Amen

Cookie Monster is talking more everyday. Today, when it was time to eat lunch he shouted "Amen, brother!" At least he knows it's time to pray.

Over the 4th, his new phrase was "moon me." (Thanx Farmer Boy and Princess).

Crazy Cat

We have 2 new family members. They don't yet have names, but Halloween came early here when an orange and a black cat showed up. Actually, they were part of a family of 6 kitties and a mom. We're not sure how they found their way here, but we're guessing they came from someone's home because they were pretty tame. Possibly our neighbor?

Mom and 4 of the kitties have since disappeared.

Two timid little ones remain, just outside the door where our 15-pound attack dog can see them and get agitated. She tries to go near them and their claws come out. It's actually quite funny. The little kitty flies across the deck, hissing.

When asked what we should name the cats, the kids suggested: "poop" and "butt." Nice, huh?

Anyhow, Farmer Boy called me quite excited a few days ago. "I caught the kitty," he said.

He used a net to nab him and then stowed him away in a pet carrier with a bowl of milk. Each time the kids tried to get near him, he hissed.

Captivity lasted one night. The munchkins brought the kitty onto the porch. Our attack dog went crazy that night, barking to protect her turf.

The next morning, we were greeted by the stench of cat poop from inside the carrier on the porch. I said the cat had to be let free.

A. I couldn't stand the smell

B. You don't cage cats.

C. It was about 105 degrees heat index outside.

The kids protested, but Dad let the cat go anyway. When the kids returned home that evening, the cats were still on the deck. They even let the Princess pick them up. They've actually grown quite attached.

Yesterday, the kids spent an hour, two diaper boxes and about 3 rolls of tape building a "home" for the cats. The rain ruined those condos.

The cats didn't mind, though. They're keeping watch for our attack dog. We've explained to the kids that we don't keep cats, that they "keep" us.

Oh, and I'm thinking the cat's name could be "Freedom?"

My baby the bully

So we spent the weekend in Kansas City with 9 kids, plus our 4, 2 dogs, 1 great-gramma, 2 people who should be labeled kids and a few more adults.
Not only did we run out of diapers because Cookie Monster ate his fill of beans and left presents: 1 on the floor of the car, 1 at the bottom of my parent's steps, but my baby put on a show.
(The second one was quite funny cuz one of those "people" found it.)
LaRue spent many minutes acting as her 10-month-old bully self. She spent time body-slamming her little 4-month-old cousin, stealing her pacifier and feeling her face. It was quite cute though, and nobody got hurt.
LaRue better keep in mind that the cousin is almost catching up with her 17-pound frame. That baby has rolls that have to be moved to change her diaper. Quite entertaining, actually.

Oh Honey

My kids pride themselves on their knowledge of farm life and operations. So, I guess it's no surprise that they know what a "honey wagon" is. They had to explain this to an adult female on our train ride. When the conductor asked for a honey truck to meet the train at one stop, Farmer Boy immediately broke out laughing.

"What's that?" a woman sitting nearby asked.

Um...maybe this photo will help you understand. It was taken outside a 7-11 in Park City.

Vacation pix

I finally have taken the time to add photos from our trip to Park City, Utah. The photos are (l to r): 1. The gem search at Dinosaur Park. We found lots of treasures there! 2. Cookie Monster enjoying the view from a "cave" at Dino Park. 3. Just read the above sign! 4. East High -- the site of High School Musical. The roof just out of view in the pic is where Troy and Gabriella take off to during the movie. 4. Apparently LaRue didn't like her trip to the moon at the Planetarium.

Enjoy!

Who's kids are these anywhere?

Oh my, where do I start???
The 15+ phone calls during Bible Study today? Finally, I decided to answer. Big mistake. "Mom, 'Farmer Boy' stole my money."
Farmer Boy interuppted with some unintelligible ramblings. Click.
Done with that conversation. That is, until I check the 4 voice mail messages left within a 25-second time frame.
Ahh, motherhood.
It's so entertaining when you're standing in front of the church singing. You look out to see your dear husband sitting alone with all 4 kiddos. The youngest is sitting calmly, smiling as she chews -- and then swallows -- chunks of the church bulletin.
A short time later, Cookie Monster, is waving something white in the air. Maybe it's just an act of praise. No, it's a pad. "What's a pad?" Farmer Boy asks after church.
Yikes!
Later that night, when it's bath time the Princess is in the bath with a water gun.
Farmer Boy entered the room to tell her to hurry up and was assaulted.
He came running to the kitchen, proclaiming her weapon of choice. His, he told, was also a water gun: his "willy." And he was going to taser me with it.
Nice.
Who's kids are these anyway?

So Relaxing

We've just returned from an amazing vacation. My husband and I both agree it was the best vacation we've ever had (except for our honeymoon), even with 4 kiddos with. I think the private hot tub helped. So did the train ride, which left us free to play with the kids, sleep, etc. Did I mention sleep?
We traveled 25 hours via Amtrak to Park City, Utah. The views were so awesome. I was brought to tears a few times because of God's amazing work there. We spent time at the Olympic Park. We even got to watch some athletes train. We saw the Great Salt Lake, the Mormon Tabernacle and even a raft full of people mooning us.
The last thing was the highlight of the trip for Farmer Boy and the Princess.
We played in the snow, saw where they are filming High School Musical 3 (I think I may have seen Ashley Tisdale) and even visited the biggest scrapbook store I've ever seen. That was Tracy's suggestion.
(Can you hear the sarcasm?)
Check out a couple of photos. I'll write more later.