Time to Catch Up

I actually do not have time to catch up right now, but I am going to do it anyway! We have been having a lot of fun so I have been too exhausted to blog over the last few weeks. I am back to work at the district full-time-ish. My job has changed and I was resisting, but I have given in. I am going to suck it up and do what I am told. (For a minute, anyway.) I stomped my feet and threatened to quit. The reality is, I am a government employee and they don't care. Ok. Fine.
I have had my 3rd course of antibiotics in 2 months, and the last one was really screwy. I had a bad reaction to it and my left leg freaked out. That is all I am going to say about that, except that I am 90% recovered.

It is rough always having the paparazzi after you...

Last night we had a power-outage for about 2 hours. The kids were ready for bed, but we couldn't resist running outside to play in the rain and send little floating objects down the gutter. I love a summer rain storm! Em decided to get right in the stream of water.

Emmett is a little punk-rock.

The 5th annual (minus one year) Luau was a hit. Despite some evite difficulties, we estimate about 80 people attended this year. I feel badly about not letting everyone know with paper invites, but the evite was so much more simple for me. Any-hoo...the food was fabulous! Thanks everybody.

Tabi cooked up some Mudslides

We added a little fiesta into our luau with the always-fun pinata

Kids grabbin' their loot

Augi was a beautiful wahine.

She chose her own outfit--and it was perfect

Grandpa Albert flew in from San Diego just for the party! Woo-hoo! Grandma Valerie got the day off from the HD to attend

The boys

Thanks to our always reliable clean-up crew...Mindy single-handedly cleaned up the whole joint after everyone left.

This is the best picture of Jaid I have had in years. She ended up spending the night and Augi was in heaven to have her big cousin Jaid here. She was great--we would have her back any time.

Hey! Why aren't these two shooting photographs? I didn't say they could have the night off!

In other news...

My children love to paint. It is hard to get everything out and let Em experience it because I am so used to Augi. She is so independent with her art--I can let her paint, cut, glue, etc. completely on her own and I know there won't be any disasters. But, I know it is important for him too. So, I let him do it whenever I can.

Little cow-kids. Notice they don't put down their sippy-cups. And, Em is riding a moose instead of a horse. Oh well.

Finally, I am posting some pics from the county fair. I freakin' love the county fair. We even went TWICE this year! The first day we did pony rides and petting zoo. We went back a second time for rides.

Augi really enjoyed the little goats

Em doing his "hi little creature!" squat

Whew. That was the longest post in the history of blogging.

Happy 11th Anniversary

Chris and I have been married 11 years today. Time really does fly! We met 15 years ago. I was interviewing for a job at the lab where Chris worked. The supervisor who was supposed to interview me was a ding-dong and wasn't there. Chris was there and came out to greet me. He showed me around the joint and entertained me until she got there. I thought "hubba-hubba, who is this guy?!" I got the job, and later got the guy!
We spent our day tag-team wrestling our monkey children. We took a second trip to the County Fair. I love the county fair. I love to see all of the little creatures. I really wanted a corn dog, but the line was too long. Darn. Maybe next year!
Happy Anniversary Chris!
I'll post pictures later...

funny!

I keep making these dumb videos and I am laughing so hard I am crying...
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/wc2bAxRZVxVz61BN
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/MMtuQrCGB26PLD1n

Tids and Bits, Buckets and Nature

So, have you seen the movie Parenthood? If so, then you will know the significance of these pictures. My kids might not be mathematical or musical prodigies, but they are happy and I love them. Did you ever know a bucket could be so much fun?

We went on a little (ok, big) hike the other day. We attempted to hike to the waterfall up Adam's canyon. I know, too much. It was too hot and too late in the day. We had already been to music in the morning, so it just wasn't great planning on my part. I am hoping Jenny has some pictures to send me anyway. I didn't take even one! I was too busy dragging Augi along. Well, I didn't want Augi to hate hiking forever, as she was threatening after that day, so we hooked up with the Baldwins and headed out for a leisurely stroll up Fernwood. It was much better and I think Augi will agree that it was fun.

Emmett loves being outside. This is definitely his "thing." I gave him a bag and let him collect treasures. He absolutely refused to let me hold him, even his hand, and he just ran full force ahead. He fell once and skinned his knee. Instead of wanting sympathy, he was just pissed at the rock that tripped him.

I am trying to get reports finished (last minute on Sunday night, as usual) but I really wanted to get some pics posted. As for other news of the week:

- I am on the next step of my England job application process. I will copy transcripts and such tomorrow and mail them Wednesday! Augi is finally warming up to the idea after I told her we could find castles there and they drive on the wrong side of the road.

- Funny: Augi is very insistent that she is a fairy. She has wings, but we can't see them. Emmett dropped something while in his carseat. Augi was a little grouchy about how tight her car seat was at the time and said, "Sorry mom, I would help him with my magic wings, but I can't because they are all bunched up in this car seat." Hmpf.

- Watch out, Emmett bites! He has had his rabies shots. His new method of defense is to bite anyone near his chompers. Grrr.

- Happy 13th birthday Nanny!

Summer Fest

We went to the annual Summer Fest in little Bountiful City. Thanks to Sarah, she let us know about it. They had musicians from all over the world performing traditional dances and music. We got there pretty early, so we didn't get to see a lot of different groups. However, we saw some eastern European group, a local drum group (Samba Gringa), and the Spain group. This video is from the drum group. It was wonderful to watch how outgoing Augi was feeling. She really seemed to be in her element. I think this is the direct effect of her music class. She is totally ready for the drum circles at Liberty, minus the bean. Next weekend, anyone? Ya, here is
Augi "Elaine" Leona boogy-ing to the beat

Cotton candy tastes so good...

