It Could Have Been a Perfect Day

The day after I got sunburned, Zach got his boot off!  All I can say is:  Woo-hoo!  Summer can officially begin!  Zach can run, jump, swim, bike (if he knew how), and hike.  We are so excited.  Kurtis's rule that Zach, Riley, and Kaleb cannot play the computer, PlayStation, xbox, or wii until they learn to ride a bike is in force.  And they got grounded from them, friends, and treats for being little liar faces.  What a great way for summer to begin.  Except Kaleb.  He wasn't a little liar face.
So because I brought up the kids being liar faces, I guess I should explain.  Then this will be 2 posts in one. Not what I intended, but yay for you!
Saturday, I went to the temple to see my younger brother Ben get his endowments out.  Hmmm.  How do I explain this for my non-lds readers.  I really have no idea if I have non-lds readers.  But I like to explain anyway.  I will try.  Any questions you have later, post a comment.  I'll do my best to answer, but keep in mind, the temple is a sacred place to us, and what goes on inside the temple is also sacred.
The endowment ceremony involves making covenants with the Lord.  We promise to keep the commandments, and follow the teachings of the prophets. We also promise to serve God, and use our talents for serving Him and others.  That's pretty much it.  I love going to the temple.  It's beautiful there, and there aren't many places left in this world where I can go, and it's quiet.  It's a place where people are happy to see you, and happy to be there.  It's calm, and peaceful.  I need to go there more often.
So, it was Ben's turn on Saturday.  My bestest friend Nicole volunteered to watch my kids for me, and after we were done, we could go on a date and see a movie.  She's totally awesome!  So we dropped the kids off at her house, and went to the temple.  I texted her that Kaleb had mosquito bites all over his legs (apparently he went outside Friday night while Nicole and I having a girls' night out), and he said they hurt.  I had put some stuff on them that morning.  He seemed to be doing better.  But Nicole texted me back and said he was crying.  Great.
After the temple, we went to Outback Steakhouse.  They really don't have many choices on their menu for people who don't like steak.  I am one of those people.  But it was Ben's day, so he got to pick.  He loved it.  That's what matters.  Kurtis loved it, too.  Then Kurtis and I went to see the Sorcerer's Apprentice.  Excellent film.  A lot of fun for the whole family.  Michele, I think your friend who was unsure about her kids seeing Iron Man 2, would approve of this film.  It was a lot of fun.  I love magic and wizards.  The Harry Potter 7 trailer was shown too.  Very excited for that one.
When we got back to Nicole's to pick up the kids, she told me all about the day's adventures.  Riley kicked her dog.  Zach pretended to punch her other dog.  Kaleb cried, and she felt bad about drugging him, but eventually she did give him ibuprofen.  I said next time, just drug him.  So when I asked the kids about it, they said, "What? No! We didn't do those things!"  And cried, and cried.  So I put them to bed, and said to Kurtis, we can talk about it in the morning.  Liar faces.  Eventually, they cracked.  I mean, why would Nicole lie?  Only not-nice words are coming to my mind right now.  I have great kids.  Terrible liars.  I always know, but sometimes I am just more disappointed in them than others.  This would be one of those times.

Here is Zach having his celebratory "I got my cast off!" Slur Pee at Nielsen's Frozen Custard.

Ben and his girlfriend, Melinda in front of the temple.

My hot husband at the temple.  No, really.  It was way hot that day.

Rodney at Outback.

Mom didn't want her picture taken.

My uncle Steve, and Grandma Day.

Late-comers Jeremy and Emily.

Ben and Melinda.  She's awesome! :)