We (12 of us) Did it... and it was pretty cool!

Thanks to Grandpa and my brave siblings and nieces and nephews, I did what I never thought I would do... skydiving. Despite the "uni-bomber" scare video we had to watch first it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be... although I'm not sure I could do it again. Jumping out of the plane wasn't bad because I didn't really jump... instead my tandem guy grabbed my head and flipped out of the plane for me. The best part was the 110 mph for 60 seconds free fall. Although I screamed the entire time what a cool feeling. Didn't love the parachuting part so much... all of the flipping around made me a little motion sick.

There were 12 of us, so we did 3 planes of 4 each. It was funny watching Scott count parachutes as each of his kids jumped... once he saw all 4 open he enjoyed it much better.

(Had major issues posting these pictures, so you have to scroll from the bottom up to see them in order.)

My kids weren't so sure about the tatoo'd, ponytailed tandom partners.. but I assured them I'd be safe with my 2000+ jump man.

Our photographer let the kids take a quick look at the plane.

Long-hair had to be in a braid or cap.
It was fun to watch as well...I think my kids were just glad when I was down. After all of the jumpers from each plane had landed they let the rest of us go on the field. My kids ran over to hug me and Cam said "Mom I'm glad you didn't die."
I highly recommend the place we did. Good times had by all... otter pops for the spectators and just an amazing day!

I went skydiving, rocky mountain climbing...

This song has been running through my head for the last 2 days and I think will be my "summer theme song."

Yes, I am getting ready right now to go skydiving. And to be honest, I'm not quite sure why I am doing it. Yes it sounds exhilarating, it is a once-in-a-lifetime activity, 10 other family members are going... but still isn't the goal generally to stay in a plane, not fall out?

I guess this is the summer that I am doing things I'm not so comfortable with and not really sure why I am doing. Putting our house up for sale has been a challenge to say the least. And just like skydiving in a few hours, I'm not really sure why we are doing it. It is definitely looking like plan C, D, E or F is in the future (not the Plan A or B we fasted and prayed about). I just wish I knew what Plan C, D, E or F was going to look like.

I heard a great quote a few weeks ago -- LIFE BEGINS WHERE YOUR COMFORT ZONE ENDS. Comfort zone is something I really, really like.

But just like the skydiving song... I guess events like today (if I don't chicken out), the process of deciding to sell our house regardless of whether the outcome is what I had originally planned, and doing HARD THINGS will ultimately be good for me.

Thanks Dave!

Ok... so every summer about this time I start to feel a little guilty about being a "stay at home mom." I love summers and I love my kids being home all day. I love the days we can sleep in, I love playing games, I love all of us just being home and having a big breakfast together on the patio.

And of course being a "stay at home" mom doesn't mean I have to stay at home. Tuesday Lagoon with all of the cousins, Wednesday Snowbird Tram/Hiking, shopping, Temple Square, Thursday skydiving... (that is if I don't chicken out). When relatives are in town Dave gets to enjoy the BBQ at night, but I am the lucky one that just gets to play all day!

Friday Lauren and I will be going to Draper Temple to do baptisms (2nd of our 4 in 4 weeks goal) and then to Pineview to play in the lake with cousins. And we have water park, candy factory tour, SL Temple baptisms, Olympic Park and a few other outings on the calendar.

All while Dave is at work all day ... I realize he would rather be at work than Lagoon, but still I feel a little guilty.

I'm just so grateful I have the chance to make so many wonderful memories with my kids... thanks Dave for making this possible!!

Memorial Day Weekend ... Very Memorable

We had a great Memorial Day Weekend this year (yes I realize it was over 6 weeks ago but better late than never.)

Lots of food, lots of cousins, Cameron's first time at golf, an intense volleyball tournament, Shrek 3 and lots of fun... but the best part had to be Katie and Rachel accidentally starting the tractor and then freaking out when it started to roll, and then promptly jumping off screaming at the top of their lungs.

Fortunately, Rob was at the cabin (everyone had gone on a walk) and he came running down and stopped it. Just glad it was the 15 and 19 year old that made it roll, not the 12 and 14 year old (yes Lauren and Jana that is you who started the whole thing but were just lucky that it didn't actually start when you tried it!)

Last Day of School -- I Wish Time Would SLOOOOOOW Down!

Sweetest Sister and Friend Ever.... And amazing kid!!!

Ok... so knowing my sisters they both think this is about them... and they are really are the sweetest sisters ever. But this post is not about them.

I was at Farmington Pool today with the kids and watched the sweetest sister and friend. There was a boy (probably 10-12) who had no arms and no legs. His cute sister and her friend (probably 14 or 15) were helping him float around the pool, flipping him over so he could practice face down and face up and lifting him on and off the edge.

