Day 73–Late Night Fun

Cameron saved our sanity by choosing “Jenga” as the game of choice for his late night one-on-one time.  Lately “Sorry” has been the popular pick more nights than we can count.  We (I) decided we weren’t getting much one-on-one time with the kids, so we (I) came up with a rotation where each child gets a turn to stay up 30 minutes late, while the rest go to bed, for some much-needed attention and time.  They can choose to play a game, have a late-night snack, and have some uninterrupted light conversation with mom and dad.   I’m counting on playing at least 200 more games of Sorry this year… 

Day 72–What a Few Cans of Spray Paint Can Do…

Since we have rain and snow, and gray skies until Sunday, I thought I would bring in a little sunshine by adding a touch of yellow to my décor.  I don’t mind the green, I’m just getting tired of it and like to change things around seasonally!  

Before

After

I bought a few new pillows, bought a can of white and “sunshine yellow” spray paint and repurposed a few things I already had and voile!  A bright and cheery room that will hopefully make up for the not-so-bright and cheery weather.  

Day 71–Utah Fan Watches BYU Game

Justin is watching a BYU game.  Just thought it was a funny sight to capture.  He clarified that he is NOT a BYU fan, just a fan of BYU’s #1 player.  

Day 70–Ouch!

Anonymous person spinning Cam on a piece of playground equipment + centrifugal force + large metal pole = concussion. 

The kids have kept me busy with their medical issues the last 48 hours.  All 6 have either had to go to the doctor or had an injury or sickness.   Colton threw up at school this morning.  The school called.  Brooklyn had a rash that turned into an infection.  The school called.   Brit was sick this afternoon.  The school called.   Wyatt and Cam both had head injuries.  Maybe I should have gotten a nursing degree instead of a teaching degree. 

Day 69–Hot Wheels

Matti and Wyatt insisted on Grandpa Hubert taking them for a spin around the block in his new truck.   

Day 68–Our Boo Boo’s Have Boo Boo’s

We do our part to keep “Band Aid” brand in business.  The school nurse called me to inform me that Wyatt had fallen at school.  His face broke the fall…on the asphalt…on his way to Drama.  I picked this traumatized 6 year old up from school to cheer him up.  A Dr. Pepper and a day at grandma’s did just that. 

On a lighter note, Matti got her Kindergarten shots today.  She was tough and didn’t even cry.  Here they are showing off their wounds:

Day 67–Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Brooklyn grabbed her kite to take advantage of today’s wind storm.  After a few near misses with being the wind violently blowing the kite into the ground (and her face), this activity was short-lived, but a reminder that spring is almost here. 

Day 66–Double, Double UFC Hug

Our bedtime routine consists of meeting at the rug, giving out earned tickets, having family prayer and sending the kids off to bed with a hug from each of us.  Justin gives a little extra squeeze upon request.  This extra force is called a “UFC Hug” and only dads have the real power to execute it correctly.  I’m not sure how it started, but Matti will stand in front of Justin and ask for a “double, double, double, double (she’ll say it about 10 times) UFC Hug”!!!  And Justin is happy to oblige. 

Day 65–See Ya Later

I’m not saying “goodbye”.  I’m saying, “see ya later” to one of my best friends who is moving out of state.  We will all miss hanging out at your house, your tasty desserts, going out to dinner and girls night out at the movies.  Thanks for being such a great friend! 

Day 64–Flashback

I want to go back.  Simple as that.

Grand Cayman

Day 63–Britney’s Handicap

Britney has a new handicap.  It’s a furry growth on her left arm called “can’t put the cat down”.  She does everything with one hand now since you can usually count on her left hand attached to the cat.  Harley doesn’t seem to mind watching this round of “Sorry”.  

Day 62–Lucky

It’s St. Patrick’s Day.  I’m not exactly ecstatic about celebrating this holiday, but if I don’t at least acknowledge the tradition of making sure my kids have some green to wear, they will feel left out at school.   This little lady had a great day eating green jello, green grapes, celery and a crowd favorite, drinking 7-up.  Since this is a day where people dwell on luck, I realize how extremely lucky I am to have 6 great kids and a wonderful husband (who deserves a little pinch…I won’t say where)!

Day 61–Hansel, Gretel and Colton

Colton didn’t mind following the trail of marshmallows.  He ate them almost as quickly as the trail was laid.  This is just another creative way the kids interact and play with Colton.  He’s so easy going that he just goes along with and is entertained by their ideas. 

Day 60–Justin’s New Hobby

It’s a bird, a plane…no, it’s a monkey.  Justin’s not the monkey.  I’m referring to the towel creatures left behind in our room each night after room service came to tidy things up.  Justin found these little critters so fascinating that he decided to pick up a “How to” book and create some of them himself.  I hate reading and following instructions, so this hobby is not for me. 

Now we know what the keeps the housekeeping crew busy on off hours! 

