Thistles, Thursdays, Throw No More

It's going to be awhile before those "TH" words are gonna sound right! Six months ago, our dentist told Lex he'd lose those two front teeth within a few months on their own and in a few weeks if he wiggled them out. Well, here we are with a dentist appointment next week and those teeth were still holding strong. I took a look and guess what I saw!? His new tooth was coming in behind the baby tooth! They were time to go. I cringed watching Shane pull at Lex's teeth, but after much tugging & tears (just a few), they popped right out. Lex found it soothing for me to tickle his feet while Shane counted to 10 (almost) and pulled. I was just doing what I could to distract him.

We went through three different types of floss before ending up using a thin ribbon because the floss kept breaking. Those teeth were in there good!

It was a little like surgery at this point!

One down... one more to go!

And a brand new smile! I love this tooth "phase". A toothless grin is just as cute as when a baby gets his or her new front teeth!

The bottom tooth on the left is very loose, too, so pretty soon those two front bottom teeth are going to be lonesome for awhile! Should make for a great smile going into 2nd grade!

Pioneer Weekend... or just another weekend

Friday night I decided I wanted to squeeze in a bit of Lagoon since I wasn't sure we'd make it on Sunday. It was a good choice. The evening was beautiful and the kids very well behaved. They even let me sit through a song & dance stage show. Lex did say he enjoyed it and Isabel clapped after every performance.

Shane was in bed early as usual so we had to choose rides carefully, i.e. rides that Lex could ride alone or all three of us could ride together. After our usual hit at Lady Bug Bop, they chose the octopus/squid ride. Octopus according to Isabel and Squid according to Lex. Isabel thought it was hilarious that she would get me every time into the shooting streams of water. I was soaked by the end of that ride!

This ride makes me nervous. I imagine the bolts above my head coming loose and the gondola free falling to the bottom hitting all the spokes on the way down. I know. I shouldn't do that.

The kids obviously don't think silly things like that.

At least I had a beautiful view to occupy my head. If only for a moment...

Isabel fell in love with this ostrich. She tried to imitate how it walked.

We didn't do anything extra special to celebrate Pioneer Day- am I terrible? Shane attended a bachelor party Saturday night, so it was just me and the kids. We bought a few poppers & sparklers. Poppers are always fun & no hassle entertainment. Sparklers, well. Let's just say next time I won't be trying to light them with a box of matches. Got through two of the six boxes and then gave up.

Grandma V. came to visit Sunday afternoon and we took dinner to the park. We played til the mosquitoes came calling!

Oh boy was this sunset stunning! I love summer evenings. I could lay in the grass & stare up into that blue sky and then watch the stars twinkle until the sun rose the next morning...

Hot Summer Days

This is what the kids do on hot summer days. The recipe? Two kids in swimming suits coated in high SPF sunscreen, a trampoline, a garden hose, and a couple-a otter pops! They are good for hours! Just make sure to bring'em in before they are crispy!

What do I do on hot summer days? I add little updates to my home that make me smile.

The Inspiration

This light fixture which hangs above our kitchen table was the only "upgrade" done to the home before we purchased it.  The previous owners had started to remodel, but then decided to move instead. This explains the green wall in the background because it's a color we never would have chosen. It goes with nothing, but unforuntately is next to last on the "to-do" list. 

Hmmmm... 15 wall covers done and only 43 more to go!

My Kids & God

More of the silly things kids say: Shane is pulling thistle weeds from the yard and asked Lex to help him spot them. Lex asks "Dad, who made thistles". Shane says "God". Lex says "I'm thinking that God is stupid".

Isabel saw a big rainbow yesterday & asked me who made it. I also replied "God". She says "No. I think Phineas & Ferb" made it. (This makes more sense if you've watched the cartoon... especially the rainbow making machine episode). I thought it was pretty funny.

 Lesson here for us. I guess we need to explain this whole universe thing a little more :)

Berry Garden

The summer berries are here. We see these beautiful dark purple & red berries on our berry garden outside now and grab our small bowls to go pick them. Sometimes it hurts. Those thorns are sharp! But, oh boy is it worth it! After a good rinsing in the kitchen (Shane says the outside water is secondary- I'm sure you can picture the conversation now), it is time to bring out the whipped cream. So delicious!

I've Missed You Farmer's Market

I took the kids to a Lowe's Build & Grow clinic today. It's been awhile since we've been to one due to some pretty busy Saturdays lately. We headed downtown and made a ball & cup toy. They've been enjoying trying to catch the ball in their cups. Lex is going to be pretty handy with a hammer after all these clinics. He's able to get through the instructions all on his own now. Isabel likes to hit maybe the first two nails and then just likes to watch me.

My sister, Cassie, called while we were still in Salt Lake and asked if we'd like to meet her & Amanda at the downtown Farmer's Market. I wasn't thrilled about going with the kids and without Shane, but I haven't been for about two years and I really enjoy going there. So, I braved the crowds & the heat with my little ones.

