A Really Great Movie...

Great movies only come around every so often. To me, a great movie takes you away for awhile causing you to completely forget about your life and live in someone else's life. I also think a great movie makes you want to skip and sing your way out of the theatre. Take Enchanted--A classic princess romance mixed with comedy and catchy tunes. I left feeling like there wasn't a care in the world. I loved it! Then there are movies made from Broadway Plays--already a given that it's going to be great. Come on...it made it on Broadway, it has to be a hit! Hairspray was a hit. For months, my cousin Missy and I would text each other lines from the songs such as "I can hear the bells" or "Good Morning Baltimore!" or "Mama, I'm a big girl now!" We laughed and memorized the songs. Ahhh Good Times.

Now it's Mama Mia! It's FABULOUS!!! If you've seen the play you will be pleased to know the story line is the same. No surprise endings, etc. If you haven't seen the play, you are in for a 2 hour moment of bliss. Who wouldn't enjoy starring at the beauty of Greece? I want to go there now!

So how good is it? Well, the first time I saw it was opening day (last Friday) in Denver with my Aunt, Mom, Ashlyn, and Cousins. Yes, Ashlyn enjoyed it too. Then we left Ashlyn with a babysitter on Monday and went to see it again. We were singing along and danced our way out of the theatre. I know people thought we were crazy; including Missy and Paige, but I know deep down inside they loved it! Then today-my mom, sister and I went to see it. Yes that's right...3 times in 1 week, and my mom wants to go again tomorrow!

After the 1st time we saw it, we bought the music. After the second time we saw it, both cars had the music cranked and we were trying to out do each other with our performance--you should have seen the look on the teenage boy who's music was drowned out by ours! So much to mine, Missy, and Paige's surprise...this is what we were greeted with when we arrived back home: The Dancing Queens

:

and here is the video of it too...

How do we compete with that?

We had a great time and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SEEING THIS MOVIE! So until next time..."Does your mother know that your out?" and "Thank you for the music!"

OH NO!

Well SO much has been going on in my life that I've neglected my Blog. I apologize to my visitors...if there are any left! So here is a quick update of all of the events that have been going on in our life.

My birthday was a few weeks ago and I was hit with the "Bunko Bug" I had played Bunko 3 nights before with my friends. We have a great time laughing, eating, and tossing dice. Anyway, the flu bug was passed on to us through the dice. Four of us were hit with it that Friday. So I spent most of my birthday on the couch watching movies. My cousin Paige was so sweet to come and watch Ashlyn so I could take a nap. I felt much better by that evening so my whole family went to Market Street Broiler. It was fabulous!

The next event was preparing for Girl's Camp. Holy Cow there is so much to pack! Now I remember why I don't camp. :) Too much work for too much dirt!

For Girl's Camp we headed up to Camp Barlett in Idaho, it was a 3 hour drive. My beehives had already reserved seats in my car a few weeks before. They were SO excited! Thank goodness for my wonderful advisor Michelle. She was my navigator and she was so good with the girls. She does a great job! Once we arrived at camp we were busy setting up the tents and unpacking. I had brought our ginormous tent and it was perfect for our 2 queen beds and 3 leaders! It was huge though! Our camp theme was "ER" Eternal Rewards. We had scrubs and ID badges that held our daily schedule and a picture of each girl. The leaders badges had pictures of celebrities. Mine was Carrie Underwood. I actually had someone tell me they liked my picture. What a nice and optimistic man. I clean up well, but not that well!

Camp Bartlett is so beautiful! They have over 600 acres of land! They also have a TON of activities to do. We were so busy we didn't have any time for the girls to fight. It was heavenly! We went canoeing, swimming, river running--and two of the jr leaders tried to pull me under the water and I cut my knee on a rock. I have now named my scars Tazia and Stephanie. No worries...I got them back! :) I also learned how to tie a variety of different knots, first aid, which plants you can eat (yes I partook), and I shot a riffle and hit the center of the target all 10 times! Thank you, Thank you. I also stayed up way to late every night and the last night I started a silly string fight with the 3 jr. leaders...note to self--next year take more than 1 can. They had 4 and started to attack me back! I tackled them to get the can nozzles away from them, then we laughed and talked. It was a lot of fun, but it took me 3 days to recover!

