Our Family Vacation

We spent ten fun days on a family vacation to MN. Grandpa and Grandma B were so great to put us up and feed us and entertain us. We also enjoyed visits with all of Chuck's sisters and their families. Below are a few highlights.




We loved riding the Orange Streak at the Mall of America. The Nickelodeon Theme park is right in the middle of the mall and it wasn't crowded so we had free run of the place. In six hours we rode ten times as many rides as we would have been able to in a day at our local theme park. And it was all in the air conditioning! This time on the roller coaster we decided to make goofy faces at the camera as we went by.




For most of the day we split up into groups. Jared and Ruth were with Grandma B. and Aunt Liz. Chaz and Kaitlin were with some cousins and Chuck and I were by ourselves (how often has that happened?!). We bumped into Chaz and Kaitlin in line for the Jimmy Neutron ride. It was my personal favorite.








We spent five days at the family cabin in northern MN. The cabin is on a large lake and has its own beach, dock and boats. Jared took to kayaking right away. This was his first time out on the 'beginner' kayak. By the second day he was using the real one like a pro.






Two of the days it rained. It was so humid (you should have seen my hair. Kaitlin called me Hermione)! One of the days Grandpa B. took us out to his glass shop and let us all choose a sun catcher project to do. He taught us all how to prepare the pattern, cut and grind the glass and a few even got to solder their pieces together. It was very fun to learn a new craft.













All the kids got a chance to go tubing behind the boat. They all had a great time. (I went too but during my turn the boat broke down. Everyone teased me about that. Luckily Chuck and his dad had the problem fixed up in no time.)







On our second day there we went to the Como Zoo. It is a free zoo in downtown St Paul. It is a great little zoo, a little nicer than our local zoo but smaller. We especially enjoyed the big cats and I loved the tropical gardens.








Chuck and his dad took the kids fishing off the dock a couple of times. The fish there were biting, about one every 5 minutes or less. They were small perch and sunfish. Here is one of the larger fish Kaitlin caught. Chuck was taking it off the hook for her when I snapped the picture.













Chaz had fun waterskiing.











One rainy cool day we drove to the Mississippi headwaters. This is where the river begins out of lake Itaska.

Back to School

The younger kids are back to school. So now I am very close to having all my children in full time school. The older kids don't start for another two weeks.

Every year I'm amazed at how many fees we pay for the older kids. Without the "extras" like year books it will still cost us almost $400 to enroll our older kids in school. They are both excited to get back to school and friends.

Jared's Scooter Wreck

Jared wrecked his scooter on the way to school on his third day. I was walking several blocks behind. Once a mother had come to help Jared, Ruth scootered all the way back to find me. I sprinted (snack bucket in hand) the quarter of a mile to find Jared bloody and black and blue. A nice mother who lived there offered to drive us home. Jared was dizzy and couldn't walk for the rest of the day. I kept a close watch on him for concussion signs but in the end he was just shaken up. He got a bad goose egg on his forehead and skinned knees, elbow and chin. Now he wears his helmet every day when he scooters to school.

The woman who helped Jared and drove us home also offered to deliver the snack bucket to school for us. I don't remember her name but her generosity to me will not soon be forgotten. As one of my friends said, "nice people rock!"

This picture was taken a week after his wreck when the color was coming in really good on his eye. He totalled his glasses too. I'm glad we payed a little extra to put them under warranty!

Days of 47 Parade Preview

This is the 3rd Year that we've gone to the Days of 47 Parade Preview. The Days of 47 parade (held every year to celebrate Pioneer Day, 1847 being the year the pioneers came to this area) is the largest parade west of the Mississippi (outside of CA). People line up along the parade route the days before to get a good seat. But if you're like us and just want to sleep in that day, the best way to see the wonderful floats is to visit them at the preview. All these floats are made by volunteers.

Top Left: Ruth standing in front of a recreation of the 1st artificial heart. I liked the use of red tinsel for blood. Top Right: Cattails made to look like toilet paper. Yeah, ya got to love it!

Family Reunion

Over the holiday weekend we went to my parents house for a family reunion. We played games, had a talent show and went on a tour of the farm. Here is a picture of just my branch of the family that was in attendance.

Music Man Final Thoughts

Monday was our last show. The last few shows were much better than the first few. By the last night we were playing to a full house, the technicals were smooth and all our actors were more comfortable. I guess that is the nature of things.

I have felt neither sadness nor relief at the close of the curtain. To me the experience played out its course just as it should have. The highlight was working with so many amazing people. The hardest part was to see how much burden was placed on the backs of the few that were willing to work hard.

