Happy Memorial Day!

I am so grateful to all those who have given their lives so that I may enjoy freedom! I have a new appreciation for these men and women because of the history course work I have done with my kids in their school. We went over all the wars that America has been in and it was a learning experience for me - I don't remember much from my elementary days. It is also amazing to me how war has changed and how the views of the people have changed. Anyway, I'm so grateful that we are still free and I pray that we will stand up for the Constitution of our Country. It was founded by men who were led by God and we need to stick with it - or be destroyed by our own doing.

Our ward had a picnic at a park so we took brownies and enjoyed socializing. The kids really enjoyed being able to play with their friends and run around. There were several different playground areas. The one the kids liked the best was the big wooden boat.

When we were done with that, we stopped by a friend's lake to swim. I figured the kids needed that, too, because it's been so long since they have been in the water and they all love to swim. They loved it. Kemiah stayed out of the water, until the very end, but probably because I wasn't in the water. The other kids went right away and enjoyed swimming, a paddle boat ride, and canoeing. The family that owns it said we could use it when ever we wanted so it will be a nice summer activity.

Ben and Ashley, a girl in his Primary class, used the plastic pool as a boat. It was fun, until it sank. Luckily, it was easily recovered.


Some of the gang taking out the canoe. It was really fun to watch them having so much fun, and they never tipped over.

It was really a nice day. Thank you to all who made it fun. Thank you, again, to all who made it possible - keeping us free!

His latest plan!

As I was preparing dinner tonight, Ben was talking with me. He had some pictures out that he had drawn in Dominica but didn't sell. So he starts talking to me about his new idea to have a shop full of his stuff to sell. We have talked about the different environment here - the kids can't just sell stuff on the side of the road like they did on the island - so he came up with the new idea. His shop would have his stuff for sale. He even went on to talk price. If it took him an hour to draw a picture, then it would cost $1! The smaller ones that take less time would cost less. He has even gotten into the movie making business. Well, he's working on his first script. He talked about making copies and so he's really thinking it through. My funny little business man. Do you know what he wants to buy with his money? A fishing pole.

A day on the farm.

Okay, so we don't really qualify for farm status but some times it feels like it. I brought out the black chickens and the kids played with them in the grass, while Kevin was tilling up the garden in the background. He stayed home last Wednesday to mow the lawn, work in the garden, and move the chickens from the basement to the garage. It was a very productive day for him and I'm so thankful that he is willing to work so hard - even though I'm home all day and could probably do most of that stuff myself.

I really thought, when we got the baby chicks, that I would post more about them and you'd think they were my children. I have taken pictures, but since they have been in the basement we really don't spend much time with them. Now they are even farther away and I'm no longer willing to feed them out of my hand - it's usually late when we remember to feed them. The kids still love taking them out and playing with them... even Xiomara has gotten better at handling them so it's fun for everyone.












Kevin didn't want to sunburn his neck again so that's why he had the shirt on his head.




Just had to include a picture of the dandelion puff. The field of white puffs are just as pretty as the yellow flowers.

Spotlight

At the Pack Meeting tonight they had each of the boys share a talent or hobby, gave awards, and parents talked about each boy. I should have written what I wanted to say down because I'm not good at remembering in the moment and I'm always sorry after. So, let me try to do a better job now...




Here are some things about Ben...

• He loves to play games like Risk, Axis and Allies, and Settlers of Catan.
• He's a great reader of any type of books.
• He likes to help me in the kitchen with cooking or dishes.
• He does not like mashed potatoes.
• He is very creative and imaginative.
• He is doing great with reading the scriptures and trying to apply it to himself.
• He tries to figure out how things work.
• He likes to work with his family in the garden.
• He's very friendly with other kids or adults.
• He would like to go fishing.
• He still likes to snuggle with his mom.
• He's dedicated to trying his best.
• He is very hard on himself when he tries something new and it doesn't come easily.
• He uses his hands when he talks about airplanes flying in the sky (like all fighter pilots do).
• He takes good care of his sisters.
• He loves his family and we love him.

Maybe that wasn't better but I feel better. He earned his second bead and two belt loops. Way to go little Wolf! We are so proud of you! For his talent he played a version of Old McDonald on the piano. I didn't take any pictures because I was afraid I'd make him get nervous or mess up and when they were giving his awards I didn't give my camera to anyone and I was up with him so I took a picture when we got home.

Sunday activites

We played some games together on Sunday afternoon. I was impressed at how long they stayed with Monopoly, but eventually it was just not that exciting.


Some how, Kemiah ended up behind the couch, playing her own game. She cleaned it up and brought it out so I could play it with her.

Kevin took the kids outside and they helped water the garden. I wish I had taken some pictures but oh well. Because we don't have an outside water spout, they had to bring their water bottles (milk jugs) into the kitchen to fill them up. At first, I was helping them but then I realized that they could do it on their own, so I let them. They really enjoyed it.

We watered it again Monday, after dinner, but this time we didn't have to go all the way inside because Kevin had brought a hose home. Unfortunately, it doesn't reach all the way out to the garden but it did save a lot of time to have the refill spot closer to the garden. It was a fun evening together and, again, I wish I had taken pictures.

Silly Kemiah

She will say, "Silly me," when she does something that she thinks is silly. What a cutie! Here are a couple funny shots of her.

She likes to put the pieces from the game TROUBLE on her fingers.


I just loved how she was holding her baby, Logan. And he is sucking his thumb, of course,


Yes, she's cute.

Really, really cute.

