Utah Report

We were in Utah a few weeks ago because we needed a Grandma fix. We always have a great time. My sister and her family live there and Jacob loves that he gets to play with cousins too.

We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Jacob made a mold a of a T-Rex tooth, build canyons in the sand, and ended with a dinosaur dig, good times.

I got together with few friends from high school, me, Maggs, Missy, and Lindsee. We went to lunch at an old favorite and then took the kids to the pool. We only had an afternoon, but it was fun to catch up.
The town I grew up in had a celebration each year of the city and we ended up being there for the festivities. We missed the parade, but a favorite of mine was always the carnival. It was fun to be there and take the boys. I had my nieces to go on the "big" rides with me.
Grandma (my mom) even read a bedtime story to everyone one night (Jacob made sure he had the best seat).
Just before we headed for the airport, we went up to the canyon for lunch. We roasted hot dogs, made s'mores, the whole nine.

It was a really fun trip, just not quite long enough.

The Obsession Returns

The funny thing about Jacob and his love for all things garbage, is how long it's been going on. Honestly, one of his first words was "tash" (trash). He's been going pretty strong ever since. He would pick out a garbage can a mile away. Even while watching TV, he would always find the garbage can.

For the last few months, however, the obsession has backed off a little. Not quite an obsession, but still more than a hobby. He was still interested, but if he didn't see the garbage man come his world didn't end, nor did he have to bring in the empty can the second we got home. I've started to notice a slight increase and after yesterday, I think we might be back.

We had a pretty relaxed morning (Jacob finally changed out of his pj's around noon) and the boys were just doing their thing. It was only at the end of the day that I really stopped to think what Jacob had been doing ALL day.

It started when he climbed in bed with me at 7 o'clock and said, "We need to take the garbage out today." I reminded him it was only Monday and we wouldn't do that until tomorrow. He then asked to watch the movie his cousin, Max, gave him for Christmas a couple of years ago. "Wink and Blink, A Day in the life of a Garbage Truck". He watched it over and over, all the while he had a couple of his own trucks and a handful of garbage cans out playing garbage. As the day went on, he moved from room to room playing various forms of garbage. Some were recycling, some were green waste, but most involved clamp trucks (he likes those the best).

Considering our day so far has gone pretty much the same, with an intermission to go to see cool animals with Charlie in Half Moon Bay, I'm thinking we may not have moved on from garbage like I once thought. If you've never witnessed it first hand, you are missing out.

Scraggly No More

I FINALLY got Parker's haircut. This was the first cut and it was long overdue. He had mangy curls all over and it would get all matted in the back. No so cute.

The Before

(Sure he looks cute just when I don't want him to because I am trying to prove a point. Already defiant.)

The during.

(He did a great job and was totally digging the car he got to sit in.)

The after.

So clean, so cute.

Jamie's Big Day

Today Jamie turns 32 and where he would much prefer to be able to let the day slip quietly into the night, he should have known better when he married me. Although, I am honoring his request for no party, I will not let the day go by without giving him some acknowledgement (it's killing you, isn't Jamie).

In front of the banker's heart outside his old building.

He teaches the boys to appreciate important things early in life.
After an alumni hockey game at BYU.
Nothing beats coming home from basketball all sweaty and gross just to have your newborn spit up all over you -- he's such a good sport about it.



Jamie keeps us all laughing and we love him for it.

Happy Birthday Jamie!!

More Flags. More Fun.

Last week we met up with some friends at Six Flags. We went with Lisa and family, and three of her friend's girls. Good times at Discovery Kingdom! It was so fun because the 3 girls that joined us were old enough to help out with the kids. Which meant Lisa, Merrill, and I were hitting the rides too. I love rollercoasters!

Lisa and Madeline went on the whale ride with Jacob and it was only after the ride had started that Lisa remembered she didn't like the round and round rides.

Jacob posing like Batman after he got a matching cape.

Jacob was loving Thomas Town, especially when he got to see Sir Topham Hatt.

Jacob, Lisa, and Maddie riding Thomas.

Six Flags, cont'd

The gang.

(Back to Front) Lisa, McKenzie, Madeline, Sarah, me, Maddie, Merrill, William, Jacob, and Parker.

All but Lisa, Parker, and I went on the teacups. We no likey, likey.

Merrill likes to make himself and his passengers sick from spinning.

The boys and Bugs. I thought it was funny that Jacob would rather stand by William than Bugs Bunny since he has no idea who he is.

We stayed until after the park closed and then headed back to Napa to change the boys into pj's and gear up for the drive home. By then, however, it was late enough I was too tired to drive home so we spent the night at Lisa's. Jacob was excited to get to play more the next day with Maddie and William and I was thrilled that Merrill took the kids so Lisa and I could hit the outlets. We finally left late in the afternoon.

The boys were just a little tired at the end of our 2 day adventure.

Thanks again Lisa and crew for a great day at the park, some outlet shopping, and the toothbrush.

Another gem from Jacob

A few days before Father's Day, the boys and I were in the car discussing what we should get Dad. Jacob said it should be something he doesn't already have and never tried. I agreed and was pleased that he was already becoming a thoughtful gift giver. I asked him if he had any ideas, he did. I was interested to hear what he had obviously been thinking about that Dad didn't already have and never tried, when all I hear is, "How about a jackhammer?"

All I could do was laugh and say, "You're right, Dad doesn't have one of those." We talked about when you get a gift for someone, it should be something they don't have, as well as something they would be able to use and enjoy. We went with an ipod instead.