Happy Birthday Mike!

Mike turned 37 today. Our day was just perfect. First, Mike didn't have to go to work. They needed someone to be on call from six to three tomorrow. Mike volunteered and as a result, he got today off. Perfect timing. Mike spent most of his day straightening his workshop. It is looking really good in there and he loves it. He also made homemade bread . . . our sandwiches for lunch were delicious.

After lunch we went swimming. It is amazing that I don't always realize what is happening while I'm taking the pictures. Stockton, don't ride the boogie board down the slide . . . just don't. Also, wait until Maysen is off the slide before you go down. Thanks.

After swimming we had cake and presents. Mike's main present was speakers for the movie room. We also got him some controllers so we all can play Mario Kart Double Dash. Maysen and I picked up a game called Quelf. It was pretty funny and random. Perfect for us. Maysen won the game of Quelf we played this afternoon.

Right before bed we took our scriptures down the the graveyard and had our scripture study at Grandma Honey's grave. Why? Because we can. On the way home by the guard tower there is a sign that people can post messages on. Yesterday I walked there with the kids and we signed up to post a Happy Birthday message. Stockton was so excited for Mike to see it.

Mike and I ended the night with a bike ride after the kids were in bed. Pretty great day with a pretty awesome husband. Happy birthday Mike! We love you!

Mike . . . 37 years old

Stockton . . . my goofy little boy
Maysen . . . yep, still a teenager
Stockton, Preston, Maysen
Maysen is a wonderful sister to Preston

Ummm.... Preston...you're going to wrong way
Stockton I don't think that's a good idea

Preston loves being the center of their world

Maysen & Preston

Jorja's home from school!
Mike & Preston, Maysen & Stockton

Mike, Preston, Jorja & Stockton with a Maysen on top

Maysen & Stockton

Preston & Mike

Stockton? Seriously...although Preston had the same idea

Maysen

Porgie!

Jorja loved the rides from Maysen
Preston, Jorja, Mike, Maysen, Stockton

Mike & Stockton

Mike, Jorja, Preston, Stockton, Maysen

Fence Jumping

Maysen and I went shopping tonight for Mike's birthday. Mike picked out his own present, but we still wanted something to be a surprise. We walked the entire mall, but finally found something at Target.

While we were gone, Mike was outside swimming with the kids. All of the sudden there were two people in our yard. Mike didn't recognize them at first, but it was Seth Bradley and Ben Mismash. They had jumped the fence from Seth's yard and came to say hi. Mike hadn't seen Ben for at least ten years. It was pretty funny and Mike really enjoyed their visit.

Chewy Sweat Socks

Getting Stockton to eat meat is a huge challenge. Maysen too, but she has learned to just get it over with. Whenever we have meat, Stockton is at the table forever! I asked him why he doesn't like something so delicious? He said, "It tastes like chewy sweat socks...or a hamburger chew toy." I did ask him if he has ever had either of those things. He just smiled mischievously and wouldn't answer.

Swim Practice

Jorja had swim practice. It was a land practice because the pool wasn't ready. Jorja said it was fifty degrees. Jorja came home from swim practice and jumped into our pool. It was eighty-eight degrees. I forgot to check the temperature to make sure it didn't get too hot. We all went swimming except Maysen. She says she will go when the weather is warmer outside. The pool was perfect for about twenty minutes, then I decided I was too cold. The other crazies were out for quite awhile. I'm guessing it is going to be a pretty fun summer.

Coupon Book

The kids made me coupon books in primary yesterday for Mother's Day. I can't find Preston's now. I put it in the diaper bag to be safe. We were walking home in the rain. Maybe I'll run across it one day. I did get coupon's from Jorja and Stockton. They were a little different in their approach. Jorja had coupons like, "I will help you clean. Expires 1/1/13,999" and "I will love you. Expires never." Stockton's coupons all expired yesterday. They were things like, "20% at Wal-mart", "Half Price at Target", "Buy one get one free at Best Buy" "$5.00 off at McDonalds"....etc.... How sweet....

Preston Being Preston

Happy Mother's Day! Today was a GREAT day! We started the morning with crepes. Then presents. Mike and the kids gave me a Kindle (really excited about that!) and Beauty & the Beast. Jorja also gave me presents she made at school. I wore the necklace she made out of a washer to church today. I really do like it. I talked everyone into watching Beauty & the Beast with me. Pretty sure that is only something I could do on Mother's Day.

