I just want to see a Moose and a few deer, is that too much to ask?!

Oh, man, I am exhausted! If tomorrow wasn't my brother's P-day, (who is now in Richland by the way my friends who live in that area - Elder Hendrickson- he's tall!) then I would be in bed asleep. Or maybe I would re-read Breaking Dawn. Before I move on to my vacation log, let me spend a moment with Bella and Edward. All I have to say is . . . whoa. I will not give away any spoilers, but this book surely took on an unexpected direction. I have to admit that before I read the book,I had wondered about certain things that she decided to include in her story but didn't imagine that she would go where she went. Whoa. That's all for now. Once everyone reads it, I'll air my thoughts more clearly.

I was glad to have a long road trip to Utah so that I could read my book and not feel lazy for sitting around and doing nothing. My family went on a trip to "our" cabin outside of Kamas, Utah in the Wasatch mountains. I use quotes around the word"our" because it is a family friends cabin but I have been going there since before I can remember, so I have laid a verbal claim on it.

It was great. We went hiking and fishing and sight seeing. Its really fun to watch the beauty of the place through the eyes of my children. They were amazed and captivated by everything. My Mom, Dad, youngest brother, Aunt Libbie and Uncle John were all in attendance. For my cousins who read this: I can't believe we all used to ft inside that place! It is so small.

So, the main difference between going to the cabin as an adult is that 1.) I am married and get to sleep with a boy. 2.) I have three little kids who I take with me and sleep in my bed, so I don't really get to sleep with a boy and 3.) They turned one of the bedrooms into a bathroom so that we no longer have to run outside to the outhouse to relieve ourselves. I don't miss that one bit!

A lot of pictures:


This is the outhouse. I am sure you can understand why I don't miss using it. P.U.

Malachi's face is so sad in this one, it could break your heart.

I am proud to say that I was the only fisher woman to catch of fish after three hours of trying. However I feel like I can't brag about it one bit because I caught it after my daughter said a prayer that we could please catch a fish.
Kiera's morning diva routine.

Malachi loved the cabin as much as any of us.

This is a hike we usually take to get to the beaver lodges. We were pleasantly surprised to find that a moose family had planned to visit the beaver lodge as well. We didn't stay long because we didn't want to seem like a threat, but we did see a momma, daddy and baby moose!

Taking a picture by this gate is a requirement for the trip. I think we have pictures that date back to the 60's, maybe even farther back.
This is the bed that I did not get to sleep with a boy in. Our cabin is an A-frame. We often would hit our heads in the morning.
My cousin Tiffany and her friend Nikki came to visit one day and my girls fell in love with them. I think they followed them everywhere. Here they are by the salt lick. For those of you who don't know, the deer and the moose will come and lick this at dawn and dusk for some reason. They must have cray salt cravings. I bet they'd like potato chips.

Uncle Ryan having a little fun with Cambira.

My mom after Cambria did her bangs.

The famous Kamas ice cram store. Two episodes of Touched By An Angel were actually filmed here. One movie was also but I can't remember the name of it. I don't think I had ever heard of it.
This whole scene is hilarious. Ever since I was little I got a kick out of this nudist ranch. If you'll look closely, the blue sign next to the logo says "closed due to mosquitoes." I guess nudists don't wear insect repellent.
One of the coolest things we did on the trip was go to this huge Dinosaur museum. It claims to be the biggest in the whole world. I can't remember the name but it is located at Thanksgiving Point.

This one is for you Leah.

Cambria noticed that her name was displayed in several areas and couldn't believe that she was part of the museum. "How did I get in there? It must be a different Cambria, because I can't get in there."


Kiera was terrified of this large shark. She wouldn't let me go near it and kept saying, "Mom, be careful." We finally got her to walk passed the room, but she closed her eyes while Grammie led her by one hand and I lead her by the other.

This is baby Alex. It was fun to see Leah while we were there. I am just sad that it was so short a time!
The Erosion table was great. I wish I had one at home. It was a big sand box with running water that came through. It had lots of dinosaurs and trees so you could create your own world. Anyone who knows Kiera knows that she is all about creating her own world.

This was Dino Island. They later migrated to a smaller island once this one began to erode.
The very last room in the museum is paleontologist heaven. Big sand boxes filled with dino bones to uncover! I wish we had this kind of stuff in Mesquite!

I was trying not to notice but I can't stand it anymore.

