From one party to the next

The cousins from Nebraska are here!

We were out to Grandpa and Grandma's as soon as we could the day after we got home. The kids played on the waterslide, but it wasn't enough time.


The next day we met up for an afternoon at Grandma Gibbon's pool. Got a little sunburned myself.

This morning, we went with friends down to the Columbia River banks. HOT! The kids loved it though, and I'm sure we'll go back soon.







It's probably a good thing that we don't live this party life all year round, but the unstructured summer just seems to be appropriate for childhood.

P.S. Our pumpkin patch is as healthy and clean (weeded) as it has ever been, but not many pumpkins. Grandpa thinks there aren't enough bees to pollinate the blooms since so many orchards have been ripped out. So, does that mean that we are now going to have to take up beekeeping?

Things we learned on the trip to Utah

(Departing Washington)

Hyrum loves Red Vines. Red Vines are kind of a traveling treat in our family and so this was a new discovery. We also discovered that when he starts screeching at about 9 hours in a a car seat straight jacket, we're pretty willing to keep handing him the red ropes.


He also learned up close and personal what sheep and chickens say.


Sariah learned how fun it is to be around girls (since that has so rarely occurred in her little life of BOYS, BOYS, BOYS). And not just girls---but lots and lots of girls.

Bryant learned what it feels like to be going up a water slide when everyone else is going down.

Talmage learned he wears a size 5, not size 3. Time for new school shoes, poor kid with crunched toes.

I learned that watermelon isn't just a water fruit but actually one of the most nutritious fruits out there, and that it is most nutritious when stored at room temperature prior to cutting. I was also able to visit dear friends made during my time in Santaquin. True friendship lasts forever.

James remembered what it is like to be with all of his brothers and sisters (almost all at the same time).
With Grandpa and Grandma Hales

Naptime on the road.

Lunchtime on the road - Almost literally.

The Traveling Store was replaced by The Traveling Bank. In years previous, the kids earned pennies for each half hour traveled without whining, teasing, or arguing. With their pennies they were able to purchase items from the Traveling Store (crayons, coloring books, travel toys, movie time, snacks...things to make the trip more fun). I really didn't want more "stuff" so we decided that for every half hour they could earn a quarter to save for things they really wanted (like a lego Harry Potter horntail). It worked the same magic. The kids did great, and now we are $36 poorer...worth every penny.

A visit with Great Grandpa and Grandma Webb.

Hales Family Reunion

What a great couple of days we have had! Thanks to a lot of organizing and preparing by James's incredible family, all 9 of his siblings and their families came together for the first time since we were married 10 years ago.

Canyon breakfast, games, water slide, a wedding, sleepovers, a service project, it has been a successful time of reuniting, and for the cousins, fast friendships. (Our boys want to move to Kansas to be with cousin Henry now.)

Bryant comes away with a shiner, but most of all, we all come away with increased gratitude for the blessing of a wonderful family and memories to last until next time...and beyond.

Check, check, check, check

Van washed
Oil changed
Tires rotated
New library books, CDs, and DVDs
Laundry done

Tomorrow...

Packing

Bounties

We've been to Grandma's house twice this week to pick raspberries. Not the best of raspberry harvests but enough to enjoy fresh + 3 batches of straight raspberry jam and 2 batches of raspberry/apricot jam. We also picked more Bing cherries to eat fresh and share. A thoughtful sister in the ward called yesterday to see if we'd be interested in apricots. Of course! We've enjoyed strawberries and blueberries from the grocer; and cherries, raspberries, and apricots from surrounding areas. One of the reasons I LOVE summer!

While we devour delicious fruit, Bryant is feasting on his orchard finds. Yes, he ate a chocolate covered grasshopper. I don't know why, he swallowed the...

The boys both won their soccer games this week. The novelty of it has worn off for Hyrum and he is making it a bit more difficult to just sit and watch the game.

Also a couple times to Grandma Gibbon's pool to go swimming and a little backyard water and popsicles make summer, summer.

The Bishop called this evening and said he received our Kiev Temple Dedication tickets! I've had some contact with those I worked with through facebook this week and I've made some arrangements to get more people together at one time so I get a chance to see as many people as possible. It's coming up fast!

To Utah first this week for a short trip and our first ever Hales Family Reunion. It is going to be a lot of fun.

