tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22548487420094685762024-03-14T02:15:25.327-06:00A Plastow PerspectiveThe perspective, passions and past-times of Amy Plastow
<br>alis volat propiisAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.comBlogger380125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-62233259057559579362022-04-04T10:50:00.002-06:002022-04-04T10:50:46.077-06:00Escalante for Spring Break<p>We've been so busy lately! I guess that's always the case, but it seems like I just can't get caught up. We had a lot of sickness, and I had surgery at the beginning of the year, so that probably was a major factor in the craziness</p><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29BRiH0_3FmxoK_rrAo4KyQ71CeMAcat1fWX4OoPVA9KnBZzyFDNU16mEfWKyVlmWXiqVZ8QBzQOmgkL5_82ss14w3jDfIQY2YntXG-eaG3M8WaXD09R0AI4uFY_Y5z-BYIWdc8lEttpeizQtQU_93Mn2_V2EDQz_Rfs62soBtPOkpihPABts5_gA/s4032/IMG_7123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29BRiH0_3FmxoK_rrAo4KyQ71CeMAcat1fWX4OoPVA9KnBZzyFDNU16mEfWKyVlmWXiqVZ8QBzQOmgkL5_82ss14w3jDfIQY2YntXG-eaG3M8WaXD09R0AI4uFY_Y5z-BYIWdc8lEttpeizQtQU_93Mn2_V2EDQz_Rfs62soBtPOkpihPABts5_gA/s320/IMG_7123.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>But we decided we needed a little get away so we scheduled a trip for spring break. Dave's work just started a program where they want to encourage their employees to go on vacation so they give $300 reimbursement a quarter for you to take a trip. You can save the money up or spend it quarterly. This is a very exciting perk to us and we hope to go on more trips as a result</p><p>We were pleasantly surprised with out hotel. The room was nice, it had an indoor pool and hot tub the kids enjoyed for at least 2 hours a day, and a complimentary cooked breakfast "with sausage! and bacon!" Apparently I don't feed my kids enough breakfast meats<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn3lEbx9UJ88qOLYyZbsOYO-XYFn-Fje2miTLqM-EKLRWHwJmAbWdVzvuCjTw6PIAo0sweZVNGtpkx_8wWa7X_XNKe3GBd3RNiBilmBFA5jIaIYxLl4g7nDz1xcXvYAafhBbsnayLGvQ6B0mnufuYniu6Gt2g1MDjOcI_AezLaRiLxfubi5hpRcYr/s4032/IMG_7125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn3lEbx9UJ88qOLYyZbsOYO-XYFn-Fje2miTLqM-EKLRWHwJmAbWdVzvuCjTw6PIAo0sweZVNGtpkx_8wWa7X_XNKe3GBd3RNiBilmBFA5jIaIYxLl4g7nDz1xcXvYAafhBbsnayLGvQ6B0mnufuYniu6Gt2g1MDjOcI_AezLaRiLxfubi5hpRcYr/s320/IMG_7125.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We woke up each morning, ate breakfast, packed a sack lunch/snacks and headed out for a full day of hiking. It was exhausting but we saw some awesome scenery and wild life. On our first hike we almost stepped on this snake in the middle of the trail. Dave wanted to catch it, but I was pretty sure it was a rattle snake so I convinced the kids to leave it alone. My adventurous husband decided he wanted to touch it (since he wasn't convinced it was a rattle snake) but fortunately he didn't get bit or anything. Google says it was a Midget Faded Rattlesnake so I'm glad we were cautious</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YObQ2oPmxKIe5_gORpoBhNK3vtzIERJlHTlcT3TEVys1X833ULY4QifWgpvysqHAFMWp6JOLB0iAnAizCl8k6nz6-yzco3_OUpHDrV5txsMPOJDkIz-LWe9wILJqvny8eUze1uyfC94BSvm3-dlHS46e7y-PLqmJLN-_-33A1aifEeymkR3XFJJo/s4032/IMG_7127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YObQ2oPmxKIe5_gORpoBhNK3vtzIERJlHTlcT3TEVys1X833ULY4QifWgpvysqHAFMWp6JOLB0iAnAizCl8k6nz6-yzco3_OUpHDrV5txsMPOJDkIz-LWe9wILJqvny8eUze1uyfC94BSvm3-dlHS46e7y-PLqmJLN-_-33A1aifEeymkR3XFJJo/s320/IMG_7127.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids LOVED the plethora of trail cairns in Escalante! There were almost no trail markers or signs so we really had to pay attention to make sure we were on the trail. They added a rock to the top of each one we passed</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxyeQ0DkxPAZcYGaQh9s7dNL9Rgg-KHTk13N9fQJghMukFvyHYRgPJNloKHvKbAdEYQKep_ZGb_WcUBNIwA6jspd26smOcwgYGiJtreBwM4HwFy5o_6tt0ULFkgrBAx7MqkNzTW8Yhc3OWEo17H0euGoUxOICtvj3Onh_LJRFlhuW9nOkBdpg0S_F/s4032/IMG_7130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxyeQ0DkxPAZcYGaQh9s7dNL9Rgg-KHTk13N9fQJghMukFvyHYRgPJNloKHvKbAdEYQKep_ZGb_WcUBNIwA6jspd26smOcwgYGiJtreBwM4HwFy5o_6tt0ULFkgrBAx7MqkNzTW8Yhc3OWEo17H0euGoUxOICtvj3Onh_LJRFlhuW9nOkBdpg0S_F/s320/IMG_7130.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We decided it was in our best interest to do our longest hike first. It was 6.5 miles round trip and wove it's way through two different slot canyons. They were awesome! It reminded me of a combination of Moab and Antelope Canyon. What I loved about this one though was nobody else was on the hike with us. We saw people on the trails before and after but while we were in the canyon we didn't run into anyone. It was very cool<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjDzy0Tc8rc0iT2TEDxLchMT5Rx6Vtwfj7gXcjbPcE407uSvkeP25TpPz-UIo7jH58jziI3TSOp_lG2U3YdvFBQBK9FH52M_CqkMh5KgJ-b42LmqF7cfDRPtE7pdx3wUtf3Mpf3piP6RmXoXOkQskPj8CJ2GsEgCosEFlWOzBgX7Z3UAx5J-fARzD/s4032/IMG_7131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjDzy0Tc8rc0iT2TEDxLchMT5Rx6Vtwfj7gXcjbPcE407uSvkeP25TpPz-UIo7jH58jziI3TSOp_lG2U3YdvFBQBK9FH52M_CqkMh5KgJ-b42LmqF7cfDRPtE7pdx3wUtf3Mpf3piP6RmXoXOkQskPj8CJ2GsEgCosEFlWOzBgX7Z3UAx5J-fARzD/s320/IMG_7131.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids loved the twisting and turning and especially that it was easier for them to get through than for Dave and I. I loved the arches! I've never been in a slot like this before and it was fun</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbkEvon9k4rvhk4QqQecWHc9SLFnlVMpMm0TpGeUYCp_sWazLhem6KrzmhQktjSDSfUV7cAF5S3rc2-rNxqoNkRP773AV9Qi1E-ywFunGrzLWRIlLfrr-vfZAJIuv27DgwO1S5Q4oJPEUE-naBeDrpMRYGgwXQzFF88odGIvLJKLDzM9sNAxsuqiH/s4032/IMG_7132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbkEvon9k4rvhk4QqQecWHc9SLFnlVMpMm0TpGeUYCp_sWazLhem6KrzmhQktjSDSfUV7cAF5S3rc2-rNxqoNkRP773AV9Qi1E-ywFunGrzLWRIlLfrr-vfZAJIuv27DgwO1S5Q4oJPEUE-naBeDrpMRYGgwXQzFF88odGIvLJKLDzM9sNAxsuqiH/s320/IMG_7132.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Brooklyn thought she was hot stuff, running through the slots! We couldn't keep up with her since it was so much harder for us big people to squeeze through. The first canyon, Peakaboo was the kids favorite</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel2mbH5_b1X47BLzwGKgFs60XoMjabxob-P4V8d7_3bSydwnUXIoFOMuPt8aYrgr4Qv1qrIUeSoZ_q4aFEBmhxsaCP8wAKI5GCrSknZhjRJpoMAwAOmAyXHp-qvmwh8VXAZg5b0DRanjQIdrcrOT9I-cY4hSGg1y_DZRfDTVhmELDvcE2Qm8XIGkB/s4032/IMG_7135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel2mbH5_b1X47BLzwGKgFs60XoMjabxob-P4V8d7_3bSydwnUXIoFOMuPt8aYrgr4Qv1qrIUeSoZ_q4aFEBmhxsaCP8wAKI5GCrSknZhjRJpoMAwAOmAyXHp-qvmwh8VXAZg5b0DRanjQIdrcrOT9I-cY4hSGg1y_DZRfDTVhmELDvcE2Qm8XIGkB/s320/IMG_7135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V2du9tn0u-cP1l_3VNNs7NnNn3EXlmBlRyUNYYI9kE3A3DU7OxVNfyAnUEzCCC9YSm_0n_A0Z3oFtYmAU_RtUhOsAoKw3wD-e3_T58LKhwJJZf_cziEW3AxyIRj04Q7NfUcU7LMH_eojHnzt2A_m0gYxlg4aNvoitBcdNaqs83f6hd5QDxWVcagT/s4032/IMG_7153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9V2du9tn0u-cP1l_3VNNs7NnNn3EXlmBlRyUNYYI9kE3A3DU7OxVNfyAnUEzCCC9YSm_0n_A0Z3oFtYmAU_RtUhOsAoKw3wD-e3_T58LKhwJJZf_cziEW3AxyIRj04Q7NfUcU7LMH_eojHnzt2A_m0gYxlg4aNvoitBcdNaqs83f6hd5QDxWVcagT/s320/IMG_7153.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>They especially loved running ahead to where the canyon opened up a bit and hid in there to scare the next of us to hike through</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3gNBAwEPmAjtdxr2xZlzCi5OvLPnrBkBuhfMW6ySqqpWE9SPO-7xTq5kjTw8YF-GZLD2NkQbzCcQhjJQ5W2COJfcS8Au8MLTm-PX4M4b6YjE4bsBdW8QymyaAAglSuyqxJk1mNzsYhT3yr0RuEhi8_avqB0jbBNDFWVCSfgmpXUeZtY9V5i0PrQ8/s4032/IMG_7150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3gNBAwEPmAjtdxr2xZlzCi5OvLPnrBkBuhfMW6ySqqpWE9SPO-7xTq5kjTw8YF-GZLD2NkQbzCcQhjJQ5W2COJfcS8Au8MLTm-PX4M4b6YjE4bsBdW8QymyaAAglSuyqxJk1mNzsYhT3yr0RuEhi8_avqB0jbBNDFWVCSfgmpXUeZtY9V5i0PrQ8/s320/IMG_7150.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The second canyon, Spooky Canyon was not enjoyed by the kids. It was a tight fit and would have been horrible if you were claustrophobic. We were pressed up against both walls, sliding through at some points. We had to decide several times whether to go up or down and hope we made the right choice (because backtracking in the narrow canyon was difficult) </div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yDgMI36uZDG6STwW4991oXI_7ojDxN-PNZua9lfMCnJf3MCsygGItTAOfKdvo-7THIaERY5mINv4I9NuvHt05CyaJv_NoujDha2Ln21r3Z7h7cuovPqNTZRTVFOK8XjlE9jqdBXycAtFOfrTsh1J61zqWY8Z1g28iZ0HcU1el219a81KQg0venSc/s4032/IMG_7156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yDgMI36uZDG6STwW4991oXI_7ojDxN-PNZua9lfMCnJf3MCsygGItTAOfKdvo-7THIaERY5mINv4I9NuvHt05CyaJv_NoujDha2Ln21r3Z7h7cuovPqNTZRTVFOK8XjlE9jqdBXycAtFOfrTsh1J61zqWY8Z1g28iZ0HcU1el219a81KQg0venSc/s320/IMG_7156.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabKIW7jZu69W6BkOhl7LkuwOneOcfFbBQm2o5GdBQsnE_g-VRHTMCAWlxZTJLo1qE_vSM6H93e1vv3W1eAVywS2OBnLRtZp-_Zfwp9xObtC-8GNtWK88OjLfNpOVQiIu2o3X_UxDLiOd8Y9ChN24Mfe4A_tUhAoabbqBNyLZUi8qMbQi2R5rIJ6S_/s4032/IMG_7158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabKIW7jZu69W6BkOhl7LkuwOneOcfFbBQm2o5GdBQsnE_g-VRHTMCAWlxZTJLo1qE_vSM6H93e1vv3W1eAVywS2OBnLRtZp-_Zfwp9xObtC-8GNtWK88OjLfNpOVQiIu2o3X_UxDLiOd8Y9ChN24Mfe4A_tUhAoabbqBNyLZUi8qMbQi2R5rIJ6S_/s320/IMG_7158.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div>At one point Brooklyn made the wrong choice and tried to climb under a boulder when she should have gone over and she got stuck. This made it her "worst hike ever" but we survived</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_paU327VDAp6kK4LqLLzF4ua-ky3ljgjB9o7jEdDlrZM_9psKNdDzyslA2MIlyijER9x6rqkqgsKl4GE28MLL7LxpTQRsr4VqJ9_XOeO9KceRUiL32GKbXmhIM13ybDlDK11pv_RT3Mo3FIcWo3ZOFK5MGmrpmiWAufmEzxa6ibqZUyxAvhyXbWO/s4032/IMG_7174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_paU327VDAp6kK4LqLLzF4ua-ky3ljgjB9o7jEdDlrZM_9psKNdDzyslA2MIlyijER9x6rqkqgsKl4GE28MLL7LxpTQRsr4VqJ9_XOeO9KceRUiL32GKbXmhIM13ybDlDK11pv_RT3Mo3FIcWo3ZOFK5MGmrpmiWAufmEzxa6ibqZUyxAvhyXbWO/s320/IMG_7174.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next hike we took was to the Devil's Garden. To call it a hike is a stretch. You can see the garden from the parking lot but the kids had a blast climbing up every monolith they came across. We spent several hours exploring and naming each formation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3qk158reWykWnOdtiWb2ZNRvupjT2gvpxzM3H__JFOhp37qtJvdL9i1Y4GRfLVKnGuDuijSd3fynUx151klOkaPqH1ASkhCRmN0QjeoRMM9gbrGzNil81py5RamLN6Eru_hrhQe0OxvWhQ5DmycQZDkXdJ2boBG192lR06tzi2MYYZoQEC7hiopu/s4032/IMG_7187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3qk158reWykWnOdtiWb2ZNRvupjT2gvpxzM3H__JFOhp37qtJvdL9i1Y4GRfLVKnGuDuijSd3fynUx151klOkaPqH1ASkhCRmN0QjeoRMM9gbrGzNil81py5RamLN6Eru_hrhQe0OxvWhQ5DmycQZDkXdJ2boBG192lR06tzi2MYYZoQEC7hiopu/s320/IMG_7187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dustin loves to climb! He has ever sense he was a baby (by two he could scale our freestanding fridge to get to the candy I would hide on top). Since I'm a climber I love this most of the time, but he can make me nervous too. As my wild child I'll turn around to help someone and turn back around to find him at the top of something with no idea how to get back down</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvZTiav0JSrWkRqKq4Wv3iEoPV6O-JQeHcGgDrmvkCmxWtv7xnEX25-wOuGLPoCKwt_glHJxhEwapNY6JKUq8opS5tSw2hGY5JaT1gn1jJACJlVFNfD_rEt_BrQyqcKiiE8apwGQ-5WYNTTrrN8SMZT-46I7S-0XPDXQaO12NDyemD9eAUeepsXVe/s4032/IMG_7213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvZTiav0JSrWkRqKq4Wv3iEoPV6O-JQeHcGgDrmvkCmxWtv7xnEX25-wOuGLPoCKwt_glHJxhEwapNY6JKUq8opS5tSw2hGY5JaT1gn1jJACJlVFNfD_rEt_BrQyqcKiiE8apwGQ-5WYNTTrrN8SMZT-46I7S-0XPDXQaO12NDyemD9eAUeepsXVe/s320/IMG_7213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>So we decided our next adventure needs to be a rock climbing expedition. The trickiest part for Dustin is he is scared of heights. So I think learning to climb will give him confidence and help him overcome this fear</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVmPk8rZjslUJbkE-q3pIlgKKSp70lPmnuzQ5LyC4bBQDOPNfsFmTmrbGgsQbldVXjUoWYGkgdlPE7fwSLhgl5DGv3VfX_rCYBdKOhwGEJrih406jhtAkPAPvjtBC4mrcFtxzGeYqYhF77yBEX8vmRODLEHLrSYPhJd3m1drGvHsh3ruVpmMx0w2c/s4032/IMG_7198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVmPk8rZjslUJbkE-q3pIlgKKSp70lPmnuzQ5LyC4bBQDOPNfsFmTmrbGgsQbldVXjUoWYGkgdlPE7fwSLhgl5DGv3VfX_rCYBdKOhwGEJrih406jhtAkPAPvjtBC4mrcFtxzGeYqYhF77yBEX8vmRODLEHLrSYPhJd3m1drGvHsh3ruVpmMx0w2c/s320/IMG_7198.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNVg-CgtbmxptwLuaak_tAGNXyZkEo-zg3GGwPsLykgzl5rwqrmLIf9_NQroPn_nIFoc12WTR1AVm9N67F6OVthts6Ca5t0nPkuqA-FAWdI9GI0TVCdCGLE48UkU7igH_Kf01mcIZMz-Wc4ADjLnkiXJYp3FXCjx244xbAKIZ3obG4GOUAvPEWboH/s1775/IMG_7294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1775" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNVg-CgtbmxptwLuaak_tAGNXyZkEo-zg3GGwPsLykgzl5rwqrmLIf9_NQroPn_nIFoc12WTR1AVm9N67F6OVthts6Ca5t0nPkuqA-FAWdI9GI0TVCdCGLE48UkU7igH_Kf01mcIZMz-Wc4ADjLnkiXJYp3FXCjx244xbAKIZ3obG4GOUAvPEWboH/s320/IMG_7294.jpg" width="203" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>When prepping for our trip we were looking at the different hikes available and the kids were SO excited to see the pictographs and petroglyphs! So we made sure to do the 100 hand hike that had both. They LOVED the animal depictions and were pretty upset someone had tried to steal them at some point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AJ2XiczZuNTumZy0ycVmAlTwUgeHEqEyDnVBtW-7VIRyYAhora-JJk7D9hExVbffq1OGmgfuSOpG2rSX7Qbm0TSBm_uHpoyx2WCq6-ZIc45_pPHUhzVjR1Noask5F2GcT6_PLs1z7SBxlaADWIgD6HmVKSYyLftsfoqGjd4I3DARhWPw7TeTt0C7/s4032/IMG_7231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AJ2XiczZuNTumZy0ycVmAlTwUgeHEqEyDnVBtW-7VIRyYAhora-JJk7D9hExVbffq1OGmgfuSOpG2rSX7Qbm0TSBm_uHpoyx2WCq6-ZIc45_pPHUhzVjR1Noask5F2GcT6_PLs1z7SBxlaADWIgD6HmVKSYyLftsfoqGjd4I3DARhWPw7TeTt0C7/s320/IMG_7231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsNsEFOZddjPLADRFgOWpwEUyomH2L-skd-eE0eIAq69_GIwGPtGJHH9ZH0advd8E8eGz7dHUM5YJDlsp8KcZsx-bhCyxzDgNWYqDLCFYlUUKRL5dQBD1o7MxCpdFRq7PsSFM9xSxkpuQ3rKNTojSxcC5dnZ1PtlyZt0EyOipU8k8SZTJzmShI9FG/s4032/IMG_7203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsNsEFOZddjPLADRFgOWpwEUyomH2L-skd-eE0eIAq69_GIwGPtGJHH9ZH0advd8E8eGz7dHUM5YJDlsp8KcZsx-bhCyxzDgNWYqDLCFYlUUKRL5dQBD1o7MxCpdFRq7PsSFM9xSxkpuQ3rKNTojSxcC5dnZ1PtlyZt0EyOipU8k8SZTJzmShI9FG/s320/IMG_7203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Way up high on a cliff the indigenous people at one point painted several hands to represent each member of their tribe. The kids counted and there weren't exactly 100 hands. They were quite impressed although we couldn't figure out how to safely get up closer to these for a better view</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nmyaoYhcAT2rWuyu5CB-4FTeLcmH6Em9nfXAqSQLjiZI-KPjU-Y_4kM-RJKI8U9t1c6BNSRbhmTSY_pHHUQsISjYUzEuzkTIOfDwhV_RPYkJnDTingbZEuYGlgrEakJoMDFWpS1vZzqecSWvVRVExO2ceguzLpDZ1eoepy9118Xi_M8_nw4hA1xr/s4032/IMG_7230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nmyaoYhcAT2rWuyu5CB-4FTeLcmH6Em9nfXAqSQLjiZI-KPjU-Y_4kM-RJKI8U9t1c6BNSRbhmTSY_pHHUQsISjYUzEuzkTIOfDwhV_RPYkJnDTingbZEuYGlgrEakJoMDFWpS1vZzqecSWvVRVExO2ceguzLpDZ1eoepy9118Xi_M8_nw4hA1xr/s320/IMG_7230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGhprgThz6yHFqMPbwMc1hdMWn9rn8UrKSrgYTSjG-vq_3UnAN_S1UkxA11DGwqIm5V44GCrwrZ2u0W2AhR3Sa22QJqnZZSk0QjP408eLLvQQxpMLLfkKOuyQxPJLieWDrPwD5AAYeRaF5SMi5FFO6NY0muc7cCbD6lyptHWfc8Le0RSeAaVqNIfI/s4032/IMG_7225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGhprgThz6yHFqMPbwMc1hdMWn9rn8UrKSrgYTSjG-vq_3UnAN_S1UkxA11DGwqIm5V44GCrwrZ2u0W2AhR3Sa22QJqnZZSk0QjP408eLLvQQxpMLLfkKOuyQxPJLieWDrPwD5AAYeRaF5SMi5FFO6NY0muc7cCbD6lyptHWfc8Le0RSeAaVqNIfI/s320/IMG_7225.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These were the boys favorite petroglyphs. It's supposed to be warriors and a Shaman but it reminds them of characters of a video game Dave plays. Clearly the indigenous people were well aware of the video games of the future</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQMQ3JdMfjVDeQ1tCV3VaLDmlJeXAQMs8dwNn1MVPplDL2xMmxlgg5MgcY2-Ngpa1q6FfD6LKnEF9RTl_Y5YRqINMF46i-ZBIZtJgS2kyvjBBMPHAA0lTfu2he7m6xnEXYkcredqEy0vqmKD9UMH8-JRh47UkS-_NCXi-TCrVkqPu3XEc7zQilDj0/s3088/IMG_7216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQMQ3JdMfjVDeQ1tCV3VaLDmlJeXAQMs8dwNn1MVPplDL2xMmxlgg5MgcY2-Ngpa1q6FfD6LKnEF9RTl_Y5YRqINMF46i-ZBIZtJgS2kyvjBBMPHAA0lTfu2he7m6xnEXYkcredqEy0vqmKD9UMH8-JRh47UkS-_NCXi-TCrVkqPu3XEc7zQilDj0/s320/IMG_7216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxzRV0Kgbt5Y87vcnQqACYO_ofh8_hO2s5WWPr_A2Wd7Uxs0LvcQ9fmIt4ufyss7SfbxW0kDSpQRm68w99bGfwy94Od9nfEkF4o7YNmWfHNL1Me_9mhzFLXdC7LeyKCUj6uBehFhKZ0OKws5tzD4ZtU0fsrhL4F8_3bsXFe27_XbNmM002Hlju22z/s4032/IMG_7224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxzRV0Kgbt5Y87vcnQqACYO_ofh8_hO2s5WWPr_A2Wd7Uxs0LvcQ9fmIt4ufyss7SfbxW0kDSpQRm68w99bGfwy94Od9nfEkF4o7YNmWfHNL1Me_9mhzFLXdC7LeyKCUj6uBehFhKZ0OKws5tzD4ZtU0fsrhL4F8_3bsXFe27_XbNmM002Hlju22z/s4032/IMG_7224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxzRV0Kgbt5Y87vcnQqACYO_ofh8_hO2s5WWPr_A2Wd7Uxs0LvcQ9fmIt4ufyss7SfbxW0kDSpQRm68w99bGfwy94Od9nfEkF4o7YNmWfHNL1Me_9mhzFLXdC7LeyKCUj6uBehFhKZ0OKws5tzD4ZtU0fsrhL4F8_3bsXFe27_XbNmM002Hlju22z/s320/IMG_7224.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />We had to scramble up and down a bit of a climb to get close to these, but the kids just had to see them up close, and I wanted to see them up close too<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyW1L2nTAiNO7X1UVEtAFvVQ7tCZJZQkjYHdgRO0DUijEPE_ldaj-Drg66Ofd14q0yWHmGe7fa7rZg0IWjKZlNfFuGWW5_Um-8tLlvshfnQ8wxIFQdQgAneM92I7W2X33T0mGB6AEbPS_PBuwGeva126TtrYM3km-MHu34vQ2nuXn_k3lRTuKNETC/s4032/IMG_7235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyW1L2nTAiNO7X1UVEtAFvVQ7tCZJZQkjYHdgRO0DUijEPE_ldaj-Drg66Ofd14q0yWHmGe7fa7rZg0IWjKZlNfFuGWW5_Um-8tLlvshfnQ8wxIFQdQgAneM92I7W2X33T0mGB6AEbPS_PBuwGeva126TtrYM3km-MHu34vQ2nuXn_k3lRTuKNETC/s320/IMG_7235.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next up we hit Singing Canyon. It also wasn't a long hike, but the kids loved yelling and singing with their echos. They also loved bouldering up both sides of the canyon. Dustin climbed up a rather tricky area and got stuck, realized how high up he was and freaked out. I was able to calm him down and talk him down the climb but he was pretty upset for a minute there. I learned on this trip how difficult it is to teach a scared kid how to down climb </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNo3pyd3FZgRr3FDIXq7FW2YwMoSdT5MoDTs1g6uXJQy_jLuIBHvXjQAyqGQn6QQTwwMlRsBn5qi0-gua-a7T7IZMS6PEiLfmCkOpe1hpN_ZZzYq0NoXqy4RY-qYGsrBIb4qVhzQnkSTIyfVWsNcHU8dK_12fSrFXsPOXjJqP2WFKtah5Vf2ebxw2/s4032/IMG_7240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNo3pyd3FZgRr3FDIXq7FW2YwMoSdT5MoDTs1g6uXJQy_jLuIBHvXjQAyqGQn6QQTwwMlRsBn5qi0-gua-a7T7IZMS6PEiLfmCkOpe1hpN_ZZzYq0NoXqy4RY-qYGsrBIb4qVhzQnkSTIyfVWsNcHU8dK_12fSrFXsPOXjJqP2WFKtah5Vf2ebxw2/s320/IMG_7240.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our last hike of the trip was to the Upper Calf Creek Falls. Dave really wanted to do a different waterfall hike but it was something like 7 miles in and I knew we wouldn't make it. So we decided to do this 2 mile hike to a easier to access waterfall</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTOWBSLhMbdVOjEJ5ZSiuwn1FhmGQmzh248Oo4lzoLW2Wp-YPB1E0gq0UaDNKSq2nrI0fcxchaW0K31wREJMvfweXIbmWq5L6YMGu-YCgxHMW4xoVNll30NNyZCvHShEC6W0vu0bl7LAJ9c7NP4vRUZk1MZsRt3EYCHS0XMj_7UaVKVj8WX__gGSL/s4032/IMG_7241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTOWBSLhMbdVOjEJ5ZSiuwn1FhmGQmzh248Oo4lzoLW2Wp-YPB1E0gq0UaDNKSq2nrI0fcxchaW0K31wREJMvfweXIbmWq5L6YMGu-YCgxHMW4xoVNll30NNyZCvHShEC6W0vu0bl7LAJ9c7NP4vRUZk1MZsRt3EYCHS0XMj_7UaVKVj8WX__gGSL/s320/IMG_7241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As we started the hike it was raining, and we noticed we were going steeply downhill. Everyone was complaining about how tough the hike was (which didn't bode well for the return trip)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLPvdp8HMqxJCCf1FAeMn03vvv0F1qK2u9d9V5R88eJ587rmow6w6-DmhhoyD-cZSYUdejPuRzcxluRLgztssLpiJbAoBVu8NhCVTEj2lHQkMv11wSkG_3LVKtZLDy-g4BnLfHWYBshLd1VBdF3PoDCH6ADzXuzheJtSBBWZmk79kQqB7Sk3lCLpF/s4032/IMG_7244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLPvdp8HMqxJCCf1FAeMn03vvv0F1qK2u9d9V5R88eJ587rmow6w6-DmhhoyD-cZSYUdejPuRzcxluRLgztssLpiJbAoBVu8NhCVTEj2lHQkMv11wSkG_3LVKtZLDy-g4BnLfHWYBshLd1VBdF3PoDCH6ADzXuzheJtSBBWZmk79kQqB7Sk3lCLpF/s320/IMG_7244.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We finally arrived, enjoyed the view and ate our lunch. The waterfall was beautiful although Dave and Dustin decided it was too cold to swim this time (yes, they tested the water just incase).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NY8RrsfcKFvoug6ZGHGR8TEI3m3U57SJCRMXchuUHFrOAj6U7kcerMmTHwnOnYLeE6iR326WDxlLUsLV7zMN9Z4-7OO-Onk5X5dd2xMmMFQYBNFAEL-BtaMEg52fiDFFqs83FNQqLTe0UavqV6Gr1Kow68Y2O-ujdc7MiPjlBPFYXECmarpqD5C_/s4032/IMG_7275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NY8RrsfcKFvoug6ZGHGR8TEI3m3U57SJCRMXchuUHFrOAj6U7kcerMmTHwnOnYLeE6iR326WDxlLUsLV7zMN9Z4-7OO-Onk5X5dd2xMmMFQYBNFAEL-BtaMEg52fiDFFqs83FNQqLTe0UavqV6Gr1Kow68Y2O-ujdc7MiPjlBPFYXECmarpqD5C_/w240-h320/IMG_7275.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC0fMwjprPmKRU3gwq-0zF6zmutDXHCcf0dxuT0ezqlHtZFVALpx8UwJwGSa66mpWFQJ-JUpFpCSkP0T9Vy20vL6le4yr0E5la-i2oXDMDc2CzK4a6c8-uVwulILFPOfPHRhXNLdcUafOkpPW1PdpAt-qgeIcuQkLtEwGBH2Etzr6Af5Jelw_oPDB/s4032/IMG_7280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC0fMwjprPmKRU3gwq-0zF6zmutDXHCcf0dxuT0ezqlHtZFVALpx8UwJwGSa66mpWFQJ-JUpFpCSkP0T9Vy20vL6le4yr0E5la-i2oXDMDc2CzK4a6c8-uVwulILFPOfPHRhXNLdcUafOkpPW1PdpAt-qgeIcuQkLtEwGBH2Etzr6Af5Jelw_oPDB/s320/IMG_7280.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We decided to take a different approach for the hike back. We decided it wasn't much fun to hike when we were complaining, so the "winner" of this hike was going to be the family member that was the happiest the entire hike back. This helped us to go slow, and enjoy the journey a little more</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCc_JS_NYVrq5YleVqthJXcmpNuD4mKZ2ffa4o0TLPW_moGYoTNLzip4Fb8YligWftzUrpYTAoeAzichjjjmNmzk4rNI0GYoPQJRoSNI1kzrls9XPi8r7YnFNQBBFrSrNL4AAUlGQhseMWeoKgj6pE14ITjUWustILbD-EMM1QYsIZB-i0iS0sqJj/s4032/IMG_7283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCc_JS_NYVrq5YleVqthJXcmpNuD4mKZ2ffa4o0TLPW_moGYoTNLzip4Fb8YligWftzUrpYTAoeAzichjjjmNmzk4rNI0GYoPQJRoSNI1kzrls9XPi8r7YnFNQBBFrSrNL4AAUlGQhseMWeoKgj6pE14ITjUWustILbD-EMM1QYsIZB-i0iS0sqJj/s320/IMG_7283.