The first thing we saw from people leaving were some pretty cool balloon shapes. So, to keep the kids interested, we decided to try to find it while still giving me a chance to browse some of the booths. The balloon lady wasn't too far in & we stood in a short line to get a horse & a gun. I'm sure you can guess who got what. When Lex asked for a gun, I thought for sure she would say she couldn't make that, but she could! Lex was very excited for it, too.

The excitement from the balloons didn't last long enough for me to be able to drag the kids around through the entire market, so after an hour we said good-bye. I don't know if I'll be back again this season since Shane doesn't get off work til 1:30pm and the market closes down at 1:00pm. I would love to go again with him by my side. There is a (mini) Farmer's Market in Bountiful during the week, so I think maybe we'll just have to stop by for a visit.

While we were walking back to the car, we passed many homeless individuals. It's bound to happen since the market is just a block from the homeless center & we are downtown. I usually ignore them and avert my eyes hoping they don't ask for money... especially the ones that look healthy enough to have a job. I know there are those in unfortunate situations who had jobs & lost them in the recession. But, one individual caught my attention. He looked like he had been beaten up or I don't know what. He asked for spare change and I kept walking. But, then I hesitated. I knew I only had 50 cents left from my cash after the market, but I thought something is better than nothing. So, I took a few steps back and told him it was all I had. I don't know if this small change lifted his spirits at all or not, but maybe it will make a difference some how.

This old man was asleep between two concrete structures. He was by his shopping cart full of I don't know what. One can looked like paint thinner! I felt sad. It made me wonder what kind of life did he live? Did he ever find love? Will this be the way it is for him til he passes on? Everyday I am thankful for everything I have; including the bad. Because, really. It isn't that bad. I am loved and I have a family to love.

The "Best Of" Washington State- Day 1

Shane & Scott have been friends since they were only eight years old. A few years ago, Scott and his family moved to Washington. We try to see each other at least once a year, but it doesn't always work out. It's been about two years since the Crooks came to visit us, so it was our turn to fly out to Washington to see them. (Warning! I took almost 300 pictures in 4 days, so this will be a four part post!)

The kids were sooo excited to be getting on an airplane again. They still remember the flight from last March (2009) and couldn't wait to get on. But, having to wake up for an early morning flight is hard on a four year old!

*This picture also saved us from wandering the long term airport parking lot when we returned as we weren't 100% sure where we left our car!

Beautiful view of Mt. Rainier from the plane

Our first stop? Why, Seattle of course! Shane & I had been to Seattle before, but it's been over 15 years for us. Shane still recognized a gift shop along the pier, so we stopped in to take a look. It was also a nice break to get away from the cold! We were not as prepared as we could have been for the chilly weather. I gave the kids a little money so they could pick their own souvenirs. Lex's was a penguine necklace that reads your moods. He's worn it every day since and I'm pretty sure it's stuck on blue all the time.

What was up with the scary fish creatures on the ceiling? They looked like something from a Dr. Seuss nightmare!

First pic of all the kids together... Lex, Isabel, Dawson, and Kaytee. Lex & Dawson are less than two weeks apart in age. He's soooo tall! Thanks Steph for the candy sticks!

The Seattle Aquarium
*The favorite was getting to touch the starfish & other "feel-able" water creatures

This is an "oh-oh" according to Isabel... you know as in what sound a seal makes! It was funny because as she said "oh-oh", she clapped her hands together like a seal.

For lunch, we stopped at The Crab Pot. Yummy!

Some sort of famous rootbeer I guess. Lex liked it. And, yes, she is dipping her grapes in the ranch dressing & liked it, too!

They also had an awsome pirate shop.

After lunch, we then headed on an Argosy pier cruise. It was a nice break after a filling meal & good to get off our feet for awhile.

Isabel has caught on to the "stick your tongue out" pose...

Next, Day 2: Tolmie State Park

Forks, Washington... Almost

You know. As in "Twilight".

Washington State, Day 2- Tolmie State Park Wikipedia says "Tolmie State Park is a 105-acre day-use state park 8 miles northeast of the Washington capital of Olympia. The main attraction is 1,800 feet of saltwater beachfront at the mouth of a creek known as Big Slough. There is also an underwater diving area for Scuba diving".

We may has well been in the Twilight Saga location. The scenery here was just stunning. So green & the trees so tall. (You can almost imagine Edward climbing up these trees! haha)

Mud. Need I say  more?

The boys after the hike. White shoes not such a good idea!

 A visit to the lake after the hike was much needed to wash off some of this mud. We had fun looking for mini-crabs underneath the rocks & what kid doesn't want to take home rocks & sand dollars as souvenirs, too!

FUNNY FACES & PIZZA

After the hike & beach visit, we stopped at an amazing brick oven pizza restaurant for dinner. Everyone was in a great mood. Shane & Scott had us all laughing to tears!