Mary Jane Falls

Carol and I and my mom decided to take the kids up to Mt. Charleston to hike Mary Jane Falls the other day. The weather was amazing. It was cool and overcast. We had a great time. The kids had a blast playing in the waterfall. It's a long hike for little kids (3 miles total). They all did really well. Even Diddy made it up to the top by herself! I had to carry her most of the way down, though, because she fell asleep. The kids had so much fun that they want to go back and hike Big Falls which is about 2 miles further up from MJ Falls. That would make 7 miles total. I don't think we can take Diddy on that one.

Silly girls

My niece Hailey comes to church with us most Sundays. After church, the girls are always thinking of funny and creative things to do. Today they were news reporters...

Food post

I hardly ever post about food. April will be so proud :D Two nights in a row I've used my deep fryer. This thing is going to kill me. Mozzarella sticks, fries, chimichangas (or Jimmy Conga's to Diddy), onion rings, chicken wings, popcorn chicken. Need I go on.

I made these onions strings last night. You know you order these everytime you go out! They are so good. They taste even better drenched in homemade ranch. Yum!
On another note...I found Diddy in my makeup tonight. I took one look at her and she knew she was in trouble. That is foundation and mascara all over her lips. In her defense, my foundation and mascara both come in a tube that looks like lipgloss. But, still. I can't believe she figured out how to open my makeup case. I bought a Diddy-proof case long ago. I guess I need to buy a lock, too.

Wooohoooo

School's out. Let the boredome and the fighting begin...

Important Stuff

School is out tomorrow. I was so proud of the kids at the Award's Assembly. Lincoln took off without letting me get a picture. Typical boy.


In 4th grade, the kids have the opportunity to earn the Nevada Citizenship Award. They have to memorize a ton of things about Nevada, including all the Counties and all the Governors. Taylor was the first one in her class to do it. I'm so proud of her. She hasn't had homework for a month, because she memorized everything. I am really proud of Blake, my little class clown. She did really great this year, too.

The 4th

I hope everyone had a great 4th. I know we did. We got up early and went out to Warm Springs with the Ward. Of course, I forgot my camera. There was a great turn-out, so the kids had fun. It's alot different from what I remember. No rope swing, no cliffs, no slide. I told my kids they were gonna get to do all of these things...yeah, it's all gone now. There's pretty much just a big swimming pool with alot of bees flying around. Lincoln said, "This is lame. We should've just swam in our pool." They had fun playing with their friends, though.

After we got home, we invited friends and family over to BBQ and swim at our house. The last 4 years we have gone to the Van Alfen's for the 4th, 'cause their backyard is HUGE. But, they ditched us and went to Utah this year, so we had to settle for our crowded backyard. It was pretty crazy.

Dylan snuck in to do a puzzle. That's how she spends most of her time these days. She even put it together upside down with the cardboard side facing up. ??? She thinks if she can't see me, then I can't see her :D


My cute nephew Courage. His dad is full Sioux Indian. He has 7 little Indian brothers and sisters.

This is my niece Britten. Isn't she so cute! She is only 2 weeks older than Taylor. It is so nice having the cousins so close in age. She and Taylor are even in the same class at school.

Dad and Brookie having a conversation about something...

Um, I'm pretty sure there's a hotdog in there somewhere.

After 3 hours, Robby finally conquered the Rubix Cube. Lol.

Wow. Do we look tired? Long day.

Blake had been planning for 2 weeks to have a hotdog stand on the 4th. So, when it was time for fireworks, she started selling...after we had all eaten ALOT all.day.long. I think she made $4. So, thank you to everyone who bought hotdogs from Blake! She even had one of her cousins walk around outside in a hotdog costume to advertise (yes, we have a hotdog costume). Blake is going to make us rich one day.

Little Pyros.

F.O.U.R.

That's how many times I posted in June. Lame & pathetic. I'm a blog loser. I LOVE posting on my blog, too. This just has not been the lazy summer that I so look forward to. We have 2 more weeks of school left, and then I don't plan on leaving the side of my pool until school starts up again.

2 Cool 4 School. Achievement Days Daddy Daughter Dance. 50's style.

Blake is always the little jokester. Notice the "bunny ears".

Kelly's husband, Brandon, was the star of the show this month at Spring Mountain Ranch in "The Buddy Holly Story". Of course, he was Buddy Holly, and he was amazing! I stole these pics from Kelly. We always have a blast watching Uncle Brando perform.

Videos that I promised...









This is a cute video. Brookie is obsessed with "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Kelly just finished playing Millie and I think Brookie saw the show about 20 times. She knows all the choreography.

I am ready for things to start slowing down here. I need a break and a vacation :) Already, my schedule is filling up for this week- Monday & Tuesday booked already. Not to mention all the little inconveniences that keep happening. Like having to replace my car tires, and today my fridge broke! Ugh! Good thing we had a fridge in the garage to put all the food in. There is a leak in the pool somewhere, too. Couponing takes alot of time each week, but it is so worth it because I save a ton of money. I bought 8 packages of diapers and pull-ups this week for practically nothing. It's late and I am starting to ramble.

Whatever, I love my life. As busy as it is, I couldn't be happier. I could use 5 more hours in a day, though...