Happy B-day!

I had been trying to make a pie since I got up to Oregon but for some reason the crust wasn't turning out! It was so frustrating! So I broke down and bought a pie crust!

On Sunday we went to Church which was an adventure--the power was out so the mic was off. Eli loved to make Ramy and Victoria laugh. So between bathroom trips and trying to keep Eli quiet, we wouldn't have heard much anyway! That evening we finally celebrated Scott's birthday--he is now older than me! I made his favorite pie---strawberry rhubarb. It was good-even though it was a store bought crust! He got some fabulous gifts!

We left Tues morning at about 1am--yep time to try a few more nasty drinks! I wouldn't recommend them. I could actually feel my heart beating faster and I was really antsy! But it was either that or fall asleep at the wheel.

We all had a great time! Thanks Scotty for making it possible for us to come up!

He even sent the xbox home with us! (I'll have to tell you all about that later!)

To the Coast!!!!!

We got up early on Sat and headed off to the Coast with 9 kids. (5 of them 5 and under). We of course had to drive 2 cars--- that was a total bummer. We went into Portland and drove by the Temple which was very pretty. The coast is about 2 1/2 hours from his house. On the way , we stopped at an air museum. Then we stopped at the Tillamook cheese factory. It was totally packed but we still got ice cream cones. Scott said "I'm not used to everyone looking at me like I'm a freak". I said welcome to the life of alot of kids! He loved it! :)

We ended up in Lincoln City on the coast. The kids started screaming the first time they saw the ocean. It was getting a little cold and rainy. Brooklyn said "I don't care how cold it is! I'm swimming in the ocean!" We found a beach and walked out to the water. It was so cold, I had a fleece jacket on and a blanket wrapped around me and I was still cold. But the kids were all in the water--a few of them even went under (not on purpose!)

Hangin out

I got to meet Scott's kids for the first time on Friday night! They are darling!

A couple of nights before our trip, I woke up in the middle of the night totally stressing about all the kids running around Rhonda's house. My 6 kids, her 6 kids and Scott's 3 kids!!! AAAAAHH!!! Scott bought an xbox so when we weren't off doing something, the kids were in sitting, playing that---that was a life saver, or at least a house saver!

The Columbia

The next day we went to the river. Hood River area is also called the Gorge. It is so pretty--It is one of the top place to wind surf. On the way there, we learned something very important, Heber gets car sick when he is in the very back. He barfed chinese happiness all over the back seat! We got all the kids out of the car, the bathrooms had no paper towels, so I sent Heber to the river (gross I know). Scott was helping me and asked if I needed anything. I said Yeah I need someone to clean up this throw up for me. I wasn't serious, I just dry heave everytime I clean that up. He took the car to Walmart, bought some cleaning supplies and brought it back clean. He said "I think he had the sweet and sour chicken"

We had a great time after that.

Chinese Happiness

The next day we went in to Portland (near by). We went out for lunch at a place called Chinese Happiness---brooke was about to taste the tea, when Scott warned her about it. It was full of Ancient Chinese Secret. Instead, she dumped some salt in it and poured it back in the pot. The waitress came and got it then a few min later we could hear this group of lavender ladies at the next table complaining that the tea was too salty! oops

We went to see a movie, went shopping and then just went home and hung out with Scotts sister, her husband, their 6 kids and little dog.

Went to the Fish Hatchery

This was Jack's fav place. They all were touching the salmon trying to catch one until we read the sign that said no touching! that always happens doesn't it? Dang! We saw the mammoth Stergens(?). And the kids played in the water fountain. of course

Believe it or not, this is the only pic of me the whole trip! I need to put someone else in charge of the camera! Or...if there are no pics of me, no one will ever know that I am getting old, I'll just stay young forever!!! great plan

Birthday Surprise

So we were traveling on the 18th of June which just happened to be Scott's birthday (oh by the way, for those of you that don't know--His name is Scott Nielson, he lives close to Hood River Oregon, I met him online (I know) in Feb. He has 3 darling kids and he kinda likes me :)

He thought we would get to his house (actually his sister's house) at around 3. We actually got to Hood River at noon. I stopped in The Dalles and Brooke and I cleaned up then I called Scott's sister to find out how to get to his work. I got there and they were all just getting ready for lunch. Everyone was inside except a couple of guys--I asked them if Scott Nielson was in there and they said he was. I said "tell him that his birthday present is outside" He came out and was so surprised and excited! It was so fun to surprise him!

