5+16=Summer Happy

I told Suzie Petunia...when I grow up, I'm going to invent a world where sisters and brothers live next door to each other and nieces and nephews are never further away than an aunt's arm can reach! These last 3 weeks have been filled with sisters and brothers and nieces and nephews...a little bit of throw up but lots of giggles and fun. I have cherished it and I miss them desperately. You took a little piece of my deep happy with you when you left. Please return immediately...

Never, ever underestimate the power and coolness of a "big" girl cousin to her sweet, adoring "little" girl cousins. It is a magical, wondrous thing to behold!

Uncle Taylor made all of Jake's culinary dreams come true by spending an entire day in the kitchen cooking with him. They prepared a splendid Sunday feast for the family that was amazing.

Jake learned about splicing, dicing, sprinkling, basting, and a whole bunch of words I can't even pronounce. But the result was splendid and delicious!

Aren't they splendid? I adore every one of those beautiful people!

Cousins...the magic of wonderful cousins!

Family always means new adventures. The whining and complaining is all part of the fun...and no one was griping when we reached  real waterfall that they got to splash and play in!

Oh, this delicious hunk of adorable baby. My mouth waters and heart beats fast just looking at him!

One of my favorite people in the whole world. Everything is sweeter and brighter and more fun with my HB at my side.

And these boys...handsome, daring, smart, silly, and never boring!

Every girl should have a gaggle of girl cousins to love on!

Oscar receiving uncle guidance on the proper technique for roasting a hot dog!

What is better than a parade? Being IN a parade...and having buckets of candy to throw. It makes you very popular with the parade spectators lining the route!

The kids were invited to participate in the neighboring city's rodeo parade representing the charter school they attend.

They started by throwing candy out...and when that ran out, they resorted to spraying people with squirt bottles. We are very dignified...

OK, so dignified may be pushing it a little bit but you can't dispute that we have the cutest kids in town! Here is one of my favorites...he is loyal and funny and filled with energy and spirit. I LOVE this boy!

One of my darling nieces, whom I shall call "Princess", held a 2 day summer camp for the little girls. My 4 Scharman nieces and 1 daughter signed up immediately and had the time of their lives. Thank you for an unforgettable experience Princess! This was the front door sign that welcomed 5 very excited girls...

The boys held their own "camp" in the study with a computer game.

The Queen Fairy...the first day of camp was "fairy" day.

There were big fairies and small fairies...

The girls made flower crowns, decorated fairy houses, played fairy games, and built a fairy house under the bush in the garden.

The girls ate pretzel fairy wands dipped in "glitter", little cupcakes, and all manner of delicate, delicious treats.

No detail was overlooked...and this was just the first day. It was a splendid, fabulous affair!

I love my family. I realized very early on that I was not capable of raising these children on my own. I feel very strongly that the Lord chose me to be their mother and has blessed me with the ability to succeed in this eternal role and opportunity if I will rely on Him and His spirit. I also firmly believe that He has provided the people and family that will aid, support, love, teach, and help me nurture these amazing spirits. I marvel at the gifts, talents, and strengths that these wonderful people around me possess. It is my job to nurture these relationships and then get out of the way so these aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins can give my children all that they have to offer. I am eternally indebted to them...I am so blessed.

Thank you Taylor for teaching my son to cook...and to find joy in a new skill. Thank you Sarah for being the aunt that will come run with them in the dry, hot Utah air and then celebrate with smoothies afterward for a job well done. Thank you Emily for your sense of humor and enormous sense of fun. Thank you Clark for serving our country and being a hero to my children. Thank you Spencer for singing and playing the guitar and making my children believe in fulfilling dreams. Thank you Sho for your grace and patience and deep love for your nieces and nephews. Thank you Carrie for being the aunt that loves and adores and lets them play inside and outside and all over.  Thank you Todd for teaching us the right way to roast hot dogs and always being willing to let these children climb all over you...they adore you. I could go on and on...

Thank you.

Adrenaline Rushes

Raise your hand if you have ever been to girl's camp? I suspect there is a fair number of you that have taken this little project on and survived thechallenge. I personally had not been since my Young Women days which are a little further back then I care to calculate. We had the green Boy Scout tents that you drag the board over and lay on the floor, unfold your cot, and sleep with a prayer in your heart that the mosquitoes and ticks won't carry you away or suck all your blood by morning. There was the year they installed the showers in the log building and I felt pretty good about things until I walked in the stall to shower and found a large piece of human feces on the floor. So it is an understatement to say that the idea of going to girl's camp made my blood pressure rise. When I got called to the Young Women's program last year it was with the stipulation that I would get pregnant by June of this year so that I could look at all the pictures and hear all the stories about camp from the safety and comfort of my living room. As is usually the case, God had vastly different plans...and I'm so grateful!

