Up, Up and Away!!

In August we went up to Maine for a Balloon Festival with our "Aunties." It is such a fun festival to go to. We went the yar Jordan was 3 and Spencer was 1. We had a balloon ride scheduled but unfortunately the weather was bad so we couldn't go up. We decided this year to just watch. So we got to the festival before the balloons were going to go up. They have lots of "carnival" type foods and booths with stuff to by, etc. We skimmed over lots of that stuff, but did stop by a fun stop.

I remembered from last time that they had a balloon on it's side half blown up that you could go inside and play. The kids loved it-we all did. It was really interesting to be inside and play for a bit.

Here's the balloon from the outside.
The opening of the balloon from the inside.
The kids playing....on the orange part for Spencer of course:)

They had lots of balls inside for the kids to play with.
Every once in a while they would put the fan on to keep it blown up. Spencer laid down right in front of it-was pretty funny.
Daddy and Lanny


Awww.....my and my peeps:)


The colors inside the balloon were really cool.
After we walked around a while, we stood in the field where they were putting the balloons up. We stood and watched a bunch of balloons go up. It was soooo awesome!!



Here's a big one that took a cart to pull it out and get it unrolled.
The balloon in the cart finally up in the air. One of the balloons part way blown up.

A few balloons in the air.



We watched this one go up next to us.

Getting fired up to take off.


The following series was one we were right next to. I got up really close to get some cool shots.





I loved this balloon-we called it the "wizard balloon."

Landon was tired by the end.
The kids with Auntie Marion
Auntie Karin and Kiddos
Papa "O" with Auntie Karin and Auntie Marion


When we went to the balloon festival in the past, I know that we would see the balloons coming up over the pond. Well,we all woke up around 7am Sunday morning and this is what we saw.

It was so cool-the kids were wondering if it was going to go in the water. I would have loved to be in that basket so close to the water then to go up over the houses.


Don't worry, the balloon didn't go in the lake:)

More balloons off in the distance.

We had a blast at the balloon festival and will probably go back some day!!

Mavala Stop

I took the kids to the dentist a weeks ago or so. We, of course, discussed Jordan's thumb sucking. There will be serious dental problems if she doesn't stop-especially since her front two permanent teeth are in. The dentist told me about some stuff called "Mavala Stop" that she said some patients have told her is like magic. It old Darin about it, so he found some on ebay. The lady said she only used it twice, and didn't need it anymore, so it was pretty cheap.

Landon also sucks his first finger-which the dentist also said will be a problem in the future. I can look at his teeth and tell that it is affecting him as well. So tonight we decided to put it on both of them tonight. Jordan happily let Darin put it on, thinking it was fingernail polish-that's what it looks like-fingernail polish. Landon was half asleep when Darin did his fingers. He didn't know what was going on.

OH MAN....we did not know what we were getting ourselves into!! When we were putting the kids to bed, Landon realized what was happening. He had been asleep on the couch, so he was half asleep when we went up to bed. He suddenly started to say "my mouth is yucky, my mouth is yucky." I told him not ot suck his finger. He did not get it. He was getting much worse-crying and screaming that "my mouth is yucky."

I began to feel soooo bad. I felt sorry for him. I licked his finger to see how it tastes and it was sooooo bad. Then it made me feel worse. Darin calls me a wimp. Landon proceeded to cry for an hour, at least.

Then it hit Jordan. She kept coming down telling us that she didn't suck her thumb, but it still tasted bad. She would put her fingers up to her mouth. I told her not to even put her hand up to her mouth. She had a really hard time falling asleep as well. Ugh.

I don't know if I can take this. Now I feel so bad-are we taking away Lanny's one thing to help soothe him? Will either one of them be traumatized? Will they be ok?

Darin said he will be traumatized by the orthodontic bill if they both don't stop. I just wish there was an easier way. I don't like to see them suffer, but I guess it probably won't be the worse thing they'll ever deal with!

Reflections on life

Is it usual to be sitting in your car eating Mike-n-Ikes and have some great reflections on your life, after just having shopped at WalMart? Well, that is what happened to me the other day. It was a very interesting experience. I just had all these thoughts come to me. I wanted to type it up the other day, but I have seriously had a really busy week!

