His Best Day Ever

Everyday for the last 2 months my little guy has been telling me, at least once a day, that this is his “best day ever”.

When he plays with a  friend he hasn’t played with for a while.

When he has a special treat.

When he rides the train to Salt Lake (after looking forward to it for months).

When he looks at the animals at the Zoo in amazement.

When he discovers he’s tall enough to ride the big rides at the amusement park and loves it.

When he runs through the sprinkler.

When he has a date with mommy at McDonald’s (without daddy or brothers and sisters).

When he’s invited to a sleepover at his big sister’s house.

On his first day of 1st Grade.

When he has a science day at school.

When he gets a new best friend to tell all his secrets.

When he’s feeling better after being sick.

When he’s playing at the park.

When he’s hiking, climbing, jumping, hiding, sliding, sitting on big rocks.

When he’s spending time with his dad, going to new places.

When he gets to spend the night in a hotel and eat breakfast the next morning in the lobby.

When he gets to watch the big guys play baseball.

When he’s watching fireworks and staying up way past his bed time.

When he’s been swimming all day and his fingers and toes look like raisins.

When he gets to play with his nephews who live too far away.

When he discovers he can do things on his own.

When he makes an awesome Lego creation or 2 or 3 or 4.

When he does something he’s never done before and feels bigger and stronger.

He’s teaching me to enjoy simple pleasures and live for the moment. And to try every day to have my best day ever. Do you enjoy the little moments? What’s your best day ever?

I’m linking to:

Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky

Small Treasure Tuesdays at My Thoughts and Treasures

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Being Held Accountable

Sometimes it’s just easier for me to have my kids help hold me accountable

for things I should be finding the time to do.

As an example, if I write things like this on the chalkboards

You can bet they’re going to be done and marked off.

These are things I should be finding the time to do with my children,

but sometimes they take a back seat.

If I put it out there for all to see,

I get reminded of the things that are really important and I find the time.

I know I should find the time anyway,

but writing things down (and my kids)

help me keep things in perspective and make time

for what really matters.

Time With My Family.

I’m linking to:

Home and Family Friday at Home Is Where My Story Begins

Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

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Our Pioneer Day Celebration

In Utah we celebrate Pioneer Day (Days of  ‘47, 24th of July). Anyway,  this day is remembered every year to celebrate the pioneers and to remember the trials and faith they had to come to this state. It’s a day to celebrate and spend time with family and friends.

 

Georgia (hubby’s 2nd cousin) hosts a party/barbeque every year for the family. Lots of food, but I forgot to take pictures of it. I was too busy eating I guess. Here’s one of the salads I brought to the barbeque though.

There were a lot of  family members too. Some I hadn’t seen in years. It was good to see them again. Did I take pictures of them? Uhh, maybe 2! I was talking too much.

I did get some great pictures of this bike though.

Geogia found it after many years of being stored in her basement. I am in love with this bike!

Look at that awesome bike tag.

We had a great time and ate lots of yummy food.

We played.

And talked.

Then we headed for home to take a dip in the pool.

Amanda started out not wanting to get her hair wet, but that didn’t last long.

The pool turned to sprinkler fun after a while. That is a face of pure joy.

More sprinkler fun.

Then it was time for a few jumps on the trampoline.

The kids entertained themselves by playing charades while we waited for the fireworks to start. 

Proof that hubby and I were there.

Snuggling down to watch the fireworks

Light up the sky.

Zach and Ammon both said this was their best day this Summer. Ammon has said that everyday since Summer started.

Hope you had a wonderful Saturday!

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Not My Baby Anymore

It’s Wednesday about 5:30pm and I realize I don’t have a baby anymore.

I am fighting to hold back the tears.

Unless you’ve gone through it, there is no possible way to understand the flood of emotions.

I have 8 kids.

Ammon’s my youngest.

He’s 6, 7 in September.

My little caboose.

My back seat buddy.

We were having a fun family day at Lagoon Amusement Park.

