Lake P-Ouch!

So, I started thinking before we left for Powell last week, 'I always end up posting the same boring Powell pictures - wakeboarding, cliff jumping, group picture, yada yada yada.  You catch my drift?  Anyhoo, this trip was a little more exciting than Powell trips past.  I'll fill you in as you scroll down...

The crew:  Mark and Candice Reeb and Co., the soon-to-be plastic surgeon of my dreams, Dr. Josh (Mufasa) Olson and his beautiful wife Laura aka Malibu Barbie, Laura's getto-fabulous brother, Cody and his lovely wife, Brittany, and the Stapes clan (we brought along Keagan's little buddy, Aleia, her least dramatic, least homesick, non-crying, non-bedwetting but forgot to mention VERY motion sick (yay for me!  I love throw up) friend).

This was Keagan's first year cliff jumping.  She did magnificent.

Tommy told Tag that for every time he went tubing, he had to try wake boarding.

Some father and son cliff jumping.

My little stud jumping the wake.

My little stud making a quick $20 off his dad for sitting on a block of ice for 10 minutes.  

Now to the fun part.  Cute little Hannah and her friend Stephanie were jet skiing and collided with a family in a rental boat. One ER visit, 1 CT scan and numerous x-rays later, she only ended up with a concussion, a sprained shoulder and several bumps and bruises.  She was SO lucky.

Day 3.  Laura went wake surfing and somehow she kicked the board up and it hit her in the face.  Poor babe broke her nose and needed stitches under her eye.  I told her 'I happen to like the "Cat Deeley nose-on-the-side-of-her-face look." Thanks to a little vicodin, this little trooper made the best carne asada tacos that same night.

I love all the blood.

Dr. Josh put her nose back in place, but said it will most likely need surgery and need to be re-broken.  Is it bad to say I'm just a teeny bit jealous that she gets to have a nose job??

And still, after all the dramz, she said it was "The best trip!"  I'm hoping it wasn't the vicodin talking.

Heading Up To Cooler Weather...

Last week I took the kids up to Utah to visit my sister Andi.  Kim drove down from Boise so we made a little party out of it.  Poor Mark (Andi's hubby), he was the only guy there.  He probably wasn't thinking it was so much of a party. Thanks for letting us bombard you guys!

I met up with some of my old roommates from school, Kim and Carolyn.  

We took all 10 kids to the zoo.  I bet if we had called in advance, they might have given us the school discount, we had so many kiddies.

The perv in me couldn't NOT take this guy's picture.  It reminds me of a little someone I know...

Riding the train,

I think my kids are the only ones NOT looking at the camera.

I decided to curl the girls' hair one night, then Andi curled mine.  I'm thinking the triple-barrel look is definitely not my best look.

Kim bought the kids a slip-n-slide.  She kept saying how the picture on the box was so deceiving because all the kids in the picture were smiling and having a great time.  Our kids were just yelling and fighting with each other over turns.

I love my nephew, Ryker's face in this picture.

The brood.

I took the kids down to Orem and met up with my friend, Lu.  I'm blanking on the name of this bouncy place, but it was so nice to see Lu and her kids.  I miss them so much.

The "Hale's Angels" and the "Stapes."

She Definitely Inherited Her Tact {less} ness From Her Daddy...

Last night, we went out to dinner with some friends, and Swayze's doing her usual roaming around restaurant when she noticed a lady behind me at another table and said, "Mom, why does that lady have big wegs? (legs)"  I tried to ignore her, so she decided to take matters into her own hands and ask the lady herself - "Why do you have big wegs?"  I just about died.  I got so hot and sweaty.  Her reply?  "Because I'm a big lady."  Simple as that, question answered and Swayze went back and sat down.

How do you even go about explaining to a 3 year old that you just don't say those things?  It's not like she used the "fat" word.

Chillin' With The Kemptons...

