four wheelin......

When Marv & Kathy arrived we toured the house again. It was fun watching Kathy's expressions as we went through the house. She liked it! We then decided to go four wheeling. The garage is packed with four wheelers and helmets and everything you need. It was fun getting ready to go. I only brought one pair of long pants (I was hoping for warm weather) and so I went in the side by side with Darinda. I think she really wanted me to ride with her because she prefers the side by side to the four wheelers. I'm not going to lie I was wishing I was driving a four wheeler. I got thinking I could have worn my capri's later anyway.

The side by side was a cleaner ride but boy was it noisy. Darinda admits she drives slow....I agree. It wasn't bad though because there was plenty to look at besides the dust we were getting from the others.

I enjoyed getting out and looking over the cliffs. Man oh man it's a long way down! It was pretty awesome!

We got ready to go further and the gas light was on the side by side. Funny we all checked the four wheelers to make sure they were gassed up but we didn't even think about checking the side by side. Darinda and I decided to head back and see how far we could make it. We made it back to her place. Even being fairly enclosed we were dusty and decided to shower before the others got back. The timing was great because when we got done they were back. Darinda made us a nice ham dinner.

After dinner we visited more and got ready to go to see 3 Dog Night in concert! Darinda got us tickets a few months ago. It was suppose to be at the Tuachan but because of the weather it was moved to the Dixie Center. It was fun to be at a Concert again. It's been a long time. It was fun and afterwards Marv bought us all CD's. Larry and I appreciated all the kindness. Kimi and Jared stayed back and watched movies. I was proud of them for not even checking with us on when we would be back. I wasn't sure if they would be afraid or not.....I guess not!

In the morning we got up and drove to Mesquite. It was cold but wasn't raining and so the guys were able to compete. They all did well. No injuries! Larry competed in the High Jump, the Long Jump, the Standing Long Jump, and the Triple Long Jump and got Gold in all! Woot~Woot! I'm married to a Gold Medalist! I don't know how Marv and Jerry did but I do know they didn't get all Golds because they compete against each other. It was fun regardless of the Medals received.

That was about all we did. We did go hang out a little longer at the house and got everything cleaned and ready for who ever comes next. We also knew that there was a major wreck and that traffic would be delayed so we weren't really in a big hurry. We were still slowed down over an hour because of the wreck and had waited for 3-4 before we even left. The weather was nasty coming home but we made it safe and sound.

When we got home Kamryn was hiding in the gargage to scare us! Such a cutie! She growled really good!

The house was full of Braxton's friends! Someone needed to celebrate his birthday with him. ;)

Heaven.....oh NO it's Jerry & Darinda's

This weekend we headed South! Larry decided that he would like to compete in the Senior Games in Mesquite. He has missed competing. Jerry and Darinda invited us to stay with them at their new House. I didn't get pictures but it is the biggest house in Silver Reef~not kiddin. It was so fun being there with them. We left on Thursday so that we could play all day Friday before the games on Saturday.

Jerry had a conference call Friday morning so Darinda was nice enough to be our tour guide to Zions National Park. It was very pretty. The weather was a little on the cool side but I prefer that over hot.....so it was great!

Zions is pretty and the kids even enjoyed climbing a little. I know there are lots of places to hike but we didn't spend that much time since we were just passing a little time in the morning waiting for Marv and Kathy to get there too.

On the way back from Zions we stopped at a little petting zoo that Darinda thought was a fun place for pictures. The little trading post smelled so good. The lady was making waffle cones and I really liked the smell. I didn't even think of wanting one....the smell was good enough for me!

I think Jared liked the animals a little more than Kimi did. Neither of them would get by the Llama's because they were sure the Llama's would spit at them. (that's what they had heard or read some where) Darinda wasn't afraid and so she got over by them and the kids were right....the llama's spit at her! We all laughed!

We took pictures by all the fake store fronts. Hey it makes for some cute pictures anyway!

Larry thought I was the one to stand in the "Wild Ass Saloon" and I didn't argue! Works for me. I just wonder why Larry and I both had our picture at the "Virgin Jail".

It was a fun little stop and Darinda was a good little tour guide. We were there just the right amount of time. By the time we made a quick stop at the store Marv and Kathy would be there.

I just want to mention that Jerry and Darinda's house is so nice and big and a great place for their family. They are remodeling the attic that was simply an attic and making it a Harry Potter room for the grands. It has secret passages, little and normal size toilets, pictures with paintings in the middle and nine beds. We saw enough that I was WOWed! I can't wait to see it finished....it's so awesome!

