To move an Island

The Island of Sodor has been relocated. It has moved to the basement, one floor down from its previous home located in the office. In addition, a splinter Island of Sodor can be found at Grandma's house. The wooden train cars remained here and the die-cast cars, along with one table, opted to splinter over to Grandma's. After all mommy likes to share the love, even if Mark does not.....



Also of note, the American Girl dolls have relocated into much more spacious living conditions. They previously had residence in Lauren's old room, with very little space to go about their daily activities of tea parties and fashion shows. Now they have plenty of room to do both. They too are now located in the basement, and can be found next to the Island of Sodor.

The Mommy Zone.

BEWARE: Crafting will occur in this room. This is my new craft room! I now sufficient cupboards and drawers to store all my supplies and sufficient table space to work! Plus since this is in the basement, I don't have to clean up my mess. (Note to children: Do as I say, not as I do.) Look at all the chairs I can have my friends over for really serious crafting!

Family Time

Another room receiving a make-over with the departure of the McLean's was the basement family room. We already had the couches, so I found a few new red, white and blue items to add color. Lauren and Mark have seized control of the basement and it has become their new favorite place to watch TV. (No more Disney channel on the main floor TV! Having to listen to another episode of Hannah Montana, might seriously send me into seizures.)

We are going for an American theme.

Please note the use of my Idaho license plate. Rick found this to be a much more appropriate use of the license plate than when it was on my car. I don't get it.....?

Be our Guest

With the departure of Jeff, Linda, Courtney, and Matt it has opened up a lot of space in our house, previously occupied by them. One of those spaces was the bedroom that Jeff and Linda were in. Rick needed more space for books and I wanted a lovely guest bedroom. We got both.

This is our new guest bed

These are Rick's bookshelves, nearly full as you can see.

If you come to visit you can not only sleep on a lovely comfortable bed, but you can also have an outstanding selection of reading material at your fingertips. But remember guests and fish both start to smell after three days. Don't choose to read "War and Peace."

Rain, rain, go away!!!!

We have this silly family tradition that we started several years ago, that when it storms during the summer time we sit together as a family on our front porch and watch the rain. The kids occasionally venture off the porch and run in circles around the lavender singing "Rain, rain go away, come again another day" until soaked or cold, which ever comes first.

Saturday night a decidedly wicked summer storm came through complete with sheets of rain, blowing wind, to the tune of 49 MPH, and of course thunder and lightening. The perfect storm for watching.

Here is Mark headed out to make his rounds, with his Thomas blanket in tow.

Katie demanded to be part of the action, so Rick took her for a spin, with Lauren close behind, wrapped in her Strawberry Shortcake blanket.

Can you see the glee on Katie's face?

The rain soaked, drenched, but delighted bunch.

I of course stayed high and dry on the porch, hey I straighten my hair on Saturday, I couldn't go messin that up! I am nothing if not vain.

The Cheeseist

"Cheese glorious Cheese" it was so wonderful! Yes I am talking about the highly anticipated Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir , or MO-Tab for short, and their guest performers the Osmonds, and I don't just mean Donny and Marie, I mean all of them, and for the record there are a LOT of them. They could probably fill up the MO-Tab Choir seats by themselves.


For those of you out of the pop culture loop, last fall Marie appeared on Dancing with the Stars, which resulted in a re-birth of Osmond mania. To celebrate 50 years of Osmond cheesiness the Osmonds embarked on a world tour this summer with their world tour concluding in Utah, birthplace to nearly every Osmond ever born. Did I mention there are a LOT of Osmonds, and an unusual number of them live in Utah County. You can’t go anywhere without running into one of them. You lose one and then another one pops up. They really are a nation unto themselves. What could be a more fitting match up with the Osmonds than the MO-Tab, cheese and style in one slick, slightly 1970’s package. (Note: women’s dresses for Choir members, not exactly cutting edge fashion, but probably were in late 60’s early 70’s. Then there are the Osmonds themselves…..)


The program began with the MO-Tab singing "They the Builders of the Nation" and "Faith in Every Footstep" Next the Osmonds appeared and began singing a few of their pop favorites such as "One Bad Apple" complete with electric guitar. Odd….as far as musical transitions go. The decidedly Mormon crowd was not really sure how to react, after all it was in the Conference Center and isn’t that just like a chapel? I pondered calling my Bishop to ask if it was ok to stand, do the wave and sing along? Would that be sacrilegious? What if I only did it while the Osmonds were performing, but showed respect and reverence for the Choir, could I still take the sacrament on Sunday? Does the Church handbook cover this issue?


