Ooops... She did it AGAIN!

Remember how I said in an earlier post how happy I was to have this picture?
This is why.

I do not understand my child's deep need to cut everything in her path, including her hair. She tells me she wants pony tails. She tells me she wants princess hair. She PROMISES me she won't cut her hair EVER again.

I'm beginning to think I can't trust her.

Short, sassy and a little quirky - just like my girl.

Thanks, Jessy, for fixing her AGAIN.

Paying Tribute to The King of Pop

Ok, I have to make this clear. I was an original fan of THE original Micheal Jackson, you know the one. (He was black, wore a white glove, sparkly clothes, a nose at least as big as mine...)

I have some fond memories of watching "The Making of Thriller" over and over with my childhood best friend. My dad would even take me to 7-11 to buy magazines that featured MJ and I would post his pictures on my wall. Oh, the good old days. Well, we all know his story and it's sad ending. I felt compelled to pay a small tribute to The King of Pop with a little moonwalking of my own.

The pictures above were taken at work, where I told everyone I had a big surprise coming for them at 10 am (to correlate with Jackson's Memorial) Pat even brought in my CD "Thriller" (yes, I own it on CD, and have for years) and it was playing throughout the office as I came out dressed in my best Micheal Jackson apparel. I even attempted the moonwalk.

I can't believe I wasn't fired. BUT IT WAS FUNNY.

I had to practice at home some of my moves.
I couldn't quite get on my tippy toes like he did.

But I did give my fans a show

-AND-

I even danced on top of my minivan. You can't tell me to Beat It.

There is an eerie resemblance, isn't there?

Ok, here is a real tribute to MJ doing his best ever MOONWALK ROBOT. If only I could do that. Check it out, the music has been changed due to MJ's attorneys fighting for his every last dime, but it is still amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7MmEMrCRfc

Happy Birthday America!

It was a very different 4th of July for our little family. We usually spend it with the Thibadeau Gang, either at Tanja's, celebrating with an all day pool party or at the cabin, celebrating at the lake. This year, Pat was lucky enough to have a kidney stone, so we sent the big girls off to Donnelly with Granne Hanne and Papa Bill and sat in our culd-de-sac twirling sparklers.
Bella was having a great time and would not wait until dark to light her sparkler.

It was all fun and games...

...until the smoke caused Bella to have a small asthma attack.

We headed indoors to watch the surrounding illegal fireworks light up the sky from my bedroom window. After each one, Bella would yell, "Happy Birthday!"

It was a good memory, but I missed my other babies.

Happy Birthday, America, hope it was a good one.

A Day Trip to Africa

I have always wanted to go to Africa. I dream of it. Really. I didn't just copy that from a movie. For now, the next best thing is The Boise Zoo. (Which has come a LONG way from my childhood days.)
I also really enjoy spending time with my babies, one on one, which is rare... But thanks to a day off and Granny Hanne, Pat and I were left alone to share a day with just Bella. So, we headed out to see the new African Exhibit at the zoo, which now includes lions and giraffes. Maybe one day will get the coveted elephant or an ape.

Here are two of my four babies. Can you guess who is the biggest one?

I am really starting to like Bella's little haircut...

...it certainly fits her personality.

It is so peaceful when Bella does not feel the need to compete with anyone for my attention.

Yep, she's cute and she knows it.

I still say she looks like me.

I LOVE watching little ones trying to drink from a drinking fountain, especially my own.

The perfect ending to a perfect day with a slide down a giraffes back.

A Summer Haircut for Summer Fun - I guess...

As you can see, there are two things going on in this picture. The first is that I am enjoying a day off in good weather with my family. The second is Bella's new do. I know you are thinking it is quite cute, but it wasn't when she cut it, AGAIN. She cut her pony tail off and a chunk of her bangs, AGAIN. At least it wasn't the day before my brother's wedding this time. Luckily, Jessyka was able to fix it. She is used to it, who could forget the mullet Bella gave Jessy's little Lili in January?
My favorite picture of the day, Pat and Alex discussing Gospel Principles.

Miss Maddy. Stay away boys...

This is the only picture I could grab of Katie (the one in the goggles as big as her face) she is a little fish and never gets out of the water until she sunburned and hungry.

Bella really enjoys making pretend "toilets" at the beach. At least I hope they are pretend.

If you've got it, flaunt it.

Hello Mr. Serious - are you watching me?

This is my swimsuit that is really only fit for a yacht, but for now, the murky waters of Eagle Island will have to do.

Have I said this before - when my babies are happy, I am happy??

(Oh, by the way, the scissors are under lock and key - really.)

Annie Cat, Butterscotch, Fred and now... Patches

I still can't believe I allowed another animal into our home. Patches will be about the 172nd. But, I did and I haven't regretted one moment of it.

She lives in Maddy's room and has been designated her own corner.
She is very content here, we have started to let her wander upstairs a bit, but she still prefers her own pad - except at night.... This is when she changes from Patches to "Puma" - Uncle Jon joked there were wild pumas in the hills where Patches came from and now I believe him. No one is safe between the hours of 3 - 6 am. Each family member will be attacked, bitten and generally pounced upon during these hours. We have all taken turns trying to sleep with her (except Bella, she is too scared), but, finally, one night we let her go at it alone. It reminded me of a new baby in the house - no sleep and two of my babies have bitten me.

Patches loves snuggles and no longer hisses, but she is not at all patient with Bella.