I was really trying not to pay attention to the Breaking Dawn countdown. I thought if I wasn't aware of the date, then I wouldn't be so anxious to have the book in my hands. Well, that all failed tonight. Kai is gone with the scouts on a camping trip, and I took the girls to the library. I was looking for a book to read (for some unknown reason I am a sucker for old westerns, Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey). Anyway I was looking and looking and looking and then I realized that what I was really looking for wasn't there and wouldn't even come out until August 2. Dang it. Books play in my head like a movie, and I hate not knowing how a movie ends. Now that I know the date I can't pretend to ignore it anymore. Curse my own awareness!!!

I have NEVER been star struck before, but I think I would really like to meet Stephenie Meyer. I would love to take a long drive with her and have her tell me stories like I was a little kid. I guess I can put that wish in my never to be fulfilled jar.

I did get two Louis L'Amour books to hold me over, The Empty Land and Dark Canyon, (big sigh) but I am sure they just won't hit the spot.

Is a 76 year old woman to old to have the Disney Princesses on her cake? Because that is what she is getting. Lets make her wear a tiara, too.

Lots and lots of posts today! This is the last thought I promise! I found out that my brother Chris who is on his mission is able to get onto my blog and check things out. This inspires me to show more pictures and write a few more things. Hi Chris!!!

My Grandma turned 76 this year and we celebrated her birthday 3 times! We had a family party at my Aunt and Uncles house, had cake and ice cream, then we went to her house on the actual day and had cake and ice cream again. Later we had another family birthday party at my Mom's house and had cake and ice cream. It was a lot of fun. I made her a scrapbook full of her old family pictures and tons of fun facts and events that happened in the year 1932. It was so much fun to make and she loved it. I told my mom I would make one for her 76Th birthday too, but she said she'd prefer it for her 55Th. I am sorry to say I don't have a picture of the cake or tiara wearing. I am really slacking!
This is us celebrating birthday number 3. After dinner Cambria came to me and said, " Mom, come with me, I found something really scary." This is a picture of what she was talking about,it is the world's largest moth that got caught in our tent/gazebo. I thought that moths that size only existed in Hawaii. I saw a moth like this is the Hale three bathroom over the sink by unit 209. I went somewhere else to brush my teeth.
You'll have to read the below post to know how special the encore of this concert was. My kids just love to play "concert." It was great.

My kids love uncle Sean. I wondered if Bubba thought he was Kai. Sometimes he looked at him searchingly.
It was so hot in the dang house! If you remember I told you that one of the two things that I missed about Mesquite was my AC, the other being my husband. We ate dinner outside every chance we could. The weather cooled off faster than the house did. It was so fun. I wish we could do that here in Mesquite but its usually still 100 plus degrees at 10PM.
One of the cool things we did was attend La Mirada's new multi- million dollar aquatic facility. My brother Sean works there and got us in free. Thanks, Sean!! This place has two huge pools, a large lazy river, three adult water slides, a kid play structure (seen behind my girls), a pirate playground. It is a really fun place to go.

Part of the Pirate structure. My kids had almost as much fun on this as they did in the water.

We had a great time in California! Thanks Mom and Dad for putting up with us and helping us and playing with us and all the other wonderful things you did (like buying Cambria a whole new school wardrobe!!!!- she'll be the best dresses- if I can bear to let her go!)

He bust his stick he shred so bad

I accidentally did this whole post backwards. So we are starting with the end. Crystal Cove. It's a beautiful beach in Newport. Kai and his other wife, my brother Chris, used to go surfing there together all the time. They would tell us stories about crystal clear waters and encounters with mantarays, seals, dolphins, and baby sharks. This family trip however, was the first time I had ever been. We didn't see any of the mentioned sea life, but we did see lots of anemone, a lobster tail, and little small fish in tide pools. I have to tell you that I am quite relieved not to have seen any sharks, babies or not.

We were able to meet up with our BYUH buddies the Dyers. I can't believe I don't have any good pictures of them to post. I feel like I took hundreds, but it seems they were mostly of Bubba and their little girl Tessa, who is just a tad bit younger. Her they are below in a little blow up pool full of salt water. Its a much safer way for babies to experience the ocean. It also makes a good hot tub for return surfers coming out of the cold ocean. (you remember that that, Caca:)) The few I did get of the Dyer Family I will need to zoom and crop so that you can actually see them. My little white beauty just loves the beach. We were there for 6 hours and water babies instant waterproof spray did a great job. I think I did reapply it once.

When we got to Grammy and Papa's house poor Bubba was so tired he fell asleep right on Papa's lap. My kids rarely, if ever just "fall" asleep like this.