But as the concert continued on styles were able to be meshed, and both Osmond favorites and MO-Tab favorites were blended... well as best as you can blend cheese and style. It concluded with the MO-Tab singing "Come, Come, Ye Saints" and the Osmonds joining in on the last verse. All and all I am sure my pioneer ancestors are proud that I chose to honor them in such a cultural way.


For those seeking to experience this cheesiness for yourself, if you have DISH Network the concert will be broadcast tonight, 7/26 at 7:30 p.m. on BYUTV or 9403. Watch and enjoy!

Mommy Blogs

Bloger Suffering/Blogger Stalking: The process of linking to other blogs though blogs of your friends or relatives. An ability to secretly voyeuristicly look at the lives of others.

Admit it, you ALL do this. Don't try to tell me that you don't, because I will not believe you. It is a dirty little pleasure that we all enjoy. It is inevitable while being voyeuristic you will run across the blog of Ms. Perfect. No sugar coating necessary for her life, everything is perfect. Perfect husband, who is kind, attentive, all ways puts her first, give her flowers for no reason, tells her all day long how much he loves her, and treats her like the princess that she is. Her children, they are perfect to, they never argue, they never make a mess, they are always obedient, and they are the cutest kids on the planet, just ask her she will tell you. Her church calling, of course she magnifies her calling, and everything is done perfectly. Her house is always clean, not an ounce of fat on her body, and she shops at Nordstroms to boot. She is practically perfect in every way, or at least that is the filter with which you see her life on her blog.

For those of you who don't believe me, please visit seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com, for a satirical response to those perky mommy blogs so prevalent in family circles. Riddled with cheeriness and superlatives, this blog is a hilarious spoof on the way women portray their family life for their readers. Be careful it is so true to form, you might not catch that all those exclamation points are meant to be ironic. Enjoy!

Friendship

When we were released as a Relief Society Presidency we promised ourselves that we would still remain close and do thing together. It is a little harder now, because we don't have that draw of having to get together for presidency meeting, but last week Sherry, Sue and I managed to squeeze in some time together. We met at my house for lunch and helped Sue make card kits for a craft project for her family reunion. Sherry gave Sue and I each one of the these lovely mirrors to thank us for supporting her as Relief Society President. She told us that whether we chose to display the mirror or tuck it away, she wanted us to think of our presidency whenever we saw the mirror. It was such a lovely thought and one that I appreciated very much.

A mirror is a reflection, and to me it reflects back the love that I received by giving of myself during the time that I was called to serve.

Buddy

Buddy has been a faithful member of our family for over seven years now. I purchased Buddy when I was pregnant with Lauren because I thought he was cute and he matched her crib and nursery. I placed Buddy in the crib where Lauren could see him. When she was a baby she would sit and stare at Buddy. Then she tried reaching for Buddy, and eventually she was able to grab him. For the longest time Lauren slept with Buddy impaled over her face. I was completely freaked out that she would suffocate, and would remove Buddy. The next thing I knew Buddy was back over her face. I gave up trying. I did not choose Buddy's name, that was all Lauren. Buddy is a well traveled monkey, Lauren never leaves home without him. Buddy and his alter ego, known as Vegas Buddy, have been the star of two made for family movies, "The Brookshire" and "Buddy's Revenge"'

This is how Buddy looked when he was new. He had a full head of hair and his fir was fluffy and soft, plus he smelled good. NOTE: Picture is not of the original Buddy, but rather Buddy's alter ego, or evil twin, Vegas Buddy.

This is how Buddy looks after seven years of Lauren "lovin." He no longer has hair, his fir is nappy and missing in places, occasionally he smells.

This is how Buddy looks when he has been "Buddy knapped" by Katie. Katie takes every opportunity to get her hands on Lauren's prized possession.

This is how Buddy looks when he has been "Buddy knapped" by Mark, who like Katie wants to steal Lauren's toy because it makes Lauren scream and what is better than making your older sister scream?

Bubbles????

