Wow! What a Whirlwind Vacation!!!

Yes, we did survive!!!! For the past 6 months we (that really means- ME) have been looking forward to this great family vacation. For those of you who didn't know we made a trek northward. Like always it was an adventure from the very beginning!!! Brent and I decided to take our time and split the drive up into three days. It started off really well, until we hit New Mexico. New Mexico HATES us. Something always goes wrong there. The first time we went we lost the transmission in the Suburban we had owned 28days. We spent 3 days in the middle of nowhere waiting on a new one. It was AWESOME!!! The second time I got strep and had a 104.3 fever and had to go to the emergency room to get a shot in my BUTT. Yeah it felt great spending the next two days sitting in the car. So, the entire time we were in New Mexico I was waiting for something to happen. On day two it looked like we might make it through without a problem. Wishful thinking. As we were heading to breakfast in the hotel lobby, Brynlie starts throwing-up everywhere! It was awful. Needless to say we found out that she had pneumonia. When we finally made it to Salt Lake City we spent a week just playing. We took the kids to Lagoon, Hogle Zoo, Temple Square, This is the Place Monument and then just visiting with friends and family. We even hit the 4th of July parade that I used to go to when I was a kid. I loved it! They even brought a tank down the middle of the street. It was unbelievable!!! The next week we spent with Brent's family. There is a HUGE field behind his parents place where we took the kids 4-wheeling, we cooked smores and tinfoil dinners in the fire pit. We had a great time, except the mosquito's were terrible. From Blackfoot we headed to Star Valley, Wyoming. There we spent 3 days with all of Brent's family. That includes 12 adults and 15 kids in one cabin. That was an adventure all in itself. After Brent's family reunion we headed to Island Park, Id for my reunion. Almost everyone was able to make it. Aimee's husband had just been deployed days before, Mandy and her family needed to stay behind. It was just to far to travel with the the twins, I am glad that they were able to make it to SLC. Abbey's husband is doing his residency and I needn't say anymore. Even though not everybody was there we had a great time. We went to Yellowstone where we saw old faithful, buffalo, elk, deer, pelicans, a bald eagle and a moose! The kids LOVED it. We also went to a fish hatchery, Mesa Falls and swam in a freezing cold river. We even did a family Olympics! After the great food and family fun we started the trek homeward bound. Trying to be the best parents ever we decided to head home a different way. When we hit Kansas we couldn't find a place to stay. The kids can now say that they have spent a full 36 1/2 hours in the car, non-stop!!! For those of you who are curious sleeping in the car is not comfortable. I don't recommend it. Needless to say, we made it home safe and sound, and VERY grateful to be out of the car!!! Here are some pictures of our trip. All of the kids did enjoy the cool weather and the Beautiful mountains. All McKenely wanted to do was climb a mountain. So I drove as close as I could and let her have it. I hope this will be a memory that they will never forget.

Ryan's 6th Birthday!!

So I finally downloaded all the pictures off my camera and found a Ton. Yes, I know that I am a slacker. Here are a few of the pictures from Ryan's 6th birthday. It was a very eventful day. We have the tradition that the birthday person gets to pick a place to eat for their dinner, (it makes it a special day for me too). And surprise surprise Ryan picked Mexican. So as we were loading up the kids to go out for dinner when we noticed that the sky had gone black. I flipped on the news and found out that we had a sever thunderstorm with softball sized hail heading strait for us.

So we had to scrap dinner plans and figure a way to get the cars in the garage. So while Brent worked on getting the garage done I whipped up some dinner. Dinner turned out great and Ry had his Walle cake. My car made it into the garage, but Brent's wasn't so lucky. The hail pelted us pretty hard. Our garage door and Brent's car look like golf balls. It caused $15,000 in damage to our new home. Yes, those numbers are correct. Thank heaven for homeowners insurance!!! Needless to say Ryan will never forget his birthday.

It's about time....

Okay!!! I will get to my blog. Stop harassing me! I know that it has been forever since I have posted anything- but I am soooo busy. For instance it's Thursday and I have babysat 3 times this week already.

Things have been very busy here at the Scott household. Last week the kids had their last day of school. Yeah!!!! I was really excited about not having to set my alarm, but I am realizing 5 kids can DESTROY a house in under 10 minutes (I think I would rather set my alarm). Now don't get me wrong, I love my kids. What I don't love is picking up after them. I am all about "Daily Duties". I guess we'll see how this works out.

So far our summer vacation has been a lot of time at the pool. Since our neighborhood pool isn't finished we rely on the kindness of our friends. But luckily we will be heading north to visit family in the next two weeks. I think it will be a lot of fun, Brent is coming around. The kids are excited to see all of their cousins. We are also looking forward to Kaitlyn's 8th birthday in 9 days, and also her baptism. I can't believe how fast these kids are growing up.

And that's what's happening here in Texas :)

Computer Savey?

