Upper Peninsula, Summer 2011

While Lawson and Alex were here visiting we had to go to the UP. It was such beautiful weather! 

We stayed at Grandma and Papa's house and got an early start to the day.

First stop - Castle Rock Souvenir Barn

We climbed 170 steps to the top and had a good look around. From here we can see the lake (of course) and the Mackinac Bridge. And trees. Lots. Of. Trees.

This was the first time our youngins had been to the UP in a very long time. For Lawson, definitely a first!

Alex brought along her baby bump. What a trooper baby Jett was.

Colin - stand here so I can take your picture with this awesome scenery. Thanks.

A little windy, as can be expected this high up right off the water. I wore my hat on purpose.

Love these boys. So silly. 

But really, there was a little tiny fence keeping us from falling 195.8 feet to the ground.

Kirtland, Summer 2011

While Alex and Lawson were here from Idaho, we took the opportunity to visit Kirtland, Ohio, an LDS Church historical site. I have been there a few times over the years, and each time it is better. 

One of the highlights of Kirtland is the temple, the first one built in current times, although it is not used currently as an LDS temple any longer. In fact, this temple is not even owned by the church - It is owned by the Community of Christ Church. They do a terrific job of maintaining the building and the grounds, and showing people around.

But there is lots to do and see in Kirtland. The LDS church has many historical sites to see with tours by missionaries. You cannot help but feel the spirit in this place!

Starting at the visitor's center, we visited so many fun places and learned so much. At the sawmill, I have to say I was a little nervous about these humongous teeth on the blades!

At the ashery, Liam handled the shovel like a pro, and may have violated a few child labor laws.

Lots of walking, but it was such a beautiful day!

Other sites include the Newel K Whitney store, the schoolhouse and the Johnson Inn Resource Center. So much to learn!

On the steps of the Kirtland Temple.

What an awesome sacrifice to build such a House of the Lord. 

(We did discover a nest in one of the windows. Glad it was up high.)

A great place to visit and renew our testimony of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Fifteen

Colin had a birthday recently. 

Fifteen. 

Finished his first year of high school.

Lettered in track.

Taking driver's ed this summer.

Oh man, how can he be fifteen already?

Every year for his birthday, Colin wants strawberry frosted donuts. No sprinkles. 

Colin is consistent. 

When he was little, every morning he would wake up, shuffle into the kitchen, ask for Rice Crispies with milk, and juice in his purple cup. Then shuffle to the bathroom. Then back to the kitchen for breakfast. He would eat in silence - It took him a while to get going in the morning.

He did this every single day for years.

He still is a creature of habit. 

He still shuffles to the kitchen for breakfast. He still needs some time to wake up, and still very quiet in the morning. He did switch to honey nut cheerios a few years ago though. 

Gotta watch that kid.

(Black and red bracelet made by his friend Emily.)

I am pretty sure one of the things Colin likes most about birthdays, besides the strawberry frosted donuts, is lighting the candles. 

He loves to get his hands on the lighter. 

Hero modified another lighter so that the flame is about 4 inches long. Colin did not get to use that one.

 Too bad.

Fifteen candles on one donut. Wonder when we will have to go to two donuts.

Love that smile.

When you turn fifteen, you blow candles out, but hopefully not out of the donut.

Happy Birthday Colin! 

Prom Night

This guy is growing up. 

Brenden went to Churchill's prom with his good friend Michelle. She graduated last year, and this is their second prom together. I love that even with her heels on, Brenden is taller.

It was a pretty hot day, so B was not wanting to put his jacket on.

He purchased a tux this year for much less than last year's rental. And he wore his own shoes - much more comfy.

Pictures were taken at a friends house. The fireplace was a nice background, but the little clock on the mantel kept popping out of people's heads.

After prom, Brenden and Michelle and friends swam and ate and hung out till three in the morning.

Staying out late is part of growing up, too.

Robin Hood

Such a bummer that these pictures are so light!

