Winding Down!

Well, as our summer vacation is winding down, I thought I would let anyone who cares know what we are up to down south!!!

Kamrie seems to spend as much time away from home as possible. I try not to take it personally, I guess her brothers don't really like the same things she does. Oh, and her best friend Siage, has a pool and baby hamsters!! Yes, that's right she has a male and female hamster, and now three little teeny, tiny baby hamsters. How can I compete with that?

Scott & Chad think that if they are not sleeping at a friends or having a friend sleep over it is the end of the world. They have been in a little book club with some friends from church, they like the getting together part, but the actually reading of the book, not so much. They both had a really fun week at Cub Scout Day camp too.

Tyler has been busy reading the last couple of weeks, I think he is 1 1/2 books into the three he needs to read before school starts. He loves to have his friends over as much as possible too.

Zac has been working most of the summer. He babysits for a friend of mine, and gets paid more than me!! He has used the money to pay for club soccer, which just started, and he seems to be enjoying it. He also invested in a new Cell Phone. And I use the word invested because it wasn't cheap.

Jim has been working like crazy. They are VERY busy, he has had to work the last few Saturdays. Don't get excited, we are salary, so no overtime!! Rumor has it our Bishop will be getting released soon, and he is hoping to be out of the Bishopric, and maybe back with the Young Men!! A man can dream.

As for me, I have really been enjoying hanging out with my kids, and keeping busy with my vinyl business. I have started having a "Project Night" at my house once a month. I design a project send out an e-vite with a picture, and if it is something they want, they come over and put it together, and most important take it home FINISHED. It has been a lot of fun.

Thought I would show the rest of our trip to St Louis. On Saturday Morning we went to see the Arch.

Something Fun!

I wasn't sure about doing this, what if no one responds! That would be a major blow to my already fragile ego!!

Here are the directions:1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. 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. 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. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments. HAVE FUN

INTRODUCING......

My First Great-Nephew

Daniel Skeet Tristan Panero
(not so sure about the first middle name? Good thing he's stinking cute!)

Good work Nicole and Jacob!!

St Louis - Part Overdue!

So we got up on Friday and ate our Free Breakfast at the hotel, I always try to stay somewhere with free breakfast!! Then we packed up and headed off to Six Flags! Funny side note, I kept telling people we were going to Magic Mountain, and they would give a weird face, and ask what it was!!! Oh, I mean "Six Flags", I forget it isn't called that everywhere. I did say it to someone, and as I was about to correct myself, remembered she was from CA and knew exactly what I was talking about.

We started big, Jim, Zac, Tyler and I on Batman. Remember that one Linda! It was such a rush, but I am definitely getting old, my bearings were so off when it was over. The three little kids just went through the line and then just waited at the exit for us. We rode rides til lunch, when we ate our $50 pizza, drink, and bread sticks, then headed for the water park. It was very cool because at this Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor is included with your admission to the park.

The highlight of the water park was a slide with a huge round raft that held 5 people. It was a bit of a line, and quite a ways up to the top. We practically had to drag Scott and Kamrie. When it was our turn we pretty much threw Kamrie in the raft and dragged Scott on. Into the first turn Scott's screams of terror broke with a scream of "This is FUN!!" Kamrie unfortunately didn't enjoy it, but we did have good laugh when as she tried to give her best scream a huge wave washed right over her. That sounds really mean, but in the moment it was really funny. Earlier in the day we went on the rapids ride. We had drug her on that last year in Branson. By the time it was over this year she started to say it was fun, but quickly stopped herself.

The only ride Tyler didn't go on, but Jim and Zac did, was so scary to watch there was no way I was going on, and did not give Tyler any grief about not wanting to ride it. It is called Mr. Freeze and goes from 0 to70 MPH in about four seconds!!! Oh, and after you are shot out and twisted up, you get to drop down and do it all backwards!! No thanks! I was able to somehow convince Chad and Scott to go on a Tony Hawk ride. It wasn't too bad and they tried to enjoy it. Although after the first unexpected turn I looked across to Chad, and he had turned several shades of green.

We ended the day watching Jim, Zac and Tyler ride the Superman Tower of Power ride. It takes you up 23 stories and then drops you!! I got a few good shots of that one.

All in all we had a really great time, picked up some dinner from Del Taco (we don't have those in Memphis) And headed back to the hotel.

St Loius - Part One

I am going to do our vacation in three parts, that way I am not so overwhelmed.

Day One:
I had everything pretty much ready when Jim got home at 4. We loaded up the van and headed out.

Our first stop was a restaurant some of you may have heard of - Lambert's. If you watch the Food Network, it has been on there quite a bit. It is famous for it's "throwed rolls". Yes, they actually throw you a roll. The kids thought it was great. They also don't skimp on the servings. The orders are huge, and they have servers walking around with all kinds of side dishes that you can add to your already very full plate.

So if you ever in Sikeston, or Ozark, Missouri, or Foley, Alabama, I would suggest you stop in'



We arrived at our hotel around 9:30 and went right to bed. We wanted to be well rested for our big day at Six Flags.

WHAT!?!?!

That is what I said today while visiting my local Hobby Lobby store.

You know how we are always talking about living in the moment. Enjoying the present. Don't always think about what is happening tomorrow or next week.

I have figured out why this can be so difficult. It's the retail industry. My Hobby Lobby already has Christmas stuff out!!! Can you believe it, Chirstmas!!! They have fall stuff too, oh and the 4th of July stuff was 40% off. I've heard of Christmas in July but this is really ridiculous.

My Tyler

So, today I went out back to watch the little ones I tend play on the slip n slide. Tyler and his friend were out there but went in as I came out. A few seconds later, Tyler is coming back outside with a chair for me!!!!! I almost cried!! It was so thoughtful, one of those moments when you think it will all be ok.

Tyler, you're the best!!!