Family Reunion

We just got back from an awesome family reunion. What could be better than a family reunion in the happiest place on earth? Unfortunately we didn't take a lot of pictures because we were too busy making sure none of the boys were wandering away. But we had a ton of fun, and the pics we did get prove it!
Not a great family pic, but hey, for us I thought it was pretty good. Here is Spike with two of his beautiful cousins. He LOVES Space Mountain. In fact we stayed an extra day just to go and ride it again. (This is not a figurative statement. I didn't get to ride it and really wanted to, and Spike really wanted to ride it again. Our AWESOME cousin (from the other side of the family) got our cool hotel room for an extra day just in case and we couldn't resist using it. And our other AWESOME cousins got us into the parks on their employee passes. So we went to Epcot as well. SO COOL!)

This is Sage in our hotel pool. I mean bathtub. Our suite had two master bedrooms each with a tub like this. Boy I think we all enjoyed this tub, but none quite so much as Sage. He was scared to death when I first turned on the jets, but once he saw the bubbles multiplying he was all about the jets. Our suite was so cool. Even Blue Tiger questioned why we got to stay in such a cool hotel room. I told him how great it is to have family in the right places and reminded him that one day (when he is rich and has his own limo) this will be everyday stuff to him. He liked that idea.Here are Star, Spike and Blue Tiger on Splash mountain with cousins and aunts. They loved it so much and talked about it so much Puppy decided it was his favorite ride. (Even though he never did go on it.) Because we stayed the extra day, we had to book it home quickly. We barely stopped on the way home so Dad could make it back in time to go to work. Whahoo! It was a long trip, but the boys did really well. I am so glad they are such good travelers.

A note about Star's hat. We went to "The Laugh Floor" which is an interactive comedy act. Star got to participate, we all loved watching him and are sure he got "chosen" because of his hat. (The claw... he is chosen...) BAH!

Blue Tiger also got chosen to have a conversation with "Crush" from Finding Nemo. (Another interactive show. It's so cool to have cartoons talking to you.) He asked a really good question and was told he was "muy intelegente" I have to agree with that statement. What fun!

We Will Rock You

It's funny.
Our little Sage is learning to speak. He still is at the stage where sometimes I can understand certain words he is saying and sometimes I have no clue. But this morning after the older boys (and admittedly me) had been singing "We Will, We Will, Rock You!" I heard a sweet little voice singing the words. At first I couldn't convince myself that it was Sage. Certainly it must have been Puppy. But no...their voices are so different. I wasn't mistaking it. I went and spied on my little Sage and sure enough it was him. As clear as a bell each of the letters are letters that he can and does pronounce correctly. I laughed and laughed and sang along with him. I will have to teach him the "I'm a little teapot" version that Star brought home with him from Scout camp. There are those of my sons who know the real words, but I much prefer that version.
What was even better was listening to him destroy the pronunciation of every word as he sang "I Am A Child Of God". But he got the melody correct...hey you can't have everything.

Blue Tiger is Brilliant

Okay, today Puppy comes crying and running to me and says. "Mom I don't want to be touched!" Blue Tiger was chasing him so I asked him to come sit down and talk to me. I asked him why he was so insistent that he touch Puppy. He told me he was sure Puppy was lying to him and he could prove it. So, I asked the logical question. "How can you prove it by touching him?"

He went on to explain to me that there is a spot on your neck where you can feel your heartbeat and he came up with the idea that if you could ask the person a question while touching that spot you could see if their heart beat faster when they answered the question. And if it did, they were lying.

Okay I sat there with my mouth to the floor for what felt like a very long time and then asked where he had heard this. "I just thought of it." My mouth was still on the floor.

That's when I told him about lie detectors and praised him repeatedly for being so brilliant. He told me I could stop talking about him now and asked if he could play Pokemon.

Thoughts to family

My sweet obsession,

Thanks for taking my boys on a trip they will never forget. I missed you so much! I love having you back, having your arms around me, and having the conversations that we always fall so easily into when we see each other daily. I am not looking forward to our next long separation.

My Coca-cola Julie,

You have lived through things in the last several months I hope never to have to face. I am proud of you and know every choice you have made has been out of love (even those I have disagreed with you about). I pray for you and all of those around you. I love you and miss the sound of your voice.

John,

You are constantly on my mind as of late. I miss you. The REAL you. The you that is quick to smile and sees the best in everyone. The you that finds happiness in playing with children, and taking long walks alone to gain perspective on the world. Come back to me. Yosh.

Mom and Dad

Paint your ceiling white and know that people come to your house not because of how beautiful it is (although it is), but because of the way they feel there. They come for the unconditional love. Just paint and spend the money on a feast to celebrate the finishing of it.

Love, love, love,
Me

Book of Mormon Trip

My hubby and three older boys have been gone for just over two weeks. Trust me, it has felt like a lot longer! They will get home late tonight.
We told our boys that when they finish a book of scripture we will take them to the part of the world where that book was written. Within the last year Star, Spike, and Blue Tiger have all finished the Book of Mormon. So, that is where they have been. Mostly in Guatemala and Mexico. There are more areas to see, but we decided to go with a tour and this seemed like the most comprehensive. Dad told me that he has been super pleased with the tour and has been really grateful that we chose the one we did.
The boys have had a great time.
The little boys have missed their big brothers and Dad terribly. But we've had some fun while they've been gone. I understand they have a few thousand pictures. I am sure Spike took the most. We will sort them out and be posting more. And I am going to have the boys update their blogs with thoughts about their trips. So, check in for further details later.

Scout Camp

Last week Star went to scout camp. Boy did he have fun. I still haven't heard too much about it since he got home about midnight on Friday night and left Saturday morning about 4:00. But Dad was able to spend one day at camp with him and took a few photos for me. YEA Dad!
I understand archery is really hard, but Star liked it anyway.
He loved the swimming part of things. (Of course he did, he is half fish. It's in the genes.)

He got two swimming merit badges. One was the mile swim. This was taken seconds after he finished it. The thing about this one is he didn't know he was supposed to work up to it. So he did a mile on Thursday and a mile on Friday. Whew!
So glad you had fun. My sweet Star!