Let's see what did Mitch and I do this past summer? We went camping at Spirit Lake (which is where these pictures are from), Bear Lake, and Monte Cristo. Also, Mitch went to Girl's Camp for the first time ever!!! He and I spoke at our stake's girls camp and we had a ball doing that, despite whatever Mitch tells you, he did enjoy himself:). We went to a demolition derby near Bear Lake and the car that Mitch and I chose to win actually ended up winning the entire thing!! Next to the Days of 47 Rodeo where I dressed up in cowboy boots and hat, going to that derby was one of the most Red neck things I've ever done! No offense Marie:). Mitch and I did a bit of hiking as well, and thanks to those Tracy Anderson work out videos I was able to stay at the front of the pack while hiking:). Buns of STEEL!! We also went rock climbing on real rocks! That was a first for me and even though it was a little scary because I actually felt like I was in real danger, I'm so glad I did it!! Mitch is a bit of a dare devil so after seeing me rock climbing he now thinks he will finally convince me to go skydiving with him. . . . . Sorry Mitch still not happening:), but I still love you! It was such a fun summer! I'm sad its over but I look forward to more fun summers with our family!

Julie

Thanks for all your help!

Russell's blessing was perfect! Thanks for everyone's help!

I miss my family!

So we haven't got to see much of anyone lately. We are all just busy in our crazy lives. But I love you all sooo much! So here's my new idea. Everyone post about what they did this summer. If you have some pictures put them on the blog for all to see. Mom, I'll come help you!

The Obvious Big thing that happen to us this summer......

The Zoo

The Tree House Museum

The Trout Farm

Grace started 2nd Grade

We Love the Water!

4th of July Water Fight

This better stay our tradition! It was so fun to watch and next year I'll be ready to get wet too! I'm not to old, just old......der!

My Baby Boy and he wants to grow up too, can you believe that!

You know Markie will always be my baby. I know that he wants to be grown up at age 14 and I should let him but it is so hard for me. Ha ha Like I can stop him. I learned long ago we can't stop that from happening nor should we try too, but my baby he will always be.

My favorite thing about Mark is his smile. Every time I walk into the office at the junior high to pick him up the secretary always says, 'he is so cute, I love his smile, what a nice boy he is." I get comments like that all the time and always have.

Mark is Mr. Friendly. He has never liked the idea of leaving anyone out. He plays and talks with everyone. When he was little Dad and I took him to McDonald's almost everyday after school. He made friends with whoever was on the playground at McDonald's. When we helped at school, every Friday all through elementary, his classmates liked him. We would pick him up from school in Kindergarten and almost every class mate, girl or boy, would say goodbye to him. I hope Mark always has that trait. Showing kindness to everyone is a gift.

Marks cleaning skills are a bit lacking though. We all did so much for him we forgot to make him do things for himself. HA HA When he puts his mind to it he does a great job. There are just so many other things he would rather be doing. Let me say here and now though. He does his chores every Monday and Friday. I don't have to remind him, beg him or threaten him. (With his life) He did a great job as deacons president this past 6 months. He has earned his eagle and just needs his project to be complete.

We are so blessed to have Mark in our family. I dreamed about him soon after Julie was born and continued seeing my baby boy in my dreams for years. I am happy that the Lord kept that dream alive and sent him to our family. Marie and Marissa should thank him cause I knew he was the caboose and when he came we knew our family was complete. We love you Markie!

My little Bubba!

