Oh What Did You Do In The Summer Time? (Second Verse)

Oh what did you do in the summer time,

When all the world was green?

Did you camp with cousins?

Where the fun never ends.

Up in Wy-o-o-ming?

Is that what you did?

So did I!!

Favorite Cousins..... Nick, Kailey, Hunter, and Kelsey

Campfires!!

Water Fights!!!

Horse Back Riding!
(Trey leading Porter and Robbi leading Natalie)

Lots and lots of roasted hotdogs, and marshmellows!

Natalie and Porter, riding on the trailer, pulled by Grandpa's tactor

Oh What Did You Do In The Summer Time?

Oh what did you do in the summer time,

When all the world was Green?

Did you Swim in a Pool,

To make yourself cool,

Or Swim in a lake or stream?

Is that what you did?

So did I! Kelsey, "Queen of The Air Mattress!"

Kailey, "Whale Rider!"
Natalie with Cousin Tyler
Natalie and Porter playing on the beach

Kennington Reunion "All Day At Willard Bay!"

"Cherry Hill" with Turner Friends Kailey and Kate Janalynn and Biffy
Porter waiting at Top while Jared Slides down at "Kenton's Cove"

Work Party at West Valley Centennial Pool

Natalie isn't afraid of heights! YIKES!!

Neither is Porter! There goes my Baby!

Surf n' Swim with friends, Peter and Sophie

Oh Where! Oh Where, Has My Blogging Gone?

Ok So I took the summer off of Blogging. Actually I really didn't have a choice. Having school out really messed up my routine. With kids home, I had no time for the computer, or should I say I didn't get any time ON THE computer. Now... oh wonderful, wonderful school! I have time to myself. I'm not breaking up fights, nagging about chores, driving kids from one place to another, and trying to entertain! Blessed SCHOOL! Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my kids this summer, it's just by August, we are ALL ready to go back to school!

Natalie and Porter 1st Day of School

Porter started Kindergarten this year. My last one to finally get to go to school. Did I cry? Not quite. Actually I went Grocery Shopping and enjoyed it for once. I took my time, didn't have to detour the toy section, to get to the other side of the store, I took the time to read labels and compare prices and didn't have any surprised purchases in my cart, it was wonderful.

Tribute To The King of POP!

8th Grade

Thriller Album

Please don't laugh! This has been a nostalgic day for me! Yes! I was one of millions of girls who fell for Micheal Jackson. During my 7th and 8th grade, He was a BIG idol. He made the "MOONWALK" He made music videos historic with "Thriller", I even believe he made me addicted to Pepsi, when he made that famous hair burning commercial for Pepsi. I had 12 posters of him hung in my room, along with banners, t-shirts, and countless of buttons. I cut up every picture found of him in magazines, and pasted them to my locker. Yep! I was one of millions during the "Thriller" era of the 80's! Today I sat. I sat and surfed YouTube, and watched all the music videos he made (the only good ones from "Thriller" and "Bad" albums). I made Kailey watch most with me. She even agreed that he was much better looking BLACK! However, I grew up and by ninth grade, my dreams of Micheal, were replaced by realistic boys my age. But it was fun to realize, that Yes, I was very apart of the Michael Jackson craze of the 80's. I guess this how many of the women my parents age felt like when Elvis died. It's really too bad that Micheal Jackson got so weird in the 90's. I have to keep reminding my kids that Micheal Jackson that I loved, was a very talented singer, songwriter, and dancer. And that was 25 years ago. NOT NOW!!

My Cute Grandma!

Flat Stanley

I'm not sure if you are familiar with the "Flat Stanley" stories. About a boy who can travel to different places inside an envelope because he is FLAT. In second grade, Natalie's class sent Flat Stanley to visit someone they knew that lived far away. Natalie sent Flat Stanley to her Great Grandma Wheeler ,(my Grandma) who lives in Star Valley Wyoming. I laughed so hard to see the pictures that grandma sent back to Natalie's class. Some times I think Grandma's and Grandpa's are just so cute. My Grandma really got into this project and sent everyone in Nat's class a personal postcard. I wish I could visit with her more often. Sometimes, that's all they need, is someone to come visit. I Love You Grandma!!!

One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Teasure!

Tis the season for YARD SALES!!! I personally don't like them, however, I know people who dedicate Saturdays in search for them. When my smaller kids come home begging for money, I Immediately know there is a yard sale somewhere near by. I have come to realize that my children like hanging around these yard sales until the people are ready to be done, and start giving away stuff. By the end of the day, my children come home with such treasure!!!

Porter was so proud of this new found tresure.......until I pointed out that it had a dancing girl on it. Quickly this treasure once again became trash!! It was kinda sad to see him so disapointed. what he thought was so great, ended up not being that great after all. A lesson to be learned by all!!

Seeing and Believing

Ive heard from others, that Kelsey is a sweet, outgoing, fun, respectful, great all around teenager. I for one have not seen this in her, for many years. So you can imagine my surprise when I got a letter in the mail informing me that Kelsey was nominated as Student Of The Month at school. I think I was more excited than she was, because as her parent I got to accompany her to an award breakfast! It was awesome!!

