A Bunch of Stuff

Blake has been saving his money this summer for a fishing rod.  He was very excited to finally get it.  When he proudly showed Dave, Dave said that Grandpa Puzey had a ton of fishing stuff.  Together they looked through the spoons, lures, and hooks.  Blake has been reading all about how to unhook a fish, to cut it open, take the bones out, etc.  Last week Dave sent me a text saying he was taking Blake fishing  right after school, so could I pack him a picnic dinner.  But it was a surprise so don't tell him.

Borrowed backpack from Leah.  His was to small, just in case you are all wondering about the pink. :)

Blake was certainly surprised and ecstatic.  He got to go fishing with his dad and a bike ride to get there.  It was a three in one deal for him and he could barely contain himself.

They spent hours fishing at the lake.  He didn't catch anything and was disappointed about that.  He had a good time tho.  There was a nice man there that was fishing also and gave him some pointers, minnows, and lures to keep.  He was helpful.  Blake can't wait to go again.

The week before school I took Leah to watch her friends riding show.

The siding is done on our house.

Leah's band teacher had her take the piccolo home for the summer to learn.  She has been faithfully practicing.  When school started the teacher said great job, she was to be 1st piccolo player and second flute.  (I am pretty sure she is the only piccolo player :))  The piccolo is so tiny it's cute. So she now plays flute, piano, piccolo, and ukulele.  Loves them all.

Cora does not like this dress at all.  I love it.  (For the record she liked it when she tried it on in the store.  Glad I payed all that money for it.)  She says she feels like she is going to a funeral in the 1800's.  Last Sunday she decided to wear it. That made me happy since it had been a while, then I saw the socks.  She was silently protesting with Dr. Who socks under her boots.  Cora is also cold at night, but refuses to put on her extra blanket.  She said it was admitting that she couldn't go water skiing again this year if it was cold enough for a blanket.  Just shake your head.

It has been way to long since we have heard Dave play the guitar.  Both Cora and Blake have been wanting to play.  Cora has been taught a few songs over the years, but none of us have stuck with it enough for her to really do it.  Most of our guitar stuff is packed.  We had to borrow a cord from Jared and Dave has no music here.  That is how long it's been.

Last night he taught them the simple 'Tom Dooley' again.  After a few tries Blake played Mario Kart with Leah.  Cora stuck with it for an hour.

We have a simplified hymn book that she was playing out of and learned two already.

Cora was loving it.  I hope she keeps it up this time.

Back to School

It is that time again.  Time to start another school year.  There where a few different things that I had seen on Pinterest that I thought would be neat to do.  Also growing up my mom gave lots of parties for us with Mystery Dinners.  My friends and I always loved them and I have done several for the girls for parties also.  So that is what we started with last night.

I came up with a simple menu and names for the items.  Everyone then filled out their choice of selections.

It was fun.  I quickly filled the plates behind a sheet set up.  There was eating coleslaw with just a knife and some courses with just pickles and apples.

After all three courses we had FHE.  I talked about how for dinner they made choices not knowing what the outcome would be, but we can make choices on our behavior and habits that we do know the outcome.  We talked about being kind, honest, an example, getting lots of sleep, being honest, studying, working hard, etc.

Dave then gave them back to school blessings.  Beautiful blessings again.  I am so grateful for the priesthood on our lives.  I am so glad my husband is worthy and can do this for our children.  Last for FHE treat was our Rolo pencils.  I think it went well.

 I was pleasantly surprised how good the kids jumped up and got ready for school.  I fully anticipated it would be a struggle this morning.  Blake, who fights a shower every time, was in the shower before Cora got on the bus.  Leah was happy and every one had a great breakfast.  Lunches all packed.  My least favorite part of school.  Most requested this year for lunches:  From Blake, pickles and cheese cubes.  From the girls, coleslaw.  Guess I will be stocking up on those.  I also bought those little plastic containers with lids for dips and sauces.  We have used several already.

Can you believe it?  Grade 11!   She is growing to fast, my happy, helpful, beautiful girl.

All ready for the bus, and so glad she has one week until seminary starts.  Oh how we wish for release time. 

Curling the hair.

The only kid that didn't even think about what to wear till out of the shower this morning.  Such a boy.  Grade 5.  My fun-loving, out-going, tease of a boy.

So tall.  Grade 8.  My crazy, funny, beautiful girl.

Good luck to all of you this year.  I wish them all lots of fun, good friend, grades that make them happy, and the spirit to always help and guide them.  I sure love all these kids.  Here we go school year 2015/2016.  Bring it on!!

Wacko Kids!!

Here are a few pictures of the inside of my house right now.  This is upstairs standing in the girls room, looking down the hall to our room.

Basement stairs going up.

Looking out of Dave's den to front door.

The other day  Dave and Cora where painting the outside trim.

Blake, Leah and I where screwing down the deck when it started to rain.  It looked like it was not going to last long, so instead of heading home they just went in the house.  They decided to play hide and seek.

Yeap, in this.  I couldn't decide if my kids where wacko, deprived or had really awesome imaginations.

