Such progress!

It is amazing how much progress that Blake has made in the last few months working on his language skills. As I was telling his therapist this week, he is a different kid. Not only does he talk more (tons more, his language has probably triple or quadrupled) but he is much more confident. He used to hide and not want to interact with people he didn't know. Now he isn't afraid and has no problem talking to people.

He has so much to say and it is so fun to watch him try to put words together to get his point across. He is so animated when he talks, it cracks us up. Mylie is doing a great job of encouraging him and reinforcing what he is learning, without trying to talk for him.

It has simply been a joy to watch him learn and develop. I love both these kiddos of mine!

Summer Reading

I have been a reading machine this summer. Somehow between the hundred other things I have had going on this summer, I have managed to read 21 books since June 1st. Yikes!! In June, I bought a Nook, which is an electronic reader. I love it. I have read more books, I have read different types of books than I normally would. I have found lots of books to borrow and Barnes and Noble has quite a few free books. It has been a great purchase and I love that I can just throw it in my purse and have countless books at my disposal.

I was at lunch with my friends Janelle and Doris the other day and mentioned how much I had been reading. They too are readers and asked to see what I had been reading. Here is my summer reading list so far with some comments on the books.

Currently Reading:
The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett - I just started this today and am about 100 pages in (it is a 900 page book). It is a historical fiction set in the 1200s in England. Not my normal genre, but I am finding it quite interesting so far.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder - Joanna Fluke (audiobook) - I can't stand reading two books at a time, but like to listen to books in the car. This author's books are a fun easy read (or listen). I can listen to these without it interfering with my main book. Bonus - there are recipes in each chapter.

July
Kisser - Stuart Woods - Stuart Woods is hit or miss for me. This was from his Stone Barrington series. I thought it was kind of smutty.

Home Safe - Elizabeth Berg - I had not read this author before and got this book free. I enjoyed it. Just an easy fiction read.

Between Friends - Debbie Macomber - I LOVED this book. I like Debbie Macomber's books, but this is my favorite book of all of hers that I have read. The entire book is made up of letters/journal entries between two best friends throughout the course of their life. I laughed and cried out loud.

Key Lime Pie Murder - Joanne Fluke (audiobook) - Another fun, easy listen.

Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins - Holli recommended these books to me quite a while ago. After describing the plot, I was pretty sure I would not be interested. I was wrong. They were fabulous. They are young adult fiction and I loved them!! I don't even really know how to describe the plot. It reminded me of The Giver (which I did not like, but think I will reread now). I totally recommend this series!

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins - Book 2 of the Hunger Games series. Just as good as the first. Book 3 comes on in August.

The Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson #4

The Last Olympian - Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson #5

June (13)
The Lightening Thief - Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson #1 - I bought this for Jeff a while ago and then started the series myself. They are probably targeted at middle school age. It is a fun series (5 books long) about heroes and Greek mythology. Easy quick reads.

Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson #2

The Quiet Game - Greg Iles (audiobook) - I had not read any of Greg Iles books in a while and got this one on audiobook. It was really good. Set in the south, an attorney, lots of plots, racism themes. I liked it.

Private (preview) - James Patterson - I got a free preview of this (not the entire book, just the first part). Different characters from James Patterson. Good story line, military themes.

One Shot - Lee Childs - I really like Lee Childs books. They are about Jack Reacher, an ex-military policeman who is a transient. Quick read, you definitely want to stay with the story.

The Help - Kathryn Stockett - LOVED this book!! Bailey recommended it to me and it was a fabulous book. Everyone should read it. It is a story about the south in the 60s and families and the black help that they hire to help (nannys, maids, etc). Excellent reading. I totally recommend it.

This Matter of Marriage - Debbie Macomber - A fun, easy, summer read. I would call it "chic lit" genre.

