All you need is DIRT

This past weekend all of the nieces and nephews were in town. To keep them entertained, we sent them outside to play in the dirt. Yes, what horrible adults we are. (I dare you to try it and then tell me it's an awful thing to do.) ;) They loved it. They were entertained for a heck of a long time. It wasn't that difficult to find, since the yard is in dissaray because of the garage going up. Here are a few pics from the blessed event.

Grandma feeding the kids marshmellows so they would hold still long enough for me to try and get a picture of them. Thus the reaching and sincere interest in Grandma all at once.

The two boys: Boy Blue (Wilson with the blue eyes) and Boy Brown (Hayden with the brown eyes). Wilson wasn't feeling too well. He usually smiles a lot.

The dirt playing. Need I say more?

Watching as Grandma pulls out the marshmellows....right before the mad rush.

Randomness

I was reading my 2007 posts on the blog and I was much better at writing on it then. Now I just seem to wait for something big to happen before posting. I need to be better, since I decided to start it as kind of a journal. So, just a warning that some of the posts in the future will be boring for you readers. I would apologize, but I'm not sorry because then I'll have something to remember my life by.

Last night I couldn't fall asleep until 4 a.m. I started reading and got caught up in a book. Then, my left leg and hip started aching like never before. At about 3 I went in and got the muscle cream from my mom's room. I thought I would fall asleep pretty quick so I didn't take anything for it. Hmm, not such a good idea. It still took awhile for me to drop.

Today I went to the dump in Powell with Mike and Whitney. We went in a REALLY old truck. The max speed was 60, and that was going down hill. The seats were made of plastic, so our bums were wet when we got out. I have to say that the dump was nice...for a dump. I was surprised. It was a fun trip, for it being to the dump and all.

Well, that's about all the randomness for today. More to follow. :)

Family Reunion Photos

These are just a few pics from the weekend.

Isn't Wilson just adorable!?

All the ladies at the dinner at Mike and Nicole's house.

Me and my momma!

Beautiful Karren.

Deloy and Seth

So Busy

It's a good thing I didn't get a summer job. I have been super busy all summer. About a month ago I watched my niece Hannah and nephew Hayden for a week while my sister-in-law went to Vegas with her mom and sister. It was a great experience. I don't get to see them that often, so I loved it. I was exausted by the end of the week.

I have also been busy with my niece Whitney and nephew Wilson. Their mom had a craft fair to get ready for and a few other things, so I have been able to spend time with them. I am grateful since I am moving to Logan in a few weeks. It's kind of a two-edged sword because I'm getting to spend time with them, but then I'm going to have to leave. Not good.

A couple of weeks ago we had a family reunion. We had over 100 turn out for it. I missed seeing those who weren't able to come, but so glad to see all those who came. We had dinners and fireworks and swimming. It was a great time. There are so many little ones these days. I love it!

Last week I moved my belongings to Logan with the help of my brother Erik and my cousins Caroll and Ed. Thanks to them so much! I couldn't have done it otherwise. It's nice to get everything down there so I don't have to worry about that. Now I'm just worried about finances. I hate needing money, but I guess that's the way life is.

This week I am in Gillette visiting my brother Bryan and his family. I am not looking foward to the time where I can't just take a few days and visit everyone. Bummer to be responsible again.

I will post pictures when I get back home of all the activities listed above.

Machine Operator!

I operated my frist Skidsteer last night. It was awesome. The only bad part was I hadn't eaten in a while so the diesel smell got to me after a while. I'm not a pro yet, but I'm hoping. Thanks to Isaac for letting me borrow his toy.

Deloy and Nellie Mayes Family Reunion

Just a few more updates about the reunion. Thanks for being patient with all of them.

Dinner on the 2nd will be at Mike and Nicole's. They live on the corner of Nevada and 5th, across the street from Haskell's Furniture. If you could bring the following that night, please let me know:
-Drinks
-Shredded Cheese
-Olives-Refried Beans
-Sour Cream
-Ranch
-Sliced tomatoes
-Anything else you might want on your Navajo Tacos
-Veggies/Fruits
-Dessert(other toppings have already been spoken for)

On Saturday the 4th, Gail Collins will open the pool for the family in the afternoon. I am not sure of the exact time, but bring your swimming suits!

That evening, the following foods are needed for the hotdog roast. Please let me know if you could bring something:
-Dessert
-Chips
-Drinks
-Salads
-Veggies/Fruits

Adrin and Ella will be at her parents house for fireworks, but they have offered their driveway/field to light of any fireworks that shouldn't be lit around children. Anyhow, I am excited to see everyone. Please let me know if you have any questions. Love ya!

UT Trip

Last week was spent in Utah. I left on Monday. It's not my favorite drive to make...too long. And yet, I'm moving back there. What am I thinking? (Guess I'm not). I spent most of my time driving between Lehi, Logan, Draper, Provo, and Lehi again.

This is the Draper temple. I was able to do a session there inbetween all of my driving and visiting friends. I loved the Celestial room. The ceiling went up into the spire and was rounded off. Beautiful.

This is the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I went to the open house. I stayed in Lehi with my cousin's family. My ticket was for 9 a.m. I didn't wake up until 8:30 and it takes at least 30 minutes to get there. I rushed to get ready and quickly left. It took me forever to find the road that the temple was on. The map I had was NO help. I ended up going the wrong way on a road. With all of that, I was only an hour late. I was a little frazzled by the time I got there. I popped my trunk and put my purse in there. Hmm, forgot that I put my keys in my purse before I did that. Yup, I locked the keys in my car! I have NEVER done that. Good thing I was at a temple in UT. There was a cop there on duty for the security at the open house. He was able to get in quickly, thank goodness. No charge, either. Later that day, I was still frazzled from everything and tipped over a display at Bath and Body Works. Yup, quite a day.

