It has been an interesting Sunday to say the least.  I got up early to prepare a lesson for Oak's class.  I told his teacher I would fill in for her, and the lesson was on forgiveness.  I went over to check on something, stepping all over children strewn on the floor.  It has been quite hot, and the swamp cooler, in the humidity has not been working too well, and they thought their room was too hot to sleep in.  They tried to get as close to the swamp cooler as they could.  Anyhow, I was stepping over people and I stepped in pie that was smooshed by Chlo.  Not good.  I made chocolate cream pie for dessert, and Chlo must have had a slice late last night.  Anyhow, I wasn't happy with it dumping on the carpet.  When Chlo got up, she had pie smashed all over one side of her face.  How did she get comfortable sleeping in pie?  Not long after that I stepped into an ice cream cone that Mo had abandoned in front of my closet.  I guess it is time to have the carpets shampooed.  I thought Chlo had just gone to bed...why did she need a late night pie slice?
     We got up and got ready for church and Mo was just not cool with it.  He bawled, and threw tantrums, and was just crabby.  I couldn't seem to reason or comfort him.  I can tell that he was cutting teeth, but to get Moroni to take medicine is a huge deal.  He spits it out, gags, fights me.  Anyhow, I was so busy I just didn't need the medicine fight this morning.  Anyhow, Ryan finally took him and calmed him down.  He had just calmed down when he somehow got Ryan's deodorant and bit a huge chunk out of it.  That just caused another round of serious crying.  About that time, we couldn't find Chlo's other shoe and she stepped on one of Jamie's earring.  She yelled, "well that was awkward!"  We ended up taking her without shoes....again.
     Chlo and Mo were not good at Shrsh.  Mo was really wired.  He had cried all morning, and he had crazy pent up energy to unleash.  Chlo was acting like a Matador, and she was swishing a blanket, back and forth and round and round.  She then began bouncing on the bench like a crazy.  I finally stopped that insanity.  She then gathered all of the hymn books in the area. She seriously had a huge stack of them.  She would not let anyone have a book, and if someone took one she bawled.  I was very glad when Jerusha took one from her and ignored her bawling...jeez we cannot like nonsense like that take root.  She then went to sunbeams and fell asleep from all of her exhausting behavior.  This afternoon, she has been wandering around with a box on her head.

     Teaching Oak's class went ok I guess.  I was impressed that Oak was the only one in class that knew the whole story about Alma the younger...at least he was the only one brave enough to tell me about it.  He must be listening better than I think he is when we study the scriptures.  Anyhow,  he also kept interrupting the lesson with comments and noises.  One of his questions was, "Hey Mom, my boots are getting a little tight."  What does that have to do with forgiveness?  On a nicer note, I have caught Oak doing some very nice things lately.  Ryan, was mentioning all that he needed to do for the reunion, and Oak headed out and started trying to pack things for him.  He even told Ryan not to worry about it, that he would take care of it.  The other day, Mo took off down the sidewalk and ended up past McConnell's house.  I was following him, but Oak ran down, scooped him up, and held him tightly so that he wouldn't fall.  Mo was squirming like crazy too.  I could tell that it was all that Oak could do to hold onto him.  He was like, " I am not going to let go, no matter what!"  The other night too, Chlo fell asleep watching T.V. on my bed.  He scooped her up, and carried her to her bed, even though she is quite big for him to be packing around, and I could tell he was struggling.  Oak is a great kid.
     Well, this week is going to include all of the craziness of getting ready for the Bundy Reunion.  It will by crazy busy, and fun. Ryan claims that if we need a tent, we will be sleeping in the horse trailer...that ought to be interesting.   

     The one picture shows Mo flopping around in Jam's flip flops.