Caught - Harlan Coben - I have only read (actually listened to) one of Harlan Coben's books - The Woods (which was really good and suspenseful). I was anxious to read some more of his books. This was good, although not as captivating as The Woods.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer - This is actually a novella (longer than a short story, shorter than a novel) that is the same content as the Eclipse novel, but taken from another character's perspective. Lots of vampires. I read it free. Quick read.

Talk of the Town - Lisa Wingate - Another chic lit book.

Too Good To Be True - Kristan Higgins - Another chic lit book. I will read this author again.

The Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson #3

Bitter is the New Black - Jen Lancaster - This book was absolutely hilarious. I laughed right out loud many times. It is (true, I think) about a female executive, fashion conscience, shopper, spender, etc and her exploits. The language is a bit foul in some parts.

So that is my reading list so far. I'll have to update at the end of the summer! Happy reading.

36-hour roadtrip

We were off again this weekend. It isn't summer at our house if we aren't gone a lot. In fact, when I picked the dog up at the kennel on Monday and looked at the receipt, I saw that we have had him kennelled for 20 nights since March. YIKES!

We left Friday morning for Salt Lake. We were having an 85th birthday party for Grandpa Hammond and my Aunt Karyn's house in Ogden. We decided to turn it into a weekend. We stopped at Maddox on our way down for lunch (yum!) and then hit Hogle Zoo. Blake was so excited about the "choo-choo!"

We didn't take his stroller at all, and mostly he did good just walking. He got pretty tired at the end though and was begging to be carried. He is not light.

Some of our traditional Hogle Zoo poses ...

After the zoo we headed to our hotel. Recently we have been staying at the Hampton Inn by the airport. They always seem to have great rates, the rooms are super nice and they have a big outdoor pool. All four of us swam for an hour or so and had a great time.

We took a "short cut" to Ogden and drove through Park City. It was such a pretty drive. We got to Karyn's and Jeff and the kids stayed in the pool almost the whole afternoon. No way was Blake getting out, so Jeff was stuck.

Mylie modeling her cute birthday hat. Grandpa getting ready to blow out the candles on his cake.

Grandpa and the kiddos (minus Bruce).

Some of the grandkids.

A few of the in-laws.

And of course, some of the greats. Look how cute Max and Blake are holding hands.


We headed back that night as I had to speak in church bright and early Sunday morning. Blake was asleep before we even got off of Karyn's street, and Mylie soon followed him. We had a great weekend and were so happy to be able to celebrate with Grandpa! I know I am blessed with a fabulous family.

On Motherhood

Poor Mylie had the stomach flu again today, it was only a few weeks ago she had it last. She napped all afternoon, which was good, until it was time to go to bed tonight. She laid in bed for an hour and a half and just couldn't fall asleep. Around 10 I went in and laid down with her. We talked for a bit and I rubbed her head and she started to doze off. I held her close and thought about how much she had grown, from a little baby to a big girl, about to start school. I thought about all that she brought to my life, I thought about what her future might hold. I wondered if there were nights when I was little that my mom did the same thing. What did she think about? What did she think my future would be? When I was 5 years old, what were her wishes and dreams for me?

I heard light snores coming from Mylie and started to slowly get out of her bed. As soon as I started to move, she snuggled up closer to me and said, "I love you momma" in a sleepy voice. I snuggled right back up to her, forgot about the papers I was grading, the book I was reading. all the "things" I was going to go back to doing. I smoothed her hair, kissed her forehead and told her that I loved her and I was so proud of her. I thought of my Mom, and her mom, who has been gone for nearly 4 years, and my Dad, whose mom has been gone for 24 years. I thought about what they might give to have their moms sit close to them, smooth their hair, kiss their foreheads and tell them that they are proud of them and they love them.

I thought about how life is fleeting, how we never know what it will hold. I thought about the times that my children might inadvertently think that the computer, work, a book, the TV, someTHING that I am doing is more important to me than they are. I laid there for another half hour, smelling her freshly washed hair, listening to her quiet snoring, and thanking God for the blessings in my life.

