Grandma and Grandpa Camp

Since Grandma and Grandpa Arrington and back from their mission this summer, they decided to do another camp. All of the kids love them, even as they get older I do think they all love to go. Spending times with their cousins and grandparents is always fun. Not everyone was able to come, but still a lot were. It was different this year; both boys know how to drive, so Beck drove everyone down. Saying I was nervous for the 2.5 hours it took them to get there is an understatement. I knew Beck would be safe, it's the other drivers I don't trust. They made it both ways safely. 

The crew!

They went to Laser Mania for Laser tag, mini golf and game. 

Next was scripture story cupcake decorating. 

Dinner, smores, games and just talking finished the night. 

Sleeping was where ever you can find a spot to sleep. This doesn't look very comfy to me. I'm not sure if they finished the night this way.

The next day they were on the lake. All the kids loved it. Jacks said he fell out a lot, but that is kind of the point. 

They all can't wait until next year. 

What did Brad and I do on a kids free weekend? Got take out and built Legos. The 4 characters are what we did. 

Pictures

I am not a fan of how kids take pictures now. I ask for pictures from something and this is what I get. They all have Megamind heads. Someday they will hate these, just like generation probably hates all the peace signs they did. 

NCAA 25

 

When Brad and I were dating and got married, he was a gamer. We had an original Nintendo, but not for long, then really no game system after that. Brittany and I played A PlayStation, not sure 1 or 2, but it wasn't very often. The first game I remember playing was Tiger Woods Golf, which was pretty fun. Then I tried Halo with Teresa's kids, and I could not move my head and body with different controls AND shoot. It wasn't fun. When we moved to Boise the first time we had Ultimate Alliance and I loved that game. I beat it. After that games for me were hit and miss, and recently Brad and I play some together, Don't Starve, Red Dead, Assassins Creed and the Witcher together. They're big games and fun to take turns. When we moved back to Twin, and Emery was born, that is when the last NCAA game came out. He would stay up late (2 or 3 am) and play his game then go to work. He would play while I slept so he could help with the kids when they were awake. I loved that he did that and loved he had something he loved to play. He always hoped that someday they would make another College Football game, but that did not happen until now. This game has been announced as happening for years now and today it came out. He's a happy man and has played today after work. It gives me lots of time to read all I want to. 

Things I May...or May Not Miss

 

I can't believe in exactly one month, we will be in Utah, dropping Camden off at college. I mainly can not believe that I/we have 2 adult children! That aspect, I am not sure when your mind can wrap around it. But they are adults and are going to move out and move on. I have never been sad to see any of the kids grow and develop. That really hasn't changed, but I know how it is to be an adult and I really want to shield them from the 'Bad' parts of. However, I do know they both need to go through the hard to know how good the good can be. It's bitter/sweet. I don't cry because I'm sad. I cry because I'm so happy for them and excited to see where they will be. I cry because I hope we did enough and know they are so strong and smart and ready. It's an odd happy cry. I was going to do one big list of quarks of the boys, but I think I'll just add as they pop up in my head and I remember to take a picture of them.

Music. I love music and love hearing new things. I don't listen to random new one, so I rely on the boys. Camden is the best at sending me new music he thinks I will like. I would say 85-95% he is right. He also will give me a whole album review. He did it with AJR and Bring Me the Horizon. I hope they never stop, but will understand if they do. Beckham, on the very off chance he drives, will pick the music. Sometimes he will pick a playlist at a part he is okay with me hearing (I feel it's because it's the most 'mom' friendly) but I have a lot added to  mine just from sort drives. 

Their rooms... miss or not; you decide. 

The water bottles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(!= how many are in his room at a time)

Music; Camden and Beckham are the most musical. Maybe because they are the oldest and I was over the top with piano lessons or listening to music or making sure they are doing something(music) vs video games. I will miss hearing Camden play piano,

And Beck doing guitar. He is all self taught. I love being able to listen to half the song and finally understand what he is playing. He has learned so many songs, just by doing it himself. He puts AirPods in, then a headset on. He listens to songs and plays along while being able to hear himself play. Really, I would love to hear it at full sound sometimes. 

Last Gentelman's Night

 I loved when the boys started their Gentleman's nights. It's so cheesy but fun and I think they all loved everyone that happened. This year Camden invited Jackson. I know, since I'm the baby, I know how it feel to be included with the older kids. I remember going out with Scott and Stevie, or the drive-in with Bryan and date nights with Bryan, or going for night games with Jayson. I felt like the coolest person ever because they wanted to be with me. Jacks maybe doesn't feel the same, but as the mom, I appreciate it. They ate at Taco bell for lunch, got each other...questionable shirts, played the video game (and beat) Bro Force, Re-created photos, then some stayed up all night and other slept. Jacks loved it; they all loved it. I'm sad they are stopping. Maybe when Jacks can drive, he can start them with his friends. 