Thankful for this Kid!

Braxton couldn't believe we wouldn't be home for his birthday! We couldn't believe that he wouldn't be either! Actually Larry was able to attend the Senior Games in Mesquite so we decided to just go. Braxton planned a camping trip with some friends. We all got home on his birthday! We are Thankful for this Kid!

Braxton is a great middle child. While he was on his mission I figured out why he was the middle child. I think it's because he is close enough to all the siblings to be a good example to each of them. Braxton really is a good example to us all. Each of the kids are actually! (dang I was blessed with good kids) Oh back to Braxton......Braxton makes us smile! He is always doing something adventurous or crazy. He's a busy boy....always has been~always will be! This past little bit he has bought bouncy stilts and runs and jumps all over with them. He has even gotten them on me twice! He made a glider trike. It's a trike with no brakes or pedals and pipes over the back wheels so it just slides. It's not a safe thing to own and I believe that is why is likes it so much. He got me on it also but he just had his dogs pull me so it wasn't too crazy or scary.

Braxton is a friendly, fun kid. When we got home the house was full of kids celebrating Braxton's birthday! I love having my house full of kids! (Paul had asked me before if it would be alright) Braxton has always brought his friends here to hang out and even though I thought it would stop when he moved in with gramps it didn't. I am use to it now and am not surprised when we all go to bed and think we are all in to have the door open and Braxton and a few friends come in to hang out. I LOVE this kid! He knows he can talk me into almost anything by just smiling at me. I'm a sucker for his smile! So thankful for this kid!

I didn't plan it! :)

I absolutley love being invited to anything! It just makes me feel good! Today I didn't plan this get together to Celebrate Lorraine's Birthday....Tammy did! It was wonderful to be included. It's so fun being with the ladies.....it's also funny! We learn things about each other that don't need to be shared except with each other. Oh my goodness.....

I love these ladies......Always have......Always will! It's funny we've known each other for a long time but I'm just really getting to know of few of them better lately! I think it's because we don't have the continuous job of taking care of our kids. It's a great time of life! Everyone should know that getting older is wonderful! You can blame your age on everything. You look better to others. (I get told I look good for being 50 and having 7 kids~makes me laugh...I guess I didn't look as good 40 with 7 kids) The great thing about being older is a lot of things just don't matter anymore. Things I use to get so caught up in.....clean house, perfect everything.....I know there's more but I can't remember....another wonderful perk of being older ...... you just can't remember everything and you don't really care! I love that!

I am glad that I was invited out! I am glad that I didn't have to head it up. I am glad to call these ladies my friends!

Family Fun

This year I took Larry with me shopping for Easter and so of course we ended up with these big, awesome stuffed animals! (Larry loves stuffed animals) The grands love stuffed animals too and were so funny to watch trying to carry these around. Made me laugh!

We must not have had a sweet tooth the day we went because we didn't even get original Easter candy. We got cookies, jerky stick, granola mix...you know the kind of treats you expect on Easter. ;) The kids liked it. I did go the day before Easter and bought a few peeps and jelly beans! Just didn't feel quite right without something traditional. The older kids got movie passes in their buckets. They seemed happy about that. :)

I love having everyone together! It's noisy and crazy but oh so fun! They are all just so darn cute!

We all look forward to the Easter Egg Hunt. I love watching ALL the kids run to find eggs. It totally cracks me up to watch all my kids still enjoy finding eggs. Sometimes our hunts are very rewarding....some years they aren't.....but one never knows......so they continue to hunt! This year wasn't a big year. It's been kind of a rough year finacially so we didn't have much. Oh well there will be other years when we do. It makes us all grateful for what we do have and that is each other!

I tried having everyone line up this year for a picture and I think I got most of them. We lined up first for the grands to hunt just by themselves. I love watching them run around and find their eggs. They have a great time.

After the grands are done finding their eggs everyone gets to hunt the rest of the property. I laugh because they are all (ok maybe not all but Braxton & Kevin.....yes) so eager to be the first ones out! GO!!!

It is fun to see how thoroughly they go through the yard. Always looking up and down and behind and under. I love it! Some times we even find eggs from last year. :)

I sure do love my family! They put a smile on my face and heart! They make me happy!

Naline Lee sent me this text: "Some BuNny thinks your EgGsTrA special!!!!!!! HoPpY eAsTeR =)