World Class Leader-AKA Devin

The last couple of months Devin has had leadership classes at the store each week.  I don't really know what is discussed; he has shared one or two items and I would rather not know what is discussed during the classes.  Well-the final class was last week and every manager that was in the class had to vote on a person they thought was the "best" in the class.  Guess who received the prize???  Yep-you guessed it; my husband.  He came home with this really nice glass award for his achievement in leadership and listening. 

When he told me listening I was a little perplexed.  Listening Devin---really??  I have to tell him things multiple times and I still don't get heard.  I've reverted to saying random things in the middle of my sentences to actually see whether or not he is paying attention.

 EXAMPLE:  Today Tristan had a really good T-ball game, Boobs-and he hit the ball really far.  He also got 3 outs, Boobs-and was so happy. 


Could you see the random word in there???  Yep---Boobs seem to be the conversation getter.  I brought this up to Devin and I asked him if he shared that information with his class---he thought about it and decided not to.

I am proud of him for this beautiful award/achievement; but he won't be getting one at home.  Boobs-

Zoo, Donations Drive, and 4th of July

While Devin was in Boise I tried to entertain the kids so the time would go by faster and they wouldn't sit and ponder on how much they were missing him.  I put together Kyra's toddler bed, removed Tristan's training wheels, had pool days at the house, used some coupons for different eating establishments, went to parks, ballet, T-ball, movie night, and the zoo.  I think the only thing I accomplished was exhaustion for myself.  I was SOOOOO tired.  But-I think they had fun and was so happy when Devin surprised them and came home a day and 1/2 early.

While we were in Idaho Falls for doctor appointments we went to the zoo.  The kids loved the monkeys, lions, and the reptiles.

Kyra LOVES shoes and she doesn't mind wearing socks with sandals.  In this photo I guess she didn't want her picture taken.

Several years ago after Hurricane Katrina--Cortlynn and I watched a telethon to raise funds.  Cortlynn was so little but wanted to help.  So Cortlynn and I put a tub outside the bank I worked at and collected donations to donate to the victims.  The response was overwhelming; 2 truck fulls of donations.  Fast forward--on Tuesday a friend of mine put together a donation drive for the Charlotte Fire victims and the kids and I put some items together to donate.  Clothes, blankets, books, toys, bedding, dishes, toothbrushes, and body washes.  We ended up with over 10 bags and a box of items.  When we went to the park to drop them off-Cortlynn and Tristan were shocked by the amount of items people were bringing to help.

On the Fourth of July we stayed in town and enjoyed the parade, swimming at the house, and the fireworks located just a few blocks away.  It was weird to be home the entire day-but it was a nice, relaxing day.

Kyra was so tired by the end of the parade-but she hung onto her flag the entire time.

I thought this was neat---they had signs on the side of the truck thanking all the different agencies and businesses that helped the day of the fire.

We didn't even have to try to collect the candy---since we weren't in the front where the kids could get the candy--there were several people that would give us candy that they collected.  We came away with quite a bit of candy.

Yep-here is the Bull in the Van.  I don't even think they were technically in the parade-just conveniently at the "end" of the parade.  Could you imagine the smell in that van???

Before the fireworks show we let the kids throw some poppers.  Kyra was all over this--she loved it and both her and Tristan enjoyed running after Cortlynn and throwing them at her feet.  ;-)  This was really funny: Too bad Cortlynn didn't find the humor with it.

Kyra getting some poppers to throw.

What a beautiful sunset

We live only 2 blocks away from where the fireworks are set off-and could watch them from our home, BUT-we like to walk down to the soccer fields and watch them shoot overhead.  Kyra slept through the entire show.

There were actually 8 little fires started by the fireworks so I watched the flames grow and all the the trucks rush to put them out.  (I did get a little nervous and hoped that if it got bad enough they would stop the show and tell everyone to leave)

I thought this photo was cool---we came home and let the kids light a few sparklers.  Devin and a few other fireworks-but they scared Kyra so we went inside.  Poor girl and nightmares all night.

Shame On You--American Fireworks Company

With the fires ALL over the west and so many people left without a home (66 homes and 29 other structures gone/destroyed in the Pocatello area)-and the threat of more fires including a "Perfect Storm" type fire-this booth located in Pocatello-by Fred Meyer-infuriated me!  Look at the posters on the front; this is heartless and tactless.  I really wonder if they are a local vendor or a national vendor that comes in and sets up booths all over town.  Whoever they are--SHAME ON YOU!!!!!  The mayor and city council members aren't being jerks just to be jerks--there are valid reason's they have issued a no firework Ban as well as a No Sale of fireworks.                                                         

Unfortanetly tonight-this one and several other booths are again, open for business.  REALLY????  You are supplying amunition to people that are usually not the smartest and/or safest.  If YOUR fireworks cause another devasting fire--will you feel any guilt or will you just be enjoying the money you are collecting?? I wish people would boycott these stands, but unfortanetly-I don't think that will happen.

