Monday

 

We went to the park tonight to listen to a free concert by the Utah Symphony. They had fireworks too. It was pretty impressive to see the fireworks coordinate with the live music. We all enjoyed the music, even the kids.

On our way back to the car we had to walk along a canal road. The canal had trees hanging down into the water and there were lots of weeds growing in the water. He thought it looked like a swamp with alligators in it (he actually thought of this on our way in to the park). So as we started walking back to the car, he told me that he was creeped out. I reassured him that there were no alligators in the entire state of Utah or Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California (the only states he has really heard of). I told him that alligators were in Florida and Georgia. He paused for minute and then this is how the conversation went:

Kale: Mom, are there alligators in Spain?
Me: I don't think so Kale.
Kale: Good, 'cause I want to go on my mission to Spain. That's were Dad went on his mission.
Me: That sounds great buddy.
pause. . .
Kale: Spain, that sound like a funny name. (giggle, giggle) Spain (giggle, giggle)
Me: (giggle)
Kale: Did you just laugh?
Me: Yes.
Kale: What did you laugh about?
Me: You. You say funny things. I think it's funny that you think Spain is a funny name.
Kale: Yeah, it's funny that you think Spain is a funny name too.
Me: No, I said I think it's funny that you think Spain is funny.
Kale: You think it's. . funny. . .that I. . . never mind. I don't get it.

I talked to Justin today (he's in Philmont, NM at a boy scout training camp). He said he and Kai are having a good time. They ran into the Child's yesterday. Today they met a lot of people that he has common friends with. He estimated that there are about 500 people there and that they have met about 100 of them. He said he has met several people that once they get talking, realize they know someone in common. One guy came up to Justin and called him "Jenks". He asked if Justin knew Kevin and Jay. When Justin answered that they were his uncles, the guy said, "You must be John's son then." He told Justin how he had been a wrestler at USU after John had been there and John had left a reputation of hard work that no one could follow. He said the coach would tell them about John Jenks and how hard he worked. That would have been several years after John had attended USU. He said John was an incredible wrestler. He actually wrestled against Jay, who attend Ricks College.

Kai had a chance to help; out with a flag ceremony in his full scout uniform this morning. This afternoon had bow and arrow practice and rifle practice. He had a good time and was a good shot.

Kale got a superhero kit at our family reunion on Saturday and he has been dressing up in superhero attire every day since then. This morning our superhero made sure to get in his one lap on the treadmill. He is pretty proud of himself that he can do a lap on the treadmill. Seila and Hadley didn't want to miss out on exercising either so they each did their lap too. Kale also has a trusty side kick. It's a duck.

Yesterday I headed to Utah with Seila, Hadley and Kale. Kai left to go camping with his scout troop on Thursday evening. Today he'll get home and then turn around and leave with Justin. They are going to a football game to watch Jace Christensen and then they head to Seattle to catch a flight to Philmont, NM. They are going to a scout training facility for the week. I am excited for them because I've heard that it's a fantastic week. I hope they enjoy it. They'll meet us in Salt Lake on Friday. Then we'll drive home on the following Monday. Justin will be fishing that entire next week.

Too true, too true

Week in review

Here's our week in review:

We started swimming lessons in Quincy. We are driving 40 minutes one way every day. It's only for two weeks and I really needed Hadley and Kale to take lessons this summer. I also wanted to do it early in the summer so that they could practice what they learn.

Our new van doesn't have sound coming out of the speakers and hasn't had since before we went to San Diego. Last week I took it in to a dealer in Tri-Cities. They couldn't figure it out either and I have to take the van back to them tomorrow. They've talked to Nissan and need to check out a few more things. The good news is that for some reason the van has a 60K mile warranty on it instead of the usual 35K, and it transfers with ownership. No one seems to know why and I'm not complaining! We all just hope that they get it figured out before Thursday because Friday morning we leave for a road trip to Utah. 12 hours in the car with no radio might make me loose my mind! Funny how we get so used to little luxuries.

Justin went fishing on Friday at McNary Dam and caught 43 fish or something like that. We're not eating any of them. We're keeping them all for bait for crabbing at the end of July.

Father's Day was good. We had a really nice day. We didn't cook breakfast, I'm sorry Justin. I should have thought ahead better and done that. We did actually have a present for him though. We didn't wrap it in paper, we wrapped it in kids. The kids all did a group hug kind of thing and put the gift in the middle. Justin had to peel the kids off to find his gift. Church was great. Hadley gave a talk in primary and about how her Dad has blessed her life. After church, we headed to Justin's mom's house for dinner with Garrett's family. Justin really is a great Dad to our kids. He loves them so much and they know it. He has taught them well and sets a wonderful example for them to follow. He supports them in all they do and expects them to do their best. I couldn't ask for more! We all know it but I'll say it again, Justin is perfect!!