Batman Forever

Yesterday, Isaac brought up his Dad's electric razor and asked if he could shave off the little Mexi-stach that resided there. I was all for it, but it made me feel old. Old that I have a boy grown up enough to shave. Next Monday he starts his tackle football, he goes to middle school in September and he's almost a Decon. Where did the time go.

Last night I watched one of my favorite shows, Flipping Out. It is on the Bravo Channel. If you haven't seen it, you need to tune in. I laugh out loud so many times while watching it. The main guy, Jeff, is got major OCD and just cracks me up. You need to start watching.

I survived. 6 days and 5 night of camping with 12 girls. And I had a great time.
Our camp was so cute. We had berries pretty much anywhere we could staple them up. We we the cutest campsite there. One cute thing we did is put pictures of boys from magazines on the berries, and it was amazing to see how many girls would come through our campsite just to locate all the boys.
The morning before we left, I checked the weather forecast, and it called for low 80's all week. I made sure to pack a couple pair of jeans and sweatshirts cause it always gets chilly at night, but that is all I would need to keep warm. WRONG! Tuesday and Wednesday were freezing. Who knew I should have packed and hat, gloves and thermal underwear. I was talking to one of the gals who has come every year for the last 20 years, and she said this was the coldest it has ever been at girls camp. I had dreamed of spending the week on the lake, floating on a tube and getting tan. Boy was I wrong.
One of the girls we had was a fetal alcohol baby, and so she requires a lot more from the leaders. I was very nervous to have her, but we were told that she was to stay in a tent with her mom at our campsite. As soon as she arrived she heard about the tent situation and a major tantrum started. I explained to her that we were only doing what our leaders had told us to do, but I would be more than happy to take her to my leader and see what she says. In the end it was decided that she could sleep on the platform with the girls, but any problems and she would have to sleep with her mom in the Stake campsite. This turned out to be great. She got the opportunity to be with the girls, and we had the leverage to keep her from acting out. She was a pretty good girl the rest of the week.
I had a great time with the other two leaders with me. Katie was there, and of coarse, I loved that. We are a great team and I couldn't imagine doing it without her. The other leader we didn't really know prior to coming, and we were a little hesitant with having her. Katie and I have done this alone and we didn't really understand why they wanted a third leader, but we are obedient and made the best of it. We shouldn't of been hesitant. Jill is amazing, and I have made a great friend. She is my singing friend. You know how I break out in song whenever I am inspired? Well Jill is the same way. We would break out in the same song too many times to count. It was hilarious. I loved it. I think we were driving Katie nuts with all our singing, but we sure had fun. Jill is astonished that I don't know 7 Brides fro 7 Brothers. I can't believe she doesn't know Wicked. We both have some homework to do.
Girls camp is a lot of work, but such a great experience. It sure makes me feel younger. I laughed more this week then I had in a long time. I can't wait to go back.
Oh, I need to tell you about the last day. On our way home we come across all these fire trucks and ambulances, along with the bus that has all the girls. I can't tell you how I felt when I realized what I was looking at. I immediately got out and tried to find out what was going on. All of the girls were on the lawn and bawling. I look over and realize the bus had knocked down and fence and stop sign. I guess the brakes went out and the only way to stop was to aim for the fence or they would have ending up going over the ravine. Crazy. The girl we so scared, some a bit bruised up. There was nothing that we could do, so after hugging all the girls we headed home back to our own kids. Between us 3 leaders, there are 15 kids.
So there you have it. My week. I'm back and ready to get back to blogging.

Today I'm madly packing for girls camp. You can't believe how much stuff you need to take. I need to take hot and cold clothes, and all the camping stuff, plus decorating stuff and everything else. I keep making lists so I don't forget anything.
Yesterday we took a load up and started decorating. Our camp is so cute. Berries everywhere. We've tried to make it look like a berry stand. I have to say I'm so glad we have a vinyl machine. We have put it to good use. I'll make sure to take lots of pictures this week and tell you about my adventures when I get back. Till next week!

It all started with Jackson. Over the 4th of July, Jackson's eye started to get all goopy and red. I knew immediately that it was pink eye. The problem was that we were out of town and I couldn't go see our doctor. Luckily I was able to call the doc and he called in a perscription to the nearest pharmacy. I was so grateful, cause you never know if they are gonna make you wait till they see for themselves. It took a few days for the color to go back to normal in his eyes. Then I couldn't believe that nobody else had contracted it. Woo hoo, we are in the clear.
Wrong, a week later, I got it. I hate that. It is so embarresing as an adult to have pink eye. Luckily I didn't have a lot going on, so I hid out till I started to look normal again. Then Andrew got it, and now the baby. It is so sad to see a baby with it, H doesn't understand, and boy does he hate when I put the drops in. Poor baby. I've wiped down almost every surface in the house, and I make everyone wash there hands a ton. I hope this is the last of it. Keep your fingers crossed.

Yesterday, Gavin woke from his nap a little damp, so a bath was in order. I didn't want to hike back up the stairs, so I threw him in the kitchen sink. He still was a little groggy, so he didn't take to his bath with much enthusiasm. Even the extra bubbles I added didn't make a smile. As you can see from the pictures, he looks like he is thinking, this isn't funny Mom. Enough all ready.

