Am I breaking any child labor laws?

I don't think so. . . .but you be the judge. My car was in bad need of washing and I considered taking it to the full service car wash but had a better idea. Why not take Owen and Liesl and let them do the vacuuming? I HATE vacuuming---they LOVED it. They started at the top and did every last inch of that car.

In all kinds of crevices. . . . .

Every speck on the floor. . . .and it gets pretty dirty with Papa's wheelchair going in and out.

If I had paid them in cash--I would have broken child labor laws. But since I paid them in ice cream cones--not a problem. So I'm calling this a two-fer. Good cleaning--good kids date. Everyone wins.

Ice cream, ice cream, we all scream for ice cream. Some more than others.

Some children had not been introduced to "independent ice cream cone consumption". First it was--stick the finger in and pull out the ice cream.

Then she got the hang of it and the fun began. She sat in that high chair for over 30 minutes. This makes for a happy girl.

Her siblings were good role models. It's fun to be at Gramma and Papa's house. Good times.

Anniverary Week: Part II

Notice anything different above? NEW FAMILY PICTURE!! Thanks to Memzy and her magnificent photog skills. It was tough to decide between that picture and this one.

What's your vote? Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Totally applies in this situation. They are divided thusly: we've got the older kids (3)--the middle kids (4) the quads (4) all born in the same year, and the toddlers (2).
A big shout out to Shed for sharing his house for the big anniversary party. He pretty much always looks like that.

Tracey and Lori came early to help Memzy add the finishing touches to the event.

Kevin and Becca enjoying the festivities. Jason was always behind the camera so sorry for no pictures of him.

We enjoyed seeing old friends (who are still young)--the Andersens. Love them.

The kids had our wedding photo put on beautiful canvas. We love it!!!

As you can see, it was a hoppin' party with beautiful decorations courtesy of Memzy. It was really beautiful, fun and very touching.

Beautiful center pieces.

The food was great. Fruit and chocolate fondue dessert bar.

Italian food from Sorella's---it was so good.

Salad and garlic cheese bread.

Becca made this beautiful anniversary cake. It was her "good cake" recipe which is famous and deliciously moist. It was awesome. BTW--40th anniversary is "ruby".

Fun with the Urmston's
Nick and sweet Tasha--born 9 years ago on our anniversary.

A few of Papa's girls. Tasha and Christine.

Nick set up a slushy machine. A very big hit.

Thank you Nick, Kevin, Emily, Rebecca and spouses for a beautiful, joyful celebration of our 40 years together. It meant so much to us and reminds us how rich and full our life is. We are blessed beyond our wildest dreams. Life is good.

Our Anniversary Week: Part I

Kevin and his family arrived to spend a week with us and have some fun. There was ice cream, baseball, swimming, movies, Dewars ice cream, and much more. This is Luke--10 going on 15.
Liesl was sooooooo glad to have some girls cousins in town. Christine and Rachel.

The Rickster--does it get any better than this?

The toddlers checkin' each other out. Ricky thought she was fun--Clara didn't want to have much to do with him.

Owen and Seth had so much fun together.

Nick and his family arrived on Friday and we celebrated Natasha's 9th birthday with a big party on Saturday. Aunt Becca made a beautiful cake.

The games were fierce and fun.

The goal: Build a free standing balloon tower. Tallest wins.

Team #1

Team #2

There was no clear winner as both teams cheated.

Swimming with the cousins.

Ricky could not believe there was a real fire truck he could ride.

Charchar and the brudder.

Hangin' out in the back yard.

Our 40th Anniversary was on Saturday. This was just the beginning. More to come. . . . .

Camera's do not like water. No they don't.

Did you know that digital cameras do not like water? It's true. My very favorite, special Kodak digital camera circa 2004 took a swim in the bottom of my purse with a spilled water bottle. I noticed pretty quickly but not before the damage was done. I gave it a couple of days to dry out and nada. It would turn on but still had major issues. So off to Sam's Club to buy a new camera. Here she is. Don't you just yuv her (in Charlie speak).

This is what summer is all about.

Summer is meant to be special for kids and adults alike. Swimming, playing, vacationing, etc. Here are just a few things we did this week to enjoy our summer.

We have replaced many mail boxes at our house over the years. Vandals seem to have fun driving in the neighborhood with a baseball bat, people back out of the drive way and run over it. . . . stuff like that. Two days ago it happened yet again. Jack and Charlie spent the day with us today and we decided to put up a new mailbox. As you can see--we had fun. First you have to get more dirt from the back yard.a> Then you take it back out front and pack it in the hole to hold up the new post.

Then you talk this kid out of taking the old mailbox home---as it is needed atop the new post. "But Gramma, I really need this."

Now there's one proud repairman.

div>

I also got to see Owen and Liesl's swimming lesson this week. They did awesome. Yup--summers are fun.

My fabulous weekend

To make a long story short. . . .Cris and I had planned to drive to Utah for my niece Angelica's wedding. I hurt my back--decided the drive would kill me. . .decided to fly up one day and back the next. We found a great health care person to take care of Cris on Friday and Becca and Jason took care of him on Saturday. He did great even though I was nervous about leaving him. I had a blast. It was great to see my siblings and participate in this special event. As you can see---she's a beauty!!!!
Her mom, my sister Patty MADE THIS DRESS. It's true. I know. Unbelievable!

I took a picture of a picture. It's stunningly beautiful. Taken at the Bountiful Temple at sunset.

Look!!! It's Tiffers Landelu Landerson's mom.

And Dad!!!

Patty, Angelica and Me.

Parents of the Bride. Uncle Howard was a softy and was choked up much of the time.

The bride wanted ruby red shoes. I loved it. And yes, those are Gramma Decker's legs on the left.

Sister-in law Leah Jane, Marge and Pete.

Jim and Marlene. (Landee's look alike Dad)

What fun we had.

The happy bride and groom.

Annie and her girls, Marci and me. I love these girls so much. It was a fast trip but so much fun.