The Last Official Week of Summer

I've had these pictures uploaded for a week and still haven't finished the post. Somethings wrong with me for sure!

My mom planned a camping trip (the only one for us the whole summer) for the last weekend of Summer. Since I was testifying all week, I had to get ready fast. So I left my Mom's by 10am on Friday, got back in town just after noon. Sat in Safeway parking lot feeding and changing Winston. Did the shopping for camping, while throwing in a public bathroom potty break. Home by 1:30pm. Packed all camping gear and everything for a family of 5 in the car. Matt's home by 3:30pm, helps getting the last in the car. Ready to roll by 4pm. At the campground just after 4:30pm. Not getting grumpy doing it all...Priceless!

Despite the weather conditions, it was an enjoyable weekend. All the family that came were Mom and Pop, Milo, Mel and fam, and Aunt LaVoy, Uncle Alan and Kristen. Also the Poteet's came up for the first night. It was fun having them there as well.

When we first got there, it was really hot and seemed to be a promising weekend. Within a few hours the wind picked up for a while, but calmed and we didn't even need jackets that night. The wind blew a little during the night, but calmed after a while. Saturday was a lot cooler. We wore jackets most of the day and at one point, made a fire again and even warmed up with a cup of hot cocoa. Just before Mom finished dinner Saturday night it started raining. It rained for about 2 hours, and then was done. The fun had just begun.

That night the wind wouldn't let up. I take that back, it would come in gusts. It really started just before midnight. At least that's when it woke us up and blew so hard it pulled the stakes for our tent out of the ground. Matt had to hammer them back in, in the dark, wind and rain, while I pushed against the wind on the inside of the tent. The wind was so crazy and would make the tent just sway, push the sides of it in until it was touching us, and whipping the tent back and forth. It was just so loud!! I was up for an hour or more stressed that the kids would be woken up and planning the details of just driving them home and coming back in the morning to pack up. Quinn woke up, but didn't make a peep, just stirred, sat up a few times and eventually went back to sleep. I eventually went back to sleep and would only awake when the wind would die down for a few minutes. We survived the night. By 7 am, or so, we were breaking camp, and decided it was just to windy to survive making breakfast. We were packed up in record time and enjoying the buffet breakfast at the "store" by 8:30am. Haha

A few pictures of the weekend. I didn't take anything noteworthy.

All the kids gathered around the lanterns Friday night. They were watching the "grass bugs" that were attracted to the light. It looks like Kristen is telling a great story to them.
Proof that Mandy and George were there. It's a little hard to focus in the dark...hehe! The Poteet's came while we were eating dinner. I think maybe only my parents knew they were coming too. When their tent was all set up, it was dark, and George came up to my family holding Grayam. He was sick and had a really low, scratchy voice and the only thing he said to my family was, "Hi, sorry about my voice." I could see the confused faces on my family and quickly made the introduction. Later Aunt LaVoy told her version of the crazy guy stepping out of the shadows talking about his gravely voice. It was hilarious and it was brought up over and over through out the weekend! It was great having Poteet's share in our family fun. We love our Poteet's!!
I hope Aunt LaVoy will still love me after posting a picture of her. She hates pictures and will hide from them, so I try to sneak them as often as possible, in spite of her. Hehe. Here she was trying to get the animal crackers in front of her face in time, while complaining to me to stop! I love you, my most beautiful Auntie!!
Uncle Alan being the ham he is! He's just the opposite of his wife, when he sees my camera out, he just starts smiling for the pictures! Haha. I sure love my Uncle Alan!
Since it was going to be a short weekend. I voted for no hair or make up. Usually we, the Chlarson girls, do hair and make up the whole camping trip. Mom ended up having Milo pick us all up cute John Deere hats. I'm proud to say we didn't do our hair and Mom and LaVoy ONLY 'put on their eyes'. In fact, I don't think one person showered the whole weekend! Should I be admitting that!?! Haha! I even got a roasting stick, with marshmallow on it, in my hair on the first night. (Thanks Mel, hehe!) That stayed in the whole time!

Love Matt in a hat!

Reed was being so cute with Milo and his hat.

He kept trying to eat it! So, so cute he is!

