Hog Heaven for three days

Tim came home with a little surprise last week. He ran across a great deal on a lovely motorcycle at the auction and couldn't pass it up. I am not a huge fan of him riding back and forth to work on a motorcycle but Tim was so excited about his purchase. The kids loved the whole thing and they each got a ride around the neighborhood with Dad. Hog, especially was in "Hog Heaven." On Saturday, Tim got up at 5:00 am and rode the motorcycle 75 miles to Payson with our friend Dave. They had breakfast and headed home. Tim loved every minute of it and was grinning from ear to ear when he got home. He said the ride was something he has always wanted to do. As soon as he got back from Payson, I left to go to the store. I came home an hour later to find two strangers sitting in my office with Tim, filling out paperwork. Long story short, in the hour that I was gone to the store, Tim sold the motorcycle, which he had listed on Craigs List the night before. HUH! He got three days to enjoy a motorcycle in the garage, to spend a few hours on the open road going to Payson and made a nice profit in the process. Not a bad deal. Don't we all wish our jobs had perks like his. Ha!

Bring on the rain

One afternoon last week, it started to get cloudy and the air smelled like rain. We never thought in a million years that it would actually rain but to our surprise it did. For desert dwellers like us rain is a really big event, so the kids immediately ran into the backyard to play in the rain. As you can see from these pics, the one who loved it best was Cupckae. I love watching her experience things for the first time. She stayed outside through the entire 20 minute rain storm!

I survived girls camp!

I went to girls camp last week and got no sleep, only had one shower in 3 1/2 days, cried a little, laughed a lot and had the best time. I really loved being there and I grew to love the YW in my ward even more. They were AMAZING throughout the entire camp. I am so grateful to my awesome husband who held things down out home so I could go. Thanks Louise and Rachel for helping out with my kids, too. You are the best. Here are a few highlights!!!

"Once Upon a Princess"

Leaving the stake center--clean and enthusiastic!

Anyone who has spent any amount of time with me in the last month knows how much I have stressed about the ward teaching time I was responsible for at camp. I changed my mind a million times about what to do but the inspiration came and I ended up giving a little lesson on how being "loyal to the royal in you" is to "BE YOU." I had the idea to make these mirrors (from Ikea) with vinyl lettering. They turned out just how I envisioned them and I think the girls appreciated receiving them. I ran out of time and didn't get to put rhinestones on them but Albert did put the rhinestones on this one for me. I love how they turned out!!

Skit practice. (We made these 7 dwarfs hats from knee highs and batting. Very funny!)

Ward leaders---Christina, Amy, Me, Kim and Felicia--these ladies are absolutely amazing!! I wouldn't have wanted to be there with anyone else.

Felicia (Sister Voss) rocks at knife throwing!!!!

The last day--a little dirty and tired but still enthusiastic!!

Look who's ONE!!

Cupcake turned one yesterday!!! We can't believe that our baby has had her first birthday. Tim keeps looking at her every night and saying, "When did she get so big." On her birthday, Snausage said, "Mom, there are lots of babies named Cupcake in the world aren't there?" I told him there probably were. His response was so cute, he said, "Well, we got the best one in our family!" That about sums it up. Happy Birthday, Fats!!! We love you.

School's out for summer!

School's out and we are so excited to be enjoying the lazy days of summer filled with swimming lessons, movies, baking and watching the Price is Right. I feel really blessed for the phenomenal teachers we had this year. The kids had a great year. The last day of school was fun and a little wierd since it rained all day and wasn't 105 degrees. The kids came home and played in the rain to celebrate.

Snausage and Ms. Nicole. He can't wait to go back to preschool next year!

Albert and Ms. McRae (My camera was having issues!)

Hog and Mrs. Sine. He was so excited to see her as she had been out on maternity leave for the last six weeks.

A little of my crafty side

I am not the worlds most creative person but I am really good at copying other people's ideas. I love getting ideas off of different blogs. My favorite one is Tip Junkie. I got this idea for initial plaques made from crayons for a gift for my kids' teachers and now I can say that I actually did something crafty!! It's so not me, but I really enjoyed doing this and the teacher's loved it!!! Blogging has actually inspired me to try knew things--a side effect I never thought would happen when I started my blog.

Here is the finished project. The bunny ears are Tim's attempt at being funny while I was taking pictures of my project.

Let's Play Music

Albert and Hog finished up Let's Play Music a few weeks ago. Albert graduated and Hog completed his second year. Albert composed her own song "Song of the Birds" and performed it on the piano at the recital. Her confidence absolutely amazes me!!!

Hog has little interest in singing but did a great job on the keyboard and was very enthusiastic performing in the puppet show. This picture is so Hog!

Yellow Indian Graduate!

Albert and Miss Julie