Life...

We've been pretty busy this week. Lee with business stuff and me with babysitting. I also participated in our Ward's visiting teaching conference on Saturday. My president did a really good job organizing the whole thing. She is amazing!

Lee is still busy with his business plans and really, he always will be.  I guess we are looking forward to the business being up and running, but we need to enjoy the whole journey, right? Lee purchased a couple of things recently for the business, which is exciting. Lately we've been looking into advertising, getting a phone number, getting in the phone book, checking out options for business signs, and looking into rental houses. Plus lots of other little details....like where to buy prescription pads, alcohol wipes and other eye paraphernalia; what kind of supplies are still at the current office; and calling around asking what other doctors charge for eye exams and contact lens exams. It has been interesting starting this business.  I definitely look at businesses, small ones particularly, in a different way.  I have a great respect for small businesses that have taken their ideas and hard work and have made a successful business for themselves and for their employees.

The other day I also picked up Lee's Virginia license. We had his Nevada license framed to match his diploma from SCO.  His Virginia license is bigger than the Nevada one, but the local frame shop, Micheal's Frames and Things, did a great job re-cutting the matting and reformatting it all.

Here is our slit lamp...nice, huh!


We fed the missionaries Tuesday evening.  Elder Moxon is leaving our area. He has been here for 7 1/2 months. He has a special assignment to go to Joplin as a service missionary.  I am not sure when he is going to go there, but how neat! We always have great Elders in this ward.  And sorry Elder, my kids kept wanting to jump on you and hug you!



One night we had cinnamon rolls for a bedtime snack.










The kids started an art project one morning.




Those are a few of our happenings.  Another busy week is ahead!

Military Museum

Yesterday we went to the Military Museum.  (Sorry, not sure of the official name.)  We visited two of the sections.  It's a fun place to visit and also somewhat sad.  BUT it is also inspiring how many great men and women have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.  We are ever grateful.



Like the boots?  I need to hide the winter clothing.....


Like the shirt Kent?  My brother-in-law won a trip to Nicaragua and Lee and I would LOVE to tag along with him, but as far as I can tell, we'll be spending our money on eye drops and frames in the near future.  Kent, just promise us that you'll visit Ometepe, Granada--and the islands around Granada, tour some volcanoes, eat some bright purple ice cream, ride the moto taxi's and bring us back a few bags of Cacao and Zuko. Just send us a bill. Here are the prior posts of my travel log about Nicaragua, and Lee's post on Nicaragua.  Ahh...Nicaragua.  I want to go there again!




We would have taken more pictures but the battery was exhausted. We will be going again, so I can take oodles of pictures on the next trip. I am so grateful to live in the USA!

Cal turns 6!

Cal recently turned 6 on Thursday and it seems he had a great day.  While discussing presents with Clark and what he was going to give him (I was suggesting an old toy) my next idea was for Clark to empty the dishwasher for Cal.  Clark and Cal and I take turns unloading the dishwasher and Cal's turn fell on Wednesday.  Tuesday night I reminded Clark about the surprise and Clark made a card that night to put in the dishwasher.  The next morning Clark got up early (even before I was awake), went downstairs and unloaded the dishwasher.  When he came to tell me that he had done it, he sounded very excited.  He thoroughly enjoyed telling Cal: "Go unload the dishwasher." 

I had to snap some pictures of the early birthday present.  Cal looks like he just woke up!


Clark's card to Cal


Awww...brothers. 


That night I met up with some friends to say goodbye to our mutual friend Christine.  I am going to miss you Christine!  I was glad to get some pictures of a few of my favorite people here before I move!


Another shot...what beautiful friends!


Cal's cake all complete.  We actually finished the cake before midnight! But then I stayed up insanely late watching a movie.... So, Cal wanted a building with Lego guys coming out of the windows.  This is what we came up with....not the most creative thing ever.  It's hard to go with an "idea". 


And sorry, no Lego guys coming out of the windows, but Cal LOVED the cake!


Happy Birthday Cal! 


We did do a couple of fun things for his birthday.  For lunch the kids met dad at a park and later we went swimming.  Before swimming I took all of them in the library only to find out I had forgotten to bring back a DVD.  Thus, I couldn't check anything out or use the computer to try and get some coupons.  Oh well.

Party time!






Happy, happy birthday Cal!  We love having you in our family and you are a wonderful boy!

St. Louis

The first Saturday in June we had a St. Louis day.  First Lee and I enjoyed going to the temple-we swapped kids.  I think that will be one of the last times we go to the St. Louis Temple in the near future.  Next month we will be in Nauvoo and the month after that we will be the in the Washington, D.C. temple district.

Anyway....so next we went to the St. Louis Zoo.  We haven't been yet this year and Cal wanted to go for his birthday.  We were a few days early, but we are all about combining trips.  We had a fun time there.  Thanks Megan for telling us about the turtle park.  That is where we park our van and it's great!


We saw the insect "display" for the first time.






We saw the penguins too for the first time at this zoo.


It was EXTREMELY smelly at the penguin area.  Haley wanted a tissue to cover her nose.  Next best thing: a wet wipe.


A must stop for Cal: prairie dogs.






Our next destination: the St. Louis Arch.  We planned on going earlier this year when tourists are few, but with traveling and whatnot, it never happened.  Lee took Clark and Cal with him on the ride that goes in the Arch.  It sounded pretty fun!  Someday we will all go...


Right before you get on your "pod" there is a type of entertainment/museum-ish area.


While the guys were taking in amazing views, the girls (and Elden) and I went to Levee's Mercantile in the Arch Museum and bought some candy.  Salt water taffy $0.07 each.  Hard candy sticks $0.50 each.  For a tourist attraction I LOVED the prices on the sweets! And you should ALL be impressed that I actually bought something at a tourist-y place!  I know you are Lois!


St. Louis is such a fun city and it would have been fun to explore it more...maybe someday when we aren't lugging around a double stroller, an umbrella stroller, and have a tight budget.  As of late the temple trips alone have been what we've needed.

O Day

Every year the hospital hosts an Organization Day for its employees and their families.  We rode our bikes down (Shanna, Haley and Elden were smooshed in the bike trailer) and Lee met up with us later.  I managed to get everyone lunch without too much disaster, which is great! 

This year they had a few extra fun things like a cotton candy machine, snow cones and pony rides. And I believe the same as last year, there was yet again a bounce house and a big bounce obstacle course with slides. Thanks to our wonderful taxpayers, it was all free. 

I hope my kids got their fill of cotton candy because we won't be buying any in the near future!




Poor Lee didn't feel so hot that day. A couple of us got sick when Nathan was here and it passed to a couple others...Lee being the last one to get the little bug in our family.


It was so fun that they had pony rides!  First time for my kids!
















Some National Guard people were there handing out tons of free stuff.  We all got free tickets (except Lee) for door prizes.  I won a $10 gift card to Starbucks (woo hoo....being very sarcastic!) and Clark won some random stuff like a frisbee and a pop can cooler thingy.


It was pretty warm that day, but it was very fun.  I even got to visit with my friend Danielle and some of her kids.

First Day at the Pool

On Memorial Day we went to the pool.  Thanks Nathan for babysitting Elden! We have gone a couple more times and I am so glad the pools are free again this year! I plan on going about twice a week for the duration of the summer.