The Great Plan of Happiness

This has been such a crazy month! I can't believe the first month of summer is almost over. As I look back over the month, I can't believe all the many emotions we have experienced as we have watched many of those we love experience births, weddings, and deaths. I had three deaths in 2 weeks that really affected me. I have had had a lot of time to reflect on how short life is and the importance of enjoying every moment we have together. My little Mckay asked Nate and I one day why our eyes were dripping! I love my Mckay! A lot of tears were shed and emotions felt, but I am grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and that we can be Eternal families. On the other end of the plan, my little sister gave birth to little Scarlett Kate- I now have a name sake. Isn't she beautiful!!
Nate's brother and his wife Kirsty had twins last week! Emma and Jack! They are so adorable. It is so amazing to see two little babies snuggling together. So cute! Way to go Kirsty for keeping them in you for 37 weeks. I am grateful that all the babies were born healthy and are home with their families!

I also had the opportunity to get to know a little girl named Jessie and her family. Though I have never met them, I feel touched to have learned about them and their trials they are experiencing. They have great faith and are keeping a blog about all they are going through so that those who might experience the same thing can have somewhere to turn. Their 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Rasmussen's Encephalitis. She had to have half of her brain removed a few weeks ago. She is recovering amazingly well. It is amazing that half of a brain can be removed and someone can learn to function again! They have created a fund to help those like Jessie called The Hemispherectomy Foundation. You can click here to find out more.

Dog Watching

We babysat little 'Dex' for a week and the kids loved it! Sam and Shauna went on a cruise and needed their baby watched while they were gone. Nate and I have talked about getting a dog and this was a great chance to prove my point- Now is not the time for another baby in our home! The kids absolutely loved Dex and were thoroughly entertained by him all day everyday- poor Dex, but -he survived, -the kids survived, Nate learned about cleaning up dog poop, and we will not be getting a dog for at least a few more years.

Saratoga Splash

We took the kids up to Saratoga Splash to listen Ryan Shupe and watch the fireworks. The kids were overly excited about the 'glow-sticks.' The music was fun and the fireworks were good, but Nick couldn't collect enough glow-sticks. He is such a collector of things. He has a collection of air soft gun beebies and I wish I had a dollar for every one I have cleaned up off my carpet. He has collected rocks, bottle caps, Popsicle sticks, and any other small thing that he can find more than two of!

This Is The Place

Char, Linds, and I took the kids up to This Is The Place State Park. I have never been up there and was surprised to see how much there was to do up there. It was huge and we could have spent the whole day there if the kids weren't in desperate need of naps by 2:00. The kids were able to ride a pony, go on a horse pulled wagon ride, see how the pioneers lived, how they went to school, pet (or hug) a cow, water a garden and wash clothes, ride a train, and eat some yummy ice-cream!

A Scottish Man Shower

Nate's family has a tradition of throwing a shower for the 'man' who is getting married. This time the them was Scottish for Scott. It is always fun to sit back and let the boys show off their skills! Linda went all out in the planning. She made kilts for all the boys to wear that matched for each family- or team. There were 8 competition games for the boys to send their best competitor in for the challenge.
The boys had a tug-of-war, a root beer chug-(which was disgusting!), a log throw, a handstand contest, (way to go Sam and Aaron!) and a golfing competition. In the end, Nate's cousin Scott came out playing a Scottish jig on his bagpipes! Very impressive. We had a great time! Oh yea, you ask if Nate is wearing a bow in his head? Yep, I guess he figured since his mom was making him wear a skirt, he might as well wear a bow in his head too! In the end, they had a dance off- and I have to say that I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

The making of Mud Pies

Mckay has been making the most of the rainy days we have had.  He discovered how much fun it is making mud pies!  I love how he came up with this all on his own and even called it a 'mud pie.'  He tried breaking me a piece off to taste, but I politely said 'No thanks!"

 

  

First Campout of the Year!

We had our ward campout over the weekend.  It was freezing cold, but we had a lot of fun.  We camped at a dairy farm!  We set up our tents on a big grassy area right next to the 'moo-ing' cows.  The kids loved it!  There were so many fun things to do.  Nate drove the 'tractor' pulling the kids around in a little train.  There was a zip line, a huge tire swing, a circus rocket ride, and a rope swing.  The kids were entertained the whole time despite the rain and wind.  It was  a long night for Nate and I, but the kids stayed warm and slept through it all.  They were up as soon as the sun was!  I have had wash to do ever since, and been trying to catch up on sleep, but it was well worth the memories.