Lip Smackin' Good!

This is a video I took of my niece Leah eating a popsicle. I came across it today and it was so cute that I wanted to share it. I love this little girl!

The Love of a Mother

This story is long over due. Kirsi bought a Webkinz Blue Jay a few weeks ago. She pulls the tag off in the car (a practice that she has been discouraged from engaging in MANY times). When we get home, I remind the kids that they need to clean out their trash, etc. A little while later Kirsi is distraught because she can't find the tag to her Blue Jay so she can get online and adopt it. We looked everywhere we could think of. You can read the whole story about saying prayers and stuff on Kirsi's blog. I wanted to talk about the trash that I dug through to find the tag! Only a mother would do this! And the tag was not on top! It was completely and totally repulsive...but I love my kids that much!

This is the bird that I saved from being an orphan...The love of a mother!

Shanghai Circus

We always try to take in a show when we go to Branson. This time we went to see The New Shanghai Circus. It was so completely amazing!!! It is mind boggling the things those acrobats could do! Every time they would do something, I could here Nathan next to me, "Ohhhhh!" It was a great show! This is the only picture I took. You can't take pictures during the show.

Go-Carts

This is Kirsi driving a go cart by herself for the first time. Doesn't she look like she is having fun? Nathan is behind her pretending to have fun, even though the go carts only go 10 mph and his knees are almost touching his chin.

This is Kirsi after she had warmed up some. She came around one time and said, "How much longer?" In other words, "Get me out of this thing!" She came in, watched Nathan go around several more times, and then decided she wanted to give it another try. From then on there was no stopping her.

Then we tried the BIG wooden go carts. Nathan got to drive himself for the first time. He tried the whole time to catch up with Jamie and Kirsi, but never made it.

Look at Nathan give the evil eye to the people behind him..."Don't even think about it!"

Glow in the Dark Golf

We also golfed in the dark while we were in Branson. We found this place where we could play glow in the dark miniature golf and laser tag for $11.00 a piece. Not too bad...and we had a blast! The only downfall was that the golf room was full of black lights and I realized that my shirt was a little see through, so my chest was glowing. Kind of embarassing!

It was hard to get good pictures in the dark, but you get the point.

Bumper Boats

So I finally got back here to finish our Branson trip. Here are the children enjoying the Bumper Boats at The Track. I have a thing about paying so much money to walk around in wet clothes the rest of the day, so I settled on being the photographer.

Jamie definitely had the upper hand. Nathan and Kirsi were soaked!

Nathan's tongue always hangs out when he is determined...kind of like Michael Jordan.

Splash Country

We recently took a trip to Branson and stayed at Grand Country Inn. This particular hotel has an indoor water park that all guests get into for free. It was fun enough for our kids. I think teenagers and adults would get bored with it pretty quick.
Jamie on the Lazy River
(Note of caution...if you are tall and lay back you might hit your head on the concrete walls, hence Jamie scrunched up in his inner tube.)

There are pipes dripping and pouring water everywhere.

This 1,000 gallon bucket dumps water every eight minutes. When the bell rings everyone comes running to get DRENCHED!

Tile Skiing

Nathan and I accidentally made up this new game. I noticed that my new flip flops were very slippery on our tile floor. So, I told him to try sliding accross the floor with them. He really couldn't get going, so I pulled him. Before long we were all taking turns dragging one another across the kitchen floor while wearing my flip flops. Good times!

It's Great to Be Eight!

Kirsi got baptized yesterday. I can't believe she is already eight years old! The time goes by so fast! The baptism was wonderful and we had so many friends and family there. Thank you everyone for your help and for supporting Kirsi!

My mom taught me how to sew. Unfortunately, I haven't used that skill as much as I should have over the years. I decided for Kirsi's baptism I would make her a dress. It has a VERY full skirt. It wasn't easy to sew, but Kirsi loves to twirl in it!

I included this photo to show you the kind of support we have. We really feel blessed! I think having the baptism on a Sunday was a great idea. During the week it is so hard to work around schedules. Thank you everyone for coming!!! For those who couldn't come--we missed you--especially the family that couldn't come!

Baking 101

Kirsi made her first, very own, all by herself batch of cookies yesterday. I told her what ingredients and amounts, and she did the rest. I was going to make the cookies for her, but she wanted to try. I really didn't think she was big enough, but I was wrong. I think I'm in denial that my baby is grown up.

We made the cookies because in Primary yesterday they asked if any of the kids knew the 3rd Article of Faith. Kirsi raised her hand and said she did and recited it with very little help. One of the dads leaned over to me and said, "You need to make her some cookies today." So we did. She also bore her testimony yesterday all by herself--nobody even had to go up with her!

Dying to Tie Dye

Kirsi has been begging me for months to let her tie dye a shirt. I had done it with Nathan once when he was little and remembered how messy it was, so I kept puttin her off. Finally, for her birthday we got her a tie dye shirt kit (in hopes that with a kit it wouldn't be as messy). Here is the finished product. Kirsi picked the colors and design herself. The kit didn't make it much easier or less messy--by the way. Kirsi couldn't be happier with her shirt though. I suppose it was worth it--look at that smile!

A Star is Born

Nathan received his Star rank in Boy Scouts last night. He has worked so hard on his Scouting. We're so proud of him. He got 13 merit badges too! Way to go Nay!

Kirsi Turns Eight!

Kirsi had big plans for her birthday. We started the day with her decorating her own cake. She had a little help. She did a great job! After she was done, we hopped in the car and went to eat lunch with Dad at work. Then it was on to Uncle Darrell's law firm for the grand tour and to pick up the cousins. I took all the kids, Nathan, Kirsi and their three cousins to the Rogers Animal Shelter and the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. Kirsi loves dogs!!! And Nathan is working on his Dog Care Merit Badge. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain, so we all got wet as we walked around outside looking at the dogs. The things we do for our children!

After we got back from the animal shelters, the rain had let up and I let the kids run through the sprinklers. They had an absolute blast! We have three sprinklers that they picked up and used like water guns. Nathan and Kirsi would ride on their bikes and the cousins would try to shoot them with water.

After playing the sprinklers, Grandma and Grandpa, Daddy and the rest of the cousins arrived. We had pizza and played Pin the Tail on the Dog (I told you she loves dogs).



Then it was time for presents! Kirsi got new scriptures from Mom and Dad, and a new Webkinz from Nathan. (She also got money from Grandma M, and Grandma S, Puppies in My Pocket from Grandma and Grandpa, a bracelet, bookmark and money from her cousins, a Barbie and Barbie clothes from Grandpa D and a weaving loom from her other cousins--Thank you everyone!)

Think she likes her gift?

And of course the birthday wish. I'm thinking that Kirsi had been contimplating her wish for some time because there was absolutely no pause between "...Happy Birthday to you," and her blowing. I barely had time to snap a shot of it.

Happy Birthday, Kirsi! We love you!