Kent, Mariam and co.

We go to Charlie's every chance we get (not too often due to heavy construction and major road closures, anyway).  For you non-cache-valleyites, Charlie's is a wonderful little ice cream parlor famous in the area.  The flavor of the month is BLACK RASPBERRY for $2, and it is so large it is too big for 2 people to finish, and it is SOOOO GOOOOOD!  (Lizzy will probably hate me now) So, do the kids like it?  I think the pictures speak for themselves.  The kids have also had a blast in the backyard pool.  They and their father love it, I thought it was a big waste of water, but I'm no fun.  Anyway, Kent put the slide from the swing set in the pool for an instant water slide, and and instant hit.  Ahhhh, the joys of summer.

I've seen this a few places and thought it would be fun 1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! 2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you see this your tagged, you have to do it!! Have fun, and don't be shy!

That's Happy Birthday D, but we had a backwards party, so everything, including the cake was backwards.  We had an ice-cream cake, and cake cones.  (for the record, frosting does not stick to ice cream very well, and writing backwards on a cake is not so easy). D had a little b-day party with a few friends.  Because everything was backwards, the kids dressed backwards, and said "good-bye" when they came.  We also had the party backwards, cake and ice-cream first.  The little one's really liked that.   We played lots of silly games like:  duck, duck, goose, pin the donkey on the tail, go and stop, and silent chairs. Our little lunch was pretty cute.  We had inside out hotdogs (a hotdog cut down the middle with bread in-between), watermelon and chips (gotta keep it easy for the kids, and mom). D had lots of fun, I think all the kids did.  The party was nice and laid back, not much stress, and we just had fun.   This was my first kids party, I think it went pretty well. ...

I can't believe my little guy is already 5.  He was our little miracle, and he has brought so much joy into our lives.  He is constantly on the go, and always looking for friends.  Seriously, we can't go anywhere without D making a new friend.   One of my favorite things about D is his fantastic smile (even if it is full of metal now).  His smile makes everyone smile, and he smiles tons.  He is such a happy and fun kid.  We love him so much, and we are so proud of all his accomplishments and successes over the past year.   Here is my birthday movie for him:  More on D's exciting  ytrap sdrawkcab to come.

Okay, so Kirby isn't exactly new.  We adopted him just over a year ago.  He is a terrier/mutt/mutt.  He is a very sweet dog.  He loves to run and wrestle with D, and he sits so quietly while K brushes him.  He is a great dog....with one huge flaw.  Every time he found an opportunity he would bolt.  He would run, and we could not catch him.  This bad habit caused lots of stress, and got us in trouble with the neighbors and law enforcement.  We tried traditional training methods but with no luck.  We were at our wits end.   So, for father's day Kent got a shock collar.  Now, I don't like to abuse animals, but it was that or get rid of the dog.  It was amazing.  He was only shocked a couple of times, and he learned his lesson.  Kirby did not run away anymore.   There was an odd side effect though, Kirby was incredibly happy.  He was happier than he had ever been.  Kirby was just 1 when we adopted him, but he had 5 other families before us.  We realized he never had a family/pa...

I love the cabin, it is my happy place.  The cabin belongs to my grandmother, and was built by her father and my grandfather.  It is in a ponderosa pine forrest, and is so wonderful.  It smells so good, it sounds peaceful and looks so beautiful.  I spent so many vacations there as a child, and the cabin holds many fond memories.  It was fun to watch my children enjoy many of the same activities I enjoyed there. Aunt Lizzy was so good to the kids.  She took them out to swing on the hammock many times a day.  They loved it.  While laying on the hammock, Lizzy told K to look up.  The trees are so tall, you can't see the top.  K's reation., "WOW, SOOO BIG!" D had a blast exploring, getting dirty and generally being a boy.   We took a family outing to the park/lake.  Grandpa bought huge marshmallows and we roasted them on the little grills (fire restrictions).  We also enjoyed grilled hot dogs and chips.  It was fun.   We went to the lake to feed the ducks every day.  The ...

We went to Mesa Az. for grandpa's memorial service.  (And yeah, it was soooo hooot!)  The service was very nice.  My family sang "Whispering Hope" and I think we did okay.  This is a picture of a vintage military uniform, next to a picture of grandpa in his.   After the memorial service and a lunch we all took the drive up to the mountains to the ranch where grandpa and grandma were laid to rest (they were cremated).  The ranch was so nice, it was beautiful and the weather was so nice.   We were all touched that grandpa was buried with full military honors.  He served his country valiantly, but never received recognition for his service.   After the dedication of the graves and whatnot, we took a little walk around the ranch.  Here is a pic of D and I on the porch of the old ranch house.   Although the ranch buildings have fallen into disrepair, I can see why grandpa and grandma wanted to be laid to rest there.  It is vary beautiful and so peaceful.   I felt a little sad ...