Scouts

Thanks to a great lady, I have some pictures of Jory getting his Life Rank. Thanks so much Amy!!

End of summer and back to school.

A lot has happened these last few weeks before school and since school has started.

I was released from Young Women's and called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher. Talk about a 180. No more laughing and giggling. Instead I shake and studder trying to get through a lesson. I miss the girls but have to admit, I like not planning activities. I was running out of ideas. They were sweet though and gave me a "Heart Attack." I kept it on my door for a few days and then saved all the notes in a book. I knew it was time to be released. With my kids growing up so fast, I really was feeling like I needed to focus on them.

So we ended the summer with another fun filled trip to Silverwood. Jory's leg was still hurting, so he kept Cody at home and I took the rest of the family. We had a blast. Camri had to suffer through a few big rides, but we managed to hit every roller coaster in the park. I don't think I've ever screamed so much. It was great spending the day with them.

Next, we decided to potty train Cody. It took a whole two weeks. Then one day he figured it out and we've only had one accident since. It was easy as pie. Also, he finally let me cut his hair thanks to the big crane in our back yard. He watched the crane lift buildings and I cut. Camri and Dallin went to school on the 31st of August. Camri is in the third grade and is a social bug. She loves playing basketball at recess. She starts piano again if I can remember to send her. We already missed our first lesson. Dallin is now a big fifth grader. He asked to get a hair cut because it was so long he couldn't see through his bangs. He is earning many webelos pins and passed his WASL. He's a smart and well behaved boy. I always see Cody dragging Dallin away to jump with him.

Jory refuses to let me cut his hair. He rides a skate board everywhere. I've decided that it's a pretty nice mode of transportation. I sent him to the store one day and he was home in no time flat. He's now in the eighth grade and starting high school math. He loves his guitar class and hopefully will start focusing on it more. But his best accomplishment is his Life Rank he earned in scouts. He only has a few more merit badges and an eagle project and he will earn his Eagle. The goal is before he's 14. Kylie is now a Sophomore at Pasco High. She tried out for the volleyball team and made JV. She's really loving it. She is one of the captains and is showing a lot of leadership on the floor. Her last game she made 8 serves in a row and a few kills. She plays strong side and middle back. Kylie also tried out for the 10th Avenue singers. It was fun to help her pick a song and practice it. She called Wednesday morning to let me know she made the group.

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for the opportunity I have to be the mother of these five amazing children. I love spending time and being with them. Nothing could be better!

Boatalicious

Last summer Jory asked his grandpa if he could have his boat. Grandpa said yes and now we get to play on a 1964 Skagit. It runs great. It took us a while to get it licensed in Washington but have finally been able to take it out a few times. I also finally remembered to take my camera. The water was a little rough, so the pics aren't very good. We've had tons of fun boating in the 100 degree weather. I'm addicted and want to go out all the time. Wish you were here Jeni! Sorry we didn't get it licensed when you were.

Jory's injury is a result of a previous tubing incident. As he bounced in the air his other ankle hit his shin. It started out as a big knot on his shin and turned into this.

Oh what do you do in the summer time?

Oh what do you do in the summer time?

Do you jump on the trampoline with water underneath?

If that's what you do, so do we!!!

Our old trampoline was picked up by the tri-cities' wind last fall and blown over the fence to the neighbor's yard. Needless to say, it didn't survive. My children have been begging for a new one. I finally ordered one and it arrived last week on the hottest day of the summer. With Jory L. and Jory T. at Priest River for a camp out, and Kylie at school, the job of setting it up was left to Dallin, Camri and I. It took us a few days and a few bad words (that's what I said literally, "Bad Word!" instead of the choice words I would like to say as I fumbled with tools and instructions.) I think we did a pretty good job. The kids are loving it and so do I. No more "I'm bored" being said around our house.We also celebrated my husband's 39th birthday! Glad it was him and not me! Cody once again insisted it was his birthday and when Jory blew out the candles he cried. We had to relight them.Cody was thrilled to see this backhoe in our backyard. He loves seeing the tractors at work on the new building. I'm just glad it will be behind the neighbor's and I get to keep my view of the windmills and baseball stadium fireworks.

I love summer!

I just love summer: sleeping in, swimming, exercising, playing with the kids, going for walks, having nothing much of anything planned. Young women hike up Badger MountainTour of the Lady Washington at the Port of Pasco. It was one of the ships used to film Pirates of the Caribbean. Love those movies.Swimming with lots of friends at the Red Lion pool.

It's hard to believe it will be time for school in little over a month! I guess we'll just enjoy it while we can:)

What a Month

It's been a very busy month. We started out with Camri's baptism. It was fun. My mom came and brought Ashton, Camri's cousin. Jory's mom brought five more cousins. Jory's dad flew in Saturday before the baptism. We all had a great time. I had the privilege of giving my first talk for a baptism. I thought as a mom, you were excused from that because you did about everything else. It was fun to talk though and tell some stories about the Holy Ghost. Then Camri was the first to be baptised. The water was super cold. My husband was sure to tell everyone. In fact, Camri walked right in and Jory complained that he couldn't do it. I about went over there and pushed him in. He slowly made it down into the fount and baptised my poor freezing girl. It was a very nice day.

We kicked the boys out to make sure we had enough room. The girls didn't want to be left out of the fun. All of Jory's family and Ashton.

After the baptism came my sister Jeni and her three kids all the way from Arizona. It was so much fun to have her visit. Her kids are cute. Jeni and I are the two in our family who live far from home, so we don't see each other very much. We had fun watching movies, going for walks and letting Kylie drive us around the Tri-cities. At one point we had a huge rain storm and all the kids went out and played in it.

