The Leatherwoods: Does anyone want to go CAMPING?!!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Does anyone want to go CAMPING?!!

I'm so behind on my blog (not to mention my LIFE!) that I'm starting to get overwhelmed, so let's see if I can baby step my way through this. Our whirlwind summer started off with a bang back on Memorial Day Weekend when we went camping with some of our favorite people up Mapleton Canyon. This was the first three days of my 16 days that I've spent in my tent SO FAR this summer! The first 12 days were all in one month! I know you're all SO IMPRESSED. Believe me, I am too.

The campground was BEAUTIFUL! The kids had plenty of room to run and play and there was a nice stream nearby. Our kids are at the PERFECT age for camping. No diapers, no cribs, no bottles or binkies ... I didn't even have to watch them that carefully! Haha! Camping takes on a whole new life when you're not GOING INSANE. The packing is still annoying, and don't even get me started about the unpacking, but this camping thing is growing on me a bit now that we're officially OUT of the baby stage.

The kids (and Jimmy) were obsessed with the fire. They roasted marshmallows until we were all sick. Jimmy even roped the kids into roasting his marshmallows FOR HIM and he "judged" them on their work ... and then he ate their work. Nice Jimmy. We learned the fine art of roasting Starbursts ... yum. Of course, we had to keep an eye on the kids ... and Jimmy ... around the fire (note my air mattress box in the picture above).

Lots of memories were made around this campfire. The die-hards were up til the wee hours of the morning talking and laughing around the fire. I pretty certain that is my favorite part of camping. I even learned something about my friend Jessica. Do NOT scare her. You never know what could happen.

The kids had a great time playing with each other. Now that I look at this picture, this activity might have been just a little bit dangerous. Maybe I need to keep a slightly closer eye on my kids.

Cooking up pancakes and bacon (yes people, I cooked bacon ... turkey bacon that is) for a big breakfast.

The kids could not get enough of the fire and the marshmallows.

T.J. chillin by the fire.

London and T.J. hiking on the nearby mountain.

Have you ever seen a better depiction of "Like father, like son?" I haven't.

London loved the water too.

The boys were playing capture the flag with all the kids. This was their attempt to camouflage themselves.

See it worked. I can hardly see Austin.

I thought I could make an attempt at shooting the bow if Dave helped me. I didn't get too far. The ripping sensation in my stomach was my clue to stop. Maybe next time.

Some of the wonderful friends we camped with. Love these guys. We're feel so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.

Funny kids

A new road just opened up by us called Pioneer Crossing. T.J. and I were on it the other day when he asked where all the pioneers were. I explained that they lived a long time ago and talked a little about the pioneers to him. He said, "Well, if the pioneers are dead, how can they be crossing the road?"
At the Qquirrh Mountain Temple Open House, there was a player grand piano playing hymns as we exited the temple. T.J. wanted to know who was playing the piano, so of course Dave told him it was a ghost. T.J. wanted to know, "Dad, is it the Holy Ghost?"
T.J. was changing himself out of his wet swimming suit today and into his pajamas when he took a few laps around the living room completely naked. I chased after him and said, "T.J., you can't run around naked. Get some clothes on!" He gets all indignant and says. "Mom, I'm NOT naked ... I have sunscreen on."
T.J. came running up to me this morning and said "Mom, I want to play knock-knock joke." I said, "Well good luck with that. You should probably wait until your father gets home becuase he's better with the whole knock-knock joke thing." T.J. said, "No I'll do it." I said okay, and he ran off. So a few minutes later there was a knock at the door. I answered it and it was T.J. laughing hysterically. I was a little confused and said, "What's up T.J.?" To which he responded, "We played it mom. We played knock-knock joke, and it's so funny." Apparently knocking and then laughing when people answer is now called "playing knock-knock joke."
London wanted me to buy her a new movie at the store today and I told her "no." She, of course, started in with the "Why not?" and "How come?" and all of that. So I just said, "London we don't have enough money to buy every new movie that comes out!" So she said, "Well, why don't you do some jobs and save up your money?" To which I responded, "London, are you serious? You want me to do jobs and save up my money so you can have a new movie?" She said, "If you work hard mom, you could do it."
I told T.J. the other day that he had to clean up some toys he had gotten out before he could have the piece of candy he wanted. So I said, "Come on, let's just hurry and clean it up. I'll help you." So he comes over for a minute and we pick up a few things and then he just walks away. I said, "Hey! Where are you going?" And he said, "You don't need my help mom. You're a big girl. You can do it all by yourself."
T.J. always wants me or Dave to lay by him at night while he falls asleep. Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't. Tonight, we were busy with other things, and T.J. was in there calling for me, "Mommy, come lay by me." I said, "T.J. I can't right now but I love you." So he said, "No Mommy, don't love me ... just lay by me."
I think my kids might be getting a little too much "election" exposure this year. We were at Partyland the other day having fun looking at costumes. Dave found a Barack Obama mask and put it on. London was not amused and told Dave, "No Daddy! Don't be him. He makes bad choices." You got that right London.
T.J. got into trouble yesterday and I got after him for it. He says to me, "Don't get mad at me or I'll call you a big red chicken." Huh?
I've been thinking about going back to school, and we were asking the kids what they thought about it the other day. So Dave says to Austin and Jackson, "What do you think mom should be? What should she study in school?" Austin gave some perfectly reasonable responses like "teacher" and "writer." Jackson says, "Mom, can you be a really famous football player?" You bet Jacks. You know what Dave's response was? "Jackson, have you ever seen mom run?" How rude!
So T.J. is pretty much potty trained, but we're having a few issues with number two. So, I walk into the room today and clearly caught him in "the act." So I say, "Uh oh T.J. Guess what?" And he says, "Uh ... I don't know. Maybe you smell something?" I definitely smelled something.
I went to put T.J. in his car seat the other day, and he said it was too hot. I said, "I'm sorry. What should I do?" So he thought about it and said, "Can you blow on it for me?" So I did, and then he said it was only warm and happily got buckled up.
Austin needs to have a wart burned off his finger. Jackson happens to be an expert on the subject after much experience a few years ago. So he reassures Austin by saying, "It doesn't hurt too bad ... maybe like London scratching you about 5 times .... or maybe 10." Thanks Jacks.
In the midst of a Saturday full of errands, we agreed to take the kids to McDonald's to play on the playground and have some lunch. They were all excited, but I think London most of all. She jumped out of the car at McDonalds, ran over to me, and in her most dramatic fashion ever said, "Oh thank you mom! I just knew we were a happy family."
We always tease London about eating like a bird, and she really does. But it may be getting a little out of hand. Last Sunday when I handed her the sacrament tray of bread, she said matter of factly, "No thanks mom. I'm full."
The week of London's 5th birthday, Austin, in family prayer, makes a heartfelt plea that London will "understand the reponsibilities of being 5." What a good brother. Now if someone could just explain what these "responsibilities" are ... maybe I'll ask Austin.
Jackson broke the personal, family, and possibly world record the other day by thoughtfully saying in his prayer NINE TIMES: "Please bless us to have a good time." Wow! This kid is seriously concerned about having a good time.
London was playing her computer game this morning and after passing off a level, she was really proud of herself. I was happy for her and told her "Wow! Good job. You are really good at that." She was really excited about her accomplishment and my praise and exclaimed, "Mom, I did such a good job. Maybe I should be in a parade."

The Leatherwoods

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Does anyone want to go CAMPING?!!

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