Family Time

Scout Camp--the movie

http://www.scoutcampthemovie.com/

June planning

I started to plan out June....
To my surprise, most of it was already plan out

The 1st week of June is basketball camp for the older boys
the 2nd week of June is Cub scout day camp for Jace & Wyatt and Me (that reminds me I have do to re new my online training beforehand)
The 3rd weekend of June is the Ward Family Camp out, A Wedding, Jason's b-day & Father's Day. (but we might say to heck with all of this, and go to my in laws for some clean up)
The 4th weekend of June is a camp out for Tucker & the other 11 year old scouts. He is the camp cook this time.

June 1st -I have a Day Camp meeting for all of the leaders & monthly planning with Summer
June 4th- Mack has his 4th month check up

There is also the normal cub scouts & scout each week. High Council for Jason on Sundays. He is also planning out the Stake Pioneer Day-but with a twist this year.

I need to get the boys in swimming lessons -- See when the schedule is

school pictures--spring 2009

I am a little slow in getting these out. We had to wait on Wyatt' s picture, too. He was sent the wrong class picture. And It is the last year that they all will look the same.

News clips I came across...

The Alpha mom made me laugh.... She must have some insight into my house. The only thing she left out was there is never any leftovers for mom.
Postpartum is not a four letter word

This is another one I found. It is something I am starting with Justice. We don't do the whole special potty, pull-ups or laxatives thing. We just grab the bull by the horn and jump in.
Potty Training: the secrets of the trade

This one really made me laugh for the day. When I get a few extra $$ I am going to order this. Just read the look inside... you too will laugh!!
If these Boobs could talk

What would you hide from your kids? There is a few on this list that I do.
Top 10 things: that you hide from your kids

Where do I begin??

how about at the beginning .....

um, NO
of last week......
um, maybe
or this week......
um maybe...sure that's a nice place to start
or where ever I feel like it..............

that's a good answer

A slow news day here.....

You know that it is a slow news day here when I talk about Sesame Street....

a month in review

the review of May.....

May 1-2 - Saturday was Stake Relief Society- it was good. It was about being financial prepare, today tomorrow and yesterday.

May 3-9- I started the prep work on the Cub scout pancake breakfast. I learned somethings, most grocery stores are willing to help scout grouped verses church groups. I did however have a few stores offer to help, next year, If I gave them a month's notice. That is such the case with John Brooks Supermarket, Pro Ranch Market, Smith's and Sam's Club. As for Wal-Mart's around town, they just need a letter stating what, when, where and why. And you can't mention that you are from a church or sponsored by a church. They don't do church service. For Albertson's, they just need 3 weeks.

What was the out come of all of this.... Albertson's took food right off their shelves to give to me. I got the 8 gallons of milk, 7 dozen eggs, the cans of cooking spray and the syrup. Wal-Mart, the neighborhood market gave us a $50 gift card. I also hit up the Wal-Mart Supercenter, too. I was able to talk with one of the managers, who was also a scout leader. She gave us $75 gift card. Thanks to Laurel!! She was able to go to Sam's Club for the ward. She only spend about $150.
Our cost were very minimal this year.

Saturday, May 9th The morning of the cub scout breakfast-We made close to $800. The propane regulator went out in our little green camp stove, too.

Here's the Bacon cooking crew.

Wyatt and Tucker shot the pictures for me.

This is the list of food we went through this year:
Pack 228 & 335 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser 2009

4bag -10 lb pancake mix
15 lbs Sausage links or patties
20lbs Bacon
10gallons Orange Juice (some fresh OJ all the way from AZ, thanks grandma!)
2 lbs butter
10lbs Country style potatoes (square)
9 dozen eggs
5lbs cheese
1quart Picante sauce
15lbs Ice

May 10-16th
Mother's Day, this year was one for the record books. I think Jason totally forgot. He doesn't have to make a BIG deal about it. BUT come on! He had the boys make cards from all of the craft paper and what not I have. The cards were creative. Justice went to church with purple marker on his feet, thank goodness for socks.
I cleaned up the aftermath of card making, and did breakfast, which was one of their favorites. Mexican French Toast (don't google it. it's not the same recipe... ask me for it. It comes from Hoopy's mom). I should say that there was none left either. I was busy with Mack and the boys and dad ate everything.
At church, the Bishopric gave out potted flowers. Somehow,Tucker got wrangled in to help. And Somehow, the extra flowers ended up in my car.
Here is a short little story that sums up Mother's Day:
BBQ Protocol
We are about to enter the summer and BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity, as it's the only type of cooking a 'real' man will do, probably because there is an element of danger involved.
When a man volunteers to do the BBQ, the following chain of events are put into motion:

Routine...
(1) The woman buys the food.
(2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert.
(3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill, soda pop in hand.

