"Choptawk "

<p>Today we went on an outing to Choctaw Lake (or Choptawk as Maile calls it) . Angela and the gang drove us in their van and we had a fun day! I can't say I loved swimming in that nasty lake with FISH BITING me, but the kiddos sure had a good time. (Yes Angela, myself, and Gavin all got nibbled!) I only got two snapshots but I think it's funny that there are three people taking pics in one; and I love how it's all smiles in the other. I love love love Maile with her cousins. She loves them so much! We will surely surely miss them. And we are grateful to have had an outing with them today.

Big Project

Maile and Grandpa just completed a big project! Maile loves being in the garage with Grandpa, and so when we moved in Grandpa had a whirligig idea ready to be put into motion!

Hoola Hooping Hoopla

Maile loves to hoola hoop! So last night we went a little early to the meeting point to pick up Jared so she could play. I got a few snapshots of one of her favorite activities. After that she did her other favorite activity : riding her bike! I was too busy loosing races to take photos ... My little angel was simply about to burst to see her daddy! When he arrived we were too busy hugging to take pictures! And needless to say, Jared has not had a minute today without one or both of his babies hugging or wanting him to play! Every time I looked over I saw him hugging or playing or catching up with tickles with one of them! It is so wonderful to have him back home.

Meanwhile ...

In between holding J, I've been trying to do things with M. On Sunday Grandma got out her China set from her mom and we had a real tea party with homemade peppermint tea and pb and j sandwiches. Today I have a little cheetah eating cheetah snacks in a cheetah nest (she even has a cheetah tail) .

My Little Tornado

My favorite meteorologist, Matt Laubhan, says energy has to build in the air for a tornado to form. He explains that after a great big storm it will be a while before the energy builds up to make another. So it is with my little tornado -all his energy is spent right now. Super J, as I like to call him,  has been very , very sick since Wednesday. He has foot, hand, and mouth disease. Dr. W says he has a very bad case of it. All he has done since Wednesday afternoon is sleep and cry and be frustrated because he is so hungry, but his mouth just hurts too much to eat. Today was a little better, and I'm hoping it wont take too long for him to get well and have his energy restored so that he is my little tornado once again. I feel just like his grandpa when he said "I would rather see J tearing up my house than lying so sick on the couch. " I am truly so grateful for all the prayers and fasting on his behalf and for the priesthood blessing he recieved.

(Pictures are : J sleeping, the walk I thought he felt good enough to take to get some fresh air yesterday, and him actually playing today!)

Project #2

I painted a cheap Walmart bookcase for Johnny's room. I think it will look cute in there! It looked like the one behind it-which I was going to paint for Maile's room, but could not decide on a color so I didn't do it!

On the way home...

SOn the way home from our little excursion, the kids were so tired and slept most of the way. Then we had one of the scariest moments of our lives. We hydroplaned and went sliding / skidding into the muddy median. I thought we were going to start rolling. Thankfully three angels stopped to help us within seconds of stopping. One had a rope strong enough, one had a truck strong enough, and the other was the brains and muscle! By the time they got me out, we were soaked and they were muddy too. I'm just so very very greatful we are safe, my car is driveable, and those men were there to help. I know my Father in Heaven is always watching over us and this was a gentle reminder for me.