We had such a fun day yesterday. We were "forced" to spend the entire day together, just our family, and it was awesome! It seems like it has become such a low priority for us to spend time together, but we (at least I) had a great time.

First, poor Corben had to get up at 6:30, an unheard of hour in our household, to get to his coach's house by 7:30. Then it was on to Smithfield for the 10:30 game. The rest of us left at the more reasonable hour of 9. Corben played a fantastic game. There was an awesome park there that the little kids enjoyed for awhile. We then sped onto Morgan to get Trevor there in time to meet his team. He wolfed down a sandwich in the van on the way. After we dropped him off we went to a nearby park and ate lunch, and then back in time for Trevor's game to start. Trevor did awesome as well, but I could tell he was exhausted from the long day he had already had. When his game got over we stopped for ice cream cones in Ogden, and then onto West Haven for my and Jeremy's soccer game, which was a blast (for me. Jeremy gets frustrated way too easily, and it was a frustrating game). We got home a little after 8. Jeremy joked that the amount of driving we did would've gotten us 1/3 of the way to Disneyland, but the kids were absolute angels. Helped, in part, by Transformers playing on the DVD player.

On a side note, I want to brag about how well Jeremy and I have been doing with our finances since two days ago when we pinky swore to each other that we'd do better. Two days may not seem impressive, but sadly, it is for us. The "old" us, on a day like the one we had yesterday, would've easily justified stopping at a fast food restaurant for a meal since we were gone all day long. But the new and improved us packed a cooler for our lunch and fruit snacks for the kids during the games so they wouldn't wither away. So the only money we spent aside from gas was on the ice cream, which was $5 total (Arctic Circle, 69 [why is there a dollar sign on the keyboard and not a cents sign?] cents each, and I didn't get one, just kept stealing off the kids'). Go us!

On another side note, my sweet Corben got the priesthood today. He is such a little man! Jeremy gave him a very special blessing. Both of his grandpas, along with great-grandma and Denny, joined us for the ordination. It was such a neat and special day for him and I am so proud of him!

Just a bunch of random photos:

First day of school

These are from bowling last Friday. I just thought the kids looked hilarious in those shoes and had to capture it. Sorry, Lance! I have no idea where you are!

What a goof! I have no idea what this pose is about.

Michael Jackson

And finally:

IT BEGINS....

Corben turned 12 last Friday! We had a weekend-long celebration. Friday was also the last day Dallin would be with us, so we went to Sparetime and went bowling, which the kids loved. Corben and Trevor had football practice and Zack had soccer practice that evening, so we took Corben for a late birthday dinner afterward. Saturday we had our football games and then we got Pizza Hut, stuffed crust - everyone's favorite. Today we had the family party. The Steffensens, Denny, Grandpa Greg and Stephanie, and Great-grandma all came over. Corben got some great gifts. Jeremy and I got him a "pro model" razor scooter, whatever that means. Kids are so weird. I mean, I don't see what makes it so different and more expensive than all the other millions of scooters in our garage, but apparently there is a big difference.

Happy birthday, Cob! You are such an awesome kid! I love you so much!

Alright, I'm ready to talk about my traumatic experience from last Monday. But between this and Lance's broken arm, I hope nobody reports me to the authorities.

This past Monday I left for the gym at about 8:30 a.m. All of the kids were still asleep, as is usually the case. They all roll out of bed at 9 or 10 and the big kids help the little kids with breakfast and stuff. So I went and did my workout, then on my way home I called to check on things. I asked Trevor what the twins were doing. He said, "Didn't you take them with you?" I got just a teeny bit nervous, but was positive they were just off playing quietly somewhere, so I told Trevor to go find them. He couldn't find them anywhere. After a few minutes I was starting to get a bit more concerned. I felt foolish doing it, but out of desperation I called Jeremy to see if there was any way he had taken them somewhere when he had left for work. He hadn't, and he started to get concerned, too. He called our neighbor and asked him to search our house. Our neighbor couldn't find them. About this point Jeremy headed for the train to come home. I pulled in and ran through the house and yard, but they were nowhere. So I got to call the police. I was doing the thing where I couldn't speak properly and the lady had to keep yelling at me to keep calm so she could understand what I was saying. I was transferred to another lady for a minute, and then she said she was transferring me and suddenly I hear, "911 emergency." Oh, how I hate being on the phone with 911. That was the second time in my life I had to speak to them, and it's every bit as bad as your nightmares. All the women I spoke with were very attentive and concerned, but I was just a basket case. There was just no explanation for where they could be and I was positive I'd never see them again. So I had been on the phone with 911 for a couple of minutes, while she talked to me and the police. Then I heard her start talking about two kids being spotted on big wheels. For a minute my heart sank. We don't have any big wheels, we have trikes. But then she started describing them, and at the same moment my neighbor, whose wife had been out searching in her car, came over and said his wife had just called and they had found them. Those two stinkin' three-year-olds had gone about two blocks up the street, crossed a busy road that is posted at 35mph, and had proceeded onto the closest busy stop-light intersection, where the speed limit is 45mph. They had been found standing on that corner by two women, whom I never got to meet because they had gone by the time I got there. Shortly after they got to them the police got there, and then my neighbor. I'm sure I don't need to say it, but that was the worst thing I've ever gone through in my life. I know I am so blessed and lucky that they were found okay. They were pretty shaken up to have the police hanging out with them while they waited for me to get there, but they know my neighbor, and Trevor was with her, so I think that made them feel a little better. Of course, just like in the ER, I got a stern lecture from the officer (as stern as an officer is going to be toward a mom who just found her missing children).