Marky really does complete our family. He's the best "caboose" we could ever ask for. He is such a good sport, the poor kid has been raised by not just one mom, but like 6 moms:). So thank you Mark for putting up with all your bossy older siblings, we really do mean well. Growing up, he was always so nice and honest with me. I'm sure I annoyed everyone whenever I would walk around the house singing none stop, but little marky, he was probably about 4 yrs old, would tell me "Ju ju, would you please stop singing?" and I'd say, "Are you saying you don't like my voice?" and he'd just reply "Yeah." :) Mark has always been quite the singer too! I remember him hearing a song only a couple times and having the words completely memorized. He wasn't very old when Jake introduced him to Dashboard Confessional and American Hi-Fi, I remeber he loved that "Flavor of the Week" song because it said the word "Nintendo!" in it and Marky sure loved his Nintendo or "Intendo" as he used to call it :). P.S. don't ever play video games with Mark, he'll kick your butt with out mercy. Mark is such a nice kid with such a good heart! He is nice to everyone at school and thats why he has so many friends. I remember how dad would call him "Mister Friendly" when mark started playing T ball because while his team was up to bat, and Mark was one of the runners, he'd stand there and talk to other team's basemen. (I don't know sports, hope I used the right terminology) I'm just so proud of my little bro and that he is such a good person. Love you Marky!! Love Jules!

The Baby Brother we all wanted!

Okay since Markie just had his birthday and he's getting ordained a Teacher on Sunday I thought it only appropriate to blog about him. So everybody share fun stories of little brother!

When Mark was a baby I would take him with me to the store and get the dirtiest looks from everyone. You know the "look at that unwed, teenage mother" look. I loved it because I would just think to myself, "Its my brother! You mean people. If you only knew!"

When Mark was about 18 months, Mom and Dad went somewhere for a night and left me in charge. He could not sleep without his mother. He cried all night. I tried everything to calm him down. We watched Barney and that worked for a while. But he just wouldn't stop, so I put him in Bertha and drove around town at 2 am with no glasses on and totally exhausted. It sounds so safe, doesn't it?

Mark wanted to go with Dan and I to register at "the eye ball store," aka Target. I warned him that it would be very boring, but he knew I would buy him something so he was willing to suffer. As soon as we walked in he saw the krispie kream doughnuts and quickly told Dan, "You know Dan, those are really good doughnuts." That was his way of saying buy me a doughnut. Later he was bored to death and I told him he would be! But he let us know that everytime mom took him to that store she bought him a toy. It was probably true and so I had to buy him something. But I only had about 5 dollars so his choices were limited. When I told him that I didn't have enough money for what he wanted he told me, "That's okay, you can just swipe it!"

When I got married, Dan was his Half-Brother. And Dan was quickly introduced to "Somebody come and wipe me." As well as his garment rubbing addiction.

When Grace was born I remember him getting really worried because something was wrong with her belly button and he was shocked that she didn't have ANY teeth. It was his first experience with a baby and he didn't know much about them. Now he's a pro at being an uncle. We had him over a few weeks ago and he was so protective of my kids. It was interesting to see him as the responsible one who was taking care of the little ones. I sometimes only see him as the little boy I would buy anything for but he is growing up. Life just wouldn't be complete without Mark. I love you, buddy!

Crying at work...

I just want to say that I am sitting in my little cubicle crying my eyes out because I love my mom and my family so much. You all mean the world to me and I could not ask for a better, kinder, more loving family than you all. I hope you know how much you mean to me! - Matty

MayMay

Our beautiful Maynerd, oops Rissa,
You have such a good outlook on life. You didn't start out that way though. I wondered if you were ever going to stop crying but you did about age 3 and it was over. Thank heavens for the baby swing. It was a lifesaver. I wonder if that is why you like to move all the time. Even your foot twitches while waiting. Your love of sports is unmatched in this family and there are a lot of sports fans in this family. I love that about you. You are also a very good sport. Well except watching the Jazz and BYU lose. Haha
No one plays with the grandkids like you do. You put in the time, they adore you may may!!!
Your determination to get straight A's amazes me. Way to go! I think you can do whatever you set your mind on even suffering through reading a book. Reading any book is torture. Maybe it is that holding still thing again.
Dad and I have had a blast traveling around to all your soccer games. Watching your dance, tumbling and playing basketball have also been the best.
Seventeen already and the time has flown for you too. You have such a strong testimony of the gospel and your example is something to admire. Thanks for helping me to be a better person. I want you to know how happy you make me and yes I am proud of you, woman. Love your Mother

