Happy 62nd Birthday Grandpa!

This was a "grandkids only" birthday party. Sorry.

Grandpa doesn't like getting presents and he knew he

would have nothing to worry about with his guests.

We grabbed hotdogs (forgot the buns), veggies, chips, the cake and ran.

Oh yeah, and some KFC for the hot dog haters. We headed north to the

adventure and learning park. We took a hike and realized the park

has all but dried up. the waterfall is gone, everything looks dead, including

the fish!

We enjoyed our lunch and the kids sang to grandpa 3 times. Talan wouldn't take

his bottle until Brett gave him a pickle, which he is devouring in the picture above.

When we got home grandma was tired - but not the kids! No way! I put the baby down and told Brenden it was naptime.

He ran (I thought to the bed). No, he ran and hid. I found him a few minutes later under the bed where the girls were playing house.

He was in the middle, where I couldn't reach him. So, I left him there, checking on him every few minutes. He just stayed there until

he fell fast asleep. Boy, did he pull a good one on grandma!

Answer to "What is Ayvri Pointing At"

The Marching Band!

As soon as we heard the beat of the drums, Moses and Brenden ran in the house and wouldn't come out.  When the band got right in front of the house, Brenden came tearing out.  I don't know what he thought it was before.  They then followed them to the park.

My camera is on a motorcycle a few hundred miles away.  I hope Doug breaks it.  Then I can get a new one!  I missed getting a great video of Talan jumping on the trampoline.

You know how he moves.  Imagine that on a trampoline.  It was pretty funny, and he loved it.  He refused his bottle and his baby food today, but loved beans, beef and blueberries.

The bigger kids are getting pretty dang easy to tend.  They make a mess, but sure have fun doing it.  It's too late to be creative, so check in next week.  Luv ya all!

Did I go to the zoo to see the animals, or did I take the animals to the zoo?

Road Trip

Ok.  I see nobody is really interested in this site.  So, I'm not going to waste my time with it.

Ok.  Maybe I'll give you guys one more chance to redeem yourselves.

Ok.  Maybe it really is a time waster, for you and myself.

Ok.  One more time.

My zoo pass is expires next monday.  So I thought it would be a dandy idea to take the kids to the zoo.  Cashe hasn't been since he was 4 months old.  I doubt if he remembers much.  Jaxon just went with his mom (I found out after we were at the zoo).  So anyways, I think I'm being a generous grandparent, giving of my time and ENERGY to take a van load 35 miles away.  I stress Kim out to the max the night before, trying to arrange it.  Then one thing after another happens this morning (Shari forgets it's Tuesday and takes Jaxon to school in Orem, Kip wakes up as Kaleigh is leaving and wants the car, an accident on the freeway), and I end up being 20 minutes late meeting Jon and Leslie.  they were both very gracious about it and I felt pretty good it was only 20 minutes late.

With five kids, It was a good thing we had 4 eyes watching them.  Granted, we should have had five eyes for five kids, but no one makes sunglasses for an extra eye.  Kaleigh was a big help. We didn't go too far when Ayvri announced she had to go to the bathroom, NOW!  We were just at the bottom of the hill, so we had to all climb up the hill again.  I forced them all to pee, and we were good for the day.

Lets see, we saw the elephants, a monkey, the elephants, a mountain lion (which Brenden corrected me and said it was a cougar), a Rhino, and the elephants.  YUP.  thats about it.  In other words we didn't get too far.

As you can tell by the picture Talan was thrilled!  Cashe was feeling like crap - no smiles today!

But, I had a ball!  I loved watching the kids interact with each other.  I loved watching the elephant roll around in the mud.  I loved that I could put three car seats in my back seat and have a hand small enough to buckle the last one in.

What did I learn today?

1.  It doesn't matter where you are, these kids love being together.  Even riding in the back seat for an hour they fantisized  about being The Incredibles, all tied up.  Or ghosts haunting each other.  I hauled Super Boy, Super Girl, and Super Man in my humble van.  I was honored and left with cheerios and gold fish all over my back seat and floor, to remember this day.

2.  Never, ever buy three kids meals.  Buy one kids meal and two extra toys!

The Real Sleeping Beauty!

See Les, I do what I'm told sometimes!

What is Ayvri pointing at?

Here's a clue:  Brenden was scared and wouldn't come out of the house.  So was Moses.

Meet Mr. Personality!

Ok, he may not be a hit on the entertainment arena, but he's a smash with his grandma.  Besides that, did you ever hear of the Smothers Brothers?  In every duo comics there's a funny one and a serious one.  Guess which one Talan is.  I mean just look at him.  Take a long, hard look.  Stare at him for 60 second and you will burst out laughing.  Promise!

Really, he is the sweetest, most peaceful, easy baby to tend.  I adore him.