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dave and the kids found a lizard and were able to catch it! They loved holding it and named it</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGFbHdcanGpI15LB6eWATz0kucpVxsM4j1FIjZXxWJZGqWBb8387Wf68Bg1csxGJzAM9Zfm2CHVU5BPTsf53zjWMMl_D-8rWdEuxaDUnwOS4Vim0vUFEE5C7aIvpP1xy996vvj8NGs_U_ROaw-O_w3lEmsCfmI8ZISJMtWnc9DX5p9mAOXB0bT1vF/s4032/IMG_7284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGFbHdcanGpI15LB6eWATz0kucpVxsM4j1FIjZXxWJZGqWBb8387Wf68Bg1csxGJzAM9Zfm2CHVU5BPTsf53zjWMMl_D-8rWdEuxaDUnwOS4Vim0vUFEE5C7aIvpP1xy996vvj8NGs_U_ROaw-O_w3lEmsCfmI8ZISJMtWnc9DX5p9mAOXB0bT1vF/s320/IMG_7284.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They also discovered if you throw a piece of sandstone it will crumble into sand. They would find small pieces and throw them. They called them their happiness rocks and any time one of them tripped or was having a tough time the other two would find a happiness rock to help cheer the other kid up. Dustin started carrying emergency rocks "just incase"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrqZPmRO0bUhGuBySf0rDWASNlEvpQJGMV7ZZAVwgqP0GgRotc_Hu5Y-6ti3Expd5wn4rrZ-pXa-os8WsGf9dbMBXnCc0U6mjnBTQ5KeH1YjgqjcC0MiO4pAiS1b8vTZ1Zlyzju9srTCxDeFk9nRaOxxnuYBrGAgtsK-q8Y0bL8-GSPDbAd1XRM8j/s4032/IMG_7290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrqZPmRO0bUhGuBySf0rDWASNlEvpQJGMV7ZZAVwgqP0GgRotc_Hu5Y-6ti3Expd5wn4rrZ-pXa-os8WsGf9dbMBXnCc0U6mjnBTQ5KeH1YjgqjcC0MiO4pAiS1b8vTZ1Zlyzju9srTCxDeFk9nRaOxxnuYBrGAgtsK-q8Y0bL8-GSPDbAd1XRM8j/s320/IMG_7290.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The day before the trip I discovered a bruise on the arch of my foot. No idea how it got there, but it made for painful hiking, especially the first two days. It got more ugly as the trip went on, but hurt less over time<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxrg4NDRavY39ksJJujA5AeP9kfo0Wdf2KyGAncFDTSMIIZa65MEHobPavrDgzVDh7BDdeo8Ud9QRcTMum30vKC50qECxDnCwmuxZblvjI-jPjPT27EJfyR6yM058-ygrHRqS9l2KjBQ2hyJ1ov9MrsxRprSIlndQCQ7oNkTKxF4FL_qYv091i9CG/s4032/IMG_7117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxrg4NDRavY39ksJJujA5AeP9kfo0Wdf2KyGAncFDTSMIIZa65MEHobPavrDgzVDh7BDdeo8Ud9QRcTMum30vKC50qECxDnCwmuxZblvjI-jPjPT27EJfyR6yM058-ygrHRqS9l2KjBQ2hyJ1ov9MrsxRprSIlndQCQ7oNkTKxF4FL_qYv091i9CG/s320/IMG_7117.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /> Over all it was a great escape full of great scenery. I would like to go back some day without the kids so we could explore some of the longer hikes</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-1423364177979771392021-12-30T10:51:00.127-07:002022-05-06T11:10:27.852-06:00Halloween to Christmas<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAt_UIUuRj4dLqW6TmA9pI3j3QUxc62RGQnWq7HCBQ58TkVg4M0vSFKK5NEsLhxbU-M8nJngAqovWyUD9PFvc_WNL_Pp33LJRjuD0Rp1qqhak9Npx_oRYYP8KEqazKcaLlI-QNV7jGCAP6H1cQn4exFzrblZttrHY9CVN8RjolJno5TYEB5m5iwgV/s4032/IMG-5735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAt_UIUuRj4dLqW6TmA9pI3j3QUxc62RGQnWq7HCBQ58TkVg4M0vSFKK5NEsLhxbU-M8nJngAqovWyUD9PFvc_WNL_Pp33LJRjuD0Rp1qqhak9Npx_oRYYP8KEqazKcaLlI-QNV7jGCAP6H1cQn4exFzrblZttrHY9CVN8RjolJno5TYEB5m5iwgV/s320/IMG-5735.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ran out of photo memory on my phone, which made me realize it was time to catch up on the blog. I don't journal, so if I want a record I have to record it here. The kids had a blast over Halloween! They each wore about 3 costumes. One to school, one to the trunk or treat and one trick or treating (since this year fell on a Sunday, we got a little trick or treating in both Saturday and Sunday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4LsLNqjJ4H51G-_m2HNg7gAmePoANmu_nrOM4m_3e6pDte99vnfe4lB2FcXkMpIeLQ0W--WRBVwDwOVrIhyODm7roslPZp5mIkR6MKKI45qXZnEim_X6Fu4EgSK7ElmPsnh0I5iLQrDijpO_UGdUsHq3lJQdzWB1wJJ0fZA25OLqSfrhzMZnJgGw/s4032/IMG-5670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4LsLNqjJ4H51G-_m2HNg7gAmePoANmu_nrOM4m_3e6pDte99vnfe4lB2FcXkMpIeLQ0W--WRBVwDwOVrIhyODm7roslPZp5mIkR6MKKI45qXZnEim_X6Fu4EgSK7ElmPsnh0I5iLQrDijpO_UGdUsHq3lJQdzWB1wJJ0fZA25OLqSfrhzMZnJgGw/s320/IMG-5670.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dustin had fun chasing his friends around at school as a zombie. He came up with this idea the night before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimYNdLQcoV1hd0qApniEjt_Topu0mobeq4-5To9eJ3kAnz_odZ1hx8JOdNhqvsKxfFyZOrTt4CbvjDINpctrUUseGcppC-jP87ucrwomAtIAizU7krrV4ZPNcChBEHCSYX1Oe7DSFEDzedXHwu_RLo3KMyuOKuE3Fh_p0VMnnOXoDwr-I8gGZ6oan/s4032/IMG-5710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimYNdLQcoV1hd0qApniEjt_Topu0mobeq4-5To9eJ3kAnz_odZ1hx8JOdNhqvsKxfFyZOrTt4CbvjDINpctrUUseGcppC-jP87ucrwomAtIAizU7krrV4ZPNcChBEHCSYX1Oe7DSFEDzedXHwu_RLo3KMyuOKuE3Fh_p0VMnnOXoDwr-I8gGZ6oan/s320/IMG-5710.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Logan went as an Enderman from Minecraft. He didn't love any of the costumes he found online, so we made this one ourselves. It was tricky to figure out how to keep it on his head, but it worked out! He carried around a square treasure chest box he created for Valentines day a few years ago to collect candy. He was quite pleased with his hard work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y0ke2kj4edm08SvszZQLtFHc2ZFYGJS8lt7m8mPwF_nU6bgthJXo2KARiJoxijMC5t4pJ3-ZU38VQxOQE1ObfNH9DrhaQ3YmXNGIXCpp5yO-ET-x2ie5yP5RmhuYYjK2Zf8U-2RSd_THqKF6RUbfMJ7h0MdWdt2pSaI6kD_MFqFXpNv4bFaFEAsA/s4032/IMG-5649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y0ke2kj4edm08SvszZQLtFHc2ZFYGJS8lt7m8mPwF_nU6bgthJXo2KARiJoxijMC5t4pJ3-ZU38VQxOQE1ObfNH9DrhaQ3YmXNGIXCpp5yO-ET-x2ie5yP5RmhuYYjK2Zf8U-2RSd_THqKF6RUbfMJ7h0MdWdt2pSaI6kD_MFqFXpNv4bFaFEAsA/s320/IMG-5649.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brooklyn was a princess at school, a fairy at church and Something else trick or treating. She loves all things beautiful, so the more opportunities to wear beautiful things, the better</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UEe1415t-5-3WTieuTXH3izxjUMxzEByv95y_P3-7aikO2qf2Jzz83mDenp0YkSfA-6LNwPbD5RYB5KYX70zpeyYv2NcP9CHHWhDa-L_54wbDM6unfVLWH1dlezrTnsRB5TWZCSWZX_3o2ei5QKaVhLgDTfYSKYX_YeIb9FgEY4ytUk571SrSug5/s4032/IMG-6976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UEe1415t-5-3WTieuTXH3izxjUMxzEByv95y_P3-7aikO2qf2Jzz83mDenp0YkSfA-6LNwPbD5RYB5KYX70zpeyYv2NcP9CHHWhDa-L_54wbDM6unfVLWH1dlezrTnsRB5TWZCSWZX_3o2ei5QKaVhLgDTfYSKYX_YeIb9FgEY4ytUk571SrSug5/s320/IMG-6976.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We got the opportunity to watch Amigo for 3 weeks and the kids LOVED having a dog! Brooklyn was so sad on his last day that he was going home, she carried him around all day and got in extra snuggles. He was happy to let her carry him and enjoyed the extra love. The boys decided they didn't like walking a dog when sick or in the rain/snow but other than that they enjoyed our temporary pet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXV0YAYA-ENisTPqGxycJYuc1VOu-uvYBlYiJhHYaqpl6Btjz3UkVzVz7fJT51cnrNsUY-JAvlv4t5FuJ-6ldSROhV4C6LsPEWEqXRv39YVaMhAJtv4HLgQz_Fm5dbENoR9AT_X8fscj-_0qWYglktWojvvwVkYs74b-ZGbGJpLZkgqhidgLf4rOV/s4032/IMG-5861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXV0YAYA-ENisTPqGxycJYuc1VOu-uvYBlYiJhHYaqpl6Btjz3UkVzVz7fJT51cnrNsUY-JAvlv4t5FuJ-6ldSROhV4C6LsPEWEqXRv39YVaMhAJtv4HLgQz_Fm5dbENoR9AT_X8fscj-_0qWYglktWojvvwVkYs74b-ZGbGJpLZkgqhidgLf4rOV/s320/IMG-5861.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Dustin turned 8 in November! He had a huge, wild friend party! Those kids had so much energy and had a blast! He invited several boys and girls from his class and church and most of them were able to go. Dustin is a fiercely loyal friend and always watching out for everyone around him.</div><div><br /></div><div>He also choose to baptized and confirmed a member of the church. He was excited to get to choose a dessert to eat after, and received a set of scriptures after.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhMcE1GE2Ahh7dABAhIYSNROeyTfuso9oF5EKfcpvAHfeqUg_Rw0r5wEWQ4Uq_6iVIlfrS3wnl91nJa7GhD8OMmWE4UvawjafYpL7GohEFNxnOICqb4s0ZI2Lassi77F_TmZGr4--_sj-dWNjk7Y3QlEv2wElCmV374CRQObXVd_jSqadMcegIOIL/s4032/IMG-6652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhMcE1GE2Ahh7dABAhIYSNROeyTfuso9oF5EKfcpvAHfeqUg_Rw0r5wEWQ4Uq_6iVIlfrS3wnl91nJa7GhD8OMmWE4UvawjafYpL7GohEFNxnOICqb4s0ZI2Lassi77F_TmZGr4--_sj-dWNjk7Y3QlEv2wElCmV374CRQObXVd_jSqadMcegIOIL/s320/IMG-6652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Logan worked with his friend Michael on Science & Engineering Fair this year! They made a holograph maachine and tested out different theories about how well it would work (with different color filters, in the light or dark, etc). They won second place, and we were so proud of them! </div><div><br /></div><div>I wasn't able to attend the actual Science Fair because I was having surgery (correct deviated septum in both directions and remove a bone spur growing off the side of the deviated septum). But Grandma & Grandpa said they did a great presentation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Funny story, I recently cracked one of my teeth from nighttime grinding/clenching and they did a 3D x-ray of my skull to see my bone density. While they were looking at my teeth the tech exclaimed "WOW! You have such a perfect nose (pointing at my newly healed septum). I've never seen such a beautiful nose" to which I responded "It better be! I payed enough for it!" which looking back she probably had a nose job. But it was pretty funny</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz8n88HFRKfmuDS_CW0PgR0ryrQ33QxLe_jjERAYMJHIXrQhtvya2VipM6m8Pt3EqVPwh5Xz6oddPdPWykxNXjeY53FiXNmxMVq5kPxv5aMXGBW_9np5KHLL2vG191mW0iDxoZYGc-Us2ktk4y7oJ48Uv5JuEPZZLsCAofHCVet1PFBr9N8ILfKhy/s4032/IMG-6449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz8n88HFRKfmuDS_CW0PgR0ryrQ33QxLe_jjERAYMJHIXrQhtvya2VipM6m8Pt3EqVPwh5Xz6oddPdPWykxNXjeY53FiXNmxMVq5kPxv5aMXGBW_9np5KHLL2vG191mW0iDxoZYGc-Us2ktk4y7oJ48Uv5JuEPZZLsCAofHCVet1PFBr9N8ILfKhy/s320/IMG-6449.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brooklyn has been loving living close to the cousins! She's so happy to get her girl time in as often as possible</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoHpfRpBjzK2jmNMt9eghTtHcu-K-fiFx802Sf4I2i4FgH8Eb8SGKNVXRbFuhh_opwTeMvvneMy6FKuvbf2i6jt1DGdt4mTYTMGizmsEYpTAKnJJWeh1I-akY2GIH6x0UP_JXlZxCE2IDmXV-fxBS7EQh00RrambmROGm7NxIVlU92jNS3ZBQ8RWC/s4032/IMG-6298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoHpfRpBjzK2jmNMt9eghTtHcu-K-fiFx802Sf4I2i4FgH8Eb8SGKNVXRbFuhh_opwTeMvvneMy6FKuvbf2i6jt1DGdt4mTYTMGizmsEYpTAKnJJWeh1I-akY2GIH6x0UP_JXlZxCE2IDmXV-fxBS7EQh00RrambmROGm7NxIVlU92jNS3ZBQ8RWC/w150-h200/IMG-6298.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JRuu0zzXp6oHlH3ZteWj589pP5D9bF5d0bQaNcnPovRMyxOQsdZyRKShv0ZVJsVPtdta-jxqgqqYzwWJWozdVEoZn93mP5Q29huK3h2lHIcok0JI54UQeiX7CH1Zjv1WM7KPb6cd8PfkdrdhpDweZj0O0e1k0WkRfXmJa0oik_C60kd937RNKrV6/s4032/IMG-6359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JRuu0zzXp6oHlH3ZteWj589pP5D9bF5d0bQaNcnPovRMyxOQsdZyRKShv0ZVJsVPtdta-jxqgqqYzwWJWozdVEoZn93mP5Q29huK3h2lHIcok0JI54UQeiX7CH1Zjv1WM7KPb6cd8PfkdrdhpDweZj0O0e1k0WkRfXmJa0oik_C60kd937RNKrV6/w150-h200/IMG-6359.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Christmas the kids all decided to make stuffed animals for each other. So they all created something for each other. They were all so proud of their work!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrqakpoFL6hK7g8KBGLz3hxKfUWqq4IJfhzA2XvFBol8KdAiLhCQ8_TnfjDcx8Jj6x2OdQ1DG6VI6wjLrpSYe5IsLAG_bJ5_mL__XsbWOFnsZ6TIIGIW4YcqqxNqw8LkOlFbuOqSNPc_WeR_cKW9x-76e0k6-rlJjeJieIJo01JJrfWugyZK-bs23/s4032/IMG-6340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrqakpoFL6hK7g8KBGLz3hxKfUWqq4IJfhzA2XvFBol8KdAiLhCQ8_TnfjDcx8Jj6x2OdQ1DG6VI6wjLrpSYe5IsLAG_bJ5_mL__XsbWOFnsZ6TIIGIW4YcqqxNqw8LkOlFbuOqSNPc_WeR_cKW9x-76e0k6-rlJjeJieIJo01JJrfWugyZK-bs23/s320/IMG-6340.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOai8KWl1U3GGpJ7vCr-2oX3aykLgMEyNQRkedKVReme6MmVPzHYd98Lf93--wPld8wZSnIAzT4ziqGqqEEtKItHGs6br5esRk7wDfjjYc-HX879DzSL3yFEnQJv4vCWCm2gvODfW5BpUTuJd-Ov6ElsHObRxdjNQj7ZBGSJkjxMlvK82neVBfDx9/s4032/IMG-6335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOai8KWl1U3GGpJ7vCr-2oX3aykLgMEyNQRkedKVReme6MmVPzHYd98Lf93--wPld8wZSnIAzT4ziqGqqEEtKItHGs6br5esRk7wDfjjYc-HX879DzSL3yFEnQJv4vCWCm2gvODfW5BpUTuJd-Ov6ElsHObRxdjNQj7ZBGSJkjxMlvK82neVBfDx9/s320/IMG-6335.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI8Ea3UfnlIKy_dM3lBB97MvIG4w5ctb-fegesJq9eBhl4XwzQG6decRDWrTiqxIYKQ2p9qRowj6e-kX6-rSSynM8euGdHTZxwKXbyp-ykhN3YmtbdiNetImwEGczRcXJMbTQtVdSEFfRtOPOAhbWMH4SoLmsKUTvATgV_vLX8JKgatvGdfLx3rZo/s4032/IMG-6332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI8Ea3UfnlIKy_dM3lBB97MvIG4w5ctb-fegesJq9eBhl4XwzQG6decRDWrTiqxIYKQ2p9qRowj6e-kX6-rSSynM8euGdHTZxwKXbyp-ykhN3YmtbdiNetImwEGczRcXJMbTQtVdSEFfRtOPOAhbWMH4SoLmsKUTvATgV_vLX8JKgatvGdfLx3rZo/s320/IMG-6332.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>We were so excited to get to go to temple square again this year! We've missed the lights for the past two years. We got to explore with my parents, Dan and Mike and Sheila's families.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxa5frAzPnUiarELefkTV4BYrvg2n-pl8pAktpNmxJnCiSsUthFOu1AlFISPOtdcVfJTA1ECvy-bAZnmRWTVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids all sang a song in a musical Christmas performance. Unfortunately the boy's songs were too long to upload onto this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArJanCb10iroMiTgBPKJCW0xmksFlLXuwKJwZGbvvB-Q8XiQ-0vw7Sj1F31APUZvqg-K9gkUdEhs7wGbFpgvkIK-42kWT0YUFsND4c0GYBWVOtFvSHmDwp9Fm3Jx79mtZnkVPy0aNEcEinfz3zQ5GcZBHFKSZdskzVdCzsib-fWY_uiFZyKOhosRv/s4032/IMG-6156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArJanCb10iroMiTgBPKJCW0xmksFlLXuwKJwZGbvvB-Q8XiQ-0vw7Sj1F31APUZvqg-K9gkUdEhs7wGbFpgvkIK-42kWT0YUFsND4c0GYBWVOtFvSHmDwp9Fm3Jx79mtZnkVPy0aNEcEinfz3zQ5GcZBHFKSZdskzVdCzsib-fWY_uiFZyKOhosRv/s320/IMG-6156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids got to participate in a Christmas pageant at church this year too. They had a blast practicing and performing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4S67cwtVrpiG97gmbwzApDuAPvvUBsxsCPKItlY7OoSGIai0DhEcPLZ4ed6Ac0rEjHEIycqFwcuJzTu2kpBwnIjC6LoR0TNhIOHzU6-Mj6o26ESy5ci3Wj9_cYRDCuGNUZfLvi2yQ9zPRVlJTIUEbZ1EYmQd5muvs2GwFsiEEdGXtvYMa9cQEEy_/s4032/IMG-6158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4S67cwtVrpiG97gmbwzApDuAPvvUBsxsCPKItlY7OoSGIai0DhEcPLZ4ed6Ac0rEjHEIycqFwcuJzTu2kpBwnIjC6LoR0TNhIOHzU6-Mj6o26ESy5ci3Wj9_cYRDCuGNUZfLvi2yQ9zPRVlJTIUEbZ1EYmQd5muvs2GwFsiEEdGXtvYMa9cQEEy_/s320/IMG-6158.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dustin was a shepherd with his cousins Rea and Gideon. The sheep were WILD and the shepherds had a tough job chasing those sheep around and keeping them in line. It was HILARIOUS to watch them yell at the kids and try to heard them</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn3O1ugEwsntQKEmIPJXp1lLkqnLhhaMGi3AiDXgjy9YS9zUw1bZ6whJTzGrKKAdRh6buYEcw2UZJhWai70kRq5Kmn7iD0gyqOrCLg2eG9V63K82gPbTlPTlsqRnb7w2Iqnx-iYkgjue-EwA_5lEY9fw4TPVN-iqpw2QA12mPrqyKzDdim_WbD0uV/s4032/IMG-6157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnn3O1ugEwsntQKEmIPJXp1lLkqnLhhaMGi3AiDXgjy9YS9zUw1bZ6whJTzGrKKAdRh6buYEcw2UZJhWai70kRq5Kmn7iD0gyqOrCLg2eG9V63K82gPbTlPTlsqRnb7w2Iqnx-iYkgjue-EwA_5lEY9fw4TPVN-iqpw2QA12mPrqyKzDdim_WbD0uV/s320/IMG-6157.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Logan got to be one of the three kings. He did a great job and was so glad he didn't have to be Joseph</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEmPHQOLAVCnPsPrk1w8nsZxqyLX6RBdkZo2pj5lSaMZAE9zWxk3nEqMXcfuXPniOixYlcL7lBHYAtXJkQjYBTh9BT-n7H9GDEtTbWzPEJJMNAljsvR_cOWSnZ_nvc62Q2w-KIZTdKa4XsHubW5RuX6fjOyznK2osel6eiBIoKgPtJvcHHr6-ZX72/s4032/IMG-6155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEmPHQOLAVCnPsPrk1w8nsZxqyLX6RBdkZo2pj5lSaMZAE9zWxk3nEqMXcfuXPniOixYlcL7lBHYAtXJkQjYBTh9BT-n7H9GDEtTbWzPEJJMNAljsvR_cOWSnZ_nvc62Q2w-KIZTdKa4XsHubW5RuX6fjOyznK2osel6eiBIoKgPtJvcHHr6-ZX72/s320/IMG-6155.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brooklyn was an angel and she was super happy she got to dress up beautiful with the big girls!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi65OhU-9fx_hY9YeDjl_bm7iP5OYVFzSZAcL1UoC3_hb8kl6wS8e8RjkOnulFAbPKAjLxRb3M6R9Awqgh3VZPT15IcaBE1h73t8rx_dFKzcV1m_mIovFUU8dzAxMLLfNJaVx4HtpIoX2GGiVwFwLXs99dipomKyDBdvZ4_2Jxmnt8gI3KhRcgmV9/s2436/IMG-6573.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi65OhU-9fx_hY9YeDjl_bm7iP5OYVFzSZAcL1UoC3_hb8kl6wS8e8RjkOnulFAbPKAjLxRb3M6R9Awqgh3VZPT15IcaBE1h73t8rx_dFKzcV1m_mIovFUU8dzAxMLLfNJaVx4HtpIoX2GGiVwFwLXs99dipomKyDBdvZ4_2Jxmnt8gI3KhRcgmV9/s320/IMG-6573.PNG" width="148" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think it was over Christmas we finished our master bathroom. I love how it turned out and I love having our own little bathroom! It's so nice to not have to share with the kids. I have the fancy soap in there and the kids refuse to use that bathroom because there is no lock on the door! Best kid deterrent ever. Who knew?</div><p></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-4147421126419825382021-10-01T16:46:00.002-06:002021-11-15T20:22:49.742-07:00San Diego is good for the Soul<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmM2uXd0RNU/YVeD_-mea_I/AAAAAAAAOMA/84KAZMmAuUkWmfKye4eRB-oqXgQAqtzpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmM2uXd0RNU/YVeD_-mea_I/AAAAAAAAOMA/84KAZMmAuUkWmfKye4eRB-oqXgQAqtzpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5021.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Two weeks ago we went on our big vacation for the year! We drove down to San Diego to spend the week on the beach. It was just the relaxation we needed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Dave had never been to Las Vegas so we stopped and stayed on the strip on the way down. The kids had fun seeing the Bellagio and mirages water shows and really enjoyed the circus tight rope act at Circus Circus. Vegas isn’t my favorite place, but it reminds me very much of Grandpa Yoder (who always love to take us downtown for the Buffet at the Rio or to the Pirates show at Treasure Island).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-IYNe9yzYU/YVeD9XvOt_I/AAAAAAAAOL0/9Ew2Iy3GS9491GqvcyO4wGg_-asJk6vMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4689.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-IYNe9yzYU/YVeD9XvOt_I/AAAAAAAAOL0/9Ew2Iy3GS9491GqvcyO4wGg_-asJk6vMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4689.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">When we arrived at the apartment I rented for the week, we discovered the beach was 400 feet away. It was easily walkable, which was great because the kids always seem to forget something that we had to run back for. Or Logan decided he was too covered in sand and needed in immediate shower so he could get some more swimming in. I swear the kids had at least 2 showers a day (sometimes more)</span></span><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXXb4xv2S_k/YVeD_Yv2YxI/AAAAAAAAOL4/m8Lq53CQQKIcrGEX03VhIGlU1NiVfgBZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXXb4xv2S_k/YVeD_Yv2YxI/AAAAAAAAOL4/m8Lq53CQQKIcrGEX03VhIGlU1NiVfgBZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5038.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The weather was perfect! It was low 80s and high 70s the entire time we were there and the water was far warmer than we ever expected. The kids all had a blast running from the waves. After I thought Dave to boogie board he loved teaching all the kids and they had a blast riding the waves to shore.</span></span><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8ZXbEoFFV4/YVeEBbuzTrI/AAAAAAAAOME/LDIIIEugenU9rQJK9SXSimnpuyUgfWxkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8ZXbEoFFV4/YVeEBbuzTrI/AAAAAAAAOME/LDIIIEugenU9rQJK9SXSimnpuyUgfWxkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5073.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We swam for at least six hours each day, combed the beach for Sand dollars and seashells at low tide. We pretty much all decided we wouldn’t mind living near the ocean, or at least visiting annually.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayOFsFmKWfs/YVeECIsaVTI/AAAAAAAAOMM/0veKMQhzBfIj5D8_m94MoiN4VgWLCPh7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5081.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayOFsFmKWfs/YVeECIsaVTI/AAAAAAAAOMM/0veKMQhzBfIj5D8_m94MoiN4VgWLCPh7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5081.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Logan‘s favorite part about staying on the beach was all the swimming we got to do. Brooklyn loved boogie boarding. And Dustin loved being so close to the beach that we could go every day. Or that we could walk to the grocery store daily to get ice cream.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAR-TnVJQRs/YVeECHxwuPI/AAAAAAAAOMI/FmS6VSfMYiYYY4RM7VlkYNzIg5gJEZQrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAR-TnVJQRs/YVeECHxwuPI/AAAAAAAAOMI/FmS6VSfMYiYYY4RM7VlkYNzIg5gJEZQrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5087.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Thursday we headed north to check out Legoland. The kids have been begging to go to Legoland for as long as they’ve known it’s a thing, and although Dave and I are not amusement park people we told them we’d take them once in their life (although Dustin has decided he'll be back with his kids one day).</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzxspJUOhlM/YVeECw84UKI/AAAAAAAAOMQ/lJuDr0D9lpEvTbwIpHfhbdVRJVkQd_5tACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzxspJUOhlM/YVeECw84UKI/AAAAAAAAOMQ/lJuDr0D9lpEvTbwIpHfhbdVRJVkQd_5tACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5104.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And mid week during a pandemic was the perfect time to go! There were no lines for anything. The only time we were closer than 6feet away from anyone was the gift shop (and masks were required inside). </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0T4TNRnBxY/YVeEF6W92LI/AAAAAAAAOMU/Y8pUXZNDzVUUeycLnBVmwtoIYK4v0LrjACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0T4TNRnBxY/YVeEF6W92LI/AAAAAAAAOMU/Y8pUXZNDzVUUeycLnBVmwtoIYK4v0LrjACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5159.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Lego land was fascinating! It was cool to see all the huge projects and get to explore it all. The rides were mostly wimpy with one big ride in each section of the park. But they were perfect for 5-10 year old kids. Nobody was bored. I would worry that much older would not be impressed with the rides.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PC9F7bUtu_s/YVeEGgBaMUI/AAAAAAAAOMY/HtsRmdr61Fg5bzM5XLWFsyoj1gAlsYspwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PC9F7bUtu_s/YVeEGgBaMUI/AAAAAAAAOMY/HtsRmdr61Fg5bzM5XLWFsyoj1gAlsYspwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5172.