Embarrassing Mom

This was a pretty funny day. I volunteered to go hiking up Provo Canyon with Kinley and Whitney. Maria came late to watch Halle, so I had to take her to drop off the kids, drive home all the way back home, make a home lunch and drive back. By the time I got there, they were 45 minutes ahead of me. I had to RUN with my back pack full of lunches and water bottles up the canyon to catch them. I ran the canyon twice the week before and it wouldn't have been so bad, but I had hiking shoes on with steel toes and they don't bend. It was also very hot. I couldn't have walked because I wouldn't have ever caught them. They also would be sitting there while all the other kids had lunch. After running 3 miles up hill...I finally caught up. I was sweating so bad! I think the kids were embarrassed because they both blushed . What an embarrassing mother! Kinley simply asked me if I would run back and get her some more water (with a smile on her face.)

Grandma's and Grandpa's House

Monkey loves crossing the bars at Grandma and Grandpa's House.  She came out of the play room wearing Heathers old dress and a head piece.

Kinley's Temporary Home in France

This is where Kinley is staying right now. She has

been in France for a week so far. She won't be

home until June 14th, 2 days before girls camp!

Kinley and I have waited to go to girls camp for

so long, she had to come home. I have been the

camp director for 5 years! She will be so tired!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Mack was VERY nervous to fly to France.


  I don't blame her because she is 12 years old, all alone, and flying out of country.  Jon and I arrived plenty early to the airport so we wouldn't be in a hurry.  It was so funny because when we checked in, the lady that helped us had tattooed on her eyebrows.  They were BLACK and in the weirdest shape I have ever seen.  They went straight up, over and then arched really high....NOT natural.  Mack and I were trying not to laugh and look at her normal.  Jon DIDN'T even notice!! This gives me more hope for the future when I get a ton of wrinkles and wither away in front of his very eyes!  I could even pierce my nose if I wanted to.  


ANYWAY...we walked to the gate and ate lunch to pass some time.  When it was FINALLY time to board the plane, the stewardesses walked her down the ramp and got her situated.  Jon and I were required to wait until the plane took off.  It was a good thing because they had to fix a button and they sat there for at least an hour.  I felt so bad for Mack because she was already so scared.  She called from the plane and said, "I think the plane on LOST was flight 170 like mine!  Mom check for me!" So I had to use my phone and look up the flight number on LOST.  I called her back and reassured
 her that LOST'S flight was 815.  

Mack and I found this fun pink luggage before she left and we HAD to have it!

These were some pictures I took with my phone last Sunday when we took Mack to the airport.  She is on her way to France!  She went with her friend from school and their family.  Her friend is the youngest of her siblings.  She is the only child going and needed a buddy.  Mack is staying in a little village called Fountaine Bleu.  It is by a castle, a beautiful church across the street, and a little bakery.  It is nice because it isn't in the city.  She went to Switzerland last Wednesday.  We will add more pictures when she gets back, but here are some she sent me so far.  

Bowling Shoes Rock the House

The big WINNER!

Umm order of scores...Melinda, Me, Jon, Spence.

Last Tuesday Jon and I went bowling with Spencer and Melinda.  Bowling is always a funny "sport" to me.  It makes about as much sense as golfing does.  Throw or hit the ball, retrieve, and do it again.  Does that sound like a little like a dog fetching a bone anyone else?  I guess I just go bowling for different reasons than others might...which doesn't surprise me.  I love the music at the bowling alley and the shoes are to die for.  If I wasn't so honest I would wear a pair out like I did when I was younger.  I think they are beautiful...that is if you don't think about the fact that they have been on everyone and their dogs feet.  That kind of freaks me out.  Not enough to stop me from coveting them every time I go.  I love finding the perfect ball...the color and fit.  It is kind of like shopping without having to spend any money.  Every time I pick a bowling ball, I take my time and choose wisely.  Once I start playing I second guess myself and try every ball on the rack.  I am starting to think I have ADHD.  I don't mind what my score ends up to be, (ask Melinda).  I just love throwing it in all different ways.  NOW lets compare my style of bowling to Melinda.  She strategically picks her ball.  She takes her time standing in the proper position on the lane.  Gracefully she glides down the arrows until she lets the ball fly.  Roll, Roll, Roll.....STRIKE!  EVERY TIME!  162 was her score!  I don't even know if I broke a double digit.  Jon did really well, and Spencer.....I am pretty sure he hit the pins without even rolling the ball!  He "rolled" it SO fast it scared me.  We had a great time as usual and had some laughs.  We took some photo booth pictures that turned out really fun.  Some weren't blogable :)  I have other pictures that I can't get to work yet because Kinley has my camera connector in France, so this will have to do for now!

Green Monster

I was at the warehouse working on Native Honey stuff.  I came outside and the warehouse guy Alex had put a step stool in front of my Jeep to tease me about how high it was.  I think I need to carry that ladder around with me because it helps immensely!

Avalanche

This is another picture I found on my phone that was pretty great!  This was up Rock Canyon a few months ago.  There is one area that always has an avalanche.  It was pretty crazy just hiking up over it.  I have always had the idea in my head that I would just dig my way out if I was ever buried, but after feeling the pure ice snow I knew that wouldn't ever be possible.  That is one thing I hope to never experience while hiking, skiing or snowmobiling.

Little Pro

Barry and Spencer Lindahl helped me with the kids and gave private lessons!

Snow, in the snow!

