Thursday, September 29, 2011

Paint and pride.

Truman likes to paint himself for the Friday night varsity football games.  Imagine what the shower looks like after he washes the paint off; microscopic specs of paint remain and is such a pain to get off.  Because of this, I invited Truman to wash the paint off in the backyard using the garden hose from here on out if he chooses to paint himself again, or he can clean the shower himself. He chose the garden hose.  P.S. This kid will do just about anything to take off his shirt.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Vantage point.

This is one of the tiles in my bathroom.  Alert:  If this is too much information for you, stop reading this now.  The particular tile is viewed from the vantage point of the toilet, while sitting on it.  Every single time I use the restroom, my eye goes to this fella.  Sometimes I get the feeling he's a Pirates of the Caribbean kind of guy, other times I lean a little more towards a Prince type of character.  Either way, it's kind of the same difference.  Right?

There are other creatures lurking in my tile just a stones throw from where you see this guy and I know I'm not the only one who can seen them.  Proof being that one night I walked into the bathroom and Rick, the guy I live with, was sitting on the toilet with a sketch pad.  When I ienquired what on earth was he doing, he replied, "Sketching the faces in the tile."  There, I'm not alone.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Forget me not.

If you want to feel better about yourself and your life, watch this talk.  Forget me Not.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The dance.

Nobody around this dancer in Japan is even remotely curious....he's just a dancing fool and aparently no one cares.  It's a cultural thing I suppose.  No one can doubt that he's got some moves, and then some.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Pick a pumpkin.

I made another copied project with regular decorative pumpkins, fabric and mod podge.  That stuff can get under your fingernails forever.  F.Y.I. 
Go here Tater Tots and Jello for a tutorial on how to make them.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

A brother's gift.

Quinn turned 10 on June 18th.  His big brother, Cole, missed his birthday but more than made up for it with a late package filled with goodies.  Quinn happened to be home sick on Monday when the package arrived.  Perfect timing!   
His hands were diving fast into the loot.  I have a feeling Cole found the 100 Yen store there, kind of like our $1 store, but different. 
This is an old school Nintendo game....too bad it doesn't fit our U.S. system.  You can tell Quinn was really excited to get it.  When Quinn was finished going through the box, he said, "Best birthday present ever!"  And then, "That was the best day of my life.  No actually, when Cole comes back and when I have a kid, those will be the two best days of my life."

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I love Engrish.

Cole, my missionary in Japan, sent us lots of pictures yesterday via memory card....without any explanation to go along with them.  So, most pictures are of people we've probably read about in Cole's weekly e-mails but, we're not sure who is who.  However, I'm pretty sure he took a picture of this recycle container to emphasize the great use of Japanese English, or as we like to call it, Engrish.  Below is what's written on the container (word for word, punctuation included), in case you can't see the type.  Enjoy.

They will be resources if it divides.
It will be garbage if it misses.
Resources are limited.
However, there's no limit
to ideas of human beings.

I really am glad that Japan is recycling now.  When we were there 20 years ago, recycling wasn't around.  Still, you gotta love it.

Also, today is my husband's birthday.  When we married he was 23.  Now he's much older. However, there's no limit to ideas of human beings.  Like my Engrish?
Above all, he's kind and patient.  He's a great dad and husband.  He serves faithfully in our church and loves the Lord.  He's a hard worker and loves to exercise!!  Happy birthday, Rick!

Monday, September 19, 2011

News from Shimonoseki Japan.

Since Cole left for Japan on April 28th, 2011, we haven't gotten one picture from him, until today!  He sent a birthday package for Quinn (which was in June) and in it he put two memory cards for us to enjoy.  It seems more real that he's really there, especially when I watch the video clips he sent.  I will try to put one or two video clips on here....when I figure out how to.  Until then, enjoy some of his pictures. I do love that boy! 


The Japanese do love their cameras!


Cole is on the left.  He is 5 10 1/2", the missionary next to him is a big one! 

 Always lots of people in the shopping areas.
Where Cole has been living since April is kind of on a straight between two main islands, lots of beach and ocean stuff.
I don't know.... 
Yeah, um, I still don't know.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Dinosaurs and camping.


