Brayden's Birthday list (A Contest)

Well, folks. Here it is. Brayden just brought me his birthday list so he'd be sure and get everything he wants. We're having a contest to see who can read the most items on this list. The answers and the winner will be posted tomorrow. Best of luck!

The odds of winning are something like 1 in 10, depending on how many people actually look at our blog, and have the time or desire to play. Winners will be notified on this blog. 1st place winner will receive the glory of winning. 2nd place winner will receive the glory of coming in second. Everyone else will be winners in the losers section. Some restrictions apply. When I think of them, I'll let you know. No purchase necessary to win. Although, if you choose to purchase one of the items on the list, and give it to a certain soon-to-be six year old, you might just get a hug, or at the very least, a smile. 

Band-aids make EVERYTHING better!

Caleb's lip was bleeding this morning, and he INSISTED on having a band-aid. After arguing for a minute, I decided that "only good could come of this." 

Fornicating Flies

We don't have air conditioning at our house. We are also missing a screen on our dining room window (where the smells of delicious hot dog octopuses, macaroni and cheese, and pickles waft through the open space). As a result, we've been bombarded with flies. They are everywhere, and now they are multiplying (doing their business right before my very eyes). So, this morning, the kids and I took our trusty dusty fly swatters and attacked. We didn't get 'em all, but I think we won this battle.

Tuesday's snack-of-the-day

Who knew that a hot dog with eight legs could bring such joy? Dillon's octopus, tragically, only had seven tentacles. It was all my fault. Luckily, he was forgiving. I made these all the time when I used to baby-sit. Unfortunately, this is the first time my kids have seen them. They laughed hysterically when they saw them. Just wait 'til I buy lime sherbet and make "sherbet the frog".

Monday's after-school "snack of the day"

Escargot. Or, as Brayden would say, "There's nothing like snails." 

Dillon and Elena sittin' in a tree . . .

This is our neighbor Elena. She's in nursery with Dillon. We were having dinner with Elena's family last night, and her parents told us that when she saw Dillon the other day, she said, "cute . . . cute." They are best buds, especially since Brayden, Caleb, and Allie won't let the little kids play with them. We're glad they have each other. 

We think he's pretty cute too!

 

We won!

Just thought we'd let you all know that we won our very own superman action figure! I (Felicia) once won a Monopoly game from McDonalds too (instant winner), so we're feeling pretty darn lucky. In case you are feeling lucky, you can go to www.quakeroats.com/findsuperman and register (once every day until September 30th) for your own action figure. Uncle Jon and Aunt Melece, we think you're lucky....and we double dog dare you to try, 'cause Josh and Sam need an action figure too so we can play super heroes. 

Brayden's first day of Kindergarten

I can't believe my baby is old enough to go to school! It seems like it was just yesterday that I was in the delivery room and the nurse said, "Does red hair run in the family?" Or maybe it's because that happened 18 mos. ago too. But still, time flies. Brayden is sure a sweet kid. He is very considerate, likes his room clean, and he thinks deep. We can't wait to see what he'll do and be someday. He's got a strong little spirit. The other day, Todd caught Brayden and Caleb arguing over whether Jesus was an ordinary man (Celeste Jenkins sang this song in Sacrament meeting last Sunday--and Brayden apparently listened). When we told Brayden that Grandpa Graves wasn't going to get better, and that his cancer was terminal, his first reaction was, "but, we prayed for him. . ." I am amazed at how much he understands about the gospel. Now we have to teach him about prayers being answered (just not always in the way we want), but I know he'll grasp the concept. His faith is amazing. We sure love him! 

Did Mom cry?

Did Mom cry? Hell, no. He will be home again in three hours. Maybe I can get something done since Dillon will sleep, and Caleb won't have anyone to pester.

Brayden and his shadow

This is the picture I would've used for an 8x10 on our wall if Caleb's head weren't in the background! 

It's time to go, Mom!

Brayden has been sooooo excited for school. He can hardly wait. Caleb and Mom are going to spend the afternoon making muffins with "surprise peanut butter and jam" inside. Mom has had a great time searching the internet for after school snacks (since we have to eat lunch at 11:00 to get to school on time). We're also having Jell-O cups. (we made Jell-O and poured it into the smallest disposable Glad containers so our fridge is stocked. Thanks to Aunt Wendi for the idea!)

Getting Brayden to smile "normally" is next to impossible. Here's our best shot (without Caleb in the background).

. . . I'm speechless . . .

I was flipping through my oriental trading company catalog this morning when I came across this. I'm sorry, but can you even imagine anyone paying $69.95 for three of these ridiculous costumes. I can't think of anything that would make a person feel like a bigger idiot. The special "gift"ed shoes top it all off. Boy, oh, boy. . . I'm speechless.

Pillow for Erin

I made this pillow to go with Erin's quilt. I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that I actually had these fabrics (and a few more) in my stash before we even made Erin's quilt. (they are the same as the fabrics in her quilt). There are many quilters out there who would be proud.  

Quilting Bee

When Erin (my cousin) got engaged, a bunch of us got together and pieced her wedding quilt. We had a ball, and plan to do it again someday. Shh, don't tell Erin....it's a surprise for her shower. 

Erin's Quilt - Chocolate Covered Cherries

Doesn't it look good enough to eat?

Close up of the quilting

 

 

Old fashioned drill press

This is in the blacksmith shop at Cove Fort. 

Tree struck by lightning between Loa and Koosharem

I wish it hadn't been so dark when we drove past this tree so you could see it better. It was obviously struck by lightning during one of the MANY thunerstorms we've had lately. It's split into thirds and is dead as a doornail. 

View of Richfield from the mountains

This is the best part of the drive from Loa to Richfield. It is always a breathtaking sight, but tonight we happened to be there during sunset.  

Cove Fort Days

We went to Cove Fort after Todd got off work for their annual celebration. It was a lot of fun. Cove Fort was built by President Hinckley's grandpa, Ira Hinckley. It's a neat place--definitely worth stopping by if you're on your way through. We missed the stagecoach/wagon rides by 5 minutes (the horses were tired), but there was still plenty to do. One of the boys' favorites was the "cowboy" building. In it, they had an old-fashioned mouse trap made from a bucket (like the one I made for my 3rd grade inventor's fair--I was devastated to find out that Grandpa Salisbury didn't really invent it). Brayden wants to make his own mousetrap now. They also loved seeing a real beehive (they got to taste rootbeer honey and pink lemonade honey). They got to dip their own candles, and then we had free hot dogs and soda while we watched bagpipers play, and indian dancers. We skipped the tour of the fort because we just did it a few months ago on our way home from St. George, and there were too many other things to do. We missed the last showing of the Joseph Smith movie, so we decided to go to the 6:00 showing of The Testaments. When we got to the theater, we were the only people there, so they let us see the Joseph Smith movie instead (we hadn't seen it before). The boys did really well through most of it, but Caleb and Dillon were definitely ready to go home when it was over. We stopped in Richfield on the way home so Todd could visit one of his students who was in the hospital (he had to have his appendix out yesterday).