We are an aquatic zoo...

Life here is never dull...We have a collection of tadpoles that are almost frogs, small frogs that measure in diameter less than a dime wide, and today we found a full blown regular frog just hanging out by the tadpole tank in the backyard. The kids are very intrigued...Here are a few pictures of our priceless entertaining treasures...

Here is the green frog we found - (2 pictures) - Hunter got a little leary of it towards the end and threw it over the fence. Poor little frog.




Here are the tadpoles becoming frogs...we keep them in a rubbermaid tank by the garden.



My kids very intrigued by these creatures.



The dime sized frogs Hunter insists on keeping....

The week's events without dad...

This is me in crazed mode - single parent 8 months pregnant!

I am very glad this week is almost over. Travis has been gone to scout camp with the 12-14 year old boys from our ward...(he just got called 2 weeks ago) and therefore has been gone since Monday morning. Unfortunately and fortunately, this is the week we started swimming lessons, had karate testing, and just regular summer activities....I'm a little worn out. Okay a lot worn out.

Swimming lessons were Monday - Thursday. We drive about 30 minutes to get there and the same back...the lessons are 45 minutes long. Hunter is in a class with Jocilyn and McKenna - that kid is fearless and would live in the water if I let him. He is doing really well. Gwendalin is in a class with smaller children and is trying to do what her teachers ask...putting her head in the water is about all the progress we've made - but it is progress. Now, Ty is not in a class so I take him to the playground and watch him for the class time....It's nice because come bedtime they are all so tired they just crash and I have a little quiet before I do the same.


Here are the cousins before class begins...

Hunter "swimming" with the barbell (scoops and kicks)

Gwennie gearing up to put her face in and doing bubbles...

Gwennie - Ring around the rosies (She wears the goggles so she won't get water in her eyes...she doesn't take them off the whole class- same with McKenna).

Ty on the playground...notice his rear...it's very sandy ...

Playing poolside before we trek to the playground

Cute little boy...

This was after swimming at grandma's house...he was so tired- he crashed on the floor.


Hunter had his Karate testing on Thursday night and has officially moved to solid colored belts. He is very proud of himself - as he should be for accomplishing what he has in his new class. He did a great job with his memorization and deserved to get his next belt.

Doing his Form - he learned all 6 lines while the other classmates who moved up with him to this class only learned 3 or 4!

Doing his weapon (nunchucks) - he got pretty good at it.

Sparring in his gear...

Getting his new all green belt!

Tired mom - tomorrow dad returns....hallelujah!

BLOG CHANGES!

After adding the traffic feed to see who's viewing the blog (most of the people I don't know-kinda scary)...I have decided to make ours private...so, in light of this new and exciting information, if you would like to be included in our ever so hectic lives....let me know your e-mail addresses via a comment or on my e-mail: Marie_chesley@yahoo.com

Praises to the functional computer!

My very sweet sister let me come and use her computer for a new post. I am in a quandry still because I have started my blog journal for 2008 and am caught up through May using the blog to book program...but it is stuck on my failing computer...hopefully I will be able to save it before it crashes completely. Anyway, here are a few happenings for our family recently.

I have had some requests to see my pregnant self...Well, seeing how I am always the one with the camera taking pictures, I had to ask Tricia if she would take one for me to post....so, Ala! here it is....this is me pregnant with a little more than 7 weeks to go.


Now on to some very disturbing news...I planted radishes in my garden. Why you ask? Well, I ask the same thing....I hate radishes...and this picture is only half of what I reaped. I will never plant them again, they grow like weeds for all who were debating planting one thousand seeds just in case they didn't grow very well. I won't plant them again. I finally just pulled them out and tried to give them away so I could plant a canteloupe.


This pregnancy has been my roughest by far. Both mentally and physically and today my sweet retired neighbor sent Hunter home with these flowers to give to me. It made my day and today was a good day for her to boost me a little. They are so pretty and summery!

For Father's day my kids made their grandpa's "ties" with glitter after home evening and we shipped them off...here is a little picture of their creative juices flowing. I think the grandpa's both loved them! We sure love the grandpa's! I didn't get a chance to post a Father's day tribute on account of my lovely computer....but you should be aware that I could not have asked to come to a better father - he has constantly been an example of goodness to me. Working millions of hours and still making time to do things with us....chopping wood, gardening, churching, etc. Dad was always inviting people over for meals, stopping in at people's home just to say hi, especially family if we were within 50 miles of any relation to our family we stopped and made a visit. I admire the man for being so good. I love you dad!
My Father in law as well is a superb human being. He has been through more than I can even imagine and doesn't let life hinder him and his character. What a great man - who raised a great man that I get to call mine!
And finally, my Travis - father of my kids-wonderful caretaker for our family. I could not have chosen better! I love him dearly and am grateful daily for him!

As you can tell, the stress of running our own business wipes everyone out....(maybe that's partially why this pregnancy is tougher....) Anyway, this is Tyler and then Gwendalin exhausted because of no naps and finally crashing in the very place they sought only a short rest.


This is just a cute hat picutre of my Ty.

And now, the little dude hanging out on the lawn mower one evening....he loves it there.

On the Fritz!

My computer is on the fritz...I can't download pictures - it could be eons before I get a fully functional computer again...I am using one of the work computers as we speak, just an fyi for all dying to know the ongoings of our lives. :)

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

We have always tried to make an effort to make sure our kids see and know both sides of our family. Lucky for us, Travis' parents came up for a week which was a pleasant surprise! The kids loved having them around and so did I! We go see them every year at Thanksgiving which is a rough trip getting there and back, but well worth seeing and bonding with cousins and grandparents! Travis and I recognize the importance of making sure our family knows and bonds with both sides...as we did- it definitely takes a lot of effort!

Anyway, they were here last week and we enjoyed every minute. We played, read books, I got my hair done one afternoon, they helped me thin my carrots and get my garden up to par, and we and had lots of good laughs and memories. Here are some pictures of the week.

BBQ


Mule Days Parade






Playing and Reading with Grandma




Always - Kisses from Grandpa

Some fun random pictures

These are just some pictures I haven't posted but want to have when I bind my yearly blog....


Gwendalin wanted to wear my apron and help with the meatloaf....she did a great job.



Hunter and Ty loving that the neighbor's sprinklers made the gutter a stomping fest....

They all 3 ended up sitting in it....

Then laying in it...



Gwendalin and Ty in the neighbor's jeep....the progression of how they solved the dilemma of the curb....pretty good teamwork.




Memorial Day at PoJo's ( a place with pizza and games)....Travis even played a few games with the friends we went with and Hunter won 3 huge gumballs!

Ty and Gwennie on toddler rides....


Cute Gwennie Girl.


An evening of carrots...all 3 sat on the couch and enjoyed a bag of mini carrots...at least it was a good snack.


Hunter's cupcake after Kindergarten celebration...nice and green.