Why didn't they think of that?

At dinner tonight we got talking about the mormon pioneers since "Pioneer Day" is coming up. I was telling my kids that some groups had horses and wagons, some had oxen and carts, and some just had handcarts, but even with all those most still had to walk over a thousand miles. I told them it took the pioneers months to get from where they were to Utah instead of just one day for us (in a car, airplane, etc.). Kaden looked up at me and matter of factly said, "Why didn't they just run?" Hmmm... Good question! I wonder why they didn't think of that!!

Happy 29th Barfday... I mean Birthday!

So this is how I celebrated my 29th birthday! If this is what it's like to get older, you can count me out! Our kids had a touch of a stomach bug earlier in the week and passed it to me and Nate for the weekend. We spent the majority of Saturday laying in bed and hoping the kids were being good... lucky for us they are super good kids! (Although this morning the house looked like there was no parental supervision for 24 hours!) Nate was about 12 hours ahead of me so it worked out quite nicely if you can even say that. Well, I felt better in the beginning of the day and he felt better in the evening, so we were able to at least get our kids fed, but we both felt like crap all day. I would have to say it hit us harder than them. As you can see, they look as happy and healthy as ever! I never had to use the blue bowl... if you get my drift!! Sooo, no cake, no candles, no yummy dinner. Just a bowl, a bed and a bathroom!!

On a happier note, we are feeling much better today and I did get a Canon xti for my birthday. It arrived a couple days early so I was able to enjoy it before this birthday ruining stomach flu killed all the fun! Now I just have to learn how to use it to its potential :)

T-BALL

Kaden played T-ball again this year. He never acted very excited about playing though. Every time I'd ask if he was excited to go to his game he would say,"No." I'd ask him why and he'd reply with, "Because it's hot and I have to run a lot!" But as soon as he was with his friends playing and being silly he was happy to there. In his last game he played really well and even slid into home... I missed capturing it, but it was sooo cute and very well done.

Great job, Kaden!!

Tim McGraw- Live Your Voice Tour

I have the sweetest husband in the world! He took me to the Tim McGraw concert on June 27th. We rode his Harley there and had a great time. Halfway 2 Hazard and Jason Aldean opened the concert. Tim even came out and let the crowds maul him while the other bands played. I have to admit I was a bit jealous that I was in my seat and not one of those buying a drink (a.k.a. beer) right then! The price we pay for obeying the word of wisdom!! He sang a few new songs here and there and of course there was an encore... do they ever really leave the first time they step off stage??? It was soooo much fun. Thanks Nate for such a memorable date.

4th of July

So our 4th of July celebrations started on the 3rd. Nate's parents invited all of their kids and grandkids over for a campout in their backyard. The kids had so much fun playing, swimming and watching the outdoor movie. Nate wanted to sleep under the stars with our kids. Rachel was the only one who stayed awake long enough to find the "big spoon"... I mean Big Dipper! I went back to the comfort of my own home and bed with Haley for the night. I know... party pooper! The morning of the 4th we had a dutch oven breakfast and the kids did some more swimming. They can never get enough of it! We came home after lunch and enjoyed being home since we had just gotten back from Rexburg the afternoon of the 3rd. We didn't buy any fireworks of our own because we planned on watching the Pleasant Grove city's firework show from our backyard. We waited and waited and waited. We took a lot of silly pictures to entertain ourselves. Then our neighbors started their fireworks and of course our kids had to watch. I was afraid our neighbors were thinking we were cheap and just planning on watching theirs all along. I made sure I let them know we were just waiting for the city to do theirs. We thought we would just put them to bed after that and went inside. As we were finishing up scriptures we heard the big booms and looked out my bedroom window. There they were high in the sky! We couldn't see the lowest fireworks, but it wasn't bad from the comfort of our own house. The kids watched, but were so tired that they didn't care much.... but of course would never choose to just go to bed instead!

What a wonderful country we live in! How blessed we are!

Good Old Rexburg

On June 29th our family headed over from Bennington to Rexburg to visit my sister, Marci and her family. Nate had work in that area so instead of me being home alone with the kids like usual we decided to tag along. Nate worked late most days so we really didn't see him that much, but it was nice to know we were at least sleeping under the same roof. We went swimming in the neighbor's pool, slip-n-slidin' and to the park. We watched movies and played, played, played. The kids had so much fun with their cousins. They never like leaving and get pretty sad when that time comes. We hope we didn't drive the Harwards too crazy and that they'll want us to come back again. Thanks for the fun!

Priceless

I love this place! I don't think I would ever get tired of visiting Grandpa and Grandma Crane's farm. With both of them gone now, it's even more of a treasure to me. I have so many great memories... priceless!

The Crane Reunion

The Crane reunion is held in Bennington, Idaho each June. I enjoy going and taking my kids so we can be in the "country" for a day or two and of course, to reconnect with family. My kids love to hike the small mountain right by camp that I hiked as child. Rachel even collected snail shells with her cousin Lissa just like I did with my cousins back in the day. They get really dirty and their shoes are always muddy by the end from the ever tempting creek that runs through camp, but to me it is all worth it. We threw them all into the tub at our hotel and put them to bed. You can see by the picture how the boys slept! We attended church in Bennington the next day. That was interesting!! Let's just say one woman who spoke in sacrament meeting got a PG-13 rating on her talk from a local cousin of mine. I didn't even know that was possible, let alone there was even a rating system for talks! We visited the cemetery where my Grandma and Grandpa Crane are buried then ate lunch at my aunt and uncle's home. I am so blessed to be a part of the Crane family and hope my children will know what a great legacy they've been given.

Tagged

My sister, Janice tagged me so sorry if this is boring to you. I decided I would play along. ;)
I will list 3 of each- joys, fears, goals, obsessions/collections and surprising facts.

Joys

1. My family

2. When the laundry is done and put away. (A short lived joy... I know.)

3. Planting flowers, shrubs, trees, garden/watching them grow.

Fears

1. Public speaking (I know I copied you, Janice, but I'm right there with you.)

2. Scary movies (I refuse to watch them. Not worth it!)

3. I won't succeed as a wife and mother (silly, but what if I really suck at it!)

Goals

1. To not complain so much (I don't realize I'm doing it. Sorry!)

2. To get my photos/scrapbooking organized

3. To have more "me"time (Sounds selfish, but it is needed for a happy balanced home.)

Obsessions/Collections

1. Tim McGraw (He's really not an obsession and I definitely don't collect "him". His music... yes, I collect that. I just like him... as a friend!! I'll shut up now. I know I'm going to be made fun of by certain people... you know who you are.)

2. Bajio's flauta salad with the vinaigrette dressing (limit: one per week max.)

3. I collect my magazines to recycle (boring, I know!)

Surprising Facts

1. I had my bellybutton pierced once upon a time.

2. My appendix had been ruptured for three weeks by the time it was discovered when I was 8 years old. (Old news to most of you and I changed the wording of this if you read it earlier.)

3. I hate mustard!

So now I get to tag 3 people to answer the same. I tag Jamie, Jess and Julie B.