WE MADE IT!

AND WE'RE OFF...

gonna be seein' a lot of this in the next few days...

While we were visiting my Grandma in Teton, Idaho on Saturday my Aunt Ranae and Uncle Ryan stopped in to tell Grandma hi. They are the coolest, happiest people. Seriously, they've raised like the best, most well adjusted, smart, kind, funny 9 (NINE!) kids. They are always smiling. I want to be like Ranae and Ryan when I grow up. (Some of their kids blog, you can find them under the family links - there's Doug, Megan, Angelica, and Melissa.)

So, anyway, as they were leaving, Ryan said to Ranae, "Remember taking road trips with all the kids in the Suburban?" And Ranae said, "Yes, I sure do. It is sure is fun ... not to do that anymore."

I am still laughing about it!

WORDS OF WISDOM

This morning I was talking to my friend Jennifer Stauffenberg and she had deep thoughts for me. I was telling her how I was worried about our unsold house, paying astronomical rent and a mortgage and our impending financial doom.

haha

Jenn said something to the effect that it will all be okay because we are doing what we are supposed to do and so it will all work out the way it is supposed to. Then she said, You are forgetting that this isn't your plan so you have no control. Things will work out the way they are supposed to according to the plan. Your job is to be happy and channel positive energy.

That is so true. It was NOT our plan to move to Baton Rouge. My plan was to stay in Spokane and get fat(ter) and happy(er) and raise our children and grandchildren there. My plan is not the plan we are supposed to be doing right now so why am I worrying about THE plan?

Thanks so much, Jenn. You are a true friend.

JOY!

I am sure that you are all familiar with Joy Lawton's fabulous qualities. Just put her name in the search bar at the top of my blog and you'll see a small portion of her awesomeness.

She's in Young Women's now. Which is sad, because I enjoyed sitting in the back row of Relief Society and making aside comments with her. (Jan sits in the back row too with me, but she is much more reverent.) Anyway, being in YW, they made this for our family on Tuesday night.

Let's all pause for a moment. She took canvas shoe holders, cut it in half, sewed binding on, and then FILLED the pockets with goodies. Holy cow! She never ceases to amaze me!

She also made me a goodie box that will fit under my seat. Notice the bottle of Tylenol on top. Joy reminded me it was a long drive so to be sure to pace myself on that stuff. haha! And how did she know that I travel with earplugs? I totally do! She is genius! And THAT is a fact!

Here is one of Joy's offspring, Dustin. He was one of my Webelos and I swear when I look at him, I see the 10 year old kid he used to be. I adore Dustin.

Katie is Dustin's twin and the ONLY OTHER Laurel in our ward. Katie is quirky, eccentric, and funny. You just never know where a conversation with Katie will lead, but you do know it will be entertaining!

The night that the YW made the car organizers they also had a surprise going away party for my girls. All the girls in the ward wrote in little books for my girls and it was super sweet.

NOW THAT'S A DINNER!

My friend Laura Schurtz picked up her stuff from staging my house and fixing it after the stager tried. As she was leaving with her truck fill of beautiful stuff she said, "Let me bring you dinner tonight." I am learning to suck it up and receive service so I said, "Thanks, that would be really nice."

Fettuccine alfredo and chicken.

Spinach and strawberry salad.

Let's not forget the watermelon chunks.

And some chocolate chip cookies.

And how did I miss a picture of the crusty bread? Oh, we all ate until we rolled away from the table. Thanks so much Laura!

FRANK'S DINER GOODBYE BREAKFAST

Me and my girls- FayeLisa and Charmaine - went to Frank's Diner for breakfast. It was fabulous. Have I mentioned I'm gonna miss these girls?

FayeLisa calls me Chiquita Banana so I remember to eat a banana for my vertigo - which really seems to be helping, by the way.

PIE TO SAY GOODBYE - pictures to come

On Monday night the Stokers had us and the O'Donnals over for "pie to say goodbye" and/or banana splits. I personally had a little lot of both. We meant to play games but instead just outside in the fabulous Spokane summer night air and talked and laughed and laughed.

We laughed until my cheeks hurt.

I had to break to massage.

Julie also gave us the cutest going away travel treat bag. She packed it full of fun stuff for the little boys so they can be entertained. I really appreciate her generosity and good example. They seem to have more than their fair share of trials, but she is always thinking of others and doing service.

I have pictures, but they are on the camera that needs a stick thingy and the movers already packed it. So, the pictures will have to come later...

MORE LIKE A "STUPID-CAL" (Last SOS)

If you are new to our blog then you might not know about SOS - or Sant O'Donnal Sunday. It all started with the Christiansens moved and we got new hometeachers. Tracy O'Donnal sometimes had a companion who could come but usually didn't. So he started bringing his wife and kids. We all got along great. They are our dearest and bestest friends here in Spokane.

