6th Annual Young Family Games

Team Pugmire in their matching YFG (young family game) shirts.

Friday evening me and my family headed to Burley for our Young Family Games. This is an event held once a year where my 4 other siblings and their families all meet in Burley (my parent's house) and stay for 3 days and compete in a series of sporting events.

No events were held on Friday, since everybody usually shows up pretty late because of work and things. But that night me and my two sister-in-laws (Tracy and Heidi) stayed up till 6a.m. talking! It was so fun to spend that time with them and get to know them better and without interruptions from the kids. But at 6 a.m. I didn't have the privilege of going to bed-instead Garen woke up. So I got about 45 minutes of sleep before it was time to start our service project (we do work for my Grandparents).

After the service project was our first event-Tennis. It was hot, but so much fun. Me and Andy were on a team-we didn't win, but that's okay.

The little kids played at the park and kept themselves busy by going on pretend picnics and playing outside.

Maddie and her cousins playing ring-around-the rosies on the tramp-followed by someone getting hurt, which happened pretty often. (never hurt badly)

Abby, Kaisa, Maddie, Emma, Miriam

The girls in their favorite climbing tree

Later, on Saturday, we played a game called snakes and then headed to the church for some basketball. Me and Sara were on a team for doubles lightning-we had so much fun! After basketball the kids did their play. This play is completely written and produced by the kids (there are 16 all together). They did a great job! It was so funny-complete with my nephew doing a hilarious dance in a dress!

cast members

part of the play

Maddie dancing in the play

This is part of the play-I hope you can see it, it was kind of dark in there.

Saturday night came and I swore I would go to bed early, but we stayed up and watched funny videos on you-tube till about 2 a.m. So 9:00 church came a little to soon, but we all made it. We were privileged to hear testimonies from my wonderful parents-how neat for all 28 of us to have the opportunity to hear such wonderful testimonies from mom and dad! All the kids enjoyed their primary classes and my mom was in there to watch over them.

Sunday, we had our doubles ping-pong tournament which me and Carsten (brother-in-law) won!!! We also had Young Family Games Jeopardy. It was so fun! The categories went anywhere from temples, our family history, to past YFG injuries, and YFG upsets.
Then my mom did something so wonderful for all the grandkids. She made a book of remembrance for each. She gave such special pictures and stories of my ancestors as well as gave activities for the kids to do so they can learn more and add to their books. My mom is so great and kind and wants her children and grandchildren to know these wonderful ancestors that came before us. All the kids were very excited!

The 16 grandchildren-it's very hard to get a good picture

Sunday night a few of us, including my sisters, stayed up and played Mad Gab. We played and laughed until about 2 a.m.
Then Monday morning we went to this place not to far from Burley and had a family fun day! There was a waterslide, zip line, swing set, in ground trampoline, volleyball, and lots of room to play! Everyone had such a wonderful time.

Maddie bouncing Garen on the tramp

Me on the zip line-it doesn't look to bad there, but it was pretty high and fast.

My dad on the zip line. It doesn't matter how old you are, you are still a kid at heart. My parents participated in everything. It was great to see my mom fly down the waterslide with two grandkids on her lap.

Maddie, Abby, and Savannah going down the waterslide

Maddie and Savannah carrying their tube back up the hill.

This was the candy cannon that we stuffed with candy and shot off so all the kids could use there special baskets (provided by mom) to gather candy.

Carsten, Andy, and John launching wet balls at people with the giant sling shots.

It was a weekend with no sleep, a very crowded house, crying babies and lines in front of the bathroom. But it was a weekend full of fun, love and something that no one will forget!


The kids in the car on the way home-very tired

Please not Slytherin...

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

okay, I'm kind of a dork, but a Harry Potter fan non the less. I found this quiz and was curious what house I would be in. I know all you other Harry Potter fans are curious too.:)

Singing/falling in the shower

I hope it's not bad of me to put a video of Maddie in the shower on here (she'll probably be mad at me for taking it when she's about 15). I had to do it, because it was so funny. Maddie was taking a shower and singing the funniest song at the top of her lungs. I was going to try and sneak a video of her, but instead she saw me first thing. So instead of me getting her funny song, I got her slipping and falling. We both had a good laugh.

Maddie keeps watching this video over and over on my computer and she laughs so hard her face turns red.

Madelyn's first day of Ballet

Maddie started her first class of ballet today. She had so much fun! But I'm afraid she has a bit of a competitive side. Every time the line started without her in front she would make her way up to be the leader by the time they got to the other side of the floor. It's funny to watch because she's pretty subtle about it. I'll be watching her and then realize that she is in front again. Before we went, I had to convince her not to wear her Cinderella shoes and her sparkly necklaces-she wanted to be all glamoured up for her dance class. We haven't got the pink tights and ballet shoes yet-but she'll have them for next week.

In this video the teacher told them they could do whatever they wanted, but they had to do it slow. All the other kids copied what the teacher was doing-but Maddie knew she said they could choose what they do-so she did. And notice how she makes sure she is the first one done.

