Fiery Furnace

While in Moab in July. (between the Tuba photo and the reunion) Our family, Uncle Paul and his family, Aunt Emma and Ryan, and Grandma and Grandpa Welling, went hiking in the Fiery Furnace. Paul has been trying to take his family there and it sounded fun but complicated because you have to have permits and they say you should have a ranger to guide you. Paul and I were thinking that maybe it was an adventure for another visit to Moab. Kenneth took charge and got us the permits and the permission to hike without a ranger. We had a great adventure and Paul guided us well!

Family Foto

A picture is worth a 1000 low notes!

Truman is Tuba Obsessed. He and Christian have often had the conversation about whose instrument is better. Truman came up with the argument that Tubas are better because there is a town named after them. We looked and there is a town called Marimba but it is somewhere in Brazil. So Tubas are better because we can go to Tuba city.

While we were driving to the "Fabulous Fawson Reunion". We drove through Tuba city. I was driving and Kenneth suddenly said "stop by that sign. When are we ever going to be driving through here with the tuba. I am going to make Truman get out and take his picture with the tuba and the sign". There was no need to make him. Truman was out on the side of the road in a heartbeat!

Cub Scout Danger!

I am currently the den leader for the Bear and wolf cub scouts in our ward. These two boys really wanted to build "soap box racers". We built two of them, thanks to my dad and Truman's generous help. They turned out to be terrifically fun, fast, and dangerous. The boys are trying to design seat belts, because they go too fast and the boys keep getting road rash from falling off or putting their hands down. I was glad when they took the cars home so that they didn't break any bones at my house!

Marimba progress July

Marimba bars.
draw on the arch to cut out of the bottom of the bar.

Cut out the arch with the band saw.

Sanding to the correct pitch.
checking the pitch.

Sand Dough

We went to a "Fabulous Fawson Reunion", planned by Grandma Welling. The reunion turned out great. We all had a fun time. Kenneth and I were asked to prepare activities to keep the children in the park entertained. The Sand dough recipe was much requested. Here it is:

4 c. sand

2 c. corn starch

1 Tablespoon cream of tartar

3 c. hot water

Combine the first three ingredients. Add three cups hot water and stir. Then, heat over medium heat, stirring until the mixture becomes so stiff that you can't stir any more. Remove from heat and let cool 15 -20 minutes. Kneed until smooth. Store in an airtight container. Soak pan in warm water to remove sand residue.

Geronimo! (flashback post)

Kenneth, Christian and Truman went to Geronimo scout camp for a week in June. I am ashamed to say that it has taken me so long to get to posting the pictures. I am sure that these are not the things that the boys would say were the best parts of scout camp, but these are the pictures I liked and recognized the activities. :)

The polar bear swim.

I think this is on the way to the polar bear swim

Christian making his awesome pencil holder.

Dutch oven gourmet, with Bro. Fuller.

The boys. I have no idea why my sons have clothes pins on their hats...

It's raining It's pouring!

It is glorious!

Hey! Where did everybody go?

So today is the first day of school, and my last 2 kids just left for school. All 7 kids are in school full time. The house is very still. I am moving on to a new phase in my life. ( I spoke too soon, Sydney just came back in. She forgot her Saxophone.)

I have been thinking a lot over the summer about what I want do with all my time. I have become very aware of all the choices I have now that I haven't had before. I am a list maker and I have been making lists about what I want to do and need to do. I am making a plan about who I want to be for this new phase of my life. I am excited and a little nervous.

Fill'er up!

Truman was full of energy, full of fun, full of adventure, chivalry and full of himself!

He and Christian hiked fast and carried full backpacks, they even carried some of the younger kids gear. On our way out of the canyon they asked if they could hike ahead to see how fast they could get out. They got to the parking lot at the top and hung out for "a while" (15 minutes) and drank a gallon of water. They refilled the container with cold water and then headed back down the trail where they met up with us an hour later. Christian took over entertaining Hazel and Truman took my pack.

Truman jumped off everything that I allowed and somethings I was too scared to think about jumping off of. He and Abby spent a whole afternoon jumping off a rock face.

Youth Conference

My Mom and Dad came down and watched our kids while Kenneth and I went to Youth Conference with Christian. The plan was to go to Hole in the Rock and hike down to the water. The wear and tear on the vehicles on the way to the trail head was severely underestimated. Kenneth and I didn't get to go to the trail because when it was our turn there were only enough vehicles to take the youth. We did get to go to Bryce Canyon the next day. We read a historical novel about the expedition and there was a description of Bryce Canyon as "breathtaking". We went and watched the sun rise over the canyon and I would have to say that for the first time in my life, I actually saw something that "took my breath away".

Ya Gotta Love Teenage Boys