WE SURVIVED THE FLOOD!

We made it to Nauvoo safely - after only one detour due to flooding. It was crazy to be driving and have the road sandbagged because the flood had come up to the highway. We were worried about crossing the Mississippi, but were able to 12 miles south of Nauvoo. The swollen river had two lanes of the road under water, but both lanes of traffic managed on the other two lanes. It was so surreal for desert dwellers to be in the middle of all this water! Frankly, it was also a little scary. The road for the last 12 miles up to Nauvoo was good and dry. Two days later, as we were travelling up to Minnesota, we found part of this same road sandbagged. I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to pass across the Mississippi again, but we were able to. We had to drive half way across Iowa before we could go north to Minnesota. What would have been nearly a five hour trip turned into eight hours. No matter though, we arrived safe and dry! I will post photos as soon as we are back in Arizona....July 4th.

MINNESOTA OR BUST!

Well, it's finally time to hit the road and drive to Minnesota! I can't believe it's finally here........I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! Most everything is packed....in a couple of hours the van will be ready - then sleep and wake early to drive to Tucumcari, NM. This little town on Route 66 has neon signs down the main street. I told Kyler that we were going to visit "Radiator Springs" (He's a hugh Cars fan!) He just looked a little confused and asked "Are there people there?" "Yes, Kyler.....and the cars don't really talk!" Wish us all luck (and safety from tornados) and I'll most likely blog again in July.

1st BOY SCOUT CAMP

It's finally here! Colton and Tony left for Scout Camp. This year it's just our ward and they tried to get all of the dads to go with their boys. I already miss them, but know they will have a great time. Of course I had to get a picture before they left. We were the second car to get to the church at 3:50 am, so I knew I could snap the photo with little to no embarrassment for Colton. He ended up being fine with the photo op - oh that's right, he was sleeping!

THE BIG 6-0!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMAMITA!!! 60 years old today!!!!! Colton says "Happy B-Day you old lady! (I won't get eaten by bears)" Asher says "Happy, Happy Birthday to you! You're 60 - WAHOO!!!" Kyler says "Happy Birthday. Even, that's it! Even, hummmmmm, I miss her....that's it!" It would be fun to tease you by calling you Granny Franny, but that's not my way. I would never tease you and call you Granny Franny, especially calling you GRANNY FRANNY on your birthday. So again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM - notice: I didn't call you GRANNY FRANNY! (All these pictures were taken last year in Austin, TX.)

MITA'S HOME

Thursday- 12:30 am approximately - Mita comes out of her room choking and coughing. Tony tries to assist her and then runs to get me. "Mita's choking and not breathing, I need your help!" I stumbled out of bed and expect to find her "not breathing" but instead find her coughing and struggling. After the coughing bout she calms enough to say "I think I'm going to die." (Just like that "I think I'm going to die." no exclamation point, just matter of fact) Tony, completely frazzled now, just looks at me. I explained that we go to the hospital now. Between Mita, my husband and three kids, I've done the middle of the night hospital run many times before. I know what it takes to stay up all night and I know that I don't have it in me this night. Tony agrees to take her and I sleep for a few hours before I get a phone call. They are going to admit Mita. Within an hour I am there to relieve my very tired husband and start my stay at the hospital with her. She was able to come home Saturday afternoon after finding out that she is aspirating thin liquids. We just add a thickener to thin liquids and get our desired "nectar" thickness and she's good to go! I'm glad we're home now....I had Colton and Tony to pack for boys scout camp, Asher to pack for cub scout day camp and Colton, Asher, Kyler and myself to pack for our trip to Minnesota. Can you believe we leave Monday! (Mita is going to be with Chris and Liz during our trip.)

HE MAKES THIS LOOK GOOD!

Ok, I'm a bad mom....no end of the year school pictures of Asher! So I think it's just an opportunity to look through my photos and show Asher off a bit. These pictures were taken in Montana the weekend Morgan and Ayla were married. One of Morgan's groomsmen taught Asher to answer "Bond, James Bond" when asked him name. He also taught Asher that women were "bloodsucking vultures" and "not to get married until you are at least 35". Quotes that Asher had a talent for memorizing quickly! That aside, it was really a great weekend. Morgan, we all miss you - especially your "mini me"! (Ayla we all love and miss you, too!!!)

MINI VEGAS!

I'm not shy to tell people how much I dislike Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza. I just think they're mini Las Vegas. The flashing lights, bells ringing, machines beeping, you carry your cup of tokens that you endlessly put into machines - and finally, you leave with a full tummy and empty pockets! Sounds like Vegas to me. But when your last day of preschool is at Peter Piper Pizza - you go. Small glitch in the beginning, we were told to be there at 10:45 am.....they don't open until 11:00 am. Problem? Not for KYLER - THE PROBLEM SOLVER! He took my keys and tried his best to get the door unlocked for him and his classmates! You can see how he persevered, even when his friends lost interest. Way to go, Kyler!!! One more year of preschool and then ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN! I can't imagine an empty house. (Of course I was a few months away from an empty house when Kyler surprised us - what will next year bring?!?)

MY KID IS IN JR. HIGH!?!

Am I really old enough to have a 7th grader? sadly.......YES! Tony and I will celebrate 19 years of marriage this August - we are old enough to have a high school graduate!!! Ok, I guess that 7th grade is ok then... right? Like it or not, July 28th I will send Asher back to CTA Liberty for 4th grade and Colton to Hamilton Prep for 7th grade. Kyler goes to preschool on August 6th, but who's counting. (Colton is in the top photo all the way to the left.)