A Favorite Summer Tradition

July 26, 2012

Back by popular demand, our annual outdoor movie night.  Despite my 'sick summer' our entire family voted to have movie night.  (There's nothing like a deadline to get a project wrapped up- the swing set completion warrants it's own post.)

The biggest undertaking is getting invitation passed out.  It requires several shifts in the delivery car, but we enjoy those quick visits almost as much as the actual evening.

 Hudson was adamant about having a 'ticket booth.'  He oversaw the construction of the stand we doubled as a popcorn stand.

 The tire swing was a main attraction as was the candy cannon.

 Chairs and blankets were the only way to reserve yourself a seat.

 A new addition was the photo booth.

 Grandma and Grandpa showed up for a birthday surprise for Dalanie, even bringing cupcakes.

 More photo booth fun.  Can you guess the movie by the props?  We showed Up.

 Anna and her assistant, Clayton popped all the popcorn for the evening.

 Homemade rootbeer to wash down all of the concessions.

Parish Reunion

July 19-21

While we wanted to go camping again, planning and preparing meals was a major roadblock for me.  Just thinking about food made me sick. So we decided to take advantage of the Parish Reunion in Elba, ID.  Mom and Dad joined us for the fun, and I only had to contribute a few dishes to potluck meals.

 Grandma and her Ruby Duby

 The teepee makes its appearance.

4-wheeling up New Canyon.   Lunch in the shade.

 Cooling down in a creek.

 Fancy sandals Grandma made for Hudson out of skunk weed leaves and grass.

 I've always loved the view of the patchwork of fields.

 Durfee Hotsprings, complete with one of Hudson's famous nose bleeds.

 A roadside glance of the City of Rocks, Brent's first experience.

 Fishing at Lake Cleveland.  Only fishing, no catching.

 Kaleb's kids and our kids quickly became friends.  I can't get over how adorable his kids are.

 Wearing Papa's glasses.

Headed home through Malta.

Grandma Camp

July 12-14

There were some happy campers all ready to head off for three days of fun at Grandma's Camp.  This year we read Indian In The Cupboard so the kids were anticipating all sorts of indian fun.

This fire was blazing as we drove through massacre rocks on the way there.

Although all the happenings are usually 'top secret' since parents aren't welcome, I gathered up some good pictures off of Mom's facebook.  The highlight was definitely the teepee that Grandma and Grandpa constructed.  I'm not quite sure how they're going to out do that next year.

 There were bows and arrows, headbands, beaded macaroni necklaces, Warriors Seth and Logan, breakfast in the trees, sleeping in the teepee, indian dresses and pants, and Grandma Camp shirts with their own indian name on the back.

 From left to right on the rocks you have Chief Rock Arrow, Chief Straight Arrow, Princess Bright Eyes, Princess Helping Hands, and Chief Backward Walker.  Yet another wonderful Grandma Camp, full of all sorts of memories.  Thanks Mom and Dad.

Where Did I Leave Off?

The first two weekends in July were spent with family in Cache Valley for the new cousins' blessings.  My kids delighted in the new babies and loved to hold and love on them.  Mom was crazy and made all the kids matching outfits for each respective blessing.  We only attempted pictures on on occasion.

 For the second rendezvous, we met at Bear Lake for a day of fun in the sun before heading to Logan for church the next day.

  Guests of honor, sleeping away.  They are so sweet and only five weeks apart.

 Millie Moo who has learned some new tricks, but hasn't grown much since the last time we saw her.

Low Key 4th

We kicked the day off at the community breakfast.  There were plenty of friends to visit with and patriotic music from the orchestra.

The kids and I enjoyed decorating bikes, although we never rode them anywhere.  Hudson's flat tire turned into an all out blown tire when Brent helped him over fill it.

 After mandatory naps, we played in our pool and grilled pizza.  Hudson perfected our landlocked version of surfing.

 And what can be more American than watching fireworks from the WalMart parking lot?  Happy Birthday USA!

HG

"Real life" seems so long ago.  I remember the days that I went non-stop from sun up to sun down and the kids were right at my heels.  I never thought of throwing up and food was a pleasant part of life.  Now we march to a much slower drum, one that is being controlled by Hypermesis gravidarum.  It is an illness associated with pregnancy where severe and persistent nausea and vomiting impact every facet of your life.  I've been sick with my other pregnancies, but not to this extreme.

The good news:  It is only temporary, a matter of months.  And you know what they say, when you can't go over it or around it- you have to go through it.  It's a journey that our family is experiencing together.  Brent has been such a wonderful support.  He's become Mr. Mom and taken on a bulk of the responsibilities around the house and yard.  Both or our parents have been wonderful to help with the kids and then other generous people are bringing in meals and helping out with the kids.

It's a humbling experience.  One that has brought me to my knees.

Watermelon Patch

 I got sick of staring at this wasteland next to our backyard.  It seemed like a catch 22, because as soon as we got rid of the weeds, the wind would make a giant sand dune on the backyard.  Unless. . .

 You could cover it with enough black plastic to hold the sand in place.  And since watermelons love to grow in sand and the heat of the plastic, my idea was born.  A watermelon patch.

 Couple my idea with my husband's equipment and it exploded into a rather large patch.

 We hauled in lots of compost, installed a drip irrigation system, and got seeds and starts planted. 

The challenge in the Idaho wind has been keeping the plastic in place.  It's buried, stapled, and zip-tied in place but it still threatens to take off like a giant sail.  If we can keep it grounded, we'll be in luck.