Colorado Trip

These post are a little out of order but I had a lot to catch up on.

After Lake Powell we continued on to Colorado to stay w/Tyler's parents. My sister also lives in Denver now (Tyler and I both grew up in Arvada, until 8 years ago, my parents moved to Utah) and we kept pretty busy. B/w reading Breaking Dawn , eating more food, playing more games and exercising and letting the kids roam free while I slept in :), we saw Dark Knight again, jogged w/my sisters-in-law, went to Heritage Square, did some service for the stake, went to play group and finally had my 10-year class reunion.

Here are a few snapshots of our trip. First Heritage Square. We went down the Alpine slides and Samuel and Jocelyn loved it! And then Samuel was brave enough to go on the roller coasters that were big enough for a companion adult to go along.

Here is Samuel and G'pa getting pedicures.



Then as part of the 10-year Reunion we went to a Rockies game, got rained on for an hour, were on the big screen, and it was my sister Rose and her boyfriend's first pro-baseball game. Pictured are me and my two sisters, 3 of Tyler's sisters and his mom and dad and Rose's boyfriend.







Samuel was a lousy sleeper in Colorado too. After CO we continued on to my parents for a few days where Samuel stepped on a nail and he and Jossy played with the hundreds of grasshoppers jumping in my parents yard.

But now we are home, after nearly 3 weeks. It took me nearly a day to recover but I think we're back on track now. I've got to get into the swing of things before Tyler starts school. We started potty training Samuel again after he saw a picture of a "crane that picks up dirt" in a Little Critter book. So I used bribery. I told him he could have one like it if he pooped on the potty which hasn't happened yet. Ugh. I hope we can get through this trial or I'll end up homeschooling bcse he's not allowed into schools. Prayer, patience and other things have not worked yet. Maybe a blessing? Magic? A miracle? A potty trainer. We're seriously thinking of hiring one. If they exist. At least he's back on his sleep schedule (going to bed by 9pm instead of 11pm, until we can push it back to 8pm) and doesn't awake at night anymore. Jocelyn has been a trooper through the whole vacacy. I think it's the age, to be honest. She's been fantastic and my "favorite"child through all of this.

Anyway, my trials are centered around Samuel right now. If I can get through this phase w/o losing it then perhaps I'll be able to get through the teenage years w/o having a hernia, heart attack or anything else that starts w/ an H. Welcome home to us!

Declaration of Indepence

Tyler heard about the Declaration of Independence being displayed in SLC for only 2 days so we decided to make an outing of it while our floor was being waxed. Well, after 2 hours of waiting in line (at least it was air conditioned) we were able to see it. It is not the original but one of only 25 copies left. It is not signed by anyone and it is typed not written, like the original. But it was published the same night as the original and witnessed by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams as it was printed. This man bought a $4 frame at a flea market and later found this folded and tucked behind the original art in that frame. He sold it for 2 million dollars. Lucky him!

Aside from our overtired children (luckily I brought snacks for them) and somewhat unpatriotic (due to their hyperness) we had a neat experience. We were able to see the newly renovated capital building. It's beautiful inside! So neat! And Tyler was so good to take the kids up and down the stairs and around for the first 45 minutes. There was a neat video being shown hosted by Reese Witherspoon who's ancestor (somebody Witherspoon) signed the original. Then as we got our chance to view it up close (and fortuanately, to my relief, our children did not touch or knock it over due to it's nature on this table. Maybe bcse Tyler told Samuel the gaurd with the gun may have to use it if he did anything naughty) this SL Tribune reporter asked to take our pictures and took our names and qoutes from us. We haven't picked up a copy yet to see if we made it in or not.

But aside from all the waiting and hoopla, it was a neat experience. I've never seen the original and probably won't for a few years. It is so special to view this piece of history. The founding fathers breathed on this document! They wrote it! They are the reason our nation was so successful many years ago (can't say the same today, our politicians are probably making the forefathers roll in their graves right now). They were inspired men! I love America!

Oh, and for any of you who are dumb like me, and should never be asked the dumb questions on Jay Leno's show bcse I would put America to shame. I seriously had to ask Tyler if the founding fathers were the "fore" fathers or "four" fathers, like the one's on Mt. Rushmore. How dumb am I? Tyler informed me that the men on Mt. Rushmore did not even live in the same time period as each other ( I could have figured that out if I actually knew who was on the monument)! Duh. I am ashamed to admit this. Did any of you ever wonder this? Maybe if I had paid attention in US History I would have noticed the spelling. Oh, and I honestly thought chili's came from Chile. Ya, I am a little blond sometimes.

Oh, and for you Denver-ites, it's coming to Denver next !