NO, I am not computer savey. I get to frustrated when things do not work out the way I want when I want them to. I will tell you an example if you promise not to laugh (Kristin). I have been trying to change the background on this blog for about a week now. The first time I did it I wasn't really paying attention and now I can't remember. And yes, I did read the directions. It is still not working. So I just give up and come back to it a couple of days later, and the process just keeps going. I have seriously considered taking a computer class at ACC. And then I remember that I don't even have time to do laundry when would I do that. So be patient while I figure this stuff out :)

One Heart Umbrella Campain

So I know that most of you know about my nieces, but for those of you who don't know let me fill you in. I have 2 year old conjoined nieces. They are attached at the breastbone to the belly button. They each have two arms and two legs. They are very precious. ok, the reason for this little dialogue is for this: I was reminded today about a fund raiser taking place right now that I think is SOOO COOL!!! It is OneHeart Umbrella Campaign. The Chair of this campaign is the one and only Debbie Reynolds!!! How they got her to do it is beyond me. But this is the deal, they have recruited celebrities from all over the place (movies, tv, sports, and theater) to help out. Such celebs as : Jessica Alba, Kevin Bacon, Sean Astin, James Brown, Joah Groban, ASU Suns Basketball Team, The Phoenix Suns, Alice Cooper, HUGH JACKMAN, Michael Phepls, Cast of the Today show, the cast of: The Phantom, Singin in the Rain, Chicago and sooooo many more!!!!! When I read through all 75 participants I was amazed!!!. And what they have one is signed and decorated umbrellas. Now the purpose of all those umbrellas is this, they are being auctioned off on ebay!!! Is that not just the coolest thing ever!!! I am amazed at the generosity of others. It reminds me that there are good people out there. If any one is interested you can look them up on ebay or via google. Just google "oneheart campaign". And you can bid online through ebay. This really is an amazing thing to be part of.

Tooth Fairy Needs A Bailout!!!

So I am trying to figure out if it is normal for kids to lose a tooth two days in a row. But in our house it did, for two kids!! In the past two day's McKenely has lost two teeth and Kaitlyn has lost TRHREE!!! I don't know how she has enough to chew. The funniest part is that Ryan can't understand how their teeth could be so rotten to the point that they are just falling out. I love that kid!

Two Sister's One Heart

As you all have noticed I have been trying to update our blog. When I sat down to write about one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had, I couldn't think of what to say. Fortunately for me I have a wonderful sister who has a way with words. I hope you will take the time to read her blog. There is a link to it on off of mine, The Calvert Family.

What I do want to say is this, throughout my life I have seen the tender mercies of the Lord touch my life and those of my family. I have come from a wonderful family. For those of you who don't know I have 2 brother's and 4 sister's (and a mom and dad :)). We have always been close, but it is amazing to me to see how we have changed over the years. We have all grown, started families and moved all over the country. But whenever there is a need I know I can count on all of them to come through for me. Our challenges have only made us stronger. I am grateful for my wonderfully crazy family.

Is this really happening?

Do you ever have those moments when you think to yourself,"is this really happening?". And it's never accompanied with,"you've just won the lottery!!" or " we screwed up, here's $100 gift card for your trouble." Nothing like that. It's usually more along the lines of, " but officer I thought it was 45" or " CRAP!!!". Like today it went something like this, "I am not watching water gush out from under the bathroom door. CRAP, water is gushing out from under the bathroom door!!!" Luckily for me my 3 year old felt like she had it all under control. Phew, I was worried for a bit.

Oh How We LOVE Birthdays!!!!

We have recently (when I say recently I mean in the last two months) celebrated two birthdays! I can't believe how quickly my two little girls are growing up. Sometimes when I look at Kylie and Brynlie I remember McKenely and Kaitlyn at the same ages. In January our Kylie turned 3!!! Can you believe it, cause I can't. We partied from dawn til dusk. She was a "Princess" all day. She also helped make her birthday cake. All she wanted as a pink cake with dot's So I delivered!!! We had a great day. Her favorite gift was a Sleeping Dora that talks. She is growing up so fast. Sometimes I ask her if she will stay my little girl forever. I sure LOVE her!!!!





In February we had Brynlie's 1st birthday!!! That year went by really, really fast. It could be that we were also busy. We did learn that she does like cake, just not wearing it.

Brynlie was an adventure from the very beginning. When we first found out the she was coming it took a while for the shock to wear off. We never planned on having a fifth. And then when she finally arrived, that was an adventure all in itself (Thanks Dr. Irvin, your the best!!!). We have loved her smiles, giggles, chubby legs and her HUGS!!! We can't wait for all the years to come!!!

Bi- Annual Update

Okay, so I know that I am not the best blogger (but I never claimed to be either), but I have gotten the hint. So I thought I would do my 3 month update!!! I hope that you all enjoy.

Where to begin? I am going to have to go all the way back to Christmas, I know it is really sad. A real quick update : Everyone's favorite toy. Mckenely, Kaitlyn and Ryan all got Nintendo DS's. They LOVE them. It also works well as a punishment (Brent and I thought about that before we bought them.) Kylie got a tent and a Tinkerbell blanket w/pillow. Brynlie just loved playing in the wrapping paper. Brent and I got Bikes!! It's so we can get our bodies working again. The kids also got a TEE PEE from Grandma and Grandpa Scott. Yes, they shipped it regular mail. I wish I could have seen the mailmans face.





For those of you who didn't know Brynlie is now walking!!! She started in December, but by January she had it down. And she is stinkin FAST! I just can't keep up with her. The difference with her is that she started so much earlier than the rest of the kids that she has burned all her baby fat off. So her legs are skinny, so not like any of the others.