Kevin's Wedding

My brother got married the end of June to his high school girl friend, Betsy.  They got married in the Draper Temple, had lunch at Golden Corral, and then had a reception in my parents back yard.
It was a really nice day, hot but nice.  Margie watched the kids for us so that we could go to the temple sealing and then lunch.  After we ate, Tony went to take care of the kids while I went to my parents to help get ready for the reception.
Tony then came with the kids all dressed and ready for pictures. I think that the pictures turned out really cute and I can't wait to see more.  We love having a new sister in the family and we are super happy for my brother and his new family.  

It's official...We have a Kindergartener!

Tyler started Kindergarten today.  I can't believe that he is already starting "regular" school.  He has been asking all summer if it was a school day yet, he just loves school.
Tyler didn't have any problem leaving me and going right into his class all alone.  When his teacher opened the door, some parents went in to the class room with their child, but I just let Tyler go in by him self.  I asked him after his class if he wished that I went with him, and he said he was okay.  I was glad that he wasn't sad that I didn't go with him.
Tyler had to fill out a little folder-like book thing with a picture of him and his family and also his favorite color and food.  Tyler and I did it together and then I put it in his back pack.  I forgot to remind Tyler that he had it in his back pack for his teacher, so when his teacher asked for them Tyler thought that he didn't finish it and it was at home.  So when Tyler came out of the school he cried to me that he didn't finish his folder.  I then showed him the folder book in his back pack and we gave it to his teacher.  Tyler was still upset, but started to calm down.  Tyler seemed to really like Kindergarten and I think that this is going to be a great school year. 

Labor Day at the Cabin

We decided to spend Labor Day up at the cabin.  We went to church on Sunday and decided to leave after sacrament so we could spend more time at the cabin and beat a potential storm (that ended up not coming).
When we got there Julie and her family were already there and Sherri and Rich had just pulled up.  We unpacked the car and then decided to go for a four-wheel ride.  Megan wasn't too sure she liked it, but seemed to enjoy it alright.  The boys loved it of course.  We even saw a Momma mouse and her baby.  They were super cute.
Then we checked out the new water fall that was being put in.  The boys liked playing in the water.  After a couple more hours the rest of our party came and we got dinner started and then we all ate some yummy food out on the deck.  After dinner we had cupcakes and sang "Happy Birthday" to Josh.  Then he opened a couple of gifts and then the kids played some more with the cousins.
Then we all got ready for bed and said good night.  Josh had a hard night and woke up like five times and I ended up just letting him come into our bed (mainly so I wouldn't have to keep going and laying with him in his bed).
The next day was Labor Day.  We had some breakfast and then decided to go for another four-wheel ride.  At first Tyler didn't want to go with us because he wanted to stay and play video games with his new cousin, Logan.  But after telling him that we probably wouldn't go on another ride, he decided to come with us. 
After the ride we decided to feed the fish in the pond and take a little walk around.  The fish loved our food and were totally jumping all around for the food.  My brother caught some of those fish later that day - but then put them back.
Tony decided to work on a project with the waterfall to get the water to go over a rock a certain way and ended up getting pretty wet.  Tyler and Josh also played in the water and got totally wet and dirty.  They had a great time playing in the waterfall with the other cousins.
But all good things come to an end.  It was time to start heading home.  I figured Josh would fall asleep on the way home, so I didn't want to stay too late.  Josh did fall asleep and so did Tyler for a little bit.  It was nice to be home again, even though I had three load of laundry to do.

This is the Place State Park

Yesterday we got the chance to go to This is the Place State Park with Rio Tinto Kennocott.  Tony's dad is an engineer who sub-contracts with Kennocott. 
Last year we got to go to the Zoo and this year they had their employee fun day at This is the Place State Park.  It is kind of funny because they are located across the street from one another.

The boys (Tony, Tyler, Josh, and Lloyd) all took the Tracks train up to the park while us girls (Margie, Megan, and myself) decided it wold be a better idea for us to take the car.  I am glad we did that so we didn't have to worry about folding up the stroller a lot and dealing with a fussy baby on the train.