Photos from night one:

Then this one. Jacks I think fit right in. 

They are some fine gentlemen and I think will go far.  

Cam's Last Special Night

 I know I've said before, but we have kindergarten Camden to thank for special nights. We knew he needed alone time and so they started, and they are the best thing we've done. Cam said something about Cailey wanting to do another escape room, and we reminded him he had one more this month. I love how Cam and Cailey are. They both are stupid smart and have the drive and will be Doctors some day, they both love board games and find new ones all the time, they both love art, they love to watch new shows/movies together,  the both love to rock climb and do activities way too high in the air. 

For the past few weeks they stared Trapeze classes, at the same gym they rock climb and Cailey does Silks/ aerials. I love Camden has someone who likes to do this. I've thought so many times to try and work to doing this, but then I see the height and I clam up. 

After this they went and picked up Fiesta Chicken for lunch. After eating we played Castles game. Such a good game!!!

Then we went to the escape room, Captured by Dr Fear. It was so much fun! We beat it with 20 minutes left. It was a 9/10 on the scale and it was perfect. 

Later we also played Parks. Another game that was so much fun, easy to learn and sucked to lose. 

When I asked Cam his favorite special night of them all, he said this one.

Vegas Day 4

The last day we stared with brunch. We had to be at the concert early-ish so we were only going to have two meal. We went to Blueberry Hill Farm Family. It was the such a good breakfast/lunch place. The we went to a few stores until we had to be to the strip. We stopped at one place and when we opened the door the person yelled out, 'watch for the cat.' It was a cat right by the door, I'm guessing the didn't want out. A hairless cat is much softer than I thought they would be. We all had to feel it. 

Next we went to the Paradox Museum. It had a lot of cool picture spots that looked like one thing but were another. Needless to say, we took a lot of photos. 

These were the most creepy to me. Jacks and Emery mixed....

Cam and Beck mixed....

Can you see Beck? 

Light as air.

When you become a kaleidoscope.

After we went to the Coke store. I'm not sure what Jacks was doing, but we have this photo.

They have Coke from around the world. It was fun to try, but only 3 MAYBE 4 were okay/good. 

I say Tray 2 #5 was the worst. Brad didn't try that one but said Tray 2 #1 was the worst. His tasted like the bitter part of grapefruit. Mine was liquid smoke with soy sauce with salt. (it should be known that I tried that one and only me, Jacks and Beck tired) 

The one I said was the worst WAS the worst. I told Emery she should try it. She asked what for? Beck said he would get her a hoodie, and she was sold. Really, I was impressed she did it. Look how much is there. It was SO bad, and she did it. It was worth the hoodie for sure. 

We walked around for a bit and ended up at Cam's pick, Holstein's. It was super good. It was burger and shakes, It wasn't as 'wroth it' as Jacks', but it was really good. 

They also had milkshakes, but because it's Vegas, they all had alcohol it in. Thankfully you can get them without that, and they were delish. 

This night was the activity to end them all. It was the Blink 182 concert. We got FIVE of the same hoodies. I mean, merch should all have the tour locations one them; but that's just me. When you have to get 6 tickets, you are semi high up. But in the hockey arena, it really didn't have any bad seats with their set up. 

They played 26 songs!!!  One thing I loved about them is the stage was a circle that would move around and allow people int the back to see the front, and to the side to see the front. The allowed ever one the same amazing concert experience. Very little banter and talking, but so many songs. I know when I was younger I was not allowed to listen to them but once I was with Brad, my love for them grew. Thanks you Rock Band, all of your kids have grown to love them and were exited to see them. I love when bands play the songs the know the crowd wants to hear, and they did. It was a perfect end to a great senior trip. 

The favorite food, Cam and Beck said Pizza, Emery said Blueberry Hill, and Jacks said Holstein's.  Favorite activity other than Blink Cam and Jacks said the shops,  Beck said Buffalo thrift exchange. Emery said the M$M factory was her favorite stop.  We all agreed that White Castle is the worst food place. One the first day, Brad and I stopped for water and a few other groceries for the stay. Brad found White Castle and we thought it would be good. Nope, of all the food we have had in our life, they are 100% the worst there is. 

We got home about midnight from the concert and got up and left about 5:30 am for our flight. Brad and I relaxed most of the day which allowed the kids to go and hang out with who they wanted to for the 4th of July. We don't know when we will go on another full family trip, but other than it being over 110 the whole time, this was a really good time together as a family.  I can't wait to see where they all are in 5,10,15 years