See, totally out of order. I didn't plan this post very very well. I was trying to download my pictures at the same item I was making dinner. They take so much longer to download since my pixels are bigger and I can only do three at a time. It seems like it takes for ever!!!
We had so much fun frolicking in the waves and playing in the sand. It makes me wish we lived much closer to the ocean. I love this picture below. I am going to blow it up and change the color to sepia. Isn't it weird how your kids change your life. If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would ever love and adore something or someone so much, I would never have been able to comprehend it.
This was a scary little rest stop that I don't think we will ever use again. I can't even remember where it was. There was a big Ron Paul sign on the front, The shop was full of shady characters and I rushed the girls' in and out. We did feel safe enough however, to pose by this cowboy and water feature.

Cambria and Kiera felt quite musical on this trip. Uncle Sean encouraged their "beautiful" music. It was truly a time to remember. I can't even find the words to describe the noise that was made by these two. It brought me to tears. I had to leave the room so they wouldn't see me burst into hysterics. I think only my mom and my brother Sean will ever fully be able to appreciate this picture.

Twinkle Toes Commercial

So, remember about the commercial I said my girl's got to be in? Well, it was fun, but mostly because for our payment we got to use the cool rec center facility it was filmed at! What a cool place. It had an awesome work out facility, a rock climbing wall, a humongous pool complete with water slide, lazy river and water playground. The kids had a blast. But let me back track a bit. While we were waiting our turn to film our part of the dance commercial, we got to watch several other groups dance. One of them was a Hawaiian group. They did the hula and two Tahitian numbers. They were so good. They had the tiniest little girl in their group, she was maybe two and she was so cute to watch. When our turn came up the girl's mostly did stretching and warm ups. It really didn't even seem like a commercial, more like a recital. They had one camera rolling around the floor and it was really very unobtrusive.
I thought this was so cute because it was completely candid. I turned around and they were hugging like this. I have no idea what prompted it but I sure enjoyed it.

These water beams kept Bubba quite entertained.

A few of the people from the Hawaiian group were from BYUH. Kai spent a little time talking story withe them and then asked the dance teacher if she would come to Mesquite to teach a class. She said she would if she had a t least 10 students, and she preferred to do a class on Friday because then she could go to the Casino afterwards for the all you can eat seafood buffet. Leave it to a Hawaiian to plan an activity around food. We have been trying to find 8 other people to take the class ever since. I wonder if she would do an adult class. I would love to learn to. I can't believe I lived in Hawaii and never learned the hula! Shame on Me!!!

I just realized that old navy is about as couture as I get!!!

I am still on vacation and can't download pictures yet. I have only been on the computer three times and I can't tell you how exciting it is to see so many comments from all of you. I have a lot of catching up to do with you on your blogs!

Thank you so much for sounding off on the kindergarten issue. It was great to hear what so many of you had to say. Last night was one of the few nights that all of my children slept soundly (we are all in the same room) and I ended up being tired in the morning anyway because I couldn't stop thinking about all day vs. half day kindergarten!! UGH!!!

Also thank you for all the memories. I laughed out loud at most of them!! How fun to relive those moments through your eyes! I can't wait to check your blogs to see if you are "playing" that game too!

So, my Mom and I have been shopping for Cambria's school clothes. It has been so fun. We hit our first store today and then had to come home to put the kiddos down for a nap. They were all a little cranky! So I looked on line at a few shops and thought I love some of the clothes, I can't stand the prices. My husband is a teacher you know:) (bless his heart) and we don't have a big budget to work with. Does anyone have a favorite store with good prices/deals??!!

Also we have had many fond and memorable moments on this trip and I wanted to write a few of my favorite down. So it is time for:

SEEN and HEARD

Heard:
1. By Kiera referring to my make up.
Mom, I like your lips.
Ooohhhhh, I like your eyes too!
You look like a wicked witch!

Heard:
2. Cambria, teasing Kiera.
C: Kiera, I am the American flag talking to you! (kind of a haunted ghosty voice)
K: The American Flag??? (disbelief)
C: Yes, the American flag, but I can't hear you because I am old. I am old but I do not wear
glasses.

SEEN:
Malachi taking his first steps!!! (Kai was sad about that one!)

Kiera after Cambria did something nice:
Thank you Cambria, you are the bestest sister ever. The best sister I ever met.

Cambria, upset that she had to do quiet time away from the adults:
(she gets scared easily and hides behind her blanket)
If no one will watch this movie with me, I'll just sit here by myself and watch the scary parts!