What kid does not like bubbles? Mine! Lauren and Mark had the bubble machine out on the deck making all sorts of fun bubbles. I thought Katie would like the bubbles and have fun trying to catch them since she likes to put her hands on everything. But nooooo, she screamed. She did not want to have anything to do with bubbles. Could be a problem for nursery, I have heard they make a lot of bubbles in there.

Our reputation doth proceed us.

Well just for fun and amusement the Primary Presidency decided that Mark should have another turn to participate in opening exercises. The horror arrived home last week in the form of a note from the secretary of the Primary informing me that Lauren was assigned the talk, and Mark the scripture. The topic, missionary work. D-Day, July 20, 2008. For some reason not entirely clear to me, they, the Primary Presidency, likes to group siblings together for prayers, talks, and scriptures. It was a particularly busy Sunday, because Rick and I were asked to pray in Sacrament meeting, Rick had to teach Sunday School and I had to teach Relief Society. Katie was the only one who escaped unscathed from a church assignment.

As the week drew on I carefully crafted Lauren's talk and saved it on my transportable USB drive, only to find that my file was corrupt when I attempted to print the talk. Back to the drawing board. Then I went to look up the scripture for Mark which was assigned as D&C 15:18. The only problem with the scripture was section 15 only has 6 verses. I considered writing my own scripture, but decided that a visit with the Bishop for a church disciplinary council really couldn't be penciled in this week. I call the secretary who informed me she had transposed the section and the verse and it was actually 18:15. Good news section 18 does have a verse 15.

I had Lauren practice her talk and made Mark wait with anticipation to practice his scripture, which only served to further his excitement about participating in Primary. He wanted to practice his scripture over and over and over. Sunday morning he DEMANDED breakfast immediately and a bath. He spent an hour trying to convince me to put on his church shoes and leave for church. He also carried the paper with his scripture on it all around the house and into church. As soon as sacrament meeting was over he split the chapel and headed straight for Primary.

When I arrived in Primary to help him he was sitting up front with Lauren telling everyone he had the scripture, he was also picking his nose. As opening exercises commenced he again proceeded to announce to the entire Primary "I have the scripture," but at least he stopped picking his nose. Finally it was his turn to give the scripture. As he went to the pulpit, one of the 11 year old girls in Primary said to her friends, "Hey look, Mark is giving the scripture." The girls ceased talking and focused on Mark. I can only assume from their conduct that anytime he opens his mouth in Primary he must cause quite a stir......or a least say something probably best not said in Primary. I helped him with his scripture and he practically had the microphone in his mouth. He made it through his scripture without any socially unacceptable conduct, and sat down puffed with pride that he had participated in Primary. He was followed by Lauren, who of course stood up with her confidence and poise projecting her message of missionary work.

Later during sharing time when missionary work was being discussed, he raised his hand, and the first counselor called on him. He said to her"I am having a bad day." Isn't that what sharing time is for, to share???

Fun & Flair

Lauren went to a birthday party on Saturday where the theme was High School Musical and each party guest was to come dressed up as their favorite character from High School Musical. Lauren was inspired by Sharpay, and put together her most outrageous outfit, and as you can see by the picture she had the attitude to match.

Indignation

On Friday, Jaxton who is the grandson of our neighbors, was over playing with Lauren and Mark. During the course of the play date, Mark decided sharing, specifically his Thomas tent, was overrated and said:

"It is an indignation to share."

For those of you who are not as smart as my four year old indignation is defined as:

"strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting or base; righteous anger"

Yeah we need to continue working on the sharing thing before we apply to Harvard.

For the love of all things Macy's

The perfect keyring for a Macy's girl!

For those of you who do not know I am a connoisseur of Macy's. I LOVE the store, and whenever I go on a trip I locate the nearest Macy's and check our their selection. The exception to my LOVE of Macy's is the stores in Utah. Basically they suck. The product selection and quality is very poor. The styles look like something your grandmother would wear. About two months ago I noticed an article in the Deseret News about how Macy's was restructuring their management in order to cater to local markets. No longer would the merchandise buyers come from Seattle, but now would be located in a regional area. The article went on to say that Macy's was going to talk to associates and customers to get input on the the type of merchandise it should be offering.