Here comes the important part:

(4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL.

More routine....
(5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery.
(6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another soda while he deals with the situation.

Important again:
(7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN.

More routine....
(8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table.
(9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
and most important of all:
(10) Everyone PRAISES and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.
(11) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.' And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.

Tucker got an A on his Tie Project

May 11-16th
May 13th- Wyatt had to have a food from his country--Italy. He wanted a Dessert. We looked up Italian Food on the net. We found Rice Pie. The Italian people have it at Easter Time. It is kinda like Rice Pudding in a pie dish.
Jason got new business at work. The company was suppose to sent 8 full trailers down to Chandler, AZ over this week, but instead they sent 8 trailers in 1 night! Needless to say, Jason spend this week, in a truck.
Jace came home from school with a headache. It turned out to be a bit of heat exhaustion. He didn't drink any water at school. Feed him some Gatorade and some food, he was fine.

May 14th- Tucker and all of the 5th graders went to Cliff's for the day. I wish APS would put 6th grade back in the elementary school.
the 1st Scout District Meeting that Jason and I both went to together. A comment was made to me. 'So how you know Bushman? He was messing with your kid' "hum Yup. I am married to him" "Bushman, even has his WIFE in scouts!"
Tucker got grounded off of the computer. He was checking out some sites that his friend was in to and Tucker disabled the parent protection on his user.

May 15-16th - Wyatt need a board game for class. We only have a few with all of the peices. He took the Family Fun Game--that's what its called. Thanks to his teacher. She gave him more clay for the game. She was getting rid of it aways.

The ward's Fathers and Sons. Jason tried this year to have the camp out closer to the middle of the stake boundaries. It didn't work. It was still 1 1/2 away. My boys didn't go. But I did get all over Jason for it. He didn't understand the reason I wanted them to go. -- Hello a weekend off! I also got all over him about taking Justice camping. He has never taken Justice camping. And yes he does take the boys in diapers camping. The regulator went out in the BBQ. Jason wasn't too happy about it. The boys and Jason went camping out in the backyard.

There was an overnight wind. Jason said he and Wyatt got sand blasted on the tramp.

Justice lasted until 10:30. Tucker lasted until 1AM. And Wyatt and Jace went tent-side, but came in at 5AM.
They even dug out a fire pit. I came to the conclusion that we need a fire pit like Grandma and Grandpa Ray's.

They even roasted Marshmallows and had smore's.

May 16th-

We went to the YMCA Summer kick off day. Hey it was FREE! They had different booths set up. You had to visit each one to get a stamp. They got some cool stuf and a cool drystring bag with Cliff's tickets in it. After you had all of your stamps, you put your card into a drawing for a bike. .....
Guess who won a BIKE................... JUSTICE!! -- no joke either!

I think this is when Jason finally saw that the car was or is getting to small for our family. We can all still fit, but nothing extra can fit comfortably...like a bike.

The older boys weren't not too happy about it. But they got over it.

May 17th- Jason's speaking assignment this month was at our ward. It seems like when he wants to use the printer, it is always out of ink. He doesn't have patience either for printers. And I am cheap when it comes to printer ink. I run it out completely, like when the black is out. The printer will still print color and it goes for the opposite too. So Jason's talk was printed out in RED...

May 18-22 (the last full week of school)
*Tucker had his last report due. He sprung it on me on Wednesday night. Gotta love that child! *Wyatt had his Italy report due. He need a poster. And a bucket for Sandcastle day at school. *Jace need a sack lunch for his class hike to the Tram and a special treat for his class and money for his 3 teachers for the end of the year cards. He also need a board game for Friday.