I love Charmaine. She is compassionate, sensitive, practical, tender-hearted, funny, easy to laugh, and she knows how to be a good friend. Tracy is hilarious. I mean, really really hilarious. You have got to meet him. They are the perfect compliment to Larry and I. Ben and Rachel adore Charmaine and Tracy. Bonus, their daughter Journey and Sari are the same age. Jack and Kylen are the same age as Joseph, and Meridian is Daniel's age, which is a bummer, but I hope they get married someday.

We even traveled with them for 8 days and didn't get sick of them once. (I hope they didn't get sick of us- haha!) And you've traveled with other people before you know how rare it is to find friends that you can do that with. You know how rare it is to find friends that both you and your spouse like. Add that the kids all like each other - and well, an acronym was destined.

At SOS we combine dinner. It is always delicious.

When the weather is nice, we make the kids eat outside.

And play outside.

Sari and Journey had to go outside.

We play games after dinner.

Usually not the computer but this time we made an exception.

This time Rachel's friend Ian played games too. Ian is the DuPape's grandson.

Tracy and Larry. I will always remember when they sang "Endless Love" at the ward party karaoke. I still laugh out loud at the memory.

Sari pondering the card game of Golf.

Charmaine with her fifth child, her husband.

Rachel kicked our heinys at Tripoly. It must exhausting keeping track of all those chips.

We love Ben and our Indiana Jones cards.

Heidyn, Rachel, and Ian laughing because we are just cool like that.

Did I mention that Tracy is Charmaine's fifth child?

Now that's a pretty picture. (That is a joke because when Charmaine's grandma plays Canasta she says, "That's a pretty card" when she sees a card she wants.)

The best one liner of the night came from Jack:

The girls were watching "Annie" and Jack complained, "There is too much singing in this movie" and we all laughed and said, "It's called a MUSICAL." Jack replied, "More like a STUPID-cal."

HIGH PRIEST SOCIAL (gonna miss this)

Our ward had a High Priest Social which was code for "Say Goodbye To The Sants". How sweet is that?

Our church building... how I will miss rushing our family in the doors to snatch our row out of the hands of someone who got booted out of their row.

Anyway, Terry DuPape is our High Priest group leader and I don't think you can find a nicer man. He is very compassionate and generous, as is his wife. He is a baker/chemist and has kept our family in pancake mix for a few years now.

Terry and Phyllis DuPape.

I adore Phyllis. She loves purple. So do I.

The Cordells live across the street from us. When I had my horrible surgery a few years ago, Leslie came over and read to the kids. They loved it. She has a real flair for performance. She frequently drops off little gifties and treats on our doorstep. Scott taught my kids the football signals for FHE one time. They LOVED it.

The Sorensens moved into our ward a few years ago. Evelyn always had the perfect comment in Relief Society and now she is Matthew's primary teacher. I love her cheerful countenance and peaceful disposition.I don't know her husband well, but I will say that he always has a smile on his face.

I remember when these love birds got married! The Pulliums were on the Activities Committee with me and I appreciated so much that they shared with me the need for supervised public bathrooms at ward activities.

Now I'm gonna get teary. I have visit taught Vicki for most of my eight years here. I am so lucky. She is the hardest working woman I know. She has great faith, courage, and grace. I will miss our conversations. I've gone to Ward Council with Bruce for a few years. He is consistent, faithful, and smart.

Start the water works. How I adore Minnie Wilkinson! Rachel had to interview someone who had lived in Spokane for more than 30 years. They had just redivided the ward and Minnie was now in our boundaries. So we introduced ourselves and interviewed her. Minnie says that she will always remember that I was the first person from Northpointe Ward to talk to her. Well, that was one of the best decisions I have made. I love Minnie. She is so sweet. Rachel chose her as her secret Grandma in Young Women once, too. She told me once, "I have been a widow for 20 years. I live alone but I am never alone."

If you want to talk about the backbone of a ward and the personification of charity and good works you need look no further than Phil and Karen Sokolowski. A book could be written on their service. I will say that they drive people to church and activities and when I visit taught Karen she always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world. She has a great laugh. I have learned a lot from her. Phil helps with the scouts, in addition to 1000 other things.

The first Sunday that we went to church in the Northpointe Ward Chris Grimes was the bishop. He walked up to us, warmly greeted us and said, "We have prayed you here." He was one of the reasons we felt so welcome when we moved in. Later he was Ben's Scout leader and Ben has a lot of respect for him (as do Larry and I). Besides being an excellent cook, seamstress, purse designer (check out her link on my sidebar) and homemaker, Marcie has raised wonderful children and she is down to earth and hilarious to talk to. I admire her.