Day 59–Homecoming Surprise

When there’s no internet, cell or texting service, you’re not always in the loop of what’s going on at home, which can be a good thing.  Early Sunday morning when our boat docked in Galveston, Justin checked his Facebook first thing (of course) and found a message posted from his mom that she had been in a car accident with the boys…in our car.  As she was driving down the road, minding her own business, a car turned in front of her while she was traveling about 45 mph.  4 lanes of traffic were shut down.  The other car was totally at fault.  No one, including the other driver was seriously hurt, thank goodness!   The Denali has about $10,000 worth of damage, maybe more once the frame is checked and the other car was totaled. 

Funny thing was that our neighbor and friend was the policeman who responded first.  Justin’s dad was 2 cars behind.  My mom was picking up the kids from school and Cam saw the accident.  He said, “Grandma, that looks like our car, and the little boy inside looks like Colton!”  My mom reassured Cam that our car was parked safely in the garage locked up and that there were lots of little boys that look like Colton…haha.  She was wrong.

Pic from the tow yard taken by Justin’s iphone

Day 58–The Love Boat

I can definitely say that this trip reminded two stressed out parents of six children that they are best friends, companions, can have fun together and are in love…still. 

Despite being cooked for, cleaned up after, entertained, and sleeping in until 1:15 pm our last cruising day, we missed are kids and were ready to go home!  My mom reminded me that it took 8 people to replace us (7 to replace me and 1 to replace Justin…ha, ha) No wonder I am so tired all the time!   Thanks to all the grandparents that made it possible for us to enjoy our “honeymoon”.  I think my batteries are recharged for a few more months, at least!

Day 57–Going From a “10” to a “Minus 2” in 20 Minutes…

I looked pretty hot tonight.  Justin said I looked like a “10”, which is just what a wife and mother of 6 needs to hear every so often.  However, tonight’s dinner did not agree with me.  After getting suddenly violently ill, I walked out of the bathroom with my mascara smeared and red bloodshot eyes.  My hubby just looked at me and couldn’t believe how quickly I could go from being so hot to looking like a “Crack Whore”.  I don’t think I laughed. 

Day 56–People Watching Adventure

There were at least 6 cruise ships at the Cozumel docks today.   The Carnival Valor (on the right) was almost identical to our ship.  As I watched it back up and leave the port, I caught sight of a couple running down the dock.  They had missed their ship by a few minutes!  They jumped onto the pilot boat, which then rushed them to their boat.  Just as I was watching and wondering how in the world they were going to get from a pilot boat to a moving cruise ship, our boat obscured the view of the great mystery.  I’ll never know how it was done, but the pilot boat came back empty!   

Day 54–Star Light, Star Bright

On our way back from Sting Ray City, this beautiful star fish was spotted just below our boat.  We did not bring this home as a souvenir!  It was very much alive and we put it back in the water after taking pics with it. 

Day 55–Hump Day, Literally

We thought a camel-ride excursion would be cool.  Although it was not the highlight of our trip, it was something we hadn't done.  It was a very uncomfortable mode of transportation to say the least.   These camels were brought in from Florida and are not native to Jamaica.  They enjoyed the buffet of leaves and became gluttons every time they walked by a tree! 

 

Day 53–Swimming With The Rays in Grand Cayman

They are slimy.  Their barbed tails are sharp.  The freak accident causing the crocodile hunter’s death ran through my mind.  

This sandbar, known as Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman, was filled with hundreds of the cool, calm, docile creatures which I now can appreciate!

Day 52–Ya, Mon!

Hiking up Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica.  The falls come from a freshwater spring at the top of the mountain and empty into the ocean.  We climbed up almost 1,000 feet of smooth limestone which took millions of years to form.  The stone was lightly sanded on a specific trail only our tour guide could lead us through.  This was the highlight of the day.  It was awesome.   

Day 51–All Dressed Up…With Somewhere to Go!

This was our first of two formal dinner nights.  It was fun (for me anyway) to have a reason to get dressed up and go out in something other than jeans!  We both clean up pretty well, if I say so myself. 

Day 50–Our First Cruise

Cruisin’ is our new favorite way to travel.  Now we can’t even imagine spending a week in just one place!    

Cozumel, Mexico

Day 49–Competitive Spirit

There is no such thing as racing for “fun”.  This is a highly competitive sport in our family, especially between Cameron and Justin.  May the best man win…

Day 48–Cameron’s 11th Birthday Party @ Incredible Pizza

Cam’s facial expression:  The look you get on your face when you get a present from one of your best friends that you’ve been drooling over. 

Day 47–Tea at the White House

We didn’t really drink tea, and we weren’t really at the White House, but we pretended to be.  Britney’s 3rd grade class has been studying biographies.  Today they got to dress up as the person they studied.  Helen Keller was a tough one to outfit.  Thank goodness for the nametags!  The kids sang 2 patriotic songs and handed out business cards as part of their program.  It made me miss teaching a little bit, but in the end, I was glad I wasn’t in charge! 

Day 46–District Science Fair

There were over 380 stinky 5th and 6th graders stuffed into the high school cafeteria with over 300 projects to be judged at this year’s District Science Fair.  Even though Cam didn’t move on to the next level, it was a great and memorable experience to be a part of!   He even made a new friend!