1 Plan B

On our way to the park, just out the driveway, the clouds parted and it began to pour. The rain was followed by hail. Abort missing! "Plan B" was the good old Teton Flood Museum. It only cost $0.50 a kid and has a great kid room that they rotate each month. Last time we were there they focused on the nations of the world: loved the dress-ups. The next month there were doing dinosaurs, complete with a mini-dig site. June is all about rocks. There was a small shake table to simulate an earthquake and a volcano that actually 'erupted' (vinegar and soda). Just like last time the favorite was the 2 trunks of dress-up clothes and the wooden play food.

1 The fun just doesn't stop

Before bed last night I painted Laura, Allie, & Eden's finger nails. They held their hands out so cute and were very patient for them to dry.




Tonight we finally got a reprieve from the wind, rain, and clouds. The sun shone bright for a few hours right before bed and we took full advantage and out of the house. Maren and I took turns riding Grandma's beach cruiser to Sugar City and back. Grandma preferred her give the girls turns mowing the lawn at warp speed. Kylie is not any closer to walking. We've failed to find the right carrot to motivate her I guess. It was such a nice evening, Allie even ran through the pasture sprinklers on the edge of the front lawn.

No more snow, PLEASE!!!

0 Fun at Grandma's House

This week we've had fun being together at Grandma's house. Here are a few highlights for Abby & Brent who are missing out.

These "Bill Ding" blocks were made by my Grandpa Henry when I was young. I even helped paint some of them. My sisters and I spent many hours building with the "Bills". It brings back many fond memories of my Grandparents watching my girls play with them.

Grandma Martha is a fabulous story teller. As soon as she picks up a book, the girls are drawn to her.










Kate & Eden have practically lived in the old ballet recital costumes.














Wednesday we kept the girls apart a bit in the morning to give them some breathing room. Allie & Laura had a blast with paints. Allie tells me she painted a cave.



The rain has kept us cooped up, so Wednesday we took the girls to McDonalds so they could play. Laura floored me by eating more than she has all week, combined. The winner at most meals has been Eden, hands down, but Laura out-ate everyone for once.

Can you believe that it SNOWED!!!! Where is our summer?

0 Circus Magic

I've been waiting to post about this till I got the pictures of Maren's camera, but I'm not sure when that is going to happen.

Monday night Maren & I took the Bailey, Emma, Laura, & Allie to the 7:30pm showing of the Jordan World Circus. We had free tickets for all the girls & I buy1-get1 free coupon for us adults. Good thing, seeing how out single ticket cost $16!!!

The girls were absolutely glue to the action the entire time! I think Bailey & Emma (who are in gymnastics) really appreciated the acrobatics and tight rope acts. Allie did get tired midway through, but was a trooper. We were VERY glad we had left the 3 younger cousins home, especially since Kate didn't take a nap.

The girls were extremely well behaved the entire night. There was no pouting when we didn't shell out $32 for them to ride the Elephant at intermission and no whining for the treats & toys pedaled throughout.

Their faces spoke volumes, but there were some funny quotes:

Laura: "Its a dream come true"

Allie: "That's dangerous. They could get hurt."


Their favorite acts were:

• Ballerinas (trapeze)
• Dancing Elephants
• Poodles, on a slide
  
• Bears on rocking horse
• Pirates on horses
• Tight rope juggles
• not-so-funny clowns
• hula-hope dancers

We also treated them to ice cream before finally getting home at 10:30pm.

2 The Hoard

Paul & Martha Tew's posterity currently consists of FOUR daughters and SEVEN granddaughters. That's right. ALL GIRLS...that is until Abby gives birth to the first BOY this fall.

Monday afternoon we spent the morning riding, scooting, and stroller-ing the girls around Maren's neighborhood. We even herded them around the block to Maren's church parking lot for more rolling around before lunch. Lets just say that they all took great naps...everyone but Kate that is. Notice the GREAT Modbe hoodies Maren and I are sporting. Ours came today and we LOVE them. If you want on, see Maren's blog (link to the right).

Kylie LOVED the bike, Eden did NOT!

I had brought Allie's scooter so that we would have enough wheels for everyone, but of course that wasn't good enough. Allie kept causing Kate stress by taking her 2-wheeler. So, to keep the peace, I ran to DI & bought Allie the $65 princes bike for $5. It wasn't in perfect shape & was missing the seat cover & training wheels, but for $5 what do you expect. (Note: We almost got her the same bike new for her birthday last month, but decided on the roller skates she had actually asked for.) However, it didn't seem like such a good deal 2 hours later, after shopping 4 stores for a 2nd set of training wheels to replace the first set I bought & tried to install, since they weren't made for such a tiny bike. In fact, I'm sad to report that the bike hasn't even been rode yet since we couldn't find the nozzle to inflate the tires with. Nothing is ever easy, but hopefully it will be worth it...eventually.

