Who are you voting for?

Normally, I don't get too interested in politics. But in a presidential year I feel like it is my duty to be informed about both candidates running. I don't pay much attention to the caucuses, (too boring) just when it gets narrowed down to the final two. I don't affiliate myself with a "party" choice, just the right guy for the job. If there was a candidate out there that was lobbying to stop putting so much money into the space program - I would vote for THAT GUY!
I have received several emails about the presidential election this year. Some of the emails (after doing some research) aren't even true. You can't believe everything you read about either of them. I haven't decided yet who I am voting for so I figured, although I don't want to - I will watch both of their speeches and get all the facts. I watched Barack's speech last night and I have to admit, it was REALLY good. He has a common sense approach to politics that is refreshing. A couple of the things he said made a lot of sense and he made some really good points. He was smooth in front of the camera - I was impressed by that. If you want to watch or read his speech (and you should so you can make an educated decision) click on the link below and scroll to the bottom of the page for his entire speech. The mini biography about him and his family was really interesting too.

Link to video and text copy of his speech last night
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/28/barack-obama-democratic-c_n_122224.html

Biography video
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/28/obama-biography-video-at_n_122271.html

Jon MCcain's speech is on Thursday September 4th

Birthday Pictures - part duex

Josh had big ideas for his birthday this year, but seeings how we had just moved several days before from the rental into grandma's house, we didn't have a "place" to carry out those "big ideas." Plan B - pick up a couple good buddies, take them to lunch and to a movie - problem solved! It wasn't exactly what Josh had in mind, but being the easy going kid he is, he was willing to settle. Crisis averted! It was fun for the boys. With our move this summer they haven't really been able to hang out. They had a GREAT time just laughing at each other and catching up with each other. They are such good pals.
This is how he spent his birthday - August 15th.

Wilson, Ryan, Josh, and Jake at McDonalds (obviously it is not MY birthday!)

Josh had asked for a ball python or a tarantula or something "fun" like that! Yeah, right! Not in my house. He is OBSESSED with spiders and snakes. I love my friend Becky (Ryan's mom) she knows how to back me up! Get him a GIANT remote control tarantula...YIKES! This thing appeared around every corner the first couple of days, just creeping along freaking us all out - thanks Beck - love ya! Can't wait for Ryan's birthday next month!

Appears as though all the kids like the tarantula!

Next to spiders and snakes, Josh LOVES b-ball...he has lots of fav players, one is Steve Nash. This shirt makes me miss AZ!

Of course they had to play a game of hoops....mixed with a little good fun and male bonding!

After Mc Dees we took the boys to see clone wars. I tried and tried to talk him into fly to the moon or something that looked a little better. But, his birthday, his choice - conclusion - thumbs down! The movie was awful!! Becky was falling asleep, Sam (who NEVER gets bored at the movies) was restless, Abby was playing with stuff from my purse, Jantz fell asleep and I wished I was asleep.

The boys loved it! :)

I don't understand all the flashin of gang signs lately...must be a guy thing.

Here are just a couple of random pictures of his birthday weekend.

If anyone out there is looking for a toy for a 9 year old boy - this Indiana Jones set is so cute! It took him awhile to put it together but he could do it all by himself (bonus) AND there are several interactive features so they can play with it for hours.

Josh's favorite donuts are double blueberry from Tasty's. We are still getting used to this Ogden thing, no donut stores!! We had to improvise...these blueberry donuts are from Wal-mart, they look a little "dark" but they tasted better than they look - by no means Tasty's quality, but again, Josh didn't mind settling for less. We will make it up to him next year!
Happy birthday buddy!

Big J is 9 years old!

Josh turned nine on the 15th of this month. Being at my mom's has made it a little bit harder to blog because I don't have the right set-up or connections for my camera. Here are a couple of pics that I was able to get. I will have to buy a cord for my camera so I can dump my pictures and blog some more later. Workin on that!
On my mom's side we do all the birthdays of the month on the second Sunday. So lucky for him, we celebrated a couple of days before his actual birthday. Grandma Gibson turned 91 this month! WoW! She still walks 3 miles a day - even on Sundays - and mows and takes care of her huge lawn, garden and tons of flowerbeds - ALL BY HERSELF! My grandma is a machine! I think a couple of years ago when she got sick with bronchitis that was the first time she had been on an antibiotic. I could only wished she had passed the good immune system down to me - alas, she didn't - as you all know!

Josh chose burritos "Amparo style" for dinner with Lemon Meringue pie.

The only thing grandma is addicted to - CHOCOLATE

Opening some gifts from grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles

WARNING
AWOL RISK - HIGH!!

We are spending the next two months or so at my mom and dad's while we are waiting for our house to be finished -we are very grateful - thanks mom and dad!
My poor dad has probably not had the summer of his liking. Retired guy, fishing everyday, works on the honey-do list, takes long naps, watches sports on tv. Not this summer! Lots of grandkids living at home (right after the Stones left, we moved in 3 days later!) His days now are interrupted with sibling quarreling, sounds of Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii, Disney channel, Jonas Brothers and Cheetah girl cds blaring, grandpa will you take us on a bike ride, grandpa can we go get cookies, what's going on gramps...I don't think I really need to go on.
We are concerned that he might try to escape anyday now....He does mysteriously disappear from time to time. AND he is spending a LOT of time at Sam's club - even more than usual.

