Memory Mayhem

Here is the idea.

1. Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember!

2. Re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

3. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

On your mark...get set...blog your memories!!

Stop and smell the McDonalds

The other day as we were walking through the store Austin, completely out of the blue, asked me if I was going to die when I was 100 years old. I laughed and told him that I probably would die before I was 100 years old. Which made me start to think just how crazy our lives are moving. When you think about it, which I don't recommend because it gets depressing, your children are only with you for 25% of their lives and yours! Of that 25% there is a year where they won't talk to you because they can't and 3 to 5 years where they just plain won't talk to you.

I look at Shaustia and I just wish she would stop growing for awhile and let me enjoy her as she is. Every time I turn around she is older than she was before. The fact that she is getting baptized has me on my heels. I just can't seem to come to grips that she is going to get baptized and then go to Junior High and then Highschool and start dating and then go to college and get married and. . .

I remember when I was a kid I would always say I just can't wait until I am old enough to. . .

Now I am old enough to do and I think to myself I wish I could go back and. . .

We catch ourselves thinking as soon as we get into this house life will be good, or as soon as we get this we will be happy. News flash. Americans are not happy. Why? Because all we want is more stuff. Stuff doesn't make us happy. We make us happy. Stuff can give us "fun", but fun doesn't always equate to happiness. I love to ride my father-in-laws snowmobiles it is a lot of fun but I would trade that for one more hug from my kids, or one more evening in the living room wrestling with them or all snuggled together with Emily and the kids watching a movie. That is my definition of true happiness.

What is really sad is our stupid mortal bodies put all these different desires into our heads and tell us we need the fun and excitement and thrills in our lives and this can get in the way of what is really important. We see our neighbors with all of their stuff and think man that would be fun, definitely is, but at what cost?

Which is what brings me to the point of this blog. I do not like eating at McDonalds. However, my kids love going to McDonalds and we do it together. Sadly one day Shaustia isn't going to think McDonalds is cool anymore. But until that time comes I plan on stopping and smelling the McDonalds.

Adorable

Eliana is almost 7 months old and the most adorable little girl even when she's cranky she's cute!

These are the kids new church clothes. Austin is a very handsome young man and enjoyed getting ready for church. Elie is just cute cute cute. Shaustia is so grown up looking. Tom keeps telling her to stop, stop growing. And Keaton got some new clothes but they were too big and I don't think he would have worn them even if they did fit. We have the hardest time getting him ready for church but he enjoys it once he's there and loves his primary teacher who is wonderful.

These are Elie's cute new pajamas.

These are some pictures from the party Shaustia had with her friends for her 8th birthday. They had a good time ( I hope). Austin broke my camera just before the party on Sunday so I'll have to post some more pictures of birthday stuff later on.

Barnes events in Photos

Dance Recital

Ready for the dance recital May 22nd. This is Shaustia's outfit for tumbling.

Here is the outfit for her two dance numbers.

After the recital. Austin had a tumbling number also, obviously they were dressed as batman.

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Ball Games

Shaustia played softball for the Pink Panthers.

Austin played t-ball for the Stingers.

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At Home

Shaustia watched Elie for us just sitting on the swing with her for about an hour and a half one night while Tom and I were trying to get some things ready for our third of July party.

We put Elie on the floor and she just kept rolling and rolling until she ended up underneath the bed in the boys room.

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3rd of July Bash

Fireworks from our big third of July party. We had a good turn out and a great time. Especially Tom doing the thing he likes most about this party. Lighting off the fireworks. He has more fun on the fourth of July than he does on Christmas.

This is how Keaton watched the fireworks. Our little guys who is fearless didn't like the big noises they made.

Austin with some kids from our ward.

Shaustia with her friends Katherine and Beth.

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4th of July- Ross Park

At the pool! Shaustia with her new goggles and her new braces. She got the braces put on, on June 30th. This picture is on the 4th of July. She has not complained much at all about them. She really must have a high pain tolerance like the doctor in the e.r. said after she crashed on her bike. We finally took the bandaid off of her knee on July 2nd.

Floating the lazy river: Keaton, Emily, Elie, Jennifer, Shaustia, Mercedes.

Elie playing in the kiddie pool.

Austin coming down the slide. The slide was a big hit, they all loved it. We have never gotten slide passes before because they wouldn't go. We did this time and they just kept going and they could do it themselves. I can't belive how big and independent they are all getting.

One happy boy.
Shaustia coming down the slide.
Keaton at the end of the slide.
We have a tradition that we go to Ross Park in Pocatello to swim every fourth of July. This year our good friends Shon and Holly Shuldberg and their boys Tyler, Zack, and Cameron went with us. We really had a great time. They also came to our party on the 3rd. We enjoy doing lots of activities with their family. After a long fun filled day Elie had had enough fun and zonked out with Dad.