LAST VACATION OF THE YEAR

During the kiddos Fall Break we drove the very LONG drive to Fort Worth, Texas to see Kev's parents and his sister and her family. It was not the best of vacations simply because Keaton got sick the Friday before we left. Instead of leaving on Sat. morning as planned we left Sun. morning in hopes that Keaton's fever would be gone and he would feel better. However, he ended up being sick the entire week we were there and was just miserable. We ended up in the Dr.'s office Tuesday morning because his fever was so high and he had a cough that sounded horrible. Prognosis was a really bad sinus infection. With antibiotics and other cold medicine we thought he was on his way to a recovery but, the fever kept spiking and his cough kept him from getting any real rest.

We did manage a few outings like going to see the movie, "Secretariat" which by the way is a WONDERFUL movie! We also had dinner at the Olive Garden with his parents, Sister and a niece and nephew. We also were able to go to the Dallas World Aquarium which was fantastic! They had some amazing animals and sea life. The kids really enjoyed it and so did Kevan and I. The pictures that follow are the only ones I took on the entire trip.
















I wish I had gotten pictures of the sharks. There were fascinating! They also had these two Giant river otters that were just too cute and such show-offs. Kevan also got to hand feed the Toucan birds blueberries. Keaton and Bailey were too scared to try it. Something about those long becks gently pecking your hand to feed turned them off to trying it. I didn't even get pictures of half of the things we saw. There was just so much.

Aside from Keaton being so sick the entire trip we had a good time. We got to visit with Grandpa & Grandma Roth and that was enjoyable. It is always good to see loved ones and spend time with them. However, being home is nice too and now that we are back into our life with busy schedules and all we can start thinking about what we will do on our next vacation.

PRODUCTIVE WEEKENDS!!!

This past weekend was one where much was accomplished. However, I am glad that it is over and we have only one more week until Fall Break! My kiddos have started their countdown!

This weekend we decorated for Fall and Halloween!



Kevan did yard worked and cleaned the backyard!



Kevan helped Keaton build his "working" Egyptian Shaduf for a school project he has been working on.



I helped Bailey Rose with her book report project which was a lot more work then a written report but, fun!







My dad let me borrow his workout gym so I could start building and toning my muscles which don't seem to stay toned like they did when I was much younger. We went down to my parents and picked it up and set it up for me to use! I am loving it!!!




Bailey Rose's eye went from bad to worse, but by this morning she was back to normal and happy to be feeling better!





I also baked 7 dozen cookies for the Bake Sale that Coca-Cola is having. Kevan so sweetly volunteered cookies and then informed me he needed them by the 5th of Oct. Thanks Hon!!!

It was also General Conference weekend which is always pure enjoyment! I taped the Sat. sessions so I could watch them Sat. night and Sun. sessions we watched as a family. It was a wonderful Conference and I feel so spiritually full! Many talks sparked wonderful discussions with my children. I love watching them develop testimonies of their own!

DARN MOSQUITO!!!

My sweet little Bailey Rose woke up this morning with a mosquito bite on her eyelid and her eye was all swollen over and looking just awful. She went to school but by the time we got there it was worse then when she woke up. She is doing a play in her class today so she didn't want to stay home but, I know it is pretty uncomfortable. It keeps watering so she has to keep wiping it and I will be amazed if she makes it through the day. She is the only one in our family who reacts to insect bites like this. Hopefully she will feel better by this afternoon and that her eye will go down. Normally when this happens she is like this for a few days!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVAN, WE LOVE YOU!!!

1ST SCOUT CAMPOUT

Friday Keaton went to our Stake Scout Camp Out for the 11, 12 & 13 year old's. It was his 1st official Scout camp out. He was SO excited to go and Kevan made sure he was able to go and share in his son's experience.
After they go home and gave us the details of the camp out Keaton told me that he did not like camping with the Scouts. Apparently there was poor execution of the things planned and the 11 year old's did nothing but sit in the hot sun and listen to someone talk for two hours about" leaving no trace". While the older scouts got to go to different workshops and do different things. Sounds like someone doesn't know 11 year old's too well. Breakfast was biscuits and gravy which the boys thought were disgusting and my guys were so glad that I packed them some breakfast goodies just in case.
I feel so bad that he didn't really enjoy himself. Kevan said there were some fun points. They bailed on the closing ceremony and went to the lake and went swimming. The boys loved that! I think they should make the first Scout camp out experience one that makes the boys want to continue to go to the camp outs not one where they never want to go again which is how Keaton felt. If Kevan hadn't been there I know it would of been total disaster for Keaton. We tried to tell him that it would be different as he got into the older scouts but unfortunately it has already been ruined for him and he does not want to go camping with the Scouts again but, I am hoping that will change as time goes on. Fun or not he came so exhausted and actually napped which he hasn't done in several years.
I asked Kevan to take pictures so that I could see Keaton in action but his phone battery died and so I got very few pictures.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DEB!

