Hello August!

Jordan worked non-stop today!! He actually got up before 11 AM. 7 AM to be exact! I have to give him a hard time about that because he loves sleeping in. Our ward had a really neat service/missionary project this morning at a family's resort in Newman Lake. They just bought it within the past year (I think) and it really needed A LOT of work so our ward had 60 hard workers go and help stain a deck, clean stuff out of the water (this is all coming from Jordan...I stayed home & helped out watching another families kids) & yard/landscaping work. After that he came home and cleaned the garage a little then started cleaning the golf cart. One thing lead to another and he decided to paint the chassis of the golf cart red. So off he went to Home Depot to get the paint. The kids & I needed some relax time in the back yard playing in the pool. We did a lot of "kerdunk-a-dunks" & had a massive water fight. I enjoyed watching the kids splash each other!! Later in the evening we went to Jill Nelson's to help celebrate her 39th & 1/2 plus another 1/2 birthday. It was so much fun to see her and all of her family! She is one of the happiest people I think I've ever met!! She is always laughing, it's quite contagious! It's always fun to visit with Pop & Ginger Jamison, Jeff & Trish, Ken & Chrissy & I can't forget the Conrads plus many more!! I miss the 15th ward!! I really enjoy the LL ward, but really miss the 15th ward!! I miss the friendships that Jord & I have made, some REALLY neat & genuine people!! Down to earth...will do anything...non-judgemental...whocares if your hair is wet when you go to church people!! I MISS IT!!! Oops, we didn't know that it was...leave your kids at home party. So we left early because our kids were getting antsy & eating all of the peanut filled M & M's. It's fast Sunday tomorrow. I hope that I remember!! Thumbs down for 1 PM church on these days!! Maybe Jordan will let me sleep in!

Grasshoppers, Fruit Loops & "Tatoo's"...Oh my!

I went to kiss Luke goodnight and I found this...

and this...

and just incase you couldn't quite see it the first time...

Apparently his books were not keeping him occupied enough that night. The next morning I asked him to go look in the mirror. He came out laughing and I asked, "What happened last night?" He said, "Well I finished my little rig book and I found a pen and I wanted to give myself a tattoo, Mom." Jordan & I are just glad that the only damage done...you can see in the photos and was washable!

Summer Fun Jar brought us lots of excitement this week!

Fruit Loop necklaces!!! They learned patterns, sorting, counting, small motor skills & most importantly fruit loop necklaces serve as a wonderful lunch!



Friday, we tried paper cup volcanoes...lets just say when the volcano backfires (or lack thereof) make the most of it and catch grasshoppers & sing into CB radios SUPER LOUD!! We had the Prince kiddos over today because their mommy had a very cute & healthy Baby girl, Sydnee. I had the privilege of taking the kids over to the hospital and they thought it was really funny that the security guard had to "wand me down." Gosh, I forget how little babies are. I have to say my friend, Bonnie who had little Sydnee went through natural labor. No epidurals. Yeah, she's Super Woman!! She looked absolutely exhausted but very happy...Congrats Prince family!!!

Bright & Early Risers!!

Today I was getting up to go to the gym (yes, I am 'old school' I can't get myself to call it "THE CLUB"...as Fancy Nancy would say, that sounds too posh for me...anyways) and I saw a family taking a leisure stroll. Some may call it a Family Walk. I ask, whose kids are up and taking a walk at 5 AM in the morning?? I thought my kids were early risers. Wow!! Maybe they were taking a walk before it got too hot! It's hard enough for me to roll myself out of bed at that time every morning! One morning in May Luke woke up right as I was leaving. He begged to go with me! After several minutes of trying to coerce him to go back to sleep I could tell that I was losing the battle! So, I decided I would take my exercising outside that day. I said to him..."Fine, but mommy's running & if you ride your bike, you need to keep up with me & I'm listening to my music so I won't be able to hear you if you talk." I'm SO mean! He did great for about 3 minutes. I had to keep turning around saying..."Come on, just like Light'ning McQueen. Come on, faster." I felt like if anybody saw what was happening they would say...Why is she torturing that boy? Well, needless to say that it took 3 times as long as it usually does...but the important part is that he had fun & every time I say I'm going to exercise he asks if he can go. I usually say, "No, not this time buddy. Maybe next time." He even tells me that he will "hustle across the street & drive like light'ning McQueen." I hope that our children will have this much enthusiasm for exercise in years to come. I hope that I am able to still keep up with them too!

I didn't forget...

Portland Temple...was the place...

I know this is about ummm...over a week late, but better late than never at all, right?

Ahhh, reminiscing about what happened on July 20th, 2000 brings back some wonderful memories!! It's been a quick 8 years and I know that the next phase of our life will go by just as fast. I LOVE YOU JORDAN!! Thank you for being so patient & loving me unconditionally!! Thank you for the love letter last Sunday!! It made my day & I will add it to my cherished collection! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Amanda