Letter from sunny CA

James got a letter just the other day from San Diego. HE PASSED!!! YAY!! He was starting to get so nervous. Our brother-in-law Joseph has a friend that took the test also and he got a letter saying that he did not pass. When James heard that and still hadn't gotten his letter, he was starting to doubt. But, he did it. Now we just wait for them to go through the process of looking at everybody's stuff. Hopefully it will not be too long of a wait. So, when you talk to James, make sure to congratulate him!

Little Rays of Sunshine

I was in the shower today and Trenton left me a little present on the toilet seat. It was this picture. I just thought I would share this.
With all of this rain, there was bound to be a rainbow in the mix somewhere. This one happened the other night at about 8:15. I was really surprised that it was so light. The boys wanted a picture taken of it and to draw a picture of it. Right after I took the picture, it vanished. I guess it was staying there just long enough for us to enjoy it.

Grampa--Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ol' Days

Today we went to Mom and Dad's for Memorial Day. Gramma and Grampa were there too. I made the comment that our family is very fortunate that everyone who served in the military (especially those that were at war) have all come home. We haven't lost any of our family members to war. Then Gramma told me about some of the times we almost lost Grampa...

One time, as Grampa was standing at the door of the plane as it was flying over its drop-off point, he was throwing things out of the door (it was along the side of the plane, not in the rear like they are nowadays) and didn't realize his foot was caught in a rope that was part of whatever was being thrown to the ground far below them. The rope caught around his loafer and took his shoe and part of his head out of the plane. He regained his composure and was safe. If he'd been wearing his boots the rope would've held onto him and he probably would've been taken out of the plane.

There were also a couple of times when mountains appeared out of nowhere and pilots fell asleep at the wheel. We're really lucky to have Grampa still with us!

Then Grampa began telling stories of his childhood. He remembered when he was in high school and some of the seniors caught a pig that had crossed into the school grounds. They threw it down the outhouse pit. When a teacher went out to use the "facility" he heard the squeals of the pig from below him. He made the boys fish the 150 lb porker out of the outhouse hole. Gross!

He also told me about when he was in school they snuck over and ate sugar cane from one of the locals. They ate so much of it throughout the season that the poor guy had no sugar cane left when it came time to make syrup. By then the parents of the kids (including Great Grandma and Grandpa) all donated part of their supply to the guy to make up for their kids wiping out his crop. Grampa was chuckling as he told me this. He just remembered the cane being really, really good. Dad thought it was interesting that the parents just took care of it and the sheriff wasn't involved at all--much different than if something like that happened today.

Anyway, just thought I'd share the gems of Grampa. I've got to take a tape recorder over to him and just record all of his stories, especially if I can capture them with the flavor that he adds to them.

Summer break ALREADY!!!

Well, our summer vacation has officially started. They ended school yesterday. And I have NO IDEA what I am going to do with them now. I'm seriously thinking of started them on a schedule while they are here at the house. Yesterday we had the home teachers over, and they did not behave worth crap. James and I were both so upset with them. That's why we are thinking of a schedule. The only think with that is that I have to make sure it is done. That's why I don't even THINK about homeschooling. Here is James project for right now. This is his new work truck. He really likes it. They had to dig a trench with this big thing, so when they were done, he brought it home at did this:It looks a whole lot better in these pictures. This is after Cary came over and started to smooth it all down. I wish I took a picture of it before that was done. It looked scary.

The weather does not look very accomodating for Summer vacation does it? I didn't think so either. It's been raining all week, and suppose to rain for a while still. What am I gonna do with 3 boys stuck in the house all day long!?!?!?

I was cutting James' hair in our bathroom the other day. Teagan thought he had to be in there too. So to not get in the hair, he went under the sink. It was pretty cute.
Do you remember the Buzz Lightyear costume that Trenton had several years ago for Halloween. Teagie fits it now. It's one of his favorite things to wear. Tyler is flying him around. Just ignore the underwear on the tall skinny boy in the background!By the way, I am planning on coming to MT in the middle of the first week in June. Shelly, I know you said that the girls still have school, but I have a DR appointment on the 17th that I have to go to, and I wanted to have enough time to spend there. I'll probably leave on Tues. or Wed. Probably Tues. Maybe sooner, you never know!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBY!!!!!

We miss you guys, and will hopefully see you all very soon!!!! I hope you all have a GREAT day!!!

Random Thoughts by Shelly

I miss Peter's singing. Not the nice, melodic voice used in performances. I'm talking the episodes of him going upstairs to the bathroom after dinner (especially on his dishes nights), closing the door and immediately belting out, "Oh, say can you see?" Yes, Pete. We all know what business you're up to.

This is my neighbor. She's vacuuming her driveway. She also vacuums her flowerbeds. I don't know which is weirder--the fact that she's vacuuming the outdoors or that I took a picture of her through my curtains.

To all the mothers...

Happy Mother's Day Mom, Shelly and Lori!

Hope you guys have a good day! I love you all and miss you---can't wait until July!

Tara

Anniversary wishes

Happy Anniversary Shelly and Josh!!! I can't believe it's been 10 years already! We love you!

Pictures...finally!!

After a long while with a camera that didn't take very nice pictures, I am now able to show off my kiddos.

On Sunday after church we decided to go on a hike. The boys loved it. They were getting pinecones to bury in the ground for new trees. Ah, the innocence of children.We packed a lunch and went down to some beaver ponds. I wouldn't go across them, so James took the boys on it. It was really nice.
James and I were both very tired from the day before. I went and helped a friend at her daughters wedding reception. I was helping with the food, and didn't get home until almost 11:00. For me, that's really late. And James was working really hard this week. So we didn't do much hiking. Just let the kids play around for a while.

And I took some pictures with my NEW camera. YAY!!! I even figured out how to download the pictures by myself. GO ME!!!

Pillow Talk

This morning when Josh got home from work he was determined to come to church with us. Problem was, he was asleep. Remember how he semi-functions in his sleep? It's been a while since such a notable performance, but I had to share this one.

First, Josh needed to give a message to our bishop about an appointment he had (Josh is the Ward Executive Secretary). I asked him if he could call Bishop, but Josh said he was in a meeting. I asked if he could send a note to him, since that would be more appropriate than me just telling him the message. The first draft Josh signed, "Love, Josh." I made him rewrite it. After that business was taken care of, he asked Millie if she wanted him to write a note to her. He did and this is what it said,

"Please excuse Millie Johnson from P.E. today as she was seen in the ER."

Then, Josh tried to dress himself. He came out wearing his green slacks, tennis shoes, suit jacket, and a tie. The tie actually matched his slacks, but it was tied around the collar of his coat--he had forgotten his white shirt. He didn't understand why I told him he couldn't wear his outfit to church.

A few minutes later Josh came out of the bedroom to try to help me get the kids out the door. He took Matt back to his bedroom to grab his shoes. I went to check on them and discovered Josh was giving Matt a lesson on coordinating his Sunday attire. Matt had put on white socks and Josh began teaching him: "I buy my pants to match my socks." I thought he just got the words mixed up until I realized that he really was still asleep as he continued: "I also have a lot of different types of ties. Because you want your ties to match your underwear." I tried really hard not to laugh outloud as Josh summed it all up for his son: "You wear dark socks so your tie will match your underwear." Matt nodded in complete understanding.