Well I took that as my hint that Macy's wanted my opinion. So I put pen to paper or rather keyboard to email, and fired off a letter. I kindly explained that I was a holder of the Macy's black card, which means I spend an obscene amount of money in their stores, and that the majority of my purchases came from out of state because I was dissatisfied with the selection in Utah. I went on to say I would love the opportunity to meet with Macy's to express my desires for merchandise. Apparently they looked up my Macy's account because I got an immediate response. Due to scheduling conflicts it took about 6 weeks to schedule our meeting, which actually allowed me to do some research in both Phoenix and Boise, two cities I have been in during the last six weeks. I took lots of pictures of merchandise in both cities, that I knew I would never see in Utah. (Ok, technically Macy's prohibits photography inside their stores, but I considered this to be information gathering in order for them to better serve their customers.)

As the day approached I gathered my evidence, opps, I mean my photos, and prepared to explain exactly how Macy's could better serve the customer. I even did a tour around the Orem store in order to point out how product could be better displayed. When I arrived not only was I greeted by the merchandiser for the store, but TWO regional directors. See I told you they looked at my Macy's account! I sat down with them and explained my love of Macy's and my disappointment in the Utah stores. They took copious notes on my suggestions, and appreciated my pictures. They agreed that the Utah stores struggle. At the end they asked me if they put together an advisory board if I would like to be on it. I of course jumped at the chance, because I have a lot of opinions I would like to share.

For now there are not going to be any immediate changes to the Utah stores, because they purchase clothing a year in advance and right now are planning for spring/summer 2009. Which of course I understood, I just appreciated the chance to voice my opinion. So for now its more trips out of state to find good Macy's!

The Brightest and Smartest

Its official I am a schmuck of a parent. I was watching Oprah and she had all sorts of talented children on, including a three year old drummer, seven year old concert pianist, seven year old championship ball room dancers, and the two and half year old who can point out countries on the map I have never even heard of. My children, well they can create collateral damage in room in three seconds flat, resulting in hours of clean up for mommy. Like every parent I truly believe that my children are the brightest, smartest children around until I watch a program with these super achievers, then I feel like I have been a waste as a parent because I have not pushed my children to super excel, which of course because they are the brightest, smartest children around they could have done with a little parental encouragement. I try to delude myself into thinking that “Well at least my children are well rounded, because I allow them to play and be a child, rather than focus all their energy on a talent that by the time they are adults will be mediocre at best because everyone else will have caught up with them.” But it still does not dilute my feelings of inadequacy as a parent when I engage in the time honored tradition of comparing my children to other children.

Then I realize that my children don’t know that they are not the brightest, smartest children, because every day I reflect to them that I believe they are the brightest, smartest children. I am the only one doing any comparison. As long as I am their mommy I will continue to tell them how wonderful they are, so someday when the world sucks the innocence out of them and they realize that there are lots of talented people in the world they will always know their mommy thought they were the brightest and the smartest.

Looks so good you want to eat it.

Last Christmas I found this pretty package sitting on my desk at work, all wrapped up with a bow. It looked so good I wanted to eat it, but I couldn't because it is a bracelet made of glass beads. Suzan, one of the attorneys I work with has sinful hobby of making glass beads.

As you can see each bead looks like a little chocolate, down to the last detail. She strung the beads together with cute heart clasp. I was a very lucky recipient of this super cool gift. Everytime I wear it, I gets lots of ooos and ahhhs.

Daddy's Girl

Daddy left his very expensive Brooks Brothers tie on a chair just at the right height for me to find. I promptly grabbed the tie, and put it around my neck, because after all that is where ties go. I then drug it all around the house, refusing to give it back to its rightful owner. After all finders keepers, losers weepers.

His familiar

Every kids has it, every parent suffers because of it. What is it? The object known as the "familiar" that must be slept with at night, and carted throughout the house during the day. For Mark it is a tan colored blanket, and I use the term blanket loosely. In its original condition it had feathers, now all feathers have mysteriously disappeared, it is basically two pieces of fabric sewn together. He name for it is his "wittle blanky."

He must have it to sleep with at night, and he greets me in the morning with his "wittle blanky" in his arms. It gets drug around the house during the day, and generally speaking he knows where it is at. If something traumatic happens such as a fall or head bang, it is the first thing he asks for, even above a hug from mommy. So you see where I rank!

