If You Had Three Wishes...

What would you wish for? If you are like me, you might be wishing for unlimited cash, good health, and to be able to fit in my high school clothes again! Pretty complicated and nearly impossible to attain, right?

Well, on the 24th of July, we were at the carnival at Spanish Fork with my parents. We stopped to talk to some of my cousins, and Mom and my cousin Aaron started laughing. When I asked what they were laughing at, they looked at Natalie, and told me what she had just said.

Here is how it went: "If I had three wishes I would wish for a hundred bucks, a laptop, and that mosquitoes were never 'invented'!"

Only two days before that, the three older kids had slept outside on the trampoline, and didn't put on any insect repellent. So...they were eaten up pretty badly. A couple of weeks later they slept out again, and I DRENCHED them in repellent, and it acted like an attractant instead! They each had over twenty bites on their faces and hands.

Here's what Natty looked like a few days after the last episode. The bites are not as noticeable, but her eye is still swollen, and her left hand is swollen.

So, that's why little Natalie wishes that mosquitoes were never "invented". The hundred bucks and laptop are reasonably easy to grant, but the mosquitoes...she'll have to talk to God about that one!

Thanksgiving Point

Every Tuesday for the month of August Thanksgiving Point is only charging $2 per person per venue. So we took advantage, and went! My mom, sister-in-law, Amber and her son Nash, my five kids and I went to Farm Country. The kids had a blast! It was especially fun to watch Nash and Jason imitating the horses! I got a good picture to embarrass Daniel in another ten years when he brings his girlfriend around. And, some great candid shots. I love to take a picture of someone when they don't know what I'm doing! I'm able to get the most natural expressions out of them. The worst part of the day was standing in the line for pony rides. (1 1/2 hours!), but was worth it to see how impressed Jason was! I had to rip him off of the saddle at the end!

I took this picture while Amber and I were standing in line with Nash for the hay ride. Either Nattie is telling a story to Grandma, or the other way around.

I really liked this picture of the kids with Nash. There was just so much to see and do, he didn't know where to start!

Kinsey looking at the Llama. She is just old enough now to pay attention to things and have fun looking at them.

The Llama kept nudging my hair, and I was worried that it would spit on me. Just after Mom took this picture, another llama spit on a kid around the corner! lol

There are quarter machines that have corn in them to feed to the animals. I gave some to Jason, and he started to eat it! This picture was taken just as I asked him what he had in his mouth!

Here's the one I'll get to embarrass Daniel with in the future! There is a little building that says "Dance Hall" on it, and all of the kids were kickin' up their heels! Daniel was really into his jig.

Here are Erica and Jason gittin' down!

Next to the "Dance Hall" is the "Jail". Jason didn't want to get out! I hope this isn't a revelation of things to come!

This is the team of horses that took us on a hay ride. Their names are Gypsy (on the left) and Hannah. Amber and I really got a kick out of Nash imitating them! He is a real character!

Here's Kinsey having a good ole time! She was so good, and Mom was an angel to come with and help me with her! Thanks, Mom!

Erica on the pony ride. She was looking back at Daniel, and I got this great expression out of her!

Jason just as the ride was over. He did not want to get off. I couldn't believe that he sat there as good as he did!

This was taken just as the calf took the corn from Jason's hand. The calf was so cute!

This is a miniature donkey. He is full size! Natty was the only kid that could pet him like that! There is a sign just above them that says, "Watch out, I bite"!

And here is Jason hanging on some chains. What a goof! And Nash is heading to put another handful of rocks into the horses' water!

I'm Still Alive!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth. Andres was working for two weeks straight, so I didn't have the computer to post anything. We to Bear Lake with Andres' family on Thursday and came back Friday. I took 136 pictures, so I am busy choosing which to post. More on that later.

Happy Birthday, Anniversary, 4th, 24th, and Whatever Else!!!

July is a pretty busy month for everyone I think. It is especially busy for our family. We start out with the 4th and all of the festivities that go along with that. Three days later Andres and I celebrate our anniversary. (13 years now!!) Five days after our anniversary is Carlos' birthday. (60 years young!) Two days after Carlos' b-day is my dad's (Johnny). (56 years young!) Don't get mad at me for posting your ages!! Four days after dad's is my sister-in-law Amanda, which is today!!! Happy birthday to you... (sorry, I really don't know your age!) This week is Steel Days in AF, so Andres is busy keeping track of the turds! Sunday is Andres' birthday (38 years young...gee that's pretty close to FORTY!!! I'll be married to a FORTY year old soon!) Next Thursday is the 24th of July, which is Utah's Pioneer Day, so we will be enjoying all of the festivities that go along with that. And, I think that covers it.

So, with all of the fun things happening in July, August will be here before we know it and we will all have to be getting ready for SCHOOL again. (I know, you're all going to hate me for reminding you, but we have been keeping up the studies throughout all of the summer, so we don't really get a break!)

Have fun with all of your festivities!

4th of July Fun!

The Gianfelice Family--Very patriotic in dress!

Our Independence Day celebration started with the Mendenhall family at Canyon View park in Spanish Fork. Dad trucked down the grill and we had hamburgers and hot dogs and all the trimmings. My brother, Cory, made homemade root beer (yum!). My parents, Cory, Aprel and their two kids Leah and Nicholas, Mike and Amber and their little Nash, Tyler and Amanda, Aprel's sister, Miriam, and her family joined us, as well as Richard and Tamara Davis with their daughter Karissa. My kids, of course, did more climbing in the trees than anything. They got my niece Leah climbing, and I really don't know how much Cory and Aprel appreciated that!