So to find all of time I need to help the boys, they had to fold up the laundry for me. This is what they did with Mack.
I have also found that folding laundry helps when there is fighting too. I kill two birds with one stone. They can't go back to what they were do, until the laundry basket is empty.

I used up the tons and tons of Marshmallow from 'camping' to make Rice Kripes for Jace's class... well I used Fruity Pebbles instead.

Got a call from Jace's teacher. He was sick again. It turned out that he didn't eat his lunch. I went and got him for the last hour of school; only because the school nurse took his temp. It was high, too. He was also dress like he was going to the North Pole!

I talk with Ms. Henwood the school principal about Tucker next year and what do. (more on that in another post) She said she would make some calls for me.

Took Jace to Sonic for a quick bit to eat and something cold. He changed fast!

Did you know that Sonic's happy hour, you can get drinks for 50cents!

Jason had been up and down the California coast with work all week. He said he was going to send me a map of where he has been.

Wyatt got an A on his report of Italy. All of the boys got their report cards with fly colors!!

I did patotoes in the crock pot. They were wrapped in foil too. Who the heck wants to turn on the oven, now?!

May 19th- Cub scout did a soil project. I hate to say this, but sorry dad that good AZ clay didn't win the race of which type of soil could drain the fastest.

May 23rd- The boys made Salt dough with directions of just to play with it outside on the camp table and only with what I gave them.

I made some banana bread for our family outing. 2 loaves.

I also found something for the boys do for the summer. West Mesa has a basketball camp for 1st to 9th graders. I signed up all 3 of them. It is only for a week, but hey, it is something to do.

Tucker also planted the garden. There was no rhyme or reason on how he did it. He took all of the seeds and just planted them all together.

May 24th- Jason had his 1st high council call in. They do this some months to save on fuel and everyone is at home. It is only 30 minutes long. Jason got an offer on some farm land to use by an older brother in the ward. We are thinking we just might take that offer, too. After church, the boys were begging me to cut the banana bread. Within 30 minutes of cutting it, It was gone!

May 25th. Memorial day- Jason's day off. We decided to go to the zoo and plan a picnic lunch at the zoo. The boys put the flag up at the church and then did ours.

We also wanted to teach the boys what the day meant. So I called down to Veteran's Memorial Park, cause it's a cemetery. I asked if they were going to put flags out on the graves of the Vets. They said no they didn't do that. So why are they named the Veteran's Memorial Park?? -- Thank you Liberal State!!

At the zoo was half of Albuquerque. It was a 10 minute wait just to get into the zoo. The boys got to feed the giraffes and see the new baby giraffe, that was born last Thursday, May22.

We also did the train to the other parks. The Aquarium was wall to wall people. We didn't stay that long over there.
Here's what Mack thought of it:













We had a nice lunch at the zoo. It was cold cut sandwiches, lunch snack and I had even planned to bring old bread heals for the ducks. But Jason grapped the wrong bread bag. So just what do you with a bag full of heels?!





May 26th- in preparing to shuffle the rooms around, I started to clean out the spare closet. It is full of old papers and school stuff of the boys. I also was informed by Tucker. He needed a new dresser. Umm No! He could fix it. With a watchful eye of mom, Tucker repaired 4 out 5 drawers of his dresser. Most of which were just re-attaching the drawer guides. Then he also fix his bedroom door. The bottom hinge was loose.

Jason went to Pebelo, Co today. He was driving a load up there and interviewing a driver.

I did yet another round of crock pot patotoes for dinner. Once, you start you can't stop!

A sad day indeed....

Before....

After......

For more info and what not....click here

This little video clip is on LDS.org right now. It is from a recent conference talk. I thought it was fitting.

they said that pigs would fly when

a black man became president...

well ....

SWINE FLU!!

So I lied...

Tucker sprung this one on me...... ( It is the last one of this year!) Uncle Nate would be soo proud!

Brett Favre
By Tucker Bushman

Brett Favre is known as the ‘comeback kid’ and many coaches called him larger than life. Before He played football, there was a legend born in Gulfport, Mississippi. Gulfport was a small town with no paved roads and no traffic lights.

Brett Favre was one of toughest players in football, but it just didn’t start on the football field. He was hit in the head with a baseball bat at the age of 4. Brett never cried even when he went to the hospital.

