The 4th

It started out with everyone happy and having fun. Bring-your-own-beef party at Ashley's was very enjoyable. What's better than food? Especially ice cream cake. And AIR CONDITIONING in July, in southern Nevada, thank you Ashley for keeping your house a penguin breeding ground. The kiddies played and tortured Molly the cat, who didn't make Jed have allergies, and I basked in the air conditioning. Perfect!

BUT-

What started out as a good time quickly turned to this...

the results of lack of air conditioning and a laaate bedtime for Jack By the end of the night I was doing the same thing and swearing off celebrating holidays for the next 15 years or so.



However there were a few happy moments that should be documented.


Jara and Mason, happy little Wheeler cousins, sitting, here is the key, PLEASANTLY watching fire works. Jara was a little more into her juice box than the show, oh well.

Jed and Joshlyn who have celebrated at least 10 Independence days together. Thankfully he doesn't try to shoot bottle rockets or roman candles at me anymore. We are getting so mature.

Belated Father's Day

This is what Jed got for Father's Day, a wheelbarrow of KIDS! No refunds.

When I asked Jara and Jack why they liked daddy this is what they told me...

"Playing at the reservoir and helping daddy clean-up" -Jara

"TWreats!"-Jack

Mommy won't brave the "alligator" at the reservoir so Jara can only go there with Jed and he lets her use Clorox's wipes and pledge, something I'm stingy with. Jack's main priority in life is an abundant supply of laffy taffy from Wally's that daddy uses for bribery and I refuse to buy. Dad's are so much more fun than mom's.

A few of my favorite things about the father of my children include...

-His ability to make them disappear when i have "that look in my eye."

-The way he plays with them. I have many pictures of him tossing them into the air while they laugh and wiggle it is my favorite classic father/child moment.

-His willingness to help with all the gross stuff: puke, diaper disasters, the science experiments that can be found in our fridge, dead cats, and hairy spiders, just to name a few.

-His determination, he is very driven, which comes in handy when it comes to landscaping and also small business.

-He's just plain nice! It comes naturally to him, it's a good balance to my evil nature.

Happy Father's Day Jed! (I did write you a card, remember, but this is my official tribute.)

Grand Event

In honor of P+K's big birthday that ends in a zero, Jed and his siblings put together quite the party.
Complete with...


Glasses and all siblings present.
Have you ever seen such tall people? When they all get together I'm reminded of how short I am. (and I'm not short-2 inches above average, thank you very much.)



Cake-Boss-style-cake, compliments of Lisa, which included a fondant 4-wheeler, angel Moroni, and quilt, just to name a few commemorative pieces. AND tower of cupcakes, they were beautiful, I sampled all three. mmmm

What Wheeler party could be complete without a-

LAKE TRIP

Anyone seen Scuba Steve?

Boogie boarding and beach chilling specialities of Jara. She is in her element at the lake. She told me she wants to live in a houseboat and swim every day. Ah, the life!

Sand castle building with all the cousins, 11 of them, the baby twins are too small for lake fun. Have you ever heard of a 4-month-old coast guard approved life jacket?

Happy Birthday P+K!

Preschool Graduation

Jara, future class of 2025

My little graduates. Jara has one more year and Jack will have three, my goodness, he better have his preschool down by Kindergarten or I will have failed miserably. I had a wonderful year teaching these two and five other children. I had a great group of kids who all progressed and worked hard. No one ever had to sit in the time-out chair! Preschool was a great chance for me to use my teaching skills and benefit my children at the same time. (If only I could get all the Dr. Jean songs out of my head!)


Jack, future graduate of 2027

Jara and her pregnant, I don't know how she got up from this picture, teacher.

Hooray for the graduates!

So, do you think she will still be taller than him when she graduates in 2025?

Memorial Day Memories

The first lake trip.

We have found the key to Jack's success at the lake includes a bag a of chips and a chair. He is perfectly content to watch the water and eat chips from his nice, cozy camp chair under an umbrella. No cold water, no excess of sun, no being forced to learn to swim!

The only way to adapt to the freezing May water. Its like ripping off a band-aid.


Our company-The Bowler's, Ashley was hiding over there somewhere too.

Zoo Guess Who?

One blustery day in March we went to the zoo in Moapa. It was very impressive, a hands-on place to see animals you've never in your life even heard of. Big time for a small town.


What has long eyelashes and can spit?
Yes, Jara and also camels! Here is Jara feeding the friendly goats and pigs, she would not have anything to do with camels. She knows they spit!




What has stripes and likes to play?
Yes, Jack and baby zebras! Jack wanted to let all of the animals lick his fingers and laugh uncontrollably. This baby zebra was only a few weeks old and so adorable, almost as cute as the other striped critter. (Zebra's can't laugh, therefore, Jack's cuteness trumps zebra cuteness.)


These guys aren't cute, they are R.O.U.S's and frankly I find them quite frightening. The world's largest rodent, really it is a rat on steroids. I almost pushed my kids down and ran to get out of the pen before they bared their teeth and went for my hair.

Remember this guy, I thought I would get a picture for Jed, since he was off doing man bonding something or other.


I can't even remember what this thing was, it originated from South America, some kind of badger/raccoon/lemur. Who knows? However, he was extremely friendly and allowed Jack to shake hands with him and lead him around on a leash. He tried to climb on top of Jack but that was a little too much and we had to move on to the rabbit hole/den.

If you ever get a chance I highly recommend a visit to Roo's and More Zoo, you won't be disappointed. (I didn't include pictures of it, but the highlight of the zoo was the kangaroo pen, where you get up close and personal with the land from down under.)

It Never Gets Old

Tis' the season for...
Annual river swimming

The only crocs we saw were wearing pink tutu's and shark swim shorts, completely innocent. In the picture it looks as if they are laying on top of the water. Due to the murky coloration you never know if you will be in an inch of water or 24!


The fearless river wanderer. No hesitation, she ran, leaped and crocodiled her way all over. I don't know if her new found bravery is good or not.



The deeper parts require some assistance. (At least the first time.)

Catching position. I'm hoping Jara was chucking a block of drift wood and not a cow patty.

Bending capabilities when stuck in the muck.

Cleaning off the muck, a nice little perch.