Nostalgia...for my childhood

My childhood was great! My parents were very good at getting us out there making memories as a family, trying it and doing it all. Big opening day for movies...Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones, and E.T. at the Cinedome, Drive-in's in the summers. Weekly Sunday bike rides to 7 Eleven, hiking up Timpanogas Cave in the heat, touring the Osmond studios...the list could go on and on. But lately I have found myself a little nostalgic for the small list above. These were some of my most favorite memories of growing up, and how I want my kids to have that same experience, that same fondness that I had, had. And so I decided to start a list. It will be a later post. But FIRST here is one I am proud to check off as complete...

NOSTALGIA AT THE DRIVE IN!

People just don't go to the drive in anymore, and I loved it! I remember The Davis Drivein and Motor Vu which was my favorite because it had swings under the big screen just like in Grease when John Travolta sings "Sandy". I remember skipping to the bathroom with my sisters and our new "iron on" shirts from T-shirts Plus. Cheryl with her Scott Baio, Me with my Shaun Cassidy and Jennifer with her Andy Gibb. Jennifer falling on the gravel and Andy Gibb having half a face. I remember our 1974 Blue Suburban and my parents letting me and my friends Angie and Toni lay on top during the movie, and us shining flashlights on the "couples" in the nearby cars. They were not quite as entertained as we, of course. Good Times!

So...this weekend we did it! We went to the Drivein. The closest one to us that was STILL open, was my most favorite anyway; Motor Vu! So after running to Target for some snacks, and to Jimmy John's for sandwiches we headed to opening weekend for Harry Potter. Exactly at 7:15 when the gates open to wait for "dusk" when the movie starts. Logan lasted about 10 min, Darren about 30min, and Ayden 1hr 15min...before they were sound asleep. But 'Kennah, Jaret, and I saw the fantastic movie to the very, very, very end. Needless to say, I was pleased. I enjoyed it as much as I remember in my past. I enjoyed it enough to go again. And even though 1/2 of us may not remember the movie-- maybe they will remember...

Me, letting Logan bring his ENTIRE collection of Star Wars figurines...

Playing "War" with Dad, and Ayden kicking hiney...

Or the cheap Velcro ball catchers that fell apart after a dozen throws.......and dad actually saying..."save the package. I'm returning those piece of junks."

I had a great time, and I think the kids did, too. How could we go wrong, being together? I enjoyed my childhood and credit that ALL to my parents, who made sure that we were well taken care of, behaved properly, respected and loved others, and most of all enjoyed being with each other, and having fun!

I had so much fun, I can't wait to tackle the next thing off my list!

Fun in the Sun...

Last Wednesday our family was able to go to Lagoon for the day with Tina, Lauren and Nate. (Steven, and Brandon were both working and Amanda was in Chicago.) It was the perfect day!



We did not arrive until about 3 pm, and headed straight for Lagoon-a -Beach, it was the first time our kids had been there, and the last time I was here I was wearing a neon shirt, with overalls, and matching scrunchie and socks for our good 'ol --"Stance" (stomp/dance) that we had here in 1991 for high school. The kids had a blast showing their macho, in the lazy river, and trying all the waterslides for the 1st time. We stayed until the beach closed at 8pm.

We had a lot of baggage...not just me and my drama...real baggage. A beach umbrella that we brought for shade, back packs full of treats, extra clothes, etc. and Darren wanted to take it all back out to the car. We told him we would go, wait in line for the rides, and that we would text him to tell him where we were, so he could find us. So, off we go Tina, I, and all the remaining kiddos in tow to the get in line for the Spider. Nate was not of heighth to ride the Spider, and Tina and I decided even "cool" moms can decide to sit a ride (or two) out. So we let the 3 older ones go ahead without us...it was at this time I thought..."oh, the twins would love this ride..." and then another thought occured..."oh... I hope that Darren has BOTH of the twins..." So...I so casually text Darren "We are in line for the spider...do you have both Jaret and Ayden?" to which Darren responds "I have Jaret..." The sirens go off... and I immediately start the stiff legs, heel toe, high swinging arm walk back towards the waterpark. Lost in my thoughts of "what if's"..."what if someone took him", "what if he just wanders aimlessly", "what if he asks a stranger to help him find is mom"....and then my phone rings, and it's Lagoon's "lost child" department, and they have my "Little Ay." PHEW!

All of those horrible thought's and "what if's" going through my mind...and I didn't need to worry, this little boy has been trained well. (...or he has been LOST BEFORE) ok, ok...it is the latter one that is true...but since our little fiasco at Home Depot he HAS been trained well. He executed the "perfect" plan and it worked. According to Ayden, he decided to check out the dude that was making a purchase at the "Drugstore" in the Lagoon-a-Beach store where you exit the beach. He wanted to know just what "kind" of drugs this dude was purchasing and just why was there a store selling "drugs!" He didn't know that we were just not as interested in this gentleman as he was and we had continued down on our way to the Spider. After he saw the completed "deal" being made between the gentlemen and the drugstore seller...he noticed that we were gone. He looked around the store for us a bit, poked his head out the door to see as far as he could see, and waited a good 10 min. When he realized mom and dad were not quite "missing him" just yet, he decided he would try a phone. He asked a Lagoon employee, NOT A STRANGER (you bet we emphasized that detail the last time) if he could use his phone. He tried to call my cell phone, but you could not make personal calls on these here work phones. So he told the employee that he was lost, and they were able to contact the Lost children department for him.

Lagoon has it down! They keep the lost child at the place they had called, and send a manager down to escort the child to a holding cell. It was down the scary alley next to the lockers. When you walk through the 1st door, there is a window to your left where they hold your child to watch for you (much like I imagine "How much is that doggie in the window?" would look.) They have a camera and a microphone where they ask the child "Is that your mom?" before they open that 2nd locked door to let them out.
A little puffy in the eyes, but thankfully SAFE AND SOUND.

We love you, Ayden! And are proud of you for doing everything just right!

Happy Birthday, America!

RED, WHITE and...BOO HOO!

I am always so sad when my favorite holiday comes and goes. Not does it just mean that summer with my kids is just about over, but I am grateful for a holiday that celebrates the country that I love! And of course there's family, parades, and fireworks! This year we didn't have a moment to sit down and loved every minute of it! We woke up bright and early to head to the Breakfast at the Layton park, watched the parade (why I am so loyal, I'll never know!), walked around the booths until the rain came down...then headed up to Blenda and Kirk's (McGary) for a family BBQ and swim! A good time was had by all.

To wrap up the perfect holiday we went to Morgan High School where we were entertained by none other than Blenda herself, and Alex Boye. And BOY, WHAT A SHOW!

Take me out to the Ballgame...

Baseball season came and went this year, it was a good year! Jaret and Ayden played machine pitch last year, and this was Logan's 1st year back since tee ball! Ayden and Logan played 2nd base, and outfield...and little Jaret wanted to be constantly in the action at catcher. All of the boys caught on quite well to kid pitch, they were all able to get a couple of hits, but only Logan can say he got the winning hit in the Championship game! Sealing the deal by hitting two runners in -- WAY TO GO!

#1 FANS

Tampa Bay Rays Major League Champions 2009

(with the best coaches ever- Jeff Parry, and Ed Dayton)