Park City

A lot of pictures were taken, a lot of memories made, and a lot of fun had. Here are some highlights.
Very nice Aunt, Aunt-to-be, and Uncle that took Megan and Luke with them on the Alpine Slide. Thanks-Cindy, Kristin and James.

Nice Nana that bought a ticket for Ellie to ride the "airplanes" because she was sad about everyone else going on the Alpine Slide.


Very nice Aunt-to-be and very nice Nana that allowed Ellie and Luke to paint their nails. The rest of us enjoyed doing our own.


Very nice Grandpa to (begin) to watch the 3D Hannah Montana concert with Megan.


A very nice person (me) to not gloat about my high score in Nertz!!



Then the fun and dynamics all changed as the majority went home, leaving me, the kids and Nana and Grandpa. But the fun didn't end.....



The vacation fairy visits, a tooth fairy visit, shopping, swimming, Olympic Park and Museum visit, watching the ski jumpers train (in water), Luke "saving Ellie's life", game playing, etc. What a fun few days.

Pioneer Day Celebrations

I had grandiose plans all year (due to our involvement in Pioneer Trek)to celebrate Pioneer Day with the true spirit of Pioneers at The This Is The Place Heritage Park. Of course having a husband that can't walk too far changed all that. It was still a FUN day nonetheless!
It began of course the evening before with the traditional parade.
Joshua was quite mesmorized-he never let go of his flag, or got off of my lap!!!

The older kids went to the fireworks with Nana and Grandpa, but we didn't even attempt it, (the whole husband can't walk too far thing....)
The next morning-Pioneer Day, we had a breakfast party up at my parents. Casey just bought Rock Band. I am not a "video game player" but this was AWESOME. It involves several people at once, we had a lot of fun playing it.

The day continued, with our dear friends, the Wielands coming over for a BBQ. Our kids had a blast playing in the pool and we adults enjoyed time to ourselves. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. I even made homemade ice cream, which usually completely overwhelms me to do. Brandi of course had to sample it...
Our fun neighbors, Kari and Kellen joined us for the homemade ice cream. We ended the holiday, sending our kids to bed and then playing cards and chatting with Kari and Kellen until after midnight! 5:45am sure came early to drive my husband to an early morning meeting (Back to the can't walk very far, or drive at all thing....)
Happy Pioneer Day Everyone!

Parade Etiquette

In honor of my recent attendance at the Bountiful Handcart Parade, I must get a few things off of my chest.
#1 Pathetic that they say you can put out seats at 7am and there are people there hours early "holding their spots." (OK-I admit, I have never been the one in my group to get there to set up chairs, BUT STILL...)
#2 Even if you're sitting/standing in the back, don't always yell for the parade participants to throw stuff at you. They think they can, and they gear up for a strong throw, and a Salt Water Taffy hurts my daughter when it hits her on the head! (Also hurts the little girl sitting next to us at a later time!)
#3 If candy or other objects do get thrown, don't allow your children to step IN FRONT of my seats. Pretend there is an imaginary line from the edges of your chairs/blankets forward-and DON'T ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO CROSS IT, BECAUSE I CERTAINLY DON'T LET MINE!
#4 Especially do not allow your child to travel 10-12 feet down the parade route and try to remove the frisbee that just LANDED ON MY FEET!!!! He will not return to you triumphant!
#5 If my kids (or me) yell for something to be thrown to us, and it happens to get thrown and my son has his hand on it, don't snatch it from him. Or you will hear from his mother-even if you are only 6 years old!
#6 DON'T HAND OUT FLYERS! Tattoos, flags, pens, etc. are fine, but I don't want your advertising. It fills up my diaper bag with too many papers, besides, haven't you heard of "environmental issues?" If I want to patronize your place of business, I will on my own.
#7 Don't put flyers on my car while I am attending the parade. Again, if I want to patronize your business.....
#8 If we politely give you some of our leftover space at the very front-tell your daughter not to spend most of the parade "eyeing" my daughter's candy stash. Remember the 'imaginary line thing.'
#9 Don't try to sell Otter Pops, when several of the parade entries are giving them away for free... It won't be very profitable for you.
#10 Also, if you are giving away Otter Pops; Thank you, but have you heard of a cooler?
#11 If you are my husband and you detest parades, but go for me, yes I do go because I enjoy it, I just wish there were a way to more fully enforce my rules.
#12 If you are in charge of this crazy, chaotic, parade. I will be the one cheering and clapping next year when you pass us by.

Tag

Game of Tag.