They played for 20 mins.  Cora came in and joined them for a few rounds.

They had so much fun, it was crazy.  I love when they invent their own fun and get along.

Another Mini Vacation

I took the kids out to my parents for what ended up being only a day and a half.  Still it was time well spent.  My mom had a few projects for the girls and dad had a few for Blake and Levi.  I also needed to use mom's cutter for  quilt squares.  We arrived Monday afternoon.  We talked and had dinner, then the girls and I went into town to watch a play with the Puzey girls.  It was an excellent play.  Amazing what they can do in such a small venue.  Tuesday was perfect and relaxing.  We got most of the things done we came out to do.  At one point I looked out the window to see my dad roping a tree.

This seemed a little odd to me, so I went to investigate.  Apparently there was a dead branch he was trying to get down.  After grabbing a calf hook he got it.  Farmers are very inventive people.

It was the coldest day in a long time, but we still went tubing.  We had to cram all our usual week long summer fun into one day.  So the kids went tubing anyways.

Can you imagine a more ideal childhood.  Tubing down the canal with the mountains in the background and farm fields.  I was such a lucky lucky kid.

Sadly no bridge jumping.  The canal was too low.  My parents dishwasher does not work.  Hasn't for a long time.  The other day when dad put away the dry rack after we did dishes it struck me as extra funny.  The dry rack is stored in the dishwasher.  And really, why not?!!?

We got ice cream and made a trip to the library.  The kids watched a movie.  Indiana Jones as is tradition.  Then had a silly string fight.  Nicole timed it.  They each had two bottles and it lasted just under two minutes.  Price wise I am not sure it is a good game, but the kids sure love it.

Not sure my dad was super excited about his lawn. It will dissolve soon.

We had to leave early for a dental appointment of Cora's and then get her to basketball camp.  It was much to short of a trip, but we squeezed in what we could.

These yellow chair represent summer.  My dad brings them out of storage for the season. They will be going back soon.  This summer has gone to fast for me.  Usually I can't wait for the kids to go back to school.  This year I wish I could hold it off a while longer.  Cora goes into Grade 11 this year.  It's to soon, to fast.  I need time to slow.

Poverty Flats Campout

We just had the 1st annual Puzey Campout.  It was a fun week.  My mother-in-law had spent weeks before hand planning activities and meals and making tons for bread and buns, so it could go as smoothly as possible.  I think the kids had a good time.  Blake especially had a blast.  He has some boy cousins his age and they had fun together.  The meals where delicious with not to much to clean up.  Rachel had brought out her gellish nails stuff and we all got they royal treatment.

I painted the babies toes.  So cute.  I love little ones with painted toes.  A little sad as it reminded me of doing Anna's for the first time.

Myrna had caterpillars the kids made.

Turned out cute also.

The girls helped get the string ready to make glow in the dark jelly fish.

Leah and Ashton dyed the string then it had to dry.  Later in the week we put them all together.

Every day we spent swimming.

Either at the beach or the pool.  Monday Jared took the afternoon off  and took us all on the boat.  Rachel and I even went for a tube ride.  It was awesome.  The kids did lots of tubing and Cora tried water skiing.  She popped up first try.  She has absolutely been bitten by the ski bug.  She went again later in the day and is now counting down until our youth activity.  She LOVED it, and did so great.

There was also a water fight planned.  Again a great activity.  My kids came in smiling and soaked.

There was a fire one night with roasted wieners and s'mores.  Blake always enjoys a good fire and Jared built a big one.  :)  Cora taught the kids to play Poisonous Stump.  A fun game that Steve taught us last year after being on trek with his ward.  I think most enjoyed it.

Tuesday  the girls and I had to take off for a young women's activity.  We did a service project as the community center.  They where showing a movie and the young women where in charge of tickets and concession.  Everyone else came up to watch the movie.

Wednesday was Blake's birthday.  I had made chocolate cupcakes ahead of time, filled them with whipped cream and froze them.  That day I pulled them out and iced them.  Very yummy if I say so myself.  We stayed up past midnight that night to watch the meteor shower.  Pretty cool.

One of the activities I was in charge of was tye-dye shirts for all.  Everyone brought a shirt for their kids and we showed them how to do it. Lots of neat patterns from everyone.  We finally got a picture of them all together.  The oldest grandchild is holding the youngest and the second oldest is holding the second youngest.  Armin was little mad because he wanted to stand by Leah, so after we got him back we switched.  But I love the first picture.

It was a good week.  I enjoyed chatting late into the night with my sister-in-laws and mother-in-law.  I was tired the next morning, but it was worth it.  We ate good and had a nice time.  I had told my girls before hand that they where the oldest and would need to make sure they helped all week.  Anytime grandma called on them they needed to jump.  They did fantastic.  Only once did I need to ask Leah to do something twice.  They where helpful and happy and played with kids all week.  Blake was ecstatic to have boys around for the week.  I would call the first campout a success and look forward to next year.  Thanks for everything Grandma Puzey!!