Lagoon, Archuletas invade

The last day of our trip we headed for a fun filled day at Lagoon.


We were surprised at how many rides our younger boys could ride at the park. Aden & Collin were so fun to watch experience roller coasters for the first time.



Utah was good for us to visit because we were not out of place as a family of six. Sometimes we are the freak show but it is nice not to always feel like the freak show.

Vacay '09, the Hogle Zoo

Wowee! This was a highlight of our trip. This Zoo has a great lay out, tons of animals-with babies!, & was so affordable! The weather was pitch perfect for a zoo outing that day too.

Obsess Much?

All the boys wanted their pictures taken in Utah. They asked, "Where are we?, " the whole time.

This boy got his much needed haircut.

Smiling despite the split lip because it was his turn to pick the restaurant.

Lots more to say about the vacation but as a side note, this is my 100th post to the blog! Almost one year ago I begrudgingly started this blog with this. Look at us now. I think the connection for me has to do with a long time obsession with words. I love me some feedback! So the way that this ties into vacation is in all the little things Matt & I heard along the way.
From the mouth of Collin....
Big duck! (big truck)
Doof poop ( froot loop)
I'm bad ( after brother's coaching )

From Aden...
I love you more than ever!!!!!!!! ( said in the loudest voice ever while traveling along the freeway)

From Kaleb...
My nose is burning, it stings! ( said with tears, after Parker let the biggest fart rip in their bed. This coming from Kaleb, the official fart master of our family.)

From Parker...
This is getting out of control ( said by Parker for just about everything)

Family Vacay '09

We just returned from a family vacation in Salt Lake City, UT. The hotel pool/waterpark was hands down a favorite from the trip. As you can see from the pics, Parker & Kaleb had themselves a dunkfest in grand style, that is until Kaleb split open his lip. By the way, this was on the first day of swimming in a four day trip. There was a water slide, a kid's splash park, the hoop & a huge hot tub for weary parents-genius!

Are You Ready To Rrrrrrruummbbllle?

Yep, it is that time of the year again. Football Season is in full swing & the boys had their 1st game on Saturday.

Kaleb got into Eagle spirit with green hair but the rainbow socks were so Mom can tell which one he is out their on the field. They worked like a charm & they are now his lucky socks.


Kaleb is the youngest member of the team & he is going up against a kid that weighs 160lbs. in practice. We call this his "Rabies" tactic, showing that when all else fails, act unstable.


Parker is now an old pro, so he thinks. He has been working hard to master his new responsibilities on the team & at having a bad attitude for pictures.

By the way, the score for the game was 44-0, way to go Eagles!

Shaggy

It is really time for a haircut.

Good Stuff

My dear friend Candy has the best knack for collecting bits and pieces of inspiration & direction in life. She very graciously shares them with me. This was one from last week.

... God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease -- smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see -- but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension -- and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.

Tony Snow

Good, huh? Made me rethink my extreme dislike of surprises.

JamBerry!

JamBerry is a beloved book at our house. Just before school started, we got to experience the real thing. Blackberry picking with my 5 boys...








..way better than the book, except for PJ who hated it. (wasps)

Lucky Ducks

Somehow we found ourselves invited up to the Nelson Family Cabin this past weekend. Jayson & Nicole are good friends that have been through home improvement, kid's birthday parties, & a lot of church drama with us. The boys loved roaming free in a meadow we walked through Saturday night. It was pretty magical for them, and to watch...even better.

sniff...sniff...

This little guy went off to Kindergarten today.

I am not okay with this.

When I picked him up, he said, "Well....I kind of forgot about you Mom."
Again, I am not okay with this.

sniff...sniff...