Family Reunions

Over Labor Day weekend we went camping with Tom's parents, siblings, and longtime family friends the Goodlander/Maus family. We had a great time! Phil & Sandi Goodlander brought jet skis with them. Jayni & cousin Rex loved riding on the tube with Grandpa Perkes.

Tom's sister Beth, came up with some great games! The first night we did some various relay races. One of them we had to eat a whole donut that was tied to a string and we couldn't use our hands. After the adults were done with the relay races the kids wanted to do the donut game.

Jayni beat her cousins, Rex and Eli, and even ate the whole donut!

The downside for me was not having any showers where we were at. I can't stand my kids being dirty! We ended up using the bin that we store our tent in as a bath for Jayni & Mason to clean up in the two nights we were there. At first Mason didn't like it...

...but soon enough he was splashing and playing in the water. Tom and I used this to wash our feet at night too.

Tom and Mason relaxing together. Tom's sister Christi, designed these cute shirts.

The last night we were there, Beth came up with the idea to have a rodeo. She even made the little horses. Here's Jayni playing with one of the horses. She wouldn't let anybody else use this horse. It ended up coming home with us.

Here's the Rodeo Princess and her favorite horse!

Grandpa and Grandma Underwood (Tom's grandparents) came the last full day we were there and made us a delicious dutch oven dinner. It was fun to be with everyone, play fun games, and eat good food!

In July we also had gone camping for the Chlarson Family Reunion. We went to Ensign Ranch. We had good times with crafts, numerous trips to the big slip 'n slide, and lots of yummy food. Unfortunately, I only took one picture. I have no idea why I didn't think to bring out the camera! The one and only picture I took was this one of Jayni on our way home.

She was so worn out from all the running around and fun she had with her cousins. We packed up and left right after breakfast and I didn't notice that Jayni had hot chocolate all over her face until we got home and had a bath.

Bushman Family Reunion

August 20-24 was a busy few days for me and the kids. My 15 year old brother, Tyler was visiting from California. My sister, Shaila had picked him up in Spokane and he stayed with us at my Mom's for the first night. It was so good to have that time with him. I've always felt such a strong bond with him even though he's 12 years younger than me. He has such a strong testimony and is a very ambitious kid. He had just received his Eagle Scout before coming to visit. Good Job, Tyler. Keep up the good work!!!

Tyler had wanted to come during the Grant County Fair but wasn't able to make it. I ended up taking him to the Benton Franklin Fair in Kennewick. We had a great day and he even rode a lot of the little kid rides with Jayni, Malcolm, and Quinn (Shaila's boys). Here's Tyler and Quinn on one of the rides.

Jayni, Malcolm, and Quinn loved riding all the rides.

Tom was working a booth at the fair for the company he works for. We had stopped by there to change diapers and say hi and then some guy comes up to us to say we should probably call 911. Here's the reason why!

This was the booth right next to us. Note the name of the business. Of course they didn't have any water so Tom took a hose over to them. They started evacuating this area of the fairgrounds because they were using huge propane tanks. Let's just say this was our highlight of the day.

For all those who don't know, I have 17 brothers and sisters! Since Tyler came for a visit, Shaila arranged for all my Dad's children to get together (14 of us, 2 have passed away). My Dad passed away 5 years ago and so it's been about 3+ years since we were all together. We had a little reunion at a park in Moses Lake. It was great! Shaila planned a great day for everyone and we had a good barbecue that evening.

As you can see, it took a few times before everyone behaved for a serious picture!

Here's all the girls! Me, Shaila, Malissa, Amanda, and the youngest, Kathryn.

Here's the boys. Tyler, Ryan, Jason, Milo, Calvin, Carter, Spencer, Tanner, and Trevor.

The boys ended up piling on top of each other.

It was nice to see everyone. Some of us lose touch but then we get together it's as if we haven't skipped a beat. I love all my brothers and sisters so much. They are all valued and loved!

Gotta Love the Mullets!

I just really wanted to share these pictures even though they're from July.

I hadn't had Mason's hair cut for 5 months! I had huge issues with it. I was worried if I cut it short than he would look too much like a toddler and no longer like a baby. He's only 17 months but is as big as a 2 1/2 to 3 year old. He's now wearing 3T clothes!! Anyway, I didn't think to take a picture of his long hair until after my sister-in-law, Melanie cut off the sides. Melanie and I died laughing while taking the pictures, especially at how long the back was. I must say it didn't seem that long because his hair would curl under.

Here is Mason a month later playing in my Mom's bathtub. He had climbed in all by himself. I usually bathe him at night, but we had gotten there late so I decided I'd bathe him in the morning. I think he was feeling a little out of whack with the change in the routine.

He's such an adorable kid!

4th of July Parade

Tom drove a little truck in the Pasco 4th of July Parade for work. They let Jayni ride with him and even got her a t-shirt.

I may have gone a little overboard with the bows and flags but I was feeling very patriotic this Independence Day. I don't know if that's because I'm getting older or having lived in another country. I even had a flag and placed it on our house.

My Mom and Pop came down for the parade. It was nice that they joined Mason and I. Here's Mason eating some crackers as we waited for the parade to start.

I can't believe how long his hair is!!

Here's Jayni going by.

How cute are these two? Tom said Jayni probably ate more candy then she threw. He hadn't realized how much she was eating until he found all the candy wrappers.

Jayni joined Tom again for the parade in Kennewick to kick off the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo. For some reason I didn't take any pictures. I'm really not sure why. Thanks Landon and Holli for joining me and walking so far!

I Can't Believe She's 4!

My baby's 4! I can't believe it. She turned four on Friday, June 29th. On her birthday we attended a Tri-Cities Dust Devils baseball game. Jayni loves going to these games. I think we went to 4 or 5 before the season ended.

