{Jager saved my eyesight}

I just couldn't miss this year's Biker Jamboree in Elko.......

(me, Jenni, Lisa)

So I hornswoggled two hot blonds to take a ride Westward to the "butthole of America" with me.

Everything is cheap and over the top in Elko...

Just look at our bargain $3 jumbo beers!

My friend Brandie is like the coolest chick in Elko!

She has all the hook-ups,

knows all the bands,

and is in charge of the entire Jamboree.

She set us up in a discounted room and free V.I.P. tickets to Uncle Kracker

Brandie was telling us her story of picking up the Kracker from the airport.  She said it was weird in the fact that it felt totally normal to have him sitting in her Tahoe!

He's a nice guy and a real family man.

He was having a hard time missing Father's Day with his kids.....

Brandie worked on getting him a flight out that night :)

They had a mile of streets blocked off to house food stands, alcohol shacks, bands, retailers, etc.

Of course, the people watching IS the highlight of this Jamboree....

I got a few new fashion faux pas looks for halloween.

The gal that the arrow is pointing to was.....well how do I say it?

Unique

Get a good look at the ruby red boots!

This guy felt left out....so we used him as the prop.

Lisa fell in love with these little boys and their HawkMoes.

The chub cheeks on the bottom is my fav!

The timing became an issue, and Uncle Kracker was not in our cards :( boo hoo!

BUT...

My band friends, The Midnight Riders were rockin out a full house at the Stockmans.

This particular picture is of Billy the lead singer doing his Micheal Jackson impersonation with the glove, wig, glasses and hat.

We were warned for what would be coming next......

 

(These signs were on the tables .....

nothing really to say about them, but I thought they were cute)

 

This is an official number that was strapped to an arm of a contestant.

I cannot show the pictures of the contest, because they are too booby graphic for this family blog.

First, was a long  stupid tattoo contest...which could have also been the "ugliest person in Elko" contest.

Next was the:

WET T-SHIRT CONTEST WHERE THE T-SHIRT LASTED ONLY 2 SECONDS.

Oh yah.....that's the way Elko rolls!!!!

 

This aint my first skank rodeo, so there wasn't a whole lot that shocked me.....

but for Lisa and Jenni, this was taking things to a

WHOLE NUBBA LEBBEL!

Good thing the Jager shots were only $3 too!

We needed something to distort our eyesight.....who knows what would have happened.

OMG!!! We could have been blinded!!!!!!

We were also celebrating Jenni's upcoming birthday.

Out came the Sharpie marker, and we wrote love tattoos on each other.

I thought they looked great on us!

We had so many laughs, so many stories, so much fun, and too little time.

Thanks Lisa and Jenni :)

You gals rock my world!

Elko 2011....who's with me?

Oh....forgot to mention.....

I won $600 on a penny machine at 3 am

WOOT! WOOT!

{And I think to myself.....

what a wonderful world}

Saturday morning we set out with no agenda........

Packed a cooler of drinks, a zip-lock full of snacks, sunblock and a pair of walking shoes.

Our first stop was Park City.

The weather was perfect....81 degrees.

Music from the outdoor beer gardens kept the mo-jo of walking the streets in rhythm.

The loved town mutts that wander the streets were content near water puddles and a shade tree.

The tourists were in awe, the Harley riders were thirsty and the DeVries' were soaking it all in.

After a delightful lunch and refreshing beer, we were on the road......

The next stop:  Heber

We came upon a great car show and talked to people that we knew from the car show circuit from around town.

Back in the car..........

The next stop:  Cascade Springs

Cascade Springs is between Midway and American Fork Canyon.

Water from the springs flows over a series of travertine terraces and pools and eventually continues on its way to nearby Provo Deer Creek.

Little Brown Trout are swimming near the surface. (No fishing allowed)

The walk through the lush green plants and trees is calm and cool with clear pools and waterfalls.

7 million gallons of water flow through Cascade Springs EVERY DAY!

It's a wonderful family adventure, close to home, and a reprieve from the heat.

GO EXPERIENCE CASCADE SPRINGS!!

I am always amazed that I have lived here most of my life, and there are so many breathtaking Utah landscapes that I have yet to cover......

It leaves me adventurous and excited to see where my Subaru and Nike tennie runners are going to take us.

signing out,

granola girl :)

{Prozac on wheels...a basket full of fun!}

Miss Kitty is in her "Poor me" stage again.

Depressed

Laying around

Small case of  hemorrhoids

No emotion

No energy

Cranky

Constipated

Annoyed

Tired....

Even a walk to the park isn't exciting anymore.

The only comforts she has found is Jax's Teddy Bear.

And I think she is just using bear for his stuffing!

When you try to talk about the fact that she just isn't herself and everyone who loves her is worried, she gets very defensive and glares at you like "Hey! mind your own business! I'm FINE!!!"

But because we love Miss Kitty as one of our family, we couldn't let this go.......

We needed to get her help ASAP.

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So we bought her a basket.....

With a bike* attached..........

for me to tote her around on.

Driving Miss Kitty isn't as easy as it looks.....