Anyhow, I was shopping for allergy medicine, trash bags, school lunch snacks, etc. I was thinking that this is my life....somewhat mundane at times, BUT it is exactly what I wanted. Oh man, hope I can get this down the way I want. Here are some simple thoughts I had:

I love being a mom. Some days are rough-not going to lie about that. For sure some days I think that life was so much easier when I was single.

I like doing the mundane things. My family needs me. It is all a part of life. We have trash, I have to get the trash bags-we have allergies, I need to get us some medicine.

I like being busy-when I have lots to do, I seem to do better-weird, I know. If I don't have lots ot do, I tend to waste time.

I was thinking all these sorts of things and it made me so grateful for what I have. I have a wonderful husband, 3 great kids, a nice home, good friends. a wonderful ward to attend. I think I needed to be reminded of these things. I've been a bit over dramatic about not having another baby. Darin has repeatedly told me that I keep obsessing about what I don't have instead of trying to make what I do have better.

I've been in denial about that-my obsessing I mean. I spent too much time a few weeks ago obsessing about another baby. How fair is that to the amazing children I do have? Man I love them and am sooo thankful I am entrusted with their care. I also spend so much time worrying and beating myself up about not being the "perfect" mom.

More thoughts....

I'm not perfect and it's ok. I have repeatedly lamented to Darin that I want to be "known for something." So and so does this....so and so does this....yada yada yada. That's just plain dumb. I know that in my brain and am working hard on getting my heart to know it as well. Teaching your primary class a lesson on talents opens your eyes to how Heavenly Father sees you-which is what is most important:)

When I think my prayers aren't being answered and that I'm not listened to , it's MY doing, not my Father in Heaven. It's my lack of faith and my pulling away from him.

Prayer does work, the answers may not come when I want or how I want, but the way that's the best.

Reflections on a busy life:

Since school has started, seems like I life has gotten crazy!!

The kids are doing very well and have gotten right back into a school schedule. Although we are NOT a morning type house. There is really only 1 person in this house who wakes up early and happy, and I don't have to get him ready for school!!! Man, it really is tough around here in the mornings.

We're working on it.

Homework.....ugh.

We're carpooling with a neighbor, so that is fun. I'm watching Patrick and his sister Regan again. So some days at school I pick up 5 kids. I get some looks, but some laughs, and smiles, too:)

I started teaching tot classes at the rec center. This session I am teaching 3 classes of tumbling and gymnastics in a row. Whew-Landon and I were both tired by the end. Doesn't help to have allergies so I sound like I have a frog in my throat. That's getting better. But overall I really loved it-the kids were SO CUTE!! One class is all boys and man are they busy!!

Did you know that 8 18 month olds have a VERY tiny attention span? If I didn't know that before, I do now!!

I started Jordan's brownie troop this week. I was a bit worried leading up to it, but the meeting worked out well and I think we'll have a really great group. i already have some moms volunteering for some stuff-just have to have a cookie mom soon!!

Kids had check ups this week. Pretty healthy kiddos. I was surprised to see that Spencer was in the 80% for weight and 90% for height. Seems so skinny to me-guess that's 'cause he's so tall. Jordan's in the 75% for both.

I have healthy kids, but struggle with dental care. Spencer had some cavities...I wanted to cry. I do brush his teeth, guess not enough. Is it and excuse to say that everyone in my family has bad teeth? There has to be some heredity involved there. And why do my boys have some weird thing where they have extra big molars-they have like one more side to them-weird.

Spencer is 5 and is getting 6 year molars. Explains whey he chews on everything.


I think I'm now wanting to make the longest post in my blog history.

Let's see, what else.....

Oh, I spent some time at the kids school yesterday. LOVE IT!! Had lunch with Spencer then did some work for his teacher. Had lunch with Jordan then helped her teacher.

Seriously LOVE IT!! Kids are so happy when they see me, and the teachers were thrilled to get some help.

Ok, I really must got to bed.

The bottom line-I love it-driving kids around, doing mundane errands, laundry, cooking, arranging playdates, setting up Brownies, laughing with the kiddos....

hearing Landon say "I wasn't crying" when I pick him up from school.

