Yet Another Family Photo

We bribed Emily and her family to take some pictures of us. This was the grand prize winner.

The Birthday Cupcakes

While we're away, I'll leave you with these beauties. Aren't they awesome?

The batter...


The cupcakes...


The wrappers...


The face!

Days 11 - 15: Our Utah Trip in Pictures (still a LOT of pictures)

Today we leave for Yellowstone and I couldn't be more excited. But first, pictures from this week.

Tuesday, Day 11: The morning was pretty chill, with a trip to the playground. But that afternoon we rode the Heber Creeper. It was a little hard with Ollie because the dude is one squirmy baby. He did NOT love the train robbers that made a visit, but neither did Rhett really. Later that night, some cousins arrived!












Wednesday, Day 12: The next day, after a morning ride, Emily took the four big kids to an indoor playplace, which wasn't as impressive as the website made it out to be. But it was enough to keep little kids happy. That afternoon we went to the Wasatch County Fair for dinner. It was a bit tough convincing the kids to wait until tomorrow for rides, but we did it.






Thursday, Day 13: My baby is 1! So excited. We did some cupcakes and presents and we all enjoyed it more than Ollie, I'm sure. That afternoon we went to the fair and rode some rides. Good times for all.




















Friday, Day 14: The next day was my birthday. Because we found out Thanksgiving Point has cheap Tuesdays (thanks Angie!) we opted not to go. Instead we took Guardsman again to Brighton and hiked. Seeing as hiking Donut Falls was almost my favorite thing we've done, I was totally up for it. And man, let me just say that I love Utah. Love. Despite kids whining, despite chipmunks wanting to steal my lunch, it was awesome. That night my sister graciously offered to babysit while Chuck and went out. Unfortunately, we were stopped at everything we wanted to do. Argh. But still, a night out is a night out. And now I'm back to the good ol' odd-numbered age. Hallelujah.














Saturday, Day 15: With my parents serving a mission in Japan, we decided to have a "Japan Day." Given my parents sent us a HUGE box full of goodies (including totally cute Japanese outfits for all kids), it was an easy day to pull off. We started with some lessons on Japan (geography, language, origami, dance, stories) and then gave them the treats--some good, some not-so-good. Later that day we had fried rice for dinner. (Hey--it's close, right?  We barely got them to eat it.  Do you really think we'd be successful with sushi?)  Again, many thanks to my parents for the Japanese goods!

Utah: Week 3

Sorry folks, but we'll be in Island Park this upcoming week. If you're headed up that way, let me know and we can play there.

Next Saturday (the 11th), Emily and I are running a 10K race here in Midway. Check it out here. Let us know if you want to get your butt kicked. Not by me of course, but by others. Unless you're that good.

Another Words-Only Utah Post

A couple of people have asked how it is staying at my parents' home without my parents. I think they expect me to start tearing up and say how much I miss them. But I'm just not that sentimental. Maybe because I know they're halfway around the world. Maybe because I went in to this knowing we'd be the sole occupants of the house. Maybe because I like sleeping in their bed.

I'm pretty sure it's not because we like being here without them. We love spending time with them, especially since we don't get to see them that often. Last year, when they came out to help after Ollie was born, it was so easy! All four adults noted that it was really nice and easy to have them in our small house.

The truth is, my kids are little. Little enough to still wake up around 6 a.m., if we're lucky. Little enough to throw multiple tantrums daily. Little enough to need naps and 7 p.m. bedtimes. They're hard. And if they're hard for me, their own mom who loves them more than Maverick ice cream cones (sorry McDonald's; you've been replaced), then they're bound to be hard for grandparents, even though I know the grandparents love them nearly as much as I.

However, my parents are missing out on seeing Ollie walk for the first time. They're missing out on Rhett making up words like "disastrophe." (Isn't that a great one? I mean, come on.) Maybe they're the ones that should be tearing up. Then again, I'm missing out on being driven everywhere and having meals made for me. Maybe I should be tearing up.

So maybe in four years we'll try this again...with my parents in the house. Unless, of course, they decide on another mission. In which case, definitely in four years we'll do this again.

P.S. Change of plans for tomorrow (Friday). Instead of going to Vernal, we're headed to Thanksgiving Point. Now do you want to join us?

Now please excuse us while we celebrate a couple of birthdays.

Days 6 - 10: Our Utah Trip in Pictures (a LOT of pictures)

Another five days, another set of awesomeness. We're really embracing all things Utah and Midway, including Creamies. (Chuck had never had one.)

Thursday, Day 6: I sent Chuck and the boys to North Ogden to see Chuck's Aunt Mary and family. I stayed home and worked and nursed the second appearance of a wicked head cold. In the night I was rewarded with a candy-filled episode of Project Runway, which prompted me to buy the rain boots you see below. I mean, c'mon. How could I not? They were on SALE, people.








Friday, Day 7: Feeling much better, but faced with rain, we played it low-key. We visited the local artisan cheese factory and bought way-too-expensive cheese and raw milk. When Chuck assured me he could tell a difference between it and other milks, we decided to have a taste test. I'm happy to say that Chuck aced it. Later we visited the cute quilt shop because I can't go too long without buying (and then using) fabric. In the afternoon we visited a local carousel. After a mini-breakdown, we convinced Rhett to sit on this guy rather than the incredibly-unexciting bench. Maverick cone count: 4.






Saturday, Day 8: Because camping plans were cancelled due to a sick boy but because sick boy was healing, we decided to hike Donut Falls. I don't know how many years it's been since I drove Guardsman Pass, but it was awesome. And who knew that it went to Park City or Midway? Not I. After that we tried Silver Lake, but it wasn't happening so we went home for naps and Olympics. That night, Chuck took Rhett to the Demolition Derby to enjoy all things car crashes.














Sunday, Day 9: Enjoyed another Sunday of church. But this one had a Mormon celebrity: Elder Holland! He tousled Rhett's hair, and commiserated with Ollie over the pain of three hours of church. After naps for everyone, we ate dinner at our good friends' house. Good times!




Monday, Day 10: Because my parents have been so incredibly generous with us staying in their house (even allowing me to increase cable so I can watch Project Runway), we (ahem, well the boys) indulged my dad by going to Salt Lake for an oil change. While waiting, Chuck took the littles to Temple Square on Trax. While at Temple Square, Chuck earned his "I survived a tantrum in a public place!" badge. Good job Charlie! After naps and work, everyone headed to Utah's Olympic Park. Sure, it was more a winter Olympic thing, but it still was appropriate, right? It was really cool to see all the jumpers. Even Chuck wanted to take a stab at it and he's never even been on skis!