Kinley and Trina

I was just going through my cell phone pictures before deleting them. I found these pictures I took at Sundance. I wasn't sure if I posted it yet. Ella made great progress learning to snow ski this year. By the last day she was flying down the mountain alone. Not going in any particular direction, but having fun just the same. I felt like my dad watching her because she is in her own world like I am. I can't imagine my dad's emotions watching me jump off of the ski lift 32 feet at the tender age of 8! Kinley, and Whitney snowboarded and Brighton skied. I am so proud of all of them for being brave! It is great fun to have a bunch of buddies to hang out with!

Gateway, here we come

Today I had the pleasure of spending girlie fun time 

with Rooz at the Gateway!  We have fun trying on things

 and making fools of ourselves.  I think it is really

 important to spend "alone time" with each of the kids

 to get a sense of who they are as individuals.  Having 

said this, it is harder and harder the more kids you 

have (or I have:))!  Sydney is so fun to be around.  She 

has a sparkle in her eyes, and a laugh that is contagious.  

She is growing up so fast and is learning great 

communication skills that most adults don't even have.

  I have loved Syd since the moment I laid eyes on her

 when she was 11 months old.  I have been so lucky to 

have her as a "step daughter" and friend.  I couldn't ask

 for anything more.  Sydney is a leader and I believe 

will lead others and be a good example for them.  We 

bought friendship rings to remind us of each other.  

They are really cute.  They are different, but are like

 our personalities.  After we shopped, we surprised 

Kinley at Clark Planetarium.  She was SO happy to 

see Syd and gave her a huge hug.  My mom watched 

Halle and Jackson.  She had fun playing with them 

outside.  I have waited for years to see my kids playing

 with cousins on the Gourley side!  It was a beautiful day.

Where's Waldo

If you look really closely, you will see a floating surprise Halle left for me in the tub tonight!  Ella started screaming, "HALLE POOPED!"  I had the camera in my hand and couldn't resist the urge to gross you all out :)

I can't tell if she looks sicked out, or proud....

CHIT CHAT

Bug was cracking me up tonight when we got back from the BBQ. She found an old cell phone and started talking on it. It was obvious she watches me talk on the phone by her mannerisms.

Spring BBQ

Tonight we went to the spring BBQ at the kids school.  It was very hot today and was a beautiful day for a picnic!  There were huge blow up toys for the kids to play on while Jon and I sat in the shade!

Brigton was SO hot that she dumped water all over herself.

Trina, Kinley, Annie, and Whitney

Kinley took it upon herself to do a little photo shoot for Jon and I.

I can't believe that Kinley is almost as tall as I am!  I have 4 inch heels on in this picture too!

Kiana, Kinley, Whitney, and Halle

Spring Program

Thursday night I went to my kids spring program.

They had a patriotic theme and sang great songs!

Ella came out with a HUGE red spot on her WHITE

shirt.I couldn't believe it. I was sure I sent her inside

clean. I was laughing so hard because in her

performance of "The Wizard of Oz" she had ripped

green tights while therest of the kids were perfect.

I found out afterward that she had a bloody nose right

before they went on stage. Ella told me before the

concert that she didn't know all of the words. It was

obvious because when all of the other kids were singing,

she looked like she was concentrating really hard.

Brighton mouthed every ones lines in addition to hers.

She loves performing. When Whitney walked on stage,

Spencer yelled in a high pitched voice, "Go Whitney!"

All of the kids in her class started laughing. Kinley

was giggling the whole time because the Leavitts were

making her laugh. Halle danced on my knee to every

song. After the concert we went to FroYo. It was really

yummy. I ate coconut/lemon combo and thought I was

in heaven and so did the kids! (Thanks Spence!)

No Castor Oil for Pregnant Ladies

I have a friend named Rachael that works with Jon and I on several of our businesses.  She is a great asset and helps with organization and planning on many levels.  The reason I bring her up is because she is overdue by about a week.  I have been having flashbacks of the crazy things I did to try and get my babies out on time.  I thought it would be fun to share a few to give her something to read and laugh at in her time of pain!  

When I was pregnant with Kinley, I went 10 days OVER my due date!  

I thought I was going to die.  Pregnancy is long enough without going over the date you have set in your mind from conception.  I can only imagine how the elephant feels!  When I passed my due date, I started going crazy.  I was ready to be DONE being fat and wobbling everywhere.  

When I was first pregnant with Kinley I was really sick and lost weight.  I weighed about 108 pounds when I was 3 months pregnant.  After I was able to start holding food down, I gained 50 pounds.  Needless to say, I wanted Kinley to arrive.  First I tried swinging on the swings at the park.  This only made me want to puke.  Then I tried four-wheeling.  This didn't work either.  I continued to try jumping on the trampoline, running, sex, and everything else they recommended!  

When I was about 8 days late I tried Castor oil.  

I heard a rumor that this could start labor.  First off, it was the sickest thing I have EVER tasted.  I drank what I could and then laid on the ground to watch T.V.  It was the end of a very hot August.  I ate a ton of popsicles and sat in front of the window cooler.  I still remember laying there on the floor willing SOMETHING to happen.  

After about 30 minutes I thought the stories about Castor oil were bologna!  And then...I heard the loudest scariest sound from my stomach I have every heard!

 A groan, like something from  the depths of the ocean rumbled through me.  It was like the scene on dumb and dumber when Harry borrows the bathroom....yea.  All I can say is that it is a good thing I didn't have to borrow someone elses bathroom AND my labor still didn't start.  

My dad gave me the sound advice to enjoy the last remaining days of quiet with no kids.  I didn't believe him....now I understand.  It hasn't been quiet since :) 

SO the moral of the story is that kids come when they want to.  They have a mind of their own, just like when they are born. It is the first of MANY lessons during parenthood of patience.  

SO Rachael, enjoy your last few days of peace and quiet.  Heaven knows they are numbered!