Attack of the chiggers!!!!

Meet the chigger. This nasty little thing feed on the skin cells, but not blood, of animals, including humans. The six-legged parasitic larva feeds on a large variety of creatures including humans. After crawling onto their host, they inject digestive enzymes into the skin that break down skin cells. They do not actually "bite," but instead form a hole in the skin called a stylostome and chew up tiny parts of the inner skin, thus causing severe irritation and swelling. The severe itching is accompanied by red pimple-like bumps or hives and skin rash or lesions on a sun-exposed area. For humans, itching usually occurs after the larvae detach from the skin.

A few weeks ago Jon came up with a really fun Dallin, Mommy, Daddy date. He found a place where we could rent a small fishing boat and drive around the lake. Since Dallin (nor his mother, SO SAD I know!) had ever been on a boat, it was pretty exciting. We had a great time. Dallin LOVED the lake. We actually removed him kicking and screaming. The next day I was itching like a mad woman! Then I saw this! (this picture is from day 3!) I had been attached by chiggers! Jon and Dallin escaped without a single bite! For those of you who haven't had a chigger bite- consider yourself LUCKY! They itch so incredible bad. Mosquitoes are nothing compared to chiggers. I itched so bad I truly thought I was going to rid my skin off! I tried every anti-itch lotion, cream, ointment and NOTHING worked! I washed with lye soap and used rubbing alcohol on the spots and that helped a little. Saturday night I itched so bad it kept me up all night! To make things worse the next day I got at least 10 more bites all over my body and I was only outside for a few minutes. AHHH!

A Broken Toe (AGAIN!), a 5K, and Father's Day.

I am so incredible clumsy. It seems like I always have a cut, bruise, scrap, or any other random sore that was self-inflicted. Most of the time I don't even know how I did it. I have posted before about a broken toe and well... I did it again! I broke my baby toe. This time I did it while running towards the bathroom to catch Elise before she played in the toilet. It is still sore and I broke it a few weeks ago. Lovely isn't it?? On Saturday, June 20th my friend Lisa and I ran in a 5K in Peculiar, Missouri. We have become running buddies (which I LOVE) and after 2 days of training (better than my 1 day with the Thanksgiving 5K), we did a 5K. It was REALLY hot and humid which is amazing because it started at 7:30 am. (We have been experience a heat wave lately. They put out heat advisory for a week straight because with the humidity the heat index has been between 105-115. And it sure did feel like it that morning!) I am no runner by any means, but I am working on getting better. I ran it in 33 minutes, which beats my Thanksgiving time by 7 minutes. I placed 15/31 women (not horrible, but not great. I was grateful to not be last. And I did it with my broken toe...) Lisa finished a minute ahead of me. We had so much fun! We are planning another one for August already.

BeforeAfter

Our Father's Day was really casual this year which was nice. I woke up and made Jon really yummy french toast (I didn't cut it into stars) with Texas toast and bacon for breakfast. For dinner he requested bacon, cheddar cheeseburgers so he cooked them, but I did all the sides. I also made him a chocolate angel food cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries for dessert. If you have never had one, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!! It is so delicious! Dallin insisted on getting Daddy a United States Flag for the house so that is what we are going to do (I have to order it still...) Jon is such an amazing father. He loves the kids so much and has such a gentle, patient way with them. I love him so much and I know the kids do to! Happy Fathers Day!

A Sweet Husband, Super Hero, and a Cute Girl

After ladies night two weeks ago, I had some problems with my cheap ammo I was using. I kept having jams and it really slows me down so my score was all messed up. I did really good my first round (so far my best score yet), but my second was horrible because I had a jam every other shot. So Jon went out and bought me 500 rounds of nicer ammo for the gun so I won't have that problem tonight. He wrapped it up and left it on my dresser. Now that is a thoughtful gift! He is so sweet; I just love him so much! Thank you Jon!!!!

Dallin has been wanting a cape so he can be a super hero lately, so he came up with this all by himself. So silly!And this is just my cute, sweet girl! I LOVE this color on her!

Garden 2009

Once again, we were late putting in our garden. (There seems to be a trend here..) But we did get it in a few weeks back and so far it is doing great. We planted tomatoes, bell peppers, acorn squash, zucchini, cantaloupe, and cucumber. We also planted a herb garden with stevia, cilantro, parsley, sage, thyme, basil, oregano, and hot thai peppers. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved helping (aka getting dirty).

Get Yo' Chickin'

Jon smoked 6 pounds of chicken a few weeks ago to use for dinners (mmmm...it was SO good!) So that night we just ate the delicious smoked chicken with some sides. Elise was in no mood to eat which she indicated by throwing all of her food on the floor. So Jon was kidding and said, "Give her a chicken bone!" I thought, why not right...and she LOVED it. My Grandma Swanbeck would be so proud (she always told all of us kids to give our infants the chicken bone because her kids LOVED them.) I just love these pictures! She is such a cute girl!

My Sweet Boy

Dallin had a really hard time going into Sunbeams in January, but after the first few weeks he really loved it. I think after all of the singing, he was hooked! He absolutely LOVES singing. It is so cute! He is usually the only sunbeam singing, but he takes it very seriously so he sits in his chair and sings every song. They have been teaching them "I Lived in Heaven" and after a few weeks he remembered both verses. (He has an amazing memory!) I love his sweet voice. He is such a sweet little boy; I just love him so much! I can't help but smile when I see this video!(Unfortunately my camera cut him off at the very end.)