     The kids went a little stir crazy this week.  It has been unbearably hot, and dry.  Sage threw a big fit that we never went farther than a neighboring state, and began making demands to visit California and Hawaii.  I realize that Ryan and I aren't into exotic trips.  Her fit fizzled after awhile.  Anyhow, I decided that it was reasonable to get them out doing something fun at least one day a week.  I get into a house cleaning rut, and I think that we can't ever leave unless the house is clean.  Well, it never gets completely clean anymore and so I feel like I can never leave.  I need to change this.
     Anyhow, we decided to go and hike the "C" trail on Wednesday.  We grabbed some shicken at the grocery store and Jams bought some yucky potater salad so that we could have guilty feelings for not eating it, and we set out.  We got up to the C in good time and began our descent.  My problem was, I had not planned ahead and got someone to pick us up at the bottom, and so I knew we were going to have to hike back up.  Oak is just like my brother Jeff in the fact that he felt like he had to be in the lead.  He kept getting too far ahead.  Anyhow, we reached a meadow, and had a picnic.  It was starting to get pretty hot at this point, and I knew the kids were not really used to hiking.  We began hiking back up.  Chlo really struggled with this.  She began crawling on all fours, and we had to rest at every scrap of shade available.  I was carrying the Mo-ster and finally passed him off to Jazz so that I could carry Chlo.  She of course had refused to eat her chicken and as a result, had no energy.  When we got to the top she bawled and bawled.  We got some good pictures though, and enjoyed talking and laughing.  Other than Mo meeting up with a cactus, we did pretty good.
     Moroni has begun calling me BOB.  Oak also called me Bob when he was Moroni's size.  Why?  Why not Mother Dearest or something feminine?  He also calls Ryan Bab.  It is quite comical hearing him yell "Bob" when he is delighted to see me.  I love that little guy.  He is growing up too fast.  He wants and begs to go with Ryan daily and he does go with his Dad more and more.
     Ryan came home from work the other day late in the evening and mentioned that he still had a bunch of dump truck hauling to do.  We went on a dump truck date and we had a great time!  His truck is loud and kinda clanky, but we had a nice chat even though we had to yell to do it.  I am grateful that we can have fun doing anything together.  The evening was nice and fresh.
    

     The last picture shows Chlo and her "wishing berry"  she found a few along the trail to wish upon and blow into the wind. 
     I had the opportunity to go with my parents to St. George on Friday and attend the temple while they went to some doctor appointments for my mom.  She has been suffering from kidney stones for a few weeks and has just about had it.  I hope she can get better soon.  Anyhow, while I was gone the kids made Moroni a hut, and a sign to go on the hut.  There are some pictures of this too.  We did get a little bit of rain which has made me excited for the Bundy reunion!  Next weekend, WAHOO!

