The Fourth, The Fifth, The Tom, The Mom: July 2014

#BYU50

So being the good friend that he is, Nathan called Barrett to tell him about the #BYU50 box. 50 days before the first game of the season, a box was going to be dropped in each of the 50 states. Last week was Delaware's day. A tweet went out that it was going to be in Dover!! I pulled out everyone's BYU shirts and took Barrett his BYU tie. We figured a picture would be tweeted around 5 or 6 of the box at it's location. We thought it would either be downtown at the state buildings or the Nascar track. We drove around downtown when I saw some friends, then I noticed the box and thought they had found it. I pulled up and we started cheering for them when they said they were the one's leaving the box and that we were the winners!!! We were pretty excited, but felt bad for the people that came up after us. The box contained a pylon, signed football of all the Greats, replica jersey, decal stickers, air fresheners, and other fun BYU stuff. Barrett was one happy guy! Go Cougs!!

Summer Fun

Well it was a rough few days being back together as a family. Barrett was working 7am-11pm and the kids weren't used to doing anything that mom makes them do! Hannah decided she only liked screaming and throwing tantrums (Barrett said she didn't throw a single tantrum when I was gone!). We were all going crazy, so I decided to do something fun one day and took the kids to the bounce house place. I played in them with the kids this time since I knew Hannah would need help/protection. It was really fun. I also decided to break down and get a YMCA membership so we could go to the outdoor pool and take swim lessons. We've been trying to do other fun things as well.

Chick-fil-A had their Cow Appreciation Day on the 11th. We made cow outfits and got free dinner. Tommy cut out all his spots and even wrote his own sign. He also wanted ears and feet which I convinced him weren't necessary. When he came down decked out with his pajama shorts inside out, Damon started getting embarassed to be seen with him. Tommy just kept telling me, "whatever it takes to be a cow!"

Miss Hannah walked out of the house one day with a hat on backwards. Tommy said, "I didn't know Hannah was a baby DJ."

We had a picnic outside. It was such a beautiful day:)

We took lunch to the park one day. There was only one other family there and they were fishing in the lake.

Hannah was fascinated with the duckies. She kept yelling, "duckies!" and "quack quack" and pointing at them. When they got close, she got a little nervous.

We tried having lunch, but these feathered friends wouldn't leave us alone! The boys were eating on the picnic table, so I finally decided we could leave.

We were in a store looking for socks for the boys. Hannah found a cute little back pack that she had to wear and a little doggie purse.

Then she found a duckie to ride on.

We went to the temple last Saturday.

Damon wanted to take our picture with the flowers:)

We finally got 4 bar stools! It is so fun to sit there and eat dessert, snacks, and lots more!

While Mom Was Gone...

So, while I was gone for a few days to California, Barrett took care of the kids. They spend a few mornings with friends while Barrett worked and he took a little time off. I wrote out schedules for them with crafts and activities plus meals. I felt like I was teaching again making sub plans! The boys made marble tracks, froot loop necklaces for the 4th of July, they went to the parade on the 4th and made homemade ice cream, they went to IHOP for breakfast, did yard work, and watched The Lego Movie a billion times. Barrett had to be at the church on Sunday for a meeting at 7:45. He got everyone ready and was on time! Then had to take them back to church later, he said he gets double points for that! We all survived:)

Family Reunion

My mom's dad passed away when I was around 4 or 5. This year he would have turned 100, so the family decided to have a reunion. Barrett sent me to California to attend the reunion and he stayed home with all our kids! All my siblings were there with their families, all my mom's siblings, and most of my cousins with their families. There were over 150 people! It was so awesome. We had a birthday party for grandpa, heard stories about his life, took a family picture, had a family tennis tournament, had carnival games, had a huge fourth of July party, had a Freedom 5K run, decorated and put on our own 4th of July parade, fireworks, party at the lake, dance parties, programs, singing, and fun fun fun! It was fun to see so many cousins with their families. It was nice for me to be without my kids so I could enjoy chatting with cousins and siblings without worrying about my cranky kids. There's a few things I wanted and got while in California: In N Out (yum!), CMK ice cream (double yum!), and a good ol' maple bar (delicious!).

Kim and I were roommates. It was awesome!