When the men take the kids hiking,  I don't want to know what happens. 
No animals were hurt in this picture.

A boy and his dog.

A 10-year-old boy and his dog plus a box = good times. 
I think I know who's having more fun!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pinewood Derby 2011

Last night our scouts had their pinewood derby.  We thought we had missed (escaped) this time honored tradition this year because of wards splitting and stuff.  Well, we weren't so lucky.
Rick even took the whole day off of work on Monday to make sure the car was finished. 
The crowd is anxiously watching each race with enthusiasm. 
I found out last night that we get to do this all over again in the spring.  Life is good.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Pink floaty.

Every year there is a, "Manly Hike" undertaken by the men, (I use that term lightly) in the Tipton family.  Actually, anyone over the age of 8 (sometimes 10, depending on the difficulty of the hike) can go.  I haven't gone, yet.  Maybe someday I will if it means I get to use the pink floaty!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Brain Freeze!

Last week, after our adventurous hike up to Thumb Butte, we stopped by Whataburger to fill our bellys.  Each kid ordered either a malt or a shake which required the brain freeze test/competition. 
I think Jake won.  He's the one holding his head.  This game was played over and over.  Simple pleasures.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Old Friends.

My old friends.  Not that they're old, they just happen to be a couple of my oldest friends.  They've both been through a lot recently and yet they carry on.  I love them both.  We've talked of a New York girls trip next spring.  I think that would be lovely!  Of course I could go to NYC every month and see a show...but that's just me. 

Thursday, September 8, 2011

If you decorate it, it will come!

What is "it"?  Fall.  We need Fall here.  In elementary school, if the temperature is over 110 degrees,  the kids have to play indoors (excessive heat warning, don't you know).  Playing indoors has been the norm for the past two weeks or more.  The other day Quinn asked me, "Mom, when is it going to stop being 110 degrees?"  To which I replied, "Um, Halloween?!"  I hope that's not true.  This has been one long, hot, summer!

So yesterday, I decorated.  Just a little.  I put out some of these out.....
With the hopes of, if I decorate it, Fall will come!  Even though it's forcasted to be 109 degrees today, the inside of my home feels like Fall, kind-a.
It worked for Kevin Costner in, "Field of Dreams," it should work for me!  Please.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Scott's Reservoir.

On Labor day we went to Scott's Reservoir up in Pine Top/Lakeside with Rick's other brother and his family.  We took canoes and canoed (is that a real word?) across the lake to and hiked for at least 30 minutes to a hole in the ground called the, "Ice Cave". 

On our way to the ice cave. 
Love the green.
Did I say how much I love the green?  I do, lots!
  Now this is what I call, "A hole in the ground!"  Even at the opening, the air was at least 20 degrees cooler....though no ice in sight. 
Truman climbing into a tight spot.  Who dresses that kid anyway?
My sister-in-law, Jamie, and I getting ready to descend to the muck and murk of the ice cave.
The happy group. Truman is holding his breath....I'm so proud.
Rick and Scott.
Walking back to the canoes.
Heading back from where we came.
Loved this trip!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thumb Boo-tay anybody?

We took off to the north this weekend.  After the hottest August on record, we decided we needed some relief from the heat and headed up to Prescott and Show Low to visit Rick's brothers and their families.  On Saturday, we went on a "hike" to Thumb Butte.  Of course we couldn't say it correctly, and had to pronounce it Thumb Boo-tay.  It made the hike better that way.  When I say hike, I mean it in the loosest terms!  It was a hike for about 40 minutes, then it became a rock climbing adventure.  I much preferred the rock climbing. 
See what I mean?  Jay and Heather are figuring out how to make it up to the top.  There is no more trail. 
I found a mountain goat just above me.  His name happens to be Quinn. 
Rick and the boys made it to the top. 
Our group. 
Okay, come on, who would deny a boy his business from up top?  All boys under 18 in this group preformed this feat.  What can a mom do but take a picture from the back? 
Going down.  Serious rock climbing, I tell you.