While all of the other teenagers were flirting/playing and just being teenagers, these two cute girls took such good care of him. I didn't want to stare, but I just watched in amazement as the 3 of them played in the pool. Amazing kids... all 3 of them!

How Can You Tell Lauren Just Got Back from Space Camp

I love my kids' creativity. The play Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Hunger Games (ok... not so sure I loved that one... but it was creative). They are really good about making their own fun.

Last night a few neighbor's came over for homemade icecream (Lauren's suggested recipe for Rocky Road icecream and it was really good). Throughout the night chairs, blankets, posters, coats and pretty much everything from the house was dragged out to create... Shuttle Mission.

There was a mission control board, walkie/talkies, medical units, etc. But my favorite part was looking over and seeing Luke and Cam walking around in "Space Suits" on the moon fixing a broken rover or something. I didn't end up getting great pictures because their space commander Lauren was giving them directions on what they were supposed to be doing.

.... Highly Recommend It!

Lauren giving us a tour... one of several Mission Simulation Rooms

The Newton Chair

Lauren's cute friend Mandy -- Got the Outstanding Camp Award

I design my own future. All that I want to become is available to me through:

• Determination

• Goal Setting

• Good Studying Habits

• Pride in My Accomplishments

• And Service to Others

Space Camp ended and was everything Lauren hoped it would be and more. Although Lauren loved the scuba diving, the 7-8 space missions they got to go on, the Newton chair, piloting the shuttle rescuing shuttles, building rovers, having massive group sleepovers (15 cots per room)... I think I was most impressed by the "Mission Statement" they would recite each day (listed above.)

Not only did they challenge the kids physically and intellectually, they were teaching them amazing principles. The director and all of the counselors knew everyone's names, they were positive, the kids were polite, they were busy literally 7am - 11 pm every day (she was a bit tired), and the food wasn't nearly as bad as she thought. (They didn't get snacks though and it about killed her.)

Couple of thoughts.

Picking up Lauren was so funny. They had a "graduation" and after they gave awards the kids came back to say hi to parents. Her friend gave her dad and brother a big hug, her dad kissed her, etc, etc.

Lauren on the other hand gave me a 1/2 arm hug and looked and Kenzi and Cameron and smiled. Hmm... either too cool or didn't really miss us.

On the way home I asked her why she had such a different greeting than Mandy did. Did she just want to be cool? Did she not miss us or ??

Her response. "Mom, you just dropped me off on Tuesday, it isn't like I could really get home sick!" Good for you Lolo!!!

Lauren wants to go back (and now Cam and Kenzi want to go to) and I would highly recommend this to anyone whose kids LOVE Space.

Monopoly Deal, Bike Ride to Hannah Holbrook or Tennis Anyone?

Does your family ever get on obsessed with anything? Well, so far this has been the summer of 3 things:

1. Monopoly Deal. Great game, fast, way better than playing Candy Land and geared for 8+ in age so we all love playing it. I can honestly say I bet we've played 50-100 games in the last several weeks. We've even gotten Dave to play a few times. Cam and I played at 10:00 pm last night and again at 8:30 am this morning.

2. Bike Ride to Hannah Holbrook. My kids have discovered the joy of taking off on their bikes and they love to ride up to Hannah Holbrook. Sometimes Dave and I go with them, but mostly they love to go on their own.

3. Tennis. All 3 of the kids have decided they love tennis. Cam and I "played" for an hour last night and he would have kept playing but I was tired. Kenzi always wants to take the rackets with us when we go to the park. The girls and I did a "girls late night" under the lights at 5 points ... that was great. Like skiing, I've definitely regressed over the years, but if anyone is interested we are always up for some company!

Lolo's 1st Time Away.... SPACE CAMP!!!

For as long as I can remember, Lauren has wanted to be the first person to Mars and wanted to start it out by going to Space Camp with Mrs. Trease. The cost and sending her off on an airplane to Atlanta when she is 12 seemed a little overwhelming to me.

When she was little if she tried to have a cousin sleepover she'd always end up coming home in the middle of the night caused she'd miss "her mommy" too much. I always worried she'd never make it to girl's camp or anywhere on her own.

Long story short... yesterday she headed off to a Space Camp in Ogden. It is Tuesday - Friday, they stay in cots (10-20 per room), have cute nerdy/space camp counselors, do flight simulations, go scuba diving, try gravity chairs, go to HAFB, hear from an astronaut and generally just have a lot of fun.

She let me know on Monday night as she was packing (and I offered to help) that "mom if I'm old enough to go away by myself for a week I'm old enough to pack myself." Smart woman...I love/hate that she is so independent!

This is her friend Mandy from soccer who introduced us to the Space Camp. I'm not sure Lauren would have really gone if she hadn't known someone.

She called last night and is having a fabulous time. Said everyone is nice, they had Pizza Hut for dinner and they were busy every second of the day.

Go Lolo!