At church, the primary children sang two songs. Stockton, Jorja & Preston were all up there. After their songs I was watching Stockton walk down thinking about how this is the last time he will be up there singing with the primary for Mother's Day. He is growing up too fast. I looked over at Maysen and she is laughing her head off. She was giggling, "Preston just climbed OVER the stand to get down!" Preston then comes to us and says, "That was so much fun!" I said, "Singing to me?" He said, "No, climbing over!" I look up at the bishopric and they are laughing their heads off. Preston was right in front of them when he did his little escapade. Later Bishop Valentine congratulated Mike on Preston's athleticism. Mike said, "I'm just glad it was Preston and not Stockton." Brother Willes found me after and said, "Of the four years in the bishopric, that was the funniest thing I have ever seen." Glad we could bring some entertainment to the ward.

We had grilled cheese sandwiches and hot chocolate for dinner. One of my favorites. I pulled out the Mother's Day card again to get the kids to play Trek to Zion with me. We played it during the commercials of The Amazing Race. Our game is still going, but the race is over. Too bad the team we were rooting for didn't win. It was so fun to watch this as a family, I am glad their is something we all can enjoy together....except for Preston. He was MAD when we turned it on. He wanted to play the Wii. He kept saying, "If you let me play the wii I will give you another present." Then as I put him to bed he was crying because he wanted to sleep with his DS. "If you let me play the DS I'll give you another present." As tempting as that is little boy, I think I will have to pass.

Maysen in Birdie

Erica and I watched Maysen in her last night of the stake musical. Those two girls seem to have a lot of fun together . . . mostly plotting how to steal Fagin's handkercheif. Erica was sweet and brought Maysen a rose. After the play I took the two girls to Iceberg . . . then they giggled the entire way back to Erica's house.

Frogs

Telephone Hour

Maysen had her first official performance today. Yesterday she surprised me by being on the roof as the fiddler in Tradition. The real fiddler showed up today. Drat. Mike, Stockton, Jorja, my dad and I all watched Maysen. I was so proud of her. I think her number was one of the very best of the night.

Stockton & Maysen

Telephone Hour

I told Maysen & Stockton if they could find me a perfect number I would take them to Iceburg after the play. It took them awhile, but they came up with one. I had to run home first, but I told Mike what to order for me. He hates ordering milkshakes for me. We were sitting to the back and the place was quite packed. All of the sudden we hear, "I have a banana, raspberry, snickers, hot fudge milkshake!" Mike was laughing and yelled, "She's coming!" Don't worry, I informed everyone along the way that it really is quite delicious.

Three Teeth

Stockton got three teeth pulled today. He had laughing gas and was pretty funny to watch. Later he said, "It felt weird, blurry, like I was in a fog." The teeth came out great though with no lasting trauma. Stockton had diving tonight. He did a one and a half three times. I was pretty impressed. His coach came and gave him a high five as he was leaving.

Maysen had a dress rehearsal tonight. That made me a little late for diving. Mike said, "You go, I'll get her ready." I said, "Okay, put her hair in a pony tail, put foundation on and teach her how to use mascara." He decided I should be late. Mike did end up putting her hair in a pony tail and Maysen wouldn't let me touch it afterwards.

After diving I took Maysen to her dress rehearsal. She gave me quite a surprise. I'll talk about that tomorrow. We watched the first half together before she had to leave. Her number is really cute. I think Maysen has enjoyed herself. We got home quite late and Maysen was exhausted. Busy, busy day. Happy birthday Skye!

Bump

As we were driving in the car I hear Preston say, "Bump....wow, that really was a bump!" Then a few seconds later he said, "Another bump?" That was when I realized he was reading the street signs. I asked him, "How did you know that said bump?" Jorja said, "Because he can read Mom." Then Preston said, "I knew it said bump because it is bum with a p."

Stockton realized today that I started him on 6th grade math. He finished math for the year back in January, so I thought we would start pre-algebra. He said, "So when I started the new book I was starting a new year?" Yep. Good thing he loves his mom.

Welcome Jacques

Mike's pool cleaning robot came today. He is very happy. Preston loves him.

Osama

Jorja, Mike and I watched The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe today. Jorja had been wanting to watch that for a long time. I was still feeling miserable so I stayed home from church. I watched conference while the kids were gone. We played The Amazing Race Wii and then Matt came over for a few games. Mostly to pick up his games he let us borrow while Brett was here. Jorja won Dominion with a crazy buying estate strategy. We then watched The Amazing Race. Stockton was SO EXCITED that Zev & Justin weren't eliminated. He loved that Kent & Vyxsin had a penalty so the other guys could catch up. He was very happy. After the kids were in bed we played Dominion again. Matt & Mike were in a crazy battle, but Mike pulled out ahead. Before the game we watched the news conference about Osama Bin Laden. Matt was pretty pumped. I was pumped that Matt would always remember he was with me.

