NEW SKILLS

I am finally taking the computer art class I have wanted to take forever. I have gone from being VERY frustrated to very EXCITED just today!

Our assignment is to create a set of 3 images that relate to each other in subject matter as well as style. After a few different ideas I decided on monster dolls. I have NO idea why, but they were fun to draw and I liked them, so I kept going. Those are my sketches up above.

Yesterday I started working on a computer version (above) and HATED it!

U-G-L-Y!! It just didn't look like my drawings. I wanted them to look like little stuffed toys and it DID NOT even come close. I was very discouraged and thought about giving up. But somehow this morning I just got up and went to class. Gosh, am I glad I did!

I made quite a bit of progress and got some monsters that I really like (above). I only have one more to do and I am so proud of my first computer illustrations! Pretty awesome considering the fact that I just learned today!! Bring it on Illustrator! I'm ready!!

BRACELESS

My boys are thrilled- THEY GOT THEIR BRACES OFF TODAY! Let's all cheer for them!

Here is D. What a handsome smile!

A looks great too! They have to wear retainers, but it is much better than the braces were! Ah, the things we do for straight teeth! Is it worth it? Not according to them, but to me- Yes! I was raised by an orthodontist, what do you expect?

PINK TEA PARTY GOODNESS

Princess P wanted a Pinkalicous Tea Party for her 8th birthday, so I tried to accommodate.

We had lots of pink and lots of treats. The girls were on a sugar high! The dishes are some my mom gave to me my Junior year in high school for Christmas. I have only ever used them for tea parties. They are perfect! The girls thought it was so fancy to have real glass tea cups.

Here is Princess P (middle), Little Miss B (left), and a neighbor girl. Some of the manners left a bit to be desired, but in this case I thought having fun was much more important.

I took photos of them in their pretty dresses. We also unwrapped presents, jumped on the tramp and made cute little tea pot boxes (link) from Oriental Trading. I am glad it's over. I was tired.

I'M A COACH

It's official, I am the soccer coach to 8 boys and 1 girl (Princess P) ages 5-8. It is actually going to be fun. I coached D when he was about 9 or 10, so I thought I'd do it again. Little C is sad I didn't coach for him, so maybe I'll have to next year. We had our first practice tonight and the kids are very fun. I think they had a good time and, after all, that is what sports are all about.

PALISADE FAMILY NIGHT

Picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

We had a fun family night at Palisade Lake last night. I couldn't decide what photos to use because there were so many fun ones, so I made a slide show. It was a great way to blow off steam after the first day of school.

1st DAY OF SCHOOL

I am SO sad that school is starting and our carefree days of summer are over. I cannot begin to express my sadness.... but, it is going to happen whether I am ready or not, so I guess I'd better put my best foot forward and---- good grief! Sorry about the pep talk, we'll move on...

My big high schoolers, D and A. They aren't real excited about the school thing either, but getting new clothes always helps.

My elementary kiddos, Little C and Princess P. They had a little bit more enthusiasm, but it was mostly centered around the clothes too.

Princess P and her new 2nd grade teacher.

Here is Princess P at her desk. She has quite a few friends in her class.

Little C did not want his photo taken with his new 5th grade teacher (he didn't even know her- what was I thinking?). He is not as excited, but things went well. I even had meetings today and I start Thursday. *sigh* Back to reality!

IT'S GREAT TO BE EIGHT

Today is my sweet Princess P's 8th birthday. I just wanted to express my love and appreciation for her and make a list of just some of the things I love about her.

1. She loves to help me around the house. Cooking, cleaning (except her room), you name it, she wants to do it.
2. She gives good hugs!
3. She is a very good reader and loves it.
4. She is such a great little cat babysitter. They love her and she loves them.
5. She is a girly-girl (which is every mother's dream). Pink is her favorite color.
6. She loves to dance and is good at it. I am a little sad she is doing soccer this year...
7. She is a momma's girl AND a daddy's girl. Depends on the day.
8. She may be a girly-girl but she is always ready for an adventure too.
9. She is a great little artist and very creative.
10. She has a wonderfully, giggly laugh that I LOVE!

Here's the birthday girl with all her birthday gifts! She got a Nintendo DS and other stuff too. She had a ball!

BOOK GROUPIES

I belong to the coolest book club ever. I know you think you do, but I beg to differ. We have so much fun together and it isn't even always about the book. Yes, we all love to read, but that is only ONE of the things we have in common with each other. We are all just very good friends.

Here we are at Macaroni Grill. We went up to 'the big city' to have dinner and watch The Help (since it didn't come to our little town). What a night a laughter, fun, and, yes, tears. (I bawled like a baby at the movie). They did a good job making that book into a movie. I haven't had so much fun on a Girls Night Out since I don't know when.

We have a new blog (link) to help us all stay in sync with what is going on. You can follow us there. And if you move to Ephraim, you are welcome to join us, we are open to everyone.

DAY 15- SILHOUETTE

PHOTO CHALLENGE

Our campsite on the South Fork of the Payette River.

3RD ANNUAL PAYETTE RIVER TRIP

Make a picture slideshow

Here are some photos from our amazing yearly trip to Idaho. This year we took two families with us and we also got to see my daughter, S, who is a raft guide up there. We had a lot of fun, but I wish we'd gotten to see more of S. She had to work lots. She guides the Main Payette and the Cabarton section of the North Fork Payette. We ran the Main every day, Cabarton, Old Swirly, and Big C and I even got to do the Canyon section of the South Fork on a Cascade guided trip. (Click this for a video so you can appreciate what I did- I'm so proud of myself. Most of it is class 4 and you have to portage around a class 6). We also ate lots of good food, sat in hot springs, jumped off bridges, and had a great time with friends! We were SO sad to come home. I'm so glad S only has one more month up there. Can't come too soon for me (but I know it will for her- she's having a great time).

COOLEST WARD PARTY EVER

Tonight was a very fun ward party! We did Sanpete BBQ turkey (click for link if you don't know what that is- it is VERY yummy!) at the park.

Here is Big C helping to cook all that luscious turkey.

But instead of just leaving it at that, we included live music. There are quite a few musicians in our ward and some of the young men get together and play in a band.

They did a great job and had a fun time. Lots of Jack Johnson and Weezer tunes.

My son, A, sang lead since their regular singer lost his voice.

Here is D on his drums. They ROCKED!

We also brought a piece of plastic for the kids to have a slide. It was VERY hot, so it was a popular attraction.

Here is Little C flying down the slide. It was a very fun summer party!