 The boys got there faster then they thought so they had to wait a little bit for us girls to catch up.  We got a great parking spot and headed towards the food so the boys could come and meet us.  Margie and I got our food and found some seats and within about five minutes the boys had food and joined our party.
The food was pretty good.  BBQ chicken sandwich, salads, chips and fruits.  Then they had some ice cream sandwiches and punch or water. 

After we ate we got in line for the train and road it to the top of the hill where the activities were.  The boys got some pop cycles and then they shot taffy out of a cannon and all the kids got to collect the candy and put it in their bags that we got when we first got there.  Everyone got a red bag that could be used as a hand bag or a back pack.  The workers also threw out hard candies so the kids could get more treats.  
After that we got some more treats at the Candy Stand and then headed to the petting zoo and pony rides.

Josh wanted to go get in front of everyone in line and ride his pony...he did not like having to wait his turn (he should be real fun in Disneyland in two weeks).   After they waited a couple minutes Josh and Tyler got to ride the ponies.  Josh did super great and rode all by him self and seemed to really enjoy it.  He ended up going twice.  Tyler liked it too, but not enough to go again.
I was totally amazed how much Josh loved petting all the animals and he had no fear at all for any of them.  Josh went right up to each animal and started petting them like they were his own dog that he knew and trusted.  Tony was always right by Josh.  I guess Josh got Tony's gift with animals.  I swear Tony is a cow whisperer.

Tyler, however, not so much into touching all the animals.  He either wouldn't touch them at all, or just pat them once and say he was good.  He did like the turkeys though.  He didn't touch them, but he liked them.
After the animals we saw some bees in a hive and got some beeswax chapstick (three different flavors) and we saw a blacksmith doing....I honestly don't know.  I was in the back and wasn't really paying attention.

Then we went up to do some crafts.  The kids were able to make beaded necklaces, arrowhead necklaces, and brand on leather to make a necklace.  Tyler made a leather necklace and a beaded bracelet and Josh got an arrowhead necklace.  Tony is the one who made it and Josh pretty much threw a fit about something or other - sometime we just have no idea because we don't know what he is saying.
Then it was off the pan for gold.  The boys really liked playing in the muddy water trying to find bits of fools gold.  We also got some safety glasses for everyone in our family, so we can be safe.

After panning for gold it was corn on the cob time.  Boy was that good corn.  They had it all ready and you put on your butter and salt and pepper...really some of the best corn I have had.  Tyler and Josh both ate some corn too.  Super yummy.
They had face painting, but my kids aren't really into getting their faces painted (lucky for us because we would have had to wait in a super long line) so we skipped that and went on a small train around the water.
Josh totally loves trains and love going on the ride.  Once again he had a hard time waiting his turn, but he had to learn to wait in line.
Then we went down to check out getting a photo done, we decided against it and then got some ice cream and pop cycles and headed back to the car.  Tony decided maybe Megan would like to try some pop cycle and boy did she.  She really loved sucking on it and made quite the mess.  She has only had rice cereal twice, but she's had ice cream two times and now a pop cycle.  I hope we haven't ruined her for the healthy stuff.
Then we drove to Tony's parents to get our car and then we all drove home.  We all had a very fun time and we were super glad that we were able to go with Tony's parents.  We can't wait until next year to see what Rio Tinto does then.  What a great day we all had!

Crazy times

Megan fell asleep holding her rings - so cute!

