The Results of the Mascot Tryouts.....

WE GOT A MASCOT IN DA HOUSE!!!!

(And this Eagle is SOARING on cloud 9! So is the Mama Eagle...)

So You're Saying There's a Chance....

Last year, Josh was struggling to find something unique about himself, so we encouraged him to think hard about what he wanted to be.

The answer, after long thought: a school mascot.

Wow. OK, sounds great.... not something we had dreamed for him when we gazed at him as a baby, but still. The idea sorta fit him actually. And really, who makes a career out of being a mascot? Don't answer that.

But alas, no school mascot at his junior high until two weeks ago when he came home with an application that someone happened to show him about being The Eagle.

So Tuesday is the big day. He found out that the actual audition would be in front of students who would vote based on the 30 seconds each contestant would be given in the costume. (Can you say, SMELLY?) He can use props, music... anything to get the crowd excited about him.

Audition: Tuesday (maybe after school or at a school assembly?)
Ideas: skateboard in, sling shot prizes or beach balls into the audience, crazy dance, moon walk
Ideas that won't work: the splits, or any gymnastics related stunt.....
Music choice: Space Jam "Are you ready for this?"

We would love any more suggestions about what would make him stand out... GO JOSH!!

Would You Rather?

Have you played this game? We got it for the family for Christmas and I like it better each time we play, especially if you play with the right people. (Becky and Kim......)




















As you can see, Alex likes to play, too.




(Side note, the top question on the card is great: Would you rather have all of your teeth fall out with no replacements -OR- mysteriously never again be able to open one of your eyes, even for one second?)


Here is Alex's favorite question:
Would you rather eat a "Would You Rather" card -OR-- eat bugs from the window sill?














I know what I'd answer.

I fished this out of his mouth. No more legs or wings. Not even sure if that's a head.

He eats everything, but it's the bugs that creep me out. I found a wasp in two pieces in his mouth. (I keep a very clean home when it's convenient, which isn't often.)




















Q. Would I rather....... clean the house like a mindless robot for 30 years or enjoy being with my kids while they experience life?

A. I'm starting to get this one figured out. Eh, what's a bug eaten here or there?

Albion, We Love Thee

We spent four days last week having a family reunion with Michael's family- his siblings, his parents and all the grandkids. We were missing two families, but still there were 33 of us!

The reunion has to be in one of the coolest places ever. Albion, Idaho.

Never heard of it? Check it out: We stayed at a newly renovated 100 year old college dormitory. A couple recently purchased the entire abandoned campus and this is the first building they've worked on and it's BEAUTIFUL!!

We had a ton of fun:
1. A personal tour of all of the buildings, including the almost finished haunted house that opens soon. Isn't that perfect? One of the buildings (these are huge buildings 8,000 s.f. to 65,000 s.f.) has a full library plus an enormous auditorium complete with balcony and 3 story stage. All of these other buildings have been housing pigeons and falling apart while also being looted and vandalized for the last 50 years. But the potential!! I felt the energy of the possibilities and nearly offered to be an investor (Michael reminded me that we need money in order to invest). Lucky Mortensens who own it. I think. It will take a LOT of work to pull those buildings back to life. The Mortensens are my age and have 5 kids. They own a couple of other businesses as well, so they are BUSY.

2. We played waterballoon volleyball, had a jumphouse/waterslide for the kids, rode banana bikes, went swimming and played in the 8 man hot tub. We kinda pushed the limits on that one.

3. We had a talent show that rivals "America's Got Talent". My favorite was the "Sumo Brothers" (exercise balls under their shirts) and "Lehi's Family Meets Dr. Suess"(an awesome rendition told in prose). All the girls did a cute dance with their matching leos and scarves, but they were quite indignant that Josh wanted to join at the last minute... notice he found a way to be "in costume".















4. There is an emu that lives on the grounds and is very curious about people. My nephew got him chasing a ball and my brother in law, a bishop, draped a coat over it's back while we hooted at it's crazy running and jumping trying to get it off.

The emu provided much entertainment. I think my kids are ready for a new pet....