Here we are the last morning at our ghetto buffet breakfast! (Thanks Uncle Alan and Aunt LaVoy!) Oh the memories!!
Aunt LaVoy was so tired of the picture taking, I think she left in a hurry just so she wouldn't be in one last picture. All us girls were wearing our cute hats and gray sweater. "Special!"
It was a great last weekend of Summer. I love and enjoy my family so much. I feel so blessed. It was extra enjoyable having Uncle Alan and Aunt LaVoy there as well. It wasn't quite the same without Grammie and Grandpa, but they were busy working at the temple. It was Grandpa's birthday that Saturday, and we didn't have cell coverage, but we all sang him "Happy Birthday" anyways!

So, So Annoying!!

The tale about the most annoying week of my life!! Ended up being WAY longer then planned, so feel free to skip.

As most people know, I was a 911 dispatcher for just over the first 3 years of my marriage. Not only did we take 911 calls, but we also dispatched the law, fire and ems for the whole county. I loved the job, loved the excitement and adrenaline rush, hated the atmosphere, and hated being away from my first born for the first 2 years of his life. Not to sound cocky (I'm far from it), I was good at my job. They ended up wanting me to train. I trained only one person before I left on maternity leave and never went back. She was older and did not retain much of anything. I knew she wouldn't last. She went through several of us trainers.

Needless to say, she ended up filing a civil suit against the dispatch center after she was let go. I was subpoenaed for the trial. (I'd only been subpoenaed once before for a murder trial that ended up not going to court.) I was so mad about it, I didn't want to go, didn't really care about the whole situation, but I had no choice in the matter. This was four years ago since I had trained her, and it just barely went to court. They called me the week before saying I would probably be testifying on Wednesday afternoon. So my plan was to go to Malcolm's soccer Tuesday afternoon and leave right after that.

They ended up calling me at 5:30pm Monday night, saying things were moving fast and wanting me to be there by 1pm Tuesday afternoon. That meant that I would have to leave that night, so that we could all survive the next day. I was having a very bad day and got off the phone and started crying. (Luckily I have a wonderful husband who holds me when I cry and helps me with whatever I need!!) I didn't need this on my list of things too! ( I was in the middle of laundry, building new bookshelves, organizing boxes from the storage unit that we are getting rid of...etc...I was busy!) I had just laid Winston down for a nap. So I quickly packed, Matt fed the kids and ran an errand for me, and by the time Winston was up, I fed him and was out the door by 7pm. I drove in the dark, all by myself, with 3 kids for over 2 hours. Luckily Malcolm enjoyed my ipod, Quinn had his blanket, and Winston was entertained by his brothers most of the time. They were angels!

I got a call the next morning (after waking up nice and early to be showered by the time the kids were up) saying things were moving slow, and they would like me Wednesday morning, bright and early. Wasted last minute driving, Ugh! Then I got a call Tuesday night, they wanted me Wednesday afternoon. Then after waking up nice and early Wednesday, you guessed it, they were still moving slow and instead of needing me right after lunch, they might get to me by 4pm. I had to draw the line there. I was very nice (I'm rarely rude and mean, it's hard for me, but in my head I want to be), and told her I really needed to know, I have 3 kids, one a nursing baby and people I'm depending on to watch them. I've already called them a hundred time to change the time too, and I didn't want to do it again. She ended up saying she'd tell the lawyer I cancelled my babysitters and couldn't be there until Thursday morning. They would like me there by 9am.

The day came and I had to be up and out the door by 8am with all 3 kids ready so my Grammie could watch them. (Thanks Grammie, you really are the best!!) I set up the play pen for Winston, told Grammie all the boys needed was the TV on and they should be satisfied. Malcolm requested popcorn, so Grammie did that too. I sat outside the courtroom listening to my ipod and playing solitaire for just about 2 hours. They came out on a break and said the plaintiff was still on the stand and they probably wouldn't get to me until "right after lunch", so I could leave and take care of my kids. Good thing since Winston wouldn't take the bottle, so I was able to feed him. (Even though he was totally content despite it. He's an angel!) My mom took over the older boys, and I went back up just after 1pm. They thought I would be on about 1:30, but I didn't end up testifying until 3:30pm. Ugh! I was really wanting to go home that day, but after such a long day (week), I decided it would be better to just get up and leave Friday morning. (I can be a sleepy driver and catch myself closing my eyes at times. Scary!)