Just want to wish my little sister Debra a very Happy Birthday! I hope your day is a FABULOUS one! We love you!

I remember when my kids were very little how I looked forward to hearing them wake up and start their days of exploring, learning, playing and though I would be tired throughout the day because my little girl use to get me up every night I would still find so much thrill and enjoyment in watching them grow and discover their world. I don't think I ever thought about the day they would become old enough to go off to school until it became a reality. As I wait for my kids everyday to meet me after school I watch the little Kindergartners come out the doors to meet their mom's and dad's and I remember how little mine once were and how excited I was to see their little faces as they told me about everything they did that day. I still get that little thrill when I see my two kiddos walk around the corner to greet me. However, now there are no hugs because at their age it just isn't cool to hug your mom in public and I get that! I also now have to pry information out of them about how their day was or I get the standard answer of "fine" or "good". I remember my dad saying to me once after their nest had been empty for a few years that he missed us kids being little and running around and making noise. He said it went by too quick. My kids aren't even teenagers yet and I already miss the "little". Don't get me wrong I love the ages they are now and the independence that they are acquiring but, with each year that goes by I become more aware of how grown up they are becoming.

Tonight Keaton went of his first overnight Scout trip. Kevan was able to go with him and to be honest if he hadn't been able to go, I don't believe I would of sent Keaton. Yes, I am an overprotective mother but, that is my right so I have no trouble claiming it. Here it is almost midnight and I am up wondering if he is warm enough or if he is having a good time. I know he is safe because his dad is there with him but, I really don't like not being able to go into his room and check on him once he has fallen asleep. How and I going to handle Scout Camp next summer for an entire week?

It is so extremely hard to let go and yet I know that little by little every year more of the "apron strings" get cut and he grows closer and closer to leaving the nest altogether and Bailey Rose is only two years behind him. I honestly don't know how my mom did it five times over! I have never liked changed! Yet, I never thought watching these little ones grow up would be one of the hardest changes that would affect me the most. I know I have more then a few years before they leave the nest but, I know the reality of how quickly those years will pass. I am excited for all they have yet to experience in life but, I think I will always miss them being little!

FADS!!!

Do you know about the newest craze?


ZANY BANDZ!!!



It is hard to miss them since all the kids are sporting them on their wrists. They wear them to school and trade them with their friends and I keep finding them all over my house! They have all kinds of shapes and themes. I must admit whoever created these bands are probably making a fortune off of them right now. However, just like all fads they will eventually die out and no longer be popular. I give it to the end of the school year maybe even sooner. For now though the kids are having fun with them and isn't that what fads are all about? Something different, something new, something for others to take notice of. Fads - they come and they go!

Bailey Rose likes to wear several at a time. I don't care for this look!




Keaton wears only a few on each wrist. I myself can't believe he wears them at all but, that is how popular they are, even the boys wear them!

Isn't August Over Yet?

What a month it has been, I am so glad that August is soon coming to a close. Right now I could use some cooler weather and even though the weather may not cool off anytime soon I do know that as the months continue to go by the cooler weather will slowly start to come.

A few nights ago our power went out and it was out for about 4 hours. The kids had a blast running around the house with flashlights. However, after about 30 minutes the warmth of the house started to get to me and I kept thinking," If my pioneer ancestors could do this then so could I." However, they did not know what air conditioning felt like and so you do not miss what you have never had. Needless to say I was missing it quite a bit and then my kids started to complain about how hot it was getting which seemed to make it get even hotter. The best part was when my hubby called me on my cell phone and after telling him about the power outage and how hot it was getting he says, "Don't we have some fans you could use?" Then he laughed as he said,"Oh, I guess that wouldn't work." It is amazing how we take our modern day luxuries for granted until we do not have then anymore.

It has not been the easiest getting back into the swing of school and homework. My kids are fighting it and that does not make me happy! I am not a big believer in homework for kids in elementary school. I think it causes more frustration and stress in young children. They are gone all day in an "educational study" setting and when they get home at the end of the day they should be able to unwind and relax instead of focusing on hours of more school work. I know that having no homework would make evenings in our house a lot more peaceful. It's just my opinion and even though my kids will never hear me voice it aloud, I believe homework for elementary children is worthless and serves NO purpose!

Kevan has been working some very long days. There are lots of changes going on at Coca-Cola and they have Atlanta "Big Shots" coming for visits and meetings and of course the Labor Day ad will be starting soon. He has been working 12 to 13 hour days for almost the entire month. The kids and I miss him! He also started another block of classes for school and when he does get home if it is not too late he shuts himself in with the computer to do his assignments. I can tell he is just exhausted and that he wants to give into sleep but, he is so good about doing all that he needs to do and he gets it done. I really did get lucky to marry a guy who is so good at working hard!