But let me explain:

On a sunny (obviously) evening recently, we were hanging around in the back yard. It was the perfect evening for just hanging around.

Nothing planned, just hanging.

A perfect time to create something entertaining.

Colin is such a creator of stuff. When he was younger, he made a ski mask and snowboard out of thick cardstock paper. It was awesome! 

He draws funny things. He makes all kinds of clever things.

This night he made a bow and arrow out of sticks and string.

It actually shot, not straight and not far, but that is not the point. The fun is in the creating and testing it out.

The fact that it did not aim well and did not go across the yard is the only reason Liam is standing out there as a target.

Although Colin tried for that target, Liam was left unscathed.

If he improves the bow and arrow, we will make sure he creates a shield for Liam.

Fashion

I love to decorate. I love to create things. I love to put things together in new ways. 

This is most likely not news.

The thing I have a hard time with is fashion.

I just do not put clothes together well. I  struggle with creating cute outfits. I cannot decorate with accessories. Not sure how this worked out.

This is my favorite ensemble:

jeans

t-shirt (long or short sleeves)

bare feet

I know. What is up with that? I could wear that every day, and really, I try to.

Jeans are my favorite. I read on fashion blogs (I do try!) about women who do not ever wear jeans. How is that possible? I love jeans. I prefer a classic look that will last for several years.

And when they wear out, I still wear them.

I garden in them. I paint in them. I camp in them.

I wear them until it is pretty much not appropriate to wear them anymore.

These look pretty good from the front. That tiny hole at the bottom of the zipper was not really noticeable when I wore them.

I love how when each time I would put them on, I could see remnants of past projects. It is like a scrapbook!

Oh boy.

Because I cannot see my backside when I am wearing jeans, I had not realized what was happening back there. 

I should have figured it out sooner, as when I would try to put my foot in them, there were too many options for where to aim. Or as I would wear them, I would hear little tears occasionally. But since I could  not see these, I just ignored that.

I had to say goodbye to these ones.

Finally.

I think I bought them from the thrift store at least 10 years ago. You know they were well used and loved. 

Time to break in a new pair. 

See what I am wearing? 

jeans

t-shirt (long sleeves)

most likely bare feet

My favorite outfit.

Reptiles in the House

We may have to call an exterminator. We have a snake in the house.
Liam is fascinated with the monster.
Liam pets it, plays with it, feeds it (with marbles), cheers for it and all around is thrilled with it.
Maybe he should name it.
OK, I guess he likes it so much because he created it.
And it is not a snake, it is The Snake.

Looks harmless, right?
Not so much.
It is a beast.
Liam worked on a school science project with three of his friends and masterminded the worlds newest roller coaster.
Using only straws, two pieces of poster board and miles of masking tape, the finished product passed all safety inspections and thrilled a lot of marbles. There were a few mishaps, mainly a marble or two jumping the edge and flying off the table, but after a quick trip to the first aid station, they were screaming down the roller coaster once again.
Oh yeah.

Check out that long slide. This is where a marble picks up speed.
After the hairpin turn through the tunnel, blinding the rider, the marble throws it's hands up through the corkscrew.
Fearless.
Everyone on the building crew had a job. The track master, Madison Keifer, engineered the blue prints. The support builder, George Norwood, whipped the straws into place, after a failed first attempt. The adhesive specialist, Deborah Sinoni, taped that thing within inches of it's life. And last but not least, Liam, being the foreman on the job, made sure everything got done in order and on time.
The construction of this masterpiece was not without glitches. After being nearly finished, a competitor demolished it with a shoe. With the deadline only days away, the crew stayed up all  night to make the necessary repairs to get it in on time.

The end of the line - a soft landing in a pool of blue styrofoam peanuts. The marble has time to catch it's breath, before being hoisted back up to the top, ready to take on the monster again.
I think if we call the exterminator, he may want to take The Snake for a ride.