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The kids road each ride 6 to 8 times apiece and had a blast trying out the Legos and racing them down tracks or rivers. They also got to meet a lot of Lego movie characters and see a lot of really cool large Legos.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiYZUtgrpAc/YVeEHfA4DrI/AAAAAAAAOMc/uKMCvc_BMAQgvfOnIMdPF1mxgj0z_hRwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiYZUtgrpAc/YVeEHfA4DrI/AAAAAAAAOMc/uKMCvc_BMAQgvfOnIMdPF1mxgj0z_hRwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5182.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Dustin was fascinated with this dragon because he has the regular size set at home and built it all himself!</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBAVSxAxXgk/YVeEKYG6kpI/AAAAAAAAOMg/nZkCIQbOE8MKy0twgfHpN2O9nDMtPzkUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBAVSxAxXgk/YVeEKYG6kpI/AAAAAAAAOMg/nZkCIQbOE8MKy0twgfHpN2O9nDMtPzkUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5191.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The build and race it sections are a place the kids probably could have spent all day on, but sadly we had to move them along to make sure we saw everything.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2737Hf05kMM/YVeELRK7vUI/AAAAAAAAOMo/H_dfHipjkucRluaS0pf3tHnNbpFJhbHQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2737Hf05kMM/YVeELRK7vUI/AAAAAAAAOMo/H_dfHipjkucRluaS0pf3tHnNbpFJhbHQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5196.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Brooklyn’s favorite thing at Lego man land was hot dog man, Dustin loved all the roller coaster rides and Logan loved at all!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRgUdqenC5M/YVeELL7B9bI/AAAAAAAAOMk/jsN5VrQcaGItNysVSr9VhyP5bihCQNjkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRgUdqenC5M/YVeELL7B9bI/AAAAAAAAOMk/jsN5VrQcaGItNysVSr9VhyP5bihCQNjkACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5201.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">We made the mistake of riding the scariest ride first so Brooklyn was scared when she got on each ride (before she realized it wasn't too bad and she really liked it).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">I made each of the kids a Lego Land shirt with a quote from the Lego Batman movie. If you haven't watched it, the movie is hilarious! ALL of us love it and the shirts crack me up each time I see them wearing them.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57KCeGxgqhY/YVeEOfNHEgI/AAAAAAAAOMw/lS6QTF2XBc4hZdoMtMiVhgqkFqPbJpgiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5265.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57KCeGxgqhY/YVeEOfNHEgI/AAAAAAAAOMw/lS6QTF2XBc4hZdoMtMiVhgqkFqPbJpgiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5265.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">On our way out of town we swung by to see the San Diego temple (it was closed the whole time we were in town, so we just got to look through the fence). It was beautiful, and the kids were very impressed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dUIPN4huvI/YVeENc_2peI/AAAAAAAAOMs/6dcxaliFIO0T1ACtb8dPEBLdulQghcgAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dUIPN4huvI/YVeENc_2peI/AAAAAAAAOMs/6dcxaliFIO0T1ACtb8dPEBLdulQghcgAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5276.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was driving Dave would get in the back with the kids and play, watch movies or snuggle with the kids.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbAOBwCb22c/YVeEOlDSsaI/AAAAAAAAOM0/gOvJAsgDF8Ei0G-Q2r0C6xt0ALfHfb6xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbAOBwCb22c/YVeEOlDSsaI/AAAAAAAAOM0/gOvJAsgDF8Ei0G-Q2r0C6xt0ALfHfb6xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5329.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;">During all the driving of our trip I was able to work on binding the quilt for Dave in my bed. I’m so happy with it! It turned out great. Many of the squares are scraps that Grandma Yoder gave me, but I also took some material from my mom, Tenille, and my stashes to tie everything together. Every time I look at it, I smile!</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Getting back into the swing of things has been a lot of work, but it was totally worth it! I did 5 loads of laundry upon returning (why?!? We were on the beach all day in swim suits). Somehow the house was trashed and I had piles of dishes to wash too. Going on a trip is a lot of work, but so is recovering from one!</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">We got caught up on homework by Wednesday, which was a good thing because Wednesday was very busy. We had parent teacher Conferences and helped my Mom move the remainder of her furniture into her Utah home. My dad's was attending a funeral in Arizona so Mom was in charge of the final move. And I had Young Women's that night.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;">Also Wednesday I had an appointment with the ENT who thinks he MIGHT be able to fix my migraines. I have a severely deviated </span></span><span style="color: #222222;">septum and on top of that the right side of the deviated septum has a bone spur growing and pressing into one of my sinus cavity. The Dr suspects that when my sinus swells (from poor air quality which is pretty much always a problem in the Salt Lake Valley) that the pressure against the sinus is what is causing my migraines.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">He gave me a test to determine if having surgery to straighten the nasal passage and remove the bone spur will result in no more headaches. Unfortunately the air quality has been perfect for the past few days and I can't test his theory until we have bad air and I get another 3 headaches. So here I am rooting for bad air so I can test and see if I need surgery.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">It was busy, but I am close to feeling caught back up. Hopefully next week everything will be back to our normal craziness!</span></span></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-72445812136624956882021-09-13T11:10:00.001-06:002021-09-13T11:10:20.328-06:00Labor Day & the Labors of Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIxka2lYgOA/YT9-dyLNzxI/AAAAAAAAOKc/i4mdFBcXWxwlz-nyLbWOC5HwNFvcveGaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIxka2lYgOA/YT9-dyLNzxI/AAAAAAAAOKc/i4mdFBcXWxwlz-nyLbWOC5HwNFvcveGaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4745.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; text-align: start;">The last two weeks have been busy, but with squeezed in a lot of good stuff. The kids are back into the swing of things with school. We had their annual back to school picnic lunch with the family right before Labor Day weekend.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: left;">Brooklyn was so excited to be able to attend as one of the school kids this year and loved introducing me to all of her friends. Dustin has always had a gang of friends following him around and funny enough, Brooklyn’s friends were great friends with Dustin‘s friends. Since they have the same recess they all play together often.</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: left;">I got to meet Bailey, the girl that has a huge crush on Dustin. She followed him around almost the whole time constantly giving him hugs. She’s not in his class this year so I was hoping the crush would die down. But it looks like it’s not going to do that anytime soon.</div></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjJNwW3UYDY/YT9-dxv3XWI/AAAAAAAAOKg/KSnwRqiJu3ISNLyHml93cTJ7-PtYnkeswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4755.jpg" width="240" /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KY3iNoqHBtY/YT9-XBY40XI/AAAAAAAAOKA/W46U7V-Khwkr_ZISihpNzbAmZmgdfR2cQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KY3iNoqHBtY/YT9-XBY40XI/AAAAAAAAOKA/W46U7V-Khwkr_ZISihpNzbAmZmgdfR2cQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KY3iNoqHBtY/YT9-XBY40XI/AAAAAAAAOKA/W46U7V-Khwkr_ZISihpNzbAmZmgdfR2cQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4637.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We’ve gotten to see a lot of my parents lately as they slowly transition into their new home here in Taylorsville. The kids have loved all the time with grandma and Papa! The Saturday of Labor Day weekend we hiked up to twin Lakes near solitude and Brighton. It was a longer hike than I thought, but we had a good time finding rocks and exploring nature.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCSnBepm91I/YT9-XVMfZWI/AAAAAAAAOKI/V7ry-APEOHokexIg-sxWLs89QqLldPu_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCSnBepm91I/YT9-XVMfZWI/AAAAAAAAOKI/V7ry-APEOHokexIg-sxWLs89QqLldPu_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4647.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's always healing for all of us to be out in nature! We love spending time decompressing. Dustin is doing a geology segment in science class, so he enlisted us in collecting enough pieces of Mica to share with all his class. He was so proud to bring them in and share them the next week.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zh9LzfiYFNQ/YT9-efBwNoI/AAAAAAAAOKk/SKpybg8uaHEMnUppSNr4pk0ypzuGnZDfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4757.jpg" width="240" /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cq7bpqthurg/YT9-XNVmTJI/AAAAAAAAOKE/adBOiFzczxEKzDaqmoVf3YMMA6VuIoWawCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cq7bpqthurg/YT9-XNVmTJI/AAAAAAAAOKE/adBOiFzczxEKzDaqmoVf3YMMA6VuIoWawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4652.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Memorial day Monday we worked like crazy on our master powder room. We’ve got the vanity installed, installed and touched up the trim, put in the toilet, and cut the vanity top to size. I found a few pieces of quartz countertop somebody was giving away free, so we spent a lot of time researching how to finish it off as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EM1X1hlwa6Y/YT9-aWCQ_OI/AAAAAAAAOKQ/QI9q6tqWN3cZyrWgahJV-fS0xLE6bR7eACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EM1X1hlwa6Y/YT9-aWCQ_OI/AAAAAAAAOKQ/QI9q6tqWN3cZyrWgahJV-fS0xLE6bR7eACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4701.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Brooklyn got a new/her first bicycle last week. It’s pink, princess, and plays magical songs when you hit a button. It also has a baby carrying seat in the back. She’s In heaven and insists on going on at least one ride around the block each day.</div><div><br /></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fD9ipPDqTE/YT9-adEaaGI/AAAAAAAAOKM/8jneuxmyesAai7Q7gXspCfn2ZSJmgPpfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2fD9ipPDqTE/YT9-adEaaGI/AAAAAAAAOKM/8jneuxmyesAai7Q7gXspCfn2ZSJmgPpfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4733.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It’s also been down pouring a lot lately! We’ve had several major storms which we needed so bad. It’s been a bad drought here, and hopefully the winter will continue with lots of storms (even if that means I have to shovel a ton). The kids love every minute of it! They put on their rain gear, and then splash and float things down the gutters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8zY2mQDJB8/YT9-b9SwEuI/AAAAAAAAOKY/HbeX-n48cC0I5SOViP6PuWhrqkNXaLF5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8zY2mQDJB8/YT9-b9SwEuI/AAAAAAAAOKY/HbeX-n48cC0I5SOViP6PuWhrqkNXaLF5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4736.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend was full of more construction. We got the holes cut into the vanity countertop and buffed the edges that we cut so that way they would be smooth like the top. It turned out better than expected, although somehow we managed to crack part of it. I purchased the supplies to fix the crack tonight, and we should be able to finish this bathroom by the weekend. Overall the countertop has cost us $25. $20 for a tool to do the buffing and $5 to fix the crack we put in it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjJNwW3UYDY/YT9-dxv3XWI/AAAAAAAAOKg/KSnwRqiJu3ISNLyHml93cTJ7-PtYnkeswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The kids also got to play with Mike’s kids yesterday while I was in my marathon of meetings. And then last night Dave’s parents came over to play games and eat dessert with us.</div><div><br /></div><div>I’m finally starting to feel like I will have some free time during the days to get some projects done. Up until now I’ve had dentist and Doctor appointments filling up my free mornings. But I only have one dentist appointment this week, and hopefully I’m done fixing my broken tooth. And then I have one more ENT appointment in two weeks. I've been having major sinus pressure/swelling which cause migraine headaches for a few years now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I thought it was due to allergies, and have been treating it with allergy medication. But it's gotten progressively worse and more frequent over the past year so I went to see an allergist a few weeks ago. Turns out I'm not allergic to anything. At all. So I'm off to see if an ENT can cure me. And I’m really hoping he'll know immediately what's wrong and that will be the last of my doctors appointments for at least a year. Here's hoping anyway</div></div></span><p></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-52607455287014783762021-08-31T07:13:00.001-06:002021-08-31T07:13:25.279-06:00Back to School<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yfp82Wn3W_k/YS4msBspcOI/AAAAAAAAOG8/zESsphEFyX8R0gQctIkLhr0HhE7DSCjOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yfp82Wn3W_k/YS4msBspcOI/AAAAAAAAOG8/zESsphEFyX8R0gQctIkLhr0HhE7DSCjOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4547.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids were SO excite to be back in school! Logan is happy to have Mrs. Graham again for 5th grade (he had and loved her in 3rd grade). Dustin was excited to get Mrs. Porter for 2nd grade (Logan had her when he was in 2nd grade too). And although you can't tell from the pic, Brooklyn has been counting down the days until she started Kindergarten with Mrs. Lafferty for about a year. She was upset though that Kindergarten didn't start until the week after the boys.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFYRZqvGqpo/YS4mrwYHeOI/AAAAAAAAOG0/dVuStr0ief8u0KJ13wgl7eLlSam3pnu4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFYRZqvGqpo/YS4mrwYHeOI/AAAAAAAAOG0/dVuStr0ief8u0KJ13wgl7eLlSam3pnu4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4550.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Logan has really come into his own over the past year. He's learned to get along with everyone pretty well. All summer long I was impressed with him (mostly) not fighting with his siblings. He's a pretty happy kid and LOVES to read! I had to limit him on how many books he could check out at a time this summer because he had so many he started loosing them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UpYwzSbJCc/YS4msErHj3I/AAAAAAAAOG4/t1pZC63NIUYpg2mKTH4EdvfhSsKmEl8XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UpYwzSbJCc/YS4msErHj3I/AAAAAAAAOG4/t1pZC63NIUYpg2mKTH4EdvfhSsKmEl8XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4551.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p>This picture pretty much sums up our goofy Dustin! He's a crack up and always into everything. The kids decided they wanted to design their own shirts for the first day of school. My mom commented "I get Logan and Brooklyn's choices in shirts, but what's up with Dustin's???" He told me it's because he "loves burgers and fries. They're pretty much my favorite food". When I told my mom that she responded "He did tell me about a dream he had about hamburgers and fries" What can I say? My kids are fast food deprived.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZPjalgkuQk/YS4mvj7MRVI/AAAAAAAAOHI/RWLJrmcFYFopnvzgOqnEulhDifn5i7CMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZPjalgkuQk/YS4mvj7MRVI/AAAAAAAAOHI/RWLJrmcFYFopnvzgOqnEulhDifn5i7CMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4610.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Brooklyn was over the moon excited when her first day finally came. I was a little nervous for her, because she can be extremely shy, but she did great! She came home from school and told me she made 3 new friends that love beautiful things too. Every day she tells me about the new friends she made, or worries if someone isn't in class (hoping they aren't sick).</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yunLijKwt-M/YS4mvun6dsI/AAAAAAAAOHE/Gbnm9SsW1EgAfxI_PpsN4kBL1_1E5oYiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yunLijKwt-M/YS4mvun6dsI/AAAAAAAAOHE/Gbnm9SsW1EgAfxI_PpsN4kBL1_1E5oYiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4613.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Brooklyn's our little girly girl. She loves all things pink, sparkly, and beautiful. I have no idea where she gets if from. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JQ_d1UJVbg/YS4mvLKLbHI/AAAAAAAAOHA/k2ozZgifdVQc2yZxDjKNDc0xFDGlxfpXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JQ_d1UJVbg/YS4mvLKLbHI/AAAAAAAAOHA/k2ozZgifdVQc2yZxDjKNDc0xFDGlxfpXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4622.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> She had a blast with all the new things at school, and on day two she was so worn out from playing so hard I found her asleep on a Luv Sac when I called everyone in for dinner. It made me smile because my parents have a picture of me napping on the couch after my first day of Kindergarten too.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>We've pretty much gotten back into the swing of the school year now. Brooklyn's first week of school I had scheduled all my doctor and dentist appointments that I had missed over the past 1.5 years (corona makes it hard to get out without the kids, or even with them). But I'm hoping the second week will be more laid back.</p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-37436662404576368832021-08-14T06:53:00.065-06:002021-08-31T14:48:09.946-06:00Summer Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1E55Oa23o-g/YS4tbabi3pI/AAAAAAAAOJE/62jDwDM4Wjsudvj_L2zcHrJiF-EY0nDEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1E55Oa23o-g/YS4tbabi3pI/AAAAAAAAOJE/62jDwDM4Wjsudvj_L2zcHrJiF-EY0nDEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>This summer was BUSY! We started out with a trip to the Green River up at Flaming Gorge with my parents and most of my siblings. Dave's boss has a cabbing up there and he let us stay and borrow his 12 man raft to enjoy the river. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkZwUQhDMS8/YS4pfvYgQiI/AAAAAAAAOHo/CrbpgmzmIN4L2WwzbFGtxTC6eHXcfkbAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkZwUQhDMS8/YS4pfvYgQiI/AAAAAAAAOHo/CrbpgmzmIN4L2WwzbFGtxTC6eHXcfkbAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3881.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UQcs3p8g4U/YS4pfYwq6LI/AAAAAAAAOHk/VETLzyg-gTMrFzTqMM72i4Sw4azSGB-hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UQcs3p8g4U/YS4pfYwq6LI/AAAAAAAAOHk/VETLzyg-gTMrFzTqMM72i4Sw4azSGB-hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3889.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brooklyn and her cousin Petra were enamored with the horses that were on the land beside the cousin's hotel. They made as many trips as possible to visit and feed these guys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMWxSZNackM/YS4pf69xs0I/AAAAAAAAOHw/KyZgWJJPDKEGGeYAvue4uZtaCNZbZdxigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/IMG_4090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMWxSZNackM/YS4pf69xs0I/AAAAAAAAOHw/KyZgWJJPDKEGGeYAvue4uZtaCNZbZdxigCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">This summer was crazy busy with church stuff. I'm working with our congregation's teenage girls and we had a girls camp, a youth conference, hosted a carnival for neighborhood kids, and weekly activities. It was a ton of work and I finished the summer completely exhausted and ready to ask for another job. But I hung in and am hoping that I will have more energy with everyone back in school. Hopefully after the first few weeks I'll be able to catch a few quiet moments to rejuvenate.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="2048" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cnXKVqn5-7k/YS4pb8Xl68I/AAAAAAAAOHg/4lCjHPrI-PYFiRQmWiDfdXb5VcSciNrFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3871.JPG" width="320" /></div></div><br />My friend Tenille came and visited us a few times. The kids enjoyed messing around with their bonus auntie. She always brings a million projects for them (and me) to work on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Rxt0idMTw/YS4pkFL4QAI/AAAAAAAAOH4/KWWs9jL9MZ4aje2t7sTbFvc56LwUREvIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Rxt0idMTw/YS4pkFL4QAI/AAAAAAAAOH4/KWWs9jL9MZ4aje2t7sTbFvc56LwUREvIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4146.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We took Tenille to the Upper Provo Falls for an adventure. It's not a tough hike down to the water, and from there you can go up or down stream. trek through the water and enjoy several water falls.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QwIJZBSXWU/YS4plstrmaI/AAAAAAAAOH8/Vs2ZjOpQdcYMzBeZVe5azy-_k8kPJjvlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QwIJZBSXWU/YS4plstrmaI/AAAAAAAAOH8/Vs2ZjOpQdcYMzBeZVe5azy-_k8kPJjvlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's a little bit of a drive, but totally worth it a few times a year. The kids loved getting wet and sharing the hike with Tenille.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qv8BdLUT-E/YS4ppGSxf_I/AAAAAAAAOII/M51tXlSr98kSxBwhzHxUMUejuwXJlwR9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qv8BdLUT-E/YS4ppGSxf_I/AAAAAAAAOII/M51tXlSr98kSxBwhzHxUMUejuwXJlwR9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The boys decided they wanted to take on sewing plushies this summer. They sewed the facial features on by hand, picked out the colors, and I sewed it all together. They each made a stuffed animal, then they made this penguin to give to our friend's baby for his first birthday.