The First Day of School!

The first day of school is here! It's a mixed emotion for me. I'm excited to get back into a routine and schedule, but I dread how busy I'll be with PTA and Book Fairs! But it's all worth it for the kids.

Charles was so excited for school. He was up super early and ready! Glenn took him to meet his teacher and find his desk. I took these pictures of him and he's starting to do this weird smile with his big teeth. I don't know what that's about but I think a lot of kids start looking goofy around his age- or at least let me think that's what it is, please. Anyway, he had to get the backpack that the strap goes across his chest. Last year he kept wearing his regular backpack with both straps over his chest, so this year we had to find the right one!

I also put up the pictures of our guinea pigs, Snowball Unicorn and Squeaky Colors!

We've Gotta Move!!

So, today was a beautiful day! We all went to my cousin's wedding, then out to lunch, and then I took the kids to the reception where I saw my friend Corie St.Clair! I haven't seen her in 10 years! She has 5 cute kids.

Well, I've gotten used to Glenn working nights. I've been able to sleep pretty well- until what just happened tonight! I was driving home from the reception when Charles started singing "Please, Take Me Out of the Ballgame". I was trying to explain the right lyrics are "take me out TO the ballgame". So we were singing all the way home.

When we got home, the kids and I got out of the car and were singing- not paying attention to our surroundings- when I looked over and saw a man kneeling up behind our bushes between a car watching us! I hurried the kids into the house and called my sister who told me to call the police. I checked if he was still there and he was but he was now crouching between the bushes and the car looking at the house. I called 911. They were there in like two minutes. But at first they drove right past, so I called Glenn in a panic. Finally they found him and questioned him. He's new to the half-way house across the street and is on his meds. The police said he's harmless- just went out for a walk and sat down for a while. This man is 6'3" with a blond fro. I think any woman would have called! Needless to say, I almost had a heart attack and I won't be sleeping any time soon! When I went out and talked to the officer I told him that my husband worked nights and I was alone with the kids a lot and he said he'd make the rounds on my street more frequently as a favor to Glenn. So, that'll make me feel safer- for now...

Beach Party and Psycho Bike Girl!!

So, tonight was our Ward Beach Party and once again I went with the kids alone. But I'm used to it now. The party was so much fun! The kids had a blast- Charles in the waves and Maryn in the sand. We cooked our hot dogs over the fire and had smores and corn on the cob. Maryn got filthy! Because of the watermelon and marshmallows, the sand was coated all over her face!

Everyone left around 9pm except one girl and I were talking. So, after our conversation ended, she helped me fold up my blanket and we packed up to leave. She and her friend walked ahead to the parking lot while I waited for Maryn to catch up with me. As we were crossing the walkway we got about halfway across when I heard a screech! I looked up and there was a young woman stopped on her bike about 12 feet away from us. I was a little confused at why she had stopped and when I looked in her face, she was glaring at me!! Like psycho Carrie's mom! She was on a black bike with black pants and a camouflage jacket. She had very long dark blond hippy hair and dark-rimmed glasses. There was plenty of room for her to go around us, but she waited for me to take another step before she road up to me and said:

"Yeah, just walk right into the main thoroughfare without even looking! Yeah, that's a nice thing to teach your kids...." The muttering continued as she sped up like the wicked lady from the Wizard of Oz.

I swear I don't set out to annoy people! I honestly didn't see her because it was dark and she must have been going pretty fast but there was so much room to go around! I guess she could only ride down the middle. I think she really wanted to tell someone off and I was there.

Super-Fun Week!

This has been an exciting week! The kids and I have had such a fun time!

Tuesday, I took the kids to see Kung Fu Panda at the dollar theater. Surprisingly, I liked it as much as the kids! I don't really get excited to see cartoons very often.

Wednesday, Glenn was off of work. He wanted to go to the movies. So, we went over to the Main Place Mall and we ate lunch. After that, we went to their dollar theater and Glenn took Charles into Meet Dave, while I took Maryn to see the Kit Kitridge American Girl movie. The movie was excellent and not girly at all! And... we got 4 movie tickets and 3 candies for $12!! After the movies were out, we shopped around and found Charles' Halloween costume at the Disney Store for half off. That night Glenn was outside changing the brakes on his truck when Charles had a frightening accident! Our landlord has been working on the property for the past few months and has some random things laying around. Charles is pretty strong but had no idea how heavy a concrete slab would be when he pulled it away from the fence it was leaning on. He wasn't strong enough to hold it and it slipped scraping his thigh on the way down. I was so glad that he had enough sense to try to get out of the way before it landed on his foot. It has to be about 150 lbs. or more. Anyway, he now has the hugest bruise on his leg right above his knee- about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide!