4 Places I visit frequently.
1. Walmart-Pretty pathetic, I know!
2. Dicks Market
3. My Mom's house
4. Our neighbors-the Tingeys

4 People who call/Text/Email me regularly
1. Mike-my husband
2. Casey - my brother
3. Mom
4. Friend - Kim

4 Favorite food
1. Homemade hamburgers
2. Chocolate cake
3. Steak
4. Potatoes

4 Places I'd rather be
1. Visiting England
2. Visiting a friend
3. No where. Home is always good.
4. Disneyland

4 Movies I'd watch over and over
1. I watched a movie last week for the first time in MONTHS-so I definitely don't watch any over and over.
2. But, I love to play games over and over like...
3. Scrabble
4. Monopoly

4 Bands/Groups I like to listen to...
1. Madonna (80's stuff)
2. Bon Jovi
3. Beatles
4. Kenny Rogers

The 4 People I am tagging are....
1. Lesley
2. Becky
3. Cindy
4. Adrienne
Or who ever. If no one wants to that's fine. I thought It was fun! Just a way to get to know everyone!

Hooray

Though it may seem insignificant to many, it is very important to me; for the first time in 5 weeks, Mike just carried his own glass of water up to bed!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that means NO MORE CRUTCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy. It is such a milestone for us. Today when Mike got home from the doctor, the kids and I weren't home. (Thank you Auntie Paula for his ride home!) When they returned home, one of the kids was standing on the stairs and saw Mike walking and yelled, "Everyone come watch, Dad's walking." You'd have thought someone had yelled "FIRE" because the other kids came running and they couldn't keep their eyes of off Daddy. "Look how far he can go." "Hey he's doing it by himself."

It isalmost more exciting than any of the four kids' first steps!

It has been funny to listen to the kids all day. Every time Mike has taken a step, there is a kid right there watching excitedly in awe and amazement. And though we still have another 4-6 weeks until a possible "full recovery," we are counting our blessings and recognizing and appreciating the "little things."

Happy 36th Birthday Mike!

Sunday, July 20th, was Mike's birthday. I LOVE birthdays. (No matter if it is my birthday, Mike's or one of my children's, I have a hard time falling asleep the night before.) This year I was very excited to surprise him with a Blue Atlas Cedar tree which he has always wanted, and I have never liked, and he has never got around to buying. He was thrilled about it, (even though he had seen it at the neighbor's the night before, but she kept the secret telling him it was her new tree.) Obviously, it won't be planted for a few weeks!
For several days, I asked Mike what he wanted to do for his birthday, (A Sunday birthday and a broken foot limit the possibilities somewhat!?) His answer was always the same, "a simple party with all of your family." So my mom, graciously hosted a BBQ and we had a great time with my my parents, Casey and Cindy, James and Kristin, my grandma; "Mimi," cousins Zachary, Michael, Keyara and Auntie Paula and Uncle David. It was so much fun. The funnest part, of course which Mike couldn't participate in, was playing the "Human Slingshot." It was so much fun and I have to make one SOON. It is made of swimsuit type material, and 4 people play at a time in a corner of the 'sling', 2 people will run back and forth, and it will sling the other 2 back and forth. It gets going very fast. I couldn't stop laughing the first time I did it. It was very fun. It was much harder for the kids to experience it as there weren't 4 of similar sizes. Nonetheless, thanks for the birthday Mike. We ALL had a great time. Happy Birthday Mike/Daddy. WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Thank You!

It has now been over 4 weeks that I have been SERVING my husband. Though, I of course love him dearly, I am quite exhausted and ornery at times. He still can't even carry his own glass of water to bed (crutches, hopping, stairs etc.) During some of my ornery times,when he has expressed thanks, I have sarcastically (me? sarcastic?) said, "Yeah, I can tell how thankful you are from all the flowers I've received." Well, what do you know, tonight I got home from running an errand, and there on my kitchen table was this beautiful bouquet of flowers. What makes them even more of a fun surprise is, where did they come from? Mike can't drive, there are no transactions on our online banking (sneaky aren't I?), and it was 8pm when they got here, so too late for any delivery service!? So, I know that not only do I owe Mike thanks, but obviously someone helped him out. Though, I have a suspicion, I really do not know for sure. BUT... that may all come to an end soon, because Mike probably owes somebody money for them and he has no idea where the checkbook is....
Thanks Mike-I love you too!

