Sending them into the world

We all have to let our children leave the safety of the nest and test their wings, but I'm far from ready. Hopefully by the time school starts I'll be more ready, but something that happened at the park the other day doesn't give me comfort. He was at the park with his aunt Hailie while I was at work and told me later that some kids had a fort and would not let him play. The kids told him he had to do some things to get in. They told him he had to be smart and strong. This was Derek's comment to Darrell and I "But Mom I told them I am smart and strong. I told the truth, but they wouldn't believe me." His voice was so innocent and it made my heart break. Of course Darrell and I reassured him that we knew he was smart and strong and that the kids were just being mean. I don't like my sweet little boy being picked on:(

Other recent happenings

And now to catch up on some random pictures:)

This is Emily with aunt Jeanie after watching her perform in "Bye, Bye, Birdie."

This is a picture that confirms Derek was using my camera without permission...and boy what a face:)

Lastly, the newest hairstyle...short and long bangs. Yes, she got a hold of scissors and chopper some of her bangs...what do you do??

And the trophey goes to...

EMILY!!! For the most convincing and impressive pout of the Darrell and Kendra Brimhall family.

Emily truly does have a classic pouty look and she uses it atleast a few times a day. She has a bit of a stubborn streak in her and she gets that look and won't budge. It's hard not to laugh sometimes.

Outing with Dad

Last week the kids went on an outing to the desert with Dad while Mom was at a computer class for work. They had a lot of fun. I posted the cutest pictures...there were a lot to choose from:)

Sedona daytrip

A couple weeks ago we took a trip to Sedona just for kicks and giggles. It was a cloudy cool day and we were feeling trapped in our house so we decided to do something spontaneous...a rarity for Darrell and I.

Our first stop was a small hiking trip around some of the wonderfully beautiful red rock formations just outside of Sedona. It was a short hike, because any hike with 3 little kids does not last long. Emily enjoyed playing with the fine red dust and Derek like finding sticks. Both of them of course were on the look out for rocks.

Our next stop was a museum. I absolutely love historical pioneer museums. This was the old Schnebly farm. It was a farm that grew fruit trees, mainly apples. The kids enjoyed the time because they got free little toys. In the fruit shed there was a little kids corner with costumes and crayons that they could play with. They loved that.

This is Sarah sitting on a saddle in the kid area. The museum trip was very relaxing for me. I bought a few history of Arizona books...I'm a sucker for oral histories...and the kids bought some rocks. The main part of Sedona was so incredibly crowded, but the museum we had all to ourselves...it was great. After the museum we stopped at KFC for lunch. It was almost 2 by then and all of us were quite hungry.

On the way out of Sedona we stopped and visited the grave of Darrell's grandpa. Derek kept wanting to take all the flowers off graves and they both wanted to stay and play. But of course we said no...there is just something odd about letting kids run all over graves:)

On the way home we stopped by a creek. It has been raining so much as of late that the water was flowing beautifully. The kids of course enjoyed lots of time throwing rocks into the water and watching the water splash. Derek liked hoping from rock to rock.

The picture on the right is Derek trying to hide when it was time to go. He did not want to leave, but Dad and Mom were exhausted.

This is Sarah and I watching the kids play. Yes...I am the wimpy one. I was freezing sitting by the water, especially since it was windy, so I was all bundled up. No one else seemed to mind. It was a tiring day and the kids had their cranky moments, but all in all it was an awesome trip.

"My bums hurts..."

Emily comes to me often saying "Mom, my bums hurts," this meaning that she wants baby powder in her underwear...why, I have no clue, but it makes her happy. Well on this particular day she decided to help herself...I think the pictures speak volumes:)

The Massacre

This is a very sad tale, so be prepared:( A month or so ago Darrell brings home a dog after school...yes a dog! He had been talking about getting one and then surprise...we have a dog:) Well the dog was sweet, but the next day sometime in the afternoon, Derek starts yelling that the chicken is dead...great!!! Here we go again with dead chickens. I go outside to investigate, and what do I find...a massacre. The dog killed 5 chickens! Only one was in pieces thank goodness, but the other 4 were in various locations around the yard. Then to make it worse, I couldn't account for all the survivors.

I called my brother and asked him to get a chain and bring it over. He brought one and I tied the dog up (she was in the garage until he got back). I felt bad for the dog because it is just instinct and she was a sweet dog. She had literally just torn her way into their cage, we didn't think she could get in there. Well we decided we would keep her anyway and just reinforce the cage, well....the next day one more dead chicken:( Darrell found the dog inside the cage again! So the dog belonged to us for less than 48 hours and was returned to the shelter. I was relieved, because although she was a sweet dog, she needed a lot of training...she would jump all over Darrell and I and it was very annoying, and starting a new job and all I just did not want the added stress. So that is the sad story...our 48 hour ownership of a dog which resulted in loosing more than half of our chickens. There are only 4 lonely survivors...Darrell wants to add a few more soon.

Spring is here!!!

My favorite time of year is definitely Spring. The weather is beautiful, flowers are in bloom, the peach trees in our yard are in bloom. It is just beautiful. I love sitting outside just watching the kids play...granted I sometimes neglect to take time to do this, but when I do I wonder why I don't do it more often. It is starting to warm up which does sadden me some because in the valley when it starts to warm up, watch out!! I'm not looking forward to the summer heat but I guess I should just focus on what I have now. ]

This past Saturday we spent some time in the yard planting and doing yard work. I planted cantaloupe, cucumbers, herbs, and then I also plan to plant beans, carrots, and peppers this week. Our tomatoes are starting to turn red, and they are delicious...I have missed their wonderful flavor. We have a wonderful pea production this year...first successful time...yippee!! We almost gave up on peas in the summer until last year around this time. We were at Sister Harris' house (a sister in our ward), admiring her garden and were astounded that she had huge pea plants. Our problem was planting way to early in the fall. This time we waited until it was chilly and then planted, and it was worth it. They are so tasty. I love them lightly sauteed, so sweet!! The kids and Darrell like them straight off the plant, and when I serve them heated for dinner the kids turn their noses up...funny.

Sarah is crawling around now which means we have to be on the look out for those little baby hands that love to pull out baby plants. She too loves pulling peas off and sucking on them! Isn't she cute!!