Black Island Farms

On FHE we took Grandma and Grandpa Gibson to Black Island Farms with us. I am not sure how much fun they had - but we lived with them at the time so they had no choice but to come with us! :) I think Grandpa got pretty excited when he found out about the pig races....

This was the "grain slide" this pic doesn't do it justice. I was thinking twice about going down, especially when as we walked up to the line the kid stopped us and said he was closing the slide for a few minutes because someone had puked at the top - NICE! So why then did I go down this thing??? It ended up being fun. I guess I need to broaden my horizons.

Some of the little slides they have for the kids

This one was kinda gnarly too. Look how small the kids look!

Grandpa and I laughed as Grandma took the kids on a pretty lame "train" ride. After sweating in the sun for 15 minutes - boarding and unboarding and boarding again - (tractor difficulties) They circled a corn field taking approx 45 seconds!!

Again - I am too lazy to alter the pic (just a reminder I don't have my computer back yet - or any of my software for that matter) and Picasa just sounds like too much effort right now.
In every picture Abby would hide behind someone because she didn't want me to take a picture of her being the only one in soccer attire. She is so funny about things like that. She doesn't like attention - ANY - not even positive!

As we were leaving, the cast for the haunted corn maze showed up. Jantz was obviously a bit concerned when I asked them to pose with the kids for a picture. He should be - I went through that maze last year - GOOOOD Times wasn't it ladies?!! I only asked really because Josh is getting to the age where he thinks that he can handle something like a haunted corn maze, plus he had been singing the freddy kruger song all season. I kept telling him about all the chain saws they use in the maze because I was hoping he wouldn't really want to try it after that - and then I would be SAFE from doing that again!

This one's for Hunter

During October - I think it was over UEA, Candice and I met Ryan at California Pizza Kitchen for lunch and then we took the kids to the Hansen Planetarium at Gateway. Hunter was in heaven!! Those of you who don't know Hunter, he is autistic and he turns 14 this month. He is OBSESSED with space. He can tell you all sorts of facts about space. He is planning a trip to Kentucky in several years so he can be in the best viewing spot in N. America to see a comet pass by the earth - I think! He would love to see the northern lights too. It is so much fun to talk with hunter about space and all sorts of things, he is always wildly entertaining and I absolutely LOVE him! Look how happy he is in these pics!

Hunter with Abby, Haylee and Rylee on Mars....

With Maggee - on the moon :)

Cute little blondies - Maggee, Abby, and Rylee

He had a hard time trying to see through the telescope, but eventually he figured out how to make it work.
Here is the whole clan, Haylee, Jantz, Rylee, Abby, Maggee, Nick and Hunter

Crazy Hair Day

During green ribbon week this year (2 weeks ago) the kids participated in crazy hair day. It is so funny to me how my kids are so different. Josh was stoked and wanted to do something crazy. Hair coloring was banned this year so he asked me if I would do a whole bunch of pony tails all over his head. No problem - easy for me. Josh couldn't wait to get to school. Abby looked at me and said in a very concerned voice, "Mom, Josh is going to be embarassed!" I said, no Abby, he won't, he doesn't get embarassed - he is just like me and we don't get embarassed!

On the other side of the spectrum, my sweet little girl whose goal in class is just to speak in front of the other students, was not thrilled with the idea. She wanted to participate because she didn't want to be singled out as someone who didn't participate, yet, she really didn't want to take part. I gave her all sorts of mild options, she chose two ponytails (I wasn't permitted to make the part on her head crazy) one with a braid and one with just a ponytail. Now that's getting a little crazy don't you think?

Here are the crazy looks that go with the crazy hair.

Eat Mor Chicken MONDAY!

I checked in on my friend Debbie's blog yesterday, she has a post up about the cutest little 8yr old I have ever heard of. He has such a mature outlook on life and I can't imagine the trial he and his family are dealing with right now. Tears filled my eyes as I read some of the entries on his blog. I wanted to go into my kids bedrooms and give them a big hug and a kiss. I have a 9yr old boy and everything just hit close to home for me. We have been very blessed in our lives. I felt guilty thinking about the things I call a "trial" in my life, they are nothing compared to what this sweet little boy is going through. I know there are many people out there dealing with struggles such as this and my heart goes out to them and their families. I know there are other blogs out there with similiar stories but this one just pulled at my heart. Please read Trent's blog and pray for him. For family night Dayt are sharing his story with our kids and taking them to Chick-fil-a for dinner. If you have a Chic-fil-a close to you, please help support this family.
http://www.trentduval.blogspot.com/

Soccer -it To em'

Here are my cute little soccer players. This year I have failed to post much about soccer, mostly because I am sure a soccer post every Saturday would be boring, but also because I'm still at my mom's for another couple weeks and it just isn't as easy to post on her computer as it is on mine. Either way, the season is almost over but here are some pics of Josh and Abby playing soccer. They have great coaches again, and both are on teams that dominate. Both of them are playing on undefeated teams who clearly soc it to the other team every week! You like that pun?? They are both playing really well again this year, and not to be the braggin mom - (but the purpose of this blog is for the journaling of the family) - they are one of the best on each of their teams. I love watching them play on Saturdays and love to watch them progress and get better each week. Even though our Saturdays are quite busy with both of them having tumbling and soccer I truly look forward to it every week. Today however all games were rained out - pictures too. BONUS - we were able to go to Garrett's birthday party at the treehouse where the kids had tons of fun - (post later.) On the downside, we have to fit in two make-up soccer games and pictures for both and Josh starts Jr. Jazz next Saturday. Never a dull moment on Saturdays!

