They're Here! They're Here!

Last night I left the kids home with Jason and ran out to do an "errand." The job I was joyfully doing was picking up my mom and dad from the airport. This morning, while the ladies were brushing their teeth, Grandma appeared in the doorway. They were thrilled and soooo happy to see both grandma and grandpa. We spent today playing at the park, going to lunch and eating ice cream......I love it when family comes to visit. All the rules fly out the window! Lucky for Grandma and Grandpa the ladies are BIG into "doing" hair at the moment. Both Grandma and Grandpa were treated to a large multitude of hair-do's this afternoon. I think Grandpa finally got smart and hid the spray bottle so at least he wasn't looking like slicked back cast member of Grease.
I will admit that my kiddos are a little different. They make me laugh so hard with the things they pretend to do and be. Today at the park Jayden found a plastic bag and put it around her head. (I know what you are thinking, who lets this happen? Just keep reading...) She ran over to us yelling, "I am a Lamanite! I'm mean!" Within a few minutes Ansen and Braley were also "Lamanites" along with a few other kids at the playground wondering what the heck a Lamanite was. My favorite part of their game was the song they were singing. "I'm a Lamanite, Yo-ho, Yo-ho! A pirates life for me!"
Ummm.....I think we need to be a LITTLE better with our family scripture study. Lamaites and pirates are kinda the same....right?
My Laman-ita and Lemuel-ita showing how buff they are.
And my little Nephi....at least I hope he will be as kind to his mommy as Nephi was to his!

So we are so excited for the next week and a half to have Grandma and Grandpa visit with us and I am sure they are excited to see what other things the kids can conjure up!

Ward Camp Out

Our new ward had their ward camp out this weekend and we (always up for a good time) decided this would be a perfect opportunity to get to know everyone better. We went to the Oregon Coast and camped out at Bar View Jetty. It was beautiful, quiet and the beach. Could we ask for anything more???Plus we love breaking out the tent....or I should say Jason loves putting it up and taking it down. These two hams had lots of fun on the beach and around the campfire.

Awwww, look we're still in love. (If we lots of lbs. lighter and not in our nasty camping clothes we'd make this a frame worthy photo but, alas, we were not skinny and our clothes were covered on fire ash)
Along the beach were tons of drift wood "houses." I suggested we give up the new place and build a little something out here. The rest of them voted against. Stinkin' democracy.

After it was all said and done the boy and his daddy talked about all their fun and decided to go camping again real soon.

Our new ward is a lot of fun and we rally got to get to know some people quite well. We are excited to serve with these people and live in their community. We can't wait for next years Ward Camp out...we'll bring the S'mores!

WHO got paid???

This chick just got her first ever, real paycheck. Now Stephie can buy an ice cream cone...or two.

Love Them...

They have so much fun together. I just LOVE them!

Lions And Tigers And Bears...OH MY!

Road Trip! Grandma and Grandpa Widing took us (and our friends the Kurns) to Wildlife Safari down in Roseburg, Oregon this weekend. It was so great. We saw the animals of Africa, Asia and the Americas in their natural habitats. We were surrounded by Musk Oxen, stared down by hungry Emu's, observed by Bears, and sized up by Tigers. FUN! The kids were all in 7th heaven. The entire park took us almost 2 hours to get through. The day wasn't too hot so the animal were out and social. We did have one scary run-in with an animal that left both Jayden and Lisa injured. We happened upon a angry swam of bees and they were each bit a few times. Poor ladies. Thankfully, they have successfully recovered and all is well:) Jayden (as usual) was attracted to the Primates, Braley the giraffes and Ansen the elephants. Stephanie on the other hand found a friend in the llamas and geese...farm girl at heart. If any of you in the Roseburg/Winston area are interested in some fun, Wildlife Safari is the place!

When we were done we the hotel pool! And we hit it hard. We swam and swam and swam. They water was so nice. I think we spent every available second jumping, splashing, racing, and laughing. I love a pool in the summer time.

You So Crabby!

The Widing house just got a whole lot crabbier. Literally. With the devastating exit of Barney the wiener dog, Jayden began the search for a new pet. She decided that for her birthday she wanted a hermit crab. They met all of Jason's criteria (in a container, not messy, and doesn't poop in the backyard) and my criteria (not a tarantula---that's what Jayden initially wanted), so we gave it the green light and yesterday we finally got around to getting our newest family members. One for each child.

*Meet Matthew Neil Armstrong Widing. Yes, that is his full name and Jayden loves him. He has a fancy orange shell with a friendly pirate for decoration. He is loud and he is a climber...just like a 8 year old I know. They are a match made in heaven.

