Monkeys with the Giraffe?

We had a great day at the zoo yesterday! My sister, Lacee, my Mom, and our kids headed to the zoo to see the baby "ehfunt".

We had two infants and two 2 1/2 year olds . That meant a double stroller AND a wagon (thank heaven for both!).

Luke is climbing like a monkey, Maddux had just been asked to get off the fence; meanwhile, the baby giraffe was just watching. I'm sure he was wondering how the monkeys got loose to come to the giraffe house.

Thanks for the treat, Mom. It was a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...

I had a super-duper birthday yesterday!! Thanks to all my friends who wished me a happy day. I spent my morning at the salon getting a massage and a pedicure - I felt like a princess (a very relaxed princess). I picked up my kids (thanks Haley and Mark) and headed to lunch with my mother-in-law. Yummy lunch at the Trellis Cafe! When I got home, Luke and Lucy both had naps, I farmed and Rich surprised me by coming home earlier than expected. He gave me two awesome gifts: a stapler (go Swingline!) - yea!; and, a (drum roll please)...DUTCH OVEN STAND!!! I have looked and looked for one for 5 years...he finally found one! I am going to put it to the test on Friday....
So, after naps, a little laundry (very little) and a little computer time, my mother-in-law came down to watch our kids while we enjoyed a delightful dinner with friends at Texas Roadhouse. I even got to sit on the saddle while everyone gave a birthday "Yee-Haw"!! We weren't ready to go home after dinner, so we wandered through Target for an hour...what an experience.

It was such a great day! Lucy even let me sleep for 6 hours last night - what a girl!

6 kids...a ball.

Last night I had to opportunity to have four little friends over while their parents went out and had fun! Beside my Luke and Lucy, I had two little girls and two little boys...we had an indoor picnic, complete with sandwiches, juice boxes, goldfish, and apple slices. After our picnic, we watched Aladdin and played with toys. I lol everytime we came to a commercial because one little girl was very consistent in reminding me to fast-forward (I asked them to remind me if I forgot). We had a BALL! I would do it again anytime. Luke only hit three times, and his friends were very understanding, but fair (they gave it right back to him (finally)). No one cried for their mom, although I got the question, "Where's my mom?" about every half hour from one of the little boys. Thanks Alissa and Haley, for letting me finally repay some favors and get to know your kids a little better - they are AWESOME!!

I took one pic on my phone, but it came out all blurry...next time.

Peaches Peaches Peaches

Ok, so we decided to bottle another batch of peaches this year. So, Rich got 5 boxes and we got started. Friday, we did about half the batch - the other half needed another day to ripen. My friend, Maria, came over to learn/help...YEA! She is the proud "mama" of her very own bottled peaches!!

On Saturday (after the BYU game and the Utah game) we got started on the last batch. However, given that it was about 5:30 pm and that about the time Lucy gets fussy, we were starting to get VERY discouraged. The solution came in the form of a frontpack carrier for Lucy. I put her in, strapped in on me, and got to work - Oh how I WISH we had taken a picture - I stood at the kitchen sink peeling and slicing (very carefully, of course) peaches for over two hours. I must say it was fun, even if I had a slight backache when we were done.

Now all our peaches are bottled and we can finally clean up the mess (tomorrow).
p.s. Luke was running in and out of the house the entire time - playing on the swingset, playing with toys in the house, just running in and out (literally), he stayed busy.

Pics

I promised a pic of my Grandma...here you go (it truly was a special day for me).

Blessings all around

This sunday we were able to bless Lucy. Our families came to share the day with us. It...was...great!! We enjoyed good food, good weather, and good conversation - what more could I ask for. Thanks to all who helped bring food and clean up, and those who lent shade and support. We ARE truly blessed.

What a sweet little angel.

Luke wanted so badly to be a part of the pictures.

Sorry Bones, I just couldn't resist. When his little angel pooped on his white shirt, Rich lent him a T...Bones is NOT a fan (but is a good sport).

Grandma's are great!

I had the awesome privilege to share music with my Grandma and her co-residents. She lives at an assisted living residence and doesn't get out much. We don't visit as often as we should, but did make it over today. Grandma loves the hymn, "In The Garden" and has requested it be played at her funeral (in the future). As the only grandchild who plays the piano, I have had the chance to find and learn the hymn. Today, I played the song, along with several others, for Grandma and the other residents. I KNOW I was more uplifted than anyone there. As I played, I began thinking about just how important music is. Not only, in my life, but to everyone. Music can touch those who otherwise may be out of touch. One gentleman in particular stood out today. He is known to be grumpy (often swearing and grumbling). But, as different songs began, he would sing the words he could or hum along. I was extremely touched...often tearing up, struggling to read the music. I truly had a wonderful experience today. I promised the residents I'd brush up on some of the songs and come play again...I hope I get that chance. Love you Grandma.
p.s. Thanks to my mom who literally wrangled my child so I could play uninterrupted...it made all the difference.
I'll post a pic as soon as I get it downloaded.

great...

So, I was enjoying the quiet of the morning while feeding Lucy when I realized JUST how quiet is was...Luke should have been making more noise. I went downstairs to find Tide powder covering my entire washer top. Luke was happily playing with a squirt bottle of Shout in the family room - fortunately, he only squirted the hard floor (easy to wipe up). I wanted to be angry, but he was so happy and hadn't REALLY hurt anything (other than wasting a little laundry detergent and trying to do what I do - put the powder in the washer). So I gave him a little chat and sent him on his way...