     Well, I got up early this morning to prepare a lesson for shrsh.  The whole time I was preparing it, I felt like it was the wrong lesson, but it was so early I couldn't call anyone or do anything about it.  Sure enough...I had planned the same lesson that they had been given last week.  Anyhow, I scrambled and found a lesson book, and the lesson went really well actually.  It just always works that if I am doing the Lord's work, He helps me out.  I enjoyed teaching Sager's class today.
     We have had a great weekend.  I am really getting tired of this hot, dry weather though.  The wind is constantly blowing too, and I feel like we need to unite as a community and start praying for rain, and pay our tithing, and keep the Sabbath day holy...whatever it takes to get some rain.  Things are getting pretty dry and miserable,  I am starting to get nervous.  Last summer started out like this, and our Stake went on a fast.  We got rain just about every afternoon for the rest of the summer.  The farmers with hay weren't too happy, but hey, we might need to combine our faith again.
     Yesterday, we went to pick up the kids from their slumber party....(yes, I broke our rule for sleepovers, just this once!)  The girls had a great time, and Meisyn did too.  Rooshkie took good care of her, carrying her around, and helping her get settled at bedtime.  The Roelandt's had their place completely decked out in princess, purple sparkly, decorations.  The girls said she had great fun.  I guess she is headed for Disneyland this week.  It is such a sad situation, and yet, it has been good for the girls to serve her.  I am glad her family is letting her spend some time with friends too.
     Ryan had an Elder's Quorum party last night at the park and it was nice.  Moroni was a complete maniac though.  Everyone else's kids were sitting nicely in strollers, but Mo was scattered from heck to breakfast.  He was in the river, on the slide, falling off the stairs, and on the tables.  He also kept invading some other people who were having a barbecue there.  He got in the river and then got cold.  I sent Jams to the car for a dry diaper and clothes.  She came back with a dry diaper, and a pillowcase. I am not sure what she expected me to do with the pillowcase, but I was appalled that I had nothing to put on him.  Jams has been keeping the car too tidy.  Anyhow, luckily Mindy Templin had an extra set of clothes for Mo.  Ryan sat with some of the other men and talked about deer hunting adventures, and recoil pads and such.  I was pretty busy monitoring Mo, and Chlo.  Chlo ended up looking like a drowned rat too.  All in all, a good time.
     Shrsh (church) was very good today.  The Stake President came and spoke about forgiveness.  It was a great talk, and one that I probably needed to hear.  Moroni was surprisingly good today too.  He would take a story, and look at the picture, and jabber really fast and loud.  He was excited about the stories.  Chlo just leaned into Ryan most of the meeting and we were able to listen for once.  Rooshie then went with Mo to the nursery.  Technically he isn't supposed to be in there yet, but he is a crazy man in class. 
     Chlo has been dressing herself lately and hasn't been doing the best job at it.  She likes to mix clothes with pajama's and she adds a little bit of older women's clothing in.  After church she put on pajama pants, a pink shirt on backwards, and high heels.  I am glad she doesn't care yet though.  I am tired of the clothing wars around here.
     Ebay has become a venue for Ryan to live out his second childhood.  We have been receiving big Tonka tractors, toy tool sets for Oak, and weapons.  This week we got throwing knives, and a blow-dart gun.  The kids played with that blow-dart gun all weekend.  They drew targets and got really accurate.  They even took it to the Elder's Quorum party and it was a big hit.  Luckily, we have only had one minor accident with them so far.  The kids have been treating it just like a rifle, and this has been good.

     I have included some more pictures of our St.George trip. Chlo and Mo kept removing the rock that was holding down some newspapers.  They were very intent upon having this rock.  Cute Julia went and found a rock that was similar and Chlo was delighted with it.  She has it currently got it in her room, lovingly placed in a box.

