Shaved Ice

It must have been on a trip to Hawaii when Noah was 4 that he became obsessed with shaved ice.  In fact, in 1st grade, his teacher asked if she could keep a paper he wrote all about shaved ice.  She couldn't believe that he could write so much (2 1/2 pages for a first grader is a lot) and it was a very funny paper describing the flavors in detail.  I really think Noah thought that Hawaii was all about getting shaved ice.  After moving here, we discovered a Shaved Ice trailer outside of Walmart (yes, next to the store I despise).  My kids beg for me to take them there every single day all summer long.  What makes me laugh the most is that we have to discuss what flavor we are getting ALL  the way there.  My favorite names for flavors are:  Tigers Blood (say it like your a pirate, it sounds better that way), Blue Hawaii, Silver Fox and Hurricane.  I'm actually very boring with shaved ice.  I like coconut....it has no color.  So even though it looks like I'm just eating ice, I'm really enjoying and savoring one of the finest flavors ever created.  

Tiger Does it Again

...Seriously, that man is a golf-ball hitting machine.  I seriously thought Rocco could and would do it.  I have mixed feelings.  I cried as Tiger Woods spoke at the awards ceremony, I'm completely touched by his talent, determination, and winning it a day after his first father's day.  On the other hand, I feel so bad for Rocco...the chance of a life time, and he fell one stroke short.  Really, he has a lot to be proud of.  The man is 45, which apparently is old for the golf world.  Way to go Tiger, and Rocco I at least know who you are now.

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THE SCARIEST SOUND EVER!!

Early this morning, Elias came in and laid in bed with me and told me stories.  He told me to close me eyes and listen to the scariest sound ever. So, I closed my eyes and heard, "Shaaaaaaaaah".  It was pretty scary, especially after I opened my eyes and saw the look on his face.  When Eli tells me a story, it is usually just a series of sound effects.  Things crashing, scary monster sounds, trains, wind, bombs, airplanes and whatever else he can make the sound for.  It also usually means that I get spit on, since he uses a lot of saliva to create the different sounds.  

When I asked him where he heard the scary sound, he said it was from a tree that has bombs in it.  However, he did tell Derek that it is from Harry Potter.  (Yes, some of you may wonder how in the world I would ever let a 4 year-old watch Harry Potter.  My answer:  some things just happen...)

Cherries for Sale!

After three years of living in our home, nature provided us with our largest harvest of cherries.  The kids watched with amazement as the cherries grew more red.  They also would wake up every morning and scream at the birds as they started eating OUR cherries.  One time, I left N and G at home to protect the tree as I ran to Lowes to get netting to put on some of the branches.  They stood their post well, and protected our precious tree from those nasty predators.  Take a look at what I'm taking about:Picking them was so fun.  When the time was right, and when the birds seemed like they were going to devour everything, we went to work. (Notice Eli's pants...that is how they always are.  People will say, "Your sons pants are falling off"  and I say, "Yeah, oh well."

It is so satisfying to see 3 full bowls of cherries that we grew right in our own backyard.  

Of course, being that I live in a home of entrepreneurs, we  sold them as well.  Cherries and Lemonade.  The kids made $10 in 1 hour.  Not too bad.

Girl's Camp

This last week I spent 3 days up in Tres Ritos, a camp near Taos, NM, with 7 of our young ladies from our congregation.  It was fabulous.  I LOVE going, and I hope that I am invited again someday.  It was a bit chilly at night, but really the weather cooperated really well.  There were probably 75 girls there from our stake, and a bunch of leaders who are also so fun.  Here's a list of good things about the week:

--Being with Theresa and Liz, the other two leaders from our ward.

--Eating an omelette out of a bag.  (You put all of your ingredients in a zip lock and then put it in boiling water---YUM!)

--The young women are so fun to be with.  We laugh, joke and feel the spirit all at the same time.  I did have to be a bit bossy, but as you probably guess, I don't mind that either!

--Being in the mountains.  I really love being out in nature.  That area of New Mexico is so beautiful, with gorgeous meadows, rivers and streams, trees, mist, and clear night skies full of stars.

--Sitting around a camp fire.  I love smelling like a camp fire....at least for a couple days.

--Hiking.  Yes, I was able to go on a long hike with the 3rd year girls.  We made it to the nob of the mountain.  The view was wonderful, and worth every step.  I was really happy that I could keep up with 14 year old girls.

--Having Derek come up Friday night for testimony meeting.  This is definitely one perk of Derek being bishop.  I loved that he could share part of this experience with me.

--Not having kids up there. (Ok...I missed them, but I knew they were well taken care of, thanks to Grandma L)

--Using the walkie-talkie from car to car.  

On the drive up and back we had a great, silly time talking to each other via walkie-talkie.   I love how goofy a bunch of ladies can be.

--Really, the highlight of this experience is seeing young women feel the spirit and strengthen their relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Also, they bond with other people who believe what they believe.  I'm so happy I got to be part of this.

Here are just a few pictures from the weekend:

Liz, me, Theresa

Nicole, me, Erin on the 3rd year hike.

All our girls.