Lorraine has been my visiting teacher the past few months and she is so nice. She has also been Joseph's primary teacher. The Brooks were also on the Activities Committee with me. They are good folk.

How we love the Derby family! Here they are with just two of their six children. You would be hard pressed to find more loyal, faithful, hardworking friends than these two. They are smart, fun to talk to, and have given us much service as we were preparing our house to sell. Jennifer is as stubborn as I am and that may be my favorite thing about her.

Ahhhh... Karen and Steve Hathaway. The Sunday she introduced herself I was like, "Where is she?" Because I have an Aunt Karen Hathaway (maiden name) and so I was kind of like, what the? But it wasn't my aunt. Karen is lovely, gracious, and understanding. She is a dedicated Grandma and she and Steve were our hometeachers. Steve always gave a sincere lesson that was spot-on for what we needed at the time.

Well now... what do you say about the man who was your beloved bishop and then Stake President? Thank you? Doesn't start to cover it. He will be greatly missed by our family and has been in the top three most influential people in Rachel and Ben's lives. Dawn and I talked a lot when I first moved in and I enjoyed her conversations. We both have husbands named Larry that are Civil Engineers that wish they had become dentists. (haha) We both have 4 sons and we were both certain that our last children were girls. They were not. Dawn hosts the most lovely lunches you would ever attend.

Lyn Cummins is the best garden grower I have EVER seen. She is amazing. If you look up Proverbs 31, you will see Lyn's picture. I don't think there is one thing on this earth that she can not do. She always has a willing hug that is a REAL hug not a faux hug. If you talk to her, you feel loved and important. Gary will be remembered by me for saying, "If I haven't given you the paper, it doesn't exist." He is a very thorough ward clerk. He has great stories. And he cooks a mean BBQ.

Let's just drown in Charlie's eyes, shall we? Lovely. I feel better.

So at the social we ate.

And swapped stories.

And said, "see ya later".

Because I don't do goodbye.

PS

Here is the Francis family. I adore Laura and she cuts a mean hair cut. I will not find someone who can stack as well as she can - ever. Sigh.

HEIDYN

Heidyn is my sister's daughter. She and Destry came up with my mom and dad for Ben's Eagle and Heidyn and Rachel worked furiously all night long to figure out a way to get cousin time in. When their plan to include Aubrae failed and we said the girls couldn't hitchhike to Utah, they resorted to spending their hard earned money on air fare to get Heidyn home.

While I was talking to Teilani about that, this is what Heidyn said:
"Tell my mom that I'll pay 3/4ths if she will pay the other 1/3rd."
We all busted out laughing.
Heidyn said, "What? She's not going to pay half!"
That resulted in more laughing. It still does.

Poor Heidyn. She got her auntie's (me) genes for math.

In any case, we LOVED having Heidyn here. She fit in perfectly and was so much fun. We will miss her!

DINNER WITH THE KRAUS FAMILY (gonna miss this)

Last year about this time a new family moved into our ward. In the last few months we have become good friends with Todd and FayeLisa Kraus. Derien is Daniel's age and Sloan is Joseph's age. One time FayeLisa stopped by for something and I was feeding spaghetti-os to Matthew. She got in my cupboard and got herself a bowl and I knew I had found a friend.

One of these things is not like the other ... haha

The Krauses had us over for a BBQ on Monday night and we had a great time. We chatted outside until the late hours, just laughing and talking. Plus, the food was fabulous!

One of my friends here told me, "I'm going to miss you so much, I'm going to distance myself from you now to protect myself" and she hasn't talked to me since. I am glad the Krauses didn't take that road. We have had a blast. They are funny, kind, sassy, and generous. We're gonna miss them.

IN PRAISE OF WHITWORTH AQUATICS

If you live in the Spokane area, suck it up and pay for the Whitworth lessons. You will be glad you did.

It's impossible to catch Joseph not moving in the water. He is part fish. I expect him to grow gills in Louisiana.

Joseph doesn't jump into the pool so much as FLY into the pool!

I love this picture of the boys walking across to the deep end. Joseph is the first one.

Last year Daniel could dive. This year he forgot.

I have better pictures. I just can't find them right now. But here is Quinton showing Daniel something. Quinton was the perfect teacher for Daniel!

Matthew hates water in his face (related to his dad) and he would barely touch the water.

Look at him now - jumping off into 15 feet of water, over his head, and back up, swimming, with the noodle the length of the pool and back. Amazing.

SARI IS 13!

I just can't believe that Sari is a teenager. We went to the Lake on her birthday and we went to the Orthodontist and she got her braces tied off for the transfer.

She asked for crepes for her birthday. Note that my darling niece Heidyn is staying with us! We are LOVING that!

