Teaching my boy

Eric is great at so many things. I really lucked out snagging this guy.

One of the things that he's great at is all things mechanical. His motto is, "I can't break it any worse!"

He feels like he might as well try to fix it because if something's broken, he's not going to make it worse by trying to fix it.

Just this morning, I told him that my car was squeaking. (I had put off telling him for a while because I know he's had so much on his brain, and fixing the car was not high on his "to do" list.) So, what does he do? Not take it to a mechanic... He climbed under it, and did his thing. After tightening 2 bolts (totally 5 minutes of his time), the squeak is gone! That's my man!

One of the things he's been really good at, is teaching Chandler about cars. Last week, my car battery died. After pulling it out, he and Chandler went and had it tested. Sure enough, it was dead as a door nail. So they went and bought a new one. When they got home, it wasn't Eric that put in the new battery, it was Chandler! Eric stood back and held the flashlight, and gave Chandler instructions as he went along.

Someday, Chandler's wife is going to be very happy that his dad taught him to do this...

Thanks boys! My car fires right up... every time!

Such drama!

Harley and some friends in her class decided to put on a play for one of the 1st grade classes. So, during their free time they auditioned with Alicia (the "director"), and rehearsed.

Yesterday afternoon, Eric and I went to watch the "production". Harley had the lead part! And was so excited, but SUPER nervous! She did great!

Here are some pics from the big event...

After it was over, the cute little 1st grade teacher came up and asked if Harley was taking acting lessons. We said no, to which she responded, "She NEEDS to! Someday I'm going to see her in some movie and say, 'Remember when she did the play for my class?'"

So, I guess Harley's a little dramatic... Tell me something I didn't know!!!

Love you, Harls!

Glasses

Shelby got glasses last week, and I HATE them! Why? Because they make her look SO grown up. Boo hoo!

After she got them, she had to take all kinds of pictures in them to see what she looked like... 

with hair up...

with hair down...

in a hat... etc.

Like I said, she looks so old. Boo! But, she looks absolutely ADORABLE!!!

Back bend, baby!

The girls have been taking gymnastics for a while.
Shelby started when she was 4, and has been going strong ever since. She's taken a summer off here and there, but has pretty much done it strong ever since. She's currently working on her back handspring, and hopes to be able to use her skills to do cheer next year in Junior High.
Harley and Tatum have been taking classes off and on for the last few years. Occasionally, they take a break so they can do other things, but they always come back to gymnastics.
A couple weeks ago, Harley and Tatum earned their first gold medals. (You get medals when you pass of a skill.) Tatum and Harley have mastered their back bends. Consequently, they spend the majority of their lives upside down and on their heads. And Shelby loves to use her wicked good skills to help her sisters master their own skills.
It's pretty awesome to watch!

Brace Face

Yesterday, Chandler got braces. OUCH! He's expected to have them for the next 2 years. The process will also eventually include 2 implanted teeth.

Can you say "$$$$$$"?!?!

Chandler's missing the 2 teeth on either side of his front teeth. He never had any baby or permanent teeth there.

He's been in some pretty significant pain both yesterday and today, but it seems to be easing up a little bit tonight. I think he'll be back to eating all the things he loves in no time at all.

Here's he is, Mr...

train wreck...brace face...track mouth...metal mouth...etc... ;)

The Chandler East Stake Youth can do hard things!!!

Last Saturday Eric and I joined 300, 14-18 year old youth of the Chandler East Stake in doing something hard... VERY hard! We walked from the Mesa LDS temple to the (still under construction) Gilbert temple. Yes, you read that right... We walked from temple to temple!

My pedometer clocked it as 14.1 miles. A LONG 14.1 miles! The final 4 miles were walked in 94 degree weather, too. It was super HOT!

We met at the church building across from the Mesa temple at 6am, where they fed us breakfast. Next, they showed us a video, "Only A Stonecutter". It's the life story of John Moyle, who walked from Alpine, UT to Salt Lake City, UT to work on the temple while it was under construction. Part way through his life, he lost his leg. Within a short amount of time, he recovered, made himself a wooden leg, and began to walk the trip from Alpine to Salt Lake once again. He spent most of his life working on the temple, and never had the opportunity to see it completed. He died before it was opened. It was an inspiring story, and was the perfect video to show the youth before heading out on the temple trek.

We finally started walking about 8am.

We made a few stops along the way for water, snacks, lunch, and uplifting messages prepared by a few of the Stake's bishops. There were 12 groups walking, but we didn't have youth from our ward in all of them. So, we started off with the first group, and filtered back through the groups to spend time with each of our youth. It was wonderful to see them trying so hard to accomplish their goals. We were able to talk with, and encourage each of them on their journey.

About 7 miles in, I started to feel the effects of the heat and sore muscles. I think Eric could see that I was losing it, and he said, "What would Phebe do?" I knew he was referring to my ancestor Phebe Draper Palmer Brown. She was 1 of only 4 women who made the entire trek with the Mormon Battalion, start to finish. I'm so proud to be her descendant, and am grateful that I was able to find some energy and strength from her at that moment. (I've since shared that experience with my girls, and have asked them a few times, "What would Phebe do?")

Along the way, I noticed that we all walked with our heads down... Placing one foot in front of the other... Just trying to make it to the end. Then, about 4 miles before we made it to the Gilbert temple, we saw a quick glimpse of the Angel Moroni through the tops of the trees. From that point on, we all walked with our eyes up... looking for every hint we could see of the finish line.

Finally, at 3pm, we reached our goal of walking to the new Gilbert temple. It was such a welcome sight! I know that each of the youth will get something different from this experience. However, I know that all of them will have a new appreciation for the temple. I'm sure that every time they see it, they will remember the time they made this trek and reached their goal.

