Random Thoughts

* It is very wrong for me to get excited that I got gas yesterday for $3.75 a gallon. It still cost me $90 to fill up. I coasted in on fumes. It was exciting to realize though, that I hadn't filled up since July 17th.

* We went school supply shopping yesterday. Got all the stuff on Noah and Isaac's lists. Got new lunch bags as well. Spent $70. Still have 2 kids to buy for. Anyone else see something wrong with this picture?

* I have to admit to enjoying the Olympics this year. I stay up every night and watch them. I have them recorded though, so I don't have to watch the commercials. I think my favorite is Michael Phelp's mother. And I need to admit to fast forwarding through routines to see if the gymnasts fall before going back and watching it--it just makes me nervous!!!

* 18 days until school starts!!! I am looking forward to routine and a schedule once again. I will have to admit summer hasn't been as bad as I had dreaded. Thanks to all those that visited and made summer fly by! The kids were really good. It is a bit daunting to think that Anna will be entering middle school this year. It should be noted that 3 out the 4 children will be in school all day!!!

* We have been on a basically wheat free diet for 3 weeks. Noah's skin is much better. He hasn't thrown up from coughing and his breathing is much improved. Aside from being sick of Mexican themed food, we are doing pretty well. Although I could go for a big, huge donut!!! My favorite are buttermilk bars.

More Soccer Camp

Anna went to soccer camp again last week. She complained of being sore-- I took that as a sign of a good camp. She got lucky and one of her teammates was also signed up for camp as well. Here's Anna with Maddie. The last day they invited the families to come and watch them do some drills.

I should have had Anna wear her striped socks so she would stand out.

The kids, plus Ellie (my friend Hilary was sick and so I scooped Ellie up for the morning, much to the family's delight--we just love this little girl. Her parents are OK too.). Every time the camera comes out Ellie settles into this cheese position--I love it.

The kids were bored, but well behaved. I especially liked the way that Charlie was lying.

Anna and her favorite coach.

The whole group.

Practices have begun. It seems as though I have blinked and out break from soccer is over. Not to mention summer.

Even More Visitors!!

Thursday afternoon when I went to post these pictures, the Internet was down. So I am a bit slow in getting this post up. Last week we had more visitors. My good friend from Spokane, who is living in Sisters, OR now, packed up her 3 kids and ventured the 2 hour drive to our house. Her husband was on the 50 mile hike for his ward, and as you know, Kevin was up in Hillsboro working. It was great fun having Lonnie and the kids here. The first day we splurged and went to the cheap seats and saw Space Chimps, which the kids loved. We also splurged with a fine dining experience at the Buffet ( I had 2 coupons for 2 kids free with one adult). It is a place that the kids love to go to and it has better options for wheat free dining. We also went to park day with my ward for a bit. Here's Porter, Abby and Makenna.

Isaac being the daredevil.

Makenna, 7, showing her climbing prowess, as well as her cute smile.

Abby, showing her climbing abilities.

That afternoon, some of the group went blackberry picking. It's just around the corner from our house. Makenna and Abby showing off their treasure.

Anna

Lonnie and Abby.

After they came back in with their berries, we made milkshakes and had ice cream with the berries on top. It was a heavenly treat.

That night we took the kids to Applebee's. On Wednesdays the kids meals are only 99 cents. It was perfect because we were doing a bit of shopping and then off to the pool. We got a ton of stares whenever we went out. We were a bit of a freak show with just 2 women and 7 kids. Here's Isaac and Porter.

The girls: Anna, Makenna, Abby and Charlie.

It seems to be tradition for me to take friends to the pool. The pictures may get old, but going never does. Abby posing, with Makenna and Porter in the background.

Lonnie and Charlie.

I loved this picture of Porter.

Once again, the girls. In the distance you can see Noah and Isaac playing.

Anna and Charlie.

Lonnie headed back Thursday afternoon. We had lunch at DQ before she went. Noah tried some chicken strips and ended up with red splotches on his inner elbows. Guess that wheat thing is for reals. Not long after Lonnie left, my friend Laura's, three children were dropped off to spend the next 2 days with us since Laura and her husband had gone to a wedding in Palmyra.