As a student, Brett was a good student, but as soon as the bell rang, he took care of what needed to be done on the field… the baseball field that is. Brett played baseball and football in school. He earned 3 letterman letters in football and 5 letterman letters in baseball. Brett was surrounded by games day and night. His football coach was also his dad, Irvin Favre. Brett would study the games many nights with his dad. His dad never push Brett into football, he just would send recruiters to Brett’s games, in hopes they would see the same potential as he did.

Brett got only one offer for college. It was to Southern Mississippi College. Brett was recruited as the defensive back for the Golden Eagle Football team. That’s what started getting Brett recognized in football. In just the first summer camp, Brett started as the 7th string quarterback and at the end of football camp, Brett was the backup quarterback. In just one college game, Brett completed 6 of 10 passes for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns. In Brett’s final year at Southern Mississippi College, He holds the record for passing yards (8,193), passing attempts (1,234), completions (656), passing percentage (53.0), and touchdowns (55). In April of 1997, He was also inducted into the college’s sports hall of fame.

On April 20, 1991, the Atlanta Falcons selected Brett Favre in the second round (33rd overall) of the NFL Draft. Jerry Glanville thought this newcomer could have some potential. This potential turned into 5 attempts for 0 completions and 2 interceptions. Quoted on ESPN’s Sports Century, Glanville called Brett a “train wreck” after missing the team picture during training camp because he had partied too hard the night before.

February 10, 1992 is a day in history that all Packer fans will never forget. Ron Wolf traded a #1 draft pick in the upcoming April draft for a 22 year old kid who was 0 for 5 with 2 interceptions with the Atlanta Falcons in the 1991draft. Ron Wolf took a chance on Brett that year. And in the long run, that chance paid off for Ron and Brett.

Brett's first opportunity in Green Bay came in Week 2 of the 1992 season in Tampa Bay. In the first quarter, Don Majkowski got injured and had to leave the game. Favre came in and the team was losing. It didn’t get much better when the boos came out of the crowd after Favre overthrew his receivers on several occasions throughout the game. But in the 4th quarter, down 17-3, Favre engineered his first win as an NFL quarterback to lead the Packers to a huge victory.

Quarterbacks receive hit after hit, week after week. While on the field and in the course of treating various injuries, Favre developed an addiction to painkillers. "I quit cold turkey," Favre told Peter King in the May 27, 1996 issue of Sports Illustrated, "and I entered the NFL substance-abuse program voluntarily. At 5 a.m. the next day, he entered the Menninger Clinic, a rehabilitation center in Topeka, Kansas, where he stayed for 46 days. People look at me and say, 'I'd love to be that guy.' But if they knew what it took to be that guy, they wouldn't love to be him, I can guarantee you that. I'm entering a treatment center tomorrow. Would they love that?"

On January 26, 1997, at the Superdome in New Orleans, Favre threw for 246 yards; including two touchdowns and no interceptions, and ran for another score to lead the Packers to a 35-21 over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI (31).

Brett played for the Green Bay Packers till 2008, then he was a draft pick for the New York Jetts, in 2008. He only played on season for the New York Jetts. Then he decided to retire from football at the end of the season in 2008.

In Brett’s personal life, he is married long-time his girlfriend Deanna Tynes, the couple has two daughters, Brittany, and Breleigh. He enjoys hunting, TV nature programs, crossword puzzles, fishing and tending to his home and land on the 460 acres he owns in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Brett has also had many of his jerseys retried; his high school jersey (No. 10) retired in April of 1993; the No. 4 jersey he had worn at Southern Mississippi retired in September of 1993. And, you can mark it paid that Brett Favre will be the last to wear the No. 4 jersey in Green Bay ever again!

The last report of the year

School is over on Friday..... this is the last report of the year.

Italy
By Wyatt Bushman

My country report is on Italy. Italy became a country 1861, and a capital was established at Florence. Later in 1870 Rome became the capital city of Italy.