On Sunday I was released from Webelos leader, whoop, whoop, and put in as ward music chair and nursery assistant. That is on top of my 4th Sunday Relief Society teacher calling. Any more please. Then I also substituted for the primary chorister on Sunday. That was so much fun. I forget how much fun it is to be in primary. They are so sweet and innocent, the spirit is so strong when they sing of the Savior. I have a hard time not being emotional in there. Can I trade callings?

This is why I don't bake more often. Almost every time I try the cookies turn out like this. Is it not enough flour? Over mixed? I just don't know. And I almost always burn them.
I used to make awesome cookies, but somewhere down the line, I've forgotten how. I am a pretty good cook, but I think it is cause you don't have to be as exact. Baking just isn't my forte. I guess I'll keep using the Betty Crocker packets.

For a few months now, I started a profile on Facebook. At first I felt stupid for being on it, I thought it was more of a high school, college thing. But I've been amazed the lost friends that I've found. Just yesterday I reconnected with my grade school crush. I haven't seen him since the 6th grade. It is such a blast from the past to see him. Anyways, if you've wondered about someone, join Facebook and try to find them.

Yesterday we celebrated my Mom's birthday. She is getting close to a milestone birthday. Pretty crazy. We went to dinner at Multnomah Falls and got her a pedicure and some flowers. I may have to join her when she gets her pedicure, I'm in need of one. Anyways, Happy Birthday Mom. I love you.

This week the boys have attended Cub Scout Day Camp and I have had the privilege of going with them 2 days. I was not looking forward to going, not at all, but I ended up really enjoying myself. We got to go and do archery, which I suck at. Jon is pretty dang good though. Jackson and Jon both got bulls eyes with the BB guns. So proud. The boys have a great time and learn lots of neat things, and they love getting a week away from home.

This is a picture from last weekend. Leigh, Becca, Me and Louise. Oh, and 2nd cousin, baby Kyle. It's fun to get the girls together.

Fourth of July is an excuse to gather the extended family. We all head to my Aunt and Uncle Warning's house. They live in Lacey, Washington on a beautiful property on the lake. They have a huge yard that allows us to play badminton, boccie ball, croquet, and the kids can play on the playground. That is all just in the front yard.
In the back, we eat, roast marsh mellows to make the best Smores, play and fish in the lake. The kids love to go tubbing behind the boat. Leigh, Louise and I tried it and got pretty beat up. I fell off and am still sore.




Our favorite thing to do is have kayak relays. We have 3 teams of 4, and set off around two buoys. It is very competitive and people have been known to hit each other to get an advantage. The hardest part is getting in and out of the kayak. It is very intense.
The morning we arrived we went to Salter's Point. This is an amazing place to find sea creatures. Uncle David knows so much about oceanography, he can tell you about everything you pick up, and make it fun. We saw starfish, crabs and sea snails. We did this when I was a kids, so I glad the tradition is being passed on to my kids.




On the third of July, we went to the Lacey fireworks show. We had our own patriotic music mix, thanks to Leigh, and danced all over the parking lot, waiting for the show to begin.



Notice the colored hair on the kids. We put in red and blue colored gel and spiked them all up. They looked pretty funny but patriotic.The 4th was your usual barbecue and fun. That night we sat down by the lake and watched all the neighbors compete for the best fireworks display. You can't believe the amount of money these people blow. Thousands of dollars I'm sure. It is pretty scary to be so close to the fireworks. You feel like they are gonna fall on your head. The kids loved it.






We had a wonderful weekend. Great food, family and fun.

Last Sunday, my cousin Louise and her family came in from St. George. I haven't seen her in a few years, so I was very excited. As soon as they got here, we loaded up and headed for the beach. Too bad it wasn't warmer. I was freezing and wore a sweatshirt the whole time. Our hotel had a pool though, and that is all the kids need to have a good time.
We took them to Seaside, then Cannon and Hug Point. Hug Point was a disappointment because you need to go at low tide, and we never checked to see when that was. It is my favorite beach, it has lots of caves, a water fall and tide pools. I wish they could have seen what we love.





The next day I took them on a tour of the Gorge. We went on Historic Highway and hit up Crown Point, Multnomah and Horsetail Falls. It was a beautiful day for this. After that we went to the fish hatchery and the dam. This is a favorite for my kids. It was a great time and let my cousin see how beautiful the NW is.

Last weekend I flew into L.A to meet Andrew for a weekend away, without kids. Yippee! We had an awesome time. The weather was great, not too hot.
I flew in Friday morning and had the day to myself while Andrew finished up his convention. I laid by the pool and read, took and nap and went shopping. Once Andrew got in, we walked around and went to CPK for dinner. After that, some swimming and early to bed. Too bad our AC in the room didn't work. The place looked really nice from the outside, but I didn't love the place. Oh well.
Day two took was a no agenda day. We rented the car and decided to find the celebrities. So we headed to Hollywood. We didn't spot any, but we really don't know our way around. Then we thought we could find some in Beverly Hills, so off we went. Still no sightings, so we decided a beach was needed and gave up on our star spotting. We went to Santa Monica first. It was crazy crowded. You couldn't really relax. So we walked along the pier and went to Bubba Gump Shrimp for lunch. Cute place.

After that, we wanted to lay down and enjoy the sun and sand, so we went in search of a quiet beach. We found it in El Segundo. It was perfect. We got a little burnt, but love snuggling on the beach and listening to the surf.
Then on to Redondo Beach to check out all the sail boats. Andrew would love one some day. I just laugh at him. We saw some seals. So cute. Then we had snacks at The Cheesecake Factory, right on the water.
We had such a great time and decided we need to do this more often.