And a couple more

Now the party pictures!

4th of July Activity - Flag Raising Ceremony

Here is Michael at his 4th of July flag raising ceremony with some Boy Scouts. Jenna at swimming lessons, Erin in her favorite activity, climbing trees, and I can't remember what else!

Swimming Lessons and More

Though no one's birthday, we decided to do a combined birthday party for all of the kids last week. This was for a couple of reason. First, since no one but Erin had a party last year, we didn't want them to come back later in life and say all of their problems stemmed from a lack of birthday celebrations. Second, it just sounded fun. So we had alot of kids. I don't really know how many, but I guess around 50 including ours. It was really, really fun! We had two big water slides and rockets and games. The boys (Michael's friends) mostly played video games and basketball, but they did make it onto the slides, too. There were kids from about 3-14 and they all had a great time and they played for hours. Instead of a pinata, we just threw candy all over the front yard and told them when the left, they could pick out 10 pieces. I had 2 teenage girls from church come over the help and they were awesome -- in addition, lots of parents stayed so even though it was still a little chaotic, just due to the numbers, it was pretty easy. The best part is for 3+ hours I didn't hear one complaint! We worked it so that even if multiple kids from one family came, they were only invited for one of our children. That kept the presents down to a minimum (which we wanted) and didn't overtax any families with too many gifts. It was a perfectly hot Tennessee summer day and everyone seemed to have a great time. These pictures show the beginning crowd -- but I kept misplacing my camera so I couldn't keep up well with pictures!

Jonathan and Michael have left for Utah and it is so quiet! Michael talks non-stop so that is different and Jonathan, though he doesn't talk so much, is just kind of loud in general. School starts in 1 1/2 weeks here and everyone feels ready. The summer has gone by so fast!

I'm Back!

It's been so long since I posted I about couldn't even remember my user name and password! But I'm ready to continue on this blogging stuff. The thing I would like to know is how do I get a fun background? I can't stand the looks of this but I really don't know how to change it to something nice to look at. Any ideas?

Our summer is already half over if you can believe it. The kids have been out of school for six weeks and have five more to go. I just can't believe how it has flown. I have really enjoyed having them home, but Andrew has hated it. I think he misses that attention he got all day having them gone. He screams all the time now and it drives me up a wall! Let's see ... our happenings.

Michael attended a Memphis Grizzlies basketball camp and had a great time. He also went to his school basketball camp and a week long scout camp. He will be going out with Jonathan to Utah this summer for 2 weeks and comes home just in time for school to start. He is a purple belt in karate and is doing great!

Erin and Lindsey both took a session of swimming lessons on base and passed their levels. They are quite good swimmers. Jenna also took her first session and did well. The two older girls will be going to Arts and Crafts camp this week and then pottery camp next week. They have gone the past two summers and love these camps. Lindsey has been learning to cook and really seems to enjoy it. She makes us delicious pancakes a few mornings a week. Erin is doing so well on the piano! She is studying with my teacher now and what a huge difference that has made. She sounds so, so good!

Jenna is all about play. As soon as she wakes up in the morning she needs to know if it is time to play. She is on the go all day long and it is exhausting to watch her go! She is quite good to Andrew and really tries to include him in all she does.

We are going to North Carolina this week for my mom's 70th birthday. That is so strange to me because 70 sounds kind of old but I still think my mom is quite young. Actually, the older I get, the younger 70 sounds! I can remember going to celebrate my grandfather's 80th birthday and thinking how lucky he should feel to be alive at such an old age! I was about 13 then ... oh how things change.
I got a new camera so I don't have the software downloaded yet. I will try to do that today and get up a bunch of pictures.

Okay ... Here We Go

I don't usually do tags like this, but I guess I was feeling a little crazy today!

Where were you born? Hartford, CT

Middle name: Ellen

How old will you be this year? 39

Nicknames: Cindy Lou Hoo

Are you taller than your mother or father? Same as mom, shorter than dad.

Do you cry often during movies? Very rarely.

What is your biggest pet peeve? Cliques

Favorite color: Pink ... Pink ... Pink

Favorite foods: None ... I really don't like eating that much. However, I do have favorite candy ... Milk Duds, Hot Tamales and Fruity flavored tootsie rolls

Favorite beverage: Milk shakes, half chocolate, half vanilla

Favorite cold cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats

Favorite smells: Baby Lotion, a clean home, fresh cut grass and fall.

Favorite time of day: Night time

What brand of shampoo/conditioner do you use? Pantene

Favorite make-up products? I don't use make-up

How many pillows do you sleep with? As many as I can locate, but I certainly do prefer three or four.

Do you play an instrument? Clarinet and I am so pleased to announce that I am getting rather good on the piano.

Have you ever been skinny dipping? Yes

Did you do any sports in High School? Softball and soccer

What was the last movie you saw in the theater? Aquamarine

What is your favorite article of clothing? My pink shirts and green sweater. I would wear that combination every day if it didn't have to get washed!

What is your dream vacation? A snow vacation -- Snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, and, yes a wood burning stove in a cabin.

What was your first impression of your spouse? I thought he was awfully cute, but more than that, so friendly. I had just come to Utah on an exchange program and saw Jonathan in the campus store. He remembered my name and that was huge to me because I knew absolutely no one.

If you were an animal what would you be? A dog

What is your favorite “me- time” activity? Reading and shopping.

Favorite TV shows: Family Feud, American Idol, The Dugger (sp?)Family( Lots of people make fun of them, but I love watching all of their cute kid)

What is your dream car? One that doesn't have mechanical problems.

What is one of your weaknesses? I don't do mornings well at all. I also procrastinate, and I hate that.

What do you fix for dinner when there’s nothing to fix? Egg and cheese sandwiches or macaroni and cheese. Though I have been lots better lately and typically have some meals I have frozen.

OKAY ... I'm getting bored with this! There are alot of questions, which is probably why I never do these!!!

If you could live in a different decade/era which one would it be? Early 20th century --- much simplier way of life.

Do you consider yourself outgoing? When I am comfortable in a situation, I am extremely outgoing to others. When I am new in the situation (moving), I am more of an introvert

What is something you are constantly working on? Being a better mother. I know how I want to be, but I always seem to fall short of that goal.

Any hidden talents? Nope. The few talents I have, I make sure to flaunt.

What is a word or phrase you overuse? Do you know what I mean?!!

What is the worst thing that happened to you this past year? Can't think of anything awful.

What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? The realization that I am going to go back to college and starting to plan for that.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? To become a better piano player and to have Andrew sit through church. Having Jonathan sitting up on the stand every week is truly the pits!

The best piece of advice you learned this past year? It's okay to say no once in a while when people ask you to do something. You have to keep yourself sane, too!

Don't Forget ... the Butter, too!

Jenna must have some nutritional deficiencies because she is addicted to sugar and salt. She will lick the salt right out of the shaker (I'll bet you all wish you could come eat at our home now, right?!) and eats sugar by the spoonfulls if she can get a moment alone in the kitchen. This morning, while eating breakfast, Jonathan was talking about this and said how she just seemed to have these huge cravings for them. Jenna heard and piped up, "And don't forget the butter, Dad. You don't know about that one, but I sneak it all the time when you're not looking!" What a silly child she is!