Even Jason got his chance at attempting to climb the tree.

Here is Nash watching Daniel burn some "snakes"

A close-up of the snake. I've always thought they look like dog doo-doo.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of everyone at the park, but Kinsey was being a little bit wah-wah, so I had to tend to her.

I was also talking to Richard and Tamara about their daughter Hayley. We grew up together and were good friends all throughout high school. I haven't seen any of my friends for years! I am so bad at keeping in touch with them. Anyway, Hayley had her first baby boy a little over a month after I had Kinsey, so I was asking how she was doing and how the baby was doing. When we were leaving, I told Tamara to tell Hayley "hi" for me the next time she talked to her. Well, as I was entering Wal-Mart in Orem later that day, who did I run into but Hayley! I was so happy to see her, and her little boy, Forrest, is such a doll! I couldn't believe how perfect he was! Hayley, of course, looked great and I am so happy that I ran into her!

Our evening began by having an Argentine asado, or barbecue. Andres' parents joined us and we ate until we were ready to pop! This wasn't too hard since we pigged out earlier in the day! Around 9:30, we started blasting off fireworks while we waited for the Stadium of Fire fireworks to begin. Daniel acted as Master of Ceremonies, and pyrotechnician. Jason stayed close to Andres and Carlos. Gloria was content to sit on the steps with Kinsey. Erica and Natalie just sat and watched with me. We had a lot of fun!

Daniel "matching" the firework.


Get out of the way!


The "Final Granaly"


Jason keeping close to Andres


Daniel rolling his eyeballs at Mom. Yes, he is getting closer to being a teenager than I am willing to admit! Notice the car that started to pass by as I took the photo.

Grandma Gloria with Kinsey

Grandpa Carlos with Jason

Jason hiding the best he could. I finally put him in his crib, and he was out in about 15 minutes!

Here's my cute Natty

And Erica. She is good at escaping when I whip out the camera. Daniel, Natty, and Jason all are anxious and willing to stand in front of the camera while making goofy faces. So, I have to sneak with Erica, but she actually smiled rather than scowled this time!

I love the 4th of July! It started when I was young and always anticipated the fun that went along with the party part of the day. Picnics, fireworks, parties, fireworks, candy, fireworks, parades, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks!

As I have grown up I have learned how unique our freedom is. We can do almost anything we want. We can say almost anything we want. We can be almost anything we want! Yes, even if we think what others are doing, saying or being is stupid, wrong, or irresponsible, they have the same freedoms we have. We are not forced to think or act in a way someone else decides is the best way. I have also learned that these freedoms are being threatened every day by outsiders, but worse by those who enjoy living in the United States of America! I have learned that we have to be diligent in keeping what we hold dear pure and simple. There are too many people, if you can call them people, who are indecent, immoral, amoral, ignorant, and just plain mean! I can't believe that our soldiers are being treated so poorly. My grandpa Mendenhall was a WWII veteran, and I never saw the disrespect for him and his friends that I have been witnessing now. Whether we agree with the war or not, the soldiers out there risking their lives are doing so to protect our freedom. We need to show them at least a little respect!

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now...I still enjoy Independence day and spend some time thanking my Heavenly Father for the wonderful country I live in. And yes I still like the fireworks!

Leapin' Lizard!

Yesterday afternoon I went with Jason to dump a diaper, and when we were just about to step on it, a lizard leaped to the garbage can wheel. It was quite a surprise, and Jason didn't know whether to s&!# or go blind! I don't think it is native to Utah. I have only seen the tiny ones that our dog Teela chased around when she was alive. This looks like it might have been someones pet that escaped or was released. It looks pretty cool, and the kids wanted me to catch it, but it started to come at me, and I jumped back a foot and it took off across the road! What a chicken I am!
Take a look at the pics I got of it!

This is where it started to come at me!

I just found out that this lizard is native to Utah! That is so cool!!! This is where I found the info http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=crotbici

It's called Great Basin Collared Lizard or CROTAPHYTUS BICINCTORES if you want the scientific name.

So, look out for lizards this summer!

Summer Fun!!

So far, every single person I have talked about summer with, asks, "So, are you having a good summer? Are the kids driving you crazy yet?...Oh wait, you have your kids all the time!"

Yes it's true, I have my kids all the time. And, yes, they do drive me crazy at times. But, mostly we have a lot of fun all year 'round. While other kids are in school, we do things like have lunch at Chuck E. Cheese on a Wednesday, when the kids have to share the games and such with themselves! Ha Ha!! But I'm not posting this to be mean, but to share some of our summer fun pics.


There is a neighborhood park about three blocks away that we love to go play and have lunch at.

Here is the little playground.

The older kids' favorite part of the park is there are three huge "climbing trees". They are part monkey or something.

Hang on girls!

"Scary me!"

The swing is more like it!

What a handsome guy!

...And a beautiful girl!

Doesn't this look like fun?

So that's the little park. Something else we (or I should say Andres) has been doing is buliding stuff. He has a little welder and cut up and welded this little scooter for Jason. Here is Jason showing it off for everyone.

Here are Daniel, Jason, and Rocky. We have a bubble blowing gun, and I just happened to get this picture that looks like Jason and Rocky are racing to get the bubbles.

Anyway, just because I homeschool my kids, and get to enjoy them year 'round, doesn't mean we don't have a great summer! Have fun!