It was a busy week and to top it off I taught in Relief Society on Sunday. The topic was Finding Hope and Consolation in the Time of Death. It was a tough one for me, as the subject hits very close to home. I struggled through it and it was hard for me to follow my thoughts and notes. I am hoping that it wasn't just one big confusing mess. Have I mentioned I hate teaching???

Block Party

We had our annual Block Party this past Saturday. We live in a great neighborhood and have wonderful neighbors. We had lots of good food, good company and good times. We brought our slide and here are the kids all lined up getting directions on how to play nicely. Having fun.

All the kids waited very patiently.

It was a bring your meat and something to share BBQ/potluck.

This is Newman, for an older dog, he manages to get a hot dog from Abby each year. He sits patiently waiting....

This is Isaac and his buddy Trey. Trey lives to the left of us. He is such a sweet boy. I love that he and Isaac enjoy playing together. No worries when they are together. They are both going to be in first grade.

Trevor and Curt.

We had a major Star Wars battle going on--as well as Ping Pong.

Isaac.

Andrea and Charlie. They belong to Trevor (in photos above). We love these guys. Abby thinks she is going to marry their older little boy, Carson. Andrea is patient enough to let Anna hang with her, a lot. Of all the neighbors we will miss, they are probably the ones I really wish we could bring with us.

We are so lucky to have a neighborhood where people get along and genuinely like each other. The party started at 4 and went strong until 10. Another successful block party. I am seriously thinking of crashing next year's!!!

More Visitors

My friend Heather, her 4 children and their dog came for an impromptu visit this week. They arrived late Monday night and stayed until Thursday afternoon. The first night they were there, she got the kids settled and we then proceeded to stay up until about 6:30 am. Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot Tuesday. Although the kids got along famously and had a lot of fun playing together. That night we went to bed a little earlier (at 4) and were better able to function Wednesday. We went to the park for Park day in our ward and then we went swimming. That night we went to bed earlier, 3 am. I told Heather if she stayed a bit longer we would eventually get to a decent bed time. But that is probably not true. When we served together in Stuttgart, our heads would hit the pillows at the 10:30 bedtime and we would then proceed to talk the night away. We never seem to run out of things to say. I can honestly say I do not laugh as hard or as consistently as I do. Sometimes our husbands just look at us and wonder how some memory could really be that funny. Here are some pictures of what we did.

Believe it or not Perry, Heather's 2 1/2 year old is having fun here. I was lucky enough to be bale to swim with Lilah the whole night. When she got cold I got to get out, bundle up in towels with her and hold her while she slept, and watch the others have fun swimming.

James, 6, playing in the water.

Abby and Grace, both 4, got along so well. They had so much fun together, it was truly a delight to watch them together.

We went to Skinner's Butte park. Here is Lilah on the picnic blanket. Such a happy, good natured, chubby baby. An absolute joy.

It took about 5 minutes and lots of dragging to achieve this masterpiece. I thought it would be a great picture and probably would have if all had cooperated. But really 8 kids and cooperation? What was I thinking?

This was Perry's hiding spot.

Looks like they were playing Follow the Leader.

Abby, in jail.

Isaac, with Grace and James in the background.

Anna and her new best friend, Cindabella Buzz. Heather's kids named her. She's 3. Anna had her sleep in her room with her and took her for walks. She is a great dog. Patient with kids and listens well. Anna wanted to keep her.

Grace refused to smile for me. I count this as a victory.

My boys playing on the swings.

The girls played dress up. Grace really is happy and asked for her picture to be taken.

Even Lilah got to play dress up.

Perry would randomly just start wrestling with Isaac. Isaac enjoyed it and it was fun to hear Perry laugh.

The house seemed awfully quiet when they left. There was lots of noise, laughter and fun while they were here. We are so glad Heather was willing to drive down with 4 kids and a dog to visit with us. The kids are already talking about next time. Thanks for coming!!!