Monday was also great weather for playing in Grandma's "park".

The sandbox under the deck was popular too, but for some reason the one and only yellow plastic shovel was a hot item and much sought after.

With all the action, the girls did veg-out on the couch for some cartoons in the evening.

2 Successful Journey

Note: look how funky my camera was today. I have no idea what it was doing, but its okay tonight. I think its about time to break down and replace it.

FOUR cousins under FOUR ready to ride

The 3 hour car ride went extremely smooth!

1. Kylie slept the entire way, after giving poor Eden a bit of stress by teasingly taking away her blankets.
   
2. Eden napped for an hour & then looked out the window and chatted with herself, so sweet.
3. Allie looked at books & watched a strawberry shortcake DVD on Aunt Abby's mini-player
4. Laura did the same as Allie.

We didn't even dip into the snack bags I'd put together. I'm most thankful nobody needed a potty stop. I was dreading having to take all four of them into a gas station.

Dinner time at the Grandparent's House:
{ what are we going to do when we add a BOY? }

We welcomed with open arms when we arrived at Grandma & Grandpa's house. Squeals filled the air as cousins were reunited after a few weeks apart. Grandma Martha was free with the pennies for her candy machine, a favorite of the grandkids and uncles alike. Here is a picture of sweet Eden working the candy machine's magic.

Even though it was cool outside, they all ran outside to play on the swing set, or as Laura calls it "the park". We didn't even bother to try calling them in to dinner until we adults had finished. Why bother? We wouldn't have won the battle between dinner vs cousins getting reacquainted with each other in the best weather we'd in weeks.

2 Ready or not here we come

Since my blog is private, I'm not afraid to announce I'm leaving town this week. Most of you know already, but I'm headed to Rexburg to spend a week with my family. My sister Abby has the opportunity to accompany her husband on a business trip in sunny Cali, so I'm taking her girls with me. That means I'll be chaffering a crew of girls ages 4, 3, 2, & 1!!! Heaven help me. I'll let you know if I make it alive.

1 Movie Review

Last night the rain stopped long enough for our family BBQ celebrating my in-law's 49th wedding anniversary. Thank you Eldon & JoAnne for having and raising such a great group of boys. { I'm especially greatful you kept on having boys, since Nate is the youngest of SIX BOYS! } Thanks you for all you do for us and our girls!

Towards the end of the evening my sister-in-law Maho expressed interest in seeing the New Indiana Jones movie. Of course I enabled her, calling it girls-night-out, and we invited the other women. I feel bad since this is a show Nate REALLY wants to see, having grown up with the series and I haven't seen any of the old ones in their entirety. BUT I don't feel too bad for him; the men are going golfing all afternoon today.

UPDATE: Nate got to go to the show the next night with some friends while I stayed home with the girls.

My Review: 4 of 5 stars
This was definitely an action packed 2 hours filled with great special effects! At times I did get the feeling I would get more out of certain parts if I'd seem more than just bits and pieces of the original series. I won't give away, but I will say I was a bit disappointed with the direction the film took towards the end. If you've seen this film, let me know what you though...no spoilers please.

5 I wish I had a picture!

Nate has been playing in softball leagues as long as I've known him. Some years he plays on 2 or 3 teams. Some years they struggle, but mostly they do very well. They've taken the championship a few times.

When we were engaged, 5 of the Schwartz brothers were on the same team. Lets just say there were some pretty heated arguments on the field. "Catch that ball, Pat." (Pat is the generic name used when instruction is being barked) I'm sure that nobody would have been surprised if punches flew. In fact that summer another wife I didn't know leaded back during one such conflict and said, "ah, I know who you are. You're with one of the brothers that fight all the time." Yeah, that would be me. No, the brothers all love each other and love being together even though it might not appear so to an outsider. No matter how heated an exchange gets, once its over - it's over. They are laughing and joking the next minute. It took me quite awhile to get used to all of that after growing up in a home of all girls. Boys are weird! This summer Nate is playing Thursday nights with a core group guys that have been playing together for years (some since high school), but only including one of his brothers, Layne.