Riding rides. Watching the kids ride rides.

Then we cooled off at Lagoon-A-Beach.

Playing in the Kiddie Swim area was fun.

Sliding down the water slides.

Walking under the waterfall.

Swinging on the water swings.

Then, he wanted more.

What about trying that big slide with my big brothers and sisters?

Are you sure? What if you fall off the tube?

I won’t fall.

Okay, if you’re sure.

He goes down, through 5 pool areas and 5 slide areas.

He doesn’t fall and he’s smiling.

He wants to go again.

Mom, will you go with me this time?

Do you want me to carry your tube?

No, I can.

We go up and up and up, many, many, many steps.

Do you want me to help you get on?

No, I can do it.

I watch him leave in front of me.

I see him swoosh into the first pool area.

And, he f a l l s. He’s all the way under the water.

I gasp!

He stands up and looks around.

I yell! Ammon, are you okay?

Yeah mom! I’m getting back on.

I follow him down.

He’s laughing and smiling and is so b i g.

We get to the bottom.

Can we go again mom?

Okay.

Again mom?

Okay.

Just 2 more times mom, please?

Okay, just 2 more.

Were you scared when you fell?

No, it was fun!

He’s my last one. How will I ever let go?

I’m linking to:

Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky

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Updating the Summer Fun Banner

As we do an activity on the Summer Fun Banner we take off the generic picture and replace it with a picture of our family. Here’s what we’ve done so far:

S’mores

Croquet:

Trampoline:

Roy Aquatic Pool:

Cedar City:

Chalk Drawing:

Lagoon:

And here’s our banner now:

Do you have a Summer Fun List you’re working on?

I’m linking to:

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog

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Celebrating The 4th

The 4th of July was spent with extended family in Cedar City.

Watching movies during down time.

Working crossword puzzles.

Then taking a swim in the hotel pool.

Even little ones that weren’t sure about getting wet joined in. (Julien doesn’t like swimming because it’s too wet.)

Zachary enjoys splashing everyone within 15 feet of him.

Amanda can’t resist texting for more than 5 minutes.

Even the babies took the plunge and enjoyed it for the most part. Ummm, maybe not by the look on Maddux’s face.

At least until the great-grandma’s came and rescued them from their evil parents and uncle. 

My girls can’t get in the pool without climbing on someone’s shoulders, especially Ty.

Crashed as soon as their heads hit their pillows.

Maddux with Mom and Dad after blessing.

Ellas with Mom, Dad and brother, Parker after blessing.

Traci, Stephane, Sebastien, Benjamin and Julien visiting from Canada.

Parents and Grandparents of Maddux.

The Bargars and Jacobs celebrating Ella’s and Maddux’s blessing day at a nearby park. 

Great grandma and grandpa Bargar and great grandma and grandpa Jacobs with Whitney and Maddux.

The kids eating dinner at Chris and Emily’s.

Playing with sidewalk chalk.

And stopping a runaway train.

Everyone loves a parade.

And playing in the water.

Trying to get cool on a hot day.

Also lots of eating, singing, laughing, playing, swinging, climbing, sliding, pretending, talking, hugging, snacking, cooking, holding, kissing, walking, watching, packing, cleaning, good-byeing!

No better way to celebrate the 4th!

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Summer Fun Banner

This year I thought we’d amp up our Summer Fun List a bit. First I asked the kids what they wanted to do this Summer. Then I printed images off the computer that related to our list.

I trimmed them up.

And added some cardstock to the back to make them sturdier since I had just printed them on regular printer paper.

Then I trimmed the cardstock.

I finished them in the Living Room while watching So You Think You Can Dance.

Then I attached them to twine with small clothes pins.

And hung them on the Dining Room wall. This is the wall I’m suppose to hang all the plates on, but as you can see I haven’t even painted it yet. I’m such a slacker. Now it’s going to have to wait till the end of Summer.

I think it turned out pretty cute and the kids love it.

As we do each activity, we’ll take a picture and put it in place of the computer image.