The dorm we were in had $800,000 worth of renovations and much of the original architecture had been restored-- raw brick walls on the inside of the perimeter, refinished wood floors, etc. plus there were added, modernized touches. Someone commented that it was like staying at the Olive Garden restaurant.

Speaking of restaurants, we each brought up a meal and there was some mighty fine cooking.

My father in law made ribs that would knock your socks off. And the fresh peach pie..... I'm day dreaming again, aren't I?




Isn't that front door to die for?


This is a shot of the second floor which is all dorm rooms. There are 15 bedrooms in all plus a huge media/game room that takes up the entire 3rd floor. We had plenty of space to spread out.

Check out the website: www.albioncampusgrove.com


All in all, this was definitely one of the nicest accommodations we have ever had for a family reunion. Can you tell we are a little crazy about it?

Absolutely. We already have it booked for Thanksgiving.

Homeschool gone BAD

Discovering.

Today we discovered a small spider killing a large spider in its web under the kitchen cabinet.

Me: What is that little spider doing, Jackson?
Jackson: He's killing his mommy.

Me: You would never kill your mom, right?
Jackson: No, because I'm not allowed to touch the knives.

Reason number #146 why it's great to be a sixth child:

Your brother Benson dips your pacifier in ice cream for the tastiest treat ever. (Sweet, all I had to do was cry a little. This being a baby ain't so bad!)








Scoop it on there nice and good, big guy. Yeah, now THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout.








What's that? I got a little something oozing out of my paci?
Don't mind that, it's part of my ice cream therapy. You know, for when I cry and stuff.

Stef's Visit with Hayden

My sister, Stefanie had a baby 3 months ago and made the difficult decision to place him for adoption.

This week Stefanie was able to have a visit with little Hayden with his parents. They had pre-arranged for her to see him at this 3 month milestone. My parents and I were also invited. Although we've been watching him grow through Lynde's awesome blogging about him, we were anxious to hold him and to continue to find more closure to our sadness of missing him.

He looks wonderful and healthy and absolutely BEAUTIFUL and most of all he looks loved. Stefanie sweetly and tenderly told them how much it has meant to her personally that they were willing to raise him. You couldn't ask for better parents, really.

Just before she went in to see him, she showed us a little card she had made for him and we were all a little emotional. My emotions got the best of me when I saw her eyes and realized how much pain she has had and still faces. During the visit there were a few tears here and there for Stefanie, but I was impressed at how well she was able to hold it together. She misses him. Hayden was passed around and he was so calm and taking everything in. He even seemed to know he was being photographed! What a perfect little baby!

Towards the end, Stef turned to me and said quietly,"I know we said half an hour but I just need to hold him a little longer." Of course Lynde and Devin allowed her all the space she needed and were so excited to tell us funny stories about his personality. Such a necessary visit, a moment in time captured in our hearts.

She was a bit more emotional afterward, her heart feeling the goodbye. I know this will sound silly, but Hayden began to cry as we were passing him back to his parents and I felt like maybe he was a little bit sad to say goodbye, too. The thought of this choked me up a bit. Just a little spirit to spirit speaking. Either that or he was hungry! :-)

She has said more than once that she is so glad that Hayden will never have to worry about having a mom in her (Stef's) situation. It's been made even more clear recently when another girl in her program unexpectedly walked away from her recovery, leaving her 3 month old with his father. She feels like this just shows how difficult recovery can be, and to have it compounded with trying to care for a baby, even in the best recovery program possible it is SO difficult to do both.

Stefanie has so much love in her heart, she is so generous and notices the good in everyone around her. You can see clearly how addiction muffled this for awhile but as she is healing it's almost magnified now! I'm so proud of her. She is working so hard.

Anyway, Stefanie has a new glow about her and is so FUN to be with. She actually seems to be turning back the clock with her looks, too! I love her and pray for her to have the strength to stay healthy. I've really missed her.

My new TEMORARY facebook profile pic

Too funny not to share. Kathryn's husband is a photoshop wizard and sent this little "gift" to me, inspired by my last post. I promise, no more posts about my silly mole. Or lack thereof.
I just wish I had thought of it.