Life is Great

I am a people person. I love to be in a crowd. I hate the feeling that something is going on somewhere and I am missing it. I love to play games 'cause it gives me time to chat with people that can't leave in the middle of the conversation (yes, people do that to me). I love to run because the people I run with usually can’t run any faster than me to escape (LeShel), or they are too nice to try (Shauna). I love to have people hang out at my house so I can straighten like I always need to but have someone to talk to while I do it (Katie). Anyway, we have been busy and that is great. Busy is beautiful to me. So, here is a list of what I have done since my last blog.
May 29th was my 31st birthday. It was perfect. Peter gave me some cds that his orchestra made and a massage table with a masseuse. :) Julia came in feeling bad that she didn't have anything to give me. I told her a hug was great but she went and cut me a rose from the front yard anyway. Then Brigham came in with my gift from him. He had it wrapped in toilet paper. I opened it up and it was the little plastic thing that goes around the lid on the milk jug. He said I could keep it and, "use it on all my milks." I love that boy.
Then I got to have a party with some lovely ladies in my ward (Lisa, Suzie, Shauna, and Amy). We all got together at Amy's house and played a game or at least tried to, while the kids played in the water and the wind blew. It was a ton of fun and I have some lotion to use to help me remember all the fun we are going to have this summer.
May 29th was the school carnival and the "Ward's Funniest Home Videos" as well. The carnival was great. We took Amanda with us and they played in the bounce house and ate lots of carni food. Peter tried his arm at the pitching game. I was impressed. He tied for second and got a t-shirt that matched mine and Julia's from the race.
After we had our fill at the carnival, we went to the ward video night and it was fun. We sent in a video Peter made of him feeding chicken and rice to Porter. It looks like the kid hates it but he keeps taking bites so Peter keeps feeding it to him. I'll post it when Peter gets home.
June 4th was the last day of school and Peter had a concert in the park. It was their patriotic concert so we put Martie in Julia's old July 4th outfit. She looks great doesn't she!
The next day, Friday, we took off for St. George. We didn't leave until about 7pm but I knit with some yarn Katie gave me and then I got to drive. We had the craziest experience. Bugs had to go potty and with Bugs, you don't wait for the next bathroom if you know what I mean. We pulled off a ranch exit, opened the van door and let him shoot for the stars. I'm not sure what we parked by because it was dark but when we closed the van door, there were about a million mosquitoes in the van. You could wave your hand through the air and hit about ten. We were all trying to swat them but there were so many and the kids were getting eaten alive. I was trying not to laugh and told Peter I was afraid we would get West Nile Virus. Julia asked what that was but Peter tried to reassure her that it was a disease that killed people but he was doubtful any of our mosquitoes had it. Thank you Peter.
Anyway, St. George was great. My mom has a house down there that she rents. It is insane nice with a pool that looks like it goes over the cliff that overlooks the park. If you want to check it out, copy the following into your web browser: http://www.vrbo.com/244434 Here are a few pictures we took.

While in St. George we played a few rounds of Settlers of Catan. Peter won every time except once when I helped Katrina win, so we could end the game. I went jogging, we made a few trips to various stores, and then we saw Annie. It was so cool. It was at the Tuacan Theater outside. They had a little pre-show and while watching it, Porter kept trying to put his arm around this little girl he saw. He tried three times but she kept pushing him away. I think he was missing his little friend Abbey. The kids were enthralled by the show though Bugs did fall asleep leaning on the lady next to him. They were all singing the tomorrow song the whole way home but Porter was the first one to start singing, "itto goes itto goes ebbey air itto goes." I couldn't believe he picked up on the "Little Girls" song that Ms. Hannigan sings. I guess with his interest in girls it really appealed to him. Here is a picture of him with Martie in St. George. She doesn't mind his arm around her.
Yesterday, June 11th was our school uniform sale! I love the uniform sale. Everyone brings in the clothes they want to get rid of (the jumpers must be made of steal because they NEVER wear out) and sells them to other people who are too smart to pay retail. It is crazy busy but I love it. I love people getting a good deal and I love to be where everything is happening. So, anyway, I guess that is all we have been up to but we are staying busy.
Oh, we made summer reading goals as well. Porter is going to be read to at least four times a week. Brigham is going to read four small books a week to me or Peter, and Julia is going to read at least one 100+ page book each week. And as a family we came up with a list of things we want to do. We are going to visit ten different parks, go to Lagoon with Xlear, go on a picnic, and Julia wants to color a huge picture, and Brigham wants to go camping at least once. My summer goal it to potty train Porter. It should be enough to keep us busy. Anyway, if anyone wants to get together for games, give us a call.

Just for fun, here are a few extra pictures I have been meaning to blog. Martie's first bath in the big tub.

My swing and fountain. I know, I need to get rid of the big orange extension cord.
Check out that scenery. No wonder Peter mountain bikes. I would join him if I could make it up the hill, and the seat didn't feel like an oversize personal item.

And last but not least, this is dear Porter with his head stuck in the cat house that Peter built under the steps. We heard him crying and Peter said wait just a second Porter and I will get you out. I thought he was going to run and grab something to help him get out but he was just running for the camera.