PG Strawberry Days

We just love PG Strawberry Days in June. There are so many activities that just make you love this town and the people that live here. Every year there is a children's parade, and each stake/ward is asked to participate. Even though there isn't much of a crowd along the sides, the kids love dressing up and walking the short distance. This year's theme was "Dream Big"...so our ward decided to have the kids dress up as their favorite hero. (Thank goodness we have a plethora of costumes here and the kids could dress up just how they wanted.) We were grateful to our Grammee for being there to cheer us on...especially since it was during the week when we had 4 cousins staying with us. The weather was quite chilly that night, so the popsicles weren't as big of a hit as in years past. But the kids also get a ticket to the PG Rodeo that night (which we still haven't been too...I know gasp), and a carnival ticket. Which I'm not a huge fan of, but we always go and ride a few rides and get a few treats.


It was a challenge to get a picture of all 9 kids that I brought..but here is a group shot. Brady was a PG Football player, Zack was a soccer player, Taylor was a college graduate, and Mitchell was a dinosaur...whatever works huh?

Jace was a Ninja warrior...we also had bubbles for the kids to blow and play with during the parade...works well with the dagger I think.

Tanner, my nephew, wanted to dress up as a Bakugan guy.

Hannah wanted to be a chef...(this was Rachel's first choice, since that is what she wants to be when she grows up)...luckily Rachel changed her mind.

We just dressed Bella up a princess, she wasn't too happy with the cold wind.

Rachel decided to be a cowgirl.








Here are some pictures from the carnival. Rachel and Hannah are in the front car, Jace is in the 3rd car back. I didn't get any pictures of the B and Z...since they decided to go and ride all the scary rides by themselves. (But their tummies sure paid for it later ;-)

Boys' Running

During the summer, like everyone else, we have a chore list for the kids to complete before they can do anything else. Cleaning chores are of course at the top of the list, but it also includes reading, homework assignments, piano practicing... and running. We wanted the 2 older boys to run a mile each day. Doesn't sound like a lot, but to a 9 and 11 year old...it was at first. But they did it 'willingly', and have improved their times tremendously. (Even though we live in a 'hilly' neighborhood, 13th East is pretty flat, and at the end of the road on 2nd south the stop sign is exactly 1/2 mile away...so they run there and then run back.)

When Brady started going to football camps in the middle of July, I noticed that he was coming in with the top 10 boys out of about 60/70 6th and 7th graders, when they would have the final run at the end of the night. I asked him if it was easier to run that final football field, since he had been running all summer long, and he had to admit that he was grateful for Nate and I making him run every day. (It's nice when your 'work' of parenting starts to pay off and they can admit that you are right ;-)

After a few weeks of running, Jace started asking me daily if he could run with the boys. I really didn't want to let him, because I knew he would slow them down immensely and I didn't know if he could make it the whole way. But one day I 'caved' and let him go with the boys. Brady said Jace did great until he fell about 3 houses down from ours and skinned his knee. (Then he whined until he saw me waiting with the camera...which immediately perked him up.) Since then Jace doesn't ask me to run with the boys quite as often, but he is always asking me if he can run to his friend Reagan's house...which is about 2 blocks away. One day he actually did it, by himself, without me knowing...scared me to death! We had the stranger danger talk and the always telling mom where you are going talk soon after that.


Brady, Jace and Zack running home.

Thanks Brady for making sure Jace made it home safely...skinned knee and all.

Jace's T-ball

T-ball has got to be one of the most entertaining sports...it's hilarious to see what the kids will do when they are out on the field.

This was Jace's first year, and he absolutely loved it! Of course his favorite part was actually hitting the ball off the T, but up next was definitely the treats!

Even though he had to play a few games in his flip-flops (because of lost shoes...oh what summer brings ;-), he didn't mind just as long as his shirt was tucked in and he looked Super-Cool. (He always asked me that before we went to his game...silly boy.)

He loved having his own mitt...even if it was a hand-me-down from his brothers.

