Some Fireworks of our Own

Here's Brent firing off his Civil War Musket. I guess there's pics of his pistol too. Night fire is soooo cool! This is why you don't got too close when people are firing off guns, even without bullets. Look at the giant flames!

Fireworks on the 4th!

Here's our neat sparklers. We had to have Brent go upstairs and give us his matches. They were un-humid. If that's a word. Only took one match to light these, as opposed to 1 book, with mine. Nice. But the sparklers were awesome. I like them a lot, right under those blossom things from when I was a kid. Did you know that they don't have firework stands out here? Weird.

Yes, I took this pic of myself. Everyone else was busy, so I had to do it. Nice .

What, don't your kids hold guns too?

Smoke Bombs

Here are the big kids, lighting off the their smoke bombs. They each got 4, and were so excited when they realized they were different colors. Pretty funny. Too bad we didn't buy a punk. Those matches were worthless. Way too humid :)

Wow

A smoke bomb jumped up and got Eme. She kinda freaked out. Poor thing. Crying hysterically. It's hard to be a girl in a big family of boys. Not too much compassion for her. We love you Eme!

This was a great 4th of July picnic. Too bad more people didn't come. Too bad for them, I guess. Our little program was terrific! Thanks to Brent, Jim Landerman, Ed Soja, and me for reading parts. And to Mirko Polyak for saying the prayer.

Awe, the desserts.... This is Tom's. He won 2nd place in the Kids category. Yummy trifle!


Here's the Lopez's cookies. Aren't they beautiful. They won 1st place in the adult category, because they were the only ones. 2 others got there late, and missed the judging. So they got 2nd and 3rd. You snooze, you lose, I guess :)

And this one is Liz Householders. She's one of the youth. It was pretty good. It was brownie on the bottom. Mmmmm, chocolate :) She won 1st place for the kids.

Eme's New Hair

K, I know that it was forever ago that I cut Eme's hair, but here's a nice picture of her, with freshly washed and blow dried hair. Isn't she a cutie!

And here's Jim, after his shower. Fancy doo, Jim!

New Stuff on its Way

Really, it is. I have pics of the 4th of July picnic, of fireworks, of the kids new civil war jammies for tomorrow. But right now, were on our way out to turn in reading logs at the library, to get free gift certificates for Chili's for the kids, then off to Chili's for dinner. I'll have some time this evening for posting!

So, pics are on their way :)

4th of July

Today was our 4th of July picnic at church. It wasn't too well attended, but those who came had a lot of fun. We had a real nice program at about 11:45, right before lunch. We read part of the Declaration of Independence, part of the Constitutuion, a Scripture from the Book of Mormon, and the following quote from President Benson. I almost started crying when I was reading the Benson quote. It was quite touching. We finished off the program by singing "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner". It was lovely, and we all felt the spirit telling us that this is indeed a 'blessed' land.

Ezra Taft Benson:

I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church--men and women who will subscribe to and abide by the principles of the Constitution.

I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed his stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of heaven sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and he has sent other choice spirits--even you who hear my words this day--to preserve it.

We, the blessed beneficiaries, face difficult days in this beloved land, "a land which is choice above all other lands" (Ether 2:10). It may also cost us blood before we are through. It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people. May it be so, and may God give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives and fortunes that we might be free, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

And here's a Star Spangled Banner song for my mom! Love you mom!

A Picture Says it All

I mean, what could I possible say to make this picture any more...... any more..... well, we'll just leave it with the picture.

Slap Happy

Jim was tired tonight, it was 7:30, and was sitting on Tom's lap for scriptures and prayers. As Eme is saying her nice prayer, I hear this loud slapping noise. After the prayer, I check out whats going on. Jim is wacking Tom as hard as he can. It was a funny game for them, but not as funny for Tom as for Jim. Tom was being a good big brother, though.

OK, I'm done with the slapping. I'll poke your eyes out instead!

Eme's New Civil War Dress

OK, it's not all the way finished, but it's getting there. On our last reenactment, we noticed that her yellow dress was super small. It shrank (she grew), I think. Her other dresses were darker in color, and she was sad that her "girl" dress was gone. So I bought some more fabric today that was pinkish. She'll be super happy to wear her new dress this weekend.

I need to attach some arms to it, and hem the bottom, then it's done. It's a pinafore, with a waist. I thought it turned out pretty good. Should look much better on. The white thing underneath is her chemise.

Our New Necklaces

When we went to the craft store today (Hobby Lobby), we bought stuff to make glass bead necklaces. I made kits for the Young Women to do at camp, and thought that my kids would enjoy it too. Here's Eme wearing he necklace that she started, and Tom finished for her. Isn't it pretty. I have one with the same beads, but mine has a pattern. I like patterns. I also made a bracelet for myself.

Do you like her new shirt from the thrift store? I notice that her undershirt is sticking out under it. Funny, she has no undershirts like that. She must be wearing Toms undershirt. I wonder what that's all about?

This would have been a really cute pic had Eme's eyes been open :)

Tom and his necklace from Cub Scout camp. Don't know where his bracelet went.

And Joe. He didn't quite get the message that these pictures were all about the new stuff from the thrift store or of our bracelets. He's showing us all his clean teeth. He's just brushed them for bed. Nice Joe :)

It's Monday.....Again

Funny how that keeps happening! Anyway, we went to the Thrift store for 1/2 price day again. Gotta love 1/2 price day. Here's a breakdown of what we got, for only $18.00

Jacob Swim Shorts (speedo brand)
Jacob Sunday Shirt
Thomas Swim Shorts
Emeline Swimsuit
Emeline Swimsuit 2
Emeline Tee Shirt
Emeline Tee Shirt 2
Jim Sunday Shirt
Jim Sandals
Jim Sandals 2
Muslin Sheet (for fabric)
Imaginext Toys

Really, it was a lot of stuff. Gotta love 1/2 price day!

Here's Tom in his new shorts.
And here's what the Firehouse should look like built.

Thanks Jacob

I decided to wear my new dress to church yesterday. You know, the one that I made the other day, and wore to the MoTab concert. I really liked the fabric, and thought that it was pretty. Anyway, as I was getting ready to load all the kids up in the truck, Jacob looked at me from across the living room, and said

"Mom, you're not gonna wear that, are you?"

Nice, talk about an ego boost. After a little probing, he tells me that he thinks it looks like a Civil War dress. OK, I did make a Civil War outfit for Jim out of the same fabric, but it in no way looks like a civil war dress. No fashion sense at all! Silly kid.