Our neighbor, Allison, who is eleven, went with us. This is a picture of them after running the outfield between innings. I don't think Allison really wanted to do it, but Jayni wanted her to. What a great friend you are, Allison!!!

Dusty, the mascot, came to see Jayni because of a sweet lady who had one of the employees bring him over. She loves to see Dusty. Allison also had them wish Jayni a Happy Birthday over the loudspeaker. Thanks, Allison!

On Saturday we had a small birthday party for Jayni at our house. It was fun! This is the cake my Mom made. She had it riding on her lap for a little over an hour, all the way for Moses Lake. Jayni absolutely loved this cake and still talks about it!

I loved Jayni's expression in this picture.

Jayni has been begging us for a bike since before Christmas so we decided to finally get her one.

Thanks to all our family and friends who helped us celebrate with Jayni. The majority of you had to drive quite a distance, and we really appreciate it. It's so nice to be back in the area, to be close to family and catch up with old friends!

A Little of This & That

Future engagement picture? This is Jayni and Hyrum. Hyrum is Tom's best friend from childhood, Chris's son. Does that make sense? I hope so. We were able to see them in Coeur d'Alene at another friend's wedding reception. It's always good to see them! I love Chris's wife, Lisa. She's so down to earth and fun to be with. I love this picture of Jayni. Hyrum and her look so cute!

Shortly after getting back from England, we had a dedication service at my Dad's grave. I'm so glad we were back to be able to attend! A dear man from my Dad's ward, purchased this headstone. Thank you so much!

A few months before leaving England, I had told Tom that I wanted to start saving for a headstone for my Dad. I know other siblings had this intention too. We all are just starting out in becoming responsible adults and taking care of our families that this was something that just had to wait. It was such a blessing that this sweet man gave us, and a burden taken off our shoulders. It also includes my two siblings that have passed away. Their graves have gone even longer without a headstone.

A few weeks after getting back to the States, Max, the kid Tom was coaching in England, came to the little town of Moses Lake. He came to attend the Big Bend Basketball Camp. Tom spent a couple days with Max and his Dad in Seattle and then went to my Mom's house. Jayni, Mason and I drove to my Mom's and we had a nice Sunday dinner together. Max and his Dad tried Root Beer for the first time and thought it tasted like cough syrup. I don't think either of them finished it. We all enjoyed some Guitar Hero together. What a fun game!!

I went back to Moses Lake a few days later so that I could watch Max play. Max is the one in the Lakers top and black and white shorts. He did really well. He's a great basketball player! He wants to come and play here in the States really bad. He's such a nice kid and really cute!

 A lot of great memories came flooding back when I entered the Big Bend gym. It was great to see Coach Hohman and his wife, Susan, and catch up with them. Tom and I are looking forward to attending some Vikings basketball games. I love how Coach Poth coaches! Those games have been the most fun to watch and he's been the best coach Tom has played for.

Haircut & Spring Festival 2007

Finally enough time to do another post! So...after our LONG flight back to Washington, we ended up at my Mom's, late, late on Thursday night. I was so desperate for a haircut, that first thing Friday morning my dear sister-in-law, Melanie, cut my hair. It hadn't been cut for about 15 months! Anyway, here's the pile. I know it's gross, but had to show it. I think Melanie said it looked like a little dog or something. Unfortunately, I didn't take a before and after picture and I haven't been able to find a picture to showcase my new hairdo. I feel like a new person having some style to my hair again!

The next thing we did was spend the day at the Moses Lake Spring Festival on Saturday. We planned to come home in time for this so that Tom could play in the basketball tournament with my brother Milo, and friends Brady and Richard. I really wish Tom would play in a normal t-shirt or something. He always has to wear these stupid, ugly jersey tops.

Tom pushing to the basket and Richie blocking out.

Here's my brother, Milo standing behind the guy in the maroon shirt. I'm not sure what he's doing, but this is the only picture I had of him. I only brought the camera out for about two minutes for one of their games.

I've seen A LOT of Tom's basketball games. I still love to watch him play!!!

Crazy Brady passing the ball to Tom. When I first saw Brady I had to laugh. He had these huge bushy sideburns and if I didn't know him, I'd think he was a little weird and crazy. Okay, actually he is a little weird and crazy and that's why we love him. But aren't we all just a little weird and crazy? I know I am!!

Here's my nephews, Malcolm and Quinn playing a little basketball. My sister, Shaila's husband, Matt, was originally supposed to play on the team with the guys instead of Richard. He was cut because Richard was better. Sorry, Matt! I still feel really bad that the guys did that to you. The guys took 1st in the tournament!!!

Here's some of the kids playing at the park. They had so much fun together and they all got so dirty!!

We had a little barbecue at the park between one of the games. All my Mom's children and theirs families were there and my cousin, Annelise and her family came with her sister, Kayce. It was nice to see a lot of people in one place since I hadn't seen them all in so long.

So Far Behind!!

I have been wanting to do some catching up posts all week but haven't found the time. Labor Day weekend we went camping with Tom's family and so I've been playing catch up on the house and my church calling. Will post on the reunion soon hopefully!!

For those who don't know, I'm the primary music leader in our ward. I absolutely love it, but it's a lot of work and is completely stressing me out right now! Little did I know when I accepted the calling that the Children's Sacrament Meeting Program would be at the end of October. This can cause a person some serious stress when they've never, ever done anything like this before!

Really, it's not too bad, although I stress because they still struggle on quite a few songs and we have such a small primary. So small that we combine junior and senior primary together. I am taking suggestions!!!

So, this is a big part of the reason why I haven't had a chance to do some posting, my time is consumed with primary stuff and of course, my family!!!