Worst Sunday EVER!!

Okay, hello most embarrassing Sunday on the planet.  It's taken me a few days to find the humor in it.  Craig took McKay & Abby down a half hour early while he helped the boys prepare the sacrament.  So I came on in 5 min. before sat down thinking this was a great start to the service.  We are all there on time, no ones bugging anyone else (at least not yet) & we have a bench.  All good signs right?  Well... Kimball and I ended up in the foyer before the opening prayer even was announced.  He settled down pretty quick and was begging to go back in, which my rule is once your out, your out.  But with it just beginning I figured he was right and back in we went.  We almost made it threw the sacrament being past but Kimball was climbing under the bench to the people in front of us Josie thought that looked like fun so down she went.  I pulled Kimball up and he, of course, started throwing a major tantrum (just a reminder we are in the front the bishopric and 1st councilor in the Stake Pres. are all watching this charade).  I thought it was best to move myself close to the middle to be able to grab the kids quicker from going under the bench which meant switching with Abby.  Abby got upset threw the hymn book pouted up a big storm started talking really loud that she didn't want to move that she was there first.  It became quite comical very quickly, I didn't know what else to do I just covered my face and started to laugh.  I told Abby she had to follow me, which she replied with a loud whiny no.  Which so didn't make me happy. So with Josie know throwing a fit, Kimball throwing a fit, Abby throwing a fit out we went.  I grabbed Kimball, Craig grabbed Josie.  People watched and smiled as we exited.  Craig had to go back in to get Abbs.  I then took them all home to sit on chairs.  After a half hour of sitting, crying & apologies we went back to church, only to pass Craig on his scooter bringing McKay home for acting like a nincompoop.  When I got back, we were quite the joke of the ward for a min.  

Later that day we decided to sell our home, no not because of the most embarrassing day ever, we just felt like it was the right time.  This has been our dream home, but we feel like we need to consolidate a little.

Pioneer Day

We had a great 24th. For our family in Australia July 24th is Pioneer Day. This is the day that Brigham Young came into the Salt Lake Valley and said "This is the place". So we thought it only fitting to go to up to the monument and spend a day at This is the Place Monument & Heritage Park. But I need to back up just a touch.

We thought we would make mountain man breakfast in the dutch

oven. It seemed pioneerie. So we got up at 6am to get breakfast done by 7, in the car by 8, at the park by 9. So I'm cooking away, but it's not cooking. It took an hour for me to realize the

 coals had gone out. We finally got breakfast done at 9. Needless to say we needed to revamp our schedule. We finished, cleaned up and took

 naps. The night before Kimball had a BAD night. He didn't go to sleep until 4am. I think he is teething. So I laid down as well. I woke up to find I was the only one who had fallen asleep. Poor Craig. We jumped in the car and headed up.

We had such a great time. They had a ton of special events for the kids. The kids watched a magic show, participated in an old fashion candy cannon, McKay entered a watermelon eating contest. He was so cute it amazes me how he is always wiling to participate in everything. While Kimball, McKay & I were at the contest Craig took the girls to brave the hour wait to ride the ponies. We finished, pounded on some leather found some of our friends, talked for a moment then headed down to the ponies & Craig and the girls were next in line so we passed Kimball in. They loved it. Josies was named Princess, it was the smallest with a pink harness. I wonder why she wanted to ride her? Abby was the one who was determand to ride, and relished every moment in her couple minute ride. Kimball wasn't so sure this was a fun thing.

The small petting zoo consists of sheep, goats & a calf. It also has a small stream that runs down the center. They loved this place. Kimball has no fear. He ran right to the sheep and kept calling them "doggie". Every time we looked over to the stroller we found the sheep licking our water bottles and eating our granola bars. It was quite funny.

What a wonderful day in an original pioneer village.

Josism's

If you have ever crossed paths with our Josie, you would instantly recognized the extra dose of personality. She has quite the one liners.

The other day Abby was in need of toilet paper while in the bathroom. So our cute little Josie took some in. After she came out and said to me "Mom, I said to Abby 'Here your majesty' I called her 'your majesty' because she was sitting on the thrown."

