Finishing Up July

Some miscellaneous things to finish up July:

I think there was an awesome sunset every night this summer or at least through most of July.  (cell phone pic)

Our friends, Dave and Emily, invited us to go to the Bluebird Cafe singer/songwriter concert series.  We went to the one on July 15.  It was a lot of fun.  It was laid back and really enjoyable.  It's mostly country/folk so if those genres aren't up your alley then this isn't for you.  It's fun to hear the story behind the song you've heard on the radio a zillion times.  The lead singer from Little Texas was there so it was even more fun to be hearing the songs as they're known as opposed to the writers version.... which are still fun, just different.

We went fishing up at Vivian Park one evening with my sister and her family and a bunch of her friends and their families.  Kaden was the only one to catch a fish out of the 20 kids we were with (as far as I know).  It flipped itself off the hook about one second after I snapped this picture.  Then it played dead in the water... at least we THINK it was playing dead.

Eliza isn't liking bathtime very much lately.  I'm starting to realize why.  She's been traumatized by her sister!

That all came out of ONE pair of shorts!  I'm not sure our neighbors will have any sand left in their sandbox by the end of summer.

Eliza and her little friend McKenna.  I don't know who took these pictures, but they made me smile.  I loved how they are probably doing whatever the photographer is telling them.... "look at the camera, now look at each other...."

Someone had a little too much time on their hands!  Those kids sure as heck make sure I don't, though. :)

There's usually a fight over who gets to stir the juice.  The 4 year old usually wins.

I love that he can move one eyebrow up and down.  I make him do it every now and then just to make me smile. 

On a Whim

Nate was on a business trip Monday until Friday and had decided Thursday night that he would have me and the kids come pick him up at the airport and we would stay in a hotel for the night.  He didn't have to twist my arm to take me away from staring at my walls.... because that's what I do all day.  Didn't you know?

We started out at the Gateway in Salt Lake.  My iphone was having issues so we made an appointment at the Apple store.  We did some school shopping then while Nate and the boys waited and waited in the over crowded (and quite smelly... gag) Apple store me and the girls got snow cones, played on the escalators and threw coins into the pond.  And my phone was resurrected.

Next, we went to our hotel, went swimming, ordered pizza, watched t.v., ate junk food and went to bed.  Wahoo!

 
The next morning we decided to go to This is the Place Heritage Park.  That place is awesome.  I hadn't been there since it was basically just Brigham Young's farmhouse and the monument.  I am a sucker for history and the "olden" days so it was right up my alley.  I wasn't sure if my kids loved it, but they asked me when we were going to go back so they must have.  They have people acting the parts of the pioneer days, but we missed a bunch of the big acting, like the bank robbery (happens once every day) and the doctor in town selling his miracle tonics that some people don't appreciate so they had a shoot out in the road.  Next time I'll make sure we are paying attention to what's going on.  We got stuck on a house tour with an elderly man guiding us who couldn't finish a thought so that seemed to drag on and there were a few placed that the people REALLY took the acting seriously.  One guy asked the kids a question, but they didn't answer him and he says, "It's not a rhetorical question."  They all just looked at me and Nate like he wasn't speaking a different language.  We laughed.  The guy didn't.  The school teacher was even pretty stern.  Nate and I were almost afraid we might get in trouble!  We did crafts, chores, played games, panned for gold, had a pony and train ride and more!  It was lots of fun.  If you haven't gone, go check it out.

Pioneer Day Fireworks & Ice Cream

Our nextdoor neighbors hosted a neighborhood Pioneer Day fireworks and ice cream party.  Apparently it's something that has been going on for a few years, but it's usually hosted by a different neighbor.  We've never heard of it or been invited, as far as we know. We aren't offended.  We just thought it was funny.  Everyone brings ice cream (homemade or store bought) and fireworks to share.  Fireworks go non-stop.  I think my kids ate enough ice cream to last them a year!  We have great neighbors and were glad to celebrate with them.

My Cousin Kacey

I was so heartbroken to hear of my cousin Kacey Crane's death as a result of a small airplane accident in Grace, Idaho on July 18, 2011.  Half of my Crane cousins all grew up in the same small town in Idaho including Kacey.  When we'd come to visit we were dubbed as the "city" kids.  I secretly wanted to live up there.  After attending the funeral with my parents and most of my siblings we all came to the conclusion that we felt a little gypped that we didn't have the opportunity to know Kacey just a little bit better.  He was a great man.  A funny guy.  Always helping others.  Loved his family dearly.  The list was endless, really.  Our thoughts and prayers still go out to his wife, children, mother, father, siblings and many others.  Each day is a gift.  Don't take tomorrow for granted.  Sometimes it's hard to see beyond the mess the kids just made on your freshly mopped floor (can you tell I have issues?!) or that list of things to do or whatever it is that distracts us.  Things must get done, but what is MOST important to us?  Are we waiting for tomorrow to change?  Just something to think about. :)

A wreath his brother (or brothers, I'm not sure which) made and put near the crash site.