Our friends, the Kemptons invited us to their cabin up in Forest Lakes this last weekend. We had such a great time. I can't think of anyone more hospitable. It was so nice and relaxing. We rode quads, went to the lake for a picnic, I think I gained 4 pounds, went on a beautiful ride in the ranger, watched a little "Paul Blart, Mall Cop," burned some popcorn, played games, ate a little more, and the best part was being in 83 degree weather. Thanks Kempton family. You know how to do it right!

Is betrothing still legal? Because I've found my future daughter-in-law in this little chica.

Tag was in heaven.

Tag's always trying to convince me to get "re-pregnant" so he can have a baby brother. I figure, if we keep vacationing with friends with little boys, it's much cheaper and easier on this 'ol body of mine. Plus, I keep telling him that he doesn't want a crazy mama.

Who doesn't love a little plumber crack?

The fish weren't cooperating much. The only thing they managed to catch was a plant.

This little punk refuses to look at the camera. He sure doesn't take after his mama.

Kristine is one of the coolest moms I know. She was knee-deep in this freezing cold arctic water catching crawdads for the kids.

Taggy, Swazzle, Michael, Keags and Kimberly

We kept trying to convince Kristine to let us take him home and boil him up for dinner. Didn't happen.

I love this little face.

Seriously. DS's on the ranger ride?

Fabulous 4th.

This year, our friends, the Masons invited our family, along with several other families to go down to Coronado and stayed at the Del.  It was amazing.  The weather could not have been better, it was in the 70's.  I've forgotten what that feels like these days.  We stayed in the cabana rooms by the pool (for half price, thanks Brian) and had an absolute blast.  That is, until the hotel security came a-knockin' on our door and told us all to keep it down.   

My kids LOVE taking pictures.  They're always so willing to cooperate for Mom.

"Herb" the crab.  Poor little guy was thrown down way too many pairs of men's shorts.  I'm pretty sure he's gonna be scarred for life.

These fellas are not messing around when it comes to building sand castles.  I'm so mad, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  It turned out pretty awesome.

A little skimboarding action.

Mark Wahlberg (the host of "Temptation Island") was sitting in the party next to us.  He was such a nice guy.  He kept coming over to check out all the mad sand castle building skillz.

We all walked down to the Glorietta Bay Park and had pizza and watched the fireworks.  I'd like to personally thank Garn/Mason Orthodontics for the sweet light up grillz.

It was such a nice trip.  Thanks Masons, you're the shizzle.  Now back to reality and more importantly, back to the 110 degree weather.  Yuck.

I Guess I'm It...

I don't usually respond to tags, but because Krista called me out, here you have it babe:

What is your current obsession?  I think obsession might be a strong word, but something I'm really loving right now is this tanning lotion from Ulta.  It works like a dream.

What do you hate the most that everybody else seems to love?  Ed Hardy ANYTHING!  Stop wearing it people!

What are you wearing today?  See below:

What's for dinner?  Morton's tri-tip, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots and green beans.

What would you eat for your last meal?  My mom's bbq ribs, my mashed potatoes (yes, mine.  They're killer), City Hall's gnocci, and Rochelle Porter's delightful brownies.

What's the last thing you bought?  Sshhh... don't tell Tommy:  I went to the Chancey with Shelley and bought an awesome pair of Sam Edelman sandals for $29.99 (regularly $114.95) and a pair of Citizens of Humanity boyfriend jeans for $29.99 (regularly $150).  And maybe a few pairs of shoes for the kids.

What are you listening to right now?  My kids watching iCarly.

What do you think of the person that tagged you?  I love her.  Loads of respect for her.  She's a beautiful mother, a loving wife, and thoughtful friend.

If you could have a house, fully paid for, and totally furnished anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Sounds cheesy, but I would just have a kick-A house here in Mesa.  I'm going to sound bratty here for just a minute, but I really don't love my house.  Never have.  Let's just say I signed the closing papers on the house after I saw it.  It just doesn't feel homey to me at all.  I want an entertaining house, one that fills the "Stapley Nation" for waffles on Sundays.  I want a killer backyard and a pimped- out pool.  Someday.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be?  Back to the ranch with my entire family (pre-Diablo Grande) and everything would be as it used to be: the horses, the little house, the old dirt road, the barns.  It was magical.