This blog is like my jounal--sorry if it's too long! oh well

Oops I thought this was the Hood River Bridge, but it's actually the Bridge of the Gods like anyone would know but Scott!

Oregon!!!!!!

Scott and I decided that I should bring the kids up to Oregon to visit. I was origionally just going to take the 2 little boys. Scott said--you have 2 extra seats, just bring porter and jack too. I thought Brooke and Matt would be great with that because they could be home by themselves but when I told them, they said "I want to come!" I told Jess what we were doing and she said "Don't I get to come?" So Scott rented an Explorer with 7 seats (Jess couldn't get off work! bummer!) so I could bring all the kids. We were all so excied! We got the car packed and ready. My plan was to leave at about 3 in the morning so the kids would sleep most of the time--it's only a 12 hour drive! But we got everything packed and loaded at about 1 am and with everyone going in and out the house was full of mosquitos so no one could sleep anyway so I said "Everyone in the car lets go!!!" We said a prayer and headed out.
I started getting tired and everytime I looked over at Matt to see if he could drive for me, he was asleep! Big help he was! I had to resort to the evil drink! I bought a Monster to see if that would help. I am making a huge confession right now--with my body not being used to caffiene--I was wide awake!

Bball camp again?

Matt had the wonderful opportunity (thanks to his generous coaches) to attend all the bball camps Box Elder offered this year. He is the tallest on all the teams at BE and the coaches want him to get all the experience he can. (thanks to his mom, he didn't grow up playing on comp teams! Sorry Matt) this will be his 3rd year playing. So he's doing pretty dang good! He went to Pocatello, Roy, BE, USU and BYU camps. He was pretty excited to play in the Spectrum at USU.

I know my photography skills are lacking!

oops I forgot one

cute pics of the kids

We are being over taken by fowl!!!!

The kids came in the house yelling and screaming (the good kind--although sometimes it's hard to tell the difference--I couldn't see blood which was a good sign) They took me outside back to the goose field and I saw 14 darling ducklings!!!!

They are teenage sized now if any of you are interested they are free.

To My Dreamgirl

Scott sent me roses---just for being me! He is so sweet!

June Ring of the Month

My wonderful friends Kim and Heather gave me my June ring of the month. They were out shopping and saw this and thought it would go great with my collection. I love it! Thanks guys!

I also found a new place to get my nails done for those of you who are interested (actually Mandy told me about it). They did them exactally how I wanted--I don't like them too thick---and it was 20 bucks for a new set. I just barely got them done again and they still looked great after 4 weeks! It is in Ogden at 5 points. It's called Expo Nails. It is a bunch of Asian ladies and the only thing is, they don't talk to you. My friend Becky said she prefers it that way so she doesn't have to figure out what they are saying to her!

Happy Birthday to you........

Jess turned 18! She came home for her party--Dave and Mandy came over (oh for those of you that don't know, Mandy is Dave's wife--they were married in May and bought a house in Brigham. Everything is great, we all get along great--I know, I know, I'm wierd---oh well! who doesn't know that already?) It was fun to have her home again. Even if it was only for an hour!

Oh and another cool pic of graduation

A Totally Long Awaited Update to My Fabulous Blog!

Ok.....sorry my computer was being a turd. It's working for today so I'll hurry and update while I can. They will each be short and sweet because I've got so much to post!!!!

Jess graduated!!!!! Holy Cow she's all grown up! She looked so beautiful and smart in her cap and gown. When they said congrats to them at graduation, she was one of the first to throw her cap! She was so ready to graduate! She moved out a couple days after that and has been having the time of her life! We asked her the other day how life was being on her own. She put both thumbs up and said "and if I had more thumbs, I'd use them!" I'm glad she is having such a great time! (although I have to admit--it's tough on me sometimes. I miss being a bigger part of her life)