The Tarantulas

The day before yesterday, some of the boys came in talking about a "big spider." Ok, cool. We gave them the normal don't-touch-it talk and they went back outside. Then Isaac rushed in shortly after talking about a "tarantula!" Ooookay... Aunt Judi went out to check on the kids and came flying back inside and confirmed that there was an actual tarantula in the backyard. Of course, I grabbed a couple cups and dashed out to see the boys huddled on the porch pointing and staring at a black spot on the green grass. Sure enough, it was a good-sized Mexican Golden Red Rump tarantula - a beginner's domestic tarantula. I caught it in the cup and then a couple of the older (teenage) boys dared me to hold it in my hand. Psh, please.

 Mexican Golden Red Rump

Yep, that's a wild tarantula in my bare hands.

 Lesson for the kids on what NOT to touch without an adult

 Trust me, this didn't last long. Derek flung it halfway across the yard. Lol!

And then it happened again yesterday. Garret came tearing in yelling for me to come see (and catch) another tarantula. I didn't bother with the cup this time, but this tarantula was quite a bit more agitated than the last and kept rushing up my arm. It made it all the way to the top of my shoulder and almost to my hair once (which, honestly, surprised me a lot) but the teenage girls that screeched watching it run up my arm made me crack up. I didn't let any of the kids hold it this time, but Aunt Debbie was totally game.

 No cup this time!

Close up

 Lots more kids were out yesterday. Shelley, Derek, Logan and Jamie were the only ones who wanted to get close. What you can't see is the ring of teenagers about 3 feet out.

Yeah, Aunt Debbie!

Funeral Day

There really are no words to describe the feelings and events of today. Suffice it to say that the funeral was beautiful, all five of Jeff and Tammy's children gave wonderful talks about the Plan of Salvation and shared some great memories about their dad. The Holy Spirit was present and comforting the entire day, but I felt it especially during the funeral. I was so grateful to have support from my own family who drove a considerable distance to help watch the kids and just be present. After the funeral, we drove in a procession to a National Cemetery outside of Dallas where Jeff was buried. It's a beautiful site and it was touching to see that the Marine performing the flag ceremony was exactly the same rank that Jeff was (Sergeant).  The Relief Society in Tammy's Ward provided a delicious luncheon back in Prosper for the family after the funeral. It has been wonderful to see all the extended family (and Ward family) pull together to support each other and especially Tammy now. 

Funeral program cover

Ward and family members waiting for the casket to be loaded and procession to begin

Jeff's siblings: Judy, Mike and Debbie

I rode with David in the next-to-last car

The procession was escorted by DFW motorcycle police. They took great care of us and made sure nobody was left behind during the 45 minute drive.

Madison, Taylor, Ashley, Uncle John, Sereen, Preston. Waiting our turn for the military honors ceremony.

 Nate

Angie and Andrew

Pallbearers: David, Mitchell, Colton, Jared, Uncle Mike, Austin

 Jeff would really appreciate how precise and orderly everything is. Just beautiful.

 The Luncheon Spread - so delicious!

 The lovely ladies from the ward - thank you so much!

 Uncle Bill and Meg

 Aunt Kathy and Baby Lizzie

 Sis Boyd, Loni, Lanae, Sereen

Garrett, Jamie, Kimmy, Isaac, Derek, Logan

Planting Dad's Shrubs

Jeff had been working on the yard and left several bushes unplanted, so a bunch of us went to and got them planted. Most of the plants had been placed in roughly the place that Jeff had wanted them (according to Tammy) so that part was fairly easy. The boys loooooved helping, but Preston was particularly enthusiastic.

Look at that hole!

Helping Uncle Jared

Showing Grandma his bucket

We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig in our yard, the whole day long!

Pretty sure watering kids doesn't make them grow, but it sure is fun!

Preston forgot there was a hole there. 

He's Starting to Crawl!

I love how Mitchell will get down on the ground with the boys. He's certainly one of Bryce's favorite toys.

Fun Time in the Tub Time

Derek woke up and decided to be messy this morning so he ended up taking a bath before 10 am. I started cleaning the kitchen while he played but I couldn't resist peeking in on him when I heard him start singing, "all the ladies put your shoes away, all the ladies put your shoes away!" I have NO idea where he got that one, except that he was watching Mitchell and I play Dance Central last night. Still, none of those songs have those particular lyrics, but it was funny all the same. Derek was half submerged like this when I heard him singing. I guess you always hear yourself better from underwater. :)

Cutie Patooties!

How CUTE are these two?! It's getting harder and harder to impress Bryce enough to solicit a giggle :(

Learning to Spray the Hose

Liz was going to take us to her community pool today, but I forgot to get the carseats out of the Malibu before Mitchell went to work. Plan B was to inflate and fill up the kiddie pools! Liz did a great job spear heading the project and Jeff helped us patch up a pesky hole in the pool. We broke out the hose and tried to teach Derek and Isaac how to make it spray so we could see the rainbow (the boys kept asking for rainbows, even though there wasn't any rain). Derek figured it out and loved spraying Isaac, who wasn't as thrilled, but Isaac soon provided ample payback. Andrew ambled out after his nap to play soon after my camera died, but those boys sure had a good time playing with each other.

So excited to be in the pool!

What a good boy: he always cleans behind his ears, lol.

Isaac was trying to stick the hose out further to get Derek

He finally figured out how to make it spray...

...and spray...

...and SPRAY!

Isaac never ran close enough to get sprayed...

...but he did try to thow balls at Derek.

Blowing bubbles

The perpetual favorite - the water slide!

Date Night!

Mitchell surprised me with a date night to see...

I was so excited!!! Not only did we see Jurassic Park on the big screen (which I vaguely remember seeing in theaters with my dad when it first came out) but we saw it in 3D! It was fantastic! We didn't have time to get dinner beforehand so Mitchell treated me to popcorn and a soda. What a great husband I have. :) The T-Rex scene and the last raptor scene were so unbelievably scary and awesome at the same time. Quite possibly my favorite movie of all time. Thanks for a great date, honey!