Friday Fieldtrip Day!

I wanted to have a little structure this summer, so I devised a plan:
Monday - Clean up Day
Tuesday - Swim Day
Wednesday - Park Day
Thursday - Library Day
Friday - Field Trip Day

The first "Friday Fieldtrip Day" was to the Monte L. Bean Museum on BYU Campus.

We started the field trip visiting Grandma Lifferth (really nothing to do with the museum, but she lives in Provo and I need to conserve gas.) That lasted longer than normal because we dropped by during lunch. So we helped to feed her until Aunt Ann came. I can't say she got anything in her mouth because I had three kids who kept wanting my attention. She was probably glad when we left.

ANYWAY, we went to lunch at the creamery then headed to the museum. This place is, in my book, far better than any zoo or aquarium! They have incredible stuffed and REAL animals (but not alive), fun scavenager hunts for the kids and it's FREE! (Best of all!) My children LOVE this museum. They love the bears and the Afircan animals. I love that it doesn't stink like a zoo and it's free (did I already mention that part?!)


Here's my little darlings with the big bear.

Addy LOVED this zebra. She would go for a ride if she could.

They were both a little afraid of this bear. I had to beg them for a photo. Jake's face cracks me up -he's a little nervous!

This Butterfly exhibit is made entirely of butterflies. Amazing.

So that is our summer schedule - if you wish to join us on any of our Field Trip Friday's or Tuesday swim days, feel free to come along - the more the merrier! Call me for the next location, because I won't be posting that on my public blog. There are too many wackos out there.

Oh - shout out for the cousins! We want to do a Cousin Camp this summer. We discussed the last two weeks of June or the first two weeks of July. MWF from 10 -2. If you are interested in joining us, please reply. It should be fun!
LONG LIVE SUMMER!

Ain't He SMART!?

It's official - he graduated Kindergarten. Barely... ;-) He had 24 assents and 5 tardy’s. But that's to be expected. Some days it just isn't "convenient" for him to attend. But that's just my parenting skills. Hopefully we get through grade school.

Graduation day was one to be remembered. Instead of the congratulatory hugs and kisses - we got into a fight. And a big one. I started suggesting that Jake wear something NICE to graduation. (Maybe we could erase all those awful images of every OTHER day of hole-in-the-pant jeans and stained t-shirts.

So, around 10:30 I said, "How about we wear a shirt and tie today. It's graduation - a day you will NEVER forget." I should have been talking to a wall. It didn't sink in.


Come 11:30 I say, "Wouldn't it be nice if you wear a nice shirt and tie to graduation - all the other kids are wearing one."

Come 12:00 I say, "Get on your shirt and tie!"

Come 12:15 I say, "If you don't get on your shirt and tie, you won't be going to graduation!!!" (Graduation started at 12:40)

Come 12:30 I say, "JAKE!!! GET ON YOUR SHIRT AND TIE!!!"

At this point he strips down to underwear and starts bawling on his bed - "I WILL NOT WEAR THAT!!!" I tried to give him choices; I tried bargaining; I tried bribery; I tried pleading. None of it worked. After MUCH (and I mean MUCH) fighting, I grab his foot and tried to get his pants on. Well, duh, that doesn't work! I just got a foot in the face, but not in the pants. So I yell, "WEAR WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT!" and throw the shirt and tie at him. (Hmm, am I the one that is six??)

Then I grab my camera and tell him that I am going to graduation and I will pick up his D*&N diploma for him. (Such a kind and patient mother I am.) He runs into the car with puffy eyes and looking like he just got out of rehab: STAINED shirt and the infamous hole-in-the-knee jeans. UGH!!!! Oh, and no shoes.

ME: "Jake, you look like a damn orphan."

Juliana: "YEAH! And you are NOT going into that graduation barefoot. Get on your shoes!"

So we arrive at the graduation at 12:52. They were WAITING for us (how embarrassing!) He was furious the entire program and wouldn't look at me. I wanted to get a family photo at the end, but he wouldn't agree. I can't blame him, I did swear at him a lot that day. (Please forgive me, it was a frustrating moment and he DID look like a damn orphan.)

I did learn one thing today: PICK YOUR BATTLES. Seriously, was it really worth the fight to get one photo of him in a shirt and tie? He found out I don't have patience and yelling doesn't make him wear what I want him to. It only made us mad and we didn't get any ice cream after graduation.

But he did graduate, even if he did look like an orphan.
And I couldn't be more proud.

Moab!

We headed down south for some sun and fun. We camped in the Sand Flats area in Moab for Memorial Weekend. While we did have some fun, we certainly didn't get much sun. It was cold and rainy almost the whole weekend. Once again, (I guess in wishful thinking) I didn't bring enough warm clothes - or enough clothes in Juliana's case. Seriously, must we change 15 times a day??

I absolutely love Moab. I haven't been there in over 15 years - and now I have been three times this year. I think I found my new hot spot for camping! LOVE IT!


