Get this!

Ok, so we are in the middle of Timp Cave, oooo-ing and aaahh-ing at all the cool formations, and Sarah is BAWLING because she has to pee so bad. I'm like, 'Sarah, what do you want me to do? There is NO toilet and we are in the middle of the tour and we have to stay with the guide!' She gets so desperate she conceded to pee in her high school musical water bottle. I attempt to find some place a little private to help her and I ask the guide if there is somewhere we can go. He then proceeds to pull out this AMAZING bag (I'm actually still pretty much in awe, I know, I know, dumb but so cool!). It's a urine bag that fits ladies. I'm going to buy a case and take them where ever we go because the ladies in this family have bladders the size of a pea. Anyway, the guide shows us to a separate door so Sarah can have some privacy. I swear she pee'd for like 5 minutes straight. (Mind you, she went before we left for the canyon, and also at the restroom at the visitor's center before we left on the hike! I was shocked that she had to go so much, she reminds me of Rosie!) Anyway, I've decided to go into sales for this product! I'd make a million!

The Shire or Timp Cave? You choose.

I had to post this picture of the door to Timp Cave. We went up there on Monday and took the kids hiking. It was a wonderful day for the hike because it was in between cloud bursts, so not too hot. The kids were wonderful and had a great time. I love getting outside and doing stuff. It makes me feel real.

Experiencing technical difficulties

I'm so sorry for the Christmas background. I'm still new at blogging and haven't yet made the design up to par as far as my sisters go! But it'll get better, promise!

Raindrops on Roses, and whiskers on kittens...

Well we finally made it to the Princess Festival today. It took me one week to finish their dresses but it was so worth it. They felt totally beautiful and special and had a wonderful time learning how to become a real princess. They had an interactive adventure and they had to help each of the princesses in the stories and then they became real princesses.

When we got there it was pouring freezing rain but the sun came out and it warmed up, so we were able to enjoy the program. I love my girls and I love that they love to dress up!! We are truly girly-girls!

Three Cheers for the Princess Fest, and then three cheers for MOM!

The Princess Festival is an interactive adventure put on by a non-profit organization here in Orem. They support some villages down in Kenya and so in order to raise money they put on this festival once a year for girls 4-12. I am volunteering this year so my girls can go. I just have to dress up in my princess dress and help with registration, which I will be doing next week on Tuesday and Thursday. I loved dressing up as a kid and so I love making costumes. The one I am wearing is from a Shakespearean Era. I made it several years ago but somehow I always end up getting it out for Halloween. It's my favorite. So when I found out that I could wear it again by helping out at the princess festival, I was all over that!

I got so excited about my girls going to the festival that I decided to make them new princess dresses. I'm almost done with Mary's dress, and I'll post the picture. Creating something with my sewing machine, fabric, and my imagination and a pattern here and there, gets me so excited. I was working on it yesterday and mom called me while I was working on it, she asked me how I was doing, and I said 'FABULOUS!' She was really surprised. I guess I answer the phone too many times and I'm down and depressed. It was awesome to answer that I am doing fabulous!

Do you remember your first trip alone to the gas station?

As a child, I remember being at Grandma Johnson's house and mom would let Rosie and I walk up to the Crystal Palace on 13th East. It was this wonderful little neighborhood grocery store and we would go get an ice cream or a snickers bar. The cashier lady was married to one of the NSL police officers. She always knew who we were and it was a treat for us to get to go by ourselves to the store.

This morning Sam was up early as usual. I was out of milk and was desperately wanting a bowl of cereal. I debated letting him go to the Holiday gas station down the busy street of 1600 North. I decided that it would be ok, because he is smart and is getting more and more responsible every day. I asked him if he would do it and of course he was all over that! He got his money (which he let me borrow because I didn't want him taking my debit card) and got a backpack and was off on his bike faster than anything. He also asked if I would like a box of donuts or anything else. Is he my son, or what?!? :)

He was back in 30 minutes flat with a gallon of milk and a box of hostess chocolate donuts. (Of course it helps that my friend manages the gas station, so I texted him and told him to watch for Sam, and then he texted me when Sam was on his way back.)

I LOVE how my kids are growing up! Yeah for first time trips to the gas station by yourself!

I also remember walking all the way down the NSL hill to Orchard Drug, now that was a commitment. Rosie, do you remember how old we were when mom let us do this?

Last Day of School

Mary and Ms Lynn


Sam and Mrs Grover (he was bawling, such a tender guy)


Sarah and Ms Edwards

Today dawned bright and early. Sam was apparently trying to earn more allowance and so he got up at 5:30am and cleaned and scrubbed his bathroom, weeded one of my flower beds, unloaded the dishwasher, vacuumed the rug underneath the dining table, and was attempting to vacuum the stairs when my renter (Serena) had had enough! She stormed into my room thinking that I had asked Sam to get up this early and do all the vacuuming. I was out cold, as I tend to be at that hour. Disoriented, I told her that I hadn't asked him to do it and to send him in. He got cozy under the covers and promptly fell back asleep (which hasn't happened since he was a baby!) Anyway, he is a dude! And has some damn fine good working genes if you ask me! Grandpa was proud!

(Can't figure out why the video isn't loading, will put it in later.)Here is a video of Mary at her graduation program on the last day of school! She's got the moves!