By the end of Summer we should have pictures of our family replacing all the other pictures.

 

What do you think? I like it and now I have something on my blank wall.

Has your family made a Summer Fun List?

Don’t forget this Wednesday, June 23rd is We’re Organized Wednesday. I can’t wait to see what organizing tips and ideas you have to share.

I’m linking to:

Tutorial Tuesday at Hope Studios

Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Hookin Up With HOH at House of Hepworths

Show and Share Day at Just A Girl

Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple

Favorite Things Friday at A Few Of My Favorite Things

Friday FUn Finds at Kojo Designs

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime

Sunday Showcase Party at Under The Table And Dreaming

DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

Craft Schooling Sunday at Creative Jewish Mom

Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Filed under Children, Entertainment, Family | Comments (17)

Father’s Day Gifts

This year we decided to make most of the gifts for Father’s Day. Ammon’s been wanting to make a tic-tac-toe game out of this shadow box I bought at the Dollar Store. Him and Daddy like to sit on the front porch and watch the cars go by, so I thought that would be the perfect place to put this game once it was finished.  

First I took the hooks off the back, then primed and painted it a color to match the pillows on the front porch.

Next I sanded the edges of the box.

 

Then I found some rocks to fit in the sections of the box. I cut vinyl x’s and o’s on the Cricut to stick on the rocks for playing pieces.

And there you have it. The perfect game for Daddy and Ammon to play on the front porch.

This next one is a combination of ideas from different blogs. I cut out pieces of scrapbook paper to fit around small candy bars. The kids drew or wrote things they would do for their dad on the back of each paper. These are the ones Ammon made.

Here are the ones Zach made. I forgot to take a picture of Amanda’s and Emilee’s.

Then we wrapped the candy bars with the paper and secured them with double sided tape.

We put them in a jar and labeled the jar coupon candy.

Now when daddy eats a candy bar he gets the added treat of having something done for him.

I found these vintage car magazine advertisements in an antique store last year. I thought they would be perfect framed and hung in Hubby’s office.

I spray painted the Dollar Store frames a chrome metallic black to fit in with the car theme.

I cut white cardstock to fit the size of each frame.

Then I trimmed the pictures so they’d be even on all sides.

I attached the advertisement page to the cardstock with double sided tape.

Then placed them in the frames. The advertisments are fun to read.

This one’s a Lincoln Continental.

A 1959 Ford Thunderbird.

And a Pontiac Tempest. Hubby loves them!

I also made these Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins for Hubby. I got the awesome recipe from Ashley.

Can you tell the kids love them too?

I think we ate a dozen of them in 10 minutes. They’re so yummy!

Happy Father’s Day!

I’m linking to:

Father’s Day Show and Tell at Tip Junkie

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Show Me How at It’s A Blog Party

Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog

Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Show and Share Day at Just A Girl

Look At Me Party at Fun To Craft

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Filed under Crafts, Family, Holidays | Comments (10)

Happy Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day to the Father of my Children

and the Grandfather of my Grandchildren.

I love you with all my Heart

Thank you for being the most Wonderful Father

and Husband a girl could ask for. 

And to my Father. I love you! Have a wonderful Father’s Day! I can’t wait to see you soon!

I hope all the Fathers are having a most Wonderful Day!

Filed under Family, Holidays | Comment (1)

Happy 30th Anniversary!

(after our hike up Diamond Head last week)

Happy Anniversary to…..

 my best friend

the love of my life

my shoulder to lean on

the father of my children

the sane to my insanity

the calm in my storm

the most optimistic person I know

my eternal companion

the most wonderful husband I could ever ask for.

Thank you for….

30 wonderful years of marriage

8 beautiful children

6 and counting beautiful grandchildren

taking me to beautiful places (like Hawaii)

always being there to make everything better

listening to me

supporting me

believing in me

and always loving me.

I love you with all my heart! 

I’m linking to:

Tuesdays Unwrapped at Chatting At The Sky

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