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNCBkd2Zxo4/YS4pnm8Y_0I/AAAAAAAAOIE/E4KqXuWlQx8kpHDb3Equ7CDXo18lKjQ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNCBkd2Zxo4/YS4pnm8Y_0I/AAAAAAAAOIE/E4KqXuWlQx8kpHDb3Equ7CDXo18lKjQ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4275.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We also hiked up to silver lake a few times. The kids love scaling every rock they can for the entire hike. They always enjoy this hike, but unfortunately the stream they usually damn up was dry due to the drought. That was very disappointing for them, but hopefully we'll get enough rain this winter that it will be back next summer.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5wUiO7pxSsc/YS4ppNIykfI/AAAAAAAAOIM/jRGTTtlnTOwyUJj887Gb1zPJr4l1afu1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5wUiO7pxSsc/YS4ppNIykfI/AAAAAAAAOIM/jRGTTtlnTOwyUJj887Gb1zPJr4l1afu1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4357.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every summer we also go to the library to make Harry Potter crafts. This year the kids enjoyed making a time turner, golden snitch (out of chocolate), some flying keys, a notebook with a Hogwarts logo on it, and a quill. They also got to play wizard's chess with some other kids at the library. They kicked the other kid's butts! Logan's been practicing his chess and the bigger kids were a little put out that little kids were beating them.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48Cp7l9lkAE/YS4pqAatyTI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/AOiglcuOP5IwXeKxfN0WFIGQ08qSHhbWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48Cp7l9lkAE/YS4pqAatyTI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/AOiglcuOP5IwXeKxfN0WFIGQ08qSHhbWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4392.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The weekend before school started we did a 2 night campout with a family from the neighborhood. It was so nice to get away from the city and just enjoy nature. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4WkuWxap9g/YS4ps1_YxGI/AAAAAAAAOIc/tKj9TmPHwHwcVKmG9CtjypcGkD57DvASwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4WkuWxap9g/YS4ps1_YxGI/AAAAAAAAOIc/tKj9TmPHwHwcVKmG9CtjypcGkD57DvASwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4532.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right behind our camp site was a stream that the kids had a blast wading in and floating things down the river. It was the perfect temperature and we saw a few animals (squirrels, a moose, a snake...).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiPV4k1sj2w/YS4pslmeCcI/AAAAAAAAOIY/hW_b-DgbMQ0GnXhM6bFmavy-DBTGUxqEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aiPV4k1sj2w/YS4pslmeCcI/AAAAAAAAOIY/hW_b-DgbMQ0GnXhM6bFmavy-DBTGUxqEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4538.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The kids went with me shopping to get the food for the trip and BEGGED me to get a monster tub of cheetoes puffs. They decided they tasted best roasted over the fire.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMlfOV9GUv8/YS6S_ONtTAI/AAAAAAAAOJM/Z1aTigW1xy0Ug28ysMv0VGo859xTVSMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMlfOV9GUv8/YS6S_ONtTAI/AAAAAAAAOJM/Z1aTigW1xy0Ug28ysMv0VGo859xTVSMuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We also hiked up Doughnut falls with our friends. It was fun to hike with friends, and although Logan got stung by a wasp, it was a great adventure. It's been a bad year for wasps here! Dave also got stung, and Brooklyn had 3 stings earlier this year!</div><div><br /></div><div>Over all it was a good summer. Busy, and over way too fast, but we had a lot of fun.</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-62275579585150788842021-06-04T06:03:00.004-06:002021-08-31T06:53:07.110-06:00March thru June<p> Since I seem to only write in my blog quarterly lately, I've decided to just go with it. So a little update of our spring! Dave's Grandfather Pete Plastow passed away from Covid 19 and we made a trip out to Moab to attend his funeral. It was good to see Suzy and the extended family and for Dave to get to be there when he was laid to rest. He was able to go through his grandpa's house and select a few items to take to remember him by. Also he was given a painting his Grandfather created that we framed. His grandfather was a western artist (some of his work is on display in the Smithsonian).<br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dogecjhbFko/YS4daTLGpbI/AAAAAAAAOFw/Z3Y7X5NrBuwx8Drf1hK_Mer4jXX8-X3MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dogecjhbFko/YS4daTLGpbI/AAAAAAAAOFw/Z3Y7X5NrBuwx8Drf1hK_Mer4jXX8-X3MwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2537.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So of course while we were there we had to hit up Arches. What trip to Moab is complete without a little hiking?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhDG0BExop4/YS4dW1CN7lI/AAAAAAAAOFg/4wIbVv6ILX4BVNxoAv-V8B1MzhMYM678ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhDG0BExop4/YS4dW1CN7lI/AAAAAAAAOFg/4wIbVv6ILX4BVNxoAv-V8B1MzhMYM678ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2528.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids were great hikers and had a blast scrambling up everything we let them. We probably need to schedule some rock climbing into our busy lives.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5hLxyywXAk/YS4dXA4Nr1I/AAAAAAAAOFk/02LOFehtZdgRzjnya7bl0jNAfpSr69aVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5hLxyywXAk/YS4dXA4Nr1I/AAAAAAAAOFk/02LOFehtZdgRzjnya7bl0jNAfpSr69aVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather was perfect for hiking too, not too hot (like you get in the dead of the summer), and not too busy. I guess that's one thing we can thank Corona for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejWVyenurZo/YS4dadufioI/AAAAAAAAOFs/TXYIGuU0l1M2Z9GQ4uOyg3cZZBdVAB73wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejWVyenurZo/YS4dadufioI/AAAAAAAAOFs/TXYIGuU0l1M2Z9GQ4uOyg3cZZBdVAB73wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2557.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHYDI1UdM0o/YS4dWl1TJcI/AAAAAAAAOFc/6bzqeDC6FFMEE_G5oocehII6GV2s--i0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHYDI1UdM0o/YS4dWl1TJcI/AAAAAAAAOFc/6bzqeDC6FFMEE_G5oocehII6GV2s--i0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2515.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We like to go on Sunday "hikes" and by hike I mean casual walks on trails unless it's over 100 degrees. But even then we will drive up the canyon and enjoy the 10-20 degree cooler weather. This pic is from a portion of the Jordon River Trail near our home. It's one of our favorite sections of the trail.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwlDqw9-1o0/YS4dfNL8hEI/AAAAAAAAOGI/UWLM2tPphoMe2q8i68CcgE99YCpxWxbLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwlDqw9-1o0/YS4dfNL8hEI/AAAAAAAAOGI/UWLM2tPphoMe2q8i68CcgE99YCpxWxbLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3128.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This spring we also registered the boys for a basket ball clinic. Dustin has done basketball in the past and he was excited to take another class to hone his skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_-GMzYdwCg/YS4dfFKybxI/AAAAAAAAOGA/khQT2Lz5X7kf_gk0Ap1jj6eFAv3YsN3NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_-GMzYdwCg/YS4dfFKybxI/AAAAAAAAOGA/khQT2Lz5X7kf_gk0Ap1jj6eFAv3YsN3NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3155.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was Logan's first class and although he was a little nervous he got the hang of it quickly. He wanted to learn how to do basketball since our new house has a basketball hoop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFxMU6TgwRk/YS4dc5Pv1xI/AAAAAAAAOF4/MT6N30b546IdqsV-t-MIoDyIpNUIa34egCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFxMU6TgwRk/YS4dc5Pv1xI/AAAAAAAAOF4/MT6N30b546IdqsV-t-MIoDyIpNUIa34egCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3144.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They both got pretty good and made "over 200 shots" each. Hopefully they'll continue enjoying the sport because I suspect both with end up tall.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rm4zntIHof0/YS4ddEdfEaI/AAAAAAAAOF8/8ptk_SMnU3UtmaqtptnDi89R20BU-dFywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rm4zntIHof0/YS4ddEdfEaI/AAAAAAAAOF8/8ptk_SMnU3UtmaqtptnDi89R20BU-dFywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3149.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGDUIvsp7i4zQUCJqJDDGpauxWa-ygoraLY_NlmzLgc6ypOaSbb2ho2ZorqwQmzdASmjUcibRQ0tsJt4Cm9g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dweqOJw-wxuEMnVaQVoNDNGIjVj87ShBoG2UMWbxt0THZNHq3_R4ZwGZ4r4ycKTQy3U2VHm1Ony45taFutLwg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've enjoyed having my brother Mike's family in the neighborhood. The kids love getting together often to play at each other's house. They've become pretty good friends and get along most of the time.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7Fww7UcOGA/YS4dbPpvcjI/AAAAAAAAOF0/kaTkQVLOalgF9O4j_O8TIGF7qxuhrpXFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7Fww7UcOGA/YS4dbPpvcjI/AAAAAAAAOF0/kaTkQVLOalgF9O4j_O8TIGF7qxuhrpXFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2783.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the end of a tough school year, the boys got to participate in their school fun run. Logan usually loves running, but due to corona they made the kids run in masks. And it was HOT out. So he started out running but ended walking. Can't say I blame him, I hate wearing masks and can't imagine working out in one. But he still had a good time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw0K1ZBrC1c/YS4dgqzSm3I/AAAAAAAAOGM/HQnqXQl03nUwY6LsIOCeJ6KEdyqvoyrlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw0K1ZBrC1c/YS4dgqzSm3I/AAAAAAAAOGM/HQnqXQl03nUwY6LsIOCeJ6KEdyqvoyrlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3301.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dustin also enjoyed the race. He was able to get 6th place for his grade and was quite proud of himself. He's a fast runner and made sure to wear his "sports mask" so it wouldn't be so sweaty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPP_cQX4bFk/YS4dfGnwRUI/AAAAAAAAOGE/p81do3f_BZU7VchK3HWiiHvyAUiZMbsHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPP_cQX4bFk/YS4dfGnwRUI/AAAAAAAAOGE/p81do3f_BZU7VchK3HWiiHvyAUiZMbsHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3292.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCA8wlIDQ_r5qpFVWEf_uFrIM9jL0FLlpZ2lURZQ6tDwNT1OoqweL9EVPAfpFGn1eZCV56A3FsqPy-uU_i3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_LX8LXZJ47DsDRcFxK0GmzXuO5slYaoydbdSqP9annS77aD_o7hK2lFKs4cbjnqr--ekUJp5g8TrQ7-hM2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div>They were so glad to be in person this year, and to get to see their friends. Even if things were a little different, they still were glad to be back in person. It was a tough year for all of us with all the added precautions of Social Distancing and face masks. But we made it through and are hoping for more interaction now that the vaccines are out.</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-48781006170007564622021-02-01T09:37:00.002-07:002021-02-01T09:37:45.112-07:004 Busy Months<p> It's been a crazy few months! We obviously (in October) moved and construction has consumed all of our spare time. Finally this weekend I told Dave ENOUGH! We're taking the next two weeks off! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qOwjlA_yL4/YBgom_ATJ0I/AAAAAAAAN5w/FP8zIGdZlTkhT_-zy20JCA40ckblLcAQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1544/IMG_2455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qOwjlA_yL4/YBgom_ATJ0I/AAAAAAAAN5w/FP8zIGdZlTkhT_-zy20JCA40ckblLcAQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2455.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I planned a semi-surprise trip for the weekend for just Dave and I as an early celebration of his Birthday. We went up to Lava Hot Springs in Idaho, and swung by Logan on the way home. We enjoyed the hot spring water, hiking around, and walking around the Logan temple. We also did our fair share of shopping/snacking at the Cheese Factory, Idle Isle chocolate shop, and all of our typical favorite road trip snacks. We had dinner with our friends the Montgomery's Saturday night (they moved to Logan a few years ago). By Sunday we were ready to head home to the kids! They had a fun weekend with Dave's parents but were ready to have us back too.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIw2NIf_0CI/YBgonMx16GI/AAAAAAAAN50/WQWMQWb3h2YWW8HKp9tWl12aZih5blzwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1544/IMG_2458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIw2NIf_0CI/YBgonMx16GI/AAAAAAAAN50/WQWMQWb3h2YWW8HKp9tWl12aZih5blzwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2458.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our most recent construction project was redoing the hallway bathroom. It was a lot of work to add a shower, tile the shower walls, refinish the vanity, replace the mirror for a built in medicine cabinet, remove wallpaper and paint, but it looks great! And now I have a shower to use upstairs (this is a big deal to me, less so to everyone else in the house).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uDyBPHlzww/YBgqjHV2-ZI/AAAAAAAAN6c/Q0u3ZjVUz5kdzrJqo6aKJF4JNA72xe9jACLcBGAsYHQ/s408/Bathroom%2BHallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uDyBPHlzww/YBgqjHV2-ZI/AAAAAAAAN6c/Q0u3ZjVUz5kdzrJqo6aKJF4JNA72xe9jACLcBGAsYHQ/w212-h320/Bathroom%2BHallway.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1QcgoPkipw/YBgom_IcBCI/AAAAAAAAN5s/brz9YnG2vnIaTrgsCJK4sDWRfBQhfYwSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1QcgoPkipw/YBgom_IcBCI/AAAAAAAAN5s/brz9YnG2vnIaTrgsCJK4sDWRfBQhfYwSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2428.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What else did you miss over the past 4 months? We had one snow that I've had to shovel this year. As you can tell from the grass it wasn't substantial. We're going to be in serious drought this summer.</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mB8m6OCDd8/YBgojaWqi0I/AAAAAAAAN44/r5fBbDbA4lQ07yRAe44QFmA-GPtBBcuHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mB8m6OCDd8/YBgojaWqi0I/AAAAAAAAN44/r5fBbDbA4lQ07yRAe44QFmA-GPtBBcuHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1507.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Kids had a great Halloween even if it wasn't the typical. We had a costume parade around the church and did a little trick or treating on our old street "because we don't know our new neighbors yet" With Corona it was a little trick or treating, but in my opinion the kids got the perfect amount of candy. Not too much so I just let them have it all at once.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwg8iCRObSI/YBgojTb_9iI/AAAAAAAAN48/sgkB-4ZCPQ0bNamAAmR8Mk8OMElRSiKBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwg8iCRObSI/YBgojTb_9iI/AAAAAAAAN48/sgkB-4ZCPQ0bNamAAmR8Mk8OMElRSiKBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1615.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dustin had his birthday in November. I can't believe how big he is! He helped decorate his "fancy birthday cake" and was SO proud of how it turned out. He's an awesome artist and such a fiercely loyal friend.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VKM5JO8VRo/YBgojN1V50I/AAAAAAAAN40/EYTFMzmkGrwWQt5QuWiSuN9FmM_W3f1-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9VKM5JO8VRo/YBgojN1V50I/AAAAAAAAN40/EYTFMzmkGrwWQt5QuWiSuN9FmM_W3f1-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We've taken the kids swimming a few times over the winter at the Murray pool and they love it! I actually love corona regulations on swimming so much! They don't allow more than 30 people in the pool area total, and it makes for a pleasant experience. Brooklyn is our little fish. Next opportunity she has I'm putting her in swim classes. It won't take much for her to be swimming like a champ.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugfNiUcvHxQ/YBgoj8lqVOI/AAAAAAAAN5A/tfIEJ8JQN6Qo--FCj-Q1T4YWxxkIKCh-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugfNiUcvHxQ/YBgoj8lqVOI/AAAAAAAAN5A/tfIEJ8JQN6Qo--FCj-Q1T4YWxxkIKCh-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since Temple square was closed to the general public this year we got to go see two different lights shows. One was a drive through lights show that we enjoyed with Dave's Mom, and the other was a walk through light show that we enjoyed with our neighbors David & Amanda. Both were fun, although we missed our annual trip to Temple Square.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvrKJhRS6pw/YBgok5gwnTI/AAAAAAAAN5M/uAHHHo6wcCU9EYrorAbFno4RLb3S4RHwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvrKJhRS6pw/YBgok5gwnTI/AAAAAAAAN5M/uAHHHo6wcCU9EYrorAbFno4RLb3S4RHwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZXzQioW3MQ/YBgolDNnjAI/AAAAAAAAN5Q/KB3TZWV33-IRB-PeQ9ZerSIOj7tmP0M2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZXzQioW3MQ/YBgolDNnjAI/AAAAAAAAN5Q/KB3TZWV33-IRB-PeQ9ZerSIOj7tmP0M2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2166.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Brooklyn got her first hair cut. Well, first hair cut from me. Dustin has cut her bangs a few times and given her side burns with an electric razor. So everything was finally long enough to even it all out. She cried that her hair wasn't long anymore, but it looks a lot better now. And I told her if she brushes it, it will grow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYN3lHcPwqM/YBgolcDNcSI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/tUvy1LO9unQBKqhk-3KsNl5QtD7xe1rEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYN3lHcPwqM/YBgolcDNcSI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/tUvy1LO9unQBKqhk-3KsNl5QtD7xe1rEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2265.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6JPLY3jXc7Y/YBgomOgXl0I/AAAAAAAAN5c/M9FAZOcrvKkGBAYXtvGVOpzJL30Z2c1mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6JPLY3jXc7Y/YBgomOgXl0I/AAAAAAAAN5c/M9FAZOcrvKkGBAYXtvGVOpzJL30Z2c1mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2291.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Logan has had two exciting academic events in the past month. He won his class spelling bee and competed in his school spelling bee. He didn't win the school one, but he did a great job holding his own! We are so proud of him</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLlgF7nRdcU/YBgomfa3mKI/AAAAAAAAN5g/ndIoqCzimxcak0rDFLQTnAKD4lK25qKPACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLlgF7nRdcU/YBgomfa3mKI/AAAAAAAAN5g/ndIoqCzimxcak0rDFLQTnAKD4lK25qKPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2315.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He also competed and won his grade level Science fair this year! He was so excited to compete, although disappointed he wasn't given a prize (since it was all presented electronically). His question was "Can I make a rainbow in my house?" and after 4 different trials he was able to find the right conditions to make it work consistently!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvIY1VlgSZo/YBgomhYsFQI/AAAAAAAAN5o/xSSrjHwd4YQcnUTyCXa9xAClUEo44J15wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_2348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvIY1VlgSZo/YBgomhYsFQI/AAAAAAAAN5o/xSSrjHwd4YQcnUTyCXa9xAClUEo44J15wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2348.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apparently we don't have enough Valentines decorations. The kids requested more, so we've been working on decorating for my least favorite holiday. Hopefully we'll be sufficiently ready in time.</div><p><br /></p></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-33324091985833769912020-10-25T14:00:00.003-06:002020-10-25T14:00:56.876-06:00 Gangsta's Paradise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIyNE7lZ1NE/X5XV0Nr4NeI/AAAAAAAANxs/k4qp7VY0JC8IMDCpd1v2TIrrIq-yqTxOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIyNE7lZ1NE/X5XV0Nr4NeI/AAAAAAAANxs/k4qp7VY0JC8IMDCpd1v2TIrrIq-yqTxOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> We've been unpacking and getting organized over the past two and a half weeks. It's seemed like longer, but it's only been a short amount of time we've lived in our new house. We discovered we lost the cushions for our large couch somewhere in moving them to the storage unit, so we'll be in the market for a new couch soon.<p></p><p>The first week in our new home was tough! We knew prior to moving in that we needed some plumbing work done, so we scheduled it for Monday of the first week. The plumbers came in, started their thing, and came up a few hours later with very bad news. But after a half hour of calling managers, owners, etc they were able to come up with a work around and get the job done in two days within the same budget as originally quoted. So we no longer have a rotting out main sewer line and should be good for years to come!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sefeNLNs7Bg/X5XVzMsK1rI/AAAAAAAANxk/-VQEkyvd5OYnyGXGdvJzhq1o__16a9kRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sefeNLNs7Bg/X5XVzMsK1rI/AAAAAAAANxk/-VQEkyvd5OYnyGXGdvJzhq1o__16a9kRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0894.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Then we decided to patch the holes in the walls all over the house, one of which was caused by someone tearing the heater off the wall of the living room. So Dave decided to replace the thermostat while we were at it with a smart one. This caused us to accidentally blow the furnace's fuse (I was unaware furnaces could have fuses). So we were without heat for 24 hours but it didn't get too cold in that time period.</p><p>Next came putting back together the laundry room. We replaced the flooring to cover the hole made by the plumbers, lugged the washer and drier over to their spots, and plugged everything in. I started a load of laundry and discovered the drier didn't work! A lot of assessing, cutting holes into walls, removing cabinets, flipping breakers, were involved in discovering the power to the washer was stolen at one point in the history of the house to create an upstairs washer and drier. It took 3 days to figure out where the power really should come from, and get everything back to working (there was a day where we accidentally disconnected the oven's power in there somewhere). Couldn't have gotten all that figured out without the help of Dave's Dad, Bill! He was over every day until we got it all done.