Bishop Reunion 2011

July 20-23.  We stayed close to home this year with lots of activities around town.  It turned out great.  Thanks Greg and Jess for planning it!

Evening of pool fun.

Day of Hogle Zoo fun.  (Nate had to install the pews in the Logan temple so he wasn't there with us.)

We also had a temple night, rock climbing morning, outdoor movie night, service project, etc. that I didn't get any pictures of.  And I'm now mad I didn't get any group pictures.  Next time, I guess.

Pumping Iron

I found these little gems on my phone.  Looks like an early morning workout since a couple of them are still in their pajamas!

I Had a Birthday...

And I know you all really care. ;)  It was a great birthday.  Nate and the kids treated me well.  Nate was actually in-town.  It was a miracle!  He was reupholstering the pews in the Provo Temple chapel.  So maybe it really was a "miracle" from above that he was home.  I'm kidding.  But it really was fun to have him be around.  He had to leave early that morning to the temple so when I got up Rachel ushered me to my present....

If you can't read it, it says:
Dear Mom,
Don't "Snicker" about this "Thingamajig".  You would have to be an "Air Head" to think that you might get "Zero" for your birthday.  Your "Musketeer" and your "Skittles" love you so much.  We got you something "Extra" for your birth "Payday".  Don't "Punch" us in the "Whatchamacallit" or it will hurt your "butterfinger".  Have a great time with dad at the "Tim McGraw" concert.  Hugs, kisses & "Fluffy Stuff"

Yay!  I get to go to the Tim McGraw concert on Aug. 6th.  Nate totally surprised me and how cute and creative is that poster?  He also made dinner and a birthday cake.  He's a keeper!

My sister, Shelly, took me and my mom out to lunch for our birthdays (my mom's is 10 days after mine).  I forgot to snap a picture, but it was lots of fun.  I haven't gone to lunch without my kids in a LONG time.  {Thanks Shell!}

I had quite the party that evening.  Check it out....

Okay, so maybe I didn't have a "party", but it was fun to share my cake with our cute neighbor boys. :)

Hike

So I was not a good mom the other day.  Kaden had a morning hike for scouts and I was going to the temple and wasn't going to be home when he needed to leave so I had the dad of one of his friends picking him up to make sure he got there.  Ironically I was teasing that dad about actually remembering to pick Kaden up. Well, I had to eat my words.  I completely forgot to wake Kaden up before I left.  The friend comes knocking at the door and Kaden is still in bed and my babysitter has no clue what's going on.  So Kaden missed his hike.  It hit my like a ton of bricks as I was walking to my car in the temple parking lot.  So like a good mother I let the guilt eat at me until we took Kaden on the very same hike he was supposed to go on.  We packed a lunch and hiked the Battlecreek trail up to the waterfall.  It was HOT, but the kids did pretty good with minimal whining.

The umbrella was used for a totally of 25 yards.  Note to self (or Nate since it was his idea): Don't hike with an umbrella.  You'll just have to lug a folded up umbrella around and you might wack your spouse (Nate) in the face (on accident, of course) with it when you turn and forget it's strapped to your back.

Proof that I was actually there.  (And see there on the ground in the red bag.... the umbrella!)

Rachel is feeling the mist off the waterfall.  It was at least 15 or 20 degrees cooler down in the trees by the water.  It felt nice.  Especially after hiking in 90 degree heat.

We really live in such a beautiful place.

I really don't remember Eliza being sad.  I was surprised to see this picture.  She did fall asleep on the hike up.  She's probably realizing she'd rather be in her nice air conditioned bedroom.

Hello, Nathan.

Kaden thought this little cave was so cool.  He said, "Probably a bear used to live there."  (No, that is not a wild animal sitting next to him.  It is Haley.  Please no judging me. You are right.  Her hair is not done.  Never was.  Never attempted.  Not even combed.  I realized this as we were driving to the trailhead.  I've repented and have tried to ensure that her hair gets done first thing.)

Boating, Floating Fun

I have to admit it's nice to have nice friends.  It's also nice to have nice friends with boats.  We have been invited to go out on the lake a few times this summer courtesy those nice friends.... sometimes we all went, sometimes just a few of us.  The pictures are just from one of the outings.  {Thanks nice friends with boats!} :)

Eliza HATED the life jacket.  I don't really blame her.  If I didn't have much of a neck I would be pretty mad too!  She did much better the next time we out on the lake.

Who doesn't love swimming in Utah Lake?  Um, that would be me.  I'll just be in charge of taking pictures. :)

Ah.... that's better.  Sleep it away.

Tye is thinking he's pretty awesome standing on the tube..... oh just you wait boy....

He's sitting now.

Hmmm..... how did Kaden get in the water?

Oh my!  And Tye, how did you end up in the water?  All I remember is seeing the tube take on water then flip and legs went everywhere!  Tye didn't think it was very funny.  He was in tears, but he went back out a few minutes later so it didn't scar him for life.  He was very apprehensive a few days later, though.  I guess he had time to think about how he almost died- in his opinion. ;)