Breaking Dawn

I am a fan of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series of teen Vampire books. I know, it sounds so juvenile and freaky doesn't it? But what can I say, I was hooked from the first book. But if I were to be quizzed on the content (not the lame-o Facebook quizzes, those are no good) I must admit I know I would not be able to beat Tyler or my brother-in-law Grant. One, because they are smarter and probably better test takers and two, because they know the story and details so well. In fact, it was Tyler's idea to attend the midnight release of Breaking Dawn instead of waiting for our copy from BN in the mail. Needless to say, he finished it in 2 days and it took me nearly a week (only because I was at Tyler's folks and distracted by my vacation time). The photos are courtesy of my sister Jennie. At the release we were certainly underessed and overaged. Tyler and Grant were 2 of about 5 other males picking up their copies. And these teen girls were dressed like they were going to the Prom. Weird ?!?! Jennie is showing off her copy of New Moon as she had not even finished that yet. And then she is indulging in the vampiric chocolate. Oh, and Tyler is wishing for me to be the next Stephenie Meyer, just so he doesn't have to work. Did you know she only was originally paid $750,000 for a three-book deal from her publishers? But for this fourth one she received $1 per book and 1.3 million copies were sold by or before the first day alone? She woke up a million and then some dollars richer! Wahoo for her. Well, I honestly don't believe I will wake up with a fantastic dream and sell it is a book or even a play. And even if I did sell a play, let's be realistic, who makes that much money selling play scripts? oh, dream. It is fun to dream, though, isn't it? Perhaps this is why I loved this series so much. To escape. I could go on to review this book but I should save it for goodreads. Hope you all enjoyed it (I know some of you could care less, and for that I think less of you. Kidding!!!!!!!!!! ) and it's been entertaining folks. And no, I am not flipping you all off in the picture above. I am pointing out, w/my cell phone, the huge zit on my chin. I guess I should have been more lady like.

Lake Powell

Each year Tyler's family goes to Lake Powell, Utah. They have a time share on a quaint houseboat and it's one of our favorite things to do as a family. This was especially fun this year as we taught Samuel how to "swim." He had his life jacket on but he was so brave and not afraid of the water. He even jumped off the small ledge of the boat and rode in the tube behind the boat and wasn't afraid of the speedboat this year. Samuel's place in the world, other than home, is Lake Powell. He LOVES to fish especially with his grandpa. The first day Jocelyn dropped his pole into the Lake and I freaked out. I was so upset bcse it's his special $10 Scooby Doo pole. Well, luckily it was only 12 feet down and one of my sister-in-law's friends dove down and grabbed it.

But my biggest fear each year since we've have children is that they'll fall in the water or get seriously injured. Or like one year when Tyler was much younger he hid in one of the cupboards, for what seemed an eternity (so I've heard), while his mom was near hysterics, everybody including aunts and uncles searching frantically, ready to call search and rescue, he announced his location, playing a bad trick on all the family. So, hopefully Samuel or Jocelyn will not follow in daddy's footsteps.

Other than bat poo falling on us in our sleep, Samuel having to sleep b/w me and Tyler bcse he was "afraid of the dark" and eating way too much junk, I had a great time. I love sitting around playing Euchre, an Indiana'n card game, talking and swimming. Love it! It's always great to be with family. And Lake P is especially magical to Tyler and I since it was here that I wrote in my journal "I think I am going to marry Tyler S." I certainly didn't know for sure it would actually happen. He proposed to me in that very bay and now our children can enjoy the beauty and peach this lake offers. Thank you to my in-laws for providing such a fun trip!

I haven't been on here for a while. I've been in a blogging funk, blogging constipation, blogging freeze, whatever you want to call it. I really don't have any excuses either. But I will be gone for another few weeks. We're leaving for Lake Powell in like, an hour! Better get cleaning! And then off to Colorado to stay w/Tyler's folks for a week. And my 10-year high school reunion. Fun times! I will post later on, someday, I promise :)

Tagged

I was tagged twice about a million days ago so I thought, since I don't have enough time right now to be terribly deep, that I'd better complete the tag.

The first one:
Hubby Tag




1. What is his name? Tyler Steven
2. Who eats more? I eat more throughout the day, and when he remembers or takes the time to eat, he eats more
3. Who said, "I love you" first? um, that was a loooong time ago. Probably Tyler but then I said it right back.
4. Who is taller? Him
5. Who is smarter? He is when it comes to smarty pants stuff but I have a little more common sense
6. Who is more sensitive? Me
7. Who does the laundry? definitely me
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? him
9. Who pays the bills? He does
10. Who cooks more? Me but he is the better cook
11. Who is more stubborn? Him
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Him
13. Who has more siblings? he does, I have 4 he has 5
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? Both, I used to think it was me in my feminist days but I've cooled off a bit
15. What do you like to do together? watch movies, argue, spend time w/each other
16. Who eats more sweets? Me
17. Guilty Pleasures? this is kind of dumb...I guess mine is Facebook and chocolate and his is golf and fancy dining
18. How did you meet? high school French class
19. Who asked whom out first? He did.
20. Who kissed who first? He did.
21. Who proposed? Him. At Lake Powell.
22. His best features and qualities? He's a great teacher/instructor, he's patient with the kids, he loves kids.