What is one of your hobbies?  Cooking, hands down.

What are 3 things that annoy you most?  The sound of people chewing, hypocrisy, and the whistling sound Tommy's nose makes when he's sleeping.

What is your favorite color?  It's constantly changing.  I'm digging turquoise right now.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe?

Practical?  Why, everything in my closet!  I NEED it all!  At least that's what I tell Tommy, anyway.  I guess if I had to choose one, I'd have to say my Rainbow's.  They're definitely an "every-other-dayer."

Impractical?  Tommy seems to think every piece of my lingerie, since it doesn't get used quite as much as he'd like.  I actually think it's my Marc Jacobs handbag still sitting on my closet shelf.

What is your dream job?  I really think I should've been a doctor.  I love blood and guts - but NOT puke.  That's why I could never be a nurse.  They're the ones that have to clean that shaz up.

Describe your personal style.  Basically whatever  Aubri and Krista wearing (notice my sandals in the picture above).

What are you going to do after this?  Well, since we have 9 o'clock church, I'm pooped - I may go lie down and take a little snooze.

What is your favorite fruit?  Hmmm... that's a hard one.  I don't have just one.  Maybe the red seedless grapes from Costco.  Or canteloupe.  I DON'T DO SEEDS!

What inspires you?  A good sale.

Who was the last person you kissed?  The Donald.

What are you currently reading?  This is really sad - I'm not much of a reader.  I loved this week's US Weekly.  Those Real Housewives of New Jersey kill me!

What delighted you most today?  Opening up my first can of Diet Coke in a month plus.  I miss the burn going down my throat. (frowny face)

By what criteria do you judge a person?  I honestly don't consider myself to be very judgemental (unless you happen to be wearing a hideous pair of shoes).

The rules:  1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.

Tag eight other people (I added one more).

I tag: Andi, Jana, Monica, Stone (yeah Mike, that's you babe), Teresa, Auna, Janae, Rhonda, Shannon B.  Make me proud, sucka's, I'd do it for you.

Convo, Via Text Message...

I have to admit, it's really sad how today's society rarely talks these days.  It's just so darn easy to text!  I find it especially enticing when I'm having an argument with say... hold on, I thinking, give me a minute.  Ok, for kicks, we'll go with Tommy.  I'm not one for confrontation, so arguments via texting are so much more appealing.  That way, when he gets home, it's already over and done with and we're friends again.  Anyhoo, Tommy went on a monster ride this morning and said he'd be home by 1 o'clock (did I mention I had 6 kids this weekend?)  Here it goes:

Tommy:  "Driving home now.  That was the hardest ride I have probably ever done."  (notice I'm adding all the punctuation marks.  Tommy's the worst at that.  He knows it drives me bonkers).

Me:  "How much harder will Warriors be?"  (Warriors is a craz-nasty race he's going to ride in Utah in August).

Tommy:  "Not sure, probably 20%."

(A few hours later), Tommy:  "I'm sorry.  Be there by 3.  Stopped to eat." (remember, he said he'd be home by 1?)

Me:  "It's fine.  I'm starting to figure out I need to always add 2 extra hours from the time you tell me."

Tommy:  "Kinda like I need to add $200 to whatever you buy?"

Me:  "Exactly." 

Fun With The Skid Kids...

Taggy, Gage, Cannon and Swazzle

Cannon

Always the jokester.

It's always fun until someone ends up crying, hence, Keagan.

We had Tommy's cousin's 3 cuties over last night. We figured Greg and Heidi could use a little break, even if it was for just one night. My kids had a blast with them. I'm not sure if I even want to give them back, they were SO good! We took all of the kids to dinner last night, and as we were walking in the restaurant, it dawned on me that we had 6 kids with us. People were looking at us like we were wack jobs.

We sure are praying for little Ethan, and hoping he'll be coming back come home soon!