</p><p>On top of all the house issues we've been working like crazy to unpack all the boxes. I focused first on the kid's bedrooms and the kitchen. Then I moved to the living room and dining room so we didn't feel like we were living in a storage unit. Then I decided we needed to rebuild the master closet so we could unpack Dave's and my clothes/room. It's not 100% finished (Dave's building two more shelves for his stuff), but I'm happy with it!</p><p>Speaking of building my closet, it wouldn't be done without the help of my friend Tenille! She came down Tuesday or Wednesday (the week was a blur and I can't remember). She was a SAINT!!! She kidnapped my kids and helped with unpacking and building my closet. She just left this morning and there is no way I would have gotten so much done this week without her! </p><p>Holy cow that woman is amazing!!! AND she kept me in Chocolate and treats since I have yet to find my stash since the move. We ate Mexican treats, Krispy Kreams (twice), and tons of Chocolate. Plus she made us dinner one night and bought us pizza another. </p><p>Dave's main focus has been getting the garage organized and unpacked so we can park in the garage, and we're close! Hopefully we can park in it soon since it's freezing out and I don't want to have to scrape my car off every day.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YUvwjP_DjA/X5XV2FdQPEI/AAAAAAAANxw/tw289GaKWC8NbBhXy4mRzZPdyLzgW7XKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YUvwjP_DjA/X5XV2FdQPEI/AAAAAAAANxw/tw289GaKWC8NbBhXy4mRzZPdyLzgW7XKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1508.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning we woke to large puffs of snow coming down! It was beautiful and the kids snook out in it before Church and built a snow man after church. They were so happy I had already unpacked the snow gear! I am pretty glad we found it too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other than unpacking I've been giving away and selling stuff that doesn't fit in our new home on Facebook Marketplace. It's been a lot of work, but it's nice to have less stuff in the house. I'll be glad when we've unpacked everything and have finally settled in. Hopefully it doesn't take too long!</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-17813273032384920772020-09-08T10:40:00.002-06:002020-09-08T10:40:31.412-06:00Moving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBhXN8kx7t4/X1eL1BZXq0I/AAAAAAAANqc/TN6q2IH05vsUq6jnPp0TZTbwb4O2mCtXACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBhXN8kx7t4/X1eL1BZXq0I/AAAAAAAANqc/TN6q2IH05vsUq6jnPp0TZTbwb4O2mCtXACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I know I've been saying this all summer, but the last month has gone by in a whir-wind of events! The biggest news is we are moving! Not far, just a few streets south of us. We weren't even looking to buy, but my brother Mike was, so I've been watching for good homes in our neighborhood for him. I mentioned it to my friend Lori, and she texted me on a Thursday as we were heading out of town. We looked at the pictures online and fell in LOVE (sorry Mike)! So I called the owner's son (both he and the owner we know from Church), and told them we wanted to look at it when we got back into town.<p></p><p>He said absolutely, and didn't let anyone see the house until we got back into town. This is huge because the market is insane in Utah right now! To give you an idea, we had two offers on our home within 10 hours of listing our house. When we got back we saw the home, agreed that it just felt right for our family, and told the owner's son we would make them an offer. They accepted and we've been crazy busy ever since!</p><p>We were able to get our home on the market in 1.5 weeks. I've never worked so hard in my life as we did to get the house ready. Nothing major was wrong with it, but removing furniture for the stagers, getting everything deep cleaned, and all the little things around the house that we've been meaning to get to was a ton of work. We've had non-stop viewings, an open house, and multiple offers until we accepted one. My neighbor was working on his swamp cooler on his roof and said the second the realtor hammered the open house sign into our yard, swarms of people descended on our home and didn't stop until it was over. We've had tons of cars just sitting in front of our house starring. It's pretty creepy, but I pretend we don't see them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agayW-zT6E4/X1eNfOm3d6I/AAAAAAAANsA/evbfaUYhliAGMJS4jbaApV1RfrWEQR7pACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agayW-zT6E4/X1eNfOm3d6I/AAAAAAAANsA/evbfaUYhliAGMJS4jbaApV1RfrWEQR7pACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With all these showings I had to get creative on how to keep the house clean and the kids excited to be excited to get out of the house at a moment's notice. I declared every time we had to get out of the home for a showing we would get ice cream (one a day max). Also if the kids had their room cleaned daily I would give them a dime a day. If they kept it clean all week long then they would get a bonus so they had a dollar for the week. Totally worked and worth the $3. I think we might keep this one up even after we move!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday night we went over to visit Dave's Mom, made her dinner, ate our daily ice cream, and watched a movie with her. It was a good visit and we were happy to not have to be wandering around the neighborhood for a 4 hour chunk.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3MnS0SXz6w/X1eNgYdXU1I/AAAAAAAANsE/781sUTlmrdEECJ4_vBZ6Xh0ZkO5JzJShwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3MnS0SXz6w/X1eNgYdXU1I/AAAAAAAANsE/781sUTlmrdEECJ4_vBZ6Xh0ZkO5JzJShwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0189.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday we decided to just get out and into nature! We drive up to the Provo River Falls, had a picnic lunch and hiked up it until it was time to head back.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GH8XfHh3swg/X1eNlvjMBEI/AAAAAAAANsI/vs4E3PeMG4Ar9aKScHOwuqxgBEV-cuatQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GH8XfHh3swg/X1eNlvjMBEI/AAAAAAAANsI/vs4E3PeMG4Ar9aKScHOwuqxgBEV-cuatQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids had a blast! They didn't want to leave so we promised we would return another weekend.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ULmtnWCsT6g/X1eNwGWbfPI/AAAAAAAANsc/oBhJckei_4AuBVpOBL3YcscwtIf8USJGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0215.jpg" style="text-align: left;" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The weather was in the 80's which was perfect for hiking through water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2MdxFILjl0/X1eNslg1sWI/AAAAAAAANsQ/5zw_1oxwpqcQCfuqO2tompg4_inT_BddACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2MdxFILjl0/X1eNslg1sWI/AAAAAAAANsQ/5zw_1oxwpqcQCfuqO2tompg4_inT_BddACLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_0230.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlSm2vYViuk/X1eNv2MYWjI/AAAAAAAANsU/_WZ1-hA_vgglZnr-4sDAddr1bLIwp496QCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlSm2vYViuk/X1eNv2MYWjI/AAAAAAAANsU/_WZ1-hA_vgglZnr-4sDAddr1bLIwp496QCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_0233.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxMcOB9sJd8/X1eN0i8OfyI/AAAAAAAANsg/mH7yDM-lSEEfDffbd8SJOUfDC9oFFaMKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxMcOB9sJd8/X1eN0i8OfyI/AAAAAAAANsg/mH7yDM-lSEEfDffbd8SJOUfDC9oFFaMKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/IMG_0235.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brooklyn had a hard time with how messy hiking is. She got upset a few times because "My hair is getting wet!" or "My beautiful shoes are getting muddy!" I don't know where she gets this from because I'm not that way, but eventually she was able to accept the mess and really enjoy herself.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RAHTR0JU8w0/X1eN3e9g8pI/AAAAAAAANsk/gVccsr7q_zIm-lkarFZkv6wQGkRlNIGdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RAHTR0JU8w0/X1eN3e9g8pI/AAAAAAAANsk/gVccsr7q_zIm-lkarFZkv6wQGkRlNIGdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When we got home we had 6 solid offers on the house. Dave and I showered while our agent got more information from the other agents about the potential buyers, verified their pre-qualification, etc. We reviewed the offers and felt good selecting one as our buyer. So we accepted their offer and got to enjoy a quiet rest of Labor Day weekend.</p><p>Sunday was pretty casual. After so much chaos we needed it! We hung around the house, played outside, went on a walk, had a family movie, took a nap and I boxed up a few things. Monday we made another fun one. We went swimming, got pizza, had a movie night and ate junk food. The kids were happy to hear when you move you get to try to eat up all the food in the pantry so you don't have to move it.<br /></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-51865332926483997972020-08-26T06:53:00.000-06:002020-09-08T10:23:11.748-06:00End of Summer & Start of School<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXUjsSgOF8U/X1eL3mmgHMI/AAAAAAAANqk/tB_geuFnQsUtJNVpvAGF2RCLOrYzv1uhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8866.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had a lot of fun at the end of the summer! I tried to squeeze in as much as possible such it had been a very different summer. Logan and Brooklyn both celebrated birthdays at the beginning of August. Logan turned 9 and Brooklyn turned 4. She is so proud she is a "big girl" now and tells everyone "I'm almost 5 now". Brooklyn has been obsessed with Elsa and Frozen, so many of her gifts were Frozen related. One of which was an Anna dress-up. She was so excited! She put it on and for the first time she exclaimed "I'm Anna, you be Elsa! My hair is the perfect color to be Anna!" She's had some major hair envy recently. She constantly will lament "I wish my hair was blond like Elsa!" But there's no way I was going to bleach a 3 year old's hair so wigs have been our placebo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPxYLw-u3As/X1eLzJ6opdI/AAAAAAAANqY/tuKJ-ZYG17IXsEXvodfRnqx7rvNnHo0rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPxYLw-u3As/X1eLzJ6opdI/AAAAAAAANqY/tuKJ-ZYG17IXsEXvodfRnqx7rvNnHo0rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8822.jpg" /></a></div><br />We also squeezed in my niece Rea's second sewing lesson. She wanted to make a skirt for her baby sister in the exact same pattern as hers, so we got to repeat that (hopefully) cementing those skills in place. For her next lesson she wants to do a pair of leggings. This will be more challenging because the material will be stretchy, but I'm sure she will do a great job.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYNSvq_mbK4/X1eL5-csnXI/AAAAAAAANqs/e7CEwgMKOjUKOOFGWHIOa7Sz29_9OGBwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYNSvq_mbK4/X1eL5-csnXI/AAAAAAAANqs/e7CEwgMKOjUKOOFGWHIOa7Sz29_9OGBwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8926.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The boys were so excited to go back to school a few weeks ago! They happily wear their masks to school if if means they get to see their friends. Brooklyn is so excited that she gets to do internet pre-school daily, although she is devastated that her brothers leave every day. If we run errands after dropping the boys off she will worriedly exclaim "Mom! I'm going to be late for internet pre-school!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9Yt9hmi884/X1eMHUMr60I/AAAAAAAANrA/o5n3DtbYbrEvDYcmrRWbbFG2uYicA_s7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9Yt9hmi884/X1eMHUMr60I/AAAAAAAANrA/o5n3DtbYbrEvDYcmrRWbbFG2uYicA_s7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Friday after school started we went on our late summer vacation with my parents. Dave's co-worker had a home outside of Flaming Gorge and he was kind enough to let us borrow it for a long weekend.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDvqCIarbUA/X1eMFNGkqZI/AAAAAAAANq4/qzPwtZxzS1QF6JsC5A5xYet1h7nPAb34ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDvqCIarbUA/X1eMFNGkqZI/AAAAAAAANq4/qzPwtZxzS1QF6JsC5A5xYet1h7nPAb34ACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/IMG_9445.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KitD50FobYM/X1eMJdRhGLI/AAAAAAAANrI/TGldsx6UR0Q3Nhi40IrJKazytBEth5Q9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KitD50FobYM/X1eMJdRhGLI/AAAAAAAANrI/TGldsx6UR0Q3Nhi40IrJKazytBEth5Q9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/IMG_9447.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was just the break we needed! The first day we explored the lake, paddled around, checked out some islands, talked to fishermen and just had a casual day of fun.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDYtOScV22o/X1eMOzuxRRI/AAAAAAAANrU/hW4dd3rwFi4eV-7Mx6EU6x0szK1joluLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDYtOScV22o/X1eMOzuxRRI/AAAAAAAANrU/hW4dd3rwFi4eV-7Mx6EU6x0szK1joluLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The second day we went river rafting. It was a BLAST! We wish we could have done it more than one day and decided we definitely need to do this again.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jID-b8-s5p0/X1eMPAIw9qI/AAAAAAAANrY/Dmho3lEtBKMiLHfRGp3l4njdBX3nT_T3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jID-b8-s5p0/X1eMPAIw9qI/AAAAAAAANrY/Dmho3lEtBKMiLHfRGp3l4njdBX3nT_T3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9528.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The temperature was perfect and the sky was overcast! We weren't too warm, and if we did get warm we just stuck a foot off the side of the raft. It was the perfect adventure! Not too rapid for the kids, but enough to keep us all excited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnTNOzQYGXc/X1eMUkFwLBI/AAAAAAAANrk/UZLFFWSTTsYoYEvTbd5n_iuDQoA-zx4twCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnTNOzQYGXc/X1eMUkFwLBI/AAAAAAAANrk/UZLFFWSTTsYoYEvTbd5n_iuDQoA-zx4twCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9576.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>If the water was "boring" for too long I would start bouncing up and down and exclaim "look out! rapids!" My mom christened those "White Girl Rapids". Eventually the kids caught on, but it was fun for them for a while.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MC9y9IYap0/X1eMTg3LQUI/AAAAAAAANrg/_bLwyTvscGQju6HUXOQjg3V_xULVczjBACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_9765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MC9y9IYap0/X1eMTg3LQUI/AAAAAAAANrg/_bLwyTvscGQju6HUXOQjg3V_xULVczjBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_9765.jpg" /></a></div><p>Our roma and cherry tomatoes have been doing well this year. Brooklyn and Logan are tomato fiends and I will catch both of them sneaking tomatoes from the garden and chowing down. We love that they love fresh produce!</p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-66954044192490620622020-08-09T21:29:00.003-06:002020-08-09T21:29:26.048-06:00Lots of Sewing and Youth Conference<p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akB3FpgpFbc/XzC2UVkBzwI/AAAAAAAANmg/oIz97wXLUz4JNDgKOO05rrncT8f1Y9UwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8363.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-akB3FpgpFbc/XzC2UVkBzwI/AAAAAAAANmg/oIz97wXLUz4JNDgKOO05rrncT8f1Y9UwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8363.jpg" /></a></p><p>It's been such a busy summer! Well, the last few weeks have flown by and I can't believe it's almost time for school to start again. The kids are planning to go back to school in person in the fall. They will be required to wear masks and remain socially distant, but they are very excited to see their friends again. We're scrambling to get all the stuff they need to go back, plus extra sanitization supplies for their teachers.</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cxQXPEHbBk/XzC2UB5-WWI/AAAAAAAANmc/MiruNzq3VkMXQzODVVAyate3IMQIIS2SwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8364.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cxQXPEHbBk/XzC2UB5-WWI/AAAAAAAANmc/MiruNzq3VkMXQzODVVAyate3IMQIIS2SwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8364.jpg" /></a></p><p>Dustin created a picture in hopes that it will be chosen to be the yearbook cover this year. It's adorable and he's really hopeful. Brooklyn is super jealous that the boys get to go to school so I've been prepping some home pre-school stuff to keep her busy in the fall. She loves practicing and will tell you that's she's going to kindergarten this year (she's not). Logan's just excited to go back, learn, and see his friends. It's been a LONG 7 months at home.</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFs4-OJxXx8/XzC2Xr9uSiI/AAAAAAAANmk/3z_5RIdStj8111q2uRRcV8V3iofuyFYcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8391.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFs4-OJxXx8/XzC2Xr9uSiI/AAAAAAAANmk/3z_5RIdStj8111q2uRRcV8V3iofuyFYcgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8391.jpg" /></a></p><p>Two weeks ago we met up with Logan's friend's family at a park and they played like crazy. The park had a merry go round which the kids begged me to push them around on. They all fell off at least once. At one point I was pushing them around and Brooklyn screamed so I knew she was going to fall. I whipped around mid-run and caught her. In the process I pulled or tore something in my calf and limped around for 1-2 weeks. It's still sore but doing a lot better. </p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbQWCooQwd8/XzC2ac6DQjI/AAAAAAAANms/uzJA1LstvQgD9QNXLChnf2UH6AcIxWJBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8461.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbQWCooQwd8/XzC2ac6DQjI/AAAAAAAANms/uzJA1LstvQgD9QNXLChnf2UH6AcIxWJBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8461.jpg" /></a></p><p>I've been squeezing in a lot of sewing for Brooklyn lately. She discovered my box of "beautiful material" ie things I've been collecting for dress ups. As soon as I'm done with one dress she is BEGGING me to make the next skirt out of the next beautiful material. It's exhausting because the material isn't easy to sew on, but she's so happy after, I can't help myself!</p><p>My friend Tenille also helped me learn how to design on my Cricut so I've gone a little crazy designing shirts for the kids and myself. I ordered some Heat Transfer Vynal off Amazon and as soon as it arrives Tuesday, we'll be in business! I'm so excited!</p><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riPs6S0u0eE/XzC2ZSwtcFI/AAAAAAAANmo/kTxsXJ_OSngXmkoFWwapgvpCQvM-gmDagCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8557.jpg" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-riPs6S0u0eE/XzC2ZSwtcFI/AAAAAAAANmo/kTxsXJ_OSngXmkoFWwapgvpCQvM-gmDagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vld9a1A0gUY/XzC2cZaQfVI/AAAAAAAANmw/k0fBPzk6n4gDGtgBIjWcfRHx3mAhVICUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8559.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vld9a1A0gUY/XzC2cZaQfVI/AAAAAAAANmw/k0fBPzk6n4gDGtgBIjWcfRHx3mAhVICUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A few weeks ago we tried to pick up some Harry Potter crafts from the library but they were so popular that they "sold out" in an hour. We stopped by 3 branches before giving up. The last one promised they would make up more bags and call us to come pick them up. This helped appease three devastated kids and I promptly forgot about it. They called this week with make your own wand kits. The kids had a blast designing and bejeweling them. <div><br /></div><div>Last weekend we got to go to a picknic lunch to celebrate Sara's baptism. We couldn't attend because of corona, but we still got to enjoy family at the park. While we were there Rea asked if I would teach her how to sew clothes. I was excited to oblige her and this Thursday we had her first lesson. She was able to complete a skirt and was so proud of herself!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2XtjGTuoOU/XzC2di6X6-I/AAAAAAAANm0/oRnm1SjU-S4KvxyxR_FCwwx-KUVpLKaxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8572.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2XtjGTuoOU/XzC2di6X6-I/AAAAAAAANm0/oRnm1SjU-S4KvxyxR_FCwwx-KUVpLKaxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8572.jpg" /></a></div>Half way through she decided she only wanted two tiers rather than the 3 the pattern called for because that was the length she prefered her skirts. So we finished with a little material to spare (she plans to make a dress for her American Girl doll out of the leftovers). Next week she requested sewing a skirt for Elizabeth. So I've pulled out some pink floral material to make a skirt with the same pattern.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toCwvVIz8Bo/XzC2ekNak7I/AAAAAAAANm4/DQYHNKojxog7VcJM1CVdpRetQzoRm6u4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8574.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toCwvVIz8Bo/XzC2ekNak7I/AAAAAAAANm4/DQYHNKojxog7VcJM1CVdpRetQzoRm6u4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_8574.jpg" /></a></div><div>The last week and a half have been very busy for me. I headed up an electronic Youth Conference with the Teenagers in our church congregation. The youth got to participate in a socially distant water fight for the whole conference. Each day they could earn a new life in the game by doing a spiritual activity (read a scripture, do a service, take a selfie with the temple, do some family history, etc). They had a blast and had some spiritual experiences too. </div><div><br /></div><div>We ended with a Testimony meeting on the front lawn of the church and it was a fabulous experience. The spirit was strong and we all walked away uplifted and ready to take on more tough times. I hope we can keep the momentum going because life has just been so tough lately! But I know God loves us and is just itching to bless us if we turn to him. I hope the Youth were able to see the blessings of remembering him daily.</div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-91155577646829559552020-07-20T13:31:00.001-06:002020-07-20T13:33:05.553-06:00July Flies By!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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July has just passed us by in the blink of an eye! With how slow the year has moved so far, that's a great thing. The boys rediscovered their legos over the past two weeks. When the lockdown hit in March Grandma Sheila & Papa Mike bought the kids a Legos kid that had bags of all colored legos that they could make anything with. So they've been creating and creating all kinds of cool things! They love coming up with their own designs.<br />
