Splash Pad fun

Thanks to my good friend Rynell, for taking my kids along on a trip to the Alpine Splash Pad on Friday.  They had so much fun!

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

I never would have believed it.  Several months ago, before Maizy came into our family, my children were all afraid of dogs.  A fear that has tormented them for years.  Now, they ask people if they can pet their dogs! 

As I have blogged about before, Carson was given the job of taking care of his friend's home and pets for about 10 days this month.  He and Micah enjoyed the task very much.  Dakota often went with them, so they could go on their bikes.  They took care of a very big eyed bunny, and a long-haired chihuahua named "Sissy."  Sissy is an older female dog, and is generally not into playing with people, but she loved my boys and ran around the yard with them.  The feeling was mutual.  I think she reminded them of Uncle John and Aunt Marian's cute Ichi.  Anyway, I had to take some pics. 

We had cousins come to visit us yesterday.  That was a treat, as it always is.  The kids had a great time, especially now that Dakota is willing to show his non-swollen face again. Here are some pics of "family time."

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

When we are talking skin tones, the answer is ME!  Yes, I've had this very fair skin all of my years.  When I was a teenager, I really disliked it.  I could not tan like all the other girls, and I suffered several hundred bad sunburns.  One of them was actually severe enough to be treated for burns.  Of course, there were always the older women who would say "look at that beautiful China doll skin."  I was not impressed.   I also struggle to this day to find a foundation light enough that you can't see lines around my chin.  I'm not sure when exactly I made friends with my skin.  Probably around the time that I spent the summer in Finland.  Finnish people always asked if I was English, due to my light skin and facial features.  I loved that because my English heritage has always fascinated me.  I began to realize that my coloring is unique and I hung onto that thought.  I started being kinder to myself, realizing over the years that my skin color is more of a gift than a curse. I also look great in black :) 

I'm discussing all of this because once again, I'm painfully sunburned.  I took Carson and Micah to the Scera pool on Thursday afternoon.  We had not been swimming yet this year, and I felt we should.  Although I slathered on the sunscreen, my shoulders, chest, and back burned.  Welcome to my life.  Ah the memories!  This is not an unusual event, it happens every summer.  However, for some reason it has inspired me to blog about my skin.  Oh well, happy summer.

Sore Dakota

There would be pictures on here, if I hadn't been forbidden to do so.  It's the second day after Wisdom teeth extractions for Dakota.  The procedure went well, but now he is dealing with the pain and the swelling.  I've got to hand it to him, he is being really good about this.  He doesn't complain much, except about all of the food commercials on TV.  I know he is miserable, but he tries not to show it.  I am hoping that the swelling will start going down tonight. 

Holy Mutant Mosquitos, Batman!

It brings back memories of Minnesota, except worse.  I think the mosquito has become our State Bird also.  These things are out in all hours of the day, no longer just between dusk and dawn.  They are around our neighborhood in "Hitchcock worthy" hords.  I wonder if they are planning these attacks.

Everyone is suffering, and staying in as much as possible.  Micah, who has some kind of allergy to mosquitos, has had it the worst.  We are battling the huge red bumps with Benadryll and Hydrocortisone the best we can.  At this point, we are seeking refuge in the house. 

Carson the Dependable

If Carson had been royalty in the days of old, I'm sure this would have been his name.  Actually, he could be Carson the Brave, Carson the Responsibe . . . you get the idea. You all know that he is always organizing ways to help people.  This summer, he also has a little lawn and yard care business, along with his brother Micah. 

Now his friend's family have given him a ten day job of caring for their home and their pets while they are away on vacation.  The mom told me when she asked Carson to do this, "I know how responsible Carson is.  I trust him more than any of our neighbors."  All this praise and he's only 11 :)  Anyway, he goes to their home twice each day.  He feeds their dog and bunny.  He takes the dog out to play for 30 minutes (and go potty, of course).  He waters plants, gets the mail, and locks everything up.  He resume is getting long already :)

Trying to keep up

I'm behind on my blogging.  Work is taking up way too much of my time these days. 

Last month, Carson and Ray went on Carson's first Cub Scout camp-out.  They had a great time, and photos are still being collected and downloaded.  Look for those soon.

Micah also attended his first day camp at Jeremiah Johnson.  He had a fabulous time.  He brought home lots of fun souvenirs and crafts.  His money for the Trading Post was spent on a bullet necklace.  Here are some photos.

This morning, we got up early (ugh!) and went to Fox field to see the Hot Air Balloons.  This is one of our favorite 4th of July activities.  The fun of seeing those colored balloons in the air never seems to get old.  Carson and Micah could not wait to see the Darth Vader balloon, which made it's first appearance in Provo this year.  We also saw the Coke balloon, the largest balloon in the US.  Of course, we saw some of our other yearly favorites as well.  We watched them go up and color the sky above us.  Happy 4th of July!!