I put some vinyl up on the door to the garage

Kids say the darndest things

We are in the car last Saturday driving around running some errands. I take a call on my cell phone and then say to Dayt: "That was Joe, he can meet with us at 2:00." Jantz says "mom, you are meeting with Joe?" Me - "yes." Jantz - you are meeting with JOE? Me - "yes" Jantz - really you are meeting with Joe - can I come?" Me - "yes, you are coming." Jantz - "seriously, I can meet with Joe too?" At this point I am thinking something is a little off here...I say "Which Joe do you THINK I am meeting with? Jantz - (with a duh look on his face and a little attitude..."Joe Jonas" Me - (laughing hysterically) "ugh, no, Joe from the lighting store."

The Sunday previously

Jantz - "Mom, when we went camping with grandpa Dave there were two people that broke the law - the REAL law and without a second of hesitation he follows with this statement: swear on da howey bible!

I love this cute picture of Jantz and Maggee (future wife) playing on the laptop at Candice's house. We are loving having them in Kaysville so close to us.

Cute

Could it Be???

Could this soon be the image from my car window as I pull into my drive-thru of choice?? I have heard some rumors that my favorite eating establishment may be heading north to good old Riverdale....anyone out there have any details on that?? St George just isn't close enough!

When Mom's Away, the Kids Go Camping!
I spent a weekend with one of my best friends Beck for a little time off 2 weeks ago (so much fun!) The kids and Dayt went camping with grandpa Dave. Since we have moved back to Utah we have made this a summer tradition. The kids have a ball and I am pretty sure grandpa does too! It is really beautiful up there and the kids have so much fun exploring. When the car stops the kids hop out and literally run for the hills for hours. Last year when I did the laundry I found Josh's jacket pockets full of bones from a deer carcass! Yikes! I tried to be tough, but it freaked me out - I think I threw away his jacket! I LOVE the mountains, they have always been a place of serenity for me, a place to go to escape the stress of life and to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. I really missed the mountains when we lived in Arizona. I am so sad that I missed the trip this year...well until I saw the pictures of the cave!

Grandpa Dave (Dayt's dad) Jantzen, Abby, Josh

Exploring the old cabins

The entrance to an old abandoned silver mine

Abby and Josh, catching some ZZZZ's

Thanks Dave for keeping the troops entertained!

Sammy T's 1st Birthday!!
Look how cute this kid is with those big brown eyes! This is my nephew Sammy T. He belongs to Melanie and Sam (Dayt's sister) He is the best baby I have ever seen - so NOT fair! Here's hoping his next phase of life will bring a little "trouble" to his parents!
Happy Birthday Sammy T! We love you!

This is Melanie (first time, first birthday mom) ready for clean-up duty.
Nice outfit Mel, you got me laughing hysterically!!

Lagoon Day

The day before the cousins left we were able to spend our last moments at Lagoon. Everyone had a great time, including the Stone's (we weren't sure they would make it on many rides) BUT we were able to conquer fears together and Brady and Carly did things they NEVER thought they would! So maybe there was a little peer pressure from other cousins...I don't know, but either way it was a good last day to spend together. The next day, we moved and they took off for the valley of the sun!

So cute! Abby and Hailee


Carly overcame her biggest fear - The Wild Mouse! I don't blame her, I don't particularly like that ride either!! This is Carly and Cami, sorry I haven't zoomed and cropped this one yet.

Hailee

Josh and Carly on the ladybug drop

Kelsey

Shot of the group BEFORE rattlesnake rapids. I love this picture because they are all starting to look so grown-up.

AFTER - this picture does NOT do justice - my pants increased 2 sizes because I had to walk around with them wet for the next 4 hours!

Kels and Abby

Brooke and Hailee - she really likes the ride but she has to warm up first. This pic was obviously taken in the warm up phase

Dayt, Kelsey, Brady and Josh on the Wild Mouse

The crew before riding the spider

Cami and the kids found a way to pass the time while me and Dayt took Josh and Kelsey on the Colossus. Kels was so brave up until the boarding of the train and then she decided she would just watch. No worries Kels! I was proud of you for almost taking the plunge!
There is always next year!!!

It sure was a good 3 weeks! We had tons of fun and made lots of memories. We already miss you STONES!! Until next summer......

Dam Day

A little more catching up.... Every year when the cousins come we try to go to Bear Lake for a weekend. This year the Stone's visit was a little shorter so we didn't have the time to spend a whole weekend at Bear Lake, so instead we spent the day at Pineview Dam on July 26th.

The camera spent most of the time on the boat so I don't have a lot of "land" pics. Here are twon of Josh and Kelsey with their versions of "Mt Everest"

Hailee taking a ride on the boat

Jantzen is obsessed with his goggles, he loves to use them in the pool to look at things underwater. Here he is trying to figure out how to see stuff in the dam. At this point he hadn't realized that it doesn't work in the shallow water.

Jantzen in the "mud bath" created by Ty. I think I would prefer the spa if I am going to be in a mud bath!!


Getting set for some rides on big mable - Jantz, Dayt, Abby

Josh learning how to water ski for the first time. He didn't quite make it all the way up before tiring out.

Abby, Brooke and Carly on Mable


Carly and Josh

You would think there would be enough commotion with all the people, noise, boats in and out and the shoutings of 7 grandkids to keep grandpa awake...guess not!