See what I mean about the tucked in shirt...he's gotta look good as he's rounding the bases.

Up to bat with Coach Annie Clayson.

His coaches knew that keeping the kids entertained was all part of playing the game...they loved this water mister on the side lines.

Sure love this kiddo!

Deck Appreciation Day

Some of you may or may not know that we are replacing the 27 year old deck on our house this summer. All 1200 square feet. Nate knew it would be a huge undertaking...but honestly didn't know how huge until he got started. The first day that he wanted to start on it (somewhere in the middle of July), he told Zack that if he had time during the day, then he could rip up the first 20 boards or so. When Zack's friend Mitchell Menlove caught wind of some type of demolition...he was all over that. So Brady, Zack and Mitchell spent the entire afternoon pulling up nails and hauling the boards off. They loved it, even in the sweltering heat. I took them swimming later that evening and bought them an ice cream for all their hard work.

The next day Zack and Mitchell went swimming early, but came home so that they could 'work' on the deck. Crazy boys I tell ya! It takes them about 10 minutes to take up 1 board...because they pull out all the nails. Where as it takes Nate about 10 seconds to take up 1 board with a sledge hammer.

We have also had Jeremy our Bro-in-Law, Brett Redd and Brett Clayson stop over a few times at night to help Nate with whatever, which really takes a load off of me.

The thing that makes it so time consuming is that Nate is having to add twice the amount of support to the underside of the deck. And since the old and new 2x10's were made about 30 years apart, all the new 2x10's have to have about 1/4" taken off of the side. But it will be strong and will last another 30 years (or longer), and we won't have to refinish it every summer (or worry about picking slivers out from the bottom of our kiddos feet.)

I asked Nate last night what his favorite part is about re-building this deck. (Believe me it was a 'sarcastic' question.) He actually had a answer though and said, 'Building the benches.' When he started one of the upper tiers he got the grandiose idea to build a bench on one side. It looks great...but even after he had laid the new TimberTeck down to complete it...he decided that he wanted to build another bench. So up came the deck and now in goes the 2nd bench. I do have to admit, they will be nice to have and look great (They are also built Pa Moulton tough...he'd be right down proud.)

Nate has done amazing things with our home and yard...and since the start of the deck I'd ask if the yard was 'Reception Worthy' yet. (Meaning...could we hold a wedding reception here.) We have at least 14 years before that happens...hopefully. When the deck is all completed...trim and all...I will post before and after pictures so that we can all have a true deck appreciation day.

I so appreciate Nate for all his hard work and patience in this project. I've learned a lot, and I know my boys have too...especially about hard work! I know in years to come...it will all seem worth it, and we'll look back on the summer when we replaced the deck and smile!


Nate on the first part of the deck.

Mitchell, Brady and Zack helping Nate with the deck.

All the extra support that has to be added to the underside.

1st Tier being replaced. All of the supports were rotten, so Nate had to build cinderblock walls to hold back the dirt, and add treated wood to make sure it doesn't rott out again.

Brett Redd helping on the deck...sorry I don't have a picture of Jeremy or Brett Clayson...they have all been great helps.

The first bench that went in.

Getting the supports ready for the 2nd bench.

The finished main part of the deck.

I wanted to take a picture with part of the old deck in it...so we could look back and see what a difference there is between the two!

Run - Nate - Run

I've been wanting to write about Nate's awesome running 'skillz', but each time I asked him or mentioned it...he said it wasn't 'blog worthy'...or something to that affect. HA!

Nate signed up earlier this year to run for Team Mozy in the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay in June, and also a friend/ward team for the Red Rock Relay in September (I was going to run that too...but other circumstances are holding me back...sniff..sniff.) If he isn't playing basketball...he's running. He runs during lunch at work.. instead of eating, he has also ran home from work a few times (a mere 7 or 8 miles)...and then I take him back to pick up his car. I think he has trained well, and definately deserves a blog post for himself.