     Chlo is currently walking around the house in a night shirt, and a lei.  Jams and Sags went to girls camp this week bringing home a bunch of lei's and I can guarantee they are not going to be happy with Chlo for messing with them.  The girls said that they had a wonderful time at girls camp and I was so glad.  Sage needed a good experience her first year and I am so happy that she enjoyed herself.  I was really worried that she and Jams were going to have a huge blow-up with each other.  I am glad they are back.
     Actually, all four of my older girls are at Sager's friend Miranda's house decorating for a princess party for a girl named Meisyn.  Meisyn is in Jerusha's age group and is dying.  She has some kind of a disease that ruins her nerves and the doctor's have told her that this is her last summer to live.  Jerusha especially has had a rough time with this news.  Anyhow, the school took all of the sad energy and turned it into a bunch of action.  They created Meisyn's bucket list.  She made a list of things she would like to do for her last summer.  The kids all got involved and did some fund raisers.  I know that they raised a bunch of funds for her family to take her to Disneyland, and she wanted a princess sleep-over party which my girls have been helping plan for weeks.  I feel horrible for her, but she has stayed positive and is trying to make every minute count.  Meisyn was found on the streets of China when she was just a few months old.  She had been abandoned in a stroller that contained $6.00 and some formula.  She bounced around orphanages until a nice family in Cedar adopted her.  They have given her a great life.  I hope the party goes really well.  She deserves it.
     We have had a great week.  Kristiann came up with Valerie, Ivy, and Julia and it was great to see them again!  Kristiann is one of those rare people who is so good at sensing people's needs and seeing to them.  I am always inspired around her.  They came over Monday, and we went to the park.  The girls and Oak played in Coal Creek, and Mo head-butted me so hard that it about knocked both of us out cold.  I was seeing stars, and he was bawling to high heaven and so Kristiann took him and put him in the swing until he calmed down.  He has been throwing his body around in little fits lately.  Yep, he is spoiled.  He was upset that I wouldn't let him down in the river with the bigger kids and so he threw his head into mine.  We will have to slowly start unspoiling him, but he definitely knows he is loved and wanted, and that is what counts at first.  Anyhow, we hung out with them for most of the day, and while I went with Ryan to a meeting, Kristiann cleaned my house and washed walls...what a gal!  Chlo was silently on one end of the table playing with a group of nail polish, while Ivy was on the other end painting everyone's nails.  I instructed Jazz to clean up when they were done, and I was a little ticked off to see a group of nail polishes still out.  I can't have Mo throwing one and breaking it.  I started to get after Jazz, but she explained that Chlo begged and begged for her to keep 5 of them out.  I tried to put them away several times and Chlo would come unglued across the room.  Finally I watched her.  She would come over and play some little game with the polish.  I finally sat down and asked after her nail polish family.  She pointed out the mom and dad and kids.  I hope her polish kids were getting along nicely.
     On Wednesday Kristiann and I loaded up all the kids and went to St. George to visit all of the Church History sights. I about panicked because I wanted to go with them so badly, but the van was having issues.  Thank goodness for my husband.  He got up early, and tore it apart and got it fixed so that I could go.  He then went and faced a full day of work.   I am grateful because it was fun.  Except for the fact that Moroni could not be easily or happily contained.  I finally gave up completely at the Jacob Hamblin home.  At the St. George tabernacle Chlo thought that the pipes coming out of the wall were just big bullets.  She was also walking around with Julia's hat over her eyes and bumping into stuff.  I had to stop Oak from diving over the bannisters and plummeting to his death, and Moroni was all over the place.  In spite of all of that I learned a lot and felt the spirit.  We also went to the mall, and Kristiann and her girls were a huge help.  Julia was even able to contain Mo which is no small feat in a store.  I had missed my family and was glad to spend the day with them.
     Since then, we have been concerned about my mom, who has had kidney stone trouble.  My kids have been praying hard for her. 
     I had to get after Ryan the other day.  He had ordered some tool from Hilti, and what do I see standing by the garbage can on pick-up day?  A huge box.  I lectured him on tossing such a treasure.  The kids have played with that dumb thing all week.  It has been a tunnel, a hut, a bed... Oak tried to sleep in it, but didn't quite make it until morning, and Chlo and Rooshkie slept in it last night.  In fact I was not happy with them when I got up this morning.  They had gotten into some peas late last night, and some banana bars that I had made.  There were pea pods and banana bars scattered and smashed everywhere.  I woke up to see Rooshkie, and Chloee's legs sticking out of the Hilti box, and pea pods and banana bar crumbs on every floor and surface.  That sounds like quite the party they had when they were supposed to be sleeping. 
    

     The one picture is of Chlo on the warm laundry.  Yes, we are still working on getting her to get dressed, but she loves to lay on the warm laundry...the next one up is of Super Mo, and Little Red Riding Chlo...then you have Moroni climbing the steep stairs in the Brigham Young home.  The next one is of Jerusha showing her cousins the steers.  There are a few pictures of Valerie and Chlo...their baby pictures are identical and I hope that Chlo turns out just like her.  She is an incredible girl, as is all of Gary's girls.  I am grateful for their good examples to my kids.
     In conclusion I would just like to quote Dr. Suess..."Thank goodness you're not something someone forgot, and left all alone in some punkerish place like a rusty tin coat hanger hanging in space."  I am glad and grateful for family this summer.  Punkerish is my new word.  I am glad that I am not alone in some punkerish place!
    