*This is the duo of Braley and Jasmine. Her name is Jasmine, as in Princess Jasmine, and she is sporting a Hello Kitty shell. She is going to be the pretty princess of the group with Braley as her loving owner. Hopefully she doesn't love her to death. But rest assured, they do come with a 14 day guarantee.




*Ansen and SpiderMan to the rescue! Little man doesn't get much closer than this to his new friend. He follows him around the living room but is sure to keep a cautionary distance. When "Spidey" is in his cage he is our pig-o of the group. He is constantly munching on something.

So there you all have it. Our 3 new hermit crabs. No spiders or poop to pick up. These 3 are great and my 3 are happy as clams...or, er...crabs.

11 Wonderful Years...

I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.

Verdict

Remember back on March 1st when that awful, mean, cranky police officer pulled me over, gave me a ticket for rolling through the stop and scared the kids into a panic? I know, how could you forget. On June 1st I turned in my written affidavit stating that I was not guilty and the reasons why. When I turned in my statement, the lady at the counter told me to expect my ticket to be reduced by 30% if the judge was in a good mood and if I was lucky, and he was in a forgiving mood, it would be reduced by 35%. Geez, that wasn't very encouraging but hey something was better than nothing.

My "case" was scheduled to be reviewed on June 4th and I was told that I would be contacted immediately after the judge made his decision. I waited and waited and waited. I began to question my written statement. Was I too harsh? Was I too confident? Was I not confident enough? I kept waiting. Just yesterday I was wondering if my licence was being suspended and someone forgot to tell me. If we weren't so broke I probably would have just written a check for $242 just to get the suspense over with. I don't like to be in legal/debt limbo...it's uncomfortable.

Today I finally heard from Washington County Justice Court. I was just praying that my $242 ticket would be reduced by half but instead this is what it said:

Ms. Widing:
Upon review of affidavit testimony on the above referenced case, Judge Shartel has dismissed this case.

YIPPPEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not guilty! Not that I ever was guilty but now I am legally innocent. Yippppeeee! So my clean driving record remains clean. I am one happy girl! The girls are happy that the judge saw that mommy was telling the truth. If I never see Officer Kish again it will be too soon. Gotta go! I think I will go put this letter in my memory box so I can remember the time that I fought the law and I won.

Happy Birthday America!

The 4th of July was great this year! We spent it doing some of America's favorite past times.

1. A good old fashion small town parade.

Molalla Buckaroo Parade never disappoints.

(This is the one arm bandit. He rides his mule on the top of his trailer)

This year the Northwest Indians were here to help us celebrate! They looked fantastic and put on a great show.

Mexico wanted to help celebrate too!

Aaaaannnnddd, this is a Port-a-Potty on wheels. Not sure whether to laugh or scratch my head. (I did say this was small town, right?)

Jayden, Braley, and Ronald McDonald! Ansen was hiding behind Grandpa Widing.

2. A carnival

(overpriced rides included)

This was Ansen's 1st ride on the roller coaster. See the look of confusion on his face? That turned to fear the second the ride started. He survived though and doesn't want to do it again.

3. Swimming!!!!

(Even if the air is chilly, the kids will spend 3 hours in the pool)

4. Fishing

Jason held this position for 3 hours and no fish. Bummer.

5. A Picnic...ohhh so yummy

6. Fireworks with friends

One of the best shows around. We sat in the football field of a small town high school and the show was right over our heads. It was great!

We love our country and all it's freedoms. Happy Birthday America!

Ear Piercing Adventure

As promised, here is Jayden and her ears.

8 Is Great!

So turning 8 was pretty dang great for Jayden. Her birthday was all about her and, of course, she loved it. Jayden began her day by hurrying over to get her ears pierced. She was so nervous but made it through and now has beautiful blue earrings to match her beautiful blue eyes. (I have a fun slideshow ready but slide.com is down so it will be up soon)

Yes, we know there is no candle on this cake. I couldn't find it. Thankfully she was silly enough to pretend to blow out her candle.

Party #2 (friends) We did have a candle for this one. (Costco cupcakes...yummm)
I'm pretty sure her expression is saying, "I don't like Hannah Montana. Don't make me wear these." I could be wrong though.

Jayden and her favorite character ever: Dorothy

Even Sammers got in on the birthday cake action. What a happy dog.

Jayden is now Chef A La Mode. Can't wait to see what she comes up with in the kitchen.

Happy Birthday (again) Jayden! YOU make 8 look great!