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Brooklyn has really embraced her inner girly-ness lately! She's obsessed with unicorns and princesses. She loves to dress up. She will even put a skirt on over her shorts every day. Since I'm not a girly girl this is new territory for us, but she sure makes it fun!<br />
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Along with her love of Princesses she is neck deep in a love for Elsa and Frozen. She dresses up like her daily. She pretends she's Elsa and I'm Anna constantly. She has spent months lamenting that her hair isn't blond like Elsa's "I'm so tired of looking like Anna! When will my hair be blond like Elsa's?!?" She was so excited when last week a surprise blond wig arrived in the mail for her from Papa Mike. She wears it daily and if she can get away with it, she sneaks it out of the house and to the park or to the library to pick up books. The boys have told her several times that although her wig is pretty, they like her better just the way she is (what amazing brothers they are!).<br />
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We received information last week on what School should look like next year. The governor is requiring masks, and since our district is planning to allow kids back in the classrooms, that means I've been sewing masks like crazy. I want the boys to have a mask for each day they're in school, one for church on Sunday (which is canceled right now, but eventually it will probably be back), and an extra just incase we need one more. That's 7 masks per boy and a few more for Brooklyn, Dave and I. The pattern I'm using right now isn't hard or time consuming, so they go fast.<br />
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I've also started collecting supplies to send the boys back to school with. I've been able to find 4 packs of Chlorox wipes, 2 cans of disinfecting spray, two bottles of hand sanitizer and tissues. Plus the basic markers, notebooks, crayons, glue, etc. I've never spent so much on school supplies, and we haven't even received lists from the school of what they want us to bring. But I want the kids to be able to go back to school in a safe environment. They learn far better in a classroom, so I'll do whatever I can to help facilitate the process.<br />
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Dustin and Brooklyn have dove head first into cooking with me! They love to help out in the kitchen and have been fighting over who gets to add what ingredient and who gets to stand by me. When the fighting is at a minimum it's fun to teach them to cook.<br />
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We got to have a picnic dinner at our favorite park last Sunday with my brother Mike and his family along with Alison's sister Becky and her family. The kids loved playing together and the adults enjoyed sitting in the shade and talking. It was HOT out, but we still managed to have a good time. Corona has been so hard on all of us because we miss our socialization. It's a strange summer not having people over for BBQs and family dinners but I think meeting up at a park is a nice compromise.<br />
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Thursday of this week Dave's friend Darren invited us to go camping with him and his daughter. So we threw together a last minute trip to the mountains! We had so much fun hiking and enjoying the outdoors. Thursday amid the hurricane of preparation, we drove up Big Cottonwood canyon to a few campsites in hopes to get a walk up campsite for the weekend. I've been trying to reserve a campsite since January and things have been completely full.<br />
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With everyone trying to get out in nature it's been a completely booked year. Unfortunately we weren't able to get one close by, but we got a great hike in and got to explore Moss Ledge Waterfall for our efforts.<br />
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It was a difficult hike for the kids, but they had fun. Dustin was a little daredevil, as always. He wanted to climb to the top of every mountain and see everything he could. Brooklyn always wants to be right with him, and it was hard for her to learn she can't keep up with him all the time.</div>
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By the end of the hike we were worn out, scratched up, and ready to head home! I was glad we had dinner waiting for us in the Crock Pot when we got there.</div>
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Friday morning the kids and I headed over to our Bishop's house to cut down some tree stumps for them. The kids helpfully enjoyed someone else's yard while I cut the stumps as close to the ground as I could and talked with Anna (Bishop's wife). It was nice to catch up, since I haven't seen her in a while. Gave me a good workout too, with sore arms to prove it.<br />
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When we got home I packed up the car with everything I thought we would need for a two night camping trip. We didn't know where we would end up, so I packed for a HOT weekend. We tried a few sites and were turned away before we found Redbanks Campground. It was exactly what we needed! It had huge trees for shade and wasn't far away from Tony Lake.<br />
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We hiked around Tony Lake Friday before returning to camp to make foil dinners and s'mores. It was stressful not knowing if we would find a camping site, but very restful once we got settled in. My favorite part of the area were the alpine wildflowers. They were everywhere! Brooklyn had a hay day collecting them and is hoping if she plants them in our yard, flowers will grow. The kids said their favorite part was the water and having friends with us.<br />
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The weather was perfect. It was in the 80's during the day and probably down to 50 at night. Nobody was overly hot or cold, although there were many mosquitoes to deal with. Saturday we made a big breakfast and headed out to Bear Lake for a day of swimming. We picnicked on the beach and had milkshakes for a late afternoon snack.<br />
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We tried two beaches. One we christened the Mud Beach and the other the Rock Beach. The kids LOVED the Mud Beach! They sunk into the mud up to their knees and the mud dyed their legs orange. Dave and I liked the Rock beach better. The water was clear and the swimming at Rock Beach was perfect. We were worn out from swimming all day and Brooklyn fell asleep on the ride back to camp. We roasted hotdogs over the fire and again had s'mores after dinner.<br />
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Saturday was our night of injury. It started with Darren cutting his finger open with a knife. It was pretty deep but we were able to patch it up pretty well with alcohol wipes, gauze, Neosporin, butterfly closure and duct tape.<br />
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Then Dustin tripped and sliced his head open on the corner of the picnic table. He has a huge, swolen bruise and got a pretty deep cut. He begged me not to take him in to get stitches while still crying from the initial pain. I promised if he could stop bleeding quickly I would not take him in. It did stop very quickly so we cleaned up his wound, bandaged it with the same supplies we used to clean up Darren earlier (glad we already knew exactly where everything was), and he asked if he could go to sleep for the night.<br />
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This experience made me realize how much my car first aid kit is lacking, so we'll be updating that as soon as possible.<br />
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Sunday morning we woke up, ate, packed up and headed to a hike. It lead us to Polygamist Cave which was used to house the Polygamists hiding from the law back in the late 1800's. It was a fun cave to explore.<br />
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We got about halfway in and you had to climb down a narrow tunnel into the next cavern when Brooklyn decided she had enough. She is scared of the dark and wanted nothing to do with climbing in a dark hole in the ground at the bottom of the cave! Logan decided to head back with us, so we slowly headed out while Dave, Dustin, Darren and Amree climbed deeper to get to see the cave bacon and other Stalactites.<br />
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As we were climbing out Logan and Brooklyn decided to hide in a small offshoot cave and surprise everyone else when they came out of the cave. They were so well hidden Dave and Dustin couldn't find them. I had to point out the cave to them.<br />
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The hiking in was long and strenuous, but the hiking out/down was a nightmare! The trail was pretty steep and by the last decent Dave carried Brooklyn, Dustin and I just slid down on feet while squatting and Logan slid down on his butt, crying the whole way from pain of hitting the rocks. Fortunately that last decent was just feet from the edge of the lake, so we stopped for a swimming break and picnic lunch. Logan discovered if you stood really still in the lake the fish would nibble/tickle your feet. The boys were fascinated with this.<br />
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By this point we were exhausted and decided to head home. The kids were asleep within minutes of leaving the parking lot, and slept the whole 2 hour drive home. We ate dinner, showered and everyone went to bed early.<br />
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This morning it was hard to get up, but with 4 loads of laundry, unpacking to do, dishes to wash and a house to clean we did and got to work. It's always busy getting back from a trip, but we needed the break so it was worth it.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-4830374667005043222020-07-07T13:24:00.000-06:002020-07-07T13:24:10.577-06:00In Which We Are Outside. A Lot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend was the 4th of July! We had all kinds of fun and especially enjoyed Dave being home Friday and Monday! Sunday we got to go on a hike around Silver Lake. It was 95+ degrees at home and we just needed to get OUT! So we decided to enjoy the 78 degree weather up in the mountains instead. With Covid still holding strong in Utah, all the hikes are crazy crowded, but it was still fun to get out in nature. Even if we got a few mosquito bites to show for it. We hiked around the lake and on the drive home all the kids passed out from exhaustion. Because the night before was an epic firework night!</div>
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To celebrate the 4th we had Dave's parents and my brother Mike's family over for fireworks and ice cream. The kids had a blast! They always enjoy the fireworks, but I think this was their best year yet. </div>
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It was a pain trying to purchase fire works. Dave went to 3 stores in search of our favorites, couldn't find a lot of what we were looking for, and what we did find was overpriced. But eventually we found most of what we were looking for and had fun.</div>
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Just when we were cleaning up our fireworks the neighbors across the street gave the kids a huge pack of fireworks to light, so we ended up letting the kids stay up until 10 when everything was gone. </div>
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They had a lot of fun and were good to the end. And they realized fireworks are more fun after dark. go figure.<br />
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Brooklyn was able to fall asleep by herself for 15 nights!!! Ever sense the earthquake and aftershocks 3? 4? months ago she has been scared to be alone. So for the past month we've been working on going to sleep and to the bathroom alone. She's doing great on both! She put herself to sleep last night while the rest of the family was in the living room reading a bedtime book. When she reached 15 nights she earned the above Elsa Nightgown. She is so proud and LOVES Elsa right now.<br />
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The kids have been playing on the tramp a lot. We purchased a sprinkler system that hooks up to the top of the tramp and they've loved how cool it keeps them in the heat!<br />
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We've also enjoyed playing with friends about once a week. We try to keep it outside, so to share as little germs as possible, but we really need social interaction!!! We had a fun time painting rocks with Dustn's friend Dimitri's family, and jumping on the tramp in the water.<br />
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One Sunday we met the Northrup's at the neighborhood park and played for 2 hours. They have a kid each of our kids age and everyone had fun!<br />
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We're so glad to be able to get out and that the parks are finally open again! It was a long 3 months without the park.<br />
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All last week the kids and I worked on pruning the trees. We have a ton of trees, so it was a ton of work and exhausting. We filled up an entire dumpster with out branches. I used the chain saw, we purchased an extendible pruning tool, and the kids helped pick up all the branches that I cut down.<br />
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By the time we were done Saturday I was beyond ready to call it quits. But hopefully if we prune a little each year it won't get this bad again... Hopefully. We've only pruned our trees twice since we moved in 11 years ago. The first time we paid a company and I figured I could learn to prune and save us $1,000. So hopefully nothing dies from my lack of skill.<br />
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Monday Dave also took the day off of work and we were able to relax a little. We made an appointment to go swimming at the Taylorsville city outdoor pool. I have to say, I love social distance swimming! Everyone stays far away from you, and they only allow 75 people in at a time! And at the 2 hour mark they send you all home. Sorry kids, we have to head home! The pool is closing! It's pretty much the best part about all this chaos in the world right now.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-55670303900476675442020-06-15T16:42:00.000-06:002020-06-15T16:42:08.757-06:00The Month Long Celebration!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2MJtczshUs/Xuf2OLJzwvI/AAAAAAAANXs/UBAuC2xdVWAS6P-0Hv6yf4XBcQUMBQM7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2MJtczshUs/Xuf2OLJzwvI/AAAAAAAANXs/UBAuC2xdVWAS6P-0Hv6yf4XBcQUMBQM7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7524.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because I'm too cute not to share</td></tr>
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This month started off with my Birthday!!! Even though we're social distancing it was a pretty good one. The day of we celebrated with presents from the kids and a lemon meringue pie. I had Young Womens at a park that night and we ate ice cream and visited in person. It was great to get to see everyone together for the first time in a while. Several people dropped of presents and cards. It was nice to feel so loved by so many people!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYviRT1C7jo/Xuf2KZNMpII/AAAAAAAANXY/LESMkvP7RHE8nqoGqR0zxMHhfgwMEB6tACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1512" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYviRT1C7jo/Xuf2KZNMpII/AAAAAAAANXY/LESMkvP7RHE8nqoGqR0zxMHhfgwMEB6tACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the start to my quilt</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Pinterest Inspiration</td></tr>
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The Day of my birthday we had a lot going on, so I took the day off the following day (I feel you should have a work free day on your birthday). I ate leftover pie for breakfast, ice cream for lunch, and spent the majority of the day creating a new quilt to use up some of my brighter colored scraps. I've decided I need to start using up what I have or pass it on to someone that does, and I've been given a ton of scraps! I'll make as many squares as I can out of these colors, and hopefully have enough to make a lap quilt.<br />
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That night we had a primary activity at the church. It was probably the kids favorite activity ever. It was a drive through ice cream truck. I drove the kids over to the church and they got out and played with their friends for at least an hour and a half while eating ice cream. It was the highlight of their week.<br />
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We've had some cold and super hot weather lately. The kids have been loving the hot but I love the cold days. I bought a mister that goes on the top of our trampoline and the kids love it! They tell me it lets them jump even when it's 100 out! And surprisingly it doesn't use up too much water.<br />
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We've gotten into a good groove for the summer. We're still missing playing with friends but try to plan one playdate a week with someone. I have a job chart that needs to be completed before they can have any electronic time. The boys have learned if they clean their rooms every day then it's easier to clean and they have more fun playing in it (I was cheering inside when I heard Logan tell Dustin this). Brooklyn has learned to push all her toys under her bed and present a clean front.<br />
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The kids have been making a ton of perler bead patterns that they've found on Google. Logan and Dustin are really into the 3D patterns and Brooklyn has loved making princesses. They've also been video messaging to show off their creations to my friend Tenille. The first time they did this I swear it was an hour of "look at this Tenille!" and she ooed and aahed about them all.<br />
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We spent two days putting together an 1,000 piece candy wrapper puzzle. When we got to the last piece we discovered we were missing 8 pieces. They magically appeared back in the puzzle, except one that took 3 days to find. The kids had fun and I enjoyed helping them.<br />
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We've been going to the park a lot lately. The kids wanted to meet up their cousins (Mike's kids) so we did, and discovered some horses that were happy to feed grass and weeds for about an hour. They had a blast!<br />
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This Saturday we had a fire with s'mores and a campout in the back yard. <strike>Dave</strike> the kids have been begging for a campout for weeks and we finally had a cool enough night to sleep outside. It was a great, relaxing night.<br />
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Sunday was our first day back at church. We had to wear masks and it was only a 30 minute meeting (one speaker). We enjoyed seeing our ward family, but it was a really strange experienceAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-67550515703249487112020-05-31T13:24:00.001-06:002020-05-31T13:24:13.209-06:00Has it been a week or a year?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a week it's been! Friday was our last day of school!!! This was a major big deal for us. We've been looking forward to this for 3 months. I finally realized it's because getting school work done sometimes our day out in such a negative light. Logan's mostly accepting of having to get the work done but Dustin is a wild card. Sometimes he would comply and get everything done quickly and easily, but a lot of the time it was a fight to get him to complete his writing or reading. Not that he's bad at either (he's really advanced for his grade), he just doesn't enjoy doing it. When Logan pushed back it it typically math related. He also is good at it, but hates doing math online.<br />
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This week though was easy to get everything done. Dustin's teacher only did Science experiments all week long, so no writing or reading required. Logan's teacher had electronic field trips and they finished reading a chapter book, so nothing bad on either front. All three kids worked to get all the homework done this week. They all wanted to participate in science experiments and all wanted to see the field trips.<br />
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Another big milestone in our Social Distancing life is that our library has started to allow book pickup! We have sorely missed the library, and the kids were ecstatic to get online and reserve some books to pick up. The boys had an easy time requesting books, but we had a harder time finding picture books for Brooklyn (who usually just browses the shelves until she finds something that looks interesting to her).<br />
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Wednesday night the young women leaders from the stake had a parade and my kids loved waving at them as the decorated cars drove by. Since they weren't traveling down our street, we drove a few blocks over to wait for them. The kids played in someone's sprinklers for a while, and sat on the roof of the van for a while. Afterwards we swung by the school playground and played until well after bedtime. Dave worked very late that night, so we were in no rush to make it home.<br />
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Friday night and Saturday morning we worked in the yard. The boys learned how to mow, although they haven't mastered going in strait lines yet. We also trimmed all the bushes and weeded. It was nice to have all the work done by 11am Saturday instead of letting it all drag out all day. Dave also went on a pretty intense hike with a friend from the neighborhood. They both came back sore and exhausted so it must have been a good one.<br />
