Risk Zone

Stockton, Mike and I had a bunch of fun playing a game downstairs. Stockton named it Risk Zone. It involves a twister board, bowling pins, a hula-hoop, and a whiffle bat. Stockton kept saying, "This is so much fun! This Time with Dad was SO worth it!" Mike and I laughed so hard when Stockton was preparing to hop across the room on one foot with a bowling pin balanced on one finger. He whispered to himself, "Come on! Be a man!" Very cute. Mike would have won the game, but Stockton assassinated him on his last turn. I was left victorious!

In other news, today was the last day the Atlanta Temple was opened. It will be closed for at least 18 months. Birmingham will be our closest temple. Not too excited about that. Mike made it out there this morning. He said it was packed.

Rugglestewekalemtoaskomiahaye

My name is
Ruggle-ste-wek-a-le-meno-ask-o-mi-ah-aye,
I have never told the truth,
and I have never told a lie.
All those other people have mustaches
or an Eiko-eye!
I have never licked a pearl,
or ever tasted pizza pie.
I’ve raised a baby dragon
and I’ve kissed a turkey’s egg.
I may have seen a pig fly
or imagined it instead.
I built a magic castle
out of paper glue and bread.
I invented pencils, paper, pens,
markers, scissors, tape and crayons,
shirts and rocks and rain and snow,
and cars that beep and go. Go. GO!!!!
So I hate to burst you’re bubble and
break the news to you,
but I have something important
that I must tell to you.
For I’m
Rugglestewekalemtoaskomiahaye,
I have never told the truth,
and I have never told a lie.
It’s..true..I...say.....to.....you!!!!!!!

---Maysen

New Calling

I was released today as the ward bulletin putter-togetherer, building coordinator, and website updoer. Three pretty easy callings. I now have my all time favorite calling . . . Primary Secretary! I'm so excited! I had that calling right when Maysen was born. I loved it! I'm also doing the music until a music leader is called. It has been so great to be back in the game. It is hard watching your old calling be done differently than what you would have done. Not necessarily wrong, just different. I couldn't even watch. I was taken out of primary right before my surgeries. I didn't think that was necessary, but looking back it was a good idea. Recovering from the surgeries was harder than I anticipated. Still glad I did it, and still would do it again.

You've Been Warned!

Maysen has spent her time the last several days working on a card game. She calls it You've Been Warned. Then she always says, "I don't know why I call it that, I just think it sounds good." Anyway, Maysen's game is about dragons. You start with a dragon egg, work up to a hatchling, then an adult dragon. Once you have an adult dragon you can attack others. I wouldn't know about that, I was stuck with an egg most of the game! Maysen's game was really well thought out. She is planning on making modifications. Mike and I told her how many times Pirates was changed before the final edition. You've Been Warned is now a work in progress, but a very entertaining work indeed!

Cake Graduation

Maysen and I had our last cake decorating class today. Maysen loved it. I am tired of making cakes and frosting though. I am glad we did this, it was fun to spend one on one time with Maysen . . . and she wants to be in charge of the birthday cakes from now on!

Stephanie & Maysen

Maysen

Maysen's cake

Our teacher Lou & Maysen

I'm Falling

I'm falling at the speed of light,
I'm falling to my doom.
And I know in thirty seconds,
That I will go KA-BOOM!

--Stockton

Bye-Bye Stone Mountain

Today was our last day at Stone Mountain. I told the kids we might never come back. Hopefully we will move home to Utah! That made Stockton quite sad. (Not the moving to Utah part, but the last time at Stone Mountain part). He tried to soak everything in, and was upset that Preston might not remember it here. It wouldn't surprise me if we did come back, but you never know...

Stone Mountain

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't find Preston. Our tent is pretty big, and it has these closet areas. Finally I found him in one of the closets sleeping on wet swimming suits!

Where's Preston?

Preston in the closet

Mike and I took Jorja and Preston on a paddle boat ride this morning. You can sure go a lot faster with only those two in the boat. Mike and I kept placing bets on when Preston would fall into the water. He never did though.

Preston

Stockton took the boat out by himself

Jorja found a new flower

Preston

I took the girls on the tram up to the top of Stone Mountain while Mike took Stockton and Preston miniature golfing. Stockton was thrilled that Mike got two hole-in-ones! We met up on the lawn in front of the mountain and went into the museum. It was really interesting. I have never seen Stockton enjoy a museum before. I thought the most interesting thing was the races they use to have off the mountain in the 30's. Crazy! We watched a movie about the history of the carving. I had to take Preston out, but everyone else enjoyed it.

