Holy splash pad, I mean kitchen!

I guess I'll blog about my latest experience, even though I did put it on Facebook.  It's a bit more fun when I can really explain what happened (Mariah).  I was innocently making a salad for myself the other day, while Bill was at work.  I was rinsing the strawberries and blueberries over the sink and I think I hit the faucet.  Bill did tell me that earlier that morning, he'd noticed the faucet leaking, (thanks for the warning).  Anyway, without any warning, the faucet handle breaks off and up shoots a spout of water with enough pressure to keep the kids busy running through it.  It got me (my face was smack on top of the water spout), the window well, floor, and counters drenched. I didn't exactly panic, but I did yell "help" a couple of times.  Of course there was no one near.  It took about 20-30 seconds to reach under the sink and grab the first nozzle I could find and turn.  As I turned it, I did notice the water was slowing down.  I finally got it to stop.  I think I used nearly 8 towels (beach towels, no less) to mop up the water. Angie said I need to keep a video camera running at all times, since I'm so funny, and I could probably win "Funniest Home Videos" without a problem.  Oh, I looked like a drowned cat!

Everyone's gone!

Up in a tree!

Erin and kids left yesterday morning, and it's been quiet ever since.  We located a cool park with a splash pad the day before they left.  Dang, should have found it sooner.  We did go to the Washington Rec. Center the other night, though.  That was fun.  Erin did some shopping, Jacob and Lauryn climbed our trees, and when Ben was here, we had our backyard cleared...yay, at last!  Next week we're probably going to have someone come in and level it, so it will be sprinkler and lawn ready.
I'm kind of in limbo right now.  Cleaning the house is about all I can find to do, but that needs to be done, anyway.
I have spent a lot of time away from home, either on the road (St. Louis to Wichita Falls), a week in Texas (ick, too hot), and then the long drive from Texas to St. George with Erin and kids.  I guess I'm ready to be home.  The only thing bugging me is the fact that school is looming next month.  Where has the summer gone?

Lauryn at the Towne Center splash pad and Lazy River

Landon, not quite so sure.

This is somewhere in the midwest, in a McDonald's over Highway 44.  Pretty cool. Jenny and kids: Wesley, Ryan, Zack, Bryce and lovely Jessica.

This is one of my favorite.  Ben taking Jacob into the pool, the scary way.  Look at Jacob's expression.

Erin and Lauryn sort of imitating Ben and Jacob :)
What's with the nose plugging? Like mother, like daughter, I guess.

Back Home

Well, I finally returned home to St. George a couple of days ago.  Ben has been here since the 1st of July, and Erin, the kids, and I got here on the 6th.  It was a loooooong trip from Wichita Falls.  I'll post something of my time in Texas later.  Today marked the second day Ben has been back-hoeing our back yard.  He is also showing his talents teaching  Jacob and Lauryn (Landon, too) to bake his special brand of chocolate chip cookies.  They are sooo good!

Ben, in all his glory.

Bye-bye ugly back yard.

Guy Fierri, look out!

We also went swimming today at Wade Field's pool (Ben's friend from Corbett), and Ben was at it, again, teaching Jacob some pretty cool tricks off the diving board.

Erin and kids watching Ben do his thing in the back yard.