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Dustin is crazy excited that his orange poppies have been blooming and growing! He's tried planting these flowers before but this is the first year they've thrived.</div>
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We finished off Saturday with a BBQ inviting the same neighbors to join us. It's been so nice to periodically see friends! We've missed socializing so bad and although we still are being cautious and not seeing people often it's nice to do a little.<br />
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This week we received a package from my friend Tenille containing "ninja" face masks! The kids are so excited to get to wear these to church when we are able to go back. Because nothing is more cool than going to church dressed like a ninja.</div>
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Brooklyn has been a little diva when it comes to clothes lately. She has looked in her drawers several times this week and started crying because "I don't have anything beautiful to wear!!!" So I made her this shirt to help tide her over. I'm afraid I'll have to make a few beautiful PJs too, since only one of hers currently is deemed beautiful.</div>
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Although this week was easy school-wise it was difficult in other ways. In mainstream media George Floyd (who was black) was killed by a police officer (who is white). It's been a horrific situation to internalize and to explain to the kids. Saturday in Salt Lake what started as a peaceful protest ended with rioting and destruction. We've had several tough conversations about what's going on in America and Utah right now. We've shared many prayers for those effected by racism, police brutality, and for the protection of the police officers that are trying to keep rioting under control.<br />
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I've personally done a lot of internal reflection. I feel my parents did a good job raising us to judge all people by their character and not by their skin color. We grew up in a city that was culturally diverse and had friends of all races. I went to sleepovers and dinners at the homes of Blacks, Asians, Indians, Polynesians, Middle Easterners, etc. My parents trusted our judgement on who made good friends, and I hope to do the same. I hope to instill the same value for all people in my children, because all lives should be protected. Not just the lives of those that look and think like me.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-22297617917319363262020-05-26T11:18:00.000-06:002020-05-26T11:21:30.920-06:00Dude House and Memorial Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The boys have been itching to build their "Dude House" (guy doll house). So I had them design what they wanted it to look like and I mapped out sizes for everything we needed. Our neighbor Maurine gave us some scrap wood that we used to build the walls, we raided the shed for the floors & inner walls, dave brought home carpet samples from work and we found paint in my craft supplies. We also built the beds, but bought the dressers from the Dollar Tree. So this project ended up costing us $3 so far.</div>
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Building this was a pain, but we got it done! Some of the wood was warped and everything didn't exactly line up.And building with 2x4s left us with a heavier doll house than Brooklyn's.</div>
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The kids all LOVED painting their bedroom furniture. Brooklyn of course wanted to be included so we made sure she had some new furniture to paint as well. The kids also helped me pick out material to sew a blanket and pillow for their beds.<br />
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The Log cabbing is mostly done. I just need to stop by the hardware store this week and buy a piece of laminate for the kitchen floor (which will add another $1-2 to the cost) and we need to build kitchen furniture. Also the kids have to figure out what they want to put in their Play Room.</div>
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It was a ROUGH school week for us, but the last week of serious school. So we waded through the homework. Dustin's teacher promised only science experiments for the last week of school, and Logan's teacher has said only reading and online field trips. So we've survived the worst of it!!!<br />
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One day I bribed the boys to get their homework done with a ball of yarn that they could do whatever they wanted with. They chose to make a spider web on the tramp and try to jump through the holes. kept them busy for 2 hours.<br />
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Dustin was asked to take a picture of himself for his online kindergarten graduation. He's grown so much this year!<br />
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For Memorial Day weekend my parents came into town to visit! The kids made the bed for them Friday morning before I had a chance to do it (the were so excited to see them).<br />
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Friday night we were supposed to have a campout in the back yard but it ended up raining so the kids camped in the tv room with Papa Mike. They had a blast sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags. Brooklyn wanted to sleep in the spare room with Grandma Sheila in her sleeping bag.<br />
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Saturday we made a picnic lunch and went on a hike with Mike & Alison's family. The kids had so much fun with their relatives! After Papa reserved a swimming pool for two hours and we went for a swim. The water was COLD so we didn't last the whole time, but we sure had fun! We watched a movie, had pizza and ice cream and just enjoyed each other some more.<br />
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Sunday we had everyone over to our house for Sacrament meeting and a BBQ. The kids played like mad! Around 4 the kids went with Mike & Alison, Grandma & Papa to a park to explore. Dave and I decided to get a nap in (we've been sleeping horribly lately). When everyone got home we ate dinner and watched Frozen 2 before bedtime. Papa Mike told Brooklyn Frozen 2 was his favorite movie. She gasped, and exclaimed "WHAT?!? This is my favorite too!" Brooklyn had no idea it's Papa's favorite because he got lots of snuggles in. </div>
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Monday we Dave got a lot of work done in the yard, and I did a little cleaning up inside. But I mostly relaxed and did some reading. It was a more calm day, which is what we needed. I also attended a friend's baby shower and we had another BBQ at dinner time.</div>
<span id="goog_966441553"></span><span id="goog_966441554"></span><br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-84787177164944633402020-05-18T10:53:00.001-06:002020-05-18T10:53:45.385-06:00And it was all YellowSo a week ago we went orange and now Taylorsville and most of Salt Lake County is officially Yellow. It's getting a little ridiculous to me all the pretend changes that just mean more people can meet at a business than before. Now we can meet in groups of 50 at a time as long as everyone is 6 feet away. So no REAL changes. We're still not going to church, school, the park or taking the kids to stores. We're still encouraged to wear masks. Nothing has really changed. But we'll plod along hoping the virus will decline as we stay home.<br />
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We continue to do tons of exploring of our local park trails. This week we hit up the Jordan River trail so often the kids BEGGED no to go there again. So Friday we settled on the back trails around Murray Park. The kids had a blast scouring the hills, throwing rocks into the river, and discovering all kinds of hidden treasures. The highlight of which was this dilapidated well that they dubbed the wishing well. We didn't have any change with us so the kids each threw a small pebble into the well and made a wish. Brooklyn whispered as she threw in her pebble "I wish for a Unicorn!" We're still waiting for the culmination of that wish.<br />
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School has gotten more and more casual. I've lost the will to ensure we've started our school work right at 8:00, in-fact the kids are usually still in bed at 8. But we do get all their assignments done. Usually by lunch, but sometimes it bleeds over into the afternoon. We only have 8 more days of school, so the teachers have decreased the kids work load to a minimum as well.<br />
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Saturday we had a bit of an emergency. After working in the yard for most of the day I headed inside to work on some commissioned sewing for a friend and Dave decided to work on getting his bike in shape so we could take a bike ride Sunday. The kids were jumping on the tramp, getting along pretty well. Dave was cleaning off one of his tires and ended up almost slicing his left hand pointer finger off. It was either the rim or the Break disk that sliced his finger tip about 4/5th of the way through. It even cut part of the way through his finger nail and broke the top bone in his finger.<br />
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I could hear him screaming from the basement and rushed up to help! I grabbed a towel to wrap his finger and apply pressure. As I was frantically calling neighbors looking for someone to watch the kids while I took Dave to the Hospital, Dustin ran down the street and enlisted his Church teacher Jodie's help. Her mom called us to let us know we could head to the hospital and she would arrive shortly to take care of the kids. So Dave and I took off, Logan took care of Brooklyn for a minute and Dustin ran home.<br />
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The Doctor give Dave a few stitches, an antibiotic to ensure the broken bone wouldn't get infected, and sent us on our way. The wound still looks pretty nasty and is pretty painful, but hopefully it will fully recover. When we got home at almost 10pm Jodie had cleaned our messy house (including all the blood we left all over the bathroom counter) and gotten our kids into bed. Brooklyn and Logan were still awake, worried about Dave, but they fell asleep as soon as they found out he was ok. What a blessing it was to have such awesome neighbors to take care of our family in such a stressful time!<br />
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Sunday was a pretty quiet day for us. We all slept in, read from the scriptures, built with legos, and Dave tinkered with a broken grill his co-worker gave us. He's hoping to fix it up so it can replace our slowly dyeing grill. It was a calm day, which we neededAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-13982000438548198472020-05-11T14:58:00.001-06:002020-05-11T14:58:54.730-06:00Going Orange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The boys have been wearing these hats and sunglasses regularly! They think they look GOOD!</div>
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Utah moved to what they call the Orange phase of Social Distancing. It's pretty confusing as to what this ACTUALLY means. Eventually what we came up with is still stay at home except to support local businesses. At that point stay 6 feet apart and wear a mask. We've been incredibly good at doing this already but have been really going stir crazy! Two months alone has been tough. So we decided that we would introduce one social activity a week with friends we deem low risk.<br />
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So the kids and I went to visit Mike & Alison (& kids) last week Tuesday. The kids have been sending videos through Marco Polo a LOT so they've had interaction but they were SO excited to get to play in person! It was the easiest day of home school getting them to get their work done and ready to go. They had a great time playing and it was so nice to hear them having fun and get to talk to other adults. And nobody fought!!! This is a big deal<br />
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The kids rediscovered a few of our toys this week! Their favorite was the dress-ups. They spent hours trying on all their costumes and insisted on wearing them on our morning walk. We also brought our Duplos back out and they have had fun building. I've also been slowly stockpiling toys and activities I think will be fun and distracting for this summer. </div>
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Friday we invited a family from the neighborhood over for a fire and s'mores. We did our best to keep socially distant and still let the kids run around like wild men. It was such a nice break for the adults to get to sit and talk and for the kids to catch up with their friends. We'll have to do it again.</div>
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Saturday we worked in the yard all day long. It was a little too much but hopefully we can get everything under control so we don't have to do as much yard work soon. I'm so done working in the yard!</div>
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Sunday was Mother's Day. The kids heated up cinnamon rolls and made orange juice for breakfast. They did a great job! We went on a walk in the afternoon to check out the ducks and geese at the Jordan River. The kids each found a large feather on our walk which was pretty exciting for them.</div>
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When we got home we used the feathers to paint and write with (Dave pulled out his ink). The kids had fun getting a little creative. After dinner the kids & Dave played Duplos while I read a book in the same room. It was nice to see what they built and that they all got along. They went to bed fairly easy and I got to read until bedtime.</div>
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This week I picked quilting back up. I haven't done it in a while so I decided I needed to. So I'm working on a hexagon quilt (maybe two... I cut out a lot of blocks). It's been really good for me to take some time to do something just for me for fun. I needed it with the 24/7 kid life I've had lately. Life's been tough, but school is out in 3 weeks!!! I think it will get better from there. Our major conflict in the day is getting all the boys assignments done and turned in. So it will be nice to be able to focus my energy elsewhere.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-84888073393235984172020-04-26T19:55:00.004-06:002020-04-26T19:55:46.919-06:00Socially Distant but still Outside!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a pretty good week. The kids were ravenous eaters this week. Usually I cook every other day and we have leftovers in between. This week I had to cook every day because there just wasn't enough left for the next day! Not a bad problem to have.</div>
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We went on a field trip around the neighborhood this week. We stopped at the houses of people in the neighborhood that we missed or we thought could use some cheering up and decorated their sidewalk with chalk. It was a fun way to help spread happiness.</div>
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School was about the same as always except on Fridays when both the boy's teachers decided to give them an easy day! I hope this continues. Logan's teacher had them catch up on anything they missed and took one quiz. That's it!!! Dustin's teacher gave him all fun things to do (art, library, gym, etc)! So the kids all worked on Dustin's together then we called it a day.</div>
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On Friday since we didn't have a lot of school to worry about, the kids and I worked hard to get house work done so when Dave got home we could have fun! The boys made a fort/tent in the basement to sleep in. After dinner we had a fire in the back yard. The kids were huge helpers! They crumpled the paper and helped collect kindling and put it in the fire pit. We loved throwing logs on the fire and of course roasting marshmallows. We really have been needing some outside time and this was just the break we hoped for.<br />
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Saturday Dave and I worked in the yard a lot while the kids played in the yard. They discovered the water spigot and we had to talk about leaving the water on a lot. Saturday night we had a family movie night where we watched Matilda and drank hot chocolate milkshakes. The boys said they were so good they must be famous!<br />
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Sunday we had sacrament meeting and a lesson on loving and being kind to everyone. We set personal goals that would help us show our love to our family this week. We also discussed King Benjamine.<br />
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I was able to get 10 pairs of shorts hemmed for Brooklyn's summer wardrobe. She's now set for the warm weather that is supposed to be coming this week (in the 80's is forecasted). Also this week I sewed a new apron for myself. Two of the three we have in the kitchen have holes in them and since the one that is left belongs to Dave it was time.<br />
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Sunday evening, after a delicious dinner of Korean beef, we went on a walk on the Jordan River Trail. The kids had a blast exploring all the little trails, nooks and crannies. They discovered a few houses made out of logs, tons of birds, baby ducks, bugs, and Brooklyn found a beaver's lodge. Getting out in nature was good for us all!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-21180341505595496472020-04-20T16:04:00.000-06:002020-04-20T16:04:09.153-06:00Brownies and Broken Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We survived another week Socially Distancing. We played a lot of games this week. Mostly Uno and Go Fish, but we also fit in Twister, Clue, and Exploding Kittens. Dave was surprised to find out Brooklyn can play Uno and Go Fish without help. Logan quickly got the hang of Clue, and Dustin loved Twister.</div>
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Our Trampoline broke in 3 places this week. This was DEVASTATING!!! Big time. Two of the loops on the side lost their stitching, (which I thought I could probably fix) then when Dave was jumping with the boys Dave jumped right through, making a huge hole in the center of the tramp. So I ordered a replacement mat (they sent the wrong one and almost everyone is now sold out). I'm on my second order from a different company and am PRAYING this mat is the right size and arrives soon. For now I duct taped the hole in the mat as best I could and told the kids not to jump on that spot. Hopefully it will hold up until the replacement one arrives.</div>
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Dustin was mailed the Student of the Month award from his class. His teacher said she could tell he was working hard. Little does she know what a fight it is to get his work done every day. That's ok, he was very excited! He hates doing school on the computer, and I don't enjoy making him do it. The Governor announced we'll be doing this for the rest of the year though, so we'll suck it up.<br />
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We had several more aftershocks this week. I thought we were done with them, but we had a 4.2 and a 4.17! The first one was at night and it didn't wake up Brooklyn. So we just had to deal with two very scared boys that it took until 10pm to get to sleep. Two days later we had the second big one and it woke everyone up. Everyone was scared, so we did homeschool in my bed for the day. Everyone got a lot of snuggling in. Everyone was extra grumpy and clingy. We also had rain thrown in a few days this week which made it hard to get outside.<br />
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But we still were able to get out on our bikes and scooters most days. It's been good for us to practice our turning and going fast. My bike still needs a new tube, and I need to remember to look at what size it is so I can order one (or maybe try to find one at Walmart next time I go). But the kids aren't super fast, so my scooter keeps up pretty well with the kids and still gives me a work out.<br />
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Saturday Dave helped us all get the house cleaned back up. It was a MESS from such a tough week, and we're really happy to not live in a pig sty any more. We're hoping for no complications this week so we can keep it nice.<br />
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Sunday was a pretty casual one. We woke up late, I had Ward Council (electronically), and we did Sacrament meeting. Somehow the kids convinced us to have brownies for dinner (Dave and I also ate leftovers). The kids thought they were getting away with murder. We also did a family movie night where we watched the Goofy Movie.<br />
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I'm itching to get out of the house more! Salt Lake is slowly starting to open back up, and we are trying so hard to abide by the recommendations from the Government, but we are ready to go to parks again! And see friends! And I don't know how we will survive the summer without the splash pad or pool! So hopefully all our social distancing will pay off and we can do all these things soon.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-5097943362634358312020-04-13T12:13:00.001-06:002020-04-13T12:13:10.881-06:00Social Distancing: Day 32Two weeks ago we had spring break. It was so needed! After day 1 I was left wishing the government would just cancel school for the remainder of the year. Homeschool has been so time consuming and stressful. But having the kids free to do whatever we want was excellent! We did crafts, we played outside, we had picnic lunches in the back yard. It was just a nice break from having to constantly be on the computer doing busy work.<br />
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The best part of our break was a trip to visit my parents! We got to visit with them, sew stuffed birds, feed the deer, hike to a frozen waterfall, watch conference, eat a million snacks and generally just relax. It was nice to get to see them and get away from the house.<br />
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Last week was a tough transition back to homeschool. After a week of freedom the kids really didn't want to get back to a schedule! There was a lot of complaining and crying but by Wednesday we got it pretty much back on track. We started picking up grab and go lunches at the school across the street, and that has been a nice break every day. It's also been a financial blessing since Dave took a pay cut.<br />