When she was barely talking she got out of bed one night had two pieces of bread and a plastic chicken from the "Old McDonald" game placed between them. Craig turned to discipline her but before he could do so she said "hey Dad look my chicken sandwich".

The other day when i was driving in the car in the corner of my eye i noticed something weird. I turned to catch Josie licking her feet. when i inquired what she was doing she responded with "Look, when I lick my toes watch what happens... they stick better (to the window)".

We'll keep you updated with "Josism's"

The Big Mean Green Machine

A couple of weeks ago McKenzie picked me up from work and told me she was taking me somewhere.  I thought we were going to dinner or something like that.  When we pulled up at the local Harley Davidson store I was a little surprised to say the least.  She said that we always spend money on the house and she wanted me to get a bike.  I was not so sure.  I have never really ridden anything other then dirt bikes back home.  After half an hour of explaining that a Harley although very tempting was not what I really wanted.  She asked so what do you want?  I said I will show you.  I took her up to the scooter store and showed her a mint green buddy, 125cc, 90 miles to the gallon.  I bought it right there and then.  The store owner thought I was crazy.  We have already had so much fun riding around the neighborhood with the kids on the back and sometimes the front.  Kimball is getting a little over confident on it.  He thinks it is funny to turn the indicators off when I turn them on.  Riding to work is a blast and I can't beat the gas mileage.   

The Aquarium

This summer we put together a schedule of activities to do. Everyone got two choices a small activity & a special larger one. It was Josie's choice on Saturday. We went to the Living Planet Aquarium. She was soo excited to be there, all of the kids were. Josie ran from place to place wanting us all to see everything. She loved the jelly fish. They have a stingray pool with other fish in as well. McKay and Abby were able to reach in and pet the stingrays. I say pet because a couple stayed right in front of them and they kept petting them. Josie was getting upset her arms weren't long enough to touch them so we went over and touched the star fish. McKay was a little nervous to touch the fish so he would jab his finger in the water. This resulted in the poor fish being poked and pushed off corse. It was a fun day.

Good choice Josie!

Fourth of July

We mixed things up this year for the 4th. The kids had never been to a parade other then our small Lindon Days parade so we decided to take them to the Freedom Festival. They LOVED it! Even Kimball was entertained. McKay found the lost camera and took pictures of every army truck, policeman & fire truck. Abby loved the cheerleaders. Timpview cheer stopped and cheered right in front of her. She was thrilled. Josie was entranced by the princess floats. What little girl wasn't. Kimball loved the entire thing. He waved to everyone in the parade.

After the parade we went home for naps. Craig really needed it after an early start putting up flags in the ward. After naps we headed out back for some fun games. Potato sack races, red light green light, water balloon toss & an egg relay. Abby & McKay won the water balloon toss, Josie won the egg relay. However she did hold egg. Craig cheated on almost every game trying to pull the kids back by their shirts or putting up his arm to block them. He always makes everything fun. One of the many reasons I love him.

For dinner we cooked ribs on the bar-b-q, & made cobbler in the dutch oven. After our very delicious & filling dinner we headed over to Grandma's & Grandpa Bairds. While we waited for the fireworks to begin, Rosie pulled Abby's tooth, McKay serenaded us on his guitar and of course the traditional movie on the side of the house. The fireworks were beautiful. I was worried Kimball would be scared but he loved them. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the gratitude I felt. All our ancestors who have done so much to keep us free. My cousins who are currently serving again. I am thankful for all that they do. And all the men & women. I hope they know that they are always in our prayers.

It was a great day!

Recent Favorite Memories

On our trip to St. Thomas we decided to take the ferry across to St. Johns for a day.  While the beaches in St. Thomas were impressive, upon arriving into St. Johns we were amazed to witness how clear the water was.  I thought we had great beaches in Australia, but I have  never seen water so blue and clear in all my life.  Further, the sand on the beaches was so soft and clean.  The people that we hired to take us Snuba-ing had a daughter that came with us.  She is the real life Nim.  Home schooled on a small island, spending the majority of her time adventuring around the island and the beaches.  It was a memorable experience, one we won't forget to soon.