It was such a waste of a whole week for me! I was stressed the whole time and my eczema traveled up my wrists and up my arms. (Shortly after Dad died, I started getting eczema on my hands, and it flares up with stress.) The best part of the week was coming home to a totally clean, organized house, with all the laundry done and mostly put away, and all the camping gear out of storage. I love my husband...he knows just what I need! Thank you Matthew, I couldn't have married a better man!

(I was so stressed all week, I didn't even take any pictures!)

Spring Valley Reservoir

I'm so behind!!!

The weekend before last the Poteet's invited us to go check out Spring Valley Reservoir with them. Let's just say it wasn't quite as cool as we were expecting. Matt and George tried renting canoes for the weekend, but they were all out. I wouldn't have gotten in that water on a cruise boat! It was pretty nasty looking. Just green and mucky. You couldn't even see into the water.

We took stuff for a picnic, but then the grass was FULL of grasshoppers. You walked across the grass and hundreds started jumping. I wasn't about to have a grasshopper sandwich! So we ended up driving to the "camping" area, so we could sit at a picnic table.

We came to one and started setting up, until Matt noticed a humongous beehive in the tree 6 ft away. Made me think of "My Girl". Not about to eat with the bees either. So we drove further to a secluded campsite and started fixing our lunches.

Georgey ended up having an accident, then Quinn ended up with one as well. Quinn's was worse since it wasn't just the wet kind. Needless to say, we throw away a nasty pair of underwear. All I had for him to wear was his swimsuit (since I thought we could go swimming...wrong!!), so he ended having to wear it the rest of the day.

Looks pretty, but dirty!!

So we decided to go for a hike around. Although with such a bad start, we were a little worried of what we would encounter. Besides the snake at the head of the trail, and Mandy doing the perfect girl scream, it went fine. Matt was the photographer of the hike, since I was lugging around Winston.
The boys taking in the scenery.
When they started getting too far ahead...they were reminded of the snake. Haha!
Pretty cool pictures Matt took along the way.


Georgey and Malcolm taking a rest again.
Matt handed the camera to George so we could get a family shot...he first got this one.
Then this cute one of the boys. Good job George!! Love it!
The best one of the family shot...and we all look pretty retarded...not the photographers fault.
Matt captured this cute picture of Mandy and George. Oh and Grayam zonked out! Love how Mandy is all lit up!
The hike took just over an hour to walk all the way around the reservoir. Afterwards we decided to try driving over the "Moscow Mountain". Here we are at a clearing and the boys playing on the big rock with their wood guns. Boys will find weapons anywhere.
Have you ever seen a mini van four bying? Well now I have. George is not afraid to take theirs any where. I was getting a little nervous for them. We ended up having to turn around when we didn't know if the road was going over the mountain, since we didn't fill up with gas before we left. I wasn't willing to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with 3 kids! As we left we passed by some ladies on horseback, and they said the road would eventually just end. Good thing we turned around. A picture of our cars amongst all the trees in the clearing.
The mountain was really fun. Maybe someday we can go back with a full tank of gas, and more time to explore. Better yet, maybe George and Matt would like to take a trip of their own with George's jeep!!!!

My Soccer Boys

Malcolm started soccer last week! He thinks he is something else and is loving it! He's a little shy with the other kids, but does whatever his coaches say. His team name is "Blackhawk's" and he thinks that is the coolest thing ever. Water break. His Uncle Jeff got him and Quinn these awesome soccer jerseys. They are for a team in Mexico, Chivas de Guadalajara, or something like that. At least that's what I think it is. Jeff?
He's playing really hard here. Love how he's sitting on the soccer ball.
They were stretching and then they told them to do some push ups. It was hilarious to watch, he didn't quite know how to do them and just kept bending his knees.
We were wanting to sign Quinn up for some pee wee soccer, but we don't know that we will now. Quinn was so funny, when Malcolm was getting dressed, Quinn thought he needed all his soccer stuff too. They looked so adorable all matching soccer gear. Malcolm's T-ball coach asked us if we got them just so they could match.
So Quinn put the ball down, then walked all the way to the fence...
...then he proceeded to make a run for it to kick it. Like he thinks it will help his kicking...so far, doesn't make a difference!
He grabbed my camera lens and said "Arr me hearty".
Then he proceeded to being goofy in the soccer field. Matt says it looks like his head is down in a hole!! Haha. He is a hoot!