We also celebrated Nathan's fifth birthday. He showed me his warrior dance. I love her kids.

My mom stayed while Jeni was here and when they left, they piled in my four extra kids so I could go to girls' camp with Kylie. The kids were so excited to spend a week in Idaho riding four wheelers, swimming in the pond and sleeping under the stars. I had a blast at girls' camp slip and sliding, riding horses and being spiritually fed. It was a great week.

When I got home, I washed clothes, took Kylie shopping for food and drove off Saturday morning leaving my 15 year old home with her dad while I went to to get my kids and go to the Ure Family Reunion.

Monday, we headed to Utah to the Timpanogos caves. We had a beautiful campground. On Tuesday, we hiked the 1.5 mile trail to the caves. Cody walked about 10 feet and then Jory T. and I had to take turns carrying him up the mountain. By the time I got to the top, I was drenched with sweat and my legs were noodles. The caves were amazing and I loved every minute. Getting down was a little easier, but still a workout. When we got back to camp, the kids swam in the creek. It was lots of fun. I couldn't have done it without my scout Jory. He's a great help.
On our way home from Utah, my car decided to break down and my brother-in-laws had to take care of it for me. I felt pretty useless. Rob got my car to his house with the help of his neighbor, and later Jonathon fixed it.
Finally, we celebrated the fourth of July with Grandma and Grandpa and the Adamsons. We watched the fireworks and set off some of our own. Grandma was also nice enough to bake me a cake for my birthday. I have the best family ever. Thanks to everyone!!! Shauna for a great reunion; Jeni for taking my kids and coming to visit; Tiffani for keeping the boys entertained; Diedre for riding home with me; Rychael for the laughs (I don't think I'll ever forget that bath); Denelle for coming to my rescue after the car broke down; Rob for helping tow my car; Jonathon for fixing my car with such a great attitude; Teri for coming to see me before I left; Mom for being so calm when the car broke down and for taking such great care of my kids; Dad for letting us stay and play. Family is what it's all about.

Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays and more!

We had three birthdays within the last month. Camri's is today and we are excited for ice cream cake a little later. I'll have to post her pictures another day. Hopefully it won't be a month.


Kylie celebrated her 15th birthday in April and Jory T. celebrated 13 two days ago. These two teenagers are keeping me busy and poor. Between scout camp, driver's education, birthday presents, girls' camp, and European tours next summer, I better start looking for a job. Here are a few high lights. Kylie was accepted to Washington's Ambassadors of music which will tour Europe next summer. Anyone need a babysitter? She's available!

Kylie was born at my Uncle Ross's house. I had a Dr. who delivered at home, but I was the night manager at a hotel and lived in the apartment above. I didn't want to deliver there, so I asked Ross and Phyllis if I could have the baby at there home in Victor, ID. They were so kind and opened there home to us. It was a long drawn out labor. 24 hours of wondering if I was really going to have a baby or just die. I was so tired, at one point I told Jory, "I'm pooped," which translates to being tired in our household. My mom replied, "It's okay, lots of women do that during labor. It's natural." I remember thinking I would laugh if I wasn't so tired and in so much pain. It was worth it. Without one stitch or tear, she came weighing 7lbs and was 20 inches long. She was beautiful. She had this spiky dark hair. She was perfect. At one point when she was scowling, my husband looked at her and said, "She looks like Jack Nicholson." I could have kicked him because when I looked at her again, she did look like him. Talk about ruining a moment.


Jory Taylor was also born at home as well. I had him at my mom's house with a midwife. He was 15 days over due. My sister Teri was also having a baby and due after me. Of course, she had her's and I cried. My mom said, "Let's go shopping and see what happens." We went to Idaho Falls and got groceries. I started a with a few irregular contractions. On the way home, we stopped by the hospital and saw Teri with her new baby girl. She was so cute! Happy birthday Haili! Anyway, on our way out the receptionist said, "False alarm huh? They're sending you home?" I just smiled and thought, "I could kick you!" By the time we got home, labor was steady. I went all through the night. By 5:30 everyone was awake, and I started pushing. I guess I was pretty loud because my dad said he couldn't stand it anymore and came to see if I was okay. Well, he saw a lot more than that. The baby was crowning and out he came. I remember looking at him and wondering what was wrong with him. Then it hit me. It was a boy! The first grandson on both sides. I named him Jory Taylor. Jory hubby didn't act too thrilled about naming the baby after him, but I insisted. He was 9lbs 1 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He was so big and strong. My sister in law came a few days later and said she brought Jory a present. I was so offended. I had the baby. I should get a present. Then I realized she meant the baby. So we called him Taylor until Kindergarten when Taylor insisted on Jory because there were too many girl Taylors. It gets confusing at times, but he's Jory. I thought at one point we'd go to JT, but it never stuck.

Since we went to Idaho for spring break, Jory has asked for a dirt bike for his birthday. I said no! As we've discussed, I'm broke. However, a very nice man said Jory could borrow one of their bikes for a few years until he can buy his own. Then, my sister found him a snowboard for $8.00 at a yard sale. I figure, this kid must be praying pretty hard and having a lot of faith. Thanks again Nell!!!!

The following picture is what happens when you send your teenager outside to babysit the little brother. I didn't even know this happened until we downloaded the pictures the other day.

My husband finally built the bunk beds for Camri and Cody. Cody was lots of help. He used lots of screws; tested the strength of the beds as they were made; and just made the whole process a lot more fun. Cody also enjoys climbing on the counter tops. One day I found him playing in the water, so I took off his wet clothes and he decided a bath in the sink would be great.