BACKYARD CAMPING

Ashlynn has been BEGGING to go camping.  Since time has been an issue with work,  kids going different directions, Jers getting home late, this Iowa weather never being sure if it would rain or not,and the list goes on.  I decided to grant her wish in the back yard.

The kids helped me make homemade scones for Navajo tacos that were DELICIOUS!!! I made my moms homemade roll recipe and man it makes DIVINE scones. I took mine with honey butter since I always go for sugar first.

It was a great night to have a campout.   It was cool enough for a fire, rare in IOWA.

After football when it was finally a little dark we played ghost in the darkness.  I think this was all of our favorite part.  We kept playing until enough kids were cloths-lined on things from it being so dark we decided it might not be such a safe game any longer.

We made them leave the phones inside and they were only allowed in to go to the bathroom.  The older ones seemed to need to use the bathroom  A LOT.  Plus plugged in the phones right next to the bathroom.  Smart kids:).

After breakfast Riley's comment was ,"this has been fun,  but,  can we go inside and be a NORMAL family now."   I told him he was welcome to go in but NORMAL for this clan was probably a long shot.

FUN AT THE JORDAN CREEK MALL

Wednesday was the dollar kid movie at the mall.  I do not buy the season tickets  for these movies due to the fact that most of them I could not bring myself to sit in.  Rio,  I think is worth a couple bucks to sit in the theater and watch.

As we left US cellular had this fun both set up for kids to race cars at and stuff. We participated proudly and took the cute fans they gave us and all.  When the ask which us cellular plan we had we also proudly replied we are with Verizon.  They ignored us after that, but let us keep the fans:).

Then we went to feed the ducks, we used bread that was donated to the Y from Panera that was NOT SO GOOD to us but seemed to be delicious to the ducks.

Well the older kids all went into the mall while the little girls(Ashlynn and Brynn the girl I watch sometimes) and I went to feed the ducks.

At one point the ducks started chasing them for bread it was pretty funny.

The only thing I would have changed about this wonderful afternoon is I would have brought picnic lunches to eat .  Instead we went to Costco and had lots of free samples.

For putting myself on a budget to not spend over a little money every week, which I am not loving because, I kinda LOVE to shop...It  was a fabulous day!

BROWN'S WOODS

 Last week our family was wanting to go to the MOUNTAINS.  A little bit of a difficult task in IOWA.  I told DAXON to go on the internet and find somewhere in the area that has trails that make it SEEM like you are in the mountains.  I didn't want to drive clear to ledges.  He found this place called Browns Woods.  It is right next to the airport.  15 minute drive , 1.9 mile walk up and down hills, it feels like you are in the mountains, and it is beautiful.

 Ry and Daxon kept trying to climb the trees that were hanging over the trails. It was pretty funny when they would get half way then fall.

 Ashlynn thought she was in HEAVEN.  She brought her little backpack so she could gather all the treasures of the forest. Alyssa is feeling awesome because she found a walking stick for our very "LONG" hike:).

 When you put boys in the outdoors all the sudden I am not sure what happens.  Maybe it's just my boys,  but they become the HAPPIEST creatures on the planet.  Then act like just like that, strange CREATURES!

One of the coolest things about the Browns woods were  the 2 monkies we constantly seen climbing the trees.  They even stopped and posed when we tried to take pictures.

 Britton loved just being in the outdoors and watching the monkies in the woods as they ran from one mischievous thing to the next.  

 Here we have the monkies showing us how strong they are.  The wood that has fallen from the trees is all rotten so these HUGE logs break into pieces when you smash them against a tree.  This makes them feel VERY TOUGH!!

HAPPY 17th ALYSSA

 When did I get old enough to have a 17 year old???  This year Alyssa was at girls camp on her birthday and they made it a FABULOUS day for her.  I think she told me about 50 different things that were done for her that day to make it a special day for her.  Different things from singing to her with a special crown to bringing up scratch cupcakes.  When we celebrated it at home as we prepared to bake the cake RILEY... YES RILEY glanced at a picture of one he said Alyssa would like this cake and he helped me make it for her.  It turned out pretty cute.  Alyssa is such a great girl.  Always wants to do the right thing, loves to go all the time and be with friends. She is as feisty as can be.  When she makes up her mind it is very hard to change it.  This is one of her greatest qualities yet when you are the parent hardest to have patience with:). She love to help others, has a very tender heart, loves to take pictures, play the piano and  and sing.  I am so scared for her to graduate because that will mean the entire dynamics of my family will change YET AGAIN as they already have this year and I DON'T LOVE IT!!!!  She is an adventurer.  She wants to go to college , serve a mission and yes those are great things but they mean she will not be home.  That means I can't tell her I love her as I shut her door and kiss her goodnight.  It would mean I wouldn't get to hear her talk endlessly about her  day and quite frankly that scares me and kinda makes my stomach SICK!!!!!!  We love you Alyssa and are thankful for the happiness you bring this family. (YA she only has 1 candle in the cake because I went to look for hot pink ones in a different area of the store became side traked and forgot candles.  Lame I know.  Sorry AJ)