The Longest Post in the History of Blogging or Our 4th of July Vacation

I have finally downloaded the pictures from our trip to AZ and CA. It was a fun, long, and tiring 10 days. The first few days were spent with the Gibb's for a family reunion. We hadn't been all together for about 5 to 6 years, I think. We all stayed at G'ma & G'pa Gibb's new house in Prescott, AZ - there are 32 of us Gibb's these days - that's a lot of people and a lot for one roof. We managed to have a great time. The first day we were there (Thursday) was spent visiting with everyone, getting ready for the family picture (a little stressful, I might ad) and of course going to:

The pictures turned out great (hopefully we'll get them soon and I can post them.) On Friday, the 4th of July we went on a hike around a beautiful lake near my parents house. We had a great time. Tim stayed home (because of his hip issue) and kept McKenna so I really got to enjoy myself.

I was trying to be a good photographer and get some action shots, so here you go.

Uncle Andrew, his son, Hyde and my niece Hannah (Bart's daughter) Note: They were having a lot more fun than they look.

Looking across the lake at some of the fam.

Somehow these two cuties charmed their way into free rides from their super nice cousins, Brenden and Landon.

Cousins, Cousins, Cousins During the hike we stopped for a rest. The kids enjoyed the nice cool lake water. Everyone started skipping rocks. Here's Livie's action shot. Check out that wrist action.
And then, of course, it had to be turned into a competition by all the guys.
Just as we were trying to get back to the cars from the hike, it started raining, no wait, hailing. We then of course had to make our stop at:

It rained off and on the whole day. That evening we figured the fireworks were canceled so we stayed home. We got to enjoy a fun Power Point presentation of old photos of all of us. I would post some examples but they were just WAY to embarrassing. We also enjoyed a little Wii. Ok, A LOT of Wii. Here's Brenden showing us all up.
Bart and Brenden. Look how calm Brenden plays. This is about how much he would move if I were filming it. Bart on the other hand - a little different story. Hee! Hee!
Saturday, was another fun FILLED day. We started the day off with the Prescott Parade. It was really great but it just got a little too hot for all these darling kids.

You can't beat that AZ sun.

That afternoon we then, of course, stopped to have our final In-n-Out hamburgers.

Mmmmm. Can't you just taste them now?

Grandpa Gibb then treated us all to a Rodeo. It was great fun. The Rodeo clown was so funny and all the cowboys were VERY impressive. Everyone had a great time. Thanks again, Grandpa.

Carson, Livie, Alexa (in the back) and Landon.
The next Rodeo star.

Tim, Casey and McKenna

The day wasn't over yet. We finished it off with a grand Gibb Talent Show. We didn't get very many photos of this event because by this time our batteries in the camera had died. But, if you go to Bart's blog I am sure he should have some great videos and pictures from the night. (Yes, Bart, that's a hint to UPDATE YOUR BLOG.) There were so many great performances. It's so great to see how talented our family is. We had some piano solos, duets, aprons made for families, skits and singing.

Here's the Grandma and Grandpa singing. My dad had wrote each of us a song when we were kids so they sang them to us. It was touching. I hadn't heard those songs for a long time.

Alexa and me playing a duet.

On Sunday we had one last event. Not only did we go to church but Bart and Marie blessed their new baby, Grace Caroline. It was so nice that we could all be their.

Tim, Grandpa, Grace, Bart & Andrew (Dave and his family had already left when this picture was taken.)
Marie, Bart & Grace
Two cute girls holding their cousin, Nate.That night we left to head out to CA to see the other grandparents, aunts and uncles. As we were driving down the mountain I got a shot of the most beautiful part of AZ. The sky.
On our way to CA. Much better traveling conditions than I remember as a kid.

No time to rest. The next day after arriving in CA we went to the Aquarium with Uncle Scott, Aunt Tara, cousins, Noah and Caleb, and Abuela and Grumps. They had a great time.

Maya
Livie and Maya
Livie
After that we headed on over to Redondo Beach and had lunch at Chicago for Ribs - a tradition that the Van Buskirk's have enjoyed for many years. It was delicious as always. We then stopped at the Beach to let the kids play (and wait for the traffic to die down so we could get home sometime that day.) It was the same beach that their Grandpa Van Buskirk aka Grumps, grew up going to. He only lived a few blocks away. It was the first time a few of the girls had been to the ocean. Hard to believe since Tim and I both grew up about 45 min. from the beach.

We aren't done yet. Hang on. Just a few more days left.

