Cooper-The Beast

This is my mom's dog, yes it is a dog, not a horse. His name is Cooper. He is HUGE! Check out his head's size in comparison to Jace's head-which is pretty large itself. These pictures aren't very good, but I had to give Cooper his own post. He was a really sweet dog. He is obsessed with my mom. He follows her around 24-7. When she is not home he waits by the door, for her return. He is very smart. He does lots of tricks and usually listens when you tell him to do something. He loved to give the babies kisses, which is nasty. They loved him and were not afraid at all. I was afraid he might crush them accidentally, but everyone survived.

Memorial Day

We took the kids and a couple of friends to Makutus Island, on Memorial Day. It was so cool, and the best part was there was stuff for all the kids to do-from Jace on up. It is hard to find something that makes everyone happy. The older boys ran wild and climbed all over the place. Some of those tunnels are pretty high up there. Addison loved the aquarium. She watched and watched the fish swim around. They had an area where Jace could climb around on these multi-shaped mats. We had such a good time! We ate some pizza, played some games, and all the boys got shell necklaces with their tickets. They were happy! That evening we went to a BBQ at some friends in our ward. The food was delicious. Joanna made homemade bread, that was awesome. It was fun day!

More May Madness!!

Tate, Bradan, and I went to see the new Narnia movie the night it opened, May 16. The boys thought it was awesome. On Saturday, I took Tate to the urgent care in the morning. He started feeling bad and running a fever after the movie, Friday night. He had strep throat. Fun stuff! He insisted he wanted to go to Jon's work picnic that afternoon. Because it was outside and he wouldn't be around anyone I let him go. It was held at the Pinal County Fairgrounds. There was bounce houses, a huge water slide, lots of games and food it was a good time. Until... Tate barfed everywhere while waiting in line for a crazy balloon hat. Then I picked up Jace because he was screaming, and his shorts were covered in poop. Now the fun was really getting started. Jon and I took turns trying to carry Jace, without getting slimed, while listening to Tate and Bradan gripe because we had to leave. Hello?? I will never understand a kid's rationale. I guess it was my fault for letting him go in the first place.

Sunday we went over to Jim's so that all the men could ordain Jordan an elder and give Jon's dad a blessing, he was having surgery on Monday, to remove a tumor from his kidney. We had a good time visiting with everyone and eating some yummy BBQ chicken and potato salad. We are very proud of Jordan and can't wait to see where he will be serving his mission. Jon's dad's surgery went well. He came home from the hospital on Friday. We are praying for his full and speedy recovery. We feel very lucky to have him in our lives. He is such a loving, kind person. He makes everyone feel special and important.

On Thursday the 22nd Jon and I took all the boys-Nathan, Tate, Bradan, Trevor, and Jordan-to see Indiana Jones. Jon's mom and sister Jenifer watched the babies. I think everyone agreed that the first 3 movies were better than the 4th. After the movie it was pouring down rain and pretty chilly, for Arizona. I thought it was great to actually have some weather. It was a nice blessing before the scorching, summer heat.

Father and Sons

We got back from KY on Thursday night. Friday was school, work, and Fathers and sons campout. The boys really look forward to this all year. They seemed to have a pretty calm trip-no ER trips, poop accidents, or psychotic breakdowns-that I heard about anyway. They took Uncle Gary along to chaperone. And they did have an airsoft war with some of the men in our ward. They have been plotting next year's revenge since they got home. I am so excited, because next year Jace will be old enough to go. Addison and I can have an official girl's night.

Home Sweet Home

May has been such a busy month! I feel like I haven't had time to breath, much less clean my house, blog or anything else. Jon finished his first block of the RN program at the end of April. WooHoo! One down, three to go. I can't wait! I am sure he can't either, as he is the one that has to do all the work. He had a week break from school, so we went to Kentucky to visit my family. I was so excited, because I haven't been home in a year and a half. It was a good trip. Literally, every time I fly it feels like a complete and total miracle when we land safely on the ground. I feel like I am lucky to be alive. But I wanted to see my family and we did, we saw everyone. It was great! All my brothers and sisters, all my grandmothers, my parents, and lots of friends. We were fed so much yummy food! It was so good to see everyone! It made me more homesick than ever. Addison and Jace had a hard time being away from home, and Jace had the runs almost the whole time we were there. That was a total mess! My mom and gran took good care of us. I am thankful for my family. And wish I could see them more often. My brother Jared has a hot air balloon. He took Jon for a ride, I was too chicken. Airplane and hot air balloon in the same week, I don't think so. Jon loved it and we got some neat pictures.