Cuddling with Lanny in the afternoon. Today my visiting teachers were here and he got on the couch next to me and just dozed off to sleep. Poor kid has had a busy week-he was just worn out. I'm so lucky I had 3 very cuddly babies and I still get hugs and lots of affection from them. I'll take it while I can 'cause someday it may go away!

watching Jordan finally love reading,

Hearing Spencer tell about taking a girl who fell down at recess to the clinic

Both Jordan and Spencer telling me they are on "orange" at school-the highest and most super duper level of behavior on the schools behavior system.

Seeing all 3 of my kids so happy to see babies. They LOVE seeing baby Gabrielle and also Alaina-the little sisters of Jordan's best friend Liz. I have felt that it was a good sign for me to have a baby, but there are always babies to love even if they aren't ours. The boys were so cute with Gabby the other day-just so sweet!!

I also love:

Darin texting me to wish me luck on my first day of classes

Darin calling me in the middle of the day to see how I am doing

Darin playing with the kids and making them laugh

Darin gobbling up a yummy dinner I made, thanking me for it and doing the dishes.


So there you have it-the good life.

Camp in Maine

Our great friends, "auties" Karin and Marion Olson have a great "camp" in Maine. It is called Taylor Pond. We planned to go up so the kids could "camp," and go to a yearly hot air balloon festival. The campground is such a fun little place with lots of parked trailers that have rooms built on to them. It is a great place!! We loved it. The kids could go play outside and be one with nature:)

Here is a view of the lake when you are standing at the Olson's place. There's a bit of a drop off down to the small beach area and all the docks, which belong to the neighbors. Aunties do have a paddle boat we went out on, but the pics weren't so hot.


Here are pics of our tent and camping fun. Jordan said "camping is fun." In the morning, the kids were all huddled together-so funny. Darin did sleep in the tent with us the second night, which is a bit on the miraculous side. It was funny because the first night was great-a bit chilly- but great weather, but it rained the night Darin decided to join us.

The corner pic on the bottom in the above collage is a view of the camp from the lake area.
We got to camp late Friday night, but the kids were so wound up it took us forever to get them to bed. The next day a friend of my friends said she heard the kids being so excited the night before.

The kids loved the fact that they could just wander around and play.


The first morning Darin went out on an errand with Aunties so we stayed around camp. The kids started out in clothes, then we ended up putting swim stuff on when they were soaked. The had a blast!


Landon throwing shells in the pond. Here's Landon Sunday when I wouldn't let him get in the water because I thought we were going somewhere.

Landon when I let him get in the water again on Sunday. He absolutely LOVED the water.
more water play.


The kids loved playing on this dock.
Jordan collecting some treasures. The next pic is her "making a fire."



Spencer hanging out-possible contemplating the meaning of life....or guessing the flavor of his lolllipop.


Hanging out with Auntie Karin and Papa O. I'm bummed I missed getting pictures with Auntie Marion-she must have been in trailer or down at the neighbor's camp.

Here's Grammy O's wheels. Darin and the boys had fun with it.
On Saturday some good friends of the Olsons took us out on their boat. The boys were super excited, but Jordan was a bit nervous. Here the kids are getting ready to get on the boat. It was a fun ride.


Notice the look on Jordan's face. She was not happy to be on the boat. She was not convinced of the safety, so didn't get too far from her daddy. Spencer and Landon loved it. The bottom pictures is Autie Karin and Ella. The owner of the boat had his dog, too and she was running all over the boat. She jumped up on the part behind us and I was paranoid she was going to fall off. Apparently she is very used to the boat. The boys just laughed and laughed at the doggies.



Our family after the boat ride. That's some nice hair I have going on....



Here's Darin when the kids were out making a fire and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows with Auntie Karin. Wi Fi at the lake? Who 'da thunk it?
The whole time we knew we were going to "camp" the kids talked about roasting marshmallows and making smores. So Auntie Karin built a fire and we got all the stuff out. Turns out the boys just like to eat the marshmallows and Jordan likes them not toasted and the chocolate plain. But Karin and I enjoyed a couple yummy smores!! I forgot how yummy just plain roasted marshmallows are as well:)


Landon LOVED holding his stick by the fire. Jordan, Ms. Safety Conscience kept her distance and Spencer just like to watch.


We had a wonderful time and already can't wait to go back!!