The reason I shared the above picture is because I wanted to express my love for the new Sunflower Market near our home, not because that is what Tyler looked like when we first met. He actually wanted to see how long his hair could get while he was not attending BYU and trying to fit in with the Frenchies. Anyway, back to the sunflowers. This new market opened here in Murray and I LOVE it. The produce is generally cheaper and they have great sales on other food items. The milk and bread are not cheap but the produce is fresh and varied. Check it out!

Next tag:
5 places I've lived and 5 goals

Places: Arvada, Co. Provo, Murray, Spanish Fork, Mt Pleasant, UTAH. London, Paris. Tyler and I have moved on average once every year (we've been married nearly 6 years).

Goals:

1. Lose at least 15 pounds before I get pregnant again.

2. Write, publish and produce a play.

3. Potty train Samuel and Jocelyn by the end of the year.

4. Be able to run a 5k with ease.

5. Become an infant sleep consultant, a doula or hypno-birthing coach.

Oh, and make my blog prettier, read a lot more books, be more patient, finish sewing projects, etc, etc...Tyler taught me something important. When you are working toward a goal, valuing something, you are happier. I have noticed this to be true. When I have an agenda for my day it goes much more smoothly and I feel like I've accomplished something and in turn I feel happier. Achieving goals=happiness.

I hubby tag Nora, Julianne, April, and Danielle

I goal tag Jana, Leanna, Stephanie, Jennie and Heather

Wii've had fun!

So instead of folding laundry or going grocery shopping I'm going to blog. I call it clump blogging today. I am going to clump as many "fun times" photos and experiences into this one post since I've been delinquent in doing them as they occurred.

First, way back in April we celebrated my sisters, her husband and my husband's and his wife's graduation!!!! That's a lot of people graduating! But we had a great time dividing the time b/w both sides (plus the in-laws family's) of our family. We played the Wii at my parents, ate out a lot...., socialized, stayed up late and walked up and down BYU campus a lot. It was great fun!!! Some of the photos are of the kids "grading" papers. Samuel tried to mimic Tyler exactly by putting his hands where Tyler was and creating the same facial expression. It was pretty funny.




Then in May Tyler's mom and youngest sister, also named Hannah, came out and stayed w/us for a weekend. We went to the Mayan restaurant for the first time. Luckily it was a little better than the now ghetto Casa Bonita near our home in Colorado.
Then I also took the kids to Wheeler farm. We went w/Leanna and Melissa and Megan and their kids. It was nice and cool and Samuel didn't have any accidents (he was training then). My sister Jennie and her hubby Grant also came and visited for the Memorial holiday in which we played more on the Wii. They brought theirs out and we played 4 person MarioKart. Samuel is better at it than I am too. I was never good at Mario or Nintendo stuff. But the Wii I can handle.





In June we bought or Hogle Zoo membership (when will I ever get the actual pass? I've been a member now for at least 4 weeks....I want my free train passes!) but I forgot to take photos. But we also have used our membership to the Living Planet Aquarium enough to pay for itself. Now when we go it'll be like going for free. This month we also saw Tyler's family again as they came out to help Troy and Jana move to St. George. They all piled up in our apartment (quite uncomfortably too) and we inherited (paid) for their old a/c too! Sweet! Just in time for these roaring temps. We celebrated Troy's b-day. And we've also done some golfing together as a family too!




And the 4th was great! We stole away to my parents for 2 days and relaxed, watched movies and had fun! Samuel was a horrible sleeper the whole time. I fee like a mom w/a newborn (well, maybe not that bad). But since his schedule is so screwed up I let him stay up and watch the fireworks, or "fireplace" as he told Tyler. He loved them. I am glad he got to see them esp. since he and Jocelyn were a bit timid about using sparklers. We enjoyed the town's parade mainly bcse they threw out candy. Samuel is not one of those "go steal the candy from the other kids foot" kind of kids. He's way too timid so we had to help him out w/gathering his stock of salt water taffy and "spicy" peppermints. And Jocelyn made herself pretty by saying "cheese" (one of her new words) for the camera while chomping on watermelon. Way to pick out a decent melon, mom! And my dad is recovering from his 100's of mile bike race (seriously, he biked for 3 days straight in the Cascade's). Go dad! There is also a pic of my parents stray cat and their new pets, swallows that have made a home in the eaves (?) of my parent's studio.



So we still have several adventures awaiting us this summer including Lake Powell and my 10-year high school reunion. But I wanted to "journal" what we've done so far this summer! It's been fun despite ups and downs w/sleeping issues, potty issues and weight issues. I really can't complain about my kids! I love spending this time w/them and creating memories w/my family!