In case you missed Josh's "Harry Potter spaghetti arm"

We love soccer right?!?

Here's a pix before soccer.  See Josh?  Surrounded by beautiful girls, smiling, strong unbroken bones.

 Here is Josh after soccer - OUCH!  He had just scored the winning goal when out of no where a giant of a boy (I think he had facial hair) came and kicked his arm while wearing cleats!  Ok, ok so maybe that's not exactly how it happened.  But it makes a much better story right?  Actually he had just finished playing his first soccer game and fell off the monkey bars at the park, bummer right?

 He's a trooper though.  He broke both bones in his lower arm (as you can tell).  Everyone told him he looked just like Harry Potter when the bones in his arm were zapped away.  The ER staff tried to "set" it at the hospital that night but couldn't get it just right.

 So 2 days later we went into surgery where they sedated him to set it correctly & put a pin in it, poor kid.  He still loves soccer (thanks a lot Ross - I'm blaming the whole Showalter clan you know) and hasn't let his cast stop him from anything yet.

Family Camping to Scout Mountain

Joaquin has been bugging me lately to go on "one last" camping trip in RV.  So this last weekend I finally caved.  I don't mean to be a stick in the mud but camping (from a mom's perspective) is just plain hard work.  You pack food, clothing, cooking utensils, bikes, flashlights, sleeping bags, camp chef, propane, need I go on?  Then when you get home it feels like an infinite amount of laundry. 

But having said that - I'm glad I relented.  It was was beautiful place and we enjoyed being together.  Scout Mountain is only about 45 min. away so the kids were pretty mellow for the trip.  It helped that we stopped in Poky to buy a few last supplies & treated the kids to "Five Guys."  Great way to start a trip by the way - on a full stomach.

 I know this pix is in front of our house but I wanted to show you the "new to us" toy (thanks to my sister Amy).  It's a little bike that attaches to one of ours.  Shelby thinks it rocks and we used it many times up and around Scout Mnt.

 The kids loved picking lots of flowers & taking walks.

Jessi was my "poser" this trip, always asking me to take pix of her.

 Quinn is taking a photography class this trimester & snapped a few of us with the sunset.

 Man, I still look hot without make up or a shower don't I?

 Josh's bike is too hard to shift gears with his cast but he didn't want to miss out on the biking.  He swallowed his pride & rode Shelby's so he could cross the water.

 Finally I capture Quinn in a pix.

 Shelby posing with her bouquet & her dreamy expression.

 Jessi loved this pix, we just finished eating smores and it looks like she has blood trickling down her chin (it's really chocolate - she went around pretending to bite our necks).  Great trip and still loving the big blue beast of an RV!

Quick question

Ok friends - I posted this on facebook but wondered if lots of you were like me and check your blog more than FB.  So here's my question.

I've been doing this crazy Halloween Party for the last few years & need your opinion. I'm planning the party for Friday, Oct. 21st @6pm in Lava. We'll zipline, chase clues, soak in the hot pools & end at a hotel. 

Joaquin thinks we should do the hotel on Friday night but do the party on Saturday around 2pm so we can have longer to zipline, chase clues, etc. then go home late Saturday - 

Which would you prefer?

I think people will ditch the hotel & just show up on Saturday @2.  What do you think?  Should I just cut out the hotel all together & plan a longer party on Saturday?  It would be cheaper.  Thanks -

Back to School 2011

Well this summer has been loads of fun but I'm so grateful that all my kids wanted to go back to school.  I was ready too.  I snapped a few fun close ups of them before church & of course on the first day of school.  As a side note - we sold our rental!!! We are so happy with our new neighbors & it went so well.  It cost a whopping $13 to record the deed of ownership transfer, wow and we are done!

 Shelby (5)

 Jessi (10)

 Quinn (12)

Halle (1)

Josh (6)

 Here's the whole beautiful (and handsome Josh) crew.

 Shelby was still asleep (I love afternoon kindergarten) or she would be in the pix too.

 Just look at that smile - she picked out this sparkly dress/long shirt outfit and couldn't wait to wear it.