The next day we went to Newport beach to let the girls play. This was the beach that I grew up going to. My parents rented a little beach house every summer for a week. Great memories.

Tim took each of the girls out into the water to really get a good experience. They all loved it except for Olivia. She is just a little more cautious than the rest.
Here's sweet McKenna sunning with mom. It's the only time she left her hat on longer than 5 seconds.
The new beach bums. They LOVED it.
One tradition I had growing up was going to Ruby's on the pier for ice cream. So, of course we had to stop and have some.

Our last day in CA Abuela and Grumps to all the grandkids (and their parents) to Skandia. We had a great time riding the rides, riding go-carts, and the bumper boats. Thanks Abuela and Grumps. And thanks to Tara's blog because I got so lazy about taking pictures that I "borrowed" some from her blog.

Caleb, Livie, Maya, Alexa and Noah

(would you believe that Noah is actually younger than Alexa?) He is getting so tall.

Kirra and Grumps leading with Kristine close behind.
Look at these darlings. Malia and Kirra
As we headed out of town we stopped by my old house in Upland where I grew up.
Whew!!! We are finally done. We had so much fun. We were so busy that just remembering all this makes me tired. The girls were great travelers and they so enjoyed seeing all their cousins as did we. Hopefully we will see them again soon.

Two stories only a mother could love!

1. I have one of the sweetest daughters ever. Seriously, I can't figure out how lucky I got. Yesterday, Tim had to go get an MRI (whole different story) and the dr. told him that someone should drive him because he could be in some pain afterward. Since Alexa is so responsible and the other girls are learning from her example, I decided to leave the three of them home to get their jobs done. I took McKenna with me and ended up having to wait around for a while to make sure that Tim had a way to get from where his shot was over to the MRI center. I got home about an hour later to find the kitchen all clean. Alexa was standing in the sparkling kitchen. I asked her if she cleaned it because I knew I hadn't assigned anyone to it. She said, "Well, I just figured you'd like to come home to a clean kitchen." Need I say more. She is a definite keeper, that girl.

2. Olivia is sort of on a different plan than Alexa. She is definitely the one who would rather lay on her bed all day and do nothing than, well pretty much anything. I find her their anytime she is supposed to be cleaning her room or even just getting dressed. She is also easily distracted by pretty much anything around her. If she hears her sisters talking, or if she hears me getting McKenna out of bed, she completely forgets what she is supposed to be doing and has to come in and see what is going on. So, I am trying to teach Olivia about consequences - if you get your work done really fast than you have the whole day to play, or on a more frustraiting day, I would say - If you don't get this job done in 15 min. I am just going to have to give you another job. It is a trial between the two of us, I am learning patience and hopefully she is learning the value of work and how to be responsible. With that said, today I got an e-mail from a mom of one of Olivia's friends inviting her to come over on Friday to play. I called Olivia down after one of our normal mornings, here is our conversation:
Mommy - Livie, Natalie's mom e-mailed me and wants to know if you want to come over and play on friday.

Livie - (jumping up and down non-stop) yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!

Mommy - Ok, but you need to make sure that you get your jobs done really good for the next couple of days and make sure that you are getting along good with Maya so you don't miss out on going. That would be really sad.

Livie - (running up the stairs to her sister) Ok! Don't anybody bug me on friday!!!

Tag, you're it! Thanks, Marque.

I got tagged. 50 Things!