The weather warmed up Sunday (of course it would). I wanted to take photos of my children in their cute Sunday dresses. I have a friend that manages to take darling photos of her three children looking at the camera, loving each other and smiling. I manage to have three uncooperative children who don't look at the camera, don't sit where they are told and don't smile. I end up swearing. And this was one of the good ones too.

After church, we drove into Arches and walked around some. We had some laughs and enjoyed the beauty. Daren wanted in this photo - but it was a "couples" only photo. He got mad and said, "Just because I haven't found my special someone!" Someday you can be in the photo Daren...someday.

At this point, Daren decided to have a photo shoot including shots of him rock climbing and being a hero. That got real old real quick. Click here if you have plenty of time and wish to view the entire album. This is just one of the many, many photos I have of Daren.

This photo was taken by a far-en-er (foreigner). There are a lot of them in Arches National Park - you would think it was Disneyland.

Jake enjoys riding - but his excitement is short lived:
"Guys, there's a storm coming in!"
"I think dinner is ready."
"We better start heading back."

We took a twilight ride - just the couples. So beautiful!

The weather was a little crummy at the beginning of the trip - but it finally got warm enough to enjoy Moab.

See? - I love sunsets.

Ya Ya always looks so cute in her pink helmet. I wish my helmet looked as good!

Ok. Ok.

So I've been tagged. Twice. I guess I betta...

Joys BESIDES my WONDERFUL, fabulous, kind, loving, exciting, fun and memorable family
1) Sunsets. Ohhhh, I LOOOOVVVE THEM! Each one is different and relaxing
2) Going scuba diving and seeing something new and exciting - actually anything by the ocean is wonderful
3) Flowers

Fears
1) Failure. I hate to fail.
2) Being alone.
3) Mice and other rodant-type creatures.

Goals - I guess I need new ones. I actually already did my goals for the year.
1) To cherish every moment (the good and bad) with my sweet children
2) Take advantage of summer - play, play, play!
3) Continue working out daily

Obsessions/Collections
1) Taking photos (what to do with all of them??)
2) Cinnamon Rolls - I can't stop eating them.
3) My Computer. Quite frankly, I would die without it.

Surprising Facts
1) I love the early morning as the sun comes up - there is a SERIOUS criteria here though, I must have my 9+ hours of sleep, I must wake up on my own, and I must take a nap come mid afternoon or this whole situation is ruined.
2) I would have a full head of gray hair if it wasn't for Karalee and her magic bottle of color
3) I am "Green" - not treehugger green, but getting greener by the day. Don't throw away anything that can be recycled around me, or you might meet "Mean Jen"

I tag - Gretchen, Jamie and Emily
(Thanks Sum Sum and Scott for the tag...I finally did it!)

A whole lot of nothingness...

I have finally had my first "slow" week since the start of 2008. It has been so very nice to do nothing. Well, when I say "nothing", I don't exactly mean that. I still clean, cook, clean and cook like a good wifey. What I mean is we have had no plans this weekend. No trips planned or activities we must attend to.

"Ahhh", finally a sigh of relief! Don't get me wrong. I love, LOVE, LOOOVVE to have plans for the weekend. I love to say, "Oh, I am going to ____________ (fill in the blank). But I haven't been home for 4 weeks now and I am looking forward to just being home. I hope it doesn't sound like I am bragging. Because we aren't going to Maui, Florida or Spain (random places, I know.) We have just had plans to camp, hike or whatever within the great state of Utah. But not this weekend - I get to stay home!

Now to catch you up on our funny stories:

Jake's Kingergarten class created a special recipe book for their teacher Mrs G. They were, of course, hilarious. It reminded me of my own Kindergarten cook book. I chose to insert my favorite recipe: Mashed Potatoes. I recall I wrote something like, "Pour the potatoes from the box into the bowl. Add water." HAHA!! I don't know why my mother didn't die of embarrassment! Seriously, INSTANT potatoes? My mom's a good cook - I only remember eating instant potatoes a couple of times. I must have had them the night before the cook book publication! Anyway, back to Jake. His recipe is as follows:

Jake's Sugar Cookies:
1 gallon Sugar.... (now, do not blame us if the world has a sugar shortage after making this recipe!)
2 eggs
2 butter

Mix together. Get an ice cream scoop and scoop the dough on the cookie pan. Cook in a hot oven for a short while.

Actually, he wasn't too far off (well, except the absurd amount of sugar!)
He sat with me while I read all of the recipes. I was laughing at some entries. He would laugh along with me and say after each entry, "Caleb does NOT know how to cook.... That's a terrible recipe for a sandwich....Harrison doesn't make good hot dogs."

After awhile of his negative comments, I said, "Jake, you know, your recipe wasn't exactly right either."
His face got very concerned, ""But WHAT did I do wrong???"

(Now, I don't know about your house, but that is a sentence I NEVER hear here!)

I assured him that his recipe was fine - it wasn't intended for use in an actual cookbook. He didn't understand - so why would anyone ask for a recipe they don't intend to use?? He was now VERY concerned that Mrs G. might possibly use HIS recipe for sugar cookies and be very upset when they didn't turn out. He found my cookbook and asked to see our favorite sugar cookie recipe. He was thrilled when he found out that the recipe called for 2 eggs - he "got one part right!"