Real Life Riddle

Question:
What do you get when you have a window screen, a knife, a bow and arrow and a mischievous six year old boy?
Answer:
You get a parent whom a six year boy invites to come sit out on the back porch ALONE, and suddenly sees an arrow shoot past them from an above window.
Method:
Six year old child sent to his room earlier in the day for "quiet and think about being nice time." Child certainly takes advantage of the "thinking time" ... decides to cut a hole in the screen with a pocket knife, and thus be able to shoot his bow and arrow out.
Conclusion:
Parents trying to conceal laughter as child is explained to that we don't cut holes in things, especially window screens!
Final Concluding Thoughts From Parents:
.... ONLY LUKE ....

Memory Lane...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember. If we're only blogging friends write about a post that is most memorable.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you....either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you one back.
3. If the memory happens to involve my husband, please include him.
4. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all.

And please do this on your page too, so we can all share in the fun times together:)!!
Thanks to my cousin (in-law) Jana, looking forward to all the memories.

"A Wheel"

It seems all Joshua does lately is follow me around the house, whilst whining and crying (his new choice of moods!) There is little Mike can do to help besides sit in one place and hold Joshua, which doesn't last long. Mike's solution to helping me is endearing, Mike stands up and while crutching to the door says, "Joshua, follow me, let's go for a wheel." Joshua follows and out they go to the garage and get in the wheelchair. Joshua loves it, Mike is giving me a break, and they are both enjoying being outside (which is both Joshua and Daddy's favorite place to be!) Thank heavens for the wheelchair my Grandma loaned us. It has saved ALL OF OUR SANITY!

Not A Coincidence

Yesterday afternoon, I am (somewhat ashamed) to admit I had a little pity party for myself. And though no prayer was uttered aloud, I know the Lord knew my thoughts. And as is usually the case, the Lord uses other people to answer our prayers. As we were going inside for the evening, and beginning the "putting everyone to bed routine" I still felt discouraged and ornery (I know, I know, 'ornery' is normal for me), when Luke came running up to me carrying a gift someone had dropped by. I thought it had been left on the doorstep, until Luke said, "She's downstairs." I rushed down, and my sweet friend Heather was standing in my garage. I could have burst into tears right then, because I KNEW this was no coincidence. I know she was prompted to bring me what she did, WHEN she did. Any other time or even day, may not have had the same effect. Another lesson to me, of following the spirit. We never know who's prayers we may be answering. Thank you Heather for being thoughtful, kind and most of all, in tune with the spirit.

My Second Favorite Holiday

After Thanksgiving, the 4th of July is my second favorite holiday. I love it. I love flags waving, family get-togethers, a home grilled hamburger and my traditional (Mandatory) Water Baseball BBQ.
I started this tradition three years ago to make our 4th July BBQ's a little more exciting. I strongly urge all family members to come and participate, in fact, I should open it up to anyone...the more the merrier... This year we had a couple of family members use extreme measures to get out of playing, first Mike broke his foot 3 weeks ago, then on Wednesday night, my brother, James' lung collapsed!! (James is well on the road to recovery now.)

We still had fun without them. What a fun tradition. I hope it continues for years to come. And though, I know and understand the 4th of July is about much more than BBQ's and Baseball games, we are able to do those because of the blessings of our free country. (Because you know, there are some countries (and probably rightly so) that would not allow me to run around in a swimming suit!)

Two Outfits, Four Children

Megan and Luke are almost exactly 3 years apart. Ellie and Joshua are the same. Often times when I am alone with just Ellie and Joshua I am taken back in time to when it was only Megan and Luke. Which is why, I couldn't resist posting these pictures.

 

These pictures are of Megan and Luke taken July 4th, 2002. Megan was 31/2 years old and Luke was 8 months old. I absolutely loved these outfits that they were wearing. Fast forward 6 years. Today, Ellie is 4 years old and Joshua 14 months old (Both small for their ages and thus can fit into them). I absolutely still love these outfits and couldn't resist making them pose for pictures today. I think these outfits are ones that will never be given away. I LOVE THEM -love the kids wearing them too.
 
 
 

Megan's Claim To Fame

 
One of the teachers from Megan's dance studio; Expressions Dance, is Gev Manoukian who is currently on 'So You Think You Can Dance.' Last night at the studio they had a party for the dance students to watch the show together. Fox 13 News also came along and joined the fun. During the 9:00pm news broadcast they did a live broadcast from the studio with a bunch of screaming kids. It was quite fun to watch. Though I have yet to watch it 'on tv' I did watch it live and how fun for those kids! They were all so excited. I have never watched So You Think You Can Dance, maybe I'll have to start...