My girls also had to participate in Star Gazing. It was amazing how clear the sky was and how bright the stars are. We all laid on the grass and watched for shooting stars. I also had a great time getting to know the other ladies that I serve with. It's amazing the impact Girl's Camp has on everyone who attends. Our testimony meeting was fabulous. I really enjoyed watching each girl's testimony grow while we were up there. I loved every minute of it!

Cole, my mom, and Paige were lifesavers! They worked out a schedule to watch Ashlyn so that I could go up for all 4 days. It was very nice and I really appreciate it! When I got home, Ashlyn was not very happy with me for leaving her for so long. By the next morning she had warmed up to me again.

The day after camp was the 4th of July. We went with my family to the Bees Game to see the fireworks. Ashlyn invited herself to eat the cheetos of the man sitting next to us. He was very nice and opened a new bag for her. I think it made his day. She is getting so big, I can hardly stand it! The fireworks were great! They played music along with the fireworks and it really made me reflect on how thankful I am for the freedoms we have in this country and for the men and women who have fought and are fighting for our freedom.

Ashlyn eating Cheetos Cole and Ashlyn Julie and Ashlyn

The next day we had our annual family BBQ at my uncle's house. He makes homemade french fries and hamburgers. They were divine! We also have fireworks care of Ryan and his trip to Wyoming. He bought some pretty cool ones this year. The neighbors across the gully called the police--Party Poopers. Anyway, it wasn't until Ryan lit off the "finale" firework which included 8 in the air fireworks did the policeman show up. He admitted that it was an impressive show, but said he was there on a complaint and that they are illegal. Anyway, Jay sweet talked him and he didn't give him a ticket. We had a great 4th!




Now we are in Denver visiting my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We are having a great time. Stay tuned for pictures and stories from our trip........

And Cole Is...

So I made Cole humor me and take the princess test, you know, since it's my birthday week :) Anyway, I got a good laugh out of it, but I'm not sure he did! Oh the things we do for the people we love! Thanks Coley!


You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I'm Jasmine!

You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?
I'm not so sure about the poverty thing...I'd rather not have to worry about the $$ but the rest is pretty true!

64 words

This was fun! Thanks Kim. Not too bad, I should practice and see if I can get faster!

Where in the world is Julie's updated blog???

HOLY MOLEY! Time sure flies. Boy do I have a lot to catch up on. Where do I begin....hmm (thinking--it hurts) Well, I could start with the new unwelcomed addition that is blessing our home or an update on Ashlyn and her southern drawl. So many choices...

Let's start with Ashlyn--she is really starting to talk a lot. It is so cute! She'll say something new and I'll say "What did you say...?" and she gives me this little smirck and refuses to say it again. She says "Bye" but it sounds like "Bi" with a southern accent. It is so funny. She also says "Ewww" and makes the funniest face. I'll try to get a picture or video of it. Here are the words she is saying so far...hi, bye, cheese, please, bapa (grandpa), ma (max-my parents dog), eww, baby, peas (please), yes, sho (shoes), more, book, mom, and dad. I'm sure there are more, but she's asleep so I can't ask her.

We also got her a new tricycle and she loves it. See above picture. It has a little bell that she insists on ringing multiple times a day. It also has a handle for the parents to steer. YEAH! No more bending over and pushing her! It's great on the parents backs. The only problem is, she can get on and off whenever she wants. We were on a ride and she decided she would just get off while we were still moving! I think I should get her a helmet, but is that a little too overprotective?

I also took Ashlyn to get her hair cut. We went to this new place called "Cookie Cutters" it's haircuts for kids. It is SO CUTE! They have old fashioned cars for the kids to sit in and they get to pick a movie to watch while they are getting their haircut. Ashlyn picked Signing Time. It works great at distracting them and it keeps them entertained. They also have a little playground with a slide. Ashlyn had to go down the slide a few times before we left. Her haircut is pretty cute!

I can't believe that June is half over! It's so sad. My cousin Paige turned 14 on the 7th and I took her and her friend Olivia to Lagoon. We had a blast! It was like I was 12 again! We laughed and played Wack-A-Mole, ate a churro and ice cream from Pioneer Villiage (wonderful), ate cotton candy--my mom RARELY let me have it--something about making me hyper?? Whatever! We went on Rattlesnake Rapids with Ponchos--Brilliant I might add. We also went on Wicked which was so much fun but I refused to sit in the front. If I'm going to be thrown around in the air, I would rather not see it coming! The Bat was LAME, total waste of space in my opinion. I love the scrambler and tilt-a-whirl--we went on both 3 times and searched out the best tilt-a-whirl seat and of course were going the fastest and laughing the loudest. It was so much fun! I think I will be visiting again, even though Disneyland is my fave.