Now to my story. Last night they were short a guy...well actual two. One broke his ankle at last week's game and had surgery earlier this week. Anyway, somehow I got volunteered to fill-in despite only wearing FLIP FLOPS and having NEVER played any sports in my life! Ha,ha!! They put me in as catcher. Aunt Julie and cousins Maddie & Kaity took care of my girls. {They did say that Allie kept reassuring them that I was going to come back. I guess she was trying to convince herself.} When cousin Jordyn showed up in the 2nd inning they put her in, too. She was a much better choice, having played in school & wearing tennis shoes, plus she snagged a fly ball in the field. Go Jordy!

Catching wasn't that bad, but I'm sure I looked like a nerd crouching behind the plate. Most of the not-hit pitches went right past me and I had to scramble around to get them. Good thing most of the guys swing and hit most pitches! I'm fairly sure that I even closed my eyes a few times when the ball came at me, sorry Nate. He is the pitcher, so at least I was throwing the balls back to him. The umpire kept saying how surprised he was the I hadn't played softball in high school the way I threw underhand. HA, HA! He seemed serious, but I'm sure he must have been joking. When it was my turn up to bat I went barefoot and got a WALK! My second time up I even HIT the ball and beat the throw to 1st base!!! I was more surprised then any of the players or the spectators. Both times I got a substitute runner to take over for me since I was barefoot. It was actually fun and the mood was light since we were up the entire game and won 8 to 5. {This season's record is now 3:1}

There was one scary moment when one of our fielders bobbled a fly ball and the other team's runner on 3rd raced towards home in the delay. The 3rd baseman, a serious player with a wicked arm, caught the ball and wound up to steam it into home to beat the runner. Thankfully he processed that it was ME at home and pulled up JUST before taking my head off with the ball. The runner scored, but I lived. Thanks Dunn!

Even though I had a good time and the outcome was great, I don't think I'll be taking up softball any time soon. I'm just greatful that I survived and the team came out with a win, something that probably wouldn't have happened against any other team in the league. Next week I'll gladly take my place on a blanket beyond the outfield fence.

1 Evening at the Farm

Tonight Nate made a trip out to the farm to dump some dirt that Nate had hauled in Grandpa Eldon's big dump truck. Dirk went to help him & I came a bit later with all the kids to pick up the men. While out there we checked on the pumpkins, but there is nothing to see yet. Well the view is spectacular! Allie, Lexi, & Ray liked watching the big truck dump the dirt. They are such cute friends.
The shed/shop is coming along nicely. Here's another pic for you Uncle Troy:

5 After the storm

Yesterday night we went back to my maternal Grandparent's home to hlep Nate haul off the last load of scrap/junk. It was so sad to see the yard overgrown and the house deserted. Grandpa Henry's shops were so hollow, purged of all the wonderful this-n-that that I grew up exploring. It just wasn't right.

The girls had a great time. Allie was actually a great help throwing junk on the trailer. She did find time to gather me a precious bouquet of gone-to-seed dandelions. Kylie was more into exploring. We had to remove the ramps to keep her from exploring right onto the trailer. In case you are wondering, no she isn't any closer to walking yet.

0 Great day to go to the pool, well not really

The forecast said sun, so my neighbor Teresa & I took out kids to the Logan aquatic center Tuesday. The dark clouds didn't scare us off, but maybe they should have. Instead of being mid-70's &sun it was 63 degrees & rain. Good thing the water was warm. I didn't get any picture of our 2 1/2 hr swim since it was too cold to get out.

We did learn there are bonuses to going to the pool on a rainy day. We practically had the entire place to ourselves so it was easy to keep track of the kids who didn't want to get out and run around.

My girls had a great time! Within about 5 seconds of getting to the pool Allie was going completely under the water, even opening her eyes...on purpose! What a welcome change from her anxiety last year. It was her idea to go on the waterslide, but I only let her go once...it was TOO COLD to climb the staircase, regardless of no line. Although she loved the slide, her favorite part was the 'mushroom' shower. What a water bug! Kylie also was crazy about the water. She kicked &splashed, giggled & grinned.

Oh, if you haven't heard, there is a new law in Utah in response to last years crypto outbreak. Children under 3 must wear not only a disposable swim diaper, but a reusable plastic waterproof swim pant such as these. Somehow I HADN'T heard this and wasn't prepared. The pool did have a FEW for sale, $8/piece, but I'd shop around if you plan on going to a pool with your young children.

1 I think his tractor's sexy

Nate has been very busy tilling gardens and lots this spring with his new tractor. He's also been mowing weeds with his flail chopper. We are hoping the wet weather we've been having will mean lots of work all summer long...not to mention full lakes to wakeboard in. While we are greatful for all the precipitation, its high time to see the sun!