Pocatello Fire

Today a fire started in Pocatello and it is still burning.  The kids and I went up to Century High School to look at it.  These pictures really don't show the full magnitude of the fire.  It was MASSIVE!!!  We drove down and ate by Ross Park and watched fire trucks speed past from Shelley and the INL.  We also watched countless people evacuating.  It really was a surreal fealing. 

The kids thought the helicopters with buckets and the air tankers were pretty cool.  About an hour after we ate-we drove back down to Ross Park but that was now blocked off and the pool actually closed.  Tonight on the 9:30pm news--the fire is only 20%contained, people are still being evacuated, and 15+ homes have been lost.  How crazy!!!  It really makes you think, "what would we do?"  Being close to a mountain area and empty/dry fields--I think I will get all our important documents and papers, maybe even photo albums, and extra clothes--in one specific area so it would take seconds to pick up on the way of the house.

This was only about 3 hours into the fire---the fire has stretched far to the left and over the hill on the right--going down into residential areas.

This is a photo of the other side of the hill--the fire beginning to go down the hill.

One of the many roads closed off--only emergency vehicles and evacuating people aloud thru the barricades.

A Midsummer Night's Dream 2012

Tonight Cortlynn had her Summer Intensive Ballet.  The last three weeks she has had ballet Mon-Frid and has enjoyed working under guest instructors from New Orleans, Utah, Florida, Romania, and Russia.  She has also loved pointe and was slightly disappointed that she wouldn't be performing in pointe shoes tonight-but not everyone in her group was strong enough to be in pointe.  All of the students spent a few hours each week learning the "Midsummer Nights Dream" ballet and performed it for the public this evening.  It was a beautiful ballet.  The music was gorgeous and I can't believe the talent these young people have.  The one boy, Issaac, is 13 I believe and has only danced for the last year or so.  He is AMAZING!  The height he is able to leap would be impressive on a professional.  There were several boys in the ballet and I think more boys would dance if they saw the pretty young women they get to dance with.  The "jocks" should be envious.  The ballet was interesting for Kyra and Tristan:  both left with injuries.  Kyra fell down some stairs and cut up her face (during the performance, so I'm sure her scream can be heard on the DVD taping) and Tristan fell off the sidewalk and skinned up his knee.  Who would have thought ballet was so dangerous?!

Cortlynn was a firefly-but she thought they looked more like a reindeer.  (don't tell her-but she kinda did)

Between dress rehearsal (2:30-6:00)  and the perfomance--we had 20 minutes to eat before she had to be back to the facility-so we ran across the street and ate a sandwich.  Kyra enjoyed the cheetoes and this picture shows her joy.

Flowers from her dad and I.

This is Kyra's injury.  Poor little girl.

You can't really see it-but this is Tristan's skinned knee.

 Yesterday my neighbors had a yard sale.  I found it funny that they parked 5 of their cars along the street and the people coming to the sale had no where to park except in front of our house---I mean in front of our garbage cans.  You should have seen the nasty looks from the garbage guys and they left me a nasty note; for not having the garbage cans easily accessible.

Wierd Sleep Patterns and T-Ball

I had to post a few photos of my funny kiddos.  They are so funny and this past week have fallen asleep in the weirdest positions.  This photos put a smile on my face.

It was so warm we had a fan going in Tristan's room--well, he was too cold so he propped up a bunch of pillows so the fan wouldn't hit him.  This was HILARIOUS!

Devin and I came home from a movie and found Kyra asleep like this.  I guess she crashed and slept "standing up" for about 40 minutes.  It amazes me how little ones can sleep anywhere.

 The weather was so warm that the kids wanted to play in the pool.  Kyra wasn't feeling very well-but actually got in the pool with all of her clothes and shoes on.  So-I changed her into her swimsuit and she played in the water for a few minutes.  She LOVES water.


My water beauties.

 Tristan had his first T-Ball game yesterday and did so well.  This year he is actually the oldest player and the most "advanced" player.  (All of the other children haven't played before)  He loves to play ball and wants to practice every breaking moment.  Tristan hits the ball soooo far and at practice the other parents make comments about his skills.  I'm such a proud mamma.  His first game was as 12:45pm and this was a difficult game for 4 and 5 year olds.  20 minutes into the game--most of them wanted to take a nap, go home, or play in the dirt.  I looked up once and out of 8 people on his team-Tristan and another boy were the only ones standing up and paying attention.   Tristan played 1st base for one inning and got a person out and than played 3rd base and got another person out.  He was soo excited.  His next game is Monday morning at 8:45 and since I'm babysitting that day I will be taking 7 children (5 under the age of 5) to the game with me.  This should make for a very interesting morning.  ;-)

Tristan getting a High 5 after getting a runner out at first.

Kyra enjoyed digging in the dirt with my car keys instead of watching Tristan play ball.

Getting ready to bat. 

Look at his form.  What a fast runner.  Run Tristan RUN.

There are no words.  ;-)

Running to first.

Cortlynn wanted to show her flexibility.

I used to be able to do this.  20 years ago.