WE MADE IT!!! 14.1 miles!!!

It was a great accomplishment! We are so proud of our youth for attacking this challenge without fear. There wasn't grumbling or murmuring. Sure, there were LOTS of hot and sunburned youth with sore legs and feet. There were even some pretty nasty blisters. However, they were all troopers! We're so grateful that we were able to share this experience with them.

And, we're DANG proud of ourselves!

California, here we come! ~ Days 3 & 4!

On Day 3 of our trip, we hit a some of Balboa Park's museums.

The Automotive Museum...

The Air and Space Museum... (Where we learned how to fly.)

There were also TONS of planes and jets to see. It was all very fun!

After that, we headed to lunch, and then the BEACH! The kids could hardly wait for this time, but I thought it was going to be a waste of time... I thought they would not like the sand or salt water. I was WAY WRONG! They totally loved every minute of it, and spent hours rolling in the sand and swimming in the surf.

They were all searching for shells, and they scored... big time!

Eric and I didn't get in the water, but we had a good time sitting together, watching the kids enjoy themselves.

After the beach we went back to the hotel for dinner, and to watch the Presidential debate.

Another great day in San Diego!

On Day 4, we had to head home... BOO! I guess all good things must come to an end. So, we took one last opportunity to swim and play at the pool, complete with a few games of chicken.

Finally, we made a quick stop at the San Diego temple before loading up and heading back to the AZ valley.

It was a wonderful trip full of lots of activities. However, the greatest thing of all was just being able to spend time together. It was much needed. We're looking forward to the next family trip... whenever it will be.

P.S. Our car battery died the day after we got home. Thankfully, it waited until then so it didn't put a damper on our trip. Thanks to Shelby for praying before we left, that the car wouldn't have any problems on our trip. It worked, Shelbs!

California, here we come! ~ Day 2

On Day 2 of our trip, we went to SEA WORLD! I LOVE SEA WORLD!!! This is so weird, even to me, because I have a very real ENORMOUS fear of fish and water creatures. However, I still LOVE Sea World! I think it's because of the shows, and what the animals are able to do. It's pretty amazing stuff.

We got there 15 minutes before it opened, and went inside SUPER excited to be able to share this cool place with our kids for the first time. They had no idea what to expect, but I'm quite sure they were NOT disappointed.

Our first stop was to pet the dolphins. They were a little distracted by a photo shoot they were doing, so we left and headed to the Shipwreck Rapids ride. We rode it twice because it was so much fun. Our second time through, we got SOAKED! It was so much fun, and totally broke the ice for the kids. After that, they were hooked!

Next, we headed to the Shamu show. We made a few stops along the way to see the star fish and a couple of aquariums (which I stayed outside for). Stepping into the Shamu show, the girls decided that they wanted to sit in the "soak zone". So, down they went to the 6th row.

Those of us who wanted to stay a little dryer stayed up a few rows.

Cute Tater came back up to us right before the show started, and she's so glad she did because we ended up getting this shot with Shamu right at the end of the show. So cute!

After Shamu, we had some lunch, then headed to the dolphin show. It was my favorite thing of the day. It was AMAZING! So much talent involved in putting it together. Here's a few shots from before it started. We didn't take any after pics... We were too busy drying off. We got TOTALLY SOAKED! It was pretty awesome!

Do they get any cuter?!?!?

After the dolphin show we hit the sea lion and otter show. It wasn't as well done as I remember it, but the kids LOVED it. For some of the kids, it was their favorite thing of the day because there was so much humor and silliness involved.

After that, we headed to a couple more rides, and attractions before heading home.

It was a great day! I think the kids are hooked on Sea World!

Finally, we headed home to rest up for Day #3 of our trip...

Stay tuned...

California, here we come! ~ Day 1

WE LOVE FALL BREAK!!! Our modified year-round school schedule means 2+ weeks off school during October. We usually plan our family vacations during this time. Amusement parks are empty, and beaches and roads are clear. It's awesome! This year we decided to take the fam to San Diego, CA. We've been to CA a few times, but not to San Diego since our kids were old enough to remember. So we planned a GREAT trip full of LOTS of fun things to do and see.

Our kids are great travelers. They've always been really good about not complaining on road trips. They do whatever they need to do to entertain themselves.

Here's what I saw every time I looked back to check on them...

Tatum...

Harley...

Chandler and Shelby...

After arriving at the hotel, we rested up for the events of our big trip.

Our first full day in San Diego was filled with fun! First, we went to the USS Midway in the morning. It was so cool! Walking all through the ship, we could see all the ins and outs of an aircraft carrier. Chandler and Eric were in heaven!

Here they are in the brig...

In the cockpit...

Flying the jets...

Getting their junior pilot's wings...

Next, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe'. Chandler got a cool hat there, and Harley found the only thing in the place that was louder than her... A Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Next, we went to the Mormon Battalion Museum. We've been there before, but they have completely redone it since the last time we were there.  Now, they follow the story of Zemira Palmer, a 17 yr old boy who was too young to join the battalion, so he served as an attache' to various military leaders. He happens to be a relative of ours, which made the story even that much more meaningful to us ad to the kids. Zemira's mother, Phebe Draper Palmer Brown, was one of only 4 women who went all the way to CA with the battalion. Her husband was Ebenezer Brown, part of the "A Company".

The kids really enjoyed it. They even dressed Chandler up as a soldier...

Finally, we went back to the hotel for some dinner, swimming, and relaxing. Then, off to bed. We needed to rest up for Day 2 of our trip... SEA WORLD!!!

To be continued...