Face Painting
Augi teaching Tanner and Libs the new dance
Chillin boys

Augi's Big Moka...

If you have ever taken an antrhopology course, you will know Ongka and his Big Moka. Well, Augi's 4th year Moka will be hard to beat. The theme: Pirate Girl! Aaargh!

Last week Augi and Em made the cupcakes...

Augi started her birthday on Thursday by having a sleepover with Grandma Meme. On Friday, she got to go to lunch at Grannie Annie's Restaurant with Grandma Meme and Great Grandma Farr (That is a lot of Grandmas!)

Grandma and Augi picked up the balloons and made it home a few hours before the party. Perfect timing!

Check out the cutest pirate girl banner ever--made by yours truly!

We started out with cupcakes and a story (Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke)

Then, we took some swipes at the pirate pinata.

Mmmmm...Emmett really liked the cupcakes

Every Pirate Girl needs a pair of great HEELS

Checkin' out their LOOT

The treasure hunt was so fun. We had a map, clues in rum bottles, and an obstacle course.

Skull Cave was the best decoration, thanks to Pirate Daddy My littlest PirateOpening her loot

It's her party and she'll cry if she wants to...

Walking the plank...I'm not sure what the blow-up baseball bat is doing in the "ocean"

You can always identify the pirate captain by the HANDS ON HIPS Stance.

My favorite parts of the party:

• Augi telling Grandma meme that we were going to serve sprite and rum to the kids. WTF? (A few weeks ago she told Dayton I let her play with fire and knives.)
• Emmett diving face first into his cupcake
• Tanner telling Augi she should love her new snowcone maker because now she doesn't have to go to "Shavin Havin!"
• The first bloomed sunflower of the season chose Augi's birthday
• The balloons all flying away 10 minutes into the party
• Caisy's braids and pirate bandana

Augi's favorite part of the party: "The treasure hunt!"

Daddy's favorite part: "The treasure hunt and skull cave!"

Next on my plate--getting the luau invites out. Only 3 weeks away!

I'm Hyperventilating...

OK, breathe, Ok.
So, I just finished and emailed my technical interview for a position as an early intervention psychologist in England. It is one step closer to the actual phone interview then background check. What if I get it? OMG. Can we really move across the world?
The question is...can Chris really move? And, how will we fit Tanner, Libs, and Sarah into our luggage? They do transport 5000 lbs of junk, so we'll just throw them in the moving van with some food and water. I fully plan to get Sarah a job there and Chris will watch all the kids for us while we work. I checked out Lakenheath on google earth tonight. It looks pretty rural.

Preparations for the pirate fest are in full swing. We made cupcakes yesterday, we will frost them later. Augi is having a birthday sleepover with Meme tomorrow so I can get ready for the party. She talked me into decorating today, so I won't have much to do on Friday. Yipee! It is midnight and I am getting my second wind as usual...I guess I'll go lie in bed and read myself to sleep. Or, I'll start making party decorations. Wait until you all see the 40 foot pirate-girl flag banner I made.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's my day. Cool-eh?
No pictures on this post. Sorry. Friday we went to the zoo early in the day so Addie and Augi could exchange birthday gifts. I forgot to put memory in my camera. Duh. Then, later that night we had some family over for a BBQ, and I forgot to take any pictures. It was fun, and the kabobs were great. Saturday we just hung out and I didn't find any great moments to capture in pics. Today we went swimming and I forgot the stinkin' camera. I wish I had remembered it because Augi went down the big waterslide with Chris a bunch of times and her smile as she came down was priceless. Oh well--I'll remember it next time.
As for my birthday, it was just another day like any other--great to spend it with my sweet children and their dad.

Not in the Mood to Talk...to Some People

Scene: Augi, Emmett, Chris, and I sitting at the dinner table tonight.

Augi: Mom, I am just not in the mood to talk to anyone.
Me: OK, that's fine.
Augi: Well, except you.
Me: OK.
Augi: Well, except you and Emmett.

Geez, Chris must have really really offended her!

Books.Books.Books.

Emmett is obsessed with books. He wanders around the house collecting books to be read to him. CONSTANTLY! It is fun to see him enjoying reading, but it is exhausting. I need to find some new books, too. We spent so much time reading the same books to Augi that I am completely bored with them.
Otherwise, I have been a terrible blogger lately. I am less busy at work, but more mentally preoccupied. Times are changing in education and I am not wanting to go with the change. I don't like the direction those in charge are taking. So, I am on the job market. Hopefully my written application for the overseas job will be finished tomorrow and the next step will begin!

The kids are changing like crazy. Emmett has several words and he understands just about everything. Augi is a little girl now. I miss her baby-ness.
By the way...The LUAU HAS BEEN MOVED TO AUGUST 22. Don't worry, you'll get an invite.

They are the best of friends.

Auntie Becky invited us out for a swim. The weather was great.

Em made a friend at the Treehouse Museum. She was a cute, fat little thing. Em always does this bend down with hands on knees stand when he meets a new baby.

Dressing up like a pioneer.

and a native American...

Typical. Mama Llama packs too much into the little Llamas' day...(I highly recommend the Llama books if you haven't read them already!)