TIME OUT

Yes, sometimes Mom's need a Time Out too! Lucky for me there is a special weekend dedicated to uplifting and inspiring women - Time Out For Women. Bernice and I were able to escape for a night and one day.

Friday Night we skipped out for Sushi:)

Because we didn't eat dinner before we left for the night!

And because it was way over due birthday present.
It was better than I ever remembered sushi to be.

Saturday morning we were both lets say-wanting to really be with our families more than a large group of women. Well the day got better and better with each passing speaker and singer. I knew Hilary Weeks would be there and I was really excited to hear her inspiring music. To my most amazing surprise the first speaker was Virginia Hinckley Pearce. I could not contain myself. She was not planning on being there and came on last minutes notice and is her 1st Time Out ever. I couldn't believe it was happening. We raced down to her during the first break and I poured out my feelings of adoration and love for her family and the book "Letters". I'm sure I was a complete loser but I couldn't pass up the chance to be near her. Okay, corny I know but I really don't care. Then during the next break I went up to her again to have her sign another book she edited about her mother, "Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley".


Bernice and I with Hilary. Bernice said we were acting like people do at Disney Land waiting to take pictures with all the characters and get autographs.
In the end, it was worth being away from the fam for a day.

Kylin's Big Day

Kylin waited in anticipation for her First Day of Preschool!

12:30 could not come soon enough today.

My heart just melted for Andrew today. He got his backpack on, followed Ky right into preschool, put his backpack and shoes into the bin just like her and then ran off to the preschool room. When I called him over he gave me a big hug and kiss and then ran off again. He was convinced that he was staying for preschool! One more year Big Boy.

Today starts the weeks when I get every Tues. and Thurs. afternoon all to myself. What to do for 2 hours without kids? Blog, Clean, Read, Think Clearly:)

Surprise at the Front Door

My friend Alisa came over and showed me this creature at the front door. Apology for all the bug stories. I just got a kick out of watching Alisa try to catch this Preying Mantis. The kids thought is was fascinating. We fed it live bugs, watched it climb a chop stick, and most likely gave it a slight concussion from shacking it around so much. We set it free after a couple of days to go live out the rest of it's life in peace. I think that the female praying mantis' eat the male ones. Jalyne begs to differ. What do you think?

First Day of School

After what seemed like the shortest summer, comes the 1st day of school! I always have the worst luck with cameras. I broke two cameras in a matter of about 3 months. Don't tell my dad because one the them was his. Bernice was generous enough to finally give us a really nice camera. Before this all happened, the battery ran out on the camera during Kylin's Preschool Graduation. So we have no documentation of that once-in-a-life time event. I took some really cute pics of the kids before they left for their first day of school. We took Ashlyn to her class first and the plan was to get that 1st day of school shoot with each of their teachers. For some reason the camera would not let me take anymore pictures because it said it was full. I was so puzzled because the camera showed that I only took 4 pictures. I went home upset because I got no pictures of the kids with their teachers. After about 10 minutes, I finally figured it out. I forgot to put the memory card back into the camera after uploading some pictures on to the computer. That's the reason why if would only hold 4 pictures. Then somehow I erased the pictures I took before we left for school that morning. I only had this one left. The after-school picture I for some reason took when we got to my mom's house. At least is was taken on the 1st day of school.

I really love do having my kids home. I enjoy the days that they have off. I don't really crave having them go back to school. I doesn't bother me having them around. That's why I had kids right? Here's how I spent one on my days this week.

Rain Gutter Regatta

The Rain Gutter Regatta is Half the Work, Half the Stress but just as fun as the Pine Wood Derby!

The Boats are raced by being blown down the rain gutter through a straw.


Taylor Won!

Garbage Truck Man

Like I said earlier, Andrew loves his cars and anything that has wheels. This is the Highlight of his every Tuesday and Friday! When we hear the garbage truck we run outside. Andrew waves excitedly and says HI to the garbage truck. The men are so kind. They always Honk their Horn and Wave at Andrew.

Bubble Beards

Cabin Fever

Steve and Kristina so generously invited us up to their cabin for the weekend. I never realized what all the hype was about. I'm and east coast girl. We got plenty of snow and cool weather. Going to the beach house was the thing to do. Well, now I have a severe case of Cabin Fever! This is going to be a long one because I enjoyed this trip so much so enjoy!

You'd think that leaving at a strategic time such as nap time would allow you to enjoy a 2 1/2 hr. drive with a guaranteed 1 out of 5 kids sleeping. Well, Andrew only clunked out for about half the time. Oh Well. The car was stuffed again for another journey.

Kaden - Thanks for sharing your 'elmut' and playing with me! -Drew

Nathan's first fishing lesson.

It's a good thing Steve's so patient and LOVES fishing so much that he does mind answering all of Nathan's questions!

This is what I see now every time I close my eyes. One day when I get to be on Deal or No Deal and I win enough money to pay off my mortgage, I'm buying a cabin right on this mountain side:)

Take a good look at this fish because I'm sure that if they retell this story to you. The fish will be as long as their wing span:)

Steve went to go get the truck and hook up the boat. Nathan had a hard time holding on to the boat because of the wind. Finally he said -forget it- and decided that there was no way he was going to stay dry.

So, you can see that Nathan got soaked. Look at how Steve handles the situation.

Steve decides that rolling up his pants is better than getting them wet!:) Sorry for teasing you buddy!:)

The fishing lesson wasn't over until the kids learned how to scale and gut the fish.

Ever wonder what the inside of a fish looks like? Well, now you can cross that off your list of curiosity.

4 Wheeling was a blast. Can't wait to get my pink 4 wheeler:)

The kids made best friends with Ani. Ani - Come and visit us. I'm sure Uncle Nate will let you in the backyard for a couple of hours.

They took off for Navajo Lake later in the afternoon and caught 5 fish. Great job Jalyne! Better luck next time Taylor:(

Nathan wanted me to take this picture so that M&M would be proud!

Unfortunately there's was work on monday and you can't stay out of reality for too long. Fortunately Andrew slept the entire way home and we didn't even run out of gas. Thanks for a great weekend Dixon's and can't wait till next time. We ran by these beasts on the way down the mountain.