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

It was fun, it was spiritual, it was silly and filled with wonderful moments. Singing the Beehives to sleep with Cindy and Janette, performing as a muse in our Herculina skit, hiking to the lake, paddling the lake with Missy, talking to the girls and marvelling at their amazing life stories, eating lots of treats, doing tons of crafts, sitting in lots of chairs and at lots of tables as we talked and talked and talked...sleeping on a set-up I like to call my "princess and the pea" bunk, testimony meeting, solo time, personal progress challenge, Walk of Light, bedtime stories, french braids, and on and on. It was a week to discover each other in a new way. It was a week to discover new talents and refine our spirits. We were uplifted, edified, and blessed. I feel so grateful to know and associate with these girls. They are exceptional in every way!

Girl's Camp 2011...I can't wait.

Wanna Try Letterboxing?

Hello friends!
I am writing to invite you to a little adventure my kids and I have decided to have this summer! We have discovered a really fun way to have some fabulous "treasure" hunts that provide hours of fun, cost no money, and are filled with a different adventure every week!!! It is called LETTERBOXING!

For all the info, check out http://www.letterboxing.org/

Here are the basics...all around the country, in most states, there are people that hide these very simple boxes called letter boxes. Inside the box are a rubber stamp and a log book. Your goal is to find these letterboxes! Most times they are hidden in places that are really fun to discover and explore...here in Utah they have them all over. Hikes, interesting places to visit, fun places to eat, etc. When you go, you take your own "signature" rubber stamp and your own logbook. When you find the box, you leave your stamp in the letterbox log to say you were there and then you take the letterbox stamp and stamp YOUR logbook as a record of all the boxes you have located and adventures you've had. And along the way you find some fascinating new places to explore, hike, and play in! Sound fun?

This week, my kids and I went to Roberts and I had each child choose their very own stamp that would be their "signature". We also bought simple notebooks and lots of stickers and spent the afternoon decorating our "log books". We are ready to go and would love to have lots of friends along on the adventures we take. We are considering having one day a week where we pack a lunch and go letterboxing. Depending on which letterboxes we decide to do, it will either be several in the same area, or one that is a little bit more of a "hike" or "adventure". We promise wherever we go, there will be lunch and lots of playing!

If you would be interested in coming along, let me know and I will create a simple email list to let everyone know the day, time, and where we will be going so you can decide if it is an adventure you would like to participate in (and one you feel your kids can handle/enjoy!). I will simply send the email out each week and you can come or not based on your schedule. We've never done it before so this is a new adventure/experiment for our family!

If you don't leave close by, check out the website and go find your own nearby adventures! The fun part is that they are all over the United States so no matter where you travel this summer, you can go treasure hunting for letterboxes!

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you know that might enjoy this experience.

Our first adventure will be this FRIDAY, June 11th at 11:00 a.m. We will plan on doing 3-4 letterboxes that are close by. We will end up at a park for eating and playing. Bring your kids, bring your stamps and logbooks, and come have an adventure.

xo,

amy

Adieu, Adieu...to you and you and you!

Do you remember the last day of school? As both a student and teacher, I can remember very distinctly that feeling of walking out the school building and knowing the entire summer was before you. It was the beginning of endless possibilities...and oddly enough, those adventures and possibilities have remained somewhat unchanged over the years. I love sleeping in, snow cones, the smell of chlorine, staying up late watching movies, coconut suntan lotion, popsicles, watermelon, fresh lemonade, hammocks, long walks, hanging out with friends and neighbors until the mosquitoes force you inside, no homework, no packing school lunches, and vacations. I love a summer of possibilities! And every year, on the last day of school, I can't help but want to celebrate...I love celebrating all my children have accomplished and learned...and I love celebrating the beginning of all the "time" we have together to rediscover what we love and find new things to explore.

Without further comment, I now proudly present...The Last Day Of School 2010!

At 1:15 p.m., as the children were being dismissed, I had arranged for each of their teachers to hand them a sealed envelope with their names on the front. This was the beginning of the "hunt"!

The kids brought their letters outside, and after pictures with their fabulous teachers, we opened them up and read them under the shade tree on the front lawn.

These are 2 of the finest teachers I have ever known. I can't tell you how grateful I am for each of them and the huge impact they have had on my boys this year. I do not take for granted the time, effort and sacrifice that teachers make on behalf of their students. I cried on the last day of school saying good bye to each of them...we aren't going anywhere...I pray every night that they aren't going anywhere...I just have loved them so! (And I'm counting on HB getting both of them...)

The letters were from Chris and I and expressed our gratitude and admiration for the wonderful things each of them had accomplished in school this year! I adore these boys...they are so smart and eager to learn. Each of them have worked hard and done some big things this year!

At the bottom of their first clue, it gave the following hint:

Your next clue is waiting for you in the place you sit when we drive around to all these amazing adventures waiting for us! Let the summer fun begin!

And to the great big white van we ran where a new pair of fun summer flip flops were waiting in each of their seats. I love flip flops!

CLUE #2:

Put on your fun summer shoes and let’s go for an adventure. One of the things we are going to do this summer is READ, READ, READ! Your next clue is waiting at a place where all your book dreams can come true! Find the person in charge of the children’s books and ask for your next clue!

Next stop...the public library where Miss Vicki, our favorite children's librarian, gave each of the kids a brand new splendid shiny book! (Although it took a little convincing to get Matthew to believe that we got to KEEP this book and didn't have to check it out. He was really confused for a couple of minutes...)

