Baking Cookies

So it has been almost 2 yrs. since I have blogged. I've decided to get back with it. It is important to have these memories for my kids.

So today we baked sugar cookies. I'm embarassed to say that I have never been successful at sugar cookies. However, they were perfect today. I couldn't believe that they actually worked. So here are some pictures from our baking party.

Scout Camp June 2009

Max had a great time with Hank and Tregan at 11 yr. old scout camp.

Not sure if he's building a fire or playing with fire. Probably playing???

Working on second class rank. Way to go boys.

Our Trip To Moon Lake July 2009

Our Trip to Moon Lake with our good Friends The Olsen's.
Tyson, Mya, Max Tom, Megan, Lyn, Melanie, Hannah, Kali, Chad.

We all had a great time.

Max was so excited because he caught his first fish! He would not touch the worm. He actually dropped the container of worms and would not pick them up. He made Megan pick them up for him. Then when he finally caught his first fish he would not touch it. Mom had to take it off the hook and string it onto a stick. The rainbow trout measured 12". Pretty good for a first fish.

Tom told Max that if he caught a fish he would have to eat it. Both Tom and Max HATE fish. They won't even come close to Tuna Fish. That being said...Max kept his promise and both Tom and Max tasted the yummy rainbow trout that we cooked over the fire. Both actually agreed that it wasn't too bad.

The worst part was that Mom was the only person who knew how to clean the fish; thanks to Bokah. Whenever we went camping as a kid we had to clean our own fish...thanks Dad. I knew someday I would use these skills as a mother. Ha ha ha.



One of the days we set out for a hike. It was a little difficult for me since I had just had surgery on my foot. Mya was tired within the first five minutes. She is so LUCKY she has such an awesome big Bubba!! He carried her for a few minutes and she absolutely loved it.

On the trail. Love your pose Meg!! Daddy had to finish carrying Mya. She was all tired out and just couldn't make her little legs go anymore.

What a handsome young man. Still my "little" boy, but turning into a fine young man. We love you Max. You are an awesome kid!

Every evening around 6 or so 5 deer would come through our camp site. This buck had lost one side of his antlers. Sooo sad. "Oh Deer" ha ha ha.

One of the best parts of camping...nightly campfires. We had so much fun visiting with our friends.

Moon Lake is a really fun place for kids and grown ups. It is a very large lake surrounded by quakies (my favorite), pine trees, and a beautiful sandy beach. The kids and big kids had lots of fun playing in the sand and the lake.

We decided to rent this little boat and take a tour of the lake. It took us 45 minutes to go around the entire perimeter of the lake. It was absolutely beautiful. The mountains in Utah are so beautiful!

By the time evening came...the kids were exhausted. We stayed in rustic cabins. It was nice to have running water and a toilet. Megan was so tired this night she didn't even make it all the way in her bed before she was asleep.

Max trying so hard to catch a fish.

Tom and Mya taking a stroll along the beach. So cute.

ALL the kids playing in the lake. It was very very very cold, and very deep. Apparently there is no bottom to this lake; they have probed and have never found the bottom. A little bit frightening??

Even though our little bud is growing up fast, he still likes to play like a little boy. He was inventing a raft.

Digging in the sand and having a great time. This is not a place to go if you want your kids to stay CLEAN!

Everone knows you have to take a portable DVD player on a camping trip. :)

I love the mountains!

Nothing better than spending time with the ones you love the most!

The Best Day of Max's Life...So Far

Curious Max....

In June, Camp Williams Army Base was firing bombs. It was very very very loud. The loudest that we have heard for the 4 yrs. living at this house. So Max decided to e-mail Camp Williams to find out what kind of artillery they were using. Much to our surprise a Lt. Col. McIntyre responded to his e-mail. He told Max about all the equipment they were using, and even sent him pictures. At the end of his e-mail he asked Max if he would be interested in coming along for a ride and watching them in their drill practices.

What 11 yr. old wouldn't want to go and watch??? So of course Max quickly sent back an e-mail saying "I would love to come and watch". Again, we didn't expect Lt. Col. McIntyre to actually have Max come and watch, but a few weeks later he e-mailed Max and said he could come the next day.

Max was so excited! He asked if he could bring his Dad and Grandpa with. So the next day they spent two hours with the Army National Guard on the artillery field launching bombs.

Here are a few pictures of what Max calls the "Best Day of My Life...So Far"

Max and Grandpa with artillery helmets getting ready to go in the Hum V.

Heading into the Howitzer to go for a ride.

Max inside the Howitzer. They let him play with all the controls.

Having the time of his life!!!!

Mr. Lawn Mower

All who know Max are very aware that he LOVES to mow lawns. In fact, this has been his love since his very first "Little Tykes" lawn mower at age 6 months old. This may be due to the fact that I use to put him on my back in a backpack to mow our own lawn?? :) Who knows how he came to LOVE mowing lawns.

Well, he LOVES it so much he has started his own business at age 11. He came up with the name MAXimum Lawncare...No Blade Out of Place. Pretty cute name huh!

Max is now mowing 8 lawns. His Thursdays are booked solid with clients!! He is completely enjoying himself. For the last few weeks he has been hauling all the equipment with the help of Mom in the van. However, thanks to Bokah he now has his own "Rig". Bokah supplied him with an ATV attached to a trailer. Yea!!! Now everything fits on the trailer and no more hauling in the van.

It is a pretty awesome site seeing him come down the road on the 4-wheeler with the trailer attached. He takes great pride in his work and loves what he does!

He hopes by the end of the summer that he has earned enough money to buy a laptop (mac) computer, or maybe a motorcycle. Hasn't quite decided which would be best. Oh yea, he has also thought about a ride-on mower. We'll see what he decides to do! Way to go Max. We're proud that you are a hard worker, and take pride in the job that you do!

As he was mowing his first lawn with the trailer and ATV he stopped the mower and said "Hey Mom, now it really feels like a real business".

Pre-school Graduation

May 28th was Megan's last day of pre-school. She was so sad. She did not want pre-school to end. Megan had a great year with Mrs. Buxton. She learned to read, and has a great head start for kindergarten. It was very hard to say good-bye to Mrs. Buxton. When I went to pick her up from school she was crying. She just kept saying "I'm going to miss Mrs. Buxton and all my friends." She cried for 1/2 the day. It was heart breaking. However, now that summer has started and she gets to play outside all day with her friends she is happy.

Megan is very excited to start kindergarten. The first day of kindergarten Mom is going to cry 1/2 the day. This will be an exciting day, but sad for Mom.