These are my friends Coral and Jewell. I worked with them at BYU before the mission. I hadn't seen them in years. We went to good old Brick Oven in Provo. Yum, yum. I miss my BYU friends. We had some good times.


This is my friend and old roommate Jenner. We lived together over 10 years ago. Yikes! And that's her cute baby Jane. (She wasn't feeling well, thus the stare.) It was so good to see her, too. Again, it had been years. What a horrible friend I am!

Overall it was a good trip. I found housing for school in Logan...a cute 2 bedroom with LOTS of closet space. I'm not looking forward to moving again, but I am looking foward to decorating the apartment, hopefully with the help of my sister-in-law Nicole. ;)

Mandi's Sealing

Mandi let me know that they are being sealed at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Guests should be there by 5:30. Also, I made a mistake on the 4th. The 4th is a SATURDAY, not a Friday. ;)

Mayes Family Reunion

So, my mom (with the help of a few others) finally decided on plans for the reunion at the beginning of July. The evening of July 2 (Thursday) we'll have Navajo tacos. Yum, yum. This will most likely take place at Mike and Nicole's house, since our yard is full of rivets from trucks. Thursday the 3rd is when Mandi and her family are being sealed in the Billings temple. We're not sure of the time, but she wanted late afternoon. Friday morning is the breakfast for the extended family. It's at the park close to our house. That evening is a hot dog roast and Richard and Linda's. We will also watch a movie outside. Then, those that want to light fireworks can head over to Adrin's across the field. Those that just want to watch (those with little ones) can stay at Richard and Linda's and see from there.

Well, let me know if you have any questions. Wahoo!

Graduation

Kirk has officially 'graduated' from high school. I use the term graduate loosely, as he turned 21 and aged out of the school system. I can't believe that he's that old. He left his school in Thermopolis yesterday and is home for the weekend. He'll go to his new place in Worland next week, if they are ready for him. (long story there) Anyways, congrats to Kirk!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Robert

It's Uncle Robert's birthday today. He is 60 years old. I know that he calls most of us on our birthdays. We should give him a call. He is staying with his mom during the week and can be reached at 307-754-3847. On the weekends he is at home and can be contacted at 307-548-6316. Hope it's a happy one!

What is red and smelly?

I'm sure you could come up with a lot of answers, but the true answer is ME. This morning I forgot to put on deoderant. I can't remember ever doing that before. And guess what today was at school? Fun day...3 hours outside. I'm grateful it was cool enough that I didn't sweat too much. I didn't want to stink out anyone. So, now I'm red and stinky. I didn't think we would be outside all that long, so I didn't put on sunscreen. It's only my arms and face, but it's bad enough to be uncomfortable. Time for more lotion. . . to help the redness and the smell. :)

Pictures

As promised:

Hannah and Whitney doing "trickies"


Hayden wondering when he'll get to play with his gifts.

Hannah and Whitney in jammies.

Hannah, Bryan, Hayden and Chelsey

Mike, Wilson, Nicole, and Whitney

A Wonderful Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend with my family. A bit of a contradiction, you might think. Spending time with family, all of us in the same house, and I ENJOYED all of it. Oh, there was a moment that I didn't enjoy too much. But the rest was great. Here are some highlights from the weekend. (Pictures will be in the next post.)

-Seeing Hannah and Whitney play with each other. They got along great.
-Watching Whitney be a mother hen to the other kids. She always made sure they were okay and had enough food.
-Holding Wilson until he fell asleep.
-Watching Hayden as he opened his birthday gifts. To be more accurate, Hannah and Whitney opened and played with them while he watched. He didn't even throw a fit.
-Taking Hannah shopping with me and her having to go down the Barbie isles SLOWLY.
-Mowing Bryan's lawn. (sick that I enjoy this, but I do)
-Listening to Bryan and Chelsey speak at Church. (I was in the lobby with Hayden for most of it, so I didn't get to hear everything.)
-Changing diapers and taking the girls to go potty.
-Listening to Hannah and Whitney encourage each other to go potty and telling others loudly when they each accomplished this. (Even during church)
-Just being with family.

So, there you have it. I promised pictures and they will come. There are so many darn cute ones. I don't think I exaggerate when I say they are the cutest nephews and nieces in the world!

TOFW

I just spent the last 24 hours in Billings. I went to Time Out for Women with my mom, Aunt Juanita, and sister-in-law Nicole (with Wilson, the boy). Yesterday I was exausted and kind of didn't want to go, but I am SO very glad that I did. It was great. We got to hear Kristen Oaks (Elder Oaks' wife); Jennie Oaks-Baker (Elder Oaks' daughter); Hillary Weeks; Chris Stewart, and author; Kim Nelson, a hillarious author; Chris Belcher (yes, Belcher, but she says the husband is worth it); and another lady I don't remember her name, but she was funny, too. It was a great way to spend the weekend. I feel so uplifted. I wish I could do something like that more often, like very other month, to help me keep perspective. Plus, it was great to spend time with the girls. I got to see friends I hadn't seen in forever (shoutout to Carlee:)). It was GREAT. If you ever get the chance, be sure to go.

Last weekend was my birthday. We spent Saturday in Billings. You can see pictures on my mom's blog and on Nicole's blog. We went swimming and the kids LOVED it. It was a busy weekend and I was very tired afterwards, but it was great. What a way to spend a birthday. Thanks to all who made it special.