It's been a little crazy at our house lately.  Megan got a cold Monday night and has had a hard week because of it.  She has been really stuffed up and had a fever for a couple of days.  It is funny how having a sick baby totally effects the rest of the household. 
Tony and I don't get much sleep, so that leads to us being impatience and tired...the kids see this as a weakness and seem to be naughtier then normal...probably not, but it seems like it.  Luckily Megan seems to be on the mend and I can't be happier about that.  Still has a running nose, but the fever broke and her happy personality is back.
Tony took the boys to a Bee's game on Tuesday with his dad and grandpa.  The boys like playing on the big playground that they have.  They liked seeing the game and winning prizes.  They said that they had a really good time and would like to go again with Mom and Megan.  I went to my Weight Watchers meeting while Margie watched Megan and then I went and got her after my meeting.
Speaking of Weight Watchers, I have lost about 9 pounds since starting two weeks ago.  I still really like the program, I just wish I had a buddy to go to the meetings with me.  It is not as much fun to go alone, sit alone, leave alone, get dinner alone...I need my Weight Watchers buddy back - she moved to Layton, so I don't think it's going to happen.
We find out later today at Back to School Night who Tyler's kindergarten teacher is and if he has morning or afternoon class.  He is super excited to go back to school and meet his teacher.
Josh will be tested (on Tyler's first day of school) for his speech problems.  He is getting a little better, but it still is really hard to understand what he is saying most of the time.  Poor kid, that has got to be hard to be misunderstood all the time.
Tyler and Josh played soccer again last Saturday.  Tyler and another kid from his team scored a goal together and Josh scored his first goal ever.  Not too bad to score your first goal at 2 years old during your second game playing.  He did a lot better this week.  Wanted to play more and didn't whine quite so much as the week before. 
We are getting really excited to go to Disneyland in September.  I can't believe it is so close.  We leave the Saturday after Tyler starts school.  I guess with all the school stuff happening, it seems like Disneyland is so far away, but it really isn't.  I hope that everyone stays healthy and we have a good drives there and back.  Whenever we see Margie she tells us how many more days until we leave...it is so awesome that she is so excited to take us, we really are so lucky to have such an awesome grandma to take us to the place "Where Dreams Come True."  It'll be fun, can't wait. 

Soccer For All The Boys

 Yesterday started soccer again for the fall season.  Tony is coaching Tyler's team and Josh has started playing on his own team.  Josh always loves to play with Tyler and Tony on their team so we thought he should do pretty good on his own team. 
Josh did...alright.  I think he did better then Tyler did on his very first game.  Their were times that I thought I should have waited one more season to start Josh, but I think kids probably have a hard time their first season no matter what age they start.
Josh at first just stood at the goal like he was a goalie.  Then when we told him to go get the ball, he would just run to me.  So then we had to keep getting Josh to go back into the game and try and to get the ball.  Since Josh is pretty tall you couldn't really tell that he was the only two year old on the team.  After a couple more times of being in the game, Josh got a little better at staying in the game and trying to kick the ball.  I did have to go out with Josh towards the end of the game and stand on the field to get Josh to play. 

I think that he probably would have done better if Tony was his coach.  At the beginning of the game Josh told me "Daddy's team" - it was pretty cute.  But Tony couldn't be coach to them both and I couldn't be Josh's coach because I have to take care of Megan during the game.  Josh actually has really good ball control and I think will be a great soccer player, so it'll just be having him get used to being on a different team without Tyler or Daddy.

Monkey see Monkey do

We are going to get an old television from Tony's parents soon, so I decided to get the space ready.  We gave Teagan the television in our bedroom to take to college and we moved the television that was down stairs into our bedroom.  So I put the dvd player, converter box, etc on the sofa table and moved the television stand into Tyler's room so they can put more toys and stuff on the shelves.
So while I was doing all this Tyler decided to take advantage of the open space by climbing up the beam that is in our family room.  He was very excited to come and tell me that he could climb to the top of the beam.  He then got out some couch cushions to help him start off higher.  Tyler is definitely ready to start gymnastics.  I think that I am going to wait until he turns six because that is when they can start the boys gymnastics and not just the "little kids" stuff.  I guess we will see what happens.

These pictures of Tyler and Megan were taken upside down.  So I flipped them around to see better.  They we laying on the floor in the front room.
Tyler loves Megan so much.  He says that she is so cute...the most cute ever.  I then asked how cute I was and Tyler said that I was "medium" cute.  I'll take it...much better then no cute at all.  It is so funny to see how Tyler thinks.  
I went to the elementary registration yesterday.  It was fun to meet the Kindergarten teachers and to get to know a little bit more about what is going to happen in the upcoming weeks.

