Summer Fun

 

The kids and I went to the church history museum in June. They really liked all the fun exhibits and Jack liked the history. Afterward we went and ate at Johnny Rockets and walked around Temple Square.

 We watched the big parade during Round up week. Jack and Bella both got to be in the parade, Bella with Legacy Gymnastics and Jack for Football. It was sooo hot outside, you can see how flushed poor Tessa is. We were drinking a lot of water and it didn't seem to matter. Jack also ran in the Round up 5K that morning. 

 

We went hiking with friends to Cecret Lake the second week of July. It had been raining all morning and we didn't know if we would get soaked. We didn't, it was perfect weather for a hike.

 We saw a moose, the first time I have seen one in real life. 

 

We ate lunch up at the lake then came back down. It made me wonder why we don't go hiking more often! The kids had a great time and even Tessa did really well. She didn't want me to hold her at all.

 We sent Jack off, in the middle of the night no less, on a 16 day boy scout jamboree east coast adventure. He isn't back yet, but there is a Jamboree blog that recounts some of their adventures.

The girls took swimming lessons, I love Bella's form when she dives. The fact that she is a gymnast really comes out. She has amazing core strength.

Sophie is getting the hang of swimming pretty well. She is very proud of her bravery when she jumps off the diving board. 

That is all the photo evidence I have, we have gone to splash pads and friends houses and picnic lunches as well. I can't believe school starts in less than a month! I need to soak up every moment between now and then!

Basketball Season

Both Jack and Isabella began basketball season at the beginning of the month.

 Nate is coaching Jack's team this year, which he loves. We have some friends on the team also making it more fun. Both of their games are on Saturdays and overlap occasionally. The games are also in the afternoons, I like the early 8 am games, give me those any day. Bella is on a whole new team and didn't know anybody. There is such a big difference between the girls and the boys games. Jack's games are aggressive and there is a lot of ball stealing. When one of the girls loses control of the ball, they kind of politely let the other team take it. They are still learning and have a coach on the floor, it's just a funny contrast.

 Bella has been playing for three years now and really loves it. Sophie and Tessa tolerate the sport. They don't really watch, there is a lot of trying to get away and a lot of snacks. They do sit through a lot of games, so it's not surprising. 

The other night Sophie decided she wanted me to put curlers in her hair. I told her they weren't very comfortable to sleep on but she didn't care. She loved the curlers, but the next morning when I took them out she was mortified. She freaked out at all the curls, burst into tears and hopped in the shower. She thought she looked like I dog-not sure what dog she knows that has curly hair. Anyway, I don't think she will be wanting anything to do with curls again anytime soon. It was really funny and random.

On Sunday Jack wanted me to make him some cinnamon rolls. I have a awful cold going and declined but told him he could go ahead and make some himself. He did and they were decent for a first try. I look forward to him baking more often.

Also something that never happens, everyone sitting on the couch behaving and getting along.  Usually people are fighting over space and poking one another. The reason why they are all subdued and getting along-new episodes of "Good Luck Charlie", on Netflix. 

Spring Break 2012

The kids and I drove out to California to visit my grandma this year for spring break. Jack and Isabella hadn't been out since the summer of 2007.  Sophie and I flew out in March of 2010.  It was clearly time for a visit.

My cousin and her two kids got to stop by and visit, which was so fun, we hadn't met her kids before and they are so cute.

After they left we hid Easter eggs all over the front yard.  Now, my grandma has a lovely big garden-filled back yard which would be great for hunting Easter eggs, except for one thing-we discovered a snake in the back yard the night before.  We managed to see it three times, and while it was certainly frightened of us, no one really wanted to reach their hands into various bushes.

We hid the eggs again and again until everyone had a chance to hide them and find them.  We managed to find all of the hidden eggs-no small feat.  The weather was beautiful and I could have spent all day outside.

The next day the kids and I drove through Berkeley to go into San Francisco.  We went over the Bay Bridge where we encountered an really bad accident.  A small pickup had a run in with a van and the pickup lost and left it's innards over three lanes of traffic.  There were all sorts of people trying to pry open the drivers side door which was mashed shut and the passenger was clearly injured and on the ground on the other side of the pickup.  The accident must have just happened as no emergency assistance was there yet.  I tried to distract the kids from looking, but we moved by so slow.  After we passed the scene, we headed across the bay bridge, this bridge is the big one.

  It goes across to Treasure Island (man made) and then into the city.  We drove through San Francisco and to the Golden Gate Bridge.

  There is a vista point at the far side where we got out and walked over part of the bridge. 

 I had Tessa in the wrap, and I don't know if Sophie could have made it the whole way.  Then we headed over the Richmond bridge.  Sophie really wanted to choose where we ate and I thought maybe she would see somewhere we hadn't been before and pick that-but no, she chose Applebee's.

Tuesday we planned to go to Tilden Park to ride the carousel and see the little farm and such, but it was raining and when we got there everything was closed.  In a bit of desperation we called Nate and had him google and few things so we could decide on an activity.  We decided to go to the Exploratorium in San Francisco and headed back into the city.

  It is a museum of science and experience and the senses and all sorts of fun things.  The kids loved it.  I think all day wouldn't have been long enough to see and try out everything.  We stayed until it closed and then walked around back to the Palace of Fine Arts.

  Jack took about 400 pictures in our two days in the city-I will let him have the camera more often, I certainly don't take that many.

Everyone was getting hungry, so I drove down to Fisherman's Wharf and we got out to find somewhere to eat.  The kids were all for Subway or In-and-Out, but I vetoed on the basis of going somewhere we can't go here at home.  We ate at Boudin, a sourdough bakery.  It was really yummy, Jack and I are big fans of sourdough and could have eaten twice as much I am sure.  The girls shared a cheese pizza on sourdough crust and it was so yummy.  