     Well, Happy Father's day!  I am grateful for my Dad and my husband.  The world is in need of great Dad's. 
     It has been a great weekend.  The kids had to go and register their steers at the livestock market on Saturday morning.  It was pretty crazy because they had to get there by 10, and Ryan's truck was completely torn apart.  I am still amazed at all of the things that he knows how to do.  Anyhow, he ran up to a parts store at like 7:30 am, came back and had his truck put back together by 9:30.  The truck was in many pieces too.  Anyhow, I tried to be helpful by getting him parts and such, but I don't know the first thing about putting brakes back together.  It looked quite complicated, but hey, he always somehow makes things come together.  This is one of the things I love about him.  He is great.
     Anyhow, Ryan has been most concerned about Diablo.  He is so crazy mean.  Sage is such a little thing and so Ryan has not let her in the pen with him.  He came at Ryan the other day and pinned him against the fence.  His arm was pretty beat up, but I told Sage that if he is too crazy to show, we will just eat him.  Prime black angus beef.  It'll be fine with me.  Anyhow, they got them all registered, and we just have to tame them down and fatten them up.  It will be good for the girls.  Already, they have learned a lot about tying knots, changing tires, and driving the truck around.  All in all, it has been so good for them to spend so much time with animals, and their dad.
    We went to Bunkerville today for Jaylee Logues blessing day.  I was so glad that Bailey and Josh invited us.  We have had three babies born on the Bundy side in the last few months and they are each so beautiful.  Shrsh was great!  Oscar was there for Chlo, and gave her some pop rocks.  I actually think all of the primary children got pop rocks today, and so when we went in to see the baby be blessed, there was a nice popping sound with all of the kids eating their pop rocks.  It was nice though because there was no bawling, screaming, or talking during the blessing.  I was able to hear it, and the kids were nice and quiet except for the small popping sounds.
     My kids were terrible in sacrament meeting though.  I had packed a small box of teddy grahams to keep Mo quiet.  All of the kids descended upon them like a pack of wolves.  They were literally all hovered around this small box of graham teddy bears while the nice speakers gave talks about their dad's.  I was pretty mortified.  Chlo also built another hut out of hymn books.  All of this has got to stop!  My older ones especially should know better than to misbehave in shrsh.  More lectures, and more threats are definitely coming their way. 
     We went to the Bunkerville park after the blessing, and it was hot and windy.  I was so glad to have the opportunity to hang out with family though.  Chlo and Prestlie again got in trouble because they wanted to hang out in the men's room all afternoon.  I kept having to send Oak in there after them.  I finally threatened Chlo with bodily harm and so she went and got two rice krispy treats and headed for the women's restroom.  I will never quite have her figured out.  Maybe it was cooler in there.  Anyhow, it was a splash park and I tried and tried to keep the kids out of the water, but Ryan finally told them to just go get in and cool off.  It was hot too.  I was kind of worried that we might have to deal with heat exhaustion again, and so I was glad they were able to cool off.  I just know how badly we always need Heavenly Father's help and so I try really hard to keep the commandments.  We truly need all of the help we can get.