On Sunday we were studying the Psalms. We read Psalms 78:38, which reads, "But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, may a time turned his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath." The teacher asked how we thought this verse related to our lives. I immediately knew how it related to my life. It made me think about how I parent. How often am I upset with my children over some inconsequential thing? Not picking up after themselves, lallygagging, spilling something, etc. Do I raise my voice over these things? Sometimes, unfortunately, yes. Am I slow to forget their mishap? Sometimes, unfortunately, yes. How often do I things worse than spilling milk or not cleaning my room? The Lord doesn't yell at me. He doesn't remind me of my mistakes. He forgives me and He loves me. What a fabulous example of a loving parent.

Redfish Lake

I have travelled to a lot of places, both in the United States and out, and I truly believe that Redfish Lake is one of the most beautiful places I have seen. My first memories of camping took place at Redfish Lake, when I was a young child with my parents, Ben, my Grandma and Grandpa Ritchie and sometimes my cousins. I remember paddle boats and ice cream bars.

Every summer it is on Jeff and I's list to go to Refish, but it has been 4 years since we have been. On whim on Saturday night we decided to go on Sunday. It was a long day, we were gone for 12 hours total, but seeing this view made it totally worth it!

Mylie loved every minute of playing in the water. Check out the look on her face, she is so funny!

We took water guns for the kids. Don't you love how Blake is trying to shoot Mylie in the bum?

I'm sure you are wondering where Blake got his great form from. Here is Jeff putting his firearm instructor training to good use!

While the kids played, I took lots of pictures. As I said "Blakey, say cheese." He turned and looked at me and yelled "Stop it!" Haha.

We also took shovels and buckets, which they loved!

The water was a bit cold, but not cold enough to stop them from having fun.

It was funny because as we were driving through the Sawtooth National Forest to get there I opened my mouth and heard myself say, "Mylie, some people don't ever see beautiful things like this. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful state!" It was my voice, but my mom's words that I have heard countless times. Mylie probably rolled her eyes at me, but hopefully someday she'll tell her kids the same thing about living in Idaho.

The week long 4th of July post - Part 1

Last week the kids and I went to Idaho Falls for a week and Jeff joined us for the long weekend. We had a fabulous busy busy time! Here goes the world's longest post. The kids did great on the way over and we stopped to see Dad on the way there. Mylie fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams of going in a Big A truck. She even honked the horn.

Dad, how about this one for your next advertising campaign? Haha!

We went to Grandpa Jack and Mary's for dinner that night. Mylie was so excited to see her cousins and eat chicken on the bone that she puked, three times, all over me. No pictures of that ... ick! Thankfully she was feeling much better the next day. I have a suspicion it was just a combination of being in the car and the heat.

On Friday my Dad's lifelong best friend Pug was getting remarried. My parents were hosting and catering the wedding at my Grandpa's house. Pug had asked if I would take some candid pictures during the ceremony and reception. I simply am a MWAC (mom with a camera) but had fun taking some pictures. I haven't gone through all of them yet, but this is my favorite of the ceremony.

Since my parents were all dressed up I made them pose for a picture as well. They are so cute and happy!

The kids stayed with Holli during the wedding but I went to get Blake a little later. He had fun playing with Papa while I finished up some pictures.

Kelsey and Bailey did some sparklers after the wedding. Sparklers at Westmoreland is a tradition! After that we went to Ben's and watched Goonies in their backyard. Mylie said it "freaked her out!"

The next day was the 3rd, but all the 4th festivities were being held. We went to the parade and Mylie literally took 174 pictures. Whose kid is she?

Blake enjoyed the parade but was a bit wiped out by the end.

We headed back to Grandpa's and had the traditional party! It was such fun. My aunt Jalyn and aunt Dana and her family were there. My cousin Mindy and her family were there and so were Kelsey and Jayme. My cousin Rob and his family popped in too. I haven't seen them in years so it was lots of fun! We also celebrated little Lila's first birthday. Even though it is a month away, we wanted to party while she was here. The big girls enjoying cupcakes!