Why the diagonal pictures? They NEVER work out! Notice that Sari has a CUBE of butter that she is melting on her crepe. Yummy.

What is more fun that filling your mouth with squirt on whipped creme?

My little point and shoot is dying, but here are the pictures of the gift giving. Rachel was at work.

Ahhhhh... sweet!

Ahhhhh.... not so sweet ... Just kidding! He didn't really smack her!

She wanted a My Little Pony cake but I couldn't find what I wanted so she got a Little Pet Shop cake. I am so glad my kids are not into that. They are expensive little suckers.

But they sure are cute. I love their little bobble heads.

Thirteen!

I love that Matthew is still at the age where he wants to sit next to the person with the birthday cake - like it brings him good luck, too! And yes, this is a cheesecake from Costco. That's how I roll.

Blowing out her candles and making a wish.

Our favorite things about Sari:

Larry: She is our CinderSari
Tifani: Her sense of style, creative mind, sassy and artistic-ness
Rachel: She is so sassy and cute and unique
Ben: She has good taste in movies
Daniel: She is "freakin' hilarious"
Joseph: There is so many choices in my mind! Uhmmmm... she reads to me at night.
Matthew: She's nice
Heidyn: She's nice to her siblings (well, since I've been here!)

LAKE DAY (Gonna miss this - A LOT)

I've mentioned the Pughs in my 4th of July post, so you may familiar with the Lake House. Well, also, every Friday, and pretty much any other time we ask, the Pughs generously let us use their lake house to entertain the kids. We have been going for many summers now and it has really been a favorite part of our life here in Spokane. Some pictures will illustrate my point:

Here we have Ben and Jake Grover just hanging out at the end of the dock.

Joseph is a picture of joy and happiness when at the lake. Actually, he's more a video of joy and happiness since a picture is a still life and there is nothing "still" about Joseph. He even twitches when he sleeps.

Matthew has practically grown up on this lake. The summer he was almost two I left him the car, asleep, totally forgot that I didn't get him out. Twenty or thirty hot minutes later I realized what I had done and ran to the car, praying the whole way (30 feet) that he was okay. He was screaming in the car, with the windows rolled up and the car locked. I am getting panicky just remembering it. I brought him down to the lake and soaked him up to his chest and then flipped him upside down and got his head wet too. Whew! After that, I always unroll the windows and NEVER lock the car.

This is the first summer Matthew has really been into the water at the lake. Usually he just runs around on the grass. I love that he is jumping off, already riding his shark. Check out the busy explorers behind him.

The blow up sharks you will see in the some of the pictures were the best $1 I've EVER spent at the dollar store! I can smell the lake breeze looking at this picture.

This picture makes me wish I was a kid again, something about getting in and out of the lake, with a tube and a friend just says, "perfect summer".

Sari, Ashley Grover, Daniel, and Sloan (?) Kraus in the milfoil. Yuck. I wonder if they have ever thought about how many fish hide around there?

More of the summer and tubes and the swimming and happiness.

With my mad photography skills I managed to catch Derien Kraus mid jump. The kids like to throw their tube in the water and then jump inside the tube.

Joseph LOVES to fish off the dock. He must have lost 20 hooks in there by now. Again, the mad photography skills caught the bird flying by. I impress even myself.

Sometimes Joseph has company, this particular day Sloan Kraus decided to stop in and help out by holding the fishing rod.

Ashley, Courtney, and Sari solve the world's problems floating in the tubes in the milfoil.

Then they climb on the turtle log and fall over. Good times.

Daniel, Courtney and Sari swimming ashore.

Rachel and Ben on the dock. Rachel doesn't like to get dirt in her swimming suit and you wouldn't believe how long it takes her to do her hair, so she doesn't usually swim, but she does like the sun and the quiet of the lake.

Joseph and Rachel checking out the little minnows swimming around. Check out the view across the lake. I just LOVE it. Don't you feel better already - looking at the sun drenched lake, the trees on the far shore? (It's farther than it looks.) I feel better. Except, I may never see it again, so really, I don't feel that much better. In fact, I feel kind of sad...

When (and if) you tire of the water and the dock, there is always the AWESOME swing in the yard. Every single one of my kids love this swing. One of their favorite games is to swing someone really high and then throw beach balls at them. We love each other like that.

You just can't go wrong taking a sun nap with your blow up shark. (Joseph, I think.)

Ben and Jacob catch some rays - they really aren't THAT white.

See they have good tans, for white boys.

Matthew likes to be "burritoed" after swimming, then he collapses on the grass to get warm in the sun.

Sari, Ashley, Emma, Natalie, and Courtney after swimming.

Showing their tears... Sari and Courtney.

I love this picture of Courtney and Sari.