The highlight for me was that every night, as we got to the closing gym scenes I could look out over the heads of the people and see the whole valley lit up. I could see the Oquirrh Mountain temple on the left and straight ahead I could see the Draper temple shining off in the distance. I would look at those temples and think how blessed I was to be sitting on that stage in that place at that moment in time. Not a performance passed when those thoughts did not run through my mind.

My PTA Website

I've spent the last week remodeling my PTA Website and I think it looks great. There is a link to the left if you want to check it out.

Wrapping up the Music Man

Ruth and I have had a great time doing the Music Man. After a rough start each show has gotten better and better. I've been so proud of Ruth who has hung in there every night with a good attitude and without complaint. She does a lot of sitting backstage each night, they have movies and snacks for the kids, but it is still hot and long and Ruth has done great. Kaitlin has come almost every night, a couple of times sitting by herself. She loves watching the show and I love having her there. She does my hair for me every night and has been my biggest (and most important) fan. Here's a picture of my hair. It's designed to support a hat.

Our last show is tomorrow (Monday).

Hot Hot Hot

It's been so hot outside the last few days. We take frozen water bottles out to our little bunny. Summer is NOT a fan of summer. Below is a picture of Summer laying on a bag of ice. We broke down and bought a little pen for her yesterday so that we can bring her inside on those 99+ afternoons. She was inside today and loved it. Jared wants her to be an 'inside bunny' and sleep in his bed.

The Music Man

Ruth and I have had a great time doing the Music Man. It's been a lot of work but it has also been loads of fun and Ruth and I have both made a lot of new friends.

We had dress rehearsals all week and then the show opened on Friday. My friend Amy and her husband surprised me with an opening night visit. And then my parents and my two sisters and their families all traveled long distances to come on Saturday night.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us. Especially my family who have all been without a mother many nights over the past few months.

We have a show tomorrow and then Friday, Saturday and next Monday.

A Baby Bunny Named Summer

We got a new 8 week old mini rex bunny this week. The kids named her Summer. Summer spends many hours each day hopping about the back yard under the children's watchful eye. The best thing about Summer? She loves to eat dandelions!


A $3,600 Smile

Chaz got his braces off this week and a few hours later went on his first double date.

End of the School Year

Yes, year round school does end. But then it begins again in just a few weeks.

This week was the last week for Jared and Ruth. Jared ended the year with a cute Kindergarten program
4th of July Fun

We had a busy Fourth. The evening before Ruth and I were in another parade. This one was huge! We went through 100 lbs of candy and gave out 2000 fliers and we still ran out of both before the end of the parade. The morning on the fourth was a 5 hour rehearsal for Ruth and I followed by a cast bbq. Then in the evening we had friends over and we bbq'ed and the kids swam in the pool. Once it was dark we lit off fireworks in our cul-de-sac.

Music Man

We are in the 11th hour of Music Man rehearsals. The show opens on Friday night. For those of those considering coming, I would recommend the later shows. I think the first show might just be a train wreck. But you never know. Email me for dates, times and ticket info.

All things Chaz

Trek

Chaz went to Trek this last week and said it was a great experience. "Trek" is short for Pioneer Trek. It's a reenactment of the Mormon pioneer's journey to Salt Lake Valley. He was put in a family with two adult "parents" and 11 other "children" and they pulled a 800 lb handcart almost 40 miles over 4 days. He came home tired and his eyes were blood red from all the dust. Check his facebook for some pictures.

Ordination

Chaz was ordained today to the office of Priest. The best Catholic equivalent that I can think of is Alter boy. In our church it means that Chaz can now bless the Sacrament each Sunday in Church, and he can baptize new members. He's both excited and nervous about his new office.

Hair Cut

Yes, Chaz finally asked for a haircut. You can see the after and before picture above.

Happy 16th Birthday Chaz

Chaz turned 16 on Sunday. He got an Ipod from a friend. And a lot of practical stuff like clothes from us. While he was glad to have clothes, he was the most excited about the Ipod and spent most of the afternoon setting it up.







I just had to include this picture because this is the look on Chaz's face about 80 percent of the time. It's part of being a teenager.




City Days Parade

Becky was part of the Music Man entry in our City Days Parade. There entry consisted of wagon and horses, and a cast of about 30 singing "Wells Fargo Wagon" and throwing candy. It was hot, but fun.

Becky and Ruth will be in two more parades over the 4th of July weekend.

At the End of the Rainbow

Yes, Our home is indeed at the end of the rainbow. I haven't found the pot of gold yet, but I'll keep looking.