Wholey Moley! Really?!

Today I was hit with a ton of bricks.  Not really but it felt like something and I surely didn't like it.  I have been playing volleyball with some fun friends and lately I have not been hitting the floor and going for it like in previous months.  My knees have really been hurting.  My knees have been hurting so bad that today...and here it is...I took ibuprofen before I played so my knees wouldn't hurt.  How "old-person" is that?!  I have to take pills before I do something physical.

Here is the other one that hit me today.  My father-in-law gave me some pictures from our wedding and I decided to scan them before they intermingled with the other family photos around here.  I came across a picture from the temple on that warm August morning, the sky was clear and beautifully blue.  These pictures told another story...the sky was purple, periwinkle even.  Holy cow!  Fifteen years of marriage and our pictures are already fading and showing the years.  I shudder to think of comparing that baby-faced couple to the ones who now claim the wisdom and fun and experience of those fifteen years.

(With a very weak attempt at Photoshop, this is slightly closer to how I remember the day)

Summer time Scout camp and stuff

Rob has now fully recovered from a full week of scout camp.  I have also recovered too.  Rob would not be described as outdoorsy.  Rob's idea of being out of doors is floating on a raft or sitting in a spa.  Got it?  Not dust and bugs and cold and tent.  So, after Monday through Saturday with zero contact to us, Rob returned home and was greeted with much love and adoration.  Our mountain man returned with the accompanying facial hair to which Ridge asked, "Where'd you get that beard?"  We all chatted some and share the highlights of our respective weeks events and again, Ridge inquired, "Are you gonna keep that beard?" 

While Rob was communing with nature and more than a handful of scouts, we were cooking up some fun of our own.  We picked peaches, we lunched with Grandma, we played Uno, we ate Archer's great blueberry pancakes.  We ran off to an unexpected viewing of How to Train Your Dragon in 3-D.  Cute, I would say rental for sure.  It was a bit intense at times though. 

We had dinner with Grandparents, made hand print trees, played together, and celebrated a 60th birthday.  We fixed the garage door opener with Grandpa and the sink too!  We also found a popcorn shop kind of like the one that used to be in the Meadows Mall.  YUMMY! 

I made these brownie/cupcakes for father's day/birthday too. (after all of the cooking with the peaches, I had to do something with chocolate!)

But most importantly, we all survived without a scratch.  I don't even think there were tears!  I am so glad to have Rob home, there is nothing like it.  I had a great week and am so impressed by the help Archer offered and the interactions of the children.  We all had a great week.

The week ended with a father's day celebration of just being home together because really, that is what we all needed was time together!  I am so grateful for the fathers in my life.  Rob is such a balance to me, I always marvel at how important it is to have a father and mother.  Rob lets go when I hold on.  I have really come to rely on my dad's wisdom and perspective on life.  I also appreciate my father in law's spark for traveling and exploring.  All of these men bring so much to the lives of my children and I am thankful for all they are teaching us.

That's a lotta peaches

I did it!  It took me just under a week but I successfully ate, peeled, jellied, froze, pie'd, and ice cream'd all of those peaches.  I think I am all stocked up!  Maybe some apricots from the in-laws?  Maybe just for snackin.

Toy Story 3 Prejudice

Our home is all abuzz with the anticipation of the new Toy Story movie that just came out today.  We are huge Disney fans and if it weren't for the fact that Rob has been at scout camp, we would have seen the movie already.  Dare I say maybe some of us would have tried the midnight showing?

Tonight we were at dinner with Grandma and Grandpa when Grandma commented that "Toy Story looks cute."

Ridge's quick retort, "It's not cute, there's no girls in it!"

I hope Ridge is not disappointed when Jessie, Bo Peep, and Barbie all get a little screen time!  Stay tuned.

Perfect peach

Every year just before Father's Day, we get the call.  It is time to pick the peaches.  My parents have two dwarf peach trees that supply peaches for their neighbors, friends, family, and plenty for freezing and making some jam.  Tonight was the night.  We picked and ate until we were too sticky to go on.

Is there anything better than the sweet juice of a perfectly ripe peach running down your arm, chin, and front of your shirt?

Summer lovin'

First full week of summer.  We kicked it off with marshmallow goodness.  Not one tray of Rice Krispie Treats but two. 

That's right, one regular and one strawberry. 

I have decided to work on Archer's kitchen skills and what better place to start than sweets!

FYI

When your #1 son tells you in January that he cannot find this:

Remeber that in April when he tells you that his toilet is backed up.

AND

When your #2 son denies ever flushing anything down the toilet,

Don't be surprised what your uncle the plumber pulls out of the toilet in June!