Naval Undersea Museum (Bremerton trip)

Pictures from the Naval Undersea Museum

They had an area that looked like the inside of a submarine. We stayed here for a long time. One of the periscopes actually looked outside at the parking lot. We could see our car and people walking around. The other one just had a picture of a dolphin or something like that.

At the end of the Naval Museum, they had a dress up area for the kids. It was probably the most exciting part for them, but I think they enjoyed the whole place too.

Calista the sailor

Ellen liked the toys

Sergeant Samuel

Jacque loves puzzles!

He didn't send us to Jail!

Last night I took the kids on a walk to the post office and then to the park to play in the creek. I needed to use the bathroom when we got there, so all the kids waited just outside of the restrooms for me. As I was in there, I heard the kids, "Hey, look there's a police car." Then I could hear a car approach and a voice said, "Is your mom or dad around." They said, "Yes, she's in the bathroom." And then the voice said, "Okay, just checking" and he drove off. Next I hear Calista say, "Hey mom, a policeman just came by...but he didn't throw us in jail!" Whew! I'm glad we escaped that one! Just thought it was cute and I'm glad to see that the police check up on things too.

Had a doctor's appointment yesterday, but I'm only dilated to a 2, so not much is going on yet. We'll let you know later when we have news! We're just learning patience right now.

4th of July

We went to Ukiah for our firework show this year. It is about 40 minutes south of Pilot Rock and we went with some friends. The show is pretty good. They had some amazing fireworks, although next year we won't be sitting in the park where they are lit off. We had so much ash falling on us that we think it will be better if we go a few blocks farther away next time.

I guess in Ukiah the cops must leave town or something like that because there are illegal fireworks going off all around you, some of them good enough to rival the actual "legal firework show." It was a fun experience.

Aaron read in the paper earlier this week that the firework show here in Pendleton had some of its own excitement. They had it at the community park, and I guess someone forgot to turn off the automatic sprinklers! They had some very surprised spectators!

Hershey Track Meet

We had our Hershey Track Meet about a month ago, but here are some fun pictures of it. I was so impressed that I actually remembered my camera. When we got out of the car, we decided we should put sunscreen on the kids and then I didn't have to carry it around the track with me. After we were done, we walked up to the field, and I noticed that I didn't have my camera. I had left it sitting on the hood of our car in the parking lot. Luckily Aaron was willing to run back and get it.

Ellen didn't want to race. Last year, she did so well, but this year she stood at the start line with Aaron while I went to the finish line for pictures. Aaron was trying to talk her into running, when they said go, she took just a couple steps and came running back to Aaron. Later we were walking to meet Aaron at the standing long jump, when they announced that Samuel had the 400m race. I turned to go with Samuel to the start line and told Ellen to keep going to daddy. I left with Samuel and then heard Ellen start to cry, so I turned back around and told her to come with me. I happened to be a good distance away, and so I actually got a picture of her running on the track too! It just wasn't in a race!

Here she comes!

Go Ellen!!

Calista's getting ready for her race! Getting a pep talk from Aaron!

Calista did really well. She ended up getting two 2nd place ribbons for her heats! (Lane 5)

Look at her run!

(Lane 2) Jacque didn't place, but she did a really good job, and she ended up getting 2 participating ribbons. That is one reason I really like this meet. All the little kids ribbons just for competing.

Go Jacque! (She's in lane 1)

Jacque doing the softball throw!

Samuel did really well too. He got two 2nd place ribbons and then a participating ribbon in the 400m! The same kid beat him in both races.

There they are! It was a pretty close one between Samuel and the other kid!

Samuel had a slow start on the 400m. They had two kids for every lane and just told them that they could scoot over as long as they didn't run into anyone. Samuel got blocked for the first 100m, and by then the kids in the lead were way out there. Aaron was on the back stretch cheering and Samuel took off. He hit the wall around the 300m and I think ended up walking the last 3 steps over the finish line. He did great for his first try!

Samuel's softball throw. We left the meet early and found out later that Samuel placed 3rd in the softball throw! He was excited to get another ribbon!

Ellen

The other day I was cutting out material for Jacque's sunday dress and trying to play a game with Samuel at the same time. Ellen wanted someone to play BINGO with her, but everyone was busy, so she decided that she'd have her own fun. First off she took all the little coins that covered the BINGO squares and decided it would be a lot of fun to throw them around the room! She made a good mess. I didn't see or hear her for a bit, and was too busy to really think that I should maybe go check on her, but several minutes later she came up to me and gave me a glue stick. I looked at her, and this is what I found:

Isn't she cute! I took a picture and then got a wipe and washed it all off. As I was scrubbing her face, Ellen says (in a very serious voice), "I not do 'gin mom!" She was so cute and so good while I was scrubbing.