Summer Dinner

Before the groceries could even be unloaded, we were eating our summer dinner. (Talmage and Sariah were especially hungry by the 7 o'clock hour because they chose not to eat their tuna sandwiches at lunch and were living on a couple of apple slices.) It was a crowd pleaser, and the crowd actually did most of the preparation. While eating my dinner, I realized I hadn't sat down for one meal today. Usually, I get to sit down for dinner at least.

In my eternal partnership with God today, these were my most precious moments:


Even as a teenager, I remember that I loved holding the little hands of my brothers and sisters. I could hold little hands like Hyrum's forever. I especially love when they reach for mine.

Bryant really worked hard today to earn a couple dollars for a stuffed toy he had seen at Walgreen's last week. He started by selling me his candy stash. I feel bad just confiscating all the sugar that they have earned and gathered, just because it is what it is. So, when he offered to sell it to me, I took the opportunity to get rid of it. Then, he spent a considerable amount of time outside this morning filling a quart jar with "weeds"---maple tree sprouts. After that he folded and put away a batch of clothes. Then he vacuumed out the van, the best job of it he's ever done. Then, another batch of clothes. And finally, he wiped down all the kitchen chairs and bar stools. He was really motivated to earn a couple of spending dollars despite the $150 or so he has hidden away. But, the classic moment of the day was when he went to pay for the toy at the counter and he dumped the couple of bills and loose change onto the counter out of a long tube sock. I couldn't help but grin---BIG.

I love to sit in the rocking chair and listen to Talmage practice the violin. The squeaks don't bother me a bit. It thrills me to watch him do something I can't do. (We had an emergency run to the music store today when I broke one of his strings trying to "tune" it.)

Sariah's precious moment of the day came when she searched for my hand at nap time and gave me three consecutive squeezes (morse code in our family for "I LOVE YOU".) This she does each time I get a chance to lay by her as she drifts off to sleep at nap time.

Horrible Passport Photos

After 40 minutes and 4 kids I ended up with passport (actually visa application) photos that make me look like I'm 50 and mean. FYI, the sign said "passport photos in about 5 mins. That's serious false advertising in my book when I've got 4 kids. The most interesting part of the excursion---Bryant actually spent some money. Honestly, it hasn't happened in years. He'll get all the way to the check-out counter with something and decide it is just not worth his pennies. It's happened several times. So what did he buy? A Ty animal snake that is 2 feet 3 inches (he's very pleased he now has the longest stuffed animal in the house). What makes it even more out of character is that ever since we went to see the Reptile Man he's been spooked about snakes and will make comments like, "I'm not going on my mission to Africa because they have so many poisonous snakes." OR "I'm going on my mission to Hawaii because they don't have any snakes." Go figure.

Tonight was the first time I got to see Bryant play a soccer game. FUN! At lunch he prayed that he would score a goal. He actually scored 5, several with a slide kick. He breaks away a goes. He's having a blast

(The ball in the net is one of his goals.)

A much needed drink.

Spent the morning mowing the lawn and cleaning up the back patio. Hyrum was outside with me the whole time. I got the yard cleaned up and my boy dirtied up.
Mom's 'Lil Helper

Today was our first triple digit heat of the year.

Stars and Stripes

I love the Fourth of July because I love this country! I have always loved the Fourth of July. This is how we celebrated this year (on Saturday the third):

Ward Breakfast at the Church with a flag raising (Talmage assisted the Color Guard) and the children singing, "My Flag" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

Basin City Parade, a special event this year with the recent passing of Franklin County's Fire Chief.


Crew waiting for parade to begin.


Hyrum wondering what is going on.




Grandpa was in the parade this year.



Laryn as North Franklin Junior Miss.




Fire Engines from all over the state of Washington. Including this one who gave Bryant exactly what he wanted.


Swimming at Grandma Gibbons

Barbeque






Picking Cherries

Uncle Tim's Fireworks in an alfalfa field (it was so cold!)

On the Fourth (Sunday) we found a great, secret spot (only a handful of people there) to watch the Gesa Stadium Fireworks with Dax, Jen, and Hayden & Gp., Gm., Blaire, and Laryn. (It was warmer.)

I recently read a book James received from my Mom for Father's Day. The Gettysburg Address Illustrated by Jack Levin. It brought tears to my eyes and I felt why I love the Fourth of July.

Sidenote: On the way back from Talmage's soccer practice Sariah said, "I think I got a squito bite 'cause I didn't use squito protector." I responded, "Where is it?" Sariah's reply "In the diaper bad" (referring to the mosquito repellant). Laughing I asked, "Not the mosquito repellant, where's your bug bite?" Sariah's response, "I don't know yet." I laughed harder.