This is more like the Kelsey I know. Actually this is her dressed up in some 80's get-up for spirit week at school. Really? I mean REALLY? Hey I'm straight from the 80's and I don't quite remember looking like this. I told Kelsey she only had to wear an "I LOVE MICHEAL JACKSON" t-shirt or button, and that would be good enough. I do remember however, the Big Permed Hair-Do's, baggy sweat shirts, stirrup pants, Layered socks with converse, and tapered pants. Florescent came and went really fast, along with mini skirts. But if you had a Member's Only jacket, Op shorts, IZOD pollo, or Jordache jeans, you were really cool!

Of course there weren't cell phones, in fact not even cordless phones. Everyone just had LONG cords so we could go into other rooms if we wanted privacy. Talking on the phone was a favorite pass time, I can see that has somewhat stayed the same, except that it's texting now.

Yes! I had many of perms, and used lots and lots and lots of hair spray. Oh and you can't forget the "wrap-around" braces that most of us had to wear for 2 or more years. Kid's today don't even know how good they have it!!!

Easter Break and Break Easter Traditions

The day of matching Easter Dress is now in the pass. I grew up having to match Easter Dresses with my sisters, and having girls myself, carried on the tradition. Yes, some years were difficult finding matching dresses, but I did it! Today........NO MORE!! My teenagers REFUSE to match anymore! What?!!? I was heart broken, yet if you have teenagers, you know that some things are not worth arguing over, so yes, I gave in. In fact I gave Kailey the car keys and credit card and said "take your sister's and go pick your own dresses this year!" Hum...I've got to say it was one less thing I had to worry about, and kinda nice!

Dying Easter eggs too has kinda changed. Yes all the kids had their eggs, and decorated them the way they wanted, however, again the teenagers changed the tradition, of letting the "Easter Bunny take the eggs to hide, so they could find their own decorated eggs in the morning. Instead my two teens decided to cracked their eggs open as soon as they were dyed, and made egg salad sandwiches. I was miffed! Why did they even bother dying them? I know I too, was a teenager, yet I can't seem to understand my own.

For one day of our Easter Break, We decided to go up to Daddy's stomping grounds. He showed us all around the campus of the University of Utah. We went to the History Museum, and then to a favorite student hangout, "The Pie" for lunch.

porter running from the dinosaur. (he thought that was way funny)

Natalie inside a bubble of an aquarium

Kelsey and Kailey next to a Wolf. (they were hoping it was Jacob from Twilight)

Kailey and Kelsey sitting on a large Dinosaur Bone.

"Ketchup" Anyone?

Ok It's been a month since my last entry. So I'll try and "Ketchup" (hee, hee, hee).

I'll be serious. What a month. Not too exciting, just busy, busy, busy!! So I'll not bore you with endless reading, I'll just "reader digest" the high lights!

March 15th-18 I went on a Girl Friend Retreat! BFF's

since 2nd grade, Wendy, Laura and I drove down south to St. George for our 2nd annual get away. We stayed in Wendy's Condo, and Relaxed! No cooking, No cleaning, No Time table. Just pure relaxation. We went to an all day spa and got massages, facials, and pedicures. We ate out, laid by the pool, swam, shopped, and even hit the movies. Money was running out, and we soon realized we'd have to come back to reality. I can't wait until next year!!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

The weather has been crazy. One day it is 70 degrees, next day it will have snowed. March was quite unpredictable, however, there was one warm, breezy Saturday that was perfect to fly kites. Of course Porter was the only one that had a kite. Kelsey took charge, and Porter and her went out to the field behind us, to fly the kite. It went straight up, Flew, and ran out of string quickly........then flew away! The whole kite-flying experience lasted almost 5 minutes!

When It rains, you paint!!

Yea! One of my Goals this year was to paint my up stairs. I did it!! well...I painted the Living room, foyer, and hall way. I didn't get the kitchen, or my bedroom, but after the Living room, I think those other rooms will be next years project. Special thanks to Jared and Biffy for all their help, although I still think I need to paint the front door. They both voted against that. Ellie the dog, decided to be a cat and observe the painting while laying on the back of the sofa. Weird Dog!

Rare Moments!

that's all I need to say...

Lived, Laughed, Loved

In Loving Memory of My Sister Bonnie

May 1, 1975- March 15, 2008

Never Forgotten

May the bond we shared as sisters

Bring you peace when days get long.

May the love you heard in my voice

Be a warm and soothing song.

May the memories of our childhood

Fill your heart with strength and love.

May God's promise of the future

Bring warm assurance from above.

It's been one year since Bonnie died. It has been a difficult year. Anyone who has lost a loved one will know the feelings of the "First____________" without them. I have felt Bonnie's love and closeness many times. I have known she has had her hand in many decisions and situations. I am comforted to know that she is in a happier place, she is where she needs to be and doing much work. Because of my testimony of the Gospel, I know I will see her some day and will have a much anticipated and joyous reunion with her.

I love you Bonnie!

There has not been a day this last past year that I have not thought of you! Slowly my heart continues to mend. I have tried to replace the memory of that tragic day, one year ago, to random memories of happier times spent with you. A long journey still faces me and those who are left behind, I know we must endure and carry on without you. It uplifts me to know that you are here with me in spirit,

Living with, Laughing at, and loving me always,

until we see each other again.