On Saturday trauma struck. It was bed time and the "wittle blanky" was nowhere to be found. Now the irony of this, is relatively speaking my house is clutter free at the moment due to the departure of Jeff, Linda and company. So you would think in a clutter free house that finding a blanket would not be that difficult of a task. It is not like it is a small item that could easy fall between couch cushions, be tossed in the trash, or have some other similar fate befell it. I searched and searched for 35 minutes for that blanket, on all three levels of my house and it was nowhere to be found. Finally I told Mark that he had to go to bed without his blanket. He was devastated. I tucked him into bed and he cried and cried. When he said prayers he asked Heavenly Father to help him find his blanket, and continued to cry long after I left the room. Next I tucked Lauren into bed and she also prayed that we would find the blanket.
I decided to do one last search for the blanket. I started in the mud room, progressed to the laundry room, then went into the kitchen. I realized I had not looked on the back side of the kitchen table where it abuts the window seat. As I peered over the chairs, there on the floor was the answer to the prayers of both children of mine. The blanket. I quickly took it back up to Mark, who of course was elated. There is nothing like the prayers of a child and the determination of a mommy

Climb Every Mountain

The new neighborhood park has a climbing wall, which Lauren and Mark find just right for scrambling up. Next goal, Mt. Timpanogas.

Mixing it up.

For the last five years, Grandma and Grandpa, aka Linda and Jeff, have been living with us. They arrived when Lauren was two, and were there for the birth of Mark and Katie. None of my kids know what it is like to not live with Grandma and Grandpa. Several months ago, we, (the adults) decided that it was time for everyone to have their own space. Thus the process of house hunting began. Jeff and Linda found a house near by that was still within our ward. It was a bittersweet day on Tuesday when they began moving out. That night the house was oddly quiet in a way I have never felt before.

The next day I began the process of moving into areas of my house that were previously occupied by Grandma and Grandpa and company. The house still feels quiet and their presence is missed, but it has been fun to explore new space.

One of the first new spaces to be explored was Aunt Courtney's former bedroom. Rick and I waited until the night before the move to tell Lauren she would get a new bedroom. She had been coveting Courtney's room since the move was announced, but we thought it would be nice to surprise her, to ease the discomfort she would experience with Grandma and Grandpa leaving. She forgot that Grandma and Grandpa were moving because she was so excited about the prospect of her new room.

This is Lauren's super girly bed. I have ordered decorative lettering to go above the flowers that says, "The princess sleeps here." Its fitting because it really is a princess bed, and the girl who sleeps in it is a princess.

The bedroom has its own bathroom. You can't see the shower curtain very well, but it is white with orange, hot pink and light pink dots. We picked out orange towels to coordinate.

Lauren now has a fancy dresser to keep her clothes in as well as a TV. She is most upset that mommy is not wiling to hook the TV up, and will only allow DVDs to be watched.

Not to be out done by his older sister, Mark wanted to show off his train bedroom which I put together several months ago.

More train stuff, with Katie wondering what she can get her hands on.

Finally Katie did not want to be left out and wanted you to see where she spends 12 hours a day.

This is Katie's dresser, complete with her cute name that Aunt Arianne made for her.

Finally this is Lauren's old bedroom. It will be sadly lonely for a year or two until Katie is ready to upgrade.

Its hard to say what is more fun, mommy decorating the bedrooms, or the kids enjoying the fruits of mommy's labor?

The Great Outdoors.

Ahh the life of a college professor, Rick has been enjoying his summer off, starting with hiking in Moab with friends, then on to Alaska with his dad and brothers.

I think Moab looks good on Rick!

The gang went to Alaska to fish, which is a little slow paced for Rick's taste, so he hiked and took in the culture. While in there, Rick went on a charter flight where the bush pilot landed the plane on a beach while grizzly bears were clamming. The bush pilot, who had no fear, (Isn't that the definition of a bush pilot?) got out of the airplane and started walking toward the bears. Rick figured if the pilot was not scared he shouldn't be either. Rick was 15 feet away from the bear when he shot this picture, which is just exactly Rick's idea of hunting.


Now if I can just get him out of the great outdoors and into the good indoors to work on my "honey do" list.

You have it, I want it.

Kallie has recently lost her daytime pacifier privileges, she only gets her pacifier for naps and bedtime. Katie however still has pacifier privileges 24/7. It did not take Kallie long to notice that Katie has a pacifier on a leash for easy access.

One fail swoop and Kallie when in for the kill.

Success, and Katie did not even scream!

Next, it is the cheese! You have to watch out for quick fingered cousins.

Are you a "proper cousin?"