And Miss Lila daintily eating hers. Don't you just want to eat her up?

Courtney's cupcakes were so darling and Mylie was so proud of herself for putting on the decorations.

The 4th of July also means URAL rides for all the kids. I'm not sure who had more fun, all the kids or Papa? This is Mylie with her "new cousin" Tessa. (The first time she had met my cousin's daughter - they became fast friends!) .

Daddy and Blake. Blake was unsure about it until Daddy went with him. I think he would have ridden all day after that. He loved wearing the helmet and waving at everyone!

Mylie and Addie (her friend who lives next door to Grandpa Hammond).

And Blakey and Eliza!

We went to Grandpa Jack's house to watch the fireworks that night. He lives on a hill outside of town and we get a good view of the fireworks without the traffic. Mylie got quite mad because I told her she had to wear pants. She wanted to show off her cute jammie bottoms, so she put the jeans under her PJs but then thought it looked dumb and got mad mad mad. Papa went in his room and changed, so she would feel better. You should have seen the look on Grandpa Jack's face when he saw Dad in this get up. Priceless! Pretty sure he was thinking, "Craig, what the hell did you do that for!?"

Sunday we went to church with my parents and then prepared for another party. My Grandpa Jack turns 85 at the end of the month but we won't all be there then so we had a dinner for him while we were all there. My goal was to get some pictures of him with the great grandkids (minus Nolan). This is the best of all the shots.

But you know what? I love it and am totally printing it and sending it to him. Eliza is cracking me up. Ben always tells me how she hates posing for pictures. However over the weekend I heard her talking about Lady Gaga. So I told her to pose like Lady Gaga and that girl posed all night for me.

The Craig Ritchie family with Grandpa Jack (thanks John!). Blake's finger was in his nose in every single family picture.

Courtney's cute family with Grandpa Jack.

to be continued ....

The week-long 4th of July recap (also known as the world's longest post!) - Part 2

And the Ritchie boys.

Blake found a stick in the backyard and it instantly became his gun and he ran around the yard shooting people. Mostly baby Lila (sorry Court). He would stand and yell "Lila! Lila! Lila!" until she looked at him and then he would make a shooting sound.

Eliza was running to Bailey for protection. She was laughing and yelling.

Uncle Jason getting ready to set off some fireworks.

Max and Mylie watching from a safe distance.

My little sisters - super cuties!

For some reason Mylie and Max felt to urge to work it. LOL!

Blake continued to pick his nose.

Lila and Uncle Steve watched with amusement.

Then she spent some quality time with Gramma and Uncle Ben. Also known as Uncle Bum if you ask Blake. Everytime I tried to get Blake to say Ben, he would look at Ben, laugh his head off and say Bum. Sigh.

Aunt Bailey brought some fun toys for the kids and we just literally played out in the back for hours.

Monday Jeff headed back to Boise and the rest of us headed to Archer, Idaho to the original Big Judd's. It was fabulous, we were full, enough said.

Then Dad, Courtney, Jason, Bailey, Ben, Darcy, Max, Mylie and I went to the Idaho Falls Chuckar's baseball game. It was Mylie's first baseball game ever. She loved it. They were giving away plungers at the gate (seriously?). Let's just say it made for some interesting conversation with the kids. They used them as air guitars and microphones when there was music.

Perhaps Max could use this picture on his first album cover. He has some mean air guitar moves.

They found Charlie the Chuckar and had him sign their plungers. I am sure that is what that bird lives for is to sign plungers.

Tuesday we did some shopping and went to lunch and eventually (about 12:30 am) got back to Star. We had such a fun time!! I love spending time with my family. Mylie and I both cried to Shelley. It was hard telling Lila goodbye! She is such a sweet, happy baby with a great disposition and we miss her!

Phew! I am tired from typing all that, just about as tired as I was when we got back. We leave for our next summer adventure in 6 days! Yippee!