The Last Hurrah

With one day of freedom before school starting, we set out to have a fun family night. Our first stop was the mini golf course. Lulu had her own ball and placed it in the cup on most holes. She liked the water slide and sent her ball for several rides as we finished the hole. She also threw her ball into the lake, thinking that it would get shot back to her just like the slide. We let her throw her balls down the tubes so we'd know which one to aim for. Mimi had her best game so far. She is getting more patient and trying to aim instead of just hitting it. She wanted to play another game. I won by 3 strokes...I think I won last time too. Mr. was a little miffed. He kept score and somehow forgot to score 3 holes so he gave us each 2 strokes. Hmmm. I wonder what the real score was.

After golf, we went to dinner. It was not good. Little taco shop off of Kennewick Ave. Sorry lady. It was not good. Should have gone to the Taco Bell next door.

My prize for winning was a stop at Baskin Robbins. Girls got bubble gum ice cream. I got outrageous Oreo--not recommended. I finished my scoop before Mr. got his "most expensive thing on the menu" shake. He likes to eat that way wherever we are. I go dollar menu and he tries top on the line. Balance.

Last stop on our trip was feeding the ducks. Mr. had never been with us before. I brought a whole loaf of freezer burned bread. Mr. wanted it to not take to long, so I tossed big chunks and then he was chastising me for throwing too large of pieces. I can't win. He had more fun than the girls, I think. Of course, he would never admit that.

We had a lovely evening. Mini golf is fun for everyone. Ice cream is good. Ducks are always hungry.

Like My Hat

This is a lovely shot of the girls crawling on me before bedtime.

They are my girls even if we look nothing alike.

Lulu's hat was created by Mimi--silver sequins, pink ribbon, and hot pink pom poms

She loves her hat

Gickey and gilk

Translate via the mind of a 20 month old.

When Ducks Attack

My friend and I took our kids to the park to play and feed the ducks. We went to the ducks first and it was a sight. They had not been fed yet this morning and they were all very hungry. The last time we went, it was in the late afternoon and they had obviously been fed all day long because they hardly paid any attention to us. Today they all swarmed once they saw the bread. The kids fed a few pieces of bread and then hopped into the cars. Lulu and I fed them for 10 more minutes. She wasn't aware that they were closer than they should have been. She started chasing them too. It was funny. Those seagulls have some mad skills. They are the birds you have to watch out for.

We took the kids to the playground of dreams and the sprinkler park. To top off the day, we had a picnic with shaved ice for dessert. Reminds me of my days at the RV park in Moses Lake. Mimi is a good sport and a good sister. She takes care of Lulu and loves her as much as anyone could. Mimi was happy to finally get to play with a non-cousin friend. Cousins are great, but not the same in her mind. I was grateful to have a friend to play with too. It seems that I have shut myself out of the loop this summer. Maybe things will get back to normal once school starts.

I went to Costco last night and had a Sonic care toothbrush in my cart, but I put it back. Is it really worth getting one. I will have to ask my dentist friends.

What?!

While I was at my mom's house with the kids, my husband cleaned the entire house. You who know him, know that he does not do this. What got into him?

Could it be that he realized that the 6 cups on the counter were all his? Probably not. Who cares why. It happened.

Walking in the dark

My sister called me last night and we went for a walk in the dark around my neighborhood. Our half hour turned into 1.5 hours of walking and chatting, we didn't walk the whole time. Our chats haven't happened as often as they used to. This summer has been filled with activity and little down time without sickness. I love my sisters and their kind hearts. We are all weird and we get along well.

We went boating with the in-laws and had a good time. The boys did some form of tube wars that was hilarious to see. The kids ate cookies so the parents could have a good time too. The little girls chased each other around and around. They will have lots of fun together as they get older.

Grandpa and Grandma watched the grand kids so we could do sealings in the temple on Thursday. It was neat to be together doing something so special. We went to dinner after and laughed and ate and then ran home to save Grandpa. He was a great sitter. Lulu found some markers and colored all over herself. That is why we don't let her use markers at home. She hasn't colored the walls yet, but I am not going to risk it.

Mimi got her teacher for 2nd grade assigned. I am not a teacher requester, so I am not sure if she is a good one or not. I was told all of the 2nd grade teachers are good, but who knows. School starts on the 31st. I can't believe the summer went by so fast.

Mr. got a new calling. He is the ward mission leader. He said that makes me a ward missionary, but I haven't received that calling. I will play dumb until something official happens. A guy in the bishopric said it's the worst calling ever. Woo Hoo!

My brother had a baby--10 lbs 2 oz. She was large and I am sure it was shocking for the mother. We are going to visit today and check out the "newborn who looks like a 2 mo old." I hear she is cute and all is well. We mothers know how quickly "all is well" can change.

Another boring post. Sorry if you read this. My original title was "This might be true." The plan was to spin wild tales and throw in a smattering of truth. Things are about to change.

Vacation without a camera

Lulu's dogs that like to go everywhere

Coolin Beach

The Cabin


I put the camera in the truck so I would always have it with me and guess what? I never took it out until we were packing up to go home. Yet another picture-less post. This is what happened, good and bad. I'll add pics later.

We went to Priest Lake for a week. The yearly family reunion on Mr.'s side hit it right as far as weather was concerned. He took his boat for the first time this year and was greeted with, "You have a boat?" Truth is, it is a used boat that did not cost an arm and a leg--it was bought with our tax return $. If you drive old cars, you can get an old boat. So, yes there is a boat at our house and he will take you for a ride if you ask.

The boat blew a hose and had to sit for 2 days. That was fun. Poor guy. Had to drive to Coeur D'Alene 2x for parts. Not any major damage, it just took time. I think he had fun anyway.

I actually went swimming in my new flashy swimsuit--rather than just tanning. It was fun to play with Lulu in the water. She was so happy. Mimi was with the big girls in the water and got to go tubing. She is getting so big.

Food is always trouble for me. No vegetables for days makes me feel ill, but this time it may have been the flu that was going around. I felt sick on Wed and was really sick Thurs/Fri. But it went away fast and we were off to Silverwood Friday afternoon. The rides at Silverwood stink, but the water park was fun for us. I think that I will not go back there unless someone else is paying.

We rented 8 movies during the week. We watched them in the evenings and it gave the girls some entertainment and us a break after being in the sun all day. I know, too many movies. I had no energy. It was kind of amazing. I never exercised or went on a walk. That means I was exhausted. It didn't help that Lulu didn't want to sleep the first few nights.

I was hoping that this year would be different and the vacation would feel like fun and not so much work. It was about 50/50, so that's pretty good. Love the time with family, but didn't get a lot of visiting in. Can't believe I missed the famous popcorn balls.

Back to life and laundry. Got to love post-vacation recovery.

Spell check

Alright blogging ladies, the word is definitely. Thanks.


I have made my share of typos, but this word is used in most blogs I read. I can forgive typos versus repeat spelling errors.

-definatly
-defiantly
-definately
-definiatly

Sister Beus asked me to write on the board one time in Sunday School. She said she needed someone who could spell because it drove her nuts to have spelling errors on the chalkboard. I had just finished an accelerated Spanish class at BYU and I was to the point that I was dreaming in Spanish. I cringed with every word, certain that an error would come. I tried to pronounce them in my head and when she said "interior" I could not decide, "i or e." I went with the "I" and have been shamed ever since that dreadful day in Gospel Doctrine class. This however is not my true pet peeve. Let's just say leaving labeling stickers on your binders, totes, pitchers, coolers, and other such items after purchasing takes the cake. Be careful, I'm watching.