The view from the dock and my favorite part of lake day - Jan Pugh, Laura Shumaker, and Julie Grover. I LOVE hanging out with my friends, while our children run amok (no breaching the parental perimeter - although one of Laura's girls are) and just talking, or not talking. We read or crochet or whatever. It is the best. I will miss my girlfriends. (more people usually come, just not pictured)

Again, with the sad pit in my stomach... even the drive to Long Lake, the way we go, is so beautiful. Hills, pine trees, fields ... just a few of my favorite things.

Anyway, thanks so much, Jan and Rick! We love you guys!

BEN'S EAGLE COURT OF HONOR or (non)Secret Combinations

I'll start by getting this out of the way, first:

I could eat Mateo with a spoon. I LOVE little boys! Do you love his little eyebrows? Me too!

This looks like a bad K-Mart portrait. But the people are cute - my niece Heidyn, Mateo and Rachel.

Okay. Back to the purpose of this post:

During the flag ceremony, Matthew did this and I thought it was so cute!

Here's the flag ceremony:

Can you see Daniel at the very end?

And here is the other end. Blake Grimes, Ben, Jake Grover, Brady Jones, and James Larson.

First Brother Tolman talked. Then President Grimes. He used to be Ben's Varsity Scout Coach. And Ben's bishop, before President Larson.

The Eaglets - Ben, Jake, Brady, and James. Funny. Brady and James were my little Webelos and look at them now - all grown up.

First James got his Eagle. Proud mom, Dawn, and dad, our stake president, and former bishop, President Larson.

Then Brady Jones got his. Proud Alan and Steph. Tracy Grover was the one who presented Brady with his stuff so he's in the picture, too. Looks like someone said something funny.

Then Jacob Grover. Here he is with his momma and papi and Chris Grimes, who presented Jake with his stuff.

Last of all (the last finished) was Ben. Bishop Johnson presented Ben with the stuff.

He got a badge and a pin and a new bandana.

My dad took really good pictures, but I can't find where he put them on my hard drive, so you get these.

Larry gets the Eagle pin.

Ben gives me the Mom pin. Yay!

Again, something funny.

Ben gave three mentor pins.

One to Bishop Johnson, who was also Ben's Scout Master. Ben loves him.

Ray Welsh who was Ben's Blazer Scout leader, and later, his Scoutmaster. He used to take Ben canoeing and fishing. He went to Ben's football games - even one clear out in Cheney. He really knows how to work with boys and bring out the best in them.

Now, isn't that sweet?!

Last, but certainly not least, Ben gave a mentor pin to Larry Lawton. Without Larry Lawton not one of those boys would have their Eagle. Including Ben. He is the Eagle Whisperer.

This is the Eagle Whisperer's wife and daughter. Katie is Rachel's age (her twin, Dustin, is one of Ben's good friends) and Joy is so perfectly named. She is a JOY!

At long last ... the Eagle vow thingy.

Tracy O'Donnal read it.

Ben took it.

I love Ben!

The people in the Eagle's Nest took it.

Then they had the Eaglets join the Eagles in the Nest.

Then Bishop Johnson spoke. The ceremony took as long as this blog. Sorry, but I really want to get everything in here.

Speaking of everything. Here are some people:

I love my boys at eight. They are so good and pure and eager and excited about everything.

Hunh? How long is this going to be? Forever. Like this post.

My papa taking pictures. My mom excelled in camera-avoidance.

I love Heidyn's expression and Sydney Grover looking over her shoulder at the girls.

Always the joker, Todd Kraus with the bunny ears.

Dawn and Spencer Larson, Campbell, Noah, Mitchell, and Stephanie Jones

Told you it was long. Matthew just conked out on the floor.

Congratulations, Ben! We are so proud of you!

LAST DINNER WITH THE LIGHTSEYS (gonna miss this)

When we first moved to Spokane, a lady in Relief Society raised her hand to answer some question and her answer included the words "yeast infection" and made everyone laugh.

I KNEW she had to be my friend.

So, I started stalking her. We were both back rowers - me with Joseph as a baby. Her, with Peyton, just walking and a daughter, Ben's age - Kaiya. I talked to her husband, Mark, in Sunday School. He made me laugh. He told me that if black people were supposed to swim, they would have jumped off the ship and swam back to Africa, that is why he doesn't swim. Also, we both like to sit near doors. He said, "If there's a fire, I'm first out and I don't want to hurt anyone running them over!" HAHA! You can see why we are friends. Eventually, I won Amee over.

It was hard work! She isn't very open, but she's very loyal. She is a lifer of a friend. And the kind of girl you want with you when you are walking a dark street. They used to come over periodically when they lived in our ward, but then they jumped ship and moved to the next ward over (and who cares if she is happier, blah blah blah) and we just didn't hang out as much. The above picture has their family now.