Well...That Was Random

Remember yesterday how we were swimming? Well, today this is what we woke up to....and yes, my kids DID go swimming today. Mike even went twice!

Today we had a busy, busy day. First, my nephew Weston was baptized. There were three kids from their ward being baptized today. We started out in the chapel then everyone that was here for Weston was able to go to the font to watch his baptism. Maysen brought Preston up front and was explaining what was happening. We watched his baptism and as he was walking up the steps of the font Preston says, "Well, that was random."

We snuck out right after Weston's conformation, dashed to my dad's house and dropped off the kids. I barely got to see Rachel & Marie before I left. I was hopeful I would see them before we got back, but that was not the case. Mike & I then headed to the Salt Lake Temple to watch my niece Melissa get married. Quite the day going from a baptism to a wedding, but pretty cool. We didn't need to rush to the temple as the wedding was quite delayed. Melissa forgot her temple recommend. Whoops. As we were taking the family pictures out on the temple steps, we saw that Uncle George was there. He is serving a service mission and that is where he was stationed for that hour. We talked him into getting his picture taken with us. That was good timing.

Later tonight we went to Melissa's reception...after swimming of course. Her reception was at a place called Cactus & Tropicals. It is a greenhouse place that sells plants. It was really pretty. They served crepes, so my kids loved that. They had live music and dancing. Melissa is really into ballroom. It was fun to watch her and Derek dance together. When Melissa was throwing the bouquet, she had quite an arm. She overshot all the girls and the flowers landed right in Derek's hands. Pretty funny.

That's about all from today. I wished I had gotten a picture of Weston & Melissa, guess I wasn't thinking straight. It is sad to walk past our guest room and know we won't see Brett & Rachel and their family for a long, long time. I was so glad to have them come and visit. I told Rachel, "Never in a million years would I have guessed you would be the first ones to use our guest room!" I am so glad, but too bad it took an earthquake to get them here.

I Can't Believe This Is Our Backyard!

First off, this post has a ton of pictures....so if you hate pictures this post is not for you. Second, blogger is driving me nuts. Now when I put pictures it leaves random spaces. I use to be able to go to the html file to get rid of them, but now I just end messing everything up. It seriously is a huge stresser for me. Anyway . . . .

Mina is just the cutest thing! Preston & Marie were covering her with balls and saying, "We're torturing her with balls!" She was so nice and didn't complain. She just sat there as sweet as could be.

Mina

Rachel took the girls to see one of her childhood friends today. When Mike came home from work, he was so excited to use the pool . . . even though it is snowing outside! We all got in, although Maysen was NOT happy about it! I was pretty annoyed with her, until I got in and realized how cold it was. The water wasn't the problem, it was 82 degrees . . . but outside it was 34 degrees! The other guys didn't mind though and stayed out for a long time. Stockton kept saying, "I can't believe this is our backyard!" Jorja kept running around the pool shouting, "There are no 'no running' signs!" Rachel came back as they were getting out. Marie was asleep. My dad came up for tacos and they went in the pool again! Brett & Rachel promised Marie she could ride a waterslide, so today she did! I think she had a lot of fun, but I think everyone out there was nuts!

Preston

Stockton, Jorja, Preston, Mike

Cold, unhappy Maysen

Stockton & Mike, Jorja, Preston

Jorja & Mike

Preston & Mike

Stockton

Jorja

Preston. Awesome.

Preston...you look like you're up to something

And jump!

My beautiful Porge
Preston

Mike, Jorja & Preston

Stockton

JUMP! Jorja, Mike, Stockton & Preston

I love Jorja's feet! And Preston's face.

Jorja, Mike, Stockton, Preston

Marie & Grandpa Millburn

Rachel, Marie, Grandpa

Notice Marie taking the snow off the side of the slide?

Rachel & Marie

Preston

Mike

Rachel! What a sport!

snow....crazy

Now Rachel and her little family are gone. Sniff, sniff. They stayed the night at my dad's house and Rachel flies back to Boise tomorrow. It was so much fun having her here. The only thing I would have changed is I wish I did not get sick! At least I had fun things to do/watch while I was feeling so miserable. I can't wait until Brett & his family come visit again!