Justice

I had forgotten to mention a very important part of our trip to Utah.. As we were traveling back home we picked up our car in Denver that had broken down on our last trip out. So, that made Russ and I both drive a car. I was following him when I noticed a police car turn on there lights and start to pull Russ over. As I was getting out of the way the Police officer stuck his hand out of the window to tell me to pull over too.. Now the reason I was following Russ is because he is the safe driver. I am the speeder, I even call Russ Grandpa Beecher because he insists on driving the speed limit. Well, the Cop gave us BOTH a ticket for going the same speed of 84 mph. I am the ticket getter in the family and I felt sorry for Russ because he is such a law obider. (I was thinking to myself... "Good thing he didn't catch me on our way out here going 97 mph.") Anyway, our tickets were $129 each! That makes for both of our tickets over $250 dollars... I was sick inside! Plus we are a family and driving together don't you think that we should have only gotten one ticket?! Well I decided to fight it.. I faxed a letter asking that they remove one of the tickets and guess what??? They did! I am SO glad I made the effort! Now I don't know who's record this is going to go on but I am assuming Russ's because he was in front and after all I was just following him. So, now it looks like we have another ticket getter in the family.

Fundraisers

What is it with School Fundraisers? Am I the only Mother who absolutely dreads to see the package of things to sell and lets be real.. dollar store prizes for selling like 200 things come home in my kids backpacks? And the kids want all the prizes. I understand the school needing $$ and I would be happy to organize a bake sale or something. But, going around door to door with THREE boys asking for these poor people to buy 10$ wrapping paper is just not going to happen. I remember as a kid looking at the prizes and wanting it too. I understand the fun for the kids. But, I just bribed my boys $10 dollars each to NOT do the fundraiser. I know I am horrible. (I was actually willing to go up to $20 but they took the bait at $10. Phew.) Now, I might have to cough up $30 dollars and spend an afternoon at some toy store but in the end, I can live with this decision.

Some funnies

I overheard this while I was upstairs and Russ was with the kids..

Saul: "Dad, if Yu-Gi-Oh was invented in September can we have a holiday for it?"

Eli: "YEAH! I would ask for anything Lego Star Wars.."



This was mine and Kanyon's discussion about homework..

Kanyon: "Mom, the teacher doesn't even look at our homework, so you can just sign me off and it doesn't have to be done perfect."

Me: "Well, it should be done as well as you can do it before I sign it."

Kanyon: "But Mom, it doesn't matter because the Teacher just looks to see if you signed it and doesn't even look at the work."

Me: "Well, then I am not signing your homework anymore unless I know it is done right.."

Kanyon: "MOM! That would be child abuse!"

Rain Gutter Rigatta

As if my life isn't busy enough I now have another scout in the house. Here is their latest activity. They make these boats out of wood and blow them with a straw down the Rain Gutter. It was pretty great! Kanyon and Saul ended up being the last two that hadn't been beaten so they had to race each other. Kanyon ended up winning. It was very close though.













































































Jumping up and down after a win!












Kanyon and Saul racing each other














Winner!!



















Kanyon has been elected to be the Packs "Denner" Which is a very special job for the pack. I got to present him with these yellow cords that go over his shoulder. I am a proud momma.

Most importantly...

The most special part of our trip was Saul getting baptized. He was able to be baptized on his Birthday with his cousin Jaxon. It was pretty tricky rushing back from Lake Powell and getting ready for the big party. Thankfully, my amazing Mother and Russ's wonderful parents pulled it off. We basically just showed up. I can't explain how cool it is to have two children baptized. I feel so blessed!


Saul's Baptism day. Sept. 7 2008































Russ is totally workin the suit.. Don't you think!




































If I was asked to Sum Saul up in just one word.. I couldn't.. Unless you take the time to get to know this very special little boy you wouldn't know what to think. He is shy yet wild, funny yet serious. Saul is SO smart and intuitive and really tries to make the world around him better. He loves to express his opinions and you always know where he stands on things. But his tender heart out weighs everything else. Saul was a big surprise baby, yet we gave him a name that's definition is "asked for". We couldn't have "asked for" anything better.


















This was the after party....

Lake Powell

So, as we are leaving Fish Lake we know that Ivy is pretty sick. She has had a fever for a few days and won't eat or drink. No wet diapers for 2 days and only wants to sleep. Lots of poop though, the gross kind. When we get to my Mom's house I decide (because Russ ran off to golf) to take her to the ER. After a few painful hours and a nurse who was more comical then helpful they put Ivy through a ton of tests. Catheter, Blood Test, Chest X-ray...the works. They find that she is REALLY dehydrated and has an infection but they don't know where. Long story short, we postponed our trip to Lake Powell a day to take care of her. The Doctors were pretty concerned but after some antibiotics she came around nicely. Thank Goodness! I was going to cry if I had to miss Lake Powell. Ivy was in very good hands with my Mom and brother. I actually think she was in better hands. They spoiled her rotten and did a great job! So off we went. Party time!















I was praying I wouldn't fly off the back of the boat.

















This is how Eli jumps into the water, EVERY TIME. He is so graceful.
































This is what it is all about to me.. The good tan.














This cliff was actually pretty high up. I couldn't believe the little kids were jumping off. I did it twice but only because my brother in law (the one on the right jumping) begged me into it. I was glad I did though.















Me Wake Boarding.. When you got it you got it..














Show off!














We tried to get a family picture of us jumping off of a cliff.. Too bad I have to plug my noes to go into the water.












Handsome devils!




















































Kanyon and his cousin Cayden Knee Boarding

































Eli tried the Knee Board too. Russ helped.














The brothers, preparing to dive.







































Russ's brother Ramsay.. He is a wildman!























We left Ivy back with Grandma but we took my brother's son Jaxon with us. He is such a fun good kid!



















Jaxon being crazy.




















All this playing is hard work.

Fish Lake

Our drive out to Utah was uneventful, thank goodness. We arrived and I was welcomed with a bit of altitude sickness. I know, being born and raised in Utah and the Midwest has sucked it all out of me. Anyway, I spent most of Fish Lake with a headache but despite that we had a wonderful time! By now you all know that I take way to many pictures so sorry in advance.














































I had to document Russ's Mom's phychedelic cowboy hat. I think that is what attracted all the fish.

























































It doesn't get any better then being at Fish Lake with Grandma Lu. She is the greatest! She rents cabins for us all so we can play hard but sleep comfortable. We love you Grandma!
















Boys catching snakes
















Eli and Isaac always on an adventure















Us girls made cute hair bows inside the cabin.













Our sad attempt at a family picture. Ivy was starting to get sick and had had a fever for two days. (More on that latter.. She ended up being REALLY sick but that will be on the next post.) We still thought we could get an okay picture.. I guess not.













Here we are. It rained on us as we were trying to get the picture. As soon as we were done it stopped raining. Of course.




















Russ might kill me for posting this but, we had a skit night and this is what Russ got to be. He didn't get any picture's of me thank goodness. Loads of fun.




















Ivy and Annie are one week apart. They helped Aunt Jan (Annie's Mom) with the skit.















She is one amazing lady!