Another story:

Yesterday we had a ward 4th of July pancake breakfast. We walked across the street and ate breakfast, and I was a little surprised at what we ate. Usually when you have a ward dinner/lunch/breakfast, someone has spent a lot of money and time on food and decorations. They called this breakfast a pancake breakfast, and that's what it was. We walked in, they had tables set up and there was a pan of pancakes, one tub of butter to share among the tables, and two containers of syrup. I was surprised at first, but then I was grateful. I think too many times people try to do too much for Ward parties and they usually end up spending a lot of money. The food was great, we ate until we were full, and I think everyone had just as much fun talking to others and mingling without all the expense. I liked it.

While we were eating, our friends down at the end of the table asked when the house tour was. I told them as soon as they were done eating. We hurried and ate, and then got home and starting picking things up so the house was more inviting. Just a few minutes later our friends with their kids came. Then another friend, and another friend with her kids. I think by the end we had 13 kids (counting mine) and 7 adults. It was fun that they all felt comfortable to come over and we had fun talking. When it was time for one of the families to go, the mom said, "Come on kids" and started leaving. As they were walking to the car, her husband said, "Megan...you can't take that one." She looks down and she was walking off, holding Ellen's hand. She just assumed that anyone who would grab her hand would be her own kid, and Ellen heard her say, "Come on kids, let's go" and she was going!

I do really think that Ellen loves us, but after trying to go home with so many different people, maybe I should stop and think about this!

Officially closed!

We are officially closed now! Yeah!!

Our neighbor knocked on my door Thursday night and asked if he could mow my backyard/lot. It has been overrun by weeds and alfalfa, and he felt bad that we were left with such a mess. He has a riding lawnmower and thought he should volunteer for the job. I was so greatful for his offer. That was going to be one of our projects for Saturday. He ended up spending over two hours mowing. I watched for a few minutes, and then I went in and baked him, and us, a pie. I had enough time to bake the pie and have it cool enough to be handled by the time he was done. I think he is going to be a good neighbor. His youngest child is 10 and his name is Sam. Sam and Samuel have become really good friends, and its great to have Samuel have a boy to play with. He asks to invite Sam over so he can have some "boy time."

How well do the kids know their dad?

We didn't have Internet access over Father's Day, but the Primary had the kids fill out a cute questionaire about their dads, which showed how well they knew their dads. I thought it was really cute and wanted to share their answers.

1. Who is he named after?
Samuel: The Aaron in the Scriptures
Jacque: No one
Calista: James
Correct answer: The Kerns' named all their boys with Bible names and his middle name is
after his Grandpa Tom Kerns.

2. How many brothers and sisters does he have?
Samuel: 10
Jacque: ? some of both
Calista: a lot
Correct answer: 9 - 5 brothers, 4 sisters

3. What is his favorite cereal?
Samuel: I don't know
Jacque: Cheerios
Calista: Oatmeal
Correct answer: Oatmeal/granola or Raisin Bran if you want a "cold cereal"

4. Where was he born?
Samuel: I think in Haines
Jacque: Baker
Calista: In his mommy's tummy
Correct answer: Baker

5. How old was he when he got married?
Samuel: Probably around 20
Jacque: 20
Calista: 30
Correct answer: 22

6. What is his favorite flavor of ice cream?
Samuel: Vanilla
Jacque: Vanilla
Calista: Strawberry
Correct answer: Strawberry

7. What is his favorite food?
Samuel: He doesn't care
Jacque: Pizza
Calista: Strawberry Oatmeal
Correct answer: He probably doesn't care

8. What is his favorite movie?
Samuel: Apple Dumpling Gang #1 and #2
Jacque: Gunfire (meaning Support Your Local Sheriff)
Calista: The gunfighter (same as Jacque, we recently bought this movie)
Correct answer: Apple Dumpling Gang #2

9. What is his favorite song?
Samuel: He likes a lot
Jacque: I'm so glad when daddy comes home
Calista: I'm so glad when daddy comes home
(They must've been practicing this song for Father's Day )
Correct answer: He does like a lot

10. What color are his eyes?
Samuel: Blue and greenish
Jacque: Green
Calista: Blue
Correct answer: Blueish-greenish

11. What size of shoe does he wear?
Samuel: Around 19 or 20
Jacque: 12
Calista: Really big
Correct answer: 10

12. What is his favorite thing to do with me?
Samuel: Everything
Jacque: Play Alligator
Calista: Give me piggyback rides
Correct answer: Everything - Alligator, slugly ug, evil lion, goozling the gizzard