The only time we hear her meow is when Bella has a hold of her.

All in all, I think we made the right choice adding a new member to our family.

I have a bit of guilt now with our other pets. Butterscotch the Turtle lives outside and I am sure I am the only one who feeds her. Fred had to be moved to the garage because HAMSTERS STINK. Why didn't anyone tell me that?? So, you know the drill - out of sight out of mind. I wonder if he is still alive, I shall check after my typing is done. Then we have Annie Cat. She has been with us for about 11 years and her age is showing. She too was kicked outside after we got new carpet a few years back. Geez, feelin' guilty. I better see if she is still alive as well.

Wharton Family Reunion 2009 in Deweyville, Utah

My mom's sweet family was holding a family reunion and there was no keeping me away. My uncles and aunts have been so kind and supportive to my family that I wanted to be there to see and hug each and everyone of them.

We were invited to stay Uncle Jon and Aunt Aleta's house. I was very excited about this because I remember what a magical place it is. My mom said Pat, the kids and I would be sleeping in the camper while she, Taylor and Melisa stayed in the house. Fantastic for me - little did I know until we pulled into the drive and saw the "RV" that my family thought I meant a tent. This was pure luxury and in the midst of beautiful country. After getting over the excitement of our sleeping accommodations, we started trekking to the back porch and were greeted by my favorite mystical creature: the tree pictured above. I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and I could imagine Merry and Pippin in the branches of this old Pine.

Now, as if this weren't enough (we hadn't even seen Jon and Aleta yet) the next thing spotted was a batch of kittens. My girls went nuts. They were tiny little things and wild as they come. We practically had to drag the girls inside to say hello.

Our first night there was much colder than expected and filled with mosquitoes, but after I was able to catch the runt of the litter, the girls wouldn't have cared if bats were biting them. It was love at first sight - and I knew we were in trouble...

We finally managed to get the kids to let the little kitty go and head to our bed, but first we had to get Taylor to climb up on the RV and get the daddy cat off the roof. He wouldn't stop howling, I begged T to get him down and when he grabbed the wild black cat it tried to bite him in the face! It was such a funny sight, I almost wet my pants. T didn't think it was as funny, but, believe me it was!

The next day we gathered in Deweyville's one and only park (all my friends kept asking, "What in the heck is in DEWEYVILLE?") and Uncle Darrell began the reunion with a touching history of my grandparents and the lives of all nine children growing up. Melisa and I were quite teary and now Uncle Darrell has a very special place in my heart.

My cousin, Keeley, Uncle Jon and Mom.

Little Miss Bug is full of surprises. There were A LOT of people there we didn't know, but she didn't care. When she saw that a game of volleyball had begun she told me she was a "champ at this game" and was off. There is an inexpressible joy in seeing your children truly happy and living in the moment.

I am framing this picture - my favorite of Maddy and Bella.

Bella went right to work on the fried chicken.

So did the rest of my gang. We hardly saw Mom, she was so busy chatting.

Kimm loves surprises and my mom sure got one when she and Anna showed up very unexpectedly at the reunion. My mom was in heaven.

Aunt Melisa with the girlies.

Bella giving me a bear hug.

Katie loves her Uncle T so much, she can't keep away from him. They wrestle, fight, toot, and even cuddle once in a while together.

Oh, did I mention they also bite?

There were great games for the kids, a pinata is always a big "hit" - ha ha.

Katie's turn, but she seems to me handicapped by the blindfold.

Bella didn't have a blind fold, but everyone needed to "GET BACK!"

These boys were so cute waiting with my girls for a crack at the candy.

To show my appreciation to my great extended family, I made a "Wharton Established" board and had Aunt Erma draw from the siblings names to see who would get it. Aunt Ethelene won and she smiled as she always does.

Nothing can keep Aunt Aleta from having a good time, not even that crappy old cancer.

Ya know, I don't think it could be called a family reunion without a game of bingo. Great prizes Aunt Erma, thanks!!

This group is intent on winning.

Well, it is back to the homestead where I had to catch the cat again and got bit, hissed at and almost pooped on. But, of course any danger I was in was worth the smile on Anna and Bella's faces.

Darn, this kitty is really cute and the girls have already named her "Patches". What is a guilt ridden mom to do??

One of the magical paths on Jon and Aleta's property, look in the distance - I think I see Frodo!

Ooooh. They are so cute.

Yep, they still have that kitty.

Taylor is enjoying the scenery and keeping guard for the stray Dingo dog that keeps coming around.

I made my mom pose in Aleta's walker with her soda, she looks like a little girl on a swing.

Aleta, Bella and Jon.

All my babies and Aleta and Jon.

Well, it looks like this Utah Wildcat is coming home with us. I can't believe I agreed to this. I have been waiting for my other cat to ascend for quite some time. Oh, but Patches is so cute!! Anyway, how could I refuse when I woke up to my cell phone going off every five minutes congratulating the girls on their new cat. Nice trick.

Grandma had to baby sit the kitty while we got treats, she did a good job.

To the Wharton Family: Thank you for such a fabulous time. Aunt Erma and all who were involved in the organization, you did a great job. Thank you. And a special thanks to Uncle Jon and Aunt Aleta for the magical stay and the wild animal.

~All our love~

By the way, "Country Roads" sung by John Denver is in tribute to my grandpa Wharton with whom I sang this song while he played his banjo.