Summer: The unplanned kickoff

As of last Tuesday, our summer is half over, and our bucket list is looking much better than it did last year.

There was no sliding into summer with us. We picked the kids up straight from school on their last day and headed to Phoenix to visit family.

First stop was Vegas and the M&M factory.

Al was super excited to meet Elmo. Frankly I was a little surprised he went so willingly.

The Hoover Dam was on our list.

I found out there that Nate is a little terrified of heights. And I'm not going to mention our family joke about the Dam Tour that we decided not to do because of price.

You got it, right?

My kids have now been instructed to call it the Tour of the Dam.

Our whole purpose for this spur-of-the-moment trip was for my new nephew's baby blessing. I am so glad we went because it turned out that we were the only ones from my family to make it. Grandma and Grandpa's car broke down on the way there so they had to turn back.

While in Phoenix we visited the Phoenix Zoo,

 (can you spot the monkey?)

ate some really good Mexican food,

swam a lot,

and saw the new Gilbert Arizona Temple that looks like it's close to completion.

On our agenda on the way home was the Grand Canyon, which has been on our bucket list for several years now. Alex's famous saying when we got there was "I see rocks!" And now every time we are out in nature with rocks around, his comment is "I see Grand Canyon!" Gotta love that boy. 

Nate doesn't look as terrified as he made us think. Although you'll notice that he never ventured down to the railing where you can look over the edge.

Well, that was the beginning and a great way to kick off the summer.

Clearly not my day in the kitchen

That little red fire engine was my friend today.

I was sitting at my computer in my office, smelling what I thought was burnt toast when Ash came in to say, "Uh, mom. There's something wrong."

I hurried with her down the hall to find a smoke-filled kitchen and a fire on my stove.

Quick! What's the number for 911? Ha ha, just quoting Little Rascal's for ya.

I didn't call the fire department just yet.

I was going to make bread, and so I put my honey (it's in a plastic jug; remember this because it will be important later) in a pot of water on the stove to melt it down to liquid form. Then I remembered Tyler had a phone call and I didn't want to bother him with my loud mixer. So I thought I'd wait and check my email and update my playlist for the next time I go running. And I totally forgot about my honey on the stove.

First I tried to smother it with a lid.

No luck.

Then I remembered my fire extinguisher in the pantry. Dummy me didn't know how to use it so I left it on the counter as I tried another tactic.

I thought about smothering with a kitchen towel but decided that would be probably turn out badly.

So I opted for water.

Worse idea yet.

The flames shot clear up and thankfully didn't catch anything else on fire.

Back to the fire extinguisher. I didn't take long to figure it out and finally put that fire out with one snuff.

Then I took a step back to survey the damage. I was just so grateful my house was still standing.

After about three hours of scrubbing and using a screw driver to scratch all the melted on plastic (I told you this would be important), my stove is looking just okay. I really thought I'd be buying another cooktop, but after a little elbow grease I think I'll cut my losses and keep it as a reminder to not be so stupid next time. And speaking of stupid me, after cleaning for about 1/2 hour I realized the GAS WAS STILL ON! Now why didn't I think to turn it off first thing? So much for controlled chaos.

I have to commend Ash for being so cool about the whole thing. BUT next time there's a fire in the house, she's now been given permission to run through the whole house screaming, "FIRE!"

And you know something else, our temperamental fire alarms never made a sound. Hmmmm.... 

Ready to evict our squatters

Hello Mr. and Mrs. Bird,
No, we did not agree to you moving in. In fact I religiously sprayed down your home every morning until we left on vacation for five days.

You took advantage of our absence to move right in anyway and quickly started a family.

 We did not approve. And might I add your brood is rather ugly.

Please be advised that you are under orders to get those wee ones flying and out of the nest. They have made such an unsightly mess on my front steps  that is downright unwelcoming. I really don't appreciate such messy tenants.

Sincerely,

Your annoyed landlord

Alex's birthday interview

Four of my five kids are at grandma's for a few days longer, and we kidnapped Tanner this week to keep Alex company. We've been biking, hiking, napping, cookie making. They have occupied their evenings with the stream and splash pad and playing tractors.

Maybe they've spent too much time together . . . they're beginning to even dress alike.

About Alex: Every birthday since my kids were young, I've had them fill out a birthday questionnaire.

I did something a little different with Alex and videotaped him actually giving me the answers. This little boy has everyone wrapped around his finger. He is our entertainment, the love of all of our lives. We simply could not imagine our family without him.

Age: 3

Height: 35 1/2 inches

Weight: 29.8 pounds

Favorite book 

Froggy Goes to Bed and Sneetches

Favorite color 

Blue

Favorite song 

Follow the Prophet

(although I have to disagree; we all concur that it really is Sweet, Sweet Baby by Michelle Featherstone. When he was a newborn and I was looking at the hospital photos they had posted online, this was the song in the background and I fell in love with it immediately. I remember clearly sitting at my computer, watching the slideshow as I held Alex and song along to him. Every since then it's become his song. And he frequently requests that we play it for him. So I was a little surprised when he mentioned a different song.)

Favorite movie 

Winnie the Pooh and Ice Age

Favorite tv show 

Dinosaur Train

Favorite food 

Marshmallow Mateys, or really just the marshmallows

Favorite game 

Chess -- he loves to play anybody and will continually put his opponent in checkmate right from the start

Favorite toys 

Toy kitchen and dishes

Favorite place 

Outside

Close friends 

Ian, Tanner, and Logan -- all cousins

Hobbies 

Play computer games

What he wants to be when he grows up 

5

Personality 

Very mellow, obedient, loving