Here is Abby playing for the Blue Lightning!

Here is Josh playing for the Orange Strikers. This pic was taken just one dribble too soon, he scored a goal on the next kick, can't you just see it in his face?

Is that Grandma?

My aunt Darlene came in to visit from California last weekend. We don't get to see her very often and it was so much fun to have her here. We were able to fit in a lot of activities in a short amount of time. My kids could not believe how much she looks like their grandma. In fact, Jantzen said to my mom, "Grandma I saw your sister today and she really looks like you do." My mom asked him why he thought that and he replied: "Her face looks like you and her hair, and her armpits!" So funny! We can always count on Jantz for a good laugh. The first day Josh was to see her since she got in - we were having a big family get together, he said to Abby, where is Aunt Darlene and Abby said, she is the one who looks like grandma. Then later on in the weekend I was helping my Aunt by scanning a picture for her. I had it up on my computer and Josh walked in and said, "Hey, when did grandma go to the grand canyon?" Not more than 3 minutes later Abby walked in and asked me why grandma was there at that place. (I was scanning a picture of her with her friends at the grand canyon.) So Aunt Darlene, this post is for you! We loved having you here and we miss you already! Come again real soon because my kids enjoy having twin grandmas!

Here is Josh with my Aunt Darlene

My aunt picked a good weekend to come. The kids had their primary program on Sunday. Jantzen ended up being just a row directly in front of her. He was PURE entertainment for 30 minutes straight. Don't you just love those sunbeams? He was singing as many words of the songs as he could, played with the animal crackers the teachers kept giving them for bribery to sing the songs, and he helped out with a couple of dramatic hand movements during some cruicial parts of a couple of songs. He almost missed his part in the microphone because I had to literally RUN him down the hall to the bathroom and then sneak him back up on the stage 3 seconds before his turn. Love it!!

Here are the kids after their primary program, they weren't being very cooperative so I just snapped it when they were laughing at Dayt who was trying real hard to make them smile for me. He ended up making gaseous noises with his mouth - which always brings the house down. Apparently that never gets old!

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!

A year or so ago Dayt and I heard about this show that was critically acclaimed but noone watched. It was in danger of being pulled off the air after only the first season so NBC tried to get some people hooked on the show by releasing that first season on DVD for only $19.99 (5 discs). We wanted to check it out and for $19 why not. We loved it! We couldn't stop watching it. We watched several episodes (like until 3 am) night after night! We were instantly hooked! Season 2 brought in some more fans but with the writers strike they were still wondering what to do with the show. For season three this fall NBC made a partnership with DirectTV who will play FNL uncut, commercial free, all new episodes starting on October 1st on channel 101 at 9pm. If you have DirectTV you should definately watch! If not, they will air it early in 2009 on NBC so get in season 1 and 2 before then. I highly suggest renting/buying Seasons 1 and 2 you will not be disappointed. Oh, and it isn't all about football!!
However, coach Taylor is a big reason why I watch.

Baby Phoebe

Yeah! Phoebe is here. Seems like it has been just a few short months - right Beck? After 15 1/2 long years Kenzie finally has a sister! Phoebe Eriksson made her debut into the world yesterday afternoon September 18th. She was 7lbs 8oz and 19 inches long. She has the thickest head of jet black hair ever! She is darling! Last night I was loving just holding her and laughing with one of my best pals! We had so much fun. She has a little bit of all the kids in her. She was dead asleep to the world so I didn't get many pics with her eyes open, and even then she had sleepy little eyes. I get to reap the benefits of all my friends hard work - what a great place for me to be. I loved getting to know you Phoebe! Can't wait to snuggle you again! Congrats Eriksson clan!

Keep a Lookout for a Waterfall

Last weekend we went hiking with the Crookstons. There is a little hike up by their house in Eden, we heard lots of talk about a waterfall so we were IN for some fun. The foilage was so pretty and green and the air was crisp. I was loving the cool air because it reminds me so much of fall - my fav time of year. AND, we able to wear sweatshirts - another big PLUS because it feels like autumn time. We kinda laughed a bit when we made it to the waterfall, err, uh, I mean trickle down the mountain! No matter, I got a little exercise that was much needed and the kids had a ball. We always have so much fun when we get together. All the kids pair off and take off all over the place and then we don't see or hear from them for hours.
Kids occupied - check - Parents on their own - what a dream!

The whole clan - Skyler, Josh, Anna, Isabel, Abby, Jantz and Alex
Also photographed Maggie the dog!

Maggie was cruising up the sides of the rocky cliff like wall next to the waterfall.

Coming back down - Josh, Sky, Anna, Abby

Sky and Josh trying to get their toes wet and pushing a little closer to the raging river!!

Food is always delicious thanks to me and Amy. The sign of a good BBQ is seeing food all over happy faces!

Alex - has the BEST smile ever!

Josh and Anna - a budding romance??? Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Dave

Dayton's Dad Dave turned 60 last Sunday - awesome! We thought that turning 60 deserved something a little extra special. We staked out the place on Saturday night while grandpa was at the Weber game. He got home right as we were about to "decorate" the place. We yelled for all the kids to hide. Abby was worried there was a kidnapper coming (kinda funny) and started to have a mini-meltdown. You gotta love the drama! But after grandpa went in the house they had a great time being sneaky and decorating the sidewalks where the sprinklers weren't spraying, with all sorts of fun little pictures. It was really fun for them. It was dark of course, so the pics aren't great, but here is what grandpa Dave saw in the morning.