The geography
Italy is surrounded on 3 sides by the Mediterranean Sea. It is the shape of a boot. It has mountains, valleys, beaches, country or farm land and snow capped peaks. It is 78 percent hills and mountains. Italy also lies in an earthquake zone. Italy also has two islands, Sicily and Sardegna. The tallest mountain in Italy is Mount Blanc. It is 15,771 feet tall. Mount Blanc is on the boarder of France and Italy.

The Weather
The climate in Italy is a Mediterranean climate. In the winters, it is cold and wet and in the summers, it is hot and dry. The peaks of the mountains have snow year round in Italy.

The Language
The official language of Italy is Italian. It is a romantic language adopted from the Latin language.

The Flag
The Italian flag is made up of three colors, red, white and green. All equal parts. The Italian Flag was first used in 1797. The colors on the flag represent nature, man’s natural rights and liberty.

Italian Money
Italian Money is called “lira”. The different coins are 50,100,200, and 500 lira. The coins have a women’s head on them, like our US coins have president’s head on them. Italian Money is not like US money. One lira is not worth very much. An ice cream cone cost 2,500 to 3,000 lira in Italy.

The people
Italy’s population is 58 million people. Families are very important to the Italians. Children grow up surround by their aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Most Italian families live in palazzo or small apartments. In the country side of Italy some families live in villas or country homes. They are usually made from stone or brick with a tile roof and enclosed courtyard, what we call a front yard in the US. Most of the villas are two story houses.
Italy has a low mortality rate, out 10 births, 9 babies will die.

Attractions of Italy
Italy has many attractions that people like to see. It has the Roman Coliseum, a few active volcanoes, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice or the city on water. You can only get round in Venice on a boat or a Gondolas. Italy is also the home of Vatican City, where the Pope lives. Also in the Vatican City, is the Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo painted many famous paintings.

Some famous Italians
Michelangelo- he was a painter, sculptor and architect
Marco Polo-world traveler and writer
Galileo-scientist who study the stars
Leonardo da Vinci-painter, sculptor and scientist

Tucker's how to project

How to tie a tie
By Tucker Bushman

Materials needed:
A tie of your choice
A mirror

Tying a tie is something that you do when you have to wear a tie to work or you are going to church or going to a wedding. I have been tying my tie for almost 4 years, now. I learn how when I was just 8 years old in cub scouts. I am very good tying tie.

To tie the Windsor knot, (the most common knot for tying a tie), select a necktie of your choice and stand in front of a mirror. Then simply follow the steps below:

First, Start with the wide end ("W") of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end ("N") on the left.

Second, cross the wide end over the narrow end.

Third, bring the wide end up through the loop between the collar and your tie.

Then, bring the wide end back down.

The next step is to pull the wide end underneath the narrow end and to the right, back through the loop and to the right again so that the wide end is inside out.

Bring the wide end across the front from right to left.

Then pull the wide end up through the loop again.

Bring the wide end down through the knot in front.

And finally-- using both hands -- tighten the knot carefully and draw it up to the collar.

Congratulations, you did it! You see, it is not rocket science after all. Simply keep practicing the Windsor knot a few more times until you can tie this necktie knot within less than two minutes.

I am swearing off......

I had some last Wednesday. And it made Mack sick... But I didn't realize what made him sick, until Friday. I had to think about what I ate to make him sick. I wasn't totally for sure it was the ice cream until TODAY!

I had some more.

Mack gets phylum-y and throws up --not fun at all!

I guess I will just add this to the list of off -limit food for a while.

Oh by the way....You ought to try the Honey Vanilla and the Cookie Dough-- they are to die for!

Wanted

So I am a little cheap.....

Here's what I am looking for someone who has a Sam's Club membership and are willing to help shop for the Cub scout pancake breakfast. The Pancake Breakfast is on Saturday.

The bulk of the list would include:

• Pancake mix
• cheese
• bacon
• plates/paper products
• eggs

This list is small, I know. Most of the other stuff I can pick up at Wal-mart for cheaper. And I have been giving permission to raid the ward's closet for paper goods.

Disclaimers: You have the choice of shopping with the list by yourself or have a shopping companion (ME)

And yes, I could renew my card... but I am being cheap!

And yes, There are things I could use at Sam's club, but I don't go there that offend to pay for the card or savings.

Perfect weather for.......

Weather today:


I didn't want to heat up the kitchen and Jace VETOED spaghetti.