My baby boy, Matty

Our Boy, We have all always claimed you, Matty, and hope to hang on to you.
You were the easiest baby. Sometimes when you came up missing I would frantically search the house and you would be curled up on your bed taking a nap. I didn't want to potty train you too soon and what did you do before age two. . . bring me a diaper and say change me. Then your love for Donald Duck clenched it, I bought Donald Duck underwear and you wouldnt have an accident on him. haha. Then Sarah taught you to tie your shoes and you were only three. You got up with the sun everyday and when I would come in the family room in the morning there you were with your shoes on and your jammies watching cartoons. I ask you about the shoes and you would say you were ready to go outside and play. You loved to go outside.
Clothing was another issue thou. You were only five when you had strong opinions about fashion. You didn't want anything to do with those popular jogging outfits. Since you were on the small side and Jake the big side you would give all your jogging outfits to him.
I do remember on your fourth birthday and Jake stuck his finger in the frosting of your birthday cake, before the party, you said "Please don't get mad at him, it's just a cake." I really was surprised and took your advice.
I never saw better friends than you and Sarah. She was the greatest big sister to you. She is only 16 months older than you. But even as teenagers and normal tempers flew she was so quick to forgive and forget that you had to do it too and sometimes you just wanted to stay mad at her but you couldn't she wouldn't let you. Oh Sarah
Time flew and now you are older, hopefully wiser, but still just sweet.
I love my baby boy!

My Favorite Babies

I am the happiest when My kids are happy! I love these little ones. They are my world and I love them soooo much!!
You kids have done a great job bringing them up and teaching them the gospel.
I learn great lessons from them all the time.
Always remember that your Memaw, Grandma Cindy loves you more than life.

I don't know how to work this blog thing...what's a blog???

Ok, so I totally forgot that we have a family blog. And then I suddenly started getting emails and after a week of trying to use my iPhone to write on the blog I figured I should just get on a computer and type it. SO.



Marissa - Marissa May - May May - Maynerd - Ris - Rissa - Stinky McFarland?

I am pretty sure Marissa has had more nick names than anyone else in our family. I think that is because Marissa has changed so much. Like Marie said, everyone thinks she is reserved and quiet when in reality she is a PSYCHO! Just kidding Rissa. Really though, Marissa has grown up so much. And so fast, right Mom? My very favorite memories of Marissa are watching her play sports. I remember getting videos in HK of Marissa tumbling. I am so excited for Marissa to play soccer in college. I will actually have a reason to go to a college sports game besides to show my family the University of Utah is better than BYU! But it won't matter because it will be all about Weber State! I don't know if I am more excited to watch her play or to wear my favorite color: Purple! JK. Marissa is a natural at any sport she tries. Not to mention she is so darn cute. I love her simplicity and complexity. Her shy and outgoing nature. Her humility and confidence. Marissa is a balance of everything. And I am so so proud to be her big brother.



Since I am no long celebrating my own birthdays (when you're old you can do that), I am just going to talk about Marie's.



Marie - Bo Bo - Maria - Maria Conchita Banana - Beeya - anything but LISA

K I lied. Marie and Marissa may be tied for most nicknames. Marie, is a beautiful woman. What can I say? I am so excited for her to be in college and experiencing everything she can. She has worked so hard to be in a great program at school and I am so proud of her. Marie is my shopping soul mate. Although we don't get to shop together much, we both love to shop. Maybe it's a Sagittarius thing. Anyways, Marie is always looking so cute and never afraid to wear heels (or cowboy boots - I think that is great). I love her beautiful smile and optimistic attitude. It's funny I always think of Marie having long, long hair. But really when she was little she had short hair. Remember her boy haircut? I think the scariest part of being Marie's brother is when she was a baby and had that big birthmark. I remember Mom and Dad saying everything was fine, but I was just so scared. I should have never been scared because if I had known then what I know now about Marie that nothing could ever hold her back. Little sister you are great and I love you!

P.S. - I'll have you all know...I am a bad driver and I have come to that realization. But I still love you all!