We also had a garage sale last weekend and we made some good money and got rid of some good junk! It was so funny because my Dad brought some stuff from their basement and there was a picture of a crying clown with an older clown wiping a tear--I hated that picture growing up, it was creepy. It sure brought back some memories. I should have taken a picture of the picture so I could share it with you. I apologize, you will just have to trust me on this. My mom went through this "Clown Phase" of decorating. She had a clown for every month (now you know why I have to change my decorations monthly) anyway, back to the clowns. So my mom would pull out these clowns and be so excited and she would ask us, "Isn't this so cute?!" and I would respond, "NO" and she would say, "Oh come on, it has a 4th of July outfit on!" and I said, "Oh Happy Birthday America!" Anyway, I was asking her about the horrible clown picture and she told me that she thought it was tender because clowns are always happy and this is a new clown who was sad and frustrated. I told her that the clowns in Stephen King's movie aren't happy. If you are wondering where you can pick one up, she got it from Home Shopping Club...which by the way, kicked her out of the club because she bought and returned too much, but that is another story. I told her that the clown went to a very weird lady who irons for a living (like Tracy Turnblads Mom!). We will probably see the lady on the TLC program about rare and precious items found at garage sales that are worth millions. I asked her if she checked the value of the picture online before selling it and she said that my Dad made an executive decision about it and would let her see it. HA that is awesome...go Dad!

Now onto the unwelcomed new addition at our home but we are getting use to the idea...I'm sure some of you are curiously wondering...is she? NOPE! SORRY! I'm not having a baby, but a cat did. Cole has another truck out back for his "project truck" which he has been muling in his mind for over 6 years now. Anyway, he gave one of the doors to a guy he works with, and the other night my Dad and Cole were outside checking out the fine qualities of the beat to crap piece of junk...(Love you Cole :) ) and they flipped the seat forward and something moved and scared the crap out of them. Well, low and behold there was a mother cat and 4 new babies. So when I got home from Young Womens, Cole told me about our new additions. I went down and I have to admit, they are pretty cute. But baby kittens grow up to be adult cats and I don't want a cat. So I called my twin beehives and they came over and looked at them and told us what to do and what to expect. It was comforting because it was like bringing home a new baby and not having a clue of what to do!

Anyway, Ashlyn LOVES to go out and look at them. She gets so excited. Yesterday we went out to check on them and they were gone! Ashlyn was very concerned and I was praying that they didn't die and that I wouldn't find baby bodies. The mom was under the truck and she came up to us so I asked her where her babies were and if they were ok. She lead me right to them, so I took a couple of pictures, she had them hidden pretty well, so they aren't the greatest shots, but you get the idea. Anyway, I asked Cole to go and check on them tonight and she has moved them again! I feel like one of my children has run away and I'm questioning myself on if I did everything I could to protect them! Cole says yes I did, otherwise she would stay and never return to her own home. It's insane. Then one of the twins called to see how the babies were doing and I had to tell her that they were gone. She asked me to please let her know if I find them...see...we are a bad baby kitten hospital. We are making them fend for themselves.

We also had a fun Father's Day. Cole didn't want anything, but we gave him a shirt and a book called, "What Daddy's Can't Do" it is really cute. Ashlyn also gave both Grandpas a book called, "I Love You Grandpa" they both really liked the book. It was a pretty low key day and Cole got to take a 3 hour nap which he was most excited about! Here is a picture of Grandpa Checketts reading the story to Isaac and Ashlyn.

Well that sums up our adventures for the last 3 weeks or so. I'm sure I'll come up with some more stuff soon!

What's in a name?

This is pretty fun...
What's in a name?

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Buster Trailblazer
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Peanut Butter Chocolate Chocolate Chip

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)J-Che
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Navy Blue Whale
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Lynne Fairfield

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Cheju
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)The Red Dr Pepper
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)Ron Richard
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Beautiful Butterfinger
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Jean Craig
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Mansfield Manhattan
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Spring Gerber Daisy
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Pineapple Caprie
14. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Apple Cherry Tree
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, weather element+ Tour")The Scrapping Warm Tour
If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged...blog it!