On June 12th, he ran the Provo River 10 miler race in preparation for Ragnar. He did AWESOME and took 1st in his age group (ages 35-39). His time was 1:13:14....which averages out to 7:19 minute miles. That rocket-paced speed also made him 12th overall....out of about 300-400 people. (Needless to say, when his relay team members heard about how awesome he did...they all let out a sigh of relief, since they know he'll pick up the slack for them...wink...wink.)

I don't know his exact times for his 3 legs during Ragnar...but he loved each and every run, and felt good about how his entire team performed. He got a new app for his iPhone that tells him time/distance/elevation/pace...etc...etc...during his runs. But it will also speak comments to him from friends, while he is running via Facebook. He said that was great motivation and fun to play with.

Here are a couple of pictures from Ragnar. Can't wait to see how his team will do during Red Rock Relay in September.

Jace-ism's

Not a day goes by that this kid doesn't say something that just makes you chuckle! My favorite age of my children has always been 3 because of the funny things they say, but with Jace even about to hit the big 5...he just keeps coming up with the funniest comments that make me smile.

We are about ready to start fall soccer, and this will be Jace's 2nd year. He had his first soccer practice yesterday morning, and Nate surprised him with brand new shin guards in the morning. Oh he was excited! So he went to soccer practice, and kept them on until we went swimming. But when we came home and he changed back into his clothes...he of course had to put the shin guards back on. When I asked him why he said, "I won't wear them swimming mom!" I guess just everywhere else. We also agreed, in the same conversation, that he wouldn't wear them to church. And when he went down stairs to get ready for bed....guess what was still adorning his legs...yup spider man trunks, shin guards, and socks.



But an even sweeter conversation actually happened with Nate, just after dinner last night. Nate was out working on the deck, and Jace went out to help him.
Jace: "Dad, why do you love me?"
Nate: "For lots of reasons....why do you love me?"
Jace: "Because you bought me shin guards."
Nate: Then Nate took the opportunity to tell Jace why a he loves him (too many to add right here.)

I guess if all it takes is a pair of shin guards to make the boy happy, we'll cruise right through the teen years.




Here also is a picture of Jace with one of his favorite uncle's... Uncle Brandon on the 24th of July. (He must love Uncle Brandon, because Brandon has dogs and we don't.) Last weekend we went down to the cabin with the whole family and had a great time. Well, Brandon and Ashlee needed to take their 2 dogs for a walk, and of course had an entourage of kids that wanted to go. I stayed back with Hannah, and Brandon was good enough to give Jace a ride on his shoulders. Well during their walk/hike, Jace started to pass gas. Brandon didn't say anything, but could feel it of course.

Then Jace started to giggle, and said, "I farted on you, Uncle Brandon."
Brandon replied, "Yep and that's why your getting off." (At least he's a good sport.)
Jace of course thought it was hilarious (that's the joy of having older brothers I guess.) We've talked alot about bodily functions with this boy...but I'm sure it will be an ongoing discussion.


















Jace, of course like all kids, has his moments where he does pinch a fit. It is usually because of something that I won't let him do. But I'm past giving in to every childs' whim, so he just has to get over it.
He usually responds with a, "Mom, you're just making me so mad."
But one day a few weeks ago, instead of his usual saying he said, "Mom, you're just breaking my heart."
Which of course melted my heart, but I still didn't give in. I just smiled and gave him a huge hug. We sure love this kiddo!

Ultrasound

Yes...I know it's long overdue...but here are a couple of pictures from our ultrasound on June 2nd. Since we don't find out what we are having, ultrasounds have a different meaning to me. I'm a little more nervous, thinking that the ultrasound tech will find something wrong, or of concern. But no worries, thank goodness. I always ask a ton of questions like why they are measuring certain body parts, etc. (These are to detect birth defects or other problems that the baby might have.) Luckily, Nate was able to come with me and we had a fun time joking around and trying to guess what the baby is. (She made us turn our heads when she checked for the gender.) She also took a TON of pictures and sent us home with the DVD. (I had brought our VHS tape that all of the other kids' ultrasounds are on, but I guess that's obsolete now...my how times have changed.)

