Find Me a Rainbow

With a pot of gold to share.A beautiful view out my backdoor tonight.

Only in Utah...

...does half a city camp out for two days for a parade to celebrate Mormon pioneers. I got to watch the parade out my office window. I'm a sucker for parades. Plus I ran the infamous D-News Pioneer Day 10k with Kati. What a country!Happy Pioneer Day!

Water Fight!

Today was Family Fun Day at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house.

JW found a bucket of water balloons... and figured out pretty quickly if he tossed the balloon, it would explode with water.

Before long, others noticed and joined in the fun.

And a water fight ensued.

He started it.

Discovery Gateway

Today I took Dubs to Discovery Gateway, a children's museum full of hands-on exhibits and activities. I was not entirely sure what to expect and wondered if he was too young to really get into it. As you can see, he had no trouble having fun. He thought the ball throw tube was the best thing ever.

This is a little platform to build a house with blocks, then you turn it on and it shakes to mimic an earthquake and you see if your building survives. JW couldn't help but shake his booty with it.

Gramma Nay has these gears on her refrigerator so to see an entire wall of gears was just too awesome for this little man.

The best place of all...the water center! If he wasn't trying to drink the water, he was pouring it on himself. He was soaked, but so happy.

I just got invited to Google+. I'm flattered to be in the elite test group, but I'm not really sure what I'm doing. Should I be nervous that my name is now public, with no control over privacy? I think I understand the "circles" bit, but I'm not sure how I get people in the circles. Please, if you know how to use this really cool new Google thing, tell me what I need to know.

Day 26: Lasagna Face

Give this kid any combination of noodles and tomato sauce and he is sure to have a good time over his entire body.

Day 25: A Day On the Beach

Bear Lake

Building sand castles on the beach.

Day 24 - Always Planning His Escape

JW recently started joining the toddlers in nursery at our church while I attend my classes. He has struggled a little when I drop him off. He gets sad and I often stay with him until he gets comfy, then I sneak out. Today was not any different, except that I didn't stay. One of my favorite people was in the nursery, so she took him and within a minute he seemed content. Meanwhile, I enjoyed my classes.

When church ended I went to pick JW up from the nursery. Unfortunately when I got there, JW was not there. I asked the adult who was there (not the same person who was there when I dropped him off) where he was. She responded by saying, "Who?" as if she had never heard of the kid, so I drew a composite sketch for her. She said, "Oh, he left with So-n-So." After "So-n-So" was nowhere to be found, I sent out a search party. Several minutes later I hear a voice yell from down the hall, "Here he is!" There was JW wandering the halls, all alone, with a giant smile on his face as if to say, "Look mama, I escaped!"

Day 23 - The Stork made a Delivery!

Welcome to the family

Nicholas James!

My sister has been willing this baby to be born for what seems like weeks now. Anyone who has had a baby understands the need for pregnancy to be over. I talked to my sister yesterday morning around 11 a.m. She was sitting in the kiddie pool in her backyard with her two girls. Life as usual. Around 7:30 p.m. my Mom called me a little frantic that she could not get a hold of my sister. A few minutes later we got a message that this sweet boy had been born. Within a few hours this proud auntie was on video chat and got to meet the little man. He's awesome.

Congrats Rachel, Boo and big sisters Noelley and Sis!!

Day 22 - Space: The Final Frontier

Today marks the last launch of the space shuttle, as the U.S. government has brought the program to an end. It has been on the news all day, as if the country is in mourning. I can not lie, I am a little sad to see it end, although deep down I think it will be back {a new president, better economy, not to mention the nauseating idea of sending our astronauts on Russia's space shuttle - I imagine the cockpit smells like cigarettes and stale beer - could bring this to pass}.

My first memory, like so many kids of the '80s, is the Challenger space shuttle. I was in 4th grade and along with thousands of other kids that day in 1986, watched live as the Challenger disintegrated just over a minute after launch. It was a confusing moment and as it all became clear I can remember being sad specifically for the brave teacher, Christa McAuliffe, who for a brief moment inspired me to want to be an astronaut. Ever since then I tend to hold my breath after each shuttle launch, hoping for the best and fearing the worst.

In honor of all of those who have dedicated their lives to space exploration, I hold my hand over my heart. It's not over, just a temporary break before we're back in space.

Day 21 - The Cat in the Hat

JW does not generally care much for television, with on exception, The Cat in the Hat on PBS Kids. He sits on our bed every morning and sings and grooves to the opening theme song. The Cat sings another song as he, Nick and Sally hop in the Thing-ma-jigger to go on their next adventure. You can inevitably hear JW singing along, "Go, go, go!!!" It is pretty much the cutest thing ever. It's a catchy little tune. You might find yourself singing it the rest of the day.

Day 20 - More Drivel

I am sitting here on my bed with G. We are both on our separate laptops. He's looking at souped up 4-wheelers in the online classifieds, I'm surfing Facebook. It's a slow Facebook day.

In an effort to keep up with this challenge, I just asked G what I should write about for Day 20. His response, "You've been blogging for 20 days straight? About what?" My response, "Drivel." I guess he hasn't been keeping up.

Did you hear about the enormous dust storm that engulfed the Phoenix area yesterday? My sister was in it. She called me frantic, then the phone went dead. I haven't heard from her since. I think she was swallowed up.

Day 19 - Happy Birthday Mumsie!!

Today is a big birthday for Mom. She's not a senior citizen yet, so she can't make any excuses.

A few weeks ago my sister sent me this video. It might only be funny to us, but it is so reminiscent of our childhood. My mom sang this song to us all the time. Actually, she still sings it from time to time. Love you Mom! Happy birthday!

Day 18 - America the Beautiful

I have decided one of my favorite places to be over the July 4th holiday is at our home in Idaho.It is quite possibly the busiest weekend of the year. Everybody is celebrating their freedom on their 4-wheelers, boats, bikes and strollers. The festivities abound. Of course I opted to get out on my own two feet and run THE hardest 10k ever. Six miles on a dirt trail, through mud and rivers and at 7,000 ft elevation. G and JW cheered me on (can you see the enthusiasm?). While it wasn't my most stellar performance, I could not ask for a more beautiful backdrop...or a more lovely weekend with my boys.