After the BBQ we played Tripoly. Which may be our current favorite game. (Thanks to the O'Donnals for teaching us!)

Rachel, Mateo, and Kaiya. Isn't Kaiya beautiful? So is Rachel, of course. But seriously, Blender Babies are so beautiful.

Brace yourselves, people. I have a RARE picture of Mark Lightsey actually LAUGHING out loud. Yes, we went past chuckling to full out laughter!

He laughs all the time (around us anyway) but it is hard to catch it on film. Most of the time he says, "this is my smile". (See the top picture for a demonstration of that.) I am honored to share this photo with you.

Gosh, I was so determined to remember what was so funny that made Mark laugh like that, but I just can't remember! I love that the girls are laughing with Mark and Mateo is looking at me.

After the games, Amee gave us a short performance of her karaoke skills. She LOVES to sing karaoke and she does it once a week. She has only missed three times in three years. That must be when she had a baby!

Then Kaiya and Amy sang to us.

Then the Sant girls joined the Lightsey girls for a little song from "Hairspray".

I love that Kaiya and Peyton are holding hands.

While the girls sang, Mateo boogied on his dad's lap.

I interrupt this post to place some pictures of Mateo on my blog. He is one of the cutest babies I have EVER seen. It is my gift to you to gratutiously show off my friend's baby:

See, you feel better, right? I know I do. Like I said, Blender Babies get all the good genes!

Here is Regan combing Sari's hair while Joseph watches. Regan was born on Larry's birthday. He went to the hospital earlier that day because Amee asked for a blessing. Miss Regan was trying to be born butt first. It all worked out!

Sari and Regan were fast friends.

So were Joseph and Regan.

Now I'm thinking that Regan isn't that picky, because here she is attacking Daniel. Miss Peyton, next to Joseph is a sweetie. When she was little Amee called her the devil. Daniel used to hide from her because she would pick on him (he is three years OLDER than her).

Looks like she's still teasing him! Don't be fooled by Daniel's expression. He loves it!

Goodbye to our friends, Mark and Amee Lightsey! We are going to miss you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Well, this birthday was most un-birthdayish. Not from lack of trying, just, sometimes, that's how the cards fall.

The day was nothing special until Larry came home from work. I ran to Costco, before dinner and Ben's Eagle Board of Review. While I was at Costco I got a phone call from Larry saying that he was running Joseph up to the ER because he had closed his pocket knife on his finger. (Joseph got his whittling chip card at Cub Scout day camp two days earlier - that means he knows how to safely use a pocket knife. The cut of the finger means the bishop or cub master has to tear off a corner. Four corners and you're out, technically.)

So, I went to the Board of Review, TOTALLY CLUELESS, and Larry dealt with the ER.

Rachel went too. While they were driving, she recorded Joseph's crying on her cell phone to show all her friends comforted Joseph and applied pressure to the wound.

I really like Sacred Heart Children's ER. They do good work there. It's worth the extra 15 minute drive, in my opinion.

Just two stitches, but cut to the bone. Awesome! Not awesome - no lake swimming and no more swimming lessons! Bummer for my fish, Joseph!

Meanwhile, at the church:

The Board of Review people - Larry Lawton, Phil Sokolowski, Alan Jones, Ray Welsh, Ben, Duncan Latitnen (sp) and a very nice scouter man.

He passed!

On Saturday night (July 11th) we celebrated my birthday:

Yay! New water bottles! What I really want (a Janome or Necchi or Pfaff, a Canon SLR, and my house to sell) I can't afford and I have everything I need.

I have what money cannot buy and do not lack.

Besides needing to clear the camera lens, I love my little people.

Every year Larry gets me an icecream cake. He always puts something funny on it. This time it says 24th birthday instead of 42nd. Haha!

TIME TO TELL YOUR STORIES:

You all remember our awesome home teacher, right?

Sunday morning Rachel booked it into the church parking lot (almost on time!) and saw the space next to the Suburban was unoccupied. She threw the car into reverse and backed up ...

Right into our hometeacher's motorcycle!

She texted us in church and I went out to see the damage. The bike had tipped over but she and Ben lifted it back up. When it tipped over some gasoline spilled out. Our rear tail gate doesn't open anymore.

(Note the wounded green car in the back, perfectly lined up for the shot. I swear Rachel has had the same pained expression when she has done something "wrong" her WHOLE life.)

After the longest Sacrament Meeting (or the shortest?) of her life, we asked Brother Alder to accompany us outside. When we showed him, he laughed and said his bike was a tough old lady. There was nothing wrong with it (confirmed today that it is just fine). There is a rack on the back and that dented our car only (and real good, I might add).

Today the Alders also brought by this card for Rachel AND some rootbeer and icecream so we could have rootbeer floats for FHE.