Because she has been eating her worries away, she has packed on a few pounds.....mostly in her love handles and belly-boobies.

She has a boy-ish frame like me.

This "basket-case" therapy is already showing signs that we are on the right road to happy days again :)

*Randy and the boys have been begging me to get a bike so that I can trail along with them on their rides.

This is my new "Ruby Sparkle".

Randy bought the basket and bolted it on so that we could carry Miss Kitty when she gets tired of running beside us :)

She seems to really enjoy the basket and I don't mind her butt lick-er breath too much as she pants down my neck :)

You should see the looks we get!

{Carnivore's}

I might as well just go by a cow......

and a pig

And a chicken farm.....

The amount of meat these boys crave leaves me cooking all the time and NO left overs in the fridge!!

I walked in on Jax taking these salami pieces to his mouth in hunks!  NOT slice by slice in the way they were intended.  It was as if they wouldn't get in his belly fast enough.

"MOM!!! I'M STARVING TO DEATH!"

is pretty much a common phrase around this joint!

I scurry around, trying to find fast, filling and healthy treats......

I finally just throw a rack o' ribs at them and tell them to have at it!!!  Just leave a bone or two for Miss Kitty :)

{Don't even try!!!!}

When you have kids.....

Don't even try to keep ANYTHING in pristine condition!

HERE.....

Let me focus in a little closer for you.

Bike vs Randy's new pride and joy....

The bike won.

Yes, a boy is still alive.........

 

After deep breathing, a walk in 45000 circles, and a few inner curse words.........you put into perspective,

 that it's just a truck.

{Things that Rock My World}

My dermatologist was pushing the Clarisonic pore cleaning system on me pretty hard.

I trust him and would have bought one right then and there if it wasn't $200!!!!

I knew Sally's Beauty Supply would have some kind of knock off that would be less expensive.

The i-Skin is exactly what I was looking for.

UNDER $30

Uses 2 AA batteries

Comes with small bottle of cleanser to start

I have noticed a difference in the tightening of my skin

My freckles are fading

My pores are shrinking

Finally getting rid of the blackheads that I swear have been there since I was 17

All around smooth polish!!

I use mine every day.  It feels soooooo good and you can just tell your face is sending big loves for the great massage.

i-Skin ROCKS MY WORLD!!!!

Ladies :)

We MUST exfoliate, clean, moisturize and treat our face with the best care!!!

Good for the body, soul, and esteem

(Don't forget to use good face sun block too!  Neutrogena face spf 100 is dermatologist recommended.  I really like the stuff)

Take care of the beautiful, unique, special, wonderful

YOU!!!!

Because.....You're worth it!

{He's with me ALL THE TIME?}

Mom, ya know.....

I believe in God.

And I feel like He's my best friend that helps me cuz I have a hard time.  BUT, I kinda get freaked out thinking that He's with me

ALL THE TIME.....

like, I'm just waiting for him to jump out from behind a door or something and scare me. 

I think He's not ugly....but you never know!

MOM! What if God is ugly???!!?!?!?

Yah, that would totally freak the crap right out of me!

But, I still need him to help me even if He's ugly.

I'm just gonna ask Him to NEVER EVER scare me on purpose.

:)

{Sneak Peek}

Floor

Walls

Border trim

YES....my house is under construction AGAIN!

Shower remodel Sneaker Peeker..........

Whataya think?

Stay tuned!!!!!!!!

(ARGH!!!! Adrianne understands!!!!  right girl?)

{goin' white trash honky in the name of love}

As Miss Kitty and I were making our nightly rounds through the neighborhood, I see these lil' Maytag Neptune beauties for sale.

$200 for the pair!!!!!!

I immediately texted Chelise......

She's been having some appliance difficulties lately and I thought that she might be in the market for a newer set.

After much confusion and a huge blond moment on Chelise's part,

she said she would take them!!!!

(I think she got a kick ass deal BTW!!!!)

One of our friend/neighbors named Randall, offered to help push these puppies down the street.......

on dollies......

while I held their cold Bud Lights.

My Randy was yelling as he is walking by people doing yard work,

 "you don't see anything!!! everyone go back into your homes. Nothing is happening here!  This is all on the up and up!"

wink, wink.

If seeing Doublett Randalls walking down the streets in a situation that could look VERY conspicuous,

WITH DOLLIES AND A WASHER/DRYER SET

doesn't say

I LOVE YOU CHELISE!!!

Then I don't know what would!

Always lookin' out for a good deal!!!!

Contact me if you are in need of anything....

I'll hook ya up!

{What a dumb idea!}

Mom said, "Jax! let's see if you can make wood chip angels!  Hurry! Lay down and flap your arms and legs real fast!"

So I did. 

And it hurt. 

And I said, "THIS HURTS! Can I stop now?"

Mom said, "They are just wood chips?!?!?! For reals it hurts?"

"YES!!!" I yelled.

"I think I'm getting some kind of rash! 

Can I please stop?!?!?!"

Mom said I could stop and that she felt so bad that she made me do it.....

but I don't know if she really meant it....