1) Favorite hobby? Hobby, who has time for hobbies when I have to type 50 things. Ok! I guess I'd say sewing, or decorating my house (sometimes that's the same thing.)
2) Have you ever smoked pot? Of course not! You know me better than that. I ALWAYS play by the rules.
3) Do you own guns? No, and I'm not against them, I just don't own one.
4) What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? I would have to say ice.
5) Do you get nervous before doctors apts? I try not to go to the doctor
6) What do you think of hot dogs? love them, especially with Settler's Beans on them.
7) Favorite Christmas song? Angels We Have Heard On High
8) What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water
9) Can you do push ups? I am proud to say that as of the past few weeks I can do 4 real push ups in a row.
10.) Can you do a chin up? Good question - the next time I see a random chin up bar hanging around, I'll try it out. - But let's get real, I know the answer is no.
11) What's your favorite piece of jewelry? ANYTHING that Jean has made.
12) Do you like blue cheese? Depends on how it's served - dressing, yes. On a salad, yes. On a sandwich, no.
13) Ever been in a car wreck? Once in my "plastic fantastic" but I wasn't driving.
14) Do you have AIDS? No (Dumb question.)
15) What's one trait that you dislike about yourself? That I am insecure about the way I look.
16) Middle name? Lynn
17) Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.. I really should be getting something done besides typing this post. The house is nice and quiet since the kids are in bed. I really wish I didn't have to hear ESPN in the background.
18) Fovorite Drink. Diet Coke
19) Name three things you bought yesterday. It was Sunday, I didn't buy anything.
20) Current worry? Is Obama going to become president? SCARY!!!
21) Current dislike right now? Obama
22) What food could you eat for the rest of your life? choc. chip cookies
23) Who were you with for new years? Tim probably unpacking our house.
24) Where would you like to be right now? Sitting on the couch.
25) Tag three people who need to complete this? Jeannie, Tina, and Cherstin
26) Do you own slippers? yes.
27) What shirt are you wearing? Blue white and yellow paisley looking shirt.
28) Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't know, I never have.
29) Can you whistle? Yes, does anyone really care? Silly question.
30) How would you define your ideal personal space? Outside in a lounge chair reading a book with no humidity and about 78 degrees. Oh! Yeah, and no one asking me for anything.
31) Would you be a pirate? I'm guessing, no. I like to play by the rules as Tim says.
32) What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing, that's when I do my best thinking.
33) Favorite girl's name? Alexa, Olivia, Maya, McKenna & Casey
34) Favorite boy's name? Tim
35) What's in your pockets? Nothing.
36) Last thing that made you laugh? Maya giving the FHE lesson.
37) Best bed sheets as a child? Clean ones
39) Do you love where you live? I wouldn's say love just yet, but we're getting there.
40) How many TVs do you have in your house? 2 TVs
41) Who is your loudest friend? It's a toss up between, Tim, Andrew and Bart (actually I think Bart, at least I've heard him be the loudest for way more years than Tim and Andrew)
42) How many dogs do you have? None. I have kids instead.
43) Does someone have a crush on you? My darling husband, he tells me all the time.
44)Have you ever liked someone your friends warned you was bad news? No, but my family has.
45) What is your favorite book? The Book of Mormon, it makes me feel the best.
46) What is your favorite candy? Good and Plenty's, and pretty much anything choc.
47) Favorite Sports Team? Who in the world likes sports? But if my husband is reading this, it's the Red Sox.
48) What song do you want played at your funeral? Never thought about it, I'll have to get back to you on that.
49) What were you doing 12 AM last night? Watching Gilmore Girls (Sorry, Marque)
50) What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Do I have to run today?

Whew!!! Am I glad that's done.

We LOVE our Cousins!

I almost forgot to post these fun and exciting few days we had. Our cousins Will and Hyde came to spend a few days with us. There mommy had just had a baby and so it was the perfect excuse to get them here. The girls love them. I think because it is a refreshing change from all things girl. I must say it is different having boys around. It's good for us to experience in our house. Here are some pictures of some of the fun things we did.

They love eating outside. This was the only time I saw them sitting all together. After that they were up in the trees and running all over the yard.

Here we are on our way to Old Salem. The Children's Museum was doing a puppet show that day so we hopped in the car and headed out. After the show we stayed and played at the museum. Unfortunately I forgot to take the camera into the museum and when I realized it I wasn't about to hall 6 kids back to the car just for the camera. I did take some with my phone but as of late, McKenna decided to suck on the phone and now it's broken so no documentation of this event. Sorry folks. Take note that Livie is reading a book. All the kids brought books to read in the car. It was such a quiet trip.
Happy Mac Lou.
This is what you get when you let your 10 year old take the pictures.

HHHEEEELLLLPPPP!!!!!

I am always amazed when I talk to other moms and how many things they seem to accomplish. I always want to be one of those. I want to still have time for my own hobbies or even get ahead in decorating our home. BUT, I never seem to get ahead of the game. I was just thinking about that while I swept and mopped my floor the other day. I was so pleased that maybe, just maybe I could hurry and get the house all cleaned and then the next day I could spend the day sewing or doing something fun with the girls. NO SUCH LUCK! I got up in the morning, had breakfast, (I made sure it wasn't anything that would make crumbs since I had just mopped the floor the day before) got the girls doing their chores and after the dishes were done I went in to inspect the work and noticed the floor needed to be swept again. It had not been even 18 hours and I came up with this pile:

So, there I was spending my day cleaning, yet again. So tell me, how do you do it?