Heard:
After we looked at a few houses that were for sale:
Me: Well, girls I guess we are stuck in Mesquite, we won't be moving here anytime soon. (Then thinking I need to be more positive I add,) but that's okay, you like Mesquite don't you?

Cambria: Mom, I love it her! (then as if reading a check list) You got your parents, you care for them . . . holding her hand out to add emphasis)

Me: You're right we should move here.:)

Seen and heard:
Malachi clapping for himself and making a noise that sounds like "yaaaaay."

Remember When??

I've seen this on a few blogs and it seems fun. Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together, or one of the first memories you have of me. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Keep in mind that my family reads this.... nothing too revealing or embarrassing please! =)

So Totally, Extremely Curious

I know that I am slightly odd. This is not news to me. I have always danced slightly to the beat of a different drum. I know I am emotional (Passionate sounds better) and over protective. I blame the first on my Spanish-Scottish heritage, the second might be a product of my life experiences.

Anyhow, I was at my Aunt and Uncles house the other day for my grandma's birthday party. I have a few cousins who have kids Cambria's age. The subject of Kindergarten came up. Some of you may know the hard time I have been having with sending Cambria to Kindergarten. I have been freaking out for months now. There have been a few nights that I have kept Kai awake (or almost awake) with insane ramblings about why I didn't want my eldest child to go to all day kindergarten. I even toyed with the idea of home schooling until a few of my friends made fun of me.

So, what I am extremely curious about is, are you for all day kindergarten or half day? Most of my friends are delirious with delight at the thought of all the free time they will have when they send their 5 year old to school all day.

The funny thing is, I am a former educator. I taught special education for three years. There was an all day kindergarten class right next door to mine. School started at 7:45 and let out at 2:10. I never even gave it a second thought. But, I didn't have kids at the time either.

The other funny thing is that my mother-in-law is the principal at the school Cambria will be going to. So it's not like I have anything to worry about. I just feel like, I don't want the school to take over her life yet. I still want to be the primary influencing force in her life. Not the kids in her class or on the playground, not even her teacher. Me.

So tell me, are you for all day K, or half day K?

Other than that, having a great time in Cali. Got a sunburn on my back for the first time in who knows how long. It hurts. But I am happy.

1-800-97- Jenny!

The title is a little jingle that Kai used to sing to me when we were dating. Not all the time. I was quite fit before student teaching claimed my figure. He'd sing it when I'd have an extra helping or a large portion of dessert.

This is the first time I have ever considered joining Jenny Craig for real. My sister-in-law lost all kinds of weight doing it and she looks great.

I have lost a ton of weight (35 lbs, I got huge!) since my pregnancy, but it has been slow. With my other two, it seemed to come off so much faster. I did exercise a lot more though.

Anyway when I was at my friend Jenny's I weighed myself on her scale and realized I am only 8 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight and 18 away from goal weight. It made me so happy because I know I can loose the rest. I am so close to my goal that it has renewed my motivation. The other thing that renewed my motivation was swim suit shopping, that was a real nightmare.
So my goal is to have all the weight off by my birthday in late October. I think I can do it.

P.S. Bubba likes cat food. The dry kind. I just turned to check on him and he had a mouthful. He probably thinks someone put in on the floor just for him. Gross.

Girl's only! Except you Bubba, you can come too.

California Dreamin'.
If any of you have checked my blog lately and wondered why I haven't posted, it is because I am finally back in Cali! I love it here. There are only two things I miss from Nevada, My husband and my air conditioner. Kai drove us here, stayed for the weekend and then flew back to Vegas. He'll be back to get us in two weeks. We all miss him. I think we all miss the AC, too. We have been spoiled living in a house where we can control the climate. I am not used to being hot and sweaty in doors.

I just want to thank everyone who comments on my posts. Thank you so much for keeping in touch. I love blogging because it makes the world seem smaller!

I haven't figured out how to post pictures from my folks computers yet, so this post won't be that interesting I guess. I just wanted to let you know where I was.

When Kai was still with us we went to a beach called Crystal Cove. It is down Newport way and it was very nice we had a blast. We met up with our Friends the Dyer's. It was so fun to be with them and let the kids play together. We ended up being there for 6 hours. Kai and I came away with a nice red sunburn, but the kids were nice and protected.

Today I was able to reconnect with one of my dear college buddies, Jenny Barnes Sneddon. She recently had a very cute little baby girl. We had a great time swimming in her pool.

We have a lot of fun things planned and can't wait to do them all. I'll keep you posted and hopefully I can figure out how to posts some pictures!

I love you, honey. We miss you so much!!!