We then walked down to Pier 39 and went out to see the sea lions laying on the docks. 

 It was a bit rainy, so no real crowds.  Their was a giant cruise ship in port and the kids were totally fascinated by how big it was.  We got some salt water taffy and cookies on the pier and bought a few t-shirts and headed back to the car.  We then headed over to Lombard Street.  We drove down it and then through the city before heading back to my grandma's house.

The next day we stayed around my grandma's.  I hemmed some pants for her and we talked and talked.  I love hearing all her stories and histories and anecdotes.  I think we stayed up past eleven every night talking.

  She has all sorts of stories about my dad and his childhood that are new each time I visit.  She has a lot of family history gathered and knows a lot about her ancestors.  I love visiting her and love taking the kids there.

  California at this time or year is so lush and green and I always wonder why I don't live there.  The kids played with toys I played with when I was small.  They were reluctant to wander around the backyard too much with the garter snake back there. 

 They played dominoes and found an old ping pong set and made up games.  Sophie loves Grandma Penny and snuggled her and played with all the dolls and stuffed animals she could find.  

We had to head home on Thursday and drove through snow in the Sierra Nevada's.  The whole drive home is one long day in the car.  We were all happy to see Nate and be in our own beds, but all want to go back soon.

St. George

I some how missed doing a post on our only excursion this summer.  Isabella really wanted to see a production of The Little Mermaid when it was on Broadway in New York.  We talked about doing it for her nine year old trip.  However, it ended it's run and we didn't make it.  She's not nine yet.  Anyway, earlier in the year I saw advertising for Tuacahn Theater in St. George and they had the production down there.  So Nate and I planned a little getaway and didn't tell the kids until we were all in the car on the freeway.  They were pretty excited and had a great time.  We stayed in a hotel, which they always love, but this particular hotel had sliding glass doors from our room out to the pool.  The kids thought that was the coolest thing ever.

This was taken from our room.  It was the Howard Johnson, if any one needs a suite that sleeps six easily and has pool access, here ya go!

Nate and the three kids loved the show, no babes in arms or kids under three, so Tessa and I did this instead:

There is a movie theater across the street from the hotel.  It was opening weekend, so I didn't really think I would get into the movie, but I did, it totally wasn't sold out and Tessa and I weren't crowded at all.  She slept almost the whole time and didn't make a peep, which was lovely.

We also went to the Dinosaur Tracks Discovery site.  It was okay, but no where near as developed at The Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  The kids loved eating out a lot and we treated them to Dilly Bars at Dairy Queen, none of them remembered having those before.  It was a quick nice trip.

Color Me Mine

It felt like I didn't do too many big things will the kids this summer, besides provide them with a baby sister, that was really their main entertainment.

So in early August we all went to Color Me Mine and I let them pick out a piece and paint it.  I also got in on the action and painted a salad plate and a little bowl.

We had gone about three years ago and I had painted two salad plates.  A few months ago I broke on and Sophie got very very mad at me and told me I can't use glass dishes any more.  She has no enforcing power, but was really happy I finally replaced the one I broke. 

Sophie painted this mermaid and was very pleased with it.  It is very colorful now that it is fired!

Bella was very meticulous and spent a very long time painting this castle.  She also really loved how it turned out. 

Jack painted a giant mug with Colts, Lehi, and BYU logos.  He wanted the giant mug so he could use it for cereal and ice cream.  He took all the pictures that day, which is good because Tessa was in the wrap carrier and I probably would have forgotten to take any.  The kids want to go back again, they had so much fun!

Swim Lessons

We managed to get in two sessions of swim lessons with the kids this summer.

  Jack really looks like a swimmer out there finally.  He did really well.

In the second session, Bella got to move up a level, which is exciting. 

And Sophie had a ton of fun.  She is really happy all the time and just can barely hold it in when she is doing fun things. 

Everyone is already excited to do some more lessons next summer.  Maybe Tessa and I will do some mom and tot ones to get in on the action

First Day

I always have mixed feelings about the beginning of the school year.  I love that the kids are growing and having new experiences and adventures.  I also love to have them here with me.  Jack and Isabella have been beyond helpful this summer.  They have prepared meals and cleaned and been great helpers with Sophie.  And having a baby at the beginning of summer makes it go even faster.  Not that summer is over mind you, it is supposed to be in the high nineties all week.  Anyway, here is my big sixth grader:

He totally needs a haircut.  He wants to hold out until October, I don't know.....

And here is our third grader:

She got a spiffy new backpack this year. I was glad she picked it out, sometimes we have the same taste in things. 

Sophie, Tessa, and I went to the Thanksgiving Point children's gardens today with some friends.  Poor Soph, part of her really wants to go off to school and part of her doesn't.  It makes for some funny rants on her part occasionally.  She has a late birthday, so she still has a few more falls at home. 

 

We are all anxious to get back into a regular schedule.  It will be interesting to see how it goes.  Nate got the kids alarm clocks so they can be responsible for getting their own selves up on time, or staying in bed until a certain time, depending on which kid.  I set the alarm on my phone so I will remember to pick up Jack everyday-new for me.  Wish us luck on a new year!

Round-up parade

Our ward was tasked with creating a float in the Lehi Round up parade this year.  We missed out on much of the decorating because it all occurred around the time Tessa was born.  But the kids had the opportunity to ride on the float or walk in the parade.  Bella decided she wanted to watch the entire parade, so she was with us.  Sophie rode on a little bench on the float and got to blow bubbles while Jack pulled the float along with some other kids from the neighborhood.

After the float the kids were on got to the end, Jack ran back and walked with the Youth Football players.  He really was excited to see his friends from his team last year.  I can't believe football season is upon us again.  He is pretty excited about that!