All this leaves us wondering ... who hit who?

Now, please help a girl out. I know we ALL have similar stories from our "youth" or early driving days (or recent ones - you know who you are). I know my sister could write a book (love ya, Teilani). So in your comments, please leave your story.

We'll let Rachel pick a winner and send you a little sumthin' sumthin'.


The card read "Dear Rachel, We didn't know that you had a WILD side about you. What a WHOPPER of a FISH story! U-NO they say to LOOK for MOTORCYCLES then take a FAST BREAK! Don't be an AIRHEAD and WHATCHAMACALLIT. Have a great day and we love you! Love, the Alders, Paul, Lisa, Courtney, Jeremy, Miranda, and Jonathan.

Larry helped himself to the Whoppers since it was, he rationalized, his car that was damaged!

IT'S INDEPENCE DAY! (Gonna miss this, too!)

The 4th of July at the Pugh's lake cabin on Long Lake has been our very favorite fourth of July in our lives! Thank you so much for inviting us, Rick and Jan!

I think everyone is this picture is someone who has positively impacted our lives in the last eight years. I can't believe that we are moving!

The Pughs set up the volleyball net and just look how fabulous their yard is!

I think we'll start with some volleyball shots. Ben is in the front left.

I know. It's beautiful.

Last one, I promise!

There is also a wooded area between their house and the Smarts (who are also in our ward). Here we have Joseph, Noah Jones, Tanner Stoker, and Matthew Sant in action.

Time for some water shots, don't you think?

We were lucky enough to have the Baleros come with us this year! Here is Katie, Sari, and Christa, ready to hit the water, noodles in tow!

The Pughs have made this swimming area right at the front. The kids LOVE it! I won't even attempt to name them all, it's just to show you all the kids playing together so nicely.

Joseph LOVES the water. Just try to keep him out. (Foreshadowing here, wait until I get caught up on my posts!)

I bought these sharks at the dollar store and they were the best investment of my life! Daniel works on his, and Joseph rides while Sydney Grover and Spencer Larson look on.

Sorry for the glare. Matthew, at the bottom of the photo, is finally getting used to playing in the water. I am glad.

The dock is an endless source of entertainment. Jumping off. Getting each other wet with water guns... it's all fun.

The end of the dock party.

Brandon, Daniel, Darien, and Sloan made a raft out of noodles.

The paddle boat is always in demand. Usually the teens take it across the lake but they didn't this year.

Time for the out of water pictures.

Ben Pugh, Rachel, and Blake Grimes played some cards.

Camry Balero did too, when she wasn't playing volleyball.

Blake is very expressive. What caption do you think fits?
Just in from my friend, Utah: Blake: Do you have any twos? Rachel: Go fish.
VERY FUNNY! Hahaha!

Larry loves to play horseshoes. Dono and a few other men were playing also.

Yeah, he's good at it, too.

President Larson tells about the one that got away while Alan Jones, Rick Pugh, Gene Smart, and Lloyd Burchett listen in.

Rick Pugh ran things solo this year, since Jan was in Utah visiting her sweet new FIRST grandchild Kate. Kate is BEAUTIFUL! Allison's blog is listed at the side, if you're invited check her out.

Some of the womenfolk sitting around talking. Here we have Vicki Palmer, Dawn Larson, Marcie Grimes, Julie Stoker, and Stephanie Jones. Looks like Julie Grover is talking to Campbell Jones in the background.

I took a picture of Alan taking a picture because I think it's funny. I am weird like that.

My favorite young family - Hye Sean and Ku Kwon with Grace and Kaelyn! How cute are those girls!

Natalie Palmer and Courtney Grover.

I can't post about the Pugh's lake cabin without mentioning THE SWING.

It's huge.

It's really cool.

It's awesome. I love the expressions of the crowd.

I love that the big kids push the little kids, like Rachel is pushing Matthew.

Sari loves life.

She is hilarious.

This was her just before we left for the lake. Sari, Christa and Katie all made those tulle hats.

Back to the lake, and a photo of Daniel.

After the BBQ, we play some more, then we break out the Italian sodas. After that, it is fireworks time!

Here is Joseph, front of the line, launching a bottle rocket over the lake with his Stake President. Really, how many kids have that kind of relationship with their Stake President? Just one more thing we're gonna miss!

Check out all the kids, lining the lake to launch they bottle rockets! Rick lines the shore with pvc pipes so they can safely be launched. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I spend this whole time waiting for someone to lose a hand. So far, so good, though. Knock on wood.

Joseph and Sydney Grover must have lit bottle rockets for a half and hour. They seemed completely oblivious to the big fireworks going on overhead.

A sign of growing up, when we first started going to the lake, Daniel, Joseph, and Matthew would clock out. Then just Joseph and Matthew. This year, it was just Matthew.

