So another random hobby of mine is to play with this really cool keyboard and music editing software that my sweet mommy bought! She lets me keep it at my house so I can mess around with it, even though it is technically hers. Chance wanted to play "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission", but he only knows from G to G on the piano. So, I thought I'd edit it to a simple version without 8th notes so he could play it. He gives it his own little flair with the timing, but he's at least reading the music! I'm going to upload a copy if anyone would like one to try out. Keep in mind - it's EASY! But the nice thing is, once it's learned, they can play it pretty fast. I think it sounds similar, even without the weird timing. I'm pretty sure you can just click on the music below to make it large, and then print it from there...
Speaking of Chance and the piano, he played "Scripture Power" in a duet with me today in Primary. He did not make ONE mistake! I was so proud of him! He does so well under pressure. When he reached the piano he whispered to me, "I'm embarrassed." I told him just to do his best, and I think he played it better than he had ever practiced it at home! Way to go, pal!!

In honor of Pioneer Day, I thought I'd quickly express how grateful I am for the Pioneers. I CAN NOT IMAGINE what they must have suffered to finally arrive in our great state. I am so proud of them, and I am so glad we have a day to honor them. And as my mom and I often discuss, we know that we were not born at that time because we would have been WAY too wimpy!! No central air? How did anyone survive? :) Happy Pioneer Day!

No, Chance didn't get into a fight and have his tooth knocked out - I pulled it out last night because it was loose! His first missing tooth! Can you believe it? The sweet tooth fairy left him four whole quarters! I was told by my sister-in-law Laura that this is the current going rate for the tooth fairy at their house... The other scrapes on his nose are from a bike accident that happened earlier in the week. Believe it or not, he looks a lot better than he did...that's an entirely different story that is too embarrassing to share. Let's just say that Chance does not have a very good mom.

Anyway, Chance made this cute tooth box out of a matchbox in preschool, and has had it carefully tucked away in his top drawer for a few months. He has been patiently awaiting the day that he would actually have a tooth to put inside of it!

I just keep thinking, how can I possibly be old enough to have a kid that is losing teeth??? Time flies!

I have been messing around in Photoshop today and edited this picture of my sister-in-law's graduation. I thought I'd post it just for fun because it's a little different...hope you don't mind Sarah! I took this with my zoom lens so it's not as clear as I had hoped, but I guess it's okay considering I was so far away...

Today was the last day of the kids' first swimming lesson session. Not sure if they actually learned anything, but they had a lot of fun! They are going to do a second session, which will be every Saturday for the rest of the summer. It's a good excuse to get us out to the pool. Chance has taken lessons for three years and this is Hannah's first. However, in this coming session, he and Hannah will be in the same class! Hannah's definitely the "fish" in the family...

This is Hannah's "signature" pose - she does this all the time! Here she's showing her teacher. Don't you love her perfectly pointed toe? So funny. She hasn't even had a dance lesson yet...

On a lighter note...

The kids and Shawn really did have a fun time at the cabin! Shawn not only had a great morning fishing with his brother Brett ("just the Maclean's" went fishing), he ran the Snake River along with his brothers, his sister Sarah, his Dad, and cousins. The river is HIGH and FAST right now and since I was trying to nurse Eddie back to health, I didn't go this year. Maybe next year. I love the thrill riding the river brings.

Sarah, Bryan, Shawn, Matt, Amy, Blair, John, Blaine, Brett

One of the favorite things to do at the cabin is ride four wheelers!

Chance, Hannah, Mylee

Hannah, everyone's favorite uncle Johnny Ringo, Mylee

My niece Mylee is now basically just one of the cousins after this trip!

Brielle, Hannah, Mylee, Gracie, Autumn

Our little Eddie
May 2008 - July 5, 2008

Our sweet little doggie passed away this weekend while we were at our cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming. I had taken him to the vet on Thursday the 3rd because he was breathing kind of strange, and I also wanted to see what I could do about his diarrhea. The vet prescribed him an antibiotic for some bacteria that was found in his stool, and told me to give Eddie Pepto Bismol twice per day. Eddie's blood work came back as normal, so we thought he would be fine. Little Eddie did not like to eat his regular food - I constantly had to feed him this NutriCal paste that is a high calorie supplement so he would not get hypoglycemia - and I wonder if his lack of food got the best of him. On the 4th of July, he went completely limp and was barely breathing. I tried to find a vet in Wyoming but since it was the 4th of July weekend, no one was around. I tried to bring him back by feeding him Gatorade and more of his NutriCal throughout the night, and it worked for awhile, but it just wasn't enough. He died the next day. My kids and their cousins are so sad - we picked wildflowers and had a little doggie burial at the cabin. Hannah keeps asking when Eddie is going to "come back alive." How awful - I thought having a puppy would be so much fun! Little did I know that it was going to bring us tears...

RIP Eddie, we miss you and love you.