What a man, what a mighty good man

I know that most women like to brag about what a good man their husband is, but mine takes the cake. Last night we got a call asking for Tanner to pick up his fourth current job.  He has always been a very hard worker and lately he has gone above and beyond.  His normal job is YESCO, which he does from 8-whenever. Then he goes to work for a friend who is retrofitting all the lights in the gyms of the entire school district. He's usually there until close to midnight.  On the sides he sells his biological product which replaces commercial fertilizer.  Last night the division manager from YESCO called and asked Tanner to be the interim sales manager until they can find a replacement. 

Not everyone can work four jobs simultaneously and pull it off. Tanner does it without complaining and we are actually both very grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to him.  He is a bit tired and we do miss having him around but the kids enjoy taking dinner to him every night, even if it is only for 20 min.  I'm so grateful for a husband who is so willing to sacrifice so that I can stay home with our monkeys.  I really miss having him home but I sure get a lot done between 9 pm and midnight while I wait for him.  Nine years ago when he was begging to go out with me I think I am the one who scored=)

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Lake Tahoe

On Monday it was too stinkin' hot to stay home ('cause I refuse to turn on the a/c yet) so I took the kids up to the lake. It was basically just us for most of the day. Hudson was a little bit overwhelmed at first and just walked around in circles for a 1/2 hr. staring at all his surroundings. The water was cold but it didn't seem to bother the kids. Unfortunately the lake is quite a bit lower than last year. But still just as beautiful as ever. I love having Lake Tahoe just out my backdoor. I can't wait to spend all summer at one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Caughlin Ranch Trails

This is one of our favorite places to go on Sunday afternoons. We'd really love to live in this community but they're a bit out of our price range. The whole place has trails and streams and ponds winding through it. We like to walk here and very often spend most of our time jumping back and forth across the streams.  Bryson had a near-death experience goin about 90 mph. down the hill on his bike and seriously injured a small wooden trail sign that came in contact with his bike pedal(which so easily could have been his foot or leg). After the initial shock of realizing the killer speed he got he was cool and hopped back on the bike (which is a little out of whack).

A beautiful view of the mountains

One of the big ponds, stocked with fish

I know I'm his mom so this might sound like bragging...but my kid's got some mad skills when it comes to jumping.

Taking a break on the bridge

All heart and no skill! She needs to work on her form a little but at least she made it across in one piece!

Poor Brynnie was soooo hot! I picked some flowers to make her feel better and it helped...until she got out of the shade.

This is all he wanted to do the whole time

I finally convinced him to let me help him

This is someone's backyard!  NICE!

If you look closely that's a beautiful swan

Things that make you go "Hmmm"

This is a typical conversation with Brynn. (And I promise I am not making

any of this up)

Brynn: Mommy I love you. I can't wait to go outside. Even when you were a kid you played with Uncle Jeff, right. Oh, the planetarium is going to be so fun. I loved that pumpkin bread from the bread store. 

Me: Maybe we can get some bananas to make Banana Bread. 

Brynn: Hey we have pajamas!

Me: No, I said BANANAS!

Brynn: Well, we do have pajamas! Mommyguesswhat! (She makes it all one word) I brought my pink bear. I love you Mommy. Hudson hit me earlier when you weren't looking and it really really hurts. Can I have something to eat? Mommy I love you. 

Me: I love you too. 

Brynn: Mommyguesswhat! Bla bla bla... (another 45 minutes of this type of random thought process)

Me: Okay Brynn, I think you should rest your mouth because your voice is going to get tired.

Brynn: No, it doesn't feel tired.

Me: Well my ears are tired.

Sometimes I think I'm such a terrible mother for being so annoyed with these types of conversations and I really shouldn't tune her out so much. But then I realize that any sane person would probably do the same after HOURS of rambling thinking out loud with no apparent logic.  Sometimes I give such a rote response that it doesn't make sense to her (because I haven't been paying attention to what she's been saying) and she'll call me out.  But here are a few things I absolutely love about her.

1. No one can snuggle quite like Brynn can

2. She is the best little cleaner and always volunteers to help me. 

3. Even when I think she has totally tuned ME out she says stuff that lets me know she really does pay attention, even when she is bouncing off the wall.

4. She will be a great big sister, just not to Hudson!

5. The girl's got MOXIE! Tanner calls it attitude, but I like to think its spunk!

Mud Buddies

Apparently this is going to be a problem for me all summer long. Whenever I water the garden it pools into a huge puddle. While I was in the house cleaning up the kids were all outside eating lunch (Hudson was strapped into his highchair). Bryson got him out and all three decided to go schlopping through the mud together. Yeah! How fun! I tried to keep a straight face and get mad at them but they didn't buy it.  So now whenever we go outside Hud will be naked and the other kids will be in their skivvies because I am tired of doing laundry all the time.

 

Uh, Oh

Nobody likes being naked as much as Hudson. Too bad we have to wear sunglasses to shield the reflection from his skin.  He loves to ride the pony and being naked was just an added plus. I think he may think its a real pony.

Props for Women's Conference

This was my first time ever going to W.C. and I am thrilled to make it a new tradition.  This year Tanner's cousin Starr was one of the speakers so most of the women in the family went to support her.  It was such an amazing experience to listen to all the wonderful, uplifting comments, and helpful suggestions on how we, as women, are such a great group of people and what an awesome responsibility we have to the world and to God.  I loved everything that I heard and had the hardest time choosing between the classes.  My favorite part was the closing session on Friday.  Question! How do you get over 20,000 women who are all talking at the same time to stop instantly? Have a prophet of God walk into the room.  I have never been in the same room with a prophet before and this is what I was looking forward to the most. 

As soon as Pres. Monson walked in the entire Marriot Center became quiet and then we all sang We Thank thee o God for a Prophet. It was so moving and you could feel the Spirit so much. My sister Heidi watched Hudson for me on Thursday and then my niece Nicole got to stay home from school on Friday to take care of him so Heidi could come with me. After we left she said, "I didn't get enough of that. I want to go tomorrow." I could go everyday! It was also fun being on the BYU campus and feeling like I was in college going to classes all day. We ran in to a few people I haven't seen for a long time and that was great too.  Hudson did better than I thought he would with the plane rides (but I'm kinda glad I don't have to do a five-hour plane ride to Hawaii next week like we had originally planned).  Fortunately I sat next to lots of nice, helpful people who thought he was very cute and sweet despite his noise.  And I think I'll survive after sitting on my broken tailbone for three full days. I just won't sit for a few weeks. So anyone who wants to go next year can join me and my sister. It's so worth it.