Sophie's Birthday

Sophie had a birthday a while ago. Poor thing, doesn't get a post on her birthday. My excuse is that is was a very busy day. A very busy week in fact. Her grandma and great-grandma were visiting, so there was a lot of shopping and going out to eat. I got released from Young Womens. Bella had primary program practice. Jack had a football game. Nate and Jack needed a ride to the airport. Her grandma and great-grandma were visiting. Really, it was quite a busy time.

For weeks and weeks she asked for an Elmo Cake. She, like her sister before her, is a huge fan of Elmo and all things Sesame Street. Luckily for her, I already had an Elmo cake pan. She loved it, despite the hacking into Elmo moments after this picture was taken. She didn't get the whole blowing out the candles thing. I had to do it for her. Maybe next year.

She got everything a two year old could really want. However, in the picture above she is clutching her two favorite gifts, a pack of tic-tacs and a bag of marshmallows. I am going to just get her assorted mints for Christmas, really, she would be pleased as punch. After the tic-tacs and marshmallows were gone, she gained more interest in her other gifts. She carries the backpack around a lot and really tries to get money out of the Cinderella bank.

She tolerated her brothers football game pretty well. She told a lot of people it was Sophie's Happy Day. In fact, over a week later, she keeps telling people that. She's a busy kid lately, into everything and leaving a path of destruction like a whirlwind. She is really trying to assert herself and find out where her boundaries are. She talks a lot, most everything is understandable, but still some gibberish. She is finally starting to get a little taller and stretching out. She does not want me to do her hair under any circumstances. And I am not willing to risk cutting it yet. I can't believe how fast the past two years have gone!

Jack's Life Rocks

He and Nate went on their dream vacation this weekend. They had a great time and made it through a Cardinals game wearing Colts gear. The Colts won, they had great seats, and they got to fly to the game. Really, what more could two football enthusiasts ask for.

Bridal Veil Falls

A few weeks ago, we went up the canyon to Bridal Veil Falls to have a picnic. We try and go every year but must have missed the past few because both the kids seem to have forgotten about what it looked like. I was surprised to see how green and lovely everything was. The river was really really high and seemed to be running pretty fast. Nate proposed right near here, so it has significance to us because of that, I can't believe 12 years went by so fast (our anniversary was in August).

The kids now want picnics every week, and I need to find a few more spots before fall comes and gets to cold. I want to do better and taking advantage of the things around here that we never do or see.

Grandpa Goo?!?

Sophie has always been a fan of the magnadoodles. We have four or five of varying sizes around here and one of her favorite games is when we draw something and she guesses what it is. She's really good at it too. Until this one that is, I was drawing a muppet, she looked a without hesitation said "Grandpa Goo!" Sorry Brad.
Here is a picture of Grandpa Goo, just to dispel any ideas that he may actually resemble the about photo. It's about a year old, but let me assure you, he hasn't changed that much in the past year. And yes, the moustache is kind of spectacular. But he certainly doesn't have googly eyes or a big round nose so far as I can see.

First Day Of School

It was a couple of weeks ago, but it still feels like summer and we shouldn't be back yet, so I kept delaying this post. But here is what the kids looked like. Sophie is convinced that Bella's lunch box is her backpack and gets very angry when Bella needs to take it for lunch.

School has been going well so far. Jack is determined to have no homework this year, so far he is succeeding, he just does it after he finishes his work during school. Bella is doing good going all day. She isn't great about getting ready efficiently in the morning, but we are working on that. I guess that is a result of afternoon kindergarten last year and a love for sleeping in.

New Celing Fan!

Our old one was dreadful. It was that brassy shiny color with funny bumpy lights that were amber in color. Now, I know, after watching Trading Spaces in my younger years, my years of cable TV, that designers hate hate hate ceiling fans. And while they are not the most attractive thing, they do serve their purpose and serve it well. They move air all around in a pleasing and heating or cooling type of way. So rather than get rid of it, I replaced it with one with an understated nickle finish.

Nate got home in the middle of the installation and promptly asked it I had shut off the power. I have no words to express my response. I was actually holding wires as he said this. This is my second ceiling fan, and they aren't too bad after the first one. My arms were a little sore for a few days, but the still functioned. Last time, I couldn't muster the strength to blow my own nose, either I am in better shape than I was then, or I was just faster this time. I think I only need to replace four more light fixtures in this house, then on to the next project.

A Camping We Will Go-Sort Of

Each summer we have good intentions of taking the kids camping. We brainstorm a little, then go over the schedule, and abandon the idea.

So last summer, we decided to set up the tent in the back yard. It's pretty big, and there are a lot of tall weeds (thanks Lehi soil), and a lot of pesky trees (quaking aspens), and sometimes we don't mow the grass for quite a long time. So the experience can be very wilderness like.

The tent is foolishly large. I snatched it from my parents a few years ago. It has three rooms and a covered porch. The instructions on how to put it up seem to be missing a few key steps, so Nate and I have to pretend that we have degrees in engineering for a few hours. And then once it is up, it's sort of stable, unless there is a big gust of wind.


But the kids think it is fabulous and don't seem to care about sound construction. They pull out the air mattresses, sleeping bags, camp chairs, and flashlights, and have a bunch of fun. Bella packed a suitcase full of dolls, bouncy balls, and games to take with her. Jack filled all the pockets in the tent with treasures he needed. And Sophie played during daylight hours, not realizing there is a sleeping in the tent option. She and I camp inside the house. We are holdouts till next year. The kids watch movies outside on the laptop, and giggle into the wee hours with their flashlights. It's all great fun! One day, we will hopefully make it out camping into the great wide world, but until then, the back yard is a great substitute. You can't beat the very close indoor plumbing and stocked fridge.