Once again, Maddie becomes the first one in line. oh, well. Her class was so fun for me to watch! I can't believe she's old enough to be in dance.

Pool Scare

So, I take my kids swimming every week (including last week). Now they are saying there is an epidemic and all Utah pools are being closed down, or are no longer able to let kids 5 and under in. Scary! Thank goodness none of us got sick! Looks like I'll have to get the blow up pool out and break it to Maddie that there will be no more big pool and water slides this Summer.

Also, today I got all signed up as a substitute teacher. I know it sounds uneventful, but it's a way for me to stay close to the school districts and earn points for my Level 2 teaching licence, all without actually having to go everyday and make lesson plans. This way I get to go into lots of schools and I get to choose which days I work (which will be whatever days Andy has off of work). I'm excited and the pay isn't to horrible.

Playground Climber

I babysat my friend's kids the other day and we were all playing at the playground. The boys were working hard at trying to get to the top of the ant. Maddie finally got sick of watching and said, "here just let me show you how to do it." She is so funny!

Bedtime stories

Every night, Garen gets 2 stories before bed and Maddie gets 2 or 3. Lately, Maddie has wanted to be the one to read Garen his stories. She does a great job and Garen will just sit there and listen. What a good big sister!

Maddie will ask him to find things in the story and then she will take his hand and make him point to the correct answer followed by a good amount of praise. She is so funny, she loves to be the teacher or the person in charge. And notice Garen's belly hanging out-he is getting so big!

Haircut

We decided it was time to cut Garen's hair-since the sides go past his chin when wet. I just wanted it trimmed and still shaggy. But as we cut, it looked so uneven. So we ended up going shorter and shorter. Now he looks so different! But at least his curls will grow back.

He really did like getting it cut-he thought it was fun to sit in the sink.

no more curls

I don't know how to flip this video the right way-Any ideas?

Camping Trip

Last night we got to go camping, just me, Andy, and Maddie. We left Garen with Andy's parents. It was so much fun. We set up camp, went on a nice hike, and then took a ride and looked at deer (we saw about 50 or 60). When it got dark we built a little fire inside a dutch over (since campfires are illegal now). We roasted marshmallows and told stories-Maddie can make up some pretty good stories. About 10:30 we went in the tent and Maddie fell asleep in like 30 seconds. So me and Andy got to go back outside and spend a few more hours looking and the stars and just talking. It was so beautiful up there and it was fun to finally take Maddie-she's been asking all Summer. In the morning, we shot pop cans with Andy's pistol and cleaned up camp. We couldn't stay to long this morning because Andy had to go to work today at 1:00p.m. Maddie enjoyed every minute and she can't wait to go camping again.



putting the tent up


Maddie taking a break on her dad's shoulders when she got tired on our hike



roasting marshmallows and eating s'mores

Andy shooting his gun and Maddie hiding behind him, covering her ears.

Playing Tennis

This morning we all went and played a little tennis. On our way out we all had our hands full with our rackets and the kids and forgot the keys to the car, which were now locked in the house. So before we got to go play, we had to pull the screen of one of the windows, that thankfully I had left unlocked. We had a fun time playing. Maddie really enjoyed it and she's pretty good!

These pictures taken by Maddie

Nice swing

Ball boy

Check out the look on her face. I think she is pretty worried about missing.

Basket Kids

Like Alisha said on her Blog once before, Who needs to buy lots of expensive toys when you could just give them a laundry basket.

What my kids do for fun

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Dancing Princess

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Pretty in Pink

My friend and I finally finished making Maddie's new princess dress today. It's going to be her Halloween costume. The minute she put it on, she was acting just like a little princess. I didn't do to bad on my first big sewing project (of course, I had a huge amount of help from my friend, Brenda).

Last Nights Sunset.

Garen-The climbing machine

Garen's everyday task is to try his hardest to climb on something that shouldn't be climbed on, and then to fall off of it. Here's what he decided to conquer today- the musical play table and Maddie's red chair. And yes, he fell on his head several times. But there is no stopping him.

Eating Spaghetti

Garen-14 months old

Princess Maddie

Yesterday when we went to the hospital to see Levi, Maddie had made a very special card for him all on her own. She found a picture with a fireman "because Levi is a boy", She glued a valentine to in "because she loves him," and she put letter stickers all over it, "because she is going to teach him his letters." I guess I had forgotten to explain that Maddie wouldn't be able to go in and see the baby, since they only let people older then 14 come in. When we got there she was kind of confused and sad that she didn't get to see her new cousin. So, Amber is home now, so we got the chance to stop by today and Maddie got to hold her sweet new cousin.

We were out shopping today and found this Cinderella (Maddie's favorite princess) dress for $7-usually they are $20 or more. She was so excited to dress up and be a "Cinderella dancer girl."

A New Nephew

I now have 15 nieces and nephews. But little Levi is the first nephew on Andy's side. Andy's sister, Amber had Levi early Thursday morning. Since I was in Burley I didn't get to see him till Friday night. He is so tiny and so handsome (he is 5lbs 12oz in the above picture). It will be fun for Maddie and Garen to have a cousin on Andy's side of the family.