COWBOYS and INDIANS

My Little Builder

Buddy loves to spend HOURS creating things. He also loves to hear me say "Buddy, you are so creative". Sometimes he gives me little hints and says, "Mama, do you think I am creative?" ;)
This week it was a BOAT.

REALLY?

I LOVE my uncle Bob. Growing up I thought my uncle was one of the coolest guys around. He and my aunt didn't have my cousins until I was 11, so he was like a second father to me. Actually, more like a big brother. He has always been very fun and youthful. Today he is still just as fun to be around. In fact, Mike pals around with him all of the time.

The other night we were having dinner at my parents house with my aunt and uncle. While uncle Bob was setting something on the table we noticed this-



HILARIOUS!!!

Uncle Bob is still one of the most fun "adults" I know. As far as cool factor goes he may have slipped down a notch!

(Side note: Bailey seriously thought Uncle Bob was YOUNGER than Mike. When she found out his age she laughed and thought we were joking!!!)

Cave Paintings

I took the girls and their History class on a field trip last Tuesday. We are currently studying ancient civilizations. Going to see the cave paintings in the hills of Santa Barbara really made history come alive. The girls and their sweets friends could have stayed up there all afternoon.

Road Trip, BABY!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Road Trip Favorites

Here are a few short video clips during our drive home.

The question is: What was your favorite part of the trip?

We are HOME!

I'll fill you in on our trip over the next few days. In the meantime, take a look at this great slide show for Reece's Rainbow. We are in the middle!

WHOOPEE PIES

With 5 little ones all needing attention I have to be very proactive about one-on-one time with each of them. Sometimes it's taking them on an errand with me alone. Other times it's more elaborate and thought out. We enjoy having dinner and dessert somewhere yummy. The other day I could see that Buddy REALLY needed some alone time with me. It was in the middle of the day and we didn't have the option of leaving the house, so we have a date inside- literally. We locked (again, LITERALLY) the other 4 outside to play and had our date at the kitchen table.

I grabbed one of these


and two glasses of milk.

Pretty soon Buddy looked like this-




After 2 Whoopee Pie's he looked like this-


And then I could tell his HEART and TUMMY were both FULL!

ROAD TRIP

We are leaving this afternoon for a family ROAD TRIP. We have several stops along the way including Rocklin, CA, Wilsonville, OR, Moscow, ID, Coeur d'Alene, ID, and Gig Harbor, WA.

My car and my head are starting to feel like this-




Once we get on our way and see this-


I'm certain I will feel more like this-


By the end of the trip it's possible I might feel like this-


PRAYERS NEEDED!

A STORY BEHIND THE WORDS

Checkout the results from our Cross Country meet this weekend.

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Girls 8 & Under 2000 Meter Run
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1 McKay, Bailey Ventura County E 9:17.52
2 Sterkel, Tracy Warriors 9:34.97
3 Majerus, Gia Eagles 9:36.57
4 Bullough, Chloe Warriors 9:40.06
5 Hoelzel, Sophia Warriors 9:46.79
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.
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33 Rasplicka, Ashley Storm 12:50.24
34 Lara, McKayla SVRR 12:51.76
35 Dedman, Niyah SVRR 13:10.92
36 McKay, Brooklyn Ventura County E 14:01.88

The first thing you will notice is that Bailey came in 1st place. She has been working really hard this seasons and wowed the crowed with her victory. The second thing you will probably notice is that Brooklyn was the final runner. What you don't see is the story that unfolded a few seconds after Bailey's win. You see, Bailey wanted that win more than anything. That win meant the WORLD to her as she crossed the line. She was even having trouble sleeping days before the event she was so excited. But, the win came and went like a flash. First she ran to the water table to down a dixie cup full of water. Then she grabbed a second cup, this one for her favorite runner. Bailey, still breathless ran as quickly as she could to the back of the final shoot to wait for Brooklyn to appear. As the other runners streamed by Bailey anxiously anticipated seeing Brooklyn. Finally Brooklyn approached and Bailey beamed with pride. Together we cheered Brooklyn in. But that's not all, you see Brooklyn is the last runner. Check the times, there wasn't a runner left on the course. But Bailey doesn't see that. All she sees is her little sister. And so, Bailey, full of pride, runs along the side to bring Brooklyn home. And that second dixie cup, half empty at this point, was waiting for Brooklyn at the end.

COOKING THERAPY

When things get too serious or stressful at our house we often use cooking as a form of therapy. I prefer to ALWAYS be in charge, who doesn't? So, cooking (with my kids) takes me out of my comfort zone. I guess that's why it's therapy for me. It's something I have to work at, but the results are always good.
We decided to tackle a new recipe that I HIGHLY recommend.

HAWAIIAN SUNRISE GRANOLA
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup light brown sugar
6 Tbls unsalted butter, melted
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/2 sweetened coconut
1/2 cup each (chopped)-
dried mango, pineapple and almonds

STEP 1
Heat oven to 300.
Line two cookie sheets with foil.


STEP 2
In large bowl combine the honey,
brown sugar, butter, and salt.
Add the oats, almonds and wheat germ- blend together.


STEP 3
Spread granola on baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes,
stirring once to encourage even baking.

STEP 4
Remove pans from oven and add coconut.
Bake for 10 more minutes.

STEP 5
Remove granola from oven and allow it to cool.
Add dried fruit.

The kids think EVERYTHING taste better when you are wearing superhero outfits, so they put them on. Or, maybe it was the ice cream they ate with it. Either way, the therapy worked!