Sunburn update...

Russell picked me these really pretty flowers from our yard in the hopes they would help me feel better. My legs don't feel better - but flowers always lift my spirits. He is so thoughtful. :)

I woke up this morning to my left leg not hurting at all! The top of my left foot still is sore though. My right leg still "seizes" up on me. My right ankle is still very swollen. Legs are still a lovely shade of pink. None of my shoes fit except for my slippers. I ended up buying a cheapo pair of flipflops yesterday just so I have something to wear to church on Sunday. (gasp) Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get places.

Jobs...

I am now a certified homecare worker! I went in Monday for my interview and received my provider number yesterday. I am really excited! Now I just wait for an employer to call me. I can have multiple employers - which is very nice.

Oh...and my legs/feet are still burning 2 days later. Just in case you were wondering.

The beach. What not to do....

First and foremost - make sure your kids lather up with "ocean lotion" as Nephi calls it. Make sure you do some of your face and neck area. Don't forget your arms. Then forget about the rest of you.

We stayed at the beach for 3 1/2 hours. We live in Oregon. Why would we get burned on the beach? It wasn't exactly hot down there. The wind was a bit chilly. My legs weren't red when I left. About 2 hours later....
This is what they look like. My feet are killing me.

At least half of me looks like a lobster. Anyone have some butter and garlic?

After a cool shower - it didn't help much. Except for cleaning the sand out of my hair and other places sand shouldn't be.

I forgot to put sunscreen on my face as well. It doesn't hurt at all. Well - I guess I can't really say. My legs are pretty much on fire so any other bodily pain is unnoticable.

This is your public service announcment for the day. Please carry on with your business.

The beach. What to do...

I knew it was going to be really hot today. So I put out an invite on facebook. Sarah Abbott and her kids and Toni and Adam Abbott came to the beach too. All the kids had a great time playing together. This is what you do at the beach. Bury each other.

2009 Forest Grove Stake Pioneer Day Service Project at the Tillamook Forest Center

The younger boys and I spent a great day with our stake at the Tillamook Forest Center doing clean up of their facility. It was hot. The boys weren't too keen on getting sweaty and poked by thistles and blackberry thorns. Overall - they had a good experience and enjoyed working with others from our stake.
Before the work started.

This was after we had worked for a little over an hour. The boys were hot and sweaty and getting hungry.

Nephi taking a break.

Michael taking a break and then informing me he was done working. He had had enough.

The boys and I. Yes...we helped make all those lovely piles of scotch broom. Our crew was on removal for invasive plants and weeds such as the scotch broom. Lucky for us - they had already flowered and were just pods. Those that suffer from hayfever and other outdoor allergies appreciated that fact. A lot.

At the lunchtime BBQ. The food was yummy! Nephi will demonstrate what a chocolate chip cookie can look like when it misses your mouth.

After lunch there were games in the meadow behind the center itself. Michael wanted nothing to do with the games. I think he was getting pretty tired by this point.

Nephi was all for racing. We did the three legged race. Then he was off to race gunney sacks.

There were a lot of kids - all ages.

So Nephi was very discouraged when he came in next to last and didn't win a ribbon.

But no fear! There was a heat for boys ages 11 and under. Only three boys entered so his chances of winning 1st, 2nd or 3rd were amazingly high!

He's in second!

And so excited! All he wanted was the ribbon. :)

Next was the pie eating contest. I really didn't think Nephi would participate. He did. His pie of choice was pumpkin. There were several primary kids who entered this round.

Getting ready for the judge to say start.

Don't look at the kid next to you! Keep eating. :)

He didn't get a ribbon on this one. I don't think he was too disappointed. He did come in 4th or 5th though.

Next was the watermelon eating contest. Nephi was too full from pie. But surprisingly Michael was game! The rule was the kids had to eat 2 slices of watermelon.

Again - there were a lot of primary kids lined up for this one.

Go Michael!

He has his hand raised because that's how the judge knows the kids are done. She can either tell them yes - or no - keep working on the melon.

Michael was good to go and won 3rd place!

According to Nephi - they are now the "brethern" since they both won awards today.