Pioneers, Parade, and a Picnic

Last week we celebrated Pioneer Day, we had a great time at the Buttlerville Days. We went swimming all afternoon, then went to the parade. After a dinner break we went back to play on the bounce houses, the kids got their face painted and got balloon creations. The night ended with Fireworks of course, we had a great time! In keeping with the pioneer theme, I hosted Book Club at my house. The book this month was Fire of the Covenant. It is historical fiction about the Willie and Martin handcart companies, it's a good book, gave me a better appreciation for the pioneers.
We are grateful that Jason and Kris had us over for a picnic on Sunday. I was excited to see Sarah's ring, that's right if you hadn't heard Jeff and Sarah are getting hitched! I wish I got a picture of them or the ring, but I didn't. Congratulations Jeff and Sarah!!!

POTD:

 

JJ would not do many art projects at school, his teacher encouraged us to work on projects at home over the summer. I don't think he likes getting messy, but he seems to be enjoying it more. 

 

The cousins waiting for the parade to start. The kids got tons of candy, and had a blast.

 

A yard in the neighborhood that we often walk by, it's so beautiful!

 

JJ, Elli, and their sand art from Art in the Park!

 

My cute little family got kicked out of the house for book club, they didn't go far though, they had a picnic in the back yard. After dinner they went grasshopper hunting. They caught about 20 grasshoppers, 4 praying mantis, and 4 potato bugs. This year JJ has become quite the bug catcher. We started catching them for the lizards, but now he just does it for fun. BTW- one lizard died, broke JJ's heart, and the other one escaped into the cool air intake- I tried to catch it but I failed. :(

 

At Grandma Julia's house

 

I love this picture. This was from our walk tonight. My boys admiring the view.

The Whines

We go for a bike ride, he whines. We go fun places with cousins, he whines. He gets to be in a parade, he whines. Now it's my time to whine. Is it a stage, or am I doing something wrong? JJ has been super whiny lately, and I'm sick of it. He doesn't get his way when he whines, sometimes his whining lands him in time out, yet he still whines. Any advice?

So this week was a lot of fun, JJ and I got to ride on a "float" in the Draper Parade, it was for his Preschool. Of course we got to go to fireworks, which is always fun. On Wednesday we had our cousin's play date at This is the Place Heritage Park. Did you know they have $2 admission on Wed.? It's $2/person to get in, and you get to do three activities for free. The kids got to go on a pony ride, a train ride, stamp leather, and make a candle. We had a lot of fun, but decided we will go again in the fall, it was HOT!!!

 

Grandpa Del gave JJ this "hat" after the parade. There are no picture from the parade. 

(Cough (Spencer) cough)

Picked up a new bubble gun, man I love bubble guns. I don't know why, but I stink at blowing bubbles.

This was a fun crib moment this week. We had a real stinker this week. Yesterday I had put Eva down for a nap, I heard her talking and talking, for some reason she just wouldn't go to sleep, so I went in and what did I see? POOP. The little stinker had wiped it everywhere- EEEWWWWW!!! Man that was one of the best Mommy moments.

Kiddos in front of a monument for the handcart companies. I just read The Fire and The Covenant, it's based on the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies, I really enjoyed it.

Two of my neighbors had a baby this month. I made them these blankets, wrapped in a headband with homemade flower clip. Cute, huh! I thought so.

Aunt Kris has made each of my kids a blanket, and we just treasure them, so I wanted to try my hand at it. This is a smaller version and there are some flaws, but I really enjoyed making them.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Where has the last week and a half gone? For that matter, the last year? Everyday this week I've intended to post, but the days just kept slipping by. This week was busy, mostly we had fun. Sunday marked the one year anniversary since we moved into our new house. After sitting vacant from April to July the yard was in really bad shape (I wish I took pictures). Last summer I spent all summer weeding. The weeds at one point were about 3 feet high. I still spend a lot of time weeding, but it's normal weeding. Our lawn on the east of out house was fried, that is looking much, much better with a little tlc. We have a lot of work to do, but we hope it will look fabulous by next summer.
As I've mentioned when we moved, we decided not to get cable tv, and our tv is so old we don't have reception on it. We have Internet access, so I watch some shows on Hulu, and we rent movies from time to time. Thanks to John and Shauna for always letting us come watch the big games at their house. We last enjoyed watching Spain win the World Cup!!! For the most part my entertainment this last year came from reading. I read 33 books over the past year. Out of curiosity I added up how many pages I've read, the total is 14,800. I'd love to get any suggestions on what to read next.

Anyhow here are my POTD:

 

I like to call this the First Date! Last Monday we went to the Truman's for dinner, I thought these two looked so cute eating dinner together. After dinner Tim set off fireworks. We had a lot of fun, Thanks guys!!!

 

One of JJ's creations, he always wants to take pictures of them, and leave them up until Dad gets home, so he can see them. 

 

Every Wednesday we get together with the cousins, last week we went bowling.

 

JJ's PB&J sandwich face. JJ loves PB&J, he could probably eat one every day. They always must be cut in triangles, he always ends up with a messy face. 

 

Friday night we went for a bike ride, the sunset was so pretty, it was a great night for a ride!

 

Silly JJ!

 

Superman!!!

 

This was the beginning of some very silly costumes, after I took this picture they kept adding layer after layer of costumes.

 

Swimming buddies!!! JJ had more swimming lessons this week.

 

Another Wednesday with the cousins, this week we went to the Herriman Reservoir, it was a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday Eva!!!

Eva turned 2 on July 2nd! Eva is such a cutie! I wrote down a few things about her on her second birthday.

Nickname: Tiki (she'll even refer to herself as tiki)
Evaisms: Later, Later = Se you later Alligator
While, While = in a little while
Eva loves to sing. 
Mostly sings I am a Child of God, Jesus Said Love Everyone, and Once there was a Snowman
Eva loves her two stuffed animal dogs, but she will hold as many as she can get her hands on.
She loves real dogs too, unless they are within 3 feet of her, then she panics.
She loves to slide, swim, and read books.
She loves JJ, and wants to do whatever he is doing.
Eva takes one nap a day, and is a very good sleeper at night.
She will eat just about anything, except peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, raspberries, and blueberries. She would snack all day, if I let her. If she sees anyone eating she wants a bite.
Although Eva can say just about anything she still whines for things. I'm always reminding my kids to use there words.
Eva is not fully potty trained, but she will go #1 &2 on the potty!

Eva is such a joy. She is really sweet, but a little fiery too. Our home would be really quite without her.
Happy Birthday Eva! We love you!

 

Birthday

 

July 2, 2009

 

July 2 2010

Lake Powell

JJ was really brave and went knee boarding and tubing, and he loved getting out in the middle of the lake to swim. Eva didn't love swimming in the middle of the lake, but liked to play on the shore, she did enjoy a tube ride (once we got moving). I usually water ski, but I had to try wake boarding, I managed to get up a few times, but I think I'll need some more practice.

 

Eva said, "Ooh, pretty water."

 

High fives from Kalee, for the super knee boarder!

 

Spencer and I

 

Here we are on a fun little hike.

 

JJ took flagging responsibilities very seriously!

 

Snuggling!!!

 

That's me wake boarding

 

JJ was so tuckered out he fell asleep right there waiting for our tinfoil dinner to cook. He didn't even wake up when I put his pjs on and put him to bed.