We will find out which teacher Tyler has and if he has morning or afternoon kindergarten on August 23rd.  Then Tyler will have his testing on the 27th and start school on September 4th.  So at least I know some dates, which is much better then I had before.  Tyler is very excited for school to start.  He keeps asking me if it is a school day yet, so glad that he likes school!

Cookies

Since I am starting back at Weight Watchers on Thursday, I decided to make some cookies to enjoy now.  It's not that I can't eat cookies on Weight Watchers, they are just a lot of points and generally not worth it.  So it makes a lot of sense to cow down on them now when I am not counting point - no wonder I am big.
When I started the process Megan was sleeping, but then quickly woke up.  So I decided it was a good time to start to show her how to bake cookies.  She seemed to enjoy sitting in her Bumbo and watching me work.

Josh also loves to watch and "help" me make cookies.  Whenever I get out the mixer and start making something he always gets excited that it might be cookies.  That kid has quite the sweet tooth. 
I usually let Josh mix the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon together.  He generally does pretty good.  I am sure he really just likes getting some of the chocolate chips before they go into the bowl and then eating the cookie dough from the beater.  Either way it is a fun activity for everyone.  Tyler also likes to help, but today he was pretty focused on playing his computer game.  He enjoyed the fruits of our labor - we all did.

Busy Saturday and Megan Pictures

Still trying to get a good picture of Megan for our wall.  These are some of the best ones from Sunday.  I really like the one that I took last week, but Tony wanted to try some more with this cute dress.  I like the pictures, but she looks like she has no neck - future wrestler?  I don't have much of a neck, so I hope that she doesn't get that from me.  She is super cute - we just can't get enough of her.

Tony finished green beans on Saturday.  He wasn't too sad that he wouldn't have to deal with all this green bean stuff for another whole year.
Tony missed a lot of fun things on Saturday while he was working.  Tony's grandma Kresser had her 80th birthday party that day.  Tony went early to the party to say hello, but wasn't able to stay very long.  He didn't get to see any of his extended family.  Almost all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins came to celebrate with Nana.  She had a great turn out.  I think that they counted about 100 people all together came.

After the open house the kids and I went to Averee's baptism.  Lucky for me the kids did pretty good.  The boys had to go to the bathroom each a couple times, which was kind of annoying, but better then peeing their pants.  Teagan did help me a couple times, so that was nice.  After the baptism we went to my parents house for some ice cream.  The boys had fun playing and Megan and I hung out inside the nice cool house. 

Then I changed all the kids into their pajamas and then we drove home.  The boys both feel asleep on the way home while Megan screamed the whole time.  She continued to scream as I had to get Tyler and Josh into bed and then get all our stuff out of the car.  But she calmed down with a bottle and was down for the night.
It was a fun day, but really busy.  I would have liked to have Tony there to help me and be with me, but lucky for me Tony and I have great families that help when needed. We are so blessed.

Megan's New Exersaucer

Yesterday I went to Kid-to-kid to look at some Exersaucers for Megan.  We bought used with the one that Tyler and Josh used and it wasn't in good shape anymore and it wasn't worth storing...so I gave it to the DI.  Kid-to-Kid had a lot of them, but they were quiet pricey for used stuff, like over forty dollars.  So Tony said he could probably find some good ones on KSL for much cheaper.
So today he looked it up and found a really cute looking one for only $20.  They didn't live too far from us, so Tony contacted the seller.  Lucky for us they hadn't sold it yet and so Tony and Josh went to South Jordan to pick it up.

The Exersaucer  was nice and clean and all the pieces were still there.  Even Josh and Tyler liked playing with it and seeing all the different toys in had with it.  Josh was sad when I said he couldn't go in it and play.  The boys already broke my baby swing, I'm not going to let them break this too......okay let's be real, I am sure that I will let Josh play in it soon enough. 

After Megan woke up from her nap Tony put her in it and she did really good.  It took her a couple minutes to figure it out.  She got her feet to move her up and down and around and then put her hands up to touch some of the toys.  She lasted a long time playing, like 45 minutes.  I was really happy that she liked it and that we found such a fun toy for not so much money.  Gotta love KSL.