Don't Ever Lock Me in the Laundry Room

If you ever want to torture me...lock me in the laundry room! I'd rather scrub toilets than do laundry and please, if laundry is a requirement to make it to Heaven, count me out now. I don't have a chance in HECK! It doesn't matter how hard I try the "mountain" never disappears. The only thing that differs is it degree of climbing difficulty. I naively thought that all my problems where solved six years ago when we bought the largest washer and dryer Sears could legally sell us. The washer was worth more than our mini van (our lawn mower was worth more than that van ;)) It was the largest single purchase we had ever made... But until they make a washer that goes around the house, picks up all the clothes, sorts, washes, dries, folds, returns them to the proper place and can teach my teenagers the mystical science behind the closing of their dresser drawers ...It doesn't matter how expensive or big the machine is, my mountain will still exist.

Yesterday and today I have had to face my biggest nemesis. I have gotten the "mountain" down to a large mole-hill. Yeah Me! My motivation?.... My three oldest girls and I head to YW camp in the morning...and apparently clean clothes are a camp requirement now ;)

A Fireside With Fire

Fireside at Goose Spit Park -Goose Spit is a narrow strip of land that helps form Comox Harbour with a sandy beach on one side and a sheltered lagoon on the other. One of the only places in town that allows campfires on the beach.

Our Sister Missionaries

Beach side view

Lagoon side- It was a beautiful sunset

I have been a member of the LDS Church my whole life. In fact I'm 7th generation LDS, so you could say it runs deep. But there is one thing I have never quite understood, why we call firesides, "fire"sides (Firesides provide opportunities for Church members and friends to gather and be instructed and edified. They are usually more relaxed than regular church meetings and focus on a single topic of general interest). I have never seen fire involved in a fireside ever. Well that is until last night. Our ward meet on the beach at Goose Spit Park, around a blazing camp fire...finally a real "fire"side. 27 degrees C in the shade at 7:30 pm plus, a raging fire made for a very toasty evening, but it was really cool. The setting was beautiful and so peaceful. We had a great time together and the fire made for perfect marshmallow roasting to conclude the night.

Glasses are cool...NOW!

Bailey's new specs....

We took Bailey to the ophthalmologist a week or so ago...because SHE asked us too. I guess we lose our "parents of the year" status, dang it. All of the kids had their eyes checked about two years ago and everything was fine. But, Bailey has been saying for more than a month that she was having a hard time seeing the board at school... Sure enough the kid needed glasses. (This might explain a PE injury and her train wreck on the church sidewalk that required more stitches than all the other kids have had, combined)

I think Bailey looks awesome in glasses. Bailey thought getting glasses was cool and had a hundred different options to choose from, I was soooo jealous!

I wore glasses from the time I was two until I was in my late twenties. Glasses were neither cool or stylin' in the 70's, 80's, or 90's... There were three choices....

1. Something my Grandad would wear....

2. Something my Grandma would wear....

WAIT FOR IT :)..........

3. Something "Steve Urkel" off the 90's sitcom "Family Matter's would wear....

All I can say is WOW....Junior High was rough for me....

1. Poodle Perm....how come nobody stopped me!

2. Those Glasses...I think the "Hubbel" has smaller lenses.

3. The Tacky Christmas sweater, I wore 'til June...Thanks Mom!

Good thing I was spunky, quirky, and never worried much about what other people thought :) At least for Bailey, glasses are cool...NOW!

Cousins in Courtenay

The last night our cousins were here we took off to the beach...it was too hot to do much else. Holly's friend Milena was with us and took these awesome pictures. I wish I had her kind of skills now, much less at 16. It amazes me that the kids would do anything Milena told them to do for the perfect shot. I point a camera anywhere near them and there's a collective groan accompanied by the perpetual eye-roll. Thanks Milena...I know you'll be famous someday.

Cousins in Courtenay

Karaoke Kramer

My husband has an obsession with Karaoke...there I said it! Admitting there is a problem is the first step, right Grant? Any time there is a Karaoke machine set up within a 100 yard radius Grant is drawn to it like a bug to a zapper. The fact that this happens at Church related functions and he can't really sing makes it all that much more humiliating, for me any way. I first realized that there might be an issue a couple of years ago at a Port Alberni ward dinner when Grant, Darren G, our Bishop & our Stake President were singing "Margarita-ville" as their wives where putting tables and chairs away around them. This year at the Canada day, Courtenay ward pot luck Grant continued his obsession in fine form. "Grant step away from the mic, and nobody will get hurt"... " "Grant you need to let the Sister Missionaries have a turn." Way to make the family proud!... "Karaoke" Kramer.

Parksville and the Family Tradition

Taylor

Jordyn

Dallyn- trying out the skim board for the first time

Holly, Taylor, Alex, Madison, Jordyn

Kramer Cousins

Who knew a simple day at the park three summers ago could begin a family tradition but it did.

Kramer Cousins + Parksville + Community Playground + Beach = Family Tradition

Each summer my bother & sister in law & nieces spend several days at a time share over looking Parksville Beach (lucky devils). We live about 45 minutes away, so its easy to meet up for the day. Parksville has the best playground on the Island. An acre of swings, slides and jungle gyms with a water park & sandy beach a few metres away..what more could any kid or adult ask for.

Our day is simple. Pack as many beach toys and blow up animals as can fit in the loser cruiser, load up on snacks, drive 45 minutes, let them loose (the joys of having kids old enough and willing enough to supervise the younger ones.) Us adults sit around enjoying the sunshine & conversation pretty much uninterrupted. Other than the occasionally application of sun screen and hand over of cash for french fries from the over priced snack bar, our kids barely acknowledge we exist for five hours...HEAVEN! It is a day my nieces and kids talk about all year. We end the evening by leaving the rug rats at the time share and going out for dinner to an awesome Greek place we stumbled on last year. I don't think I could plan a more perfect day if I tried. A family tradition that all started because of a simple day at the park...