Children, I have had enough excitement this summer. Can you please just take it easy on me for awhile?

Jeremy turned 35 last Sunday. My husband is old! Halfway to 40! Eeeekk!!

I have a confession: I'm not the best wife. I'm actually... quite sucky at it. I'm like Jan on "The Office" was to Michael.

Here are some of the things I love most about/to do with Jeremy:

He is sooo patient with me. No matter how evil I am toward him he forgives me in a second. He has never ONCE held a grudge in the entire time I've known him.

He is an excellent provider. He has a good job and I love that he loves that I can be home with our children.

He pretty much solely handles our finances. I HATE stuff like that, and I know I can trust him completely to take care of things.

His mad goalie skills.

Getting completely hooked and addicted to shows after they come out on DVD, so we can watch them 24/7. Previously "Lost," currently "The Office," upcoming is "Dexter."

He is a handyman! He can, and loves to, fix anything around the house. It is so nice to have a husband with this valuable skill.

Getting Reese's Blizzards after the kids are in bed, and trying not to get caught by them.

He loves our children. They love him.

He is so attentive regarding the childrens' activities/sports. He will schedule work around parent-teacher conferences, he gets home early when need be for sporting events, he makes sure he is very involved.

Playing co-ed soccer together. I love hearing him barking orders at me from across the field.

He doesn't EVER judge me when I break/lose our children.

He does whatever I want.

He does all of the yard work.

He has never and would never put me down.

Five down, one to go! Jace is potty trained! It was very sudden. On Sunday we were at Detmer's house, who is a full year younger than the twins, and Detmer was wearing underwear. Not to be outdone by a "baby," Jace came home and was potty trained by bedtime! I've been working hard on Brody all week, but to no avail. I'll keep working on it. I checked the diaper supply today, and I have enough for approximately two weeks, so keep your fingers crossed that I don't have to buy another pack! Way to go, Jace!

So Lance got his cast taken off a couple of weeks ago. Don't think that means that I've been able to put my negligence behind me. Just tonight Zack was like, "Mom, remember when you bounced Lance and broke his arm?" Well, Lance forgives me, and that's all that matters. Here are a couple of pictures. Just in case it's noticeable, the reason I am covered in sweat is because I stopped there on my way home from the gym. I hadn't been planning on going. Jeremy was working from home and took him, but on my way home I realized I was going to pass the clinic right as they were getting there, so I swung in and met them at the door so I could give Lance a hug. He was so nervous and emotional, though, so I just stayed with them, even though I looked really gross (I'm sure everyone knows I always have to look my best out in public. ha ha). His facial expressions in these photos make me want to cry, but he did so awesome! He was very brave!

What a fun weekend this was! On Friday afternoon Jeremy took all seven kids (ours, plus my nephew Dallin who is staying with us for the summer) on our ward campout, while I stayed behind and hung with my sisters. I couldn't go because there was no room for another person in the van. It has nothing to do with the fact that I hate camping worse than life itself! I really wish I could love camping, because Jeremy and all the kids love it. But I just hate everything about it. Does anybody know what I can do to enjoy it more, short of getting an RV? Anyway, here are some pics from the campout:

This morning I got up bright and early and picked Kira up for yard sales. It was so fun, as usual.

This afternoon we all went to my dad's wedding reception and had a lot of fun with more visiting. All of my siblings were there. It was great!

Kira and I showed up unknowingly wearing the same new Kohl's $5 top. How embarrassing! Luckily we picked different colors. She decided to experiment and go with the black. ;)

The reception was at a church. I didn't see my kids the whole time, but thankfully they all remained in one piece. And they didn't even destroy the church! (that I know of). They were as good as gold. They absolutely loved the chocolate fondue fountain. It was hilarious seeing the twins dip their own treats. I didn't think about the fact that they were all wearing their white church shirts, which they will need tomorrow. Sure enough, every single one of them got chocolate all over their shirt. I was able to sneak them into the wash in between the eighteen loads of camping wash I'm trying to do. Thank you, Spray 'n Wash! The stains came out!