The air conditioner went out in the truck about 2 weeks ago so we decided that it was time to trade it in and get another car. We ended up buying a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. The color (cherry red) was not one I would of chosen if I had been given a choice. I can live with it though. However, it is nice to have a car that has a/c again. We will have to have the windows tinted but that is easy enough to fix. When you live in the desert a/c in a car is the only way to go!

Oh, and then today I got a jury summons! I have been summoned practically ever year and even though I have never had to serve I always get called, never my husband! Why is this? So now in October I have to remember to call and see if I have to appear. I SO do not want to have to do this again!!!!!!

So with all that has gone on this month I just will be glad to have it over. Each new month brings hope that it will be better then the last.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today was the first day of school! Keaton started the 6th grade and Bailey Rose started the 4th grade. They were so excited that they were both up at 6am this morning. I am sure as the year goes on the enthusiasm to wake up early to get ready for school will dwindle. As soon as they arrived at school they both saw their best friends and off they went. I sure hope they have a wonderful first day. I have to admit that as nice as it is to have a quite house I miss them already!

FIRST DAY OF 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR!

KEATON AND HIS BEST BUD NATHAN!

BAILEY ROSE AND HER "BFF" PAIGE!

Yesterday the kids and I were able to go to the COCOA-COLA plant with Kevan and were able to go on a tour of the plant. This week has been Employee Appreciation Week and they have been giving families of COCA-COLA employees tours. It was quite interesting and even though nothing beats the COCA-COLA Museum in Atlanta it was still very fun to see how product is made, stored and distributed. The kids loved every minute of it!




They gave us a fun little bag of goodies to take home that was filled with drink samples, banks, and pens. Keaton made sure he put his pen in his backpack this morning. What a cutie!




I wasn't able to take any pictures inside the plant I guess they consider it "top secret". It was a very enjoyable a little family outing! Kevan loves his job as a Merchandiser Supervisor and feel so blessed and are so grateful that he has such a wonderful job!

SUMMER COMING TO AN END!

I can not believe school starts in 8 days! The summer is gone and routines and schedules will take priority once again. This summer it has been nice to have the kids around and the even though they are now bored out of their minds it has been a wonderful to have them home. I guess they are getting old enough that I don't have to stress about keeping them entertained. They do a good job of finding things to do but, these past couple of days all I hear is, "I'm so bored!" They are anxious for school to start and I'm grateful for that because, it means we will be starting the school year with a good attitude!
With school supplies, clothes, shoes, backpacks and lunch boxes bought I can say we are ready for the school year to begin. Afterschool schedules will be a bit more involved this year then those past, but my kids are looking forward to it all, so I am happy!
Kevan is busy with work and school. Aside from our Disneyland trip he has not had much of a summer. He works all day and then comes home and works all night in front of the computer. Sometimes he gets so tired he will go lay down and sleep for like twenty minutes and then get up and start back at his assignments. I appreciate his hard work and the dedication he has in getting his Business Degree. We are extremely grateful for his employment and feel blessed he has this opportunity to further his education.
I am looking forward to having the time while the kiddos are at school to clean the house without constant interruption from them. I also look forward to being able to exercise without constant interruption. A few weeks ago I reached my goal weight and really want to begin weight training to tone up what regular exercise hasn't. It is funny I weigh as much now as I did when I was 23 exercising daily, but it doesn't look the same at almost 40 exercising daily. Actually it is a bit depressing but, I figure if I throw some weight training in my body just may start to take shape again. At least I hope!
So with one more week to go in summer we will try to fit in as much fun as we can and then it's school, homework, music lessons, music practice, scouts, and girl scouts that will rule our lives for the next nine months. It has been a GREAT summer and we will miss it when it's gone!

FUN "FINDS" & A FISH

Well, this weekend I encouraged my hubby to go with me and the kids down to the local DI to just look around and kill some time so we weren't sitting around the house being bored! I was so glad I did because, I found a few fun things.

First, I found this EXIT sign for 50 cents and I thought it would look great in Keaton's room after I made it match his room. The EXIT sign was one of Keaton's first words. He saw it all the time when he was little and we would walk the hallways of the church building. He always noticed them where ever we were and would point and exclaim, "EXIT". It brought back a sweet memory so I had to have it and now it hangs over his bedroom door!

BEFORE


AFTER


I also found these fun plates! I got them for $2.00 which I thought was a great deal! I didn't get them just because my hubby works for Coca-Cola but because I thought they would look so adorable on a dinner table. They remind me of a a fun little diner from something out of the 50's. I know, sounds sort of dumb but, they made me smile and happy so I bought them. I LOVE them!





Bailey Rose also got a fish this weekend! It was a reward for staying in her bed through the night. She was my baby that never slept through the night and never napped. She is now 9 years old and I finally bribed her with a fish. I was amazed that it worked as I have bribed her with many things over the last nine years. Today we took her to Pet Smart and she picked out the fish she fell in love with. She named it Sunburst which is appropriate for the Arizona desert. She has been watching it all day. I heard her singing to it and reading it a story. She loves her little Sunburst and I sure love her!