Observation Point - Scotty's Turn

I really wanted Scotty to see Observation Point in Zion National Park, so I hiked it again, this time with him. I didn't know he had Monday off for Independence Day, so it was kind of a last minute thing, made possibile by Tara, who was willing to take the boys to their dentist appointments I had scheduled. (Thanks for always being so willing to help out, Tara!)

We tried to beat the heat and get on the trail early. There was a great deal of the hike that was in the shade, at least on the way up. Still, it was in the 90's. We each took 1.5 liters of water, and a liter of Powerade, and drank it ALL.

Scotty nearly stepped on a rattle snake. A BIG rattle snake. I only saw the last 12 inches of it's fat body. As it headed under a rock it paused long enough for me to count 8 or 9 sections on it's rattler. I was freaked out enough that I couldn't get a picture.

He always notices things that I never see... for example the hidden camera taking pictures of the trail. Apparently we were being observed on the trail to Observation Point. Kudi called it a "Game Camera." I'm not sure how it could differentiate between game and people, so I'm thinking we got our pictures taken. Or maybe it operates on a motion sensor at night, like the lights on our house. There, that makes me feel better.

We saw lots of little furry critters this time. Again, I couldn't get a picture of it, but there was a bush that was full of chipmunks, sitting on the branches eating the little berries off it. Quite the sight. Then there was and overly friendly squirrel that started following me. I thought it was going to climb my leg. Scotty sat down and tried to give it some nuts. It appeared to be nearly blind, as it had a great deal of trouble taking the food we left on the ground. Scott had to pretty much hand feed it.

As usual, a wonderful day in Zions. Made more wonderful since we got to spend it together.

The Champion Returns

Jared got home from football camp today. A little bruised and battered, but no worse for the wear. I think. I can't really assess any brain damage. But it is possible he had that before leaving. (I guess I shouldn't make jokes at his expense.)

He had a great time, and he said the only thing that was really bad was the food. He got home, showered, and and then asked for a big plate of gyoza (pot stickers). I thought that was a funny thing to eat the second he got home.

Observation Point

I am a "herd animal". I don't really like to be alone, or go places by myself, I like to share experiences with others. But I had an amazing day today, all by myself, hiking Observation Point in Zion. I nearly cried, it was so beautiful.

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Beautiful day and a trip to the Silver Reef Mine

It has been over 100 degrees everyday this week, which has been nice since Scotty arranged for a break from his school work and it is my first week of summer break, as well. We spent too much time at the pool yesterday and got sunburned. Today was a wonderful 85 degrees and so we decided to go exploring at the Silver Reef Mine in Leeds which is about 15 miles away. They had a nice little museum there. The boys mostly enjoyed looking at all the old guns. (So predictable, really.)
We came upon some weird plants there. Brought it home and sliced it to see the inside. It looked like a cucumber. Another fun plant was a giant Mulberry tree that was 130 years old. We have never had a mulberry berry before. It was a cross between a black berry and a blue berry and stained our fingers and lips immediately.

Not the most exciting of pictures but it was so nice to have a pleasant, relaxing afternoon. We are enjoying the beginning of our summer. What a relief to our hectic schedule all through May.

Club Mommie

I got a chuckle out of this article today. I have experienced this very thing . . . and my kids saying, "Do you know her?"

Club Mom
By Margaret Anderson

"Mom, do you know that lady?"

"No, why?"

"Then why are you chatting together like you're bestest friends?"

My six-year-old, Kate, asked me this question at least three times today while we ran errands.

My mother used to do this too: strike up conversations with complete strangers in the store, in line at the post office, and in doctors’ waiting rooms. To my young mind, I couldn't comprehend how two strangers could be giggling together like old college roomies after only two lines of dialogue. Now I know. They're all fellow mommies: members of Club Mom.

You see, we're all part of the same sorority. When I see another mom with her shopping cart weighed down with more kids than groceries, I feel like I already know her. We need no introductions. I can just blurt out,

"Hey, have you tried these yet?" or, "How much do you think these will shrink in the wash?" and before we know it, we're swapping laundry tips and recipes and potty training horror stories. That's when Kate looks on and can't believe we're perfect strangers.

