Fathers and Sons Camping and Preschool Graduation

Here is an update on what happened to us during the month of May. First off was Fathers and Sons Camp out. The boys had a great time.

Here is poor Wyatt. He received a few war wounds while having a great time camping. The first wound was under his left eye when he walked into someone carrying firewood (he probably deserved that one). The second one was on the other eye. A friend was swing a stick around that was smoking from being in the fire, he was poked in the eye. He burned his eye lid and singed his eye lashes. The third accident happened to his nose. He was accidentally hit with firewood while it was being put in a pile. Poor guy had a gushing bloody nose for a while. The after math left him with a swollen nose for a few days. But if you ask him if he had a good time, he would answer with an enthusiastic "Yes!"

A few days later was Preschool Graduation. He had a great time, but I am so glad he has one more year to learn more things to be kindergarten ready.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Even though our summer activities are in full swing, I found some time this weekend to make Strawberry Freezer Jam. A lot easier than I thought it would be. Strawberries were a 5 STAR deal at our WinCo. $2.98 for 4 lbs.!!! I had to take advantage. Now Shawn is asking for Huckleberry Jam. Maybe I will if they are at the farmer's market...

Last Day of School Surprise!!

This Friday was Kevan last day of school. On this last day of school they had a field day/game day. Little did I know that one of the games was a fishing pond. The sneaky part was that even if you didn't catch a fish, they gave one to you anyway.

So Kevan walks in the a huge smile (he's been begging for a pet of any kind) and this fish already named Goldy.

So we ran to Wal-Mart and got a fish bowl (the last one), fish food, rocks, and a catching net. While we were there we ran into a classmate of Kevan's who was also there to get fish things. We have now invested $11 in the surprise pet. I hope he lasts the weekend.

Happy Mother's Day to My Mom

I just want to thank my mom for being my mom. My mom has so many skills that I can only dream about obtaining. My mom is terrific teacher, artist, gardener, and friend.

My mom once told me that she took some soup to a family who was going through some tough times and found that no one was home. So she put the pot of soup on the stove and noticed the sink was full of dishes and so she did them. And of course denied it after words when her friend questioned everyone she knew.

My mom loves to garden and you can tell by looking at her front yard. Her back yard lacks the space for a full garden of veggies, so she has made an art of growing food in buckets and planters. Amazing!

I often tell people who want me to join their preschool co-op or joy school, "I'm not a teacher, but my mom is." She has always had a love of learning and teaching others what she as learned. She went back to school to get her Teaching Degree at age 40 and then went on to receive her Masters. Incredible!

My mom is an amazing artist. She is incredibly creative. So is my Aunt Sandy. Thanks to my mom and her sister and, of course dad, my brothers and I have artistic blood in us.

I can honestly say that I understand my mother more and more as I raise my own children. Growing up with 5 brothers was mostly a lot of fun, but then again I wasn't the mom raising us either. And now that I have children, I wonder how my mom survived those early years of 4 children under the age of 5.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!!

Wyatt makes me laugh!

Even when I get upset with him.

A few Saturdays ago, Shawn was gone camping with his scouts, so I thought it would be fun to take the kids to a Thomas the Tank Engine party at Toys R Us.

The party was basically an advertisement for Thomas toys. So they had conductor hats for the kids to color and some freebies. But as I was trying to keep an eye on Morgan (who didn't want to do the craft and was hoarding all the crayons) I realized that Wyatt didn't want any part in this party. He wanted to wonder the store and find toys to buy with money he didn't have. So I was very happy when it was time to leave.

When we got home, Wyatt asked if they were good at the store so they could go the park later. I said forget it because he kept disappearing on me while at Toys R Us. Of course this statement just broke his little heart and with tears in his eyes he said, "But mom, I wasn't doing any magic!"

Let's just say we ending up going the park later that day.

Belated Easter HIghlights

This year the boys both got brand new bikes for Easter.

It may not be the Cox Easter Hunt, but the Goings sure know how to seek out eggs too. Here is Grandpa Going give last minute instructions on how the hunt is suppose to go. I'm not sure too many of the grand kids were listening.

It was a little cold outside so we all went inside to go through the baskets full of loot.

Easter Sunday

Spring Break 2009

This year we thought it would be fun to do something different this Spring break. So we decided to take a family trip to Arizona to see Grandpa and Grandma Edgar. This would be the first time that they would meet Wyatt and Morgan. We also made time to see Chris and Erin and cousins and also a Dinosaur museum in Utah at Thanksgiving point. Here are some highlights...

On our 1st travel day, we stopped at Scipio, UT. This the childhood town of Shawn's mom. In the background is building with a green roof. It was the store owned by Shawn's mom's dad.

Kevan is sitting on a rock with a bunch of dinosaur footprints. We are at Moqui Cave just outside of Kanab, UT.

Wyatt - Moqui Cave

Morgan - Moqui Cave

Family picture - Moqui Cave

Sunday dinner with new cousins. Wyatt, Kevan, Mia, Rendon, and Emily in the front.

More family pictures with family we met for the first time.

Tuzigoot National Monument, just outside of Clarkdale, Az.

Tuzigoot - At the top

A dwelling built in wall overlooking Montezuma Well. Pretty Cool. This is near Verde Valley, Az.

Montezuma Well

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle

Grandma, Morgan, Kevan, Wyatt, and Grandpa

Hoover Dam - The kids liked seeing the water through this "window".

High Climber statue at Hoover Dam.

Posing at the Las Vegas hotel.

We visited the Bass Pro Shop in Las Vegas. They had a real stuffed giraffe. This place was really fun to see.

Carousel ride at the Outlet Mall in Las Vegas.

Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT

What a handsome guy!!

Morgan's new sunglasses and more than ready to head home.

We had a great time, but now it is time to get back to life and our daily routine.