     We also went and watched the fireworks for the summer games this week.  It was great!   We went to the soccer fields which put us pretty close, and there was hardly anyone there.  The kids ran around and around under the booms, and sparks in their pajama's.
     Most of the pictures above were at the park after the blessing.  One is of Chlo and Prestlie, one has got Mo attempting to put a smashed up cupcake on an unsuspecting, snoozing grandpa, and one is of Stetsy and cute little Lucy.  The ones at the bottom are of Jams, Sags, and Kaitlyn at the livestock auction this week, and I caught Jazzerz doing the above at dinner time.  What are you doing Jazz????Why use a funnel?
     I also would like to explain how a road trip usually goes while it is still fresh in my mind.  Moroni is a horrible traveler.  He cries, and squirms, and screams.  He has always been this way, and I almost dread going anywhere.  Going anywhere alone is almost out of the question.  Anyhow, we have Mo doing his thing, Chlo is usually bawling too for good measure, and then all of the kids get in temperature disputes about the heater or air conditioner.  Then someone is always hungry or thirsty and someone else needs to go to the bathroom.  Sage and Jerusha always try to sprawl out and take up a whole seat which also causes complaints and disputes.  Yep, travel is kinda rough.  When we got back into town, we went down to feed the steers and Chlo bawled and bawled for no apparent reason.  She finally stripped down and got playing around the hay and grain.  I almost spacily left without her.  Ryan mentioned that a nakey Chlo was playing amongst the grain.  It was a good thing he was paying attention.
     I got home this afternoon to a bathtub full of clothes.  I believe Mo emptied many of his clothes and mine into the tub while I was trying to get everyone ready for the blessing this morning. Nice, helpful Mo!

     Yes!  Swimming lessons are finished and the kids did well!  Chlo even ventured off of the diving board.  I think SUU does wonders for my kids and their swimming skills.  Oak got to where he could swim about half-way across the pool on his own.  I am glad.  When the kids spend skads of time in the ditch in Riverside I want them to be good swimmers. 

     We have had a busy week with visiting teaching, swimming lessons, helping neighbors move etc.  On top of all of this Mo is cutting teeth and has been a bear.  He hasn't been sleeping well, and so I haven't been sleeping well.  I try not to resent the rough nights, because they do end, and hey, it is good one on one time that we don't often get during the day.  Anyhow, I have been sleepy though.  I spacily fell asleep yesterday right when the kids were wanting me to cook them lunch, but I just couldn't deal with it.  My body demanded sleep and I gave in.  Luckily Cute Sags made the kids some ramen noodles....nice little sags.
     Today Cliven came to town with a load of cattle to sell.  Jams and Sags were way excited because they like hanging out at the auction with their cousins and grandpa.  Cliven is a lot of fun.  Anyhow, I finally called to see what was going on in the late afternoon, and to ask him if I needed to come and get the kids.  He had Jamie, Sage, and Jazzerz.  He told me that they were too busy partying and he didn't want me to come and end it.  I laughed and laughed at that news.  I love Cliven.  Anyhow, he did finally bring them home, with ice cream cones for all.  He then went down and helped the girls whip their steers into shape.  Sage's steer needs a lot of work.  He gets all ticky and paws at the ground.  He tries to hook with his non-existant horns too.  Sage lovingly named him "Diablo."  He fits that name.  Jams named her steer "Fergus" and Rooshkie named hers "Leo."  My kids are so lucky to have a cowboy for a Grandpa.  Cliven B is one of a kind and that is for sure.

     Today I offered to take my friend Robin's kids for awhile because she just had a baby.  She brought them over, but then stayed and had a nice chat with me instead.  It was a great afternoon! Her baby is teeny and cuddly too. 