Thursday was awesome! Glenn was off again and we went to Sunset Beach. We packed a lunch and Glenn played in the water with the kids almost the entire time we were there. I was trying to stay in the shade. I have to say that watching the three of them play together was so joyful to me. There's no love like that from a parent to child. I'm so lucky to have Glenn. He is the best father in the world. His patience and love never end. That night my friend Ronda had set up a jacuzzi night at Melissa Jones' house. The three of us spent about 2 hours in the hot tub just talking and sharing stories. Then we had chips and dips and watched Hairspray. I loved having a fun girl's night! It was very relaxing.

Today we were back at the Jones' pool for our Mom's group. I got to cuddle my friend's little baby Jacob for at least an hour. He's so sweet and wonderful. Then tonight I took the kids to Walmart to kill time. When we came home I got a call from Ronda asking if my kids were still awake. When I told her "yes", she invited us to an Angel's game. Someone in the ward had given her free tickets with free parking. I told her we wanted to go and she said she was turning into our neighborhood as we spoke! So I rushed to throw thing in a bag and we were off! I love to do things like that! Anyway, the game wasn't very good but the fireworks show was awesome and the unexpected girl time was even better! Thanks Ronda for thinking of me!

Maryn the Missionary...

On the way to church today Maryn was again talking and asking questions non-stop. This month in primary the kids have been learning about missionaries and how they can prepare for a mission. Maryn really listens and picks up on things, but always with her own interpretation. Here's how our conversation went:

Maryn looking at the traffic: "Mom, are all these people going to church, too?"
Me: "I don't know honey, probably some of them, but not all of them."
Maryn to the other cars: "People do you hear what I'm saying?! Church is a good place to go! You can learn all the songs you want!"

So, in her own way, Maryn is a missionary!

New Guinea Pigs!!

We have two new guinea pigs! (Once again, the pictures will have to wait!) They are two females and sooo sweet! We had promised Maryn one for her birthday and Charles was ready for a new one, too. They were the only two females in the store and it worked out because they are both young and already bonded. They talk to each other and chirp and sing! It's the cutest thing ever! Maryn's is albino with pink eyes- she thinks they're so beautiful! She is so timid and gentle and always needs the other one to lead the way. She has tons of wild white fur so Maryn decided to call her Snowball. She added a middle name today, Unicorn. (Originally she was Sally Sue White.) Charles had a hard time when I told him we were getting 2 females because he really wanted a boy, but he loved Squeaky as soon as he held her! She has short smooth fur and is very curious about everything! She's now Squeaky Colors because she has 3 colors.

For those of you that don't know why I didn't just get 2 males, there's a few reasons. The males fight each other, sometimes bloody biting fights to establish dominance and also they can rumble strut- spray each other with semen which I would have to clean up and cut out of their fur! Gross! The females get along with each other almost always and don't do gross guy stuff!

I wish I could post the pictures! They really are sweet! Crazy always liked to attack us and bite and scratch and we loved him anyway, but these girls are so mellow and gentle! It's so refreshing for the kids to be able to hold them without me wrapping them like a mummy first! (The guinea pigs, I mean.)

We're Back!!!

There's so much to say but I'll just show the pictures for now!

Mindy gave Maryn a birthday party at Chuck E.Cheese!!

Grandma and Grandpa Greathouse!

My new niece, Megan Irene!

Johnathan and Charles!

Avery and Maryn!

Charles caught a pike minnow!

Willow Park Zoo in Logan! Laurel, Jeffrey, Charles and Maryn!

Charles and Jeffrey!

Maryn and Jacob!

Visiting the Woolf's in Perry!! (Dylan, Dawson, Kylie and Davin!)

Ken and Beth!


Maeli, Maryn, Charles and Kenny at the Mayan!

Charles holding Sadie!
Are Joseph and Charles at the office?
Cedar Breaks Monument with Emily and Joseph!

Emily and Maryn enjoying the thunder storm!

Panguitch Lake!

Bryce Canyyon!

Zion National Park! (The water was all muddy from the thunderstorm!)
Calico Ghost Town!!

There were so many pictures that I wanted to post but that would take all day!! We had the best time ever! It was so wonderful to be with our dear family and friends. We truly love you all!