2 a no picture post

Yesterday Allie insisted on pushing Kylie in the stroller the entire way to the neighborhood park. I'd repeatedly told her to stay on the sidewalk as she veered left & right. Despite her reckless driving, I stayed a few steps behind to avoid being yelled at to let her 'do it myself'. Then, just as we left the safety of the grassy yards TRAGEDY STRUCK! Allie got too close the the edge of the sidewalk & the front wheel dropped off the cement (the park doesn't have sod yet). The stroller tipped sideways and then toppled forward. Kylie screamed as she fell helplessly, buckled in the stroller, face first into the gravel. It was slowmotion for me; I just couldn't get there fast enough. Poor Kylie ended up with a little bloody nose, but in true Kylie fashion was over the scare in less than a minute and just wanted to ride in the swing.

5 Camp Crashers

Our neighbors, the Knights & Sorensens, went camping up Logan canyon together this weekend with their camper-trailers. They had invited us, but Nate's work schedule was booked solid all weekend. He surprised me by calling it quits at 8pm on Friday & we went up to sit around the campfire. The girls were having such a great time that when Nate left to go home, the girls & I stayed behind.

INPROMPTU OVERNIGHTER!

Luckily I had grabbed PJ's for the girls and had a few diapers in the car. Dirk & Hanne were more than happy to let us crash on their pull out bed (I had a couple 'park blankets' in the car) & they even had a playpen stored in the camper for Kylie. I had to sleep in my clothes, but hey -it was camping. The only thing I really missed was my toothbrush.

Allie & Ray had the time of their life gathering sticks for the fire. They would poke the long ones in the stream ("fishing") and then fry their catch in the fire. There was plenty of food (isn't there always when your camping), but all we really ate was smores & breakfast. Hanne made the best pancake batter from scratch and the bacon & sausage were divine. I am a complete breakfast fan, so it really hit the spot. I ate so much I don't think I ate again till 7pm that night! The girls on the other had were to busy taking it all in to eat.

Kylie loved the experience as much as Allie, but she was a bigger mess. I tried to put her in the playpen outside, but she didn't agree and squealed constantly. Finally, I relented and let her crawl around in the dirt. (It sure will be nice when she finally decides to walk.) It is funny how the little things can make kids the happiest. She played mostly with sticks & rocks, or a discarded plastic cup. As soon as we got home I striped the girls at the door & put everything in the washer. Then it was straight to the tub.



Hint: if you click on the slide-show you can see the photos larger

I'm so glad that I had taken the time to write my summer goals earlier that day. My automatic answer to an invitation to camp with only the clothes on our backs, was NO! But since I had intentionally decided to relax & let the girls have a playful summer, I gave it a shot. Boy was I rewarded!!! I had forgotten how relaxing it is to sit around a campfire, just staring at the flames & telling old stories. Our walk through the forest was calming- we saw fish in the stream & a wild sheep in the campground. I am so greatful for such wonderful friends to put up with our camp crashing.

3 More free Exercise

The old adage says that the doctor's wife gets sick and the cobbler's wife is barefoot. Let me add that the tractor man's garden is the last on the block to get planted.

After weeks of asking Nate to till my garden, I took matters into my own hands. This weekend Nate left his smallest tiller & I figured out how to use it after mowing the lawn. It was so fun that I did my garden, the Knight's side of the garden, & Teresa's berm around a tree.

Other than the wonderful strawberries, I planted a salsa garden:

• tomatoes (cherry and regular)
• peppers (bell and jalapeño)
• onions (sweet yellow)

1 Allie's Strawberry Mermaid Stylin Hair-do

Allie is really into getting her hair done. She is very patient and almost never complains. She usually has ideas on how she wants here hair, although I can usually sway her.

Friday I experimented with Allie's hair. I was motivated by a darling "do" Sienna had, not that it turned out near as cute. Allie called this her "Strawberry mermaid stylin hair-do" and LOVED it so much we did it again today for church.

Once again, we walked up to the neighborhood park to play in the afternoon. I know I've said to before, but I absolutely LOVE having this park so close. Allie pushed Kylie in the stroller the whole way there and back.

Kylie giggles so cute in the swing and would stay there all day if kept pushing her. On this day there was a group of about a dozen 11-12 yr old girls hanging out on the playground equipment. Allie stood back & watched them quite a bit. She dug in the sand & went on the smaller slides, but mostly observed the older kids. It is interesting to see how she handles new situations.