She also sent us home with a sealed envelope that has the baby's gender. People think that we are CRAZY to have the information at the tips of our fingers...just sitting on my dresser...and we still haven't peeked. It's easy now...since we've done it 5 times already. (There have been threats of friends coming to open the envelope and see what we are having...so it may be making it's way to a more secure location.) But things are looking good, and I'm feeling great. If only I could get more sleep, maybe when the kids get back to school. I'm still able to work out 3x's a week, but I've had to cut my portions of food WAY down, if I don't the dreaded HEARTBURN sets in at about 4 o'clock, and it's horrible. The baby is kicking me lots, and is very active at about 4am. Hannah loves to kiss my belly, and seriously it is the cutest thing. She has become very attached to her baby dolls (so much more than Rachel was). But Nate says she still treats them as a Neanderthal...which is true, so hopefully she'll be a lot more gentle with her new brother or sister.

I have a pregnancy app on my iPhone, and Jace loves to look at the photos of what the baby looks like in my tummy. All the kids are asking how long the baby is, or how much it weighs, so I know they are getting excited to have it join our family.
I'm now 28 1/2 weeks....6 months...so entering the last trimester should be a breeze!


What a sweet little profile.

Baby feet

We'll nip that in the bud with a passey as soon as possible!

Profile of the leg...the baby was very cooperative at being modest.

The sealed envelope...I plan on taking it to the hospital with me...just to see if it is a match!

Brady's First Kill

Brady (and all of my kids for that matter) want to grow up so fast, and no matter how hard I try to keep them little, the years just seem to blend together. Since he was about 8, he has been asking for a BB Gun...ummm no...think again buddy. We told him, maybe when he is 12. Well he has been saving his lawn mowing money for a long time for anything...something. (He did spend quite a bit of it on new baseball stuff, i.e. bat, gloves, baseball bag). So he approached Nate and I about a pellet gun (kind of the same thing, but a little safer I think.) He loves it, and of course has been properly taught how to use it from his dad.

Even Nate likes to pull it out and shoot at the quail in our yard from time to time. Well one day, I was at lunch with my friends and he called and said very excitedly, "MOM...MOM...I just shot a squirrel! And it crawled under the deck and died!" Oh he was thrilled beyond belief that he had hit his mark.

Now before you go thinking that we are just shooting any random animal that enters our yard, remember that we are right up against the mountain and have quite a bit of wildlife. And now that we don't have a cat to chase small animals from our garden, they have become quite bothersome. So yes he was protecting our garden from the squirrel, so that we'll have some sort of harvest in the fall.

Brady did have to take care of his kill. I wasn't going to do it for him. I've joked with him that if he does ever shoot a quail, he has to pluck it and eat it for dinner. (Really don't know if I'll live up to that threat though, since I'd have to most of the work.)


I wonder if he'll turn out to be a hunter or not?

He wanted a shot with his gun in the picture, so Zack was volunteered to hold the squirrel.

Jace's War Wound

Well they say when bad things happen...they happen in 3's. The first bad thing was the snow storm taking down our willow trees, the second was that the water line to our fridge popped off and flooded our kitchen....3 times. (The 3rd time, was in the middle of the night and we didn't catch it for about 2 or 3 hours....Brady came running up in the middle of the night, both Nate and I knew exactly what had happened. So now we are dealing with homeowners insurance and replacing lots of drywall.) But the last thing on the list is our little buddy Jace. One night when Nate had a double header for softball, I decided not to go and get the kids to bed at a decent hour. Well Jace and Brady were racing down to bed and Jace ran into a wall and split his head open. And you know how head wounds bleed. Even though Nate was at a ball game, and Brady could babysit...I still wanted to have our friend Brett Clayson who is a P.A, look at it and just make sure it was 'stitch worthy'. So I drove down to the ball field and grabbed Brett real quick...which I'm sure Nate was wondering what the heck was going on. Of course it was pretty deep, and so we went to InstaCare, but were back at home just after Nate got home from his game.