We are so going to miss this! Thank you, Rick and Jan, for giving us some of our best Spokane memories! We love you guys!

BAPTISM DAY!

I think it is appropriate to be baptized on the 4th of July. Two reasons to celebrate two kinds of freedom!

We had Joseph's baptism on the 4th of July because the bishopric were all out of town at various high adventure camps. They all got back on Friday night.

Joseph was really excited. And so was Larry, of course.

Per tradition, the Balero girls and our girls sang a song for the Musical number. Camry, Sari, and Rachel all sewed their own skirts. I felt back that we ran out time before we got to Christa and Katie's. Maybe next time!

Such pretty girls. Not an unfortunate one among them!

While they were practicing, I noticed the similarities in what Katie and Sari were wearing and how they were standing, especially compared to Rachel and Christa, who clearly had a lot more lung expansion capabilities.

Katie and Sari seem very similar in personality. Katie was born on my birthday so she's my birthday-buddy.

Like I said, very similar.

When Joseph was confirmed, these are the men that stood in the circle: (from left to right) Uncle Dono, Scott Cordell (neighbor),Paul Alder (home teacher and counselor in the bishopric), Valdon Longhurst (chorister), Grandpa Hathaway, Bruce Palmer (ward mission leader), Larry, Tracy Grover (friend), Tracy O'Donnal (friend), and Grandpa Sant.

The Sant family with both sets of Grandparents. We are so blessed to have Grandparents (parents) that make such a special effort to be at our kids' important events. Thank you! The Grandmas talked on Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Grandma Sant also was pianist since our ward STILL lacks a pianist and the Grandpas were the witnesses to the baptism.

Just the Sants.

Larry and I are so proud of Joseph!

The Baleros came up from West Richland AGAIN (they were here for the Luau, too) to be at Joseph's baptism. They are so kind and good. Really. You've never met anyone nicer. Aunt Linda gave one of the prayers.

Our good, dear friends, the Grover family. You may recognize Jake as Rachel's date, Peter Pan, when she was Tinkerbell. We love these guys and with their four girls and one boy, and my four boys and two girls, surely, we can get at least one marriage between our families. (I know my parents planned all the time and nothing ever came of it.) Still, I think Julie and I would be the perfect in-laws for each other.

Our other dear, good, BFFs, the O'Donnals! What are we going to do without SOS?! (Sant O'Donnal Sunday). It has been a large part of our lives for many years now! Tracy even wore his suit because he was giving one of the prayers at the baptism.

One of the many reasons I love this family is the boys who are Joseph's age - check out their shoes. I promise you, once you have two boys, you will have done this, too!

Our family outside our Stake Center. We are sure going to miss seeing it!

After the baptism service there was some good natured ribbing going on with Clayton Stephenson (formerly THE Clayton Stephenson of Rachel's heart) and the boys. Ann (formerly THE Ann Stephenson of Ben's heart) watched. Something about that family and our teens seems to attract...

Thank you SO MUCH to the friends and family who came and made this day special for Joseph! We are so proud of Joseph and his DESIRE to be baptized! He is such a sweet, good boy.

I bet you 10 bucks that the next time I visit my mom and dad, my mom has framed this picture.

JOSEPH'S 8th BIRTHDAY

Hard to believe that my sweet Joseph is already eight! Seems like I was just posting about his 7th birthday!

He asked for presents all day. When we would tease him that he wasn't getting any, or we would give them to him later, he was very upset. The gift he was looking forward to? His scriptures. When our kids turn eight, we give them their very own set of scriptures.

Sadly, we used the little pink camera, which is iffy at best, and all the pictures were horrible. I mean REALLY bad. Here Joseph is playing with the helicopter just like the one Uncle Jason flies.

In addition to the Cub Scout uniform, which is a traditional gift from the Hathaway Grandparents for 8 year old grandsons, Grandpa Hathaway carved Joseph his very own walking stick!

Joseph LOVES it!

Cold hard cash from the Sant Grandparents - Joseph is giddy with excitement and plans for his ten spot.

And then the cake. He wanted army guys and army fighters.

I love the brothers' expressions.

These three boys of mine are my delight and joy. (It should be noted that Daniel does not appreciate being grouped in with the "little boys" but he is still in with them in this case.)

Check out Matthew's help. I love relighting candles! Wah haha!

I almost forgot! Earlier in the day Joseph celebrated his birthday by getting his first bee sting.

Right on the ear! Ouch!

This AWESOME piciture is of the STINGER with the poison sac still attached. Cool isn't it?

Our favorite things about Joseph:
Larry: strong testimony of prayer
Tifani: sweet cuddles and hugs
Rachel: kind to others
Ben:
Sari:
Daniel:
Matthew: plays with me