to finally get him something that he really wanted (and as you can tell, he was thrilled to receive it). so, honey, just a quick note to say I love you and I'm thankful everyday for all you do!!!

An Almost Empty Nest

Seth left for 8 days of scout camp this morning at 5 a.m. (How did I EVER survive four years of early morning seminary???). Hannah is staying in Idaho to work all summer, so that leaves Sydnee all to her lonesome. We have some fun girly things planned for this week - lunch at Mimi's, watching the Nancy Drew movie and going to see the American Girl movie "Kit". We also want to do some scrapbooking and hopefully begin to redecorate her room. It is so quiet at our house!!!!

Oh, and Cedar City was FABULOUS! Sydnee had a wonderful time. She got to see Taming of the Shrew, go on a backstage tour, shop and, of course, perform. Brent and I had a lot of fun, too. I LOVE the flowers in Utah. Darn this hot climate!!!! I can barely keep my grass and palm trees alive - I guess the tradeoff is our pretty mild winters. I'll take the lack of flowers to the snow anytime!!!

And finally, Hannah, what is this about blue darts? I thought those only existed in junior high school novels???? Is this what our money is paying for?? LOL. I'm glad you're having fun.