To C or not to C

I'm just going to post some pictures from the past couple of days.  It has been an interesting ride these past few weeks.  The first two weeks of my job I had unlimited energy; I think the Lord was just letting me know He would give me the strength to make it through.  This week I have known fatigue, but much of it has to do with staying up late reading for my own pleasure and then studying for my pharmacy exam....  I just have to give my hubby a ton of credit.  He has made sure that every day when I get home from work that the kids have the kitchen clean and usually most of the rest of the house.  Today they were all working on laundry.  I don't know if they'll ever understand how much it means to me!  Thanks fam.  I love ya so much.

This morning Ry and I got up at 5:00 and went with our friends, Laurie and Brian and Hunter, to hike up the "C Trail."  We thought we could do it in 3 hours, but we had to turn back and never made it to elusive C, but we'll be back!!  It was a beautiful and enjoyable hike.  I had a great time visiting with Laurie.  She is a sweetheart, and it was so fun to get to know her better.  Well, I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.  Enjoy your weekend my friends!

~Hunter and Derek last night after some summer snow cones~

Nothing more entertaining to a couple of toddlers than a bike pump?

Dalster

Hunter takes down the Dalster

Dev-Man and Der-Bear wrestling

Ryan took out both Devon and Dallin in about 5 seconds flat.  It was sweet :)

This morning's hike...........

The first soft rays of the sun

Can you see the faint and elusive C afar off!!  yup, maybe next time.

As the boys headed off to an overnight youth conference tonight with Ry, Devon got the almighty privelege of backing the car out of the garage.  He loves being behind that steering wheel!  Sure love my guys....Next year will bring driver's ed, and that will be a whole other adventure!~

Cousins Across Borders

Ryan finds the "Lost Ponds"

My brother and sis-in- law, Ryan and Tonya, and their family dropped in on their way back to Canada and spent a few fabulous days with us.  Thanks so much guys for the great memories.  It was a blast!  Love and hugs.......

Brooky

Cheesy grins from both Ry Guys

Mom and daught

The twins didn't want their pictures taken!!

Fireworks thanks to Uncle Ry and aunt Ton

Winner of the ice cream face contest

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Pioneer Day Fireworks

Sunday dinner

We ended the weekend with a drive up to Kolob Reservoir.  Gorgeous scenery!

health care headache

Can I just say that trying to decide what kind of healthcare plan to get is giving us a headache!!  Pay $300/month for a $10,000 deductible that you will probably/hopefully never meet, pay 500-800 a month for a $2500 deductible that you might possibly meet but would still pay a 20% copay, or just put money in savings and pay cash for medical bills because doctors give such a nice cash discount on things and you can make payment plans with the hospital or provider if you require them................Headache.  Any thoughts???

Tuesday No Treat

Tuesday Treat - sorry, I didn't bake today.  Leftover cookies from mutual and popsicles....who knows when I'll get baking again!!  It might be Christmas :) 

I loved my job today.  It was really busy and the time flew by.  It really is fascinating stuff.  I love compounding!  It definitely stretches my brain more than anything else has in a long time.  I am so grateful for Ryan and the kids for helping to make this all work.  It certainly is taking teamwork, but I love this team I play on!!  Ryan has been a huge help, and I couldn't do it without his support and extra help with our sweet kiddos!  Yesterday was my first day on my own, and I definitely made some mistakes.....capsules were a nightmare, but today was much better!  I have felt so invigorated these past two weeks and haven't had this much energy all summer.  I truly feel blessed and humbled by the Lord to have extra strength to do this.  Anywhooo....Here is a glimpse of our evening.

We ended the evening relaxing in the backyard and doing some cloud gazing.  Tori took pictures of Ryan's masterful flower gardens.  He has a magical touch when it comes to growing things.  Our vegetable garden has struggled thanks to water-resistant dirt!  The potatoes and onions are the only things that survived the first planting.  The squash and radishes are coming up in the second planting.  We replanted peas and beans two times, and there are a few of them popping up here....It's been a "growing" experience!!!

p.s.  Devon LOVED EFY with his Torrie cousins last week!!!  I'm so glad he got to go!  Thanks Raeghn and Chass for all of the running around you did with them!!!  Dallin LOVED scout camp.  I am so grateful for such awesome programs for our youth! 

Tuesday Treat

....I didn't get anything baked yesterday, but since I made playdough on Monday with the kids, and I LOVE this recipe, I am going to ask you to eat playdough this week.  It is moist, chewy, feels great on the tongue, and is very low carb, low fat, and you aren't tempted to take seconds.   :) 

It really is a fantastic playdough recipe.  I make it often, because it is so easy, the kids love helping and choosing what color to make, and it is more pliable and sticks together better than store bought playdough.  I double it for five kids, and it makes four balls of dough the size of the ones Derek is playing with there.

                                                                 Playdough

1/4 c. salt
1 c. flour
1 tsp. cream of tartar OR alum
1 c. water
1 T. oil

Cook over medium high heat stirring with a wooden spoon.  Turns into a ball of dough really quickly.  Knead in food coloring after letting cool for a minute.

Grateful

Grateful that:

- The lady who is training me is an absolute sweetheart.  It has been another one of those times when I feel like I am blessed to be able to get to know someone.  She has been through so much.  Her first baby died the day after she was born, and then the doctors told her she would never be able to have more children.  So heartbreaking.  However, she did get pregnant a year later, and her second child is autistic.  She has had two miscarriages since then, and then was able to have two more children.  I really admire her.  She is a patient trainer and so fun to get to know.  I am blessed.

- Ryan has been so flexible helping with the youger ones this week.  Without Dev and Dal here, we have had to be creative as far as tending!  Ryan has helped a ton.

- I have incredible friends.  Their support and encouragement and help with the kids has been such a blessing.  Yesterday when I got off work, a friend invited Tori, Tess, and Derek to go swimming in their backyard, and by the time they got back I was done my Monday transcription.  Another friend took care of Derek while the girls were at volleyball.

- Derek woke me up yesterday at 3 a.m., and I couldn't fall back to sleep.  I was able to get up and do an extra day of catch-up dictation without feeling tired.

- The van started eventually, and I made it to work on time.  First it was clicking and the battery light turned on and it wouldn't start.  I kept trying and had to call Ryan.  I was afraid I was going to be late my first day.  Ryan was on his way to rescue me, but after a quick silent prayer it started.

-For the last 10 years I have been able to stay home with our kiddos.  Leaving them yesterday and then coming back home reminded me how much I love them, how much I love home, and how glad I am that I was able to stay home with them in those formative years.

A day with Sam

SUU put on a little volleyball clinic for kids ages 5-12.  It's the first time Tori and Tess have done anything like this, and they thoroughly enjoyed it...They got to do it with their friend, Sam, and had a full, fun day~

Sam

Look at the air Little Man Sam got here!

Tor and Einstein

we decided to whip up a little playdough, and some marvelous creations arose

Ended the day at the lake/beach.  I start my new job this morning, and wanted to spend last evening with the kids and the sun in case we don't get as many chances the rest of the summer.