Jace was pretty brave, and was super excited to get a yellow sticky hand for his efforts of not crying. They actually stapled the wound back together...which I prefer, because it's so much faster. After 10 days, and I told Jace it was time to go get the staples out...he got a little worried and didn't want to go. But luckily Nate took him, and again he got a little toy. I just hope and pray that's the last of our troubles for a little while.

Dance Festival

Our kids participate in the elementary school's dance festival every year. And every year they seem to have the same dances. But this year they changed it up a big, and all of the dances were to some sort of song from Walt Disney.

They do such a cute job, and it's so fun to see them practice their moves at home. It seems hard to believe that next year will be Brady's last, my how fast time goes.


Brady's theme song was 'Under the Sea' from the Little Mermaid.

Zack's theme song was 'You Can Fly' from Peter Pan.

Rachel's theme song was 'Colonel's Happy March' from the Jungle Book.

Last/Late Snow Storm

A week or so before Memorial Day, we had our garden tilled and all prepped for planting. In fact, we had a welcoming BBQ at our house for 3 new families in our ward, and I was saying how I was planning on putting in the garden the next day. Well it was a little rainy that next day, so I decided against it. And then the next Monday...this happened.




YIKES! I was so glad that I waited. (But got an ear full from neighbors that had decided to put their gardens in that next day, because everything of theirs was either ruined or frozen.)

But we had enough trouble with the center willow tree in the backyard. In fact for FHE that night, Nate pulled out the chainsaw, and we all worked together to clean up the mess left from the storm.




I'm glad for the fact that I waited to put the garden in. But now we are deciding if we should cut down the center willow all together. It seems that every year we have either a late or early snow storm, and those willows have such a hard time with the weight of the snow. It is amazing what Mother Nature can do in just a few hours or minutes.

Jace 3-4 Preschool Graduation

Jace was a lucky boy this year, since he got to attend a 3-4 year old preschool class. We usually don't put our kids in 2 years of preschool, but since his birthday is in September, he is ready for some sort of structure. He loved his teachers Miss Heidi and Miss Kylee, and they loved how 'rambunctious' he was. (There was a time when Jace went through swatting bums...even his teachers'...but in a playful way, and they got a big chuckle out of that.)

The only time he ever had a hard time going was right after our 10-day vacation. He didn't want to leave my side, (and still seems to be having mommy-withdrawals from time to time.) But he got over it pretty quick, because preschool was much more fun than coming home and entertaining himself.

Towards the end of the year, I really enjoyed listening to all the songs with actions that he had learned. He was very animated in his program, and we'll treasure the videos for years to come!

We love you little buddy and can't believe how fast your growing up. But I'm so glad that I still have one more year with him, before he rides the big bus to school with his brother and sister.


Jace in his outfit before his program.

Jace receiving his certificate from Miss Kylee.

Jace and Miss Heidi.

Hope of America

This year since Brady was in the 5th Grade, his school participated in the Hope of America. It is a Patriotic celebration that they practice for all year, and held at the BYU Marriot Center. There are actually 2 nights of the program, since so many schools participate now. But WOW....what a program it is. The 5th graders are the chorus for the program and make up the 'Human Flag' on one side of the Marriot Center. Grovecrest was actually on the floor this year, so we had an easier time picking him out. My mom went early and got us great seats, which I will be forever greatfull for. My kids, except for Hannah, really enjoyed it...especially when they turned out the lights and the kids held up flashlights. I'm so sad I forgot my camera, but I did have my phone. But I still didn't get a great shot of the flag. It was an awesome program, and I'm excited for the other kids for their chance to participate.


Here's the best picture I got. Brady is on the very far right...4th from the front. And yes the flag in the back is made up of 5th graders from around Utah County. So cool!

Zack's Birthday Party

Since Zack's birthday was during spring break this year, we decided to wait until the weekend to have his party. He just wanted to have a movie and pizza night with his friends, hang out and play games. I guess no more 'themed' parties for this guy!


