Stealing from the bees

So this morning I went and cut down some of my sunflowers. I felt a little guilty, since there were about 20 bees around the flowers. And then again when the kids came in and asked if those were the flowers they planted in the spring and said "Now they will die." (Don't worry there are tons more) But I still had guilt. I know they won't last long but the pedals fall off so quick after they bloom that I had to bring a couple in for me.

Another thing I have been working on is my table. I have wanted to paint it forever! And the other day I finally did. I haven't finished painting the chairs yet but I painted the legs and backs of two of the chairs and the legs of the table. So my question is, should I paint the table top black or stain it cherry? And then should I sand the edges a little to give it that worn look or leave it. Right now it is an oak color and I don't think it looks that great. I have a bench along the back that has black legs and a cherry seat, so I could match that or paint it black too. What do you think?

busy, busy, busy!

This 24th of July we had such a busy weekend! First we started by getting Josh back home from Kentucky. Woohhooo!!!


Then we had a fun BBQ and fireworks with our awesome neighbors! You really can't get better neighbors than the Sevys!
A little scary when Ethan is lighting the fireworks....
These kids are so much fun and play so well together, and never get sick of each other....

Saturday we went up to Midway to spend some time with Josh's family. We had a great picnic with delicious food (of course) did lots of fun things. Sunday we took a family picture (everyone was there) ate scones (YUM) for breakfast, and then headed over to the church where Josh's sister blessed their baby.

I don't know which is scarier... Will driving
or.......

ALL the little kids going to the top of Memorial Hill alone with Nana (not that she couldn't handle it, that's just a lot of kids with half of them crying lol)




The big guys played volleyball............
while the little guys played football......

Jed and Nate playing chess (the two geniuses)
Then getting home and having an impromptu get together with my brother and sister, Sunday night.

I think the kids are just a tiny bit OVER tired......which makes such a fun day. Now it's off to clean the entire house from top to bottom. Ugh!

First time swimming this year!

Ethan getting his casts off, allowed us to finally go to the pool! My sister-in-law and I took our kids to the pool and they had a blast! I got burned of course.....

this week at our house......

Will had his birthday on the 15th. I can't get this kid away from tractors and tools, so he just keeps getting more, and more, and more.

This book is bigger than him and weights more than he does.

I made him a monster cake since he is a little monster.

We also built the kids a sandbox. THEY LOVE IT!!

And Ethan finally got his casts off, but the poor kid can't lift, unzip, turn knobs etc. But I think he is so ready to swim!! (He wouldn't let me take a picture)


We also saw Harry Potter! I liked it, it was a lot of fun. We went with some friends and took up a row and a half.

Flowers from my backyard.....

4th of July

My mom and dad are doing a service mission at the West Pine Creek lodge in Idaho. They invited us all up there for the 4th. The week before, they invited Ethan and 2 of his cousins to stay. Even with his 2 broken arms, I think he had the time of his life!!Ethan (didn't he break his arms on the swings? Maybe he should stay away.)

I spent the week in my parents empty house, with no AC, no TV, no internet, no phone and no food. I spent most of my time making cards and eating at my sisters house. Nate got really sick on Sunday, so I stayed at my parents house and raided their food storage and read.... a lot. The next couple of days we did make some very cute cards, Will was in heaven on his cousins' tractor, and Nate and Emery had fun playing with cousins.

Will's future!


Nate and Baron


We tore apart my parent's deck, (probably a little rougher than my dad would have liked, "Sorry Dad") very sad to see the end of the pool. Tearing apart the pool deck.


Friday we all went up to the lodge, where we had a blast. The lodge is an old 1950's building up in the Tetons. We've been up there at least 3 times with my family since Josh and I have been married. It is where I always went to girls camp when I was younger and where we had all our ward camp outs.

We played frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee, ping pong during the day and capture the flag, sardines and predator during the night. Roasted marshmallows and hot dogs and ate a wonderfull pancake breakfast. Celebrated my mom's birthday, with the entire family there (minus one nephew), had a little flag cerimony, and got eaten alive by mosquitoes!
West Pine Creek lodge


Will going for a ride with Grandpa.


The huge slide is the biggest feature! By the end Emery (who is terrified of heights) and Will were going down by themselves.Emery finally going alone!


Playing in the creek.


The kids bowling.

Forth of July flag ceremony!

Happy bday mom!

Frisbee golf.


Nate's friend.

Oh ya, and played a little Whack-a-mole! he he he

I absolutely love going to the lodge and couldn't have had a better 4th of July (it was even worth missing the famous IF fireworks) My parents are having such a good time being the caretakers up there, and we are planning another trip up there in Dec with us and some of my mom's family.