 She begged to ride her bike to school the first day, until about half way when she cried & told me it took too long. 

Isn't that just a great shot of Quinn?  We went as a family to cheer for her first away game in Marsh Valley last night.  They won all 4 games and she even made points on a few of her serves, what a woman!  Note to the wise, never bring the little siblings to "cheer" for older ones for 2 hours - it got boring & even ugly for a while.  It always sounds good in my head . . .

Anyone interested in our Rental?

 We are hoping to Sell (or Rent) our house on 193 Howard St.  If you know anyone who is interested would you let me know?  Here are some pix with the basic info.  Thanks everyone!

 View from the back

 View from just inside the front door.  The entire house has been repainted inside (thank you Donna!)

 This is a full bath (I just couldn't squeeze it in the picture)

 One of the 2 bedrooms on the main floor.  Both bedrooms have new paint & new carpet

 The other room on the main floor

 The finished room in the basement (wasn't as clean as I'd hoped but I didn't give them any warning before I showed up to take pix!)

 The unfinished basement where the washer & drier are.  There is also a little food storage room & an unfinished bedroom on the right hand side.

 View of the kitchen coming up from the basement.

 Another view of the kitchen.

View from off the front porch.   We are asking $114,900 - or if someone would like to rent we are asking $650 + utilities.  Just thought I'd put the word out to my friends!  Thanks you guys.

Just a whole bunch of fun

These pix are a little out of order but hey, you get the idea right?!?  Easter went by in a flash.

 For Spring Break my friend Tiffani & I drove with our kids (8 in all) up to Washington to visit our sisters.  We loved it!  Here's Shelby & Noah loving each other.

 Jayda & Jessi being soooo cool.

 Ian & Josh playing whatever electronic games they could.

 Quinn & Lexi even went to a Zumba exercise class with us at the YMCA.

 For a quick little weekend away - Amanda, Jesalee, & I went to Vegas.  We treated ourselves to the Bellagio (just gorgeous) and Cirque de Sol "O."  It was amazing!

 Its become a tradition that Joaquin takes Josh to the Monster Truck Show at the Holt Arena.  This year Shelby & I went too.  She was ready to go home after about an hour but the concessions saved her.

Joaquin even splurged & we all got to ride in this Monster Truck for about 60 seconds.  Woo hoo!

 Women's Conference down in Provo was short but sweet this year.  My friends Deena & Shy came with me from Am. Falls and we met Dana, Mom, Mindy, Lisa, & Amy there.

 Quinn is in an "I hate pictures" mood lately so this is the only one I could snap of her at her piano recital this year.

 These are my so wish it was summer kids.  I think the temp was around 60 degrees this day but they were determined to soak up the sun (in the driveway.)

Jessi had her Gymnastic Program that she absolutely loved!  She got a medal & a trophy.

 Jessi also performed a dance solo at her school talent show.  She rocked at the dance she choreographed herself.  She had cartwheels, walk overs, splits - it made me tired just watching.

For Mother's Day Weekend we took our "new to us" Motor Home on its maiden voyage to Glenns Ferry.  Jesalee & Kade rode with us so we had cousins & friends to visit with the whole way.  I can't remember the last time I sat on the floor with my kids for 2 & 1/2 hours reading books, building with legos, & talking.  Its definitely good for me, next time I'm thinking I'll drive and make it "good for Joaquin."

Glenns Ferry was pretty cold & rainy so everyone crammed in the hot tub to get warm & have fun.

Jesalee, Donna, Quinn, Jessi, & I met up with family & friends in Boise to see the musical "Wicked."  I thought it was just fabulous.  The sets, costumes, and of course the music was amazing. Can you tell Emily & I try to use any excuse possible to hang out more often?

Shelby & Jade had Pre School Graduation this last Saturday.  It was pretty painful for lots of us.  They sang 14 songs (Shelby was yawning by the 5th or 6th), Halle cried most of the time, and Kristin was in New York delivering the newest cousin during the show!  Why do we do "programs" again?!?

 Oh that's why, because Shelby was just so dang happy to be the center of attention for the day.  What a cutie!