Yes, we watched her fall asleep on the couch while reading a book. The book kept bobbing, along with her head, as she tried to stay awake but couldn't do it so she gave in.

Sweet compliments.

On Friday, we went outside and drew pictures on the driveway with Marissa's birthday chalk. Everyone was excited. Kemiah likes making chalk spots and coloring her hands - "beautiful" is what she said when she held out her colored hand to show me. I eventually joined in but wasn't really sure what to draw. I started out thinking I would draw a funny face but it turned into a lovely cow. Then I thought I'd draw a horse but it was really a dog. I think I went on to draw an island in the sea, two bunnies, a crab and a sea turtle. After each picture, the kids would cheer and say, "You're the best drawer ever. I love your picture." Then Marissa and Xiomara would help by coloring them in. I just smiled and said, "Thank you. I'm glad you like them." I'm absolutely sure they haven't seen my older sister draw because she's the real artist in the family. I figured I'd share our artwork... it was washed away with the rain on Saturday.

So here are my drawings, with the coloring done by my kids.

My dog is to the right and Marissa's dog is to the left. Xiomara added the red for color.

My turtle is to the right and Ximoara's turtle is on the left.

Emily in the act of drawing a whale.

Mariss'a drew a butterfly.

Emily drew a clam and a bear.... then a moose.

Where'd the wind go?

When we moved here, I was surprised by how windy it was. It made it really cold when it was winter and it made it chilly even when the snow was gone. Then it started to warm up and the wind was actually nice to have around. Now it seems to have disappeared. Kevin and I opened windows last night in hopes of cooling off the upstairs. Unfortunately, there was no wind. The last time I was this big with child during the summer was with Emily in Alaska. It was the warmest summer they had ever had so we installed a few ceiling fans but we slept in the cool basement. Big difference. I think we'll be investing in some fans - ceiling or otherwise - because I may not make it to July if this keeps up.

Thank you science!

Today, in school, my kids learned about chewing gum and why it doesn't dissolve in your mouth. I had Kevin buy two kinds of gum so we ended up with Trident Layers and Juicy Fruit - the first is sugarless and the second has sugar. The kids were so excited - and I really mean EXCITED - to be able to chew gum. They raved about how good it tasted and just went on and on. We answered the questions and I laughed because of some of our answers. One of the questions asked, "What's the longest that you chewed a single piece of gum?" Well, for my kids it is about 5 minutes, maybe 10. They aren't aloud to chew it anywhere but at the dinner table. I know you're going to think we are odd, but that's the rule. Candy is eaten at the table, after lunch or dinner, and you don't leave the table until it's gone. So with gum, they don't leave until they are done chewing it, and they don't want to stay there too long so it doesn't last long. Another question asked, "Have you had different experiences with different kinds of gum?" Well, I'm sure they have had different kinds but it's so uncommon (and has been over 4 months since they last had any) that we couldn't think of anything to write. One last question I'll share with you: "What was the gum like after a few hours?" They are kidding, right? I have never (as far as my memory serves me, which may not be good) chewed a piece of gum that long. I just don't chew gum very much at all. I'm not used to it and my jaw gets tired and I get a little irritated with this stuff in my mouth so I don't have it around and we just don't have it. Besides, I'm really afraid of it getting played with and ending up in hair or clothes or furniture and I don't want to deal with that so we stay away from it. It was funny to watch them get so excited over something that most kids probably find very common place. So, anyway, we are off to the backyard to play with the chickens.

Getting bigger...

Just wanted to let you know I'm getting bigger. This was taken on May 2nd, and I was 30 weeks along.

Rainy day pictures.

I just had to take some pictures the other day. It was raining but looked really neat. So I thought I would share. It made me happy to take some pictures - I don't do it nearly as much as I did on the island and I miss it.

We had a robin couple build a nest at the top of a gutter, under the protection of the roof. They ended up having 4 babies and they grew really quickly. They have left the nest - one morning they just weren't there anymore. There is one still around the house that flies a bit but hops around and is still being fed by the parents. I don't know what happened but it has been neat to watch it.


Here's the fat baby bird.


I loved the look of the haze.




New growth on our pine trees, with pine cones and rain drops.

Drops in a puddle in our front yard.

The only yellow tulip in our yard. We had one other tulip, a red one, but it's gone already. I really want to plant more for next year. We'll see.

These little delicate flowers are growing in our front plot.

My neighbors red maple. There are lots of these around town and I really like them, with the green contrast of the other tress and the grass.

Video Game Memories

While we lived on the island, Ben had the pleasure of playing video games at a friends house a few times. Since we don't have a gaming unit of any kind he was not very experienced in any way. He still enjoyed it. Today, while eating lunch, he shared a memory with me. He was going on and on about a game where there seemed to be a lot of killing/shooting. Then he said there was one game that didn't have much killing. "There wasn't any killing, except for one part but it was in defense, mostly. You tried to stay alive but I wasn't very good at that." I just thought it was funny.

Really Sleepy Girl

I have gotten into a bad habit of not giving Kemiah an afternoon nap. Not really a big deal because then I put her to bed right after dinner and she goes right to sleep. The other night Kevin had her sit down at the table while we were finishing preparing dinner. After a little bit, Kevin laughed when he walked into the dining room and found this...


Yes, we even got video of it because her head was bobbing until it would finally come to rest on the table. I laughed at Kevin's commentary as well as the dozing Kemiah.

I did move her to the couch, after we recorded the event, and she took a little nap. After I was done eating dinner, I woke her up so she could eat something before I put her to bed. Sweet, sleepy girl.