     This morning when the kids went to feed their steers, Farley McFeely dog got out and this was not great.  Our steers are right down the street from Canyon View Middle School and is the location of Soccer games.  This week is the "Utah Summer Games" and the whole state has descended upon the town.  Especially today because tonight is their opening ceremonies which is always an awesome show.  Anyhow, Farley got out and ran right out into the middle of a summer games soccer game.  The ref's had to call a time out while Sage went out to get the dog.  Jamie disappeared mysteriously.  Ha ha!  Poor Sags.  Farley can be quite the stinker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Today is a hot, dry, and windy day.  I have been doing the typical things that I always do to try to keep a nice home.  The younger kids had swimming lessons, the older kids had their chores with their steers to do, and it has been kind of a typical day.  I am kind of crazy in the fact that I like to get up in the middle of the night and exercise.  This is not at the insistence of Ryan, I probably have OCD to some degree.  I enjoy lifting weights, and running, and breaking a good sweat, and I don't have any opportunities in the day because of my children and their needs.  I also started to listen to General Conference talks a few years ago while I do this.  It is such a great hour when I can pray and listen to the words of the prophets, and I absolutely love listening to the choirs.  This morning I listened to a great talk by President Monson.  It was his talk from October 2008.  He said, "If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys that are scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-to your surprise-miss them profoundly."  Earlier in his talk he mentions, "This is our one and only chance at mortal life-here and now.  The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief...I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not.  I  am glad that I listened to this talk.  It made me view the days events in a whole new manner.  Another thing that helps me keep a good attitude is my brother Gary.  He laughs and laughs about the things that my children do and it makes me laugh too.  Instead of being upset at their messes, I usually just laugh.
     Anyhow, Ryan is out of town again and the kids behave totally different when he is gone.  I am so glad that I heard this talk, because I would probably be yelling at my kids otherwise.  I have been trying to get some deep cleaning done.  I found a stash of Chloee's crusts that she had hidden under the couch.  This is the first time I have dealt with this situation.  None of the other kids are picky about their crusts, although, I do recall that Jazz would chew up meat and then leave it in piles on the toilet seat.  I also found a big stash of cashews that I figured were just put there to partake of later.  I ate a few and noticed that they were somewhat soggy and saltless.  Yep, Chlo was caught again, this time sucking all of the salt off of the expensive nuts and then placing them in a pile.  Mo made a big mess out of a cup of yogurt, and he has also dumped two bowls of cereal.  But, I love the fact that he is still small, and still needs me in the night.  Chloee still tells me that she loves me at least ten times a day, and I am glad that they are still young and teachable.  Yep, I am grateful for the prophet today.

     Yesterday evening the kids and I met up with Doug and Larissa and their kids at the Parowan park for FHE. I love the Parowan park.  There is a great spirit there and Larissa mentioned last night that President Hinckley dedicated it while he was alive.  No wonder I have always loved that place!  It has statues of all of the pioneers that helped to settle the area.
     Lyvia and Chlo were so happy to see each other and they began hopping around on the rocks and exploring the cave.  I was a little leery of the cave because we had found some leaches in there.  It didn't stop Mo from squishing through the mud when I wasn't watching, and luckily he missed the leaches.  Chlo and Lyvia began tromping through the stream and they found big sticks that someone had cut off of the cottonwood trees and they began beating the bushes frantically with them.  Needless to say that when it was time for the lesson and the treat, they didn't want to stop beating the bushes.  I wasn't too surprised about this, but Chlo did bawl later when all of the treats were gone.  What can I say?  She chose beating the bushes instead.
     Huxti seemed a little bit nervous because he has his pharmaceutical test this Thursday and I know he has been studying non-stop for it.  We were trying to have a conversation about this and other things when Jams and Sags started arguing over the phone and Lyvia and Chlo got in the car and began blaring the horn.  We are talking BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.  Over and over.  We tried to continue the conversation and ignore the honking, but it went on and on and on.  Luckily I had sent Oak over when I saw them entering the van, otherwise they would have locked us out, and we would have had to listen to the honking until I threatened Chlo with bodily harm.  Oak was reasonable though, and unlocked the door when I came over.  I got all excited and said, "Hey!  Let's starts a game of hide-n-seek!"  They didn't go for it.  Lyvia continued to jump and honk, jump and honk, over and over.  I said, "Fine, if you guys want to play in the van, that is fine with me, but you'll have to stay in here the rest of the time.  You cannot come out until we leave."  Reverse psychology has always worked on Oak and Chlo, but Lyvia was just fine with that arrangement.  She finally got out reluctantly and began running around the sprinklers with Chlo.  (Chlo then picked a pretty obvious hiding spot...right behind Parley P. Pratt and his shovel.)