She couldn't quit laughing while she was picking the wood out of my skin and hair.

Very bad idea Mom had!

{Happy Fahzuer's Day}






mmmmmm hmmmmmm....
I loves my babies' daddy!
And my babies loves him too :)

Happy Father's Day Babe!
You're the best of the bestest!

(Picture taken in 2003
Jax was 3....Riv was 4 1/2....
Randy was......
 not fully grey yet lol!)

{What will the neighbors say?}

Jax yelled for me, "Mom!!! I'm going to make a costume!  Come look at me."

My first thought was, "I sure hope you've got clothes on under that box!"

My second reaction was to really look at how cute he was and lovingly giggle.

My third was to wonder, "What are the neighbor's thinking?  A 10 year old boy is running around like a circus freak, possibly naked and the only cover is a beer box!  OH MY!  A whole family of sinners!"

Yes, I've started sin training with my boys early... around 2 years old.  They are catching on quite nicely.

My final opinion was: 

I don't care what ANYONE thinks! 

This is a kid that just wants to experiment, and he is making use of whatever materials we have in our recycle bin.

Creative

Fun

Imaginative

This was the end result.

A Jax original IRON MAN SUIT.

This suit gives strength and power to a little boy for days of running fun!

I soooooo enjoy seeing my kids create from their mind's architectural blueprint.

Isn't this what summertime and childhood is all about???? 

It's times like these that I just want to drink up every ounce of Jax's youth.....

because I know,  I really do know,  that the boy in my garage in the cardboard suit will be replaced by a young man in my garage smiling from his own car.  And the hugs and kisses he gives to me looking for approval, will be given to a pretty gal his age sitting in the passenger seat.....

and the progression is unstoppable.

This morning, I rocked Jax awake. 

His warm, relaxed body is still comfortable in the nook of my arm.... even with 4 foot of legs  and size 10 feet dangling off the opposite end.

His goober-ed, sleepy eyes looking up at me in the familiar way......

content, loved, protected and vulnerable.

Always my baby you'll be

{things that ROCK my world}

Costco ALWAYS has the best stuff!!!!

And the best stuff isn't limited to the stocked shelves.

Even their toilet facilities are equipped with the latest and greatest equipment.

This Dyson Airblade hand dryer in Costco,

ROCKS MY WORLD!!!!!

Have you seen these??

Totally NOT like one of the old timers that blow stinky cold air for 5 minutes and still leaves you wiping the rest off on your pants.

You place your hands in from the top and move them downward to start the thin stream of air......hence it's called the "blade."
In about 2.2 seconds, any water that was dripping from your hands is blown off by the same kind of power I would assume a rocket uses to propel into space. 

And the twisted part of me thinks it feels good.

I wish I could stick my head through the openings....

And my feet, and my pits, and my hair and all of my 10,000 body parts.

It's almost massaging in a strange hurricane, pin prickly, skin detaching kind of way.

{PackBack}

River and Randy experienced yet another Scout camp out.

IN THE RAIN!!!!

The plan was to hike to Silver Lake......

until it was apparent that there was snow, sleet and rain up yonder.

They settled for a camping spot at a lower altitude.

They still left the house prepared.

What they discovered was:

~Those freeze dried meals in a bag....tastes like poo.

~No matter how "waterproof" your tent is, it will be full of water from 14 hours of downpour.

~Park your Dodge nearby....just in case you pansy out and sneak shelter.

(which all of the adult males did)

Tonight was the Court of Honor where Riv was presented his earned merit badges.

Top: the centennial "path finder" badge

Bottom:  "horsemanship" badge

(Couldn't have done this one without Aunt Chelise)

Riv was so excited and truly proud to receive these.

The next Scout adventure......

Bear Lake for a week!!!

Randy asked the leader if he could bring our camp trailer.....

jokingly of course.....kinda sorta....not really.

Leader didn't find the humor....

Scouting means NO CIVILIZED SLEEPING!!!

I have strategically placed rocks, bark, and skunk scent under the sheets of Randy's side of the bed.....along with a tent of mosquitoes tucked in around his body.

HEY!! 

 I do what I can to help my menz train and prepare for their manly tent trips!!!!

yah.....it's times like these that I'm glad I'm not a man!

{snowing cotton}

The Cottonwood trees are shedding, along with the pollen from many others.

River is so allergic, that his eyes swell shut and he has hives all around his belly :(

A cold, wet, burp-cloth* from River's infant years, adds comfort and relief when held in place by an ear warmer.

*There are some things I will never be able to part with from the boys' childhood.....

{my arch-nemesis love}

MMMMMMM.......

Nut Brown Ale

Devine~DElish!!!

Until I see that all of my cardio workouts are no match to the sugar and carbs Mr. Ale applies to the belly.

Devine~dEVILish!!!

WHY?????

Why does it have to be so damn hard?

If God would have asked me,
which he/she/it didn't,
 I would have suggested beer be one of the four nutritious, fat free, calorie free food groups. 

Just one more thing added to the list that I should have been consulted about to help make the world a better place :)