CLUE #3:

Grab your books and let’s head for the pool. We are also going to have fun in the sun (& water)! Your next clue is at the front desk of the place where all your water dreams can come true! (But remember...you have to take your swim lessons so we can play and be SAFE!)

Next stop...the rec center. The front desk receptionist made each of them run a lap around the indoor track before she would give them their new beach towels and next clue! They loved it!

I need to mention that we were not on this hunt alone...some of our very, very favorite friends joined us! Everything is more fun with the Bradshaws!

CLUE #4:

We are going to relax and play with lots of friends this summer. You are all so lucky to have such great friends in your life! Let’s go discover a “new” place to play…in order to get there, we have to follow some “old” friends!

Next stop...we followed the Bradshaws to a FABULOUS park that we had never been to. Can you say "3-story playgroud"??? We stayed and played for a long while...until the kids found the yummy licorice and their next clue.

The latest fashion trend...you don't just "eat" your food, you wear it like an accessory...as modeled here by the CUTEST baby in the world!

CLUE #5:

You are doing great! Are you having fun??? I love a summer full of new adventures! I’m so grateful to have kids who love to explore new places and try new things. Let’s go try something new…use the directions to help mom get to the next place! Read them carefully…we don’t want to end up lost!

The kids were given directions to read out loud but didn't know our ending location.

Next stop...trampoline heaven!

At the end of some fantastic jumping, the girls at the front desk handed the kids their final clue:

CLUE 6:

Are you tired? One of the things I love most about summer are the yummy treats…watermelon, corn on the cob, and ice-cream! The Burger Boys are holding your next clue…and your ice-cream treat!


Next stop...the husbands/dads met us at the best burger/fry/shake place in town where we indulged our need for food and malt vinegar and ice-cream that hangs over the rims of cups.

CLUE 7:

SUMMER HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN! Welcome to summer vacation…because you have worked so hard at school this year, you deserve a fun break. Let’s work hard, learn lots of new things, go on some fun adventures, swim, play with friends, and be kind to each other.

Welcome Summer!

April Volcanoes Bring May Chaos

Our month of April was so relaxing and carefree. We had no responsibilities, no deadlines, nowhere to be...we ate chocolate and meatballs with wild abandon and enjoyed the company of 2 of our favorite people.
And then we came home.

Coming home was hard...we missed our home and dear, sweet friends but I did not miss responsibility, deadlines and having multiple places to be...sometimes at the same time. We had missed LOTS of school and had LOTS of stuff to make up and turn in. I started working part-time in May and while I love my new job, it was a little stressful to start when I did. (I was supposed to start next fall!) I am working as the new parent volunteer coordinator at my children's charter school. Love the woman I work with, love the amazing volunteers at our school, love all the fabulous events that take place, love being a part of things...it was just a little sooner than I had anticipated. Things have been crazy...but we have also had some very bright moments. Here are some of the highlights of the last month:

1) Matthew & Jacob finishing their spring soccer seasons!

Matthew defending that goal with his life!

He was such an intense, dedicated player!

And everything is more fun with your best friend by your side.

You will have to trust me that Jacob played soccer as well. Apparently we didn't document his season very well. I love that my boys love soccer. It is a fun sport to watch and both of them have gained alot of confidence and skill in their playing. Their games are actually exciting and I find myself jumping up and down in my lawn chair and a little hoarse at the end. One of these days I'll break out my little pom outfit for the games...show some real spirit.

2) We celebrated our favorite spring birthdays!

Two of my darling nieces and one amazing grandmother all have their birthdays during April and May. Each year, Chip and ML have hosted a stunning birthday party in their splendid backyard. It always feels like we are shaking off the horrid cocoons of winter and emerging into the warm, lovely days of spring. We eat out on the patio under the white pergola and watch the kids race from one end of the yard to the other and devour food that is delicious and fresh and marvel at ML's grace and eleganced unbelievable culinary skills. I love our spring ritual...

The birthday girls!

3) A 3rd Grade Roman Festival

If you have the chance to be a room parent for one of your children...do it. We have had loads of unusual fun! This was no exception...we wore togas and sandals. 

We feasted, crafted, played games, and lounged on pillows while watching the chariot scene from Ben-Hur...when was the last time you watched that scene? It is absolutely fabulous!

BEN-HUR Chariot Race

4) Preschool Graduation

Two of Hannah's favorite preschool friends!

Waiting on the bleachers for the action to begin.

HB had a riveting part in "I Know An Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly." We laughed, we cried...we are expecting a Tony nomination.

Contemplating her recent diploma.

HB's other favorite preschool buddy!

5) A Mustache Fetish

A few days ago, my sister posted a fabulous blog about fake mustaches. And just a couple of days later, I was cleaning out my oldest son's drawer and I discovered a "stash of 'staches". Is it possible that it is a genetic thing?

6) A Snowstorm That I Don't Want To Talk About

These are pictures from the END of May people. Can you appreciate my pain?

There was also a dance festival, field day, dance class, end of school, etc.

Stay tuned for the last day of school blog...we had an adventure that included a 3-story playground and a whole bunch of trampolines!