Then - get this - he COPIED the recipe to give to Mrs G! At least now she has a recipe that is valid!
I love this little guy!

Cinco de Mayo

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Yeah, we know. most Mexicans don't celebrate this day. At least our friends in Cozumel didn't. But that didn't stop us from having a fiesta and wearing our Mexican dresses!!! We just invited a few neighbors and a couple of friends. Potluck - of course. It was so much fun. I am attaching links to the recipes, in case you want them.




Tinga is my favorite. I tried it at my friend Inair's home in Mexico. I asked her if it was hot. "un pocito." YEA RIGHT. Bout burned my hose off. I don't add near the peppers she does. I like it a little better. Jeff, however, likes his hot. Looks like he needs to go to Inair's instead!

Tres Leches...man oh man. Good stuff. Made from three kinds of milk: sweetened condensed, cream and breast milk.

Just kidding. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cake. It was a personal Mexican favorite of mine. No one made it better than Hermana Chim. She even taught me how to make it one day! It's the best.

Adios!

Cinco de Mayo Photos

Juliana was one of two Mexican's there. No, not Daren. Our friend Jonny apparently is "blood" Mexican. But only like a smidgen. Juliana, however has a birth certificate - so she's the only true Mexican at the party.

My Weekend in California.

First off, can you believe I didn't get ONE PHOTO of Wicked??

My sister-in-law is a fabulous photographer, so I let her do all the work then I threatened her to give me all the photos. I may or may not get a CD, and I can post those if she follows through. But for now, this is all I have.

My weekend in California was WONDERFULLY WICKED. That's because we saw Wicked! WOW! INCREDIBLE! WONDERFUL! I can't even discribe it. We all loved the play, the music, the colors and the stage. I only have one irritation - our Elphba was played by an understudy's understudy. Not that she was terrible, she was quite good - but no one wants the rejects or the rejects! That aside, I highly encourage you all to go. Well worth the money. But luckily for you all, Jeff found an article saying it was coming to SL April 2009. Looks like I jumped the gun...again.


Since I was in CA for 4 days, and Wicked was only 3 hours, we decided to do some fun stuff. Jeff's sister lives in Santa Clarita (right in Ryan's mission - I have no sightings to report. I did, however, shake hands with an elder that hugged Ryan last week. I think his germs might still be there...so in essence, I touched Ryan!!)

Anyway...We went to Sea World. I was actually there not long ago. And things haven't changed. But we still had a great time. I showed Addy a sea star. She didn't really care much.

She mostly wanted to run.

My favorite exhibit is the sharks. But that's when the guilt came - see, Jake LOVES sharks. Absolutely loves them. He has several books and pictures about these creatures. He even has a REAL shark tooth necklace that came from a GREAT WHITE. (That's what we told him anyway!) So I just knew he would just love to sit for hours looking. I overcame the guilt of not bringing him and managed to take a few photos to show him. I thought he would get upset that he didn't get to go but he kept saying, "that is so cool you were in the same room as those sharks!" So, now I'm cool. If he ever has the desire to go to Sea World to see sharks, I will just show him the photos. I'll be cool AND save sixty bucks!

Addy loved this little cart! We had a little game: she would run, grab a toy. I would run, grab her, return the toy (before the cops came) and walk back. Then we started the process all over again. A good mother would have bought her the dang thing, but I'm not one to buy that kind of crap.

We also went to Ventura beach. It was quite cold. I am totally convinced that "Sunny California" doesn't mean warm California. I have never, I repeat, NEVER been to a beach in California when it was warm enough to take off my pants. (with my swim suit underneath..who do you think I am?) And yes, I have been to a beach in July. But besides being a little chilly, it was still beautiful and Addy loved eating sand.

So, that's it. My report. Kind of short and boring because I have no photos. But we all had a good time - Thanks Jane!

Moab

Scroll down... Nope. There is no mistake. We went to Moab twice....twice in one week. Let me tell you why. Jake's spring break was planned, then the Wright's planned a Moab trip the very next weekend. Not that we were complaining! I absolutely LOVE Moab. You can't beat the beauty, speed and fun of her trails. Plus, Jake loved being with his cousins, so it makes the drive all worth it. Chaulk it up for yet another expensive hobby. Why can't we be into crochet? I hear yarn is inexpensive.

A part of our group finishing Picture Rock Trail.

Jeff going down a particuarlly difficult spot.

Addy enjoying her food.

Ya Ya with her popcicle. Notice her hair - I remembered to bring rubber bands this time!

Moab

For Spring Break, we headed to Moab where we did some 4-wheeling and biking. The kids LOVED riding all over the trails. Juliana was a trooper with her cute pink helmet. Oh, and matching pink clothes, of course.

We rode up Porcipine Ridge - so beautful! We watched all the bikers come up the trail. I think I would rather be riding my moterized vehicle! ;-)

In typical Jen fashion, I forgot all rubber bands, bows, clips, etc. Ya Ya looked just like this the whole vacation. Although, she pretty much looks like this most of the time anyway.