Jorja & Maysen

We had a great time these last few days. Georgia is a wonderful place to live. We have loved it here, but we are itching to move back home!

Stone Mountain

Warning! There are A LOT of pictures on today's entry. Grandpa, I don't think you are going to want to print this one out.

We started off today on a family paddleboat ride. We wanted to paddle to this island we could see. With our entire family in the boat, it went VERY slow. When we finally reached the island, there were no trespassing signs all over. I have no idea what treasures are on that island. We could see an old beach area, so we decided to head over there. It took us about a half hour to make it there.

Family paddleboat ~ Jorja's behind her mom

No Trespassing Island
Stockton begging to sit on an old lifeguard chair
Stockton loved this beach area. He kept saying, "This is SO COOL!"
Maysen looking for shellsStockton

Preston telling me he's not in the water

Jorja and the baby ducks

Preston loved these baby ducks. He asked for them all the time.

After our morning paddleboat adventure, we headed over to Stone Mountain Park. I went on the Sky Hike with Maysen and Stockton. Maysen did level 2. Stockton and I did all the levels. I loved it this time. Last time it was pretty scary, but this time it didn't scare me at all. I wanted to do it again, but I couldn't get anyone to go with me.

Stockton on the zip line. Why does he do this?

I talked Jorja into trying level one on Sky Hike. She DID NOT like it! I was proud of her for trying though. She went across one board, and then the workers helped her come back. At least she tried. I get frustrated when I can't get the kids to try something new.

Jorja on Sky Hike

Stockton

Maysen

We let Maysen take the paddleboat out by herself. I couldn't get over how grown-up she looked. She loved it out there, and was out for quite a long time.

Maysen

Maysen loved drawing on the paddleboat

Preston

We took the kids to the laser show at the end of the day. They did really well. Jorja and Stockton fell asleep. Preston hates loud noises, so he had his ears covered for most of the show. The kids were so worn out, they will sleep well tonight!

Camping

Last year we bought season passes to Stone Mountain. They expire at the end of July. So, after Mike's job interview this morning, we packed up for a quick camping trip there.

Jorja

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! We made Mike muffins this morning. Although we had to send him back to bed when he came out before we finished. Preston gave Mike the best Father's Day gift of all ~ he slept through the entire sacrament meeting! I can't even remember the last time that happened.

Happy Father's Day

We were able to listen to the kids research projects today. The coolest thing is they have done this all on their own. Their projects have been great! Maysen asked Mike if we could still do this during school. She said, "The best part about it is choosing your own topic . . . and presenting it".

Maysen presenting her project on Grasshoppers

Stockton doing a game on Candy
Jorja chose How to Cook
Preston's giving a clinic on the most effective way

to spread chocolate all over his body
He even demonstrated the 'double spoon' method

Into the Dragon's Fire

Sir Lin rode upon his horse,
His trusty pig at side,
The hog was snorting happily,
Thrilled at the day's ride.

The dragon perched upon a rock
And watched the approaching threat,
Then blew a stream of fire,
As quickly as a jet.

Sir Lin raised his sword,
And yelled his battle cry!
"Charge, charge!" he shouted
And raced up the cliff,
Passing the dragon by.

Then Lin and hog and dragon
Were locked in eternal fight
And if the dragon were a lizard,
They'd still be here tonight, Oh!

---Maysen

Clown Cupcakes

Maysen and I had our cake decorating class today. We made a few clown cupcakes, and then some random ones for fun.

It sure takes forever to clean up frosting! That is all.....and happy birthday to my brother Mike! 30 years old today. Love you!

New Room

Today was Maysen's first night in her new painted room. It is still a work in progress, but is coming along nicely. Maysen worked hard moving all of her stuff. Jorja worked hard moving Maysen's stuff! I think the Porge is a little excited about the whole situation.

Maysen and Mike went fishing this morning. My little girl has had a long, fun day.

Last Night

We finished painting Maysen's room today. Maysen loves it. It is looking really good. So, it looks like tonight is the last night the girls will sleep together. In this house anyway. They were good sports and let me take a ton of pictures. I loved their room, and how it looked with two girls. I'm sure it will be okay with just one, it sure will be a big room for one little girl. Jorja is excited because she will be able to listen to her music out loud and she will be able to have the fan on. Maysen likes her room as hot as a sauna!

Sisters

Jorja
Maysen
I cross-stitched the picture on the wall. I'm quite proud of it.

Notice the butterflies on the ceiling?

After swimming today, I let the kids get in our bathtub with their swimming suits on. They had a lot of fun playing in the bubbles.

When I went to get their towels, Preston climbed out and fell.

Preston ~ Ouch!