Parkers Bugs... well a few of them!

One of Parker's favorite things to do is catch bugs. I am good with that cause for the most part, it keeps him busy. BUT- I do not like to see out of the normal bugs. I am alright with rolie-polies, grass-hoppers and praying mantises. Check these bugs out and then tell me your best excuse to a three year old as to why he can't keep them in the house!
Now that's a face only a Mother could love!
Can anyone tell us what kind of beetle this is? It made a weird clicking-hiss noise.
What is that?!? It is the biggest moth I have ever seen!
Check out that wing span.
Did I mention that I am scared to death of Moths? creepy little spawns of Satan

BTW! Our computer is up and going. I will be posting a whole lot for catch up!

We are still ALIVE... I think

Let's just say that life at the Stewart abode has been just a little LESS than uneventful and it all started with a flood in my basement the day before I left for Chicago. Yeah!

I had a great time in Chicago but due to some funky traffic and sweet fender benders, I missed my flight home by 9 (NINE) minutes. STLL SMILING! even at 2 am when the airport is a obstacle course relay race waiting to happen...
Got home late Sunday night and whirlwind packed for girls camp.
Kissed the Husband (aka "the Manny") and kids g'bye for an action packed week at girls camp where the most serious problems we had were spider bites, stinging nettle and 4 BEAR! Did I mention that I DON"T DO BEAR!?!
Came home from camp to a normal week home and the boys got matching concussions, isn't that cute?!
Took the girls to Stadium of Fire where I was pleased to be seated in the midst of 58,000 screaming Miley Cyrus fans. If you are ever tempted to go, take along some Excedrin. Don't say I didn't warn you....

Came home from Miley Cyrus with ringing ears to find that "an act of nature" (as Rocky Mountain Power calls it, therefore shrugging all responsibility) had happened at our neighbors house which sent 240 volts of electricity into our house frying every electronic appliance we had plugged in except those that ran on a 220 volt. Could I get a moment of silence for the wii? so very, very sad...
Did some more laundry (thank the stars that still works!) and packed AGAIN for Bear Lake (just so you know, there were no actual Bear present during our trip, phew!)
Now we are home and fighting like mad to get a TV to watch. I am not asking much, just a blasted TV!
Wish me good luck with the battle over insurance! I will post pictures when we get a new computer... I have mountains of them!

School Carnival!

I love the excitement at the end of the school year. It is fun to go on the field trips and watch the programs. I have had lots of fun this year "helping" out at Sadie and Megan's school. When we found out that there was going to be a carnival, it was an instant count-down- they were all so excited!
Laura, Megan and Shayla, just waiting in line.
Sadie and Quinci- These two are BFF'S.
Quinci is such a cutie! She pulls the silliest faces!
Kiah, Sydnie and Nate- waiting in the REALLY LONG line for treats. They had just had their hair spray-painted. So fun!
Love that hair Parker! He thought that he was a big kid with his wrist band. He loved the slides and couldn't get enough of the bounce house. It also helped out that he was bigger than most of the Kindergarten class. Hurray for little giants!
Sadie and Quinci with Miss Nelson, their teacher. This is the second time that she has taught them. She was their Kindergarten teacher also (bless her heart!). They LOVE her. She was a good sport and got a matching spray-paint hair do with the girls.
As Sadie and Quinci would say... She totally ROCKS!

Bug Boys!

For Mother's Day I got a new camera. (yeah!) I took these pictures of Parker with his cousins Kade and Sam. These boys would be fine to sit and look for bugs for hours on end.
Looking for centipedes and rolly-polly's (or ravioli's as Parker calls them).
Kade looking for the next big rock to overturn
Sammy catching a big wormy!
Thanks to Aunt Lisa for the use of her beautiful flower bed and not getting to upset at our little adventurers!

Friday Faves

My friend Jannda did this and I think that it is a fabulous idea. I will say that I might not post every Friday BUT -- Here is to my faves this week!

I love to plant flowers and do yard work
(you would NEVER know by looking at my yard though... )
I went to the IFA with my sisters and mom today so I am going to do my favorite flowers... I wish I was cool enough to import pics but it is late and I don't like electronic devices SO-
use your imagination!

1- Bleeding Hearts- I think that this comes from a friend that I had that died from a Heart Condition when we were in third grade. The only thing I remember about her funeral was all of the amazing flowers and that somehow (in a good way) they tied those flowers in to her funeral. I have loved them ever since.

2- TULIPS- i LOVE these! They are my all time favorite flower and I personally think that it is a cryin' shame that they are limited to spring. There is nothing better than a field FULL of tulips. Someday I will post a picture of me in Holland with them in the background....

3- Peony- Once again a flower with a limited growing/blooming season. I am not talking about the flowers that our Grandmother cut for the Cemetery on Memorial Day. I like those BUT I love the big double pink variety.

4- Candy striped phlox- So cute and looks great all summer long. I love the color of the petals and how they all look like they have been hand painted.

5- Hibiscus- LOVE these too. The Marriot Center (in Provo Utah of all places) has a bush that actually survives the UTAH COLD! I can't wait to plant my own.

6- Who am I kidding... I can't limit this one! Here's to my other faves! Ornamental poppies (in RED), Hydrangea, Martha Washington variety of geraniums, Ivy Geraniums, mini Daffodils, Asters, Lily of the Valley, fountain Lobelia, Gazanias, and a whole bunch more......