Jaxon, Tanis, Zack, Parker, and Caleb...eating chow! But seriously, I bought way too much food. Even though Zack is our bottomless pit, I guess these boys aren't going to eat me out of house and home until they become teenagers.


Zack blowing out the candle on his cake. It was a yummy smores cake. (Since our plans to roast marshmallows outside were ruined by the rain.)

Baby Clothes

Since I am the next one to have a baby on my side of the family, guess what I have been bombarded with? CLOTHES! CLOTHES! CLOTHES! There are 5 older girls in my family, and we have always passed around and handed down clothes to one another. Whether it be kids clothes or maternity clothes. There were 3 large bins of maternity clothes....which I quickly trimmed down to only 2 bins. (Because styles change quite frequently.) One thing that I had tossed was a pair of maternity overalls. I remember wearing some similar being pregnant with Brady, but seriously no one wears those anymore. But as I was putting in my garden the other day, and having my pants keep slipping down and cussing underneath my breath, I quickly retrieved those overalls from the DI pile and finished my work with ease. They will have to be a gardening staple for me this summer. (I told Aubree and Ashlee that I kept them, and that yard work is probably the only reason they'll ever wear them ;-)

I was given all the baby boy clothes from everyone. HOLY COW! There were so many clothes, and I know that they will keep coming. But it's okay, I'm not complaining...just wondering if I really need to buy anything besides diapers? Seriously, as I was sorting through the baby boy clothes, I didn't keep anything that had a stain or a rip or wasn't in near perfect condition. Just to give you an idea of the wardrobe possibilities that this baby will have if it is a boy is a picture below. These are the shoes for 0-6 months old. There are 14 pairs...YES 14 PAIRS! I couldn't believe it. And they are all in GREAT SHAPE...others were already tossed.




Next up are the baby girl clothes...I honestly fear for when all those are brought to me...because we know how much more clothing options there are for a baby girl over a baby boy!

Zack's Wolf

Just before Zack turned 9, he earned his Wolf badge at Pack Meeting. He was so excited to advance to the Bear Den, and to earn a gold arrow and 3 silver arrow points along with it. We are so blessed to live in the ward that we do, because scouting is such a big priority here. The leaders like to move the boys along quickly, and make sure no one falls through the cracks. (In fact most boys are starting on their Eagle Projects by the time they turn 14). So THANK YOU to all of my sons' scout leaders that they've had, and will have in the future!


Zack pinning on the Mother's pin for his Wolf Badge. Sis. Olesen, his Wolf Leader.


Zack, Caleb, and McKay receiving their Bear neckerchiefs from their new Bear Den Leaders. Brother Christensen, and Brother Jenkins.

Like Mother Like Daughter

Back in the day when I was nearing 12 years old, I remember bugging and bugging my mom to let me shave my legs. I wanted so much to be grown up! (I also remember sneaking to elementary school and putting on mascara in the bathroom...but not being smart enough to take it off before I headed home.) In fact my mom found this cartoon in the newspapaer soon after I had entered Jr. High, and I added it to my scrapbook because it was just what I had been pestering her about.




Fast forward 22 years...(dang, am I that old?). Now keep in mind Rachel is only 7 1/2 years old. For her daily chores that week she was on trash duty. Well as she was taking out the trash from our house, and was approaching the front porch, I noticed something poking out of her pocket. I asked her what was in her pocket, and she quickly covered it with her hand. With a little prodding, and promising her I wouldn't be mad, she unveiled one of my disposable razors that she had snuck from the trash. It was all I could do to hold in my urge to laugh, as all these memories of 'wanting to grow up' came rushing back into my mind. She said that she wanted to shave her arms...see she is 'cursed' like me with long blonde arm hair. It's not bad, it actually didn't bother me while growing up. My Grandma Broadhead use to always comment on how I had taken after her with inheriting the long blonde arm hair. And so it begins with the battle for her wanting to grow up and me wanting to keep her little!