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We also fixed up the kids bikes this weekend! They have been going over to the school across the street daily to practice their skills. Hopefully Logan and Dustin will both learn to ride without training wheels this summer. I deconstructed an extra bike we found in our yard a few years ago (nobody ever came back to claim it even when we posted it on neighborhood websites) and reconstructed it as a balance bike so hopefully that will help as well.<br />
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I decided to interview the kids about this whole situation so we have a record of their thoughts and feelings through all this. I think I'll also have the boys keep a journal as another way to keep track of their feelings.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Logan</h2>
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<i>The day I heard about the virus</i></div>
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Who told me about it: Mom<br />
What were my first thoughts: Strange<br />
How I felt: Alarmed<br />
Other things I remember: They told me we were going to do school from home<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What My life is like right now</i></div>
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What my schooling is like right now: Very hard. I'm doing it at home from a computer<br />
The person who is helping me cope: Sometimes Dustin, sometimes Mom<br />
Right now I miss: Going to school<br />
What I am hopeful for: That the virus will end!<br />
What I don't want to forget: The fun I had with my family<br />
What has changed in my life: School the most<br />
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What is awesome right now?<br />
1. Get to wear PJ's more<br />
2. Picnic Lunches<br />
3. Spend more time with my family<br />
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What are some worries right now?<br />
1. That Corona virus will be here for the rest of the school year<br />
2. That I don't get to see my friends<br />
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Goals I can work on in my home and yard?<br />
1. Play outside more<br />
2. Working harder on school<br />
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Dustin</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The day I heard about the virus</i></div>
Who told me about it: Mom<br />
What were my first thoughts: maybe it won't be so bad<br />
How I felt: just ok<br />
Other things I remember: school was canceled that day for me even though Logan had to go<br />
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<i>What My life is like right now</i></div>
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What my schooling is like right now: computer school with Mom<br />
The person who is helping me cope: Logan snuggles with me<br />
Right now I miss: seeing my friends and the park<br />
What I am hopeful for: That the virus will go away soon<br />
What I don't want to forget: I got to be with my family a lot<br />
What has changed in my life: We can't leave our house anymore<br />
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What is awesome right now?<br />
1. No Church!!!<br />
2. Picnic lunches<br />
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What are some worries right now?<br />
1. That this will never end<br />
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Goals I can work on in my home and yard?<br />
1. Ride my bike<br />
2. Jump on the trampoline every day<br />
3. Playing outside more<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Brooklyn</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The day I heard about the virus</i></div>
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Who told me about it: Mom<br />
What were my first thoughts: I'm sad there are sick people<br />
Other things I remember: the boys stopped going to school<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What My life is like right now</i></div>
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The person who is helping me cope: Jesus<br />
Right now I miss: Spending alone time with mom<br />
What has changed in my life: those boys keep not going to school! I wish they would go back<br />
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What is awesome right now?<br />
1. I get to play with the boys all the time<br />
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What are some worries right now?<br />
1. sometimes they lock me out of their room<br />
2. earthquakes scare me<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-30269600902365645532020-03-22T21:39:00.001-06:002020-03-22T21:39:32.075-06:00It's the End of the World as we Know it and I Feel FineApparently I haven't blogged in about a year. It's been a busy year and I keep telling myself I'll catch up. But catching up is daunting, especially the longer you wait. There keeps being more and more I should post. So no catch up, I'm just going to move forward.<br />
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This week was tough. Extremely tough. The world is suffering from Corona Virus and this week Utah's number of cases has increased exponentially. Because of this everyone is freaking out and rushing the grocery stores trying to stockpile everything the need to survive months in isolation. Media says the hoarding is worse in Utah than most other places.<br />
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I suspect it's because many Utahans were either were or are Mormon so they know they should have a food storage. Either way it's been difficult to find what you need in stores. Last week Wednesday or Thursday I stocked up on milk, eggs and meat. I've decided I'm not going to the store for at least another 2 weeks, possibly longer. It's strange to not go to the store, school, library, friend's houses or even the park "HOW CAN THEY CLOSE THE PARK MOM?!?" but it's a way I can help not get and pass the sickness.<br />
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Home School started off really rough. The first day (two Fridays ago) Dustin took 4.5 hours to complete his lessons (supposed to take 2 hours) and Logan took 5 hours. Each needed me to walk them through each step so I was working on homework for 9 hours strait. I didn't eat lunch, didn't get dressed, didn't do anything other than school. The boys couldn't be in the same room because they could hear each other's computers and it bugged them. Dustin had to be on the desktop in the basement and Logan insisted on being upstairs. So I was running up and down stairs all day.<br />
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Over that weekend I had a chance to purchase headphones for each of the boys, and Monday I was able to pick up Chrome books from the kids school so each of them can do their own work on their own computer. This helped substantially. Along with this the kids have gotten into the groove and can run their lessons with minimal help from me. Still not enough for me to take a shower (ask me how I know), but I can work on something else as long as I'm close by and available to answer questions.<br />
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Just when I felt we'd figured out Home school Wednesday hit with a boom. We were woken up by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. It was long, shook the whole house, and terrified the kids. Fortunately for us we were all ok, had minimal property damage (just a big crack in our cinder block wall lining our property), and didn't loose power. We spent the day snuggling, eating junk, and riding out the after shocks. We've continued to have aftershocks since (the biggest a 4.1 today), but we're getting used to it.<br />
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The kids have been extra ornery and clingy since. Especially Brooklyn. She told me two days ago "Mom, I so stressed out by all the earthquakes! I just so stressed out!" She has been carrying around her babies and animals too and tells me that "monkey is so scared Mom!" It breaks my heart but I'm glad she can express herself. I'm trying to be understanding and they are getting better given time.<br />
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I'm currently the Young Women's President for our ward. This has been challenging when we're not supposed to meet in person or visit. The weekend school shut down we got together as a presidency and put together 3 church from home packets to deliver to the Young Women. They contain something spiritual to do on Sunday and something fun to do on Wednesday. Each Sunday we drop one off at our girl's doors. I'm also working on starting up a Marco Polo group for each class so the girls can interact with each other. Hopefully this will help they have good spiritual conversations on Sunday and have some fun throughout the week. If I can get everyone on it.<br />
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The highlight of our home quarantine has been home church. We have a little devotional each Sunday and it's been great to be able to pray, discuss the scriptures and take the sacrament. The first Sunday I was repairing the bread and water for Dave to bless and couldn't figure out what to use for cups. I dug around looking for medicine cups or small Tupperware, and eventually found a stack of disposable shot glasses I bought for the boys a few years ago. Felt a little sacrilegious taking the sacrament out of shot glasses, but it's the best we have.<br />
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Last Sunday we discussed what a great blessing it is to have a Prophet giving us guidance and direction. We discussed how fortunate we are to have listened to his words and how we can see the blessings while we try to navigate these trying times. This week we discussed how Christ can help us through our struggles. My friend Brittney (a single mom whose family joins us for Sacrament Meeting) lead the discussion and the kids were able to think of examples of how their lives have been better for Christ's help.<br />
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As the kids ran off to play I shared a quote with Dave and Brittney from President Dallin H Oaks. He said this in a Missionary Meeting in Las Vegas on March 14th:<br />
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"This is not the end of the world but merely a test. A trial run for the 2nd Coming if you will - Physically and Spiritually. If you've been following the counsel from the Prophet about ministering, emergency preparedness, and at-home church, you have no need to fear. You passed the test."<br />
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It's brought me a lot of comfort as I reflected back on this today. I know this week has been hard. Never have I been so needed by my family. Never have I worked so hard and been so exhausted by the end of the day. But I know I'm doing what I need to do. And there is peace knowing there is food in the pantry. We know how to lead or family in church discussion. We can help take care of our friends and family with just a phone call or text.<br />
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This weekend I found out there is a shortage of medical masks for health care workers so I've spent my "spare time" sewing face masks for my friends in the medical field. I am trying to make two for each of my friends so they can wear one, take it off and throw it in the wash and still have another to wear the next day at work. They aren't hard to make, just take time. I have a plethora of material, although most of it is kids material. I figure if we take care of the medical workers now, they will be better equipped to take care of us later.<br />
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Over all we've been very blessed. I'm grateful we have a home and yard we can hunker down in. I'm grateful for my family, and all that we have. I'm grateful for a Prophet letting us know what God wants us to do to prepare. I'm especially comforted to know he is a Doctor and has that knowledge to help guide us through these times of medical uncertainty.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-29356070383759911332019-04-29T11:07:00.000-06:002019-04-29T11:07:03.917-06:00Easter & More Rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This has been the rainiest spring in the whole world! Ever! Ok, maybe just the rainiest Taylorsville spring for the past 10 years. We play outside as much as we can but I'm a rain wimp. For the first year ever all the kids have rain coats so that's helped a little. The boys were given them and I bought one for Broonlyn since we'll be in rainy Oregon this summer. So they've been out dancing in the rain and jumping on the Trampoline in the rain (which still gets their bums wet).</div>
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Dave got this hammock for his birthday in February for camping. The kids love it and play in it all the time. I'm not sure why but they're convinced it works best when you are only in your underwear. I know where they are if I see a pile of clothes under the hammock.<br />
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We visited Grandma Linda & Papa Bill last week and Papa busted out his balloon making stuff and made swords, flowers, and crowns for the kids. They had a blast! And were pretty sad when the balloons popped.<br />
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The Saturday before Easter was busy! We had a church egg hunt in the morning followed by a friend birthday party in the afternoon. Between that and trying to mow the lawn between rain storms, it was a wet, busy Saturday.<br />
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Easter Sunday we got baskets from the Easter bunny!!! Brooklyn was shocked and very happy such a little guy could bring so much candy. Dave decided next year we are going to ask the Easter bunny to bring no candy at all. Logan wasn't sure there was an Easter bunny but decided he must be real. We had our traditional funeral potatoes and ham for dinner with corn on the cob and apple pie for dessert. Brooklyn ate 3 ears of corn! The boys decided they would rather have banana cream pie next year.<br />
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The kids got a job this week! A neighbor asked we they could take their dog for a walk in the middle of the day while they're at work. They each get paid $1 per walk. They decided it's the best job ever!!!<br />
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For Activity Days this week we made a quilt top to donate to our Young Women's girls camp fund raiser auction! The girls were so proud of their sewing! I have until the 10th to pin it (tomorrow), quilt it, and bind it! Better get to work...<br />
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Dave and I got to go on a date to Avenger's Endgames this week. Dave got free tickets through a work event and Linda came to watch the kids. I was glad the movie didn't leave any cliff hangers this time you get all the closure you need! Dave loves the super hero movies so he was excited to see it.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fNu_J3szgaw/XMcoWOG3dKI/AAAAAAAAKLI/A8SyTv7wvE8kYqE_koNlG2NyQCvo04w5gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fNu_J3szgaw/XMcoWOG3dKI/AAAAAAAAKLI/A8SyTv7wvE8kYqE_koNlG2NyQCvo04w5gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0814.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Logan had his school fun run last Friday! He had a blast running with his friend Tyson. Logan got 6th place in his grade (he says there are 3 classes with 20ish kids each). He is so proud and got a blue ribbon!<br />
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Brooklyn has been doing a lot better with potty training and only had 1 accident all weekend! I put her back in diapers during night time last Monday and I think that shocked her into not being lazy. She has woken up dry ever since so last night I let her sleep in undies again.<br />
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Dustin has been a champ at his internet preschool this week! He can sound out words that are 5 letters long and can read a lot of smaller words. He's been fighting me on playing his game all year so it's nice to finally not have to battle with him 5 days a week.<br />
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Saturday we tore out all the grass in our front parking strips and are in the process of filling them with rocks. It will be more water efficient even with the desert plants Dave wants to add to make it look nicer. It was a TON of work and we are both still sore from all the work. Hopefully this will be our only big project this summer and hopefully we will be done after a few weekends.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848742009468576.post-26406804352659293372019-04-04T16:23:00.001-06:002019-04-04T16:23:15.637-06:00April Showers Brings Painting & Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's finally spring!!! We had a ton of rain over the past few weeks. It's good but hard to keep the kids inside (it's warm so they want to be outside). Our flowers are finally blooming which means it's spring photo shoot time! The kids have been less than co-operative this year and every time I took pictures it's ended in tears. I'm afraid this is the best I'll be able to do this year.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgSgC6np1yk/XKZqhhhMVJI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/r-YyiaIHda04TozroPwPCvYrFqYEfB7YgCLcBGAs/s1600/Best.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgSgC6np1yk/XKZqhhhMVJI/AAAAAAAAJ1Y/r-YyiaIHda04TozroPwPCvYrFqYEfB7YgCLcBGAs/s320/Best.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Logan's looking at the camera but everyone's smiling! So this is probably the best picture. Last year I bought Easter clothes a size bigger then I hemmed up the boys pants. This year everyone still fits (now that the pants are un-hemmed). So I'll call this a win in the fancy clothing category.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8hnDBFmpuA/XKZqfk6T_lI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/fkKQegNLvK81QOR0DCkn5kmIhm0KKOPagCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="947" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u8hnDBFmpuA/XKZqfk6T_lI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/fkKQegNLvK81QOR0DCkn5kmIhm0KKOPagCLcBGAs/s320/best%2B2.JPG" width="189" /></a></div>
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This is a pretty decent picture too. So I have at least one to hang on the wall.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwpisLjUi9I/XKaCRn84O7I/AAAAAAAAJ2s/gJtdtRJQoBcQeRUpRZlgklbrHb3dXUw2wCLcBGAs/s1600/D4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1133" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwpisLjUi9I/XKaCRn84O7I/AAAAAAAAJ2s/gJtdtRJQoBcQeRUpRZlgklbrHb3dXUw2wCLcBGAs/s320/D4.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
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Here's Dustin's best shot! He hams it up in a lot of them, but this one turned out pretty sweet<br />
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And here's Logan's. He went down hill fast and ended up crying because pictures suck.</div>
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This little girl has given us a run for our money lately. She's so stinking cute but so stubborn! She wants what she wants and knows it!</div>
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An example? These are Brooklyn's first piggy tails. She refused to let me do her hair before this. Even as a baby she would immediately pull everything out of her hair.</div>
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And her hair is starting to be curly like Dustin's! When we bathe her if we do nothing to it she looks like this. But we usually brush it down after bath so she doesn't end up with wild hair the next morning. I think when it gets longer the curls will be subtle and cute. Or at least wavy.</div>
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One project that has been such a slow process is the fireplace. When we moved in we removed the wood paneling and painted. A few years ago Dave made a mantle for me. Now I've painted the gold a black which I like a lot better! </div>
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The last thing I need to do in the house is paint the hallway/entryway/stairs. The woman that owned the house before us LOVED yellow. I hate yellow walls so we've been slowly painting everything. The hallway is the last yellow and I'm ready for a change. Although I don't know what color yet (maybe a grey, blue, or green shade). I've recently moved the kids bedroom laundry baskets to one big one in the hallway. I would prefer them have ones in their rooms but this one actually gets used so less cleaning up/nagging for me. </div>
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Sadly Dave wants to replace the light in the hallway, patch up and paint the ceiling before we tackle the walls. Which probably means we should replace the front entry light as well and redo the hallway wiring while we're at it. So it's going to be a little more work than me grabbing a can of paint at Lowe's.</div>
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We've decided to be scared of bugs lately. Brooklyn is now terrified of ants. It's pretty tough going outside when everything little and black makes her scream. Once she discovers it's not an ant she's fine but until then even a black fuzzy is pretty much the end of the world. Dustin read one of Logan's school library books on Spiders and has decided he is now terrified of spiders. The saddest thing is the book was supposed to help kids overcome fears of spiders. But Dustin didn't know there were poisonous spiders that could kill you until we read the book. Now he knows and is scared every spider is the poisonous kind. So one of our spring goals is to get over this. We've been collecting bugs in a bug box and observing them so maybe this will help.</div>
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Other than this I've been re-organizing all our photos. I took them all out and have gotten rid of quite a few (almost done sorting). Next I will put them all back in and print out the last year so we are up to date. The kids love looking at our pictures and it will be good to have this project done so they can enjoy them again.</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10074722623974215654noreply@blogger.com0