First Day of Preschool

When Malcolm was 3 I tried putting him in preschool, but a month later pulling him out. The program and teachers were great. (In fact, Malcolm's teacher cried when I told her I was going to keep him home.) I ended up just wanting him home longer. I had worked his first 2 years of life, and I needed more time with him.

I wasn't going to put Quinn in at this age either. Especially since I decided to hold Malcolm back from Kindergarten, it would seem unfair for Quinn to go to school while Malcolm stayed home. Matt ended up talking me into signing him up, saying he needed it for social aspects. All his friends are Malcolm's age.

Since I signed him up so late, I didn't think he would get in, but the first day of school, they called and said two kids ended up not coming and won't be coming in, so they had an opening. Quinn started the very next day. He was SOOO excited. This child does not stand still for pictures and is always moving in them. He was giving me a little dance in most of these. I love how here he looks like he's flexing his trapezius muscles! Haha
We're waiting to take him to class.
He gets to be in the Sun classroom, the same class Malcolm was in at this age.
He was so disappointed I took him to school the first morning. He wanted to ride the bus so bad. So he was so excited to be able to ride it home. He came off the bus with food still on his face, and his coat inside out! Haha...it was so funny, and he thought he was some big kid! So the first day, I told Quinn how much I missed him and pretended to cry. He totally comforted me, hugging me, telling me I can't cry, because he's a big boy and needs to go to school. I still pretend some days, just because I love his reaction. This morning as I was walking him out to the bus, he told me not to cry! Haha
Malcolm is so proud of him. He told him all about the school and what he was going to do. Malcolm is totally fine being home with me and Quinn being a big boy too. He's such a great brother. He wanted to help me take him to school and get him off the bus. He insists on the hugs and kisses from Quinn as well. Too funny!

Playing, Eating and Hiking

I'm so behind on blogging, it's ridiculous. Last week we went out to a park with the Poteet's and BBQ. We went to a park a little ways out of town that we had never been too. We all liked it, and will probably go back sometime.

There was a great play area for the kids, they had a great time too. I put little Winners in this swing and he put his arms like that and made that cute, sweet face.He is just so adorable and getting so big. I wish he would stay this size forever!
Mandy was watching her little brothers for the week, and Alex jumped off the top of this hill and I took a picture. (I'll have to get that to you Mandy!) Then all the other boys thought they had to do it too. Such boys with sticks and being crazy!
This park was pretty huge. Had a huge covered area with a great big wood stove and then some of these other little shelters. You can see some of the great park behind it.
After we finished eating, it was starting to get dark, but we still decided to hit the little trail.
I put my camera on timer to take the group shot, and forgot that it was still on, while I was taking this picture of Mandy. So I just moved my camera from side to side...Haha. You're still cute Mandy!
The gorgeous sunset as we were "beginning" or hike. It looked way cooler in real life of course. I can't ever capture the moment!
George was still really hungry despite all the food we ate. Grayam looks like he enjoyed himself some too. Looks like they are some wild animals with red eyes! Haha
We thought we would find some great scenery at the top of the hill, but only found a chopped down wheat field. Then we had to hike back down in the dark. (It wasn't that far.)

Mandy emailed this picture of Matt and I. I just had to post it, since we never take picture together. She couldn't see the screen on her camera, that's why were in the corner! Haha. Love it Mands, thanks!

Part of Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend Mom and Pop came down overnight to check out Boyer Park. We've been wanting to go camping, but before they committed to it, they wanted to check it out first. We took our kites and made a very "scenic" drive there. Here's some pictures of the kite flying adventure. Not the greatest pictures since I can't get too close with my lens. It wasn't necessarily windy, but gusts would come through for a while. So here they are waiting for the wind.Quinn and Matt with the dragon kite.

Poppy and Malcolm with the shark kite.

Pop's running for it.

They got it up really high.

Matt took the dragon kite out to the little island.Can't wait to go camping here in a week, the last "true" weekend of summer. Hopefully the weather is nice and not to cold for the kids at night. I LOVE camping!!