Being a member of Club Mom has other benefits too.

"What do you do if you get lost?" I ask my kids each time we go someplace large and crowded.

"Find another mommy!" is their hardy reply. "We look for someone with a stroller and kids to help us!" I teach them this because I know I can trust my fellow mommies more than any other group of people on earth.

I know a fellow sister in the trenches will help my little one find his way back to me no matter how many obstacles stand in her way. She'll probably even have a wet wipe for his nose and a few fruit snacks in her purse. I know this because these are my people. This is my club. Millions join our ranks daily.

But I'll tell you...whew! Club Mom has one heck of an initiation rite!

The Best of Compliments

I have a friend named Tiffany who I think is the most amazing person. Besides being amazingly beautiful, she has so many talents. She can sing, dance, make up programs like nobody's business, take care of nine kids, and yet she is still humble, teachable and faithful. Did I mention she also has style?

I would give anything to be like her.
So, it was the best of compliments the other day when I was trying on a new dress and I came out to show all my guys, and Ian said,"That looks like something Tiffany Nelson would wear."
Perfect.

Well, their family is moving out of our ward. They needed a bigger home for all those adorable children. And so after church I went up to give her a hug and tell her that I was in mourning. I am very sad that they won't be in our ward anymore. Her husband has been the Elder's Quorum president, and he is just rock solid and a joy to work with. But get this, she told me, "You know--- when I first moved into the ward I looked at you and I thought, I want to be just like her." She wants to be like me. I couldn't believe it. That was truly the best and nicest compliment I have ever had.

It was so sweet of her to say that.
I will miss seeing them all in church each Sunday.
I still want to be just like her.

The Rest of the Story

Ian has such a little angel face in this picture, I just wanted to tell the rest of the story. What you can't see is that I am lying on the floor underneath his chair, gripping it as hard as I can so that he can not spin around. The little devil has figured out how to hook his foot "just right" under the stool, and when the photographer gets to "two" he flips himself around so that the picture is of the back of his head. What a clever little stinker behind that adorable grin.


Which reminds me of another story. When Ian was about 4 years old we went on a camping trip to Dinosaur National Park. There was a certain hike we went on called "Echo Canyon" that was an amazing finger of land that jutted out high above the river. So, on the hike I think I am going to teach my tiny son about echoes, and I say, "Holler out, Ian." Instead of shouting "HELLO!" as I expected, he grabs the fence in front of him, and with all his strength he yells, "My mom has diarrhea!" Stunned, I stood there and listened as it echoed all along the canyon, "Rhea... rhea... rhea."
That's my boy.

Ian's Birthday Surprise

Last night Scott took the boys to a Fathers and Sons camp out and I had time to get ready for Ian's birthday. I was pretty sure he thought we weren't going to do much and so I had the chance to give him a good surprise.

I decorated the dining area with what the girls call a "Birthday Shrine". I put pictures in the big window, stuff from when they were a baby and awards that they have won. And then I went to work on his room. I put his birthday money in an envelope and hid it, and then took string and criss-crossed it all over his room. The idea is that he has to follow the string to find his present.

He first tried to follow the string without wrapping it around the ruler I gave him, but he got lost near the end and had to start over. It was fun and cute, and I got a couple of cute smiles out of him. It was a good surprise and he loved it.

After he gets finished with laser tag with his friends, we'll go out for dinner tonight at his favorite: Mongolian Bar-b-que. Tomorrow Tara and Kudi will come over and will have a family dinner with more of his favorites: homemade breaded chicken tenders (we call dragon tongues), macaroni and cheese, jello salad, corn on the cob, watermelon and pineapple. He's pretty spoiled for someone who thought he wasn't going to get a birthday celebration.

This little darling is 13 today.

He's such a cutie-pa-tootie and I love how he always gives me hugs and kisses. I've been telling him for years to stop growing, but he just never listens.