Yesterday was a trying day for Mark. We returned from Idaho to a house still full of cousins. Mark decided he had reached his breaking point. He was refusing to share his trains. Now when I say refusing to share, it means not only could you not touch his trains, you could not look at them or even think about looking at them. Grandma was trying to help Mark understand the concept of sharing. She told Mark that if he could not share his trains and get along, nobody, including Mark, would be allowed to play with the trains. To which Mark replied to his room full of cousins:

"Proper cousins don't play with their cousin's trains. I am calling for all proper cousins."

I think he missed the point.

The good life!

Two leather easy chairs, two high powered computers, two wireless mice, a quiet house, a big screen TV with a continuous stream of FOX news, and visits from the cutest grandchildren in the world. Ahhh, the good life, priceless, just ask my dad and Loretta. Now if I just network their computers and teach them how to play games against each other!

Beware of Katie

She bit me, and I mean really bit me. On Thursday night Katie was using mommy as a mountain to climb. In her effort to gain a sure footing, Katie placed her mouth over the upper part of my arm and dug her two top and two bottom teeth into my flesh, resulting in an all out bite. I was stunned! I have never had a child of mine bite me before, come to think of it I don’t believe I have ever been bitten by anyone before. It’s a good thing her shots are up to date, and I know she is not rabid.

These fangs are made for biting and bitings what they’ll do, these fangs are made for biting and they’ll bite right into you!

You’ve been warned.

Together at Last

Its been six months since Kallie and Katie have been together. On Saturday I picked up Kallie and her mother Arianne, from the airport, after a short flight from Portland to Boise, where Kallie proceeded to terrorize all the passengers by expressing her desire to be off the airplane.


Kallie greeted her long lost cousin with the "stink eye." After all Katie had claimed the prime seating in the center, and had a bottle.

NOTE: Mark is sound asleep oblivious to the cousin drama.

Kallie decided to rethink her position regarding Katie and forgave her for infringing on her rights.

By the time we reached Grandma and Grandpa Hales' house all three had passed out, with Mark dreaming thoughts of Thomas and Kallie and Katie dreaming thoughts of bottles and baby food.

In the interest of diplomacy Katie shared her tea set with Kallie, and they proceeded to have a tea party complete with raisins and vanilla wafers.

Traditions

No visit to Idaho is complete without a stop to see Grandma Ison, and no visit to Grandma Ison is complete without a piece of homemade whole wheat bread. As a child I was known as her "dough baby" because I always swiped bread dough when she was not looking. It was a real treat to be at Grandma Ison's house on the day she made bread.

Growing up my mother NEVER made homemade bread because she was scarred from her weekly bread making as a child, and refused to make bread when no longer forced to by her mother. She also refused to eat wheat bread. It was Wonder Bread or nothing. As a result I do not like the fluff that is Wonder Bread. I think it has about as much flavor as a piece of cardboard. I have found a nice compromise, I purchase whole wheat bread from Great Harvest, it tastes like Grandma's , only I did not have to make it.

Lucky for us, upon our arrival at Grandma's the Bread was just finishing rising, so we had to visit long enough to allow it to bake and have a piece of hot, fresh bread.

Katie, sitting in the old wooden highchair eating her bread. Little does Katie know that both her mother and grandmother sat and ate in that chair as a baby.

Mark enjoying his bread, with peanut butter and jam.

Flags and Fireworks

Mark did not get the memo that on the 4th of July you sleep in. He was sharing a bed with me and this morning at precisely 6:57 a.m., he woke up and said "Mommy I want some cereal, and I want to wear my flag shirt." I tried to bribe him with cartoons, which lasted about 20 minutes. Finally his continuous barrage of telling me to get up, woke up Katie, and I had no choice but to arise much earlier than I would have liked.

With the last bite of cereal in his mouth, Mark demanded a bath and to put on his flag shirt.

Mark and Grandpa in their flag shirts.

Upon being appropriately attired for the 4th of July, Mark next moved on to fireworks. This apple does not fall far from the daddy tree. We found ourselves a small firework stand and Mark, with the help of the clerk, picked out a few choice fireworks. Grandpa Hales is going to cook us some hamburgers, we are going to eat s'mores. When its dark, Mark is going to light off his stash. All and all a very good day to be Mark.

Mark and his prized fireworks.

Sparklers

Snaps

"I got my hands on Mark's stash!"