Annual Memorial Day Trip

Trip to Utah 2010: Mansell Cousins

Nicole and Carly

Nicole and Travis

Scotty and Emily

The whole enchilada

Trip to Utah 2010: Mostly Scotty

Trip to Utah 2010: Humpherys Cousins

Kennedy, Sarah, and Nicole

Beau and Scotty meeting for the first time.

They became instant friends.

These two didn't want their picture taken.

Trip to Utah 2010: Grant and Papa

Grant spent a lot of time helping Papa construct a new work bench.

They also spent quality time resting.

Toothless!

At 7 1/2 years old, Nicole has finally lost both of her two front teeth (and it's not even Christmas!).

Grantigrew Says ...

Grant's primary class hovered around the teacher who held a bag of candy.  Most of the bag was filled with Twizzler's, but the bottom of the bag had some peanut M&Ms in it.  She gave each child two bites of Twizzler's.  Grant told her that he didn't like that candy, and that he wanted the "eggs at the bottom."  Humiliated, I tried to get Grant to just leave with the licorice.  He refused, and pleaded with his teacher to exchange his candy.  As a last ditch effort to convince her to side with him, Grant said, while holding the licorice up, "I never go to eat that candy!  NEVER!"

* * * * *

Grant opted to walk home from church with Clint.  Half-way to Grandma and Grandpa's place, Grandma passed Grant in her car.  Grant came running behind, nearly crying at the prospect of being left behind.  She rolled down her window, and Grant breathed out, "Grandma, can I have a ride?"

"Sure, Grant," she replied, "Hop in the back."

He looked puzzled, but desperate.  "OK, sure."  He ran to the back of the car and tried to open the trunk.  After failing to open the trunk, Grant ran back to her window and said, "Grandma, can I sit with you?  There aren't any seats in the back."

* * * * *

Grant, who is always cold, is suffering terribly in Utah's frigid spring temps.  When we got in the car, he declared, "I'm freaking out because I'm freezing!"

* * * * *

SuperGlue is our favorite Band-Aid substitute.  Grant is especially fond, citing its unique ability to "make new skin."  On Sunday morning, Grant insisted a sore on top of his foot be treated with SuperGlue before covering it with his sock.  We applied the glue, then waited a half hour before putting his socks on.  Sunday night, Grant yanked off his shoes and socks to get ready for bed.  Unfortunately, some of the glue adhered to his sock, creating a painful situation for Grant.  He screamed wildly so that everyone in the house could hear.  After calming down, he walked down the hall to go to bed.  On the way, he was met by Cousin Travis, who inquired about the screaming.  Matter-of-factly, Grant said, "I glued my foot to my sock, Dude!"

Indoor Bike Ride

Just Hanging Out ...

... at Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tom's place.

Scotty learning to jump on the trampoline.

Grant learning to play Mario Brothers with Uncle Tom.

Reading, Reading, Everywhere!

Reading in PJs

Reading alone

Reading in the car

Reading with cousins

What Made My Day Special

I came downstairs to this:

Hands down my favorite flower bouquet ever!  Clint picked the flowers from our garden.


Nicole made me a love note.  I bet your mother's day card didn't call you "the Beast!"

For Mom

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm glad you had so many children!
(Sorry about the "not knowing what to do" part.)

It's Gross, and He's Eating It

Human garbage disposal.

Our Hospital Tradition

When we lived in Spokane, we had dinner at the hospital with Daddy once or twice a week.  The kids loved it because, well, they got to see Daddy, but also Daddy let them pick out a handful of treats to take home after dinner.  They loved Sacred Heart.

After moving here, the kids were disappointed that the tradition didn't follow us.  Since Clint is in the O.R. nearly every day, and he sleeps at home every night, there are no more spare moments to see Clint at the hospital.  It was common to hear Nicole or Grant say they wished Daddy worked at Sacred Heart again, but they don't realize that it wouldn't be the same as it used to be.

Fortunately, we found a new hospital tradition.  The Mayo Clinic is a big supporter of the arts.  In Rochester, they have large art galleries in their buildings and concerts in the lobby every day.  Here in Arizona, they host concerts every week.  The musicians are honored to perform here, and some of them have been performing yearly for 20 years.  We don't attend every week, but we do go a couple of times per month.  The kids love every aspect of it.  We park the car, take the golf cart to the cafeteria, pick out treats, then sit in the lobby and listen to the music.  Scotty kicks his legs and wiggles his bum while he sits in the stroller to show that he likes the music.  He is shockingly well-behaved at these events.  Many people even tell me what a refreshing sight to see such calm and good children.  (If only they could see me at the library!)  And throughout the whole trip, we're always on the lookout for Daddy!