August 2012

 

1 – Nate had a great birthday month.  This is him saying “thank you” to the Thorntons for his awesome lego sets.

2 – The Spencer Griffeth family sent him Star Wars stuff.  Heaven!

3 & 4 – A few lunch dates with the boys – Rubios and In.n.Out.  Two favorites!

5 – A play date at the Childrens Museum.

6 – Grandma Marz was out of town so we hung out with papa all weekend.  We introduced him to a snow cone shack.

7 – Ryan, Ryan – what are we going to do with you?  He’s got a killer tantrum.

8 – A little running on the treadmill never hurt anyone.

9 – Kiley & I got a sitter and spent a few hours on a raft in my parent’s pool.  It was wonderful.

10 – Aunt Sam took Nate bowling.  His bowling name was Rhino.

11 – Wes & I went out on a date to Texas de Brazil – a restaurant we’ve been wanting to try for a while – for our 9 year anniversary.  We need more date nights.

12 – Pool play date at our house. 

13 & 14 – Nate began the workings of things to sell at his shop.  He started with rockets and pumpkins.  Mostly rockets.  We’re still working on it.

15 – We love having a pool in the summer.  Nate mastered a back flip when Wes throws him in the air.

16 – My boys doing yet another cannonball!

17 & 18 – Holy rain this month!  We had two days where we were pretty flooded.

19 – Ali & I organized an end-of-the-year pool party at our parent’s house.  It was great fun – a tradition, I’m sure.

20 – My parents took us all to see Phantom of the Opera before it goes away.  Loved it!

21 & 22 – Kyle turned 15.  We got to go bowling and to Metro to celebrate.

23 – Play date at the park.

24 – Morning at Chuckee Cheese with Abbie & Daisy right before school started.

25 – Ryan loves to take off his life jacket and kick around the pool on a kickboard.

26 – I had a serious tomato addition going on.  Just cut up in a bowl with balsamic vinegar.  delicious.

Sam & I went to Disneyland.

We both have an annual pass and there was no way we were going to let an entire year go by without a sisters only trip to Disney [we missed ya, Ali].  We postponed our birthday trip until September to avoid crowds and heat.  Our strategy somewhat worked - it was a little warm but hardly any true Disneyland lines which was wonderful.

Disneyland is always a magical place.  It’s just a different kind of magical when you don’t have small children with you.  There is a level of ease that was wonderful.  And Nate is a total Disneyland weenie so we needed a trip that involved lots of roller coasters.  Sam is the roller coaster queen - I simply just tried to keep up.

We ate our favorite Disneyland treats & rode all kinds of rides.  Our goal on this trip was to ride the “big rides” and to explore.  It was fun to just walk around, go in to different stores, check new areas out at CA Adventure & more.  I was a “first time rider” on California Screamin’ and Tower of Terror.  The roller coaster was fun but the Tower of Terror was just awesome.  Our other discoveries: Goofy’s Sky School was finally open – what a fun ride, we found the Monsters Inc. ride, saw the Aladdin show, went to Cars Land for first time [loved it!], saw Captain Eo for the first time in a few decades, went on new Star Tours ride & about broke my back in the new Matterhorn sleds. 

I knew Nate would love hearing about new characters we met.  So we took pictures of any new ones and he thought it was awesome.

We had a few moments like thinking we forgot my pass at the hotel – going to get it – only to find out Sam had it in her wallet the whole time.  Or not being able to find our car on the Mickey lot.  But it was truly a wonderful 2 days.  A BIG thank you to Wes, my mom, Ali & friends for helping with my kids while I was gone. 

Sister time is always wonderful.  Especially at the happiest place on earth.

back to Salt Lake City & the cabin . . .

We basically did a repeat of our trip in early August over Labor Day.  I had a cousin getting married [Ashlie] and Wes had a cousin getting married [Matt] on September 1st in Salt Lake.  When we found out Wes’ parents would be there – we knew we were all going!  We love seeing family.

Once again, our fabulous friends Ryan & Leslie opened up their home to us.  They are the best.  I love that our kids are friends even though we only see them a few times a year.

On Friday, we spent the entire day with Grandma & Grandpa G and Aunt Julia.  We went to the Children’s Museum & then over to City Creek for lunch at The Blue Lemon.  We walked around Temple Square [it was our kids first time there] and then walked around City Creek.  It was great to be able to see them and visit with them!

Saturday was wedding day.  We met Grandma & Grandpa at Café Rio for lunch and then Wes headed to the temple for his cousin Matt’s wedding.  Then the wedding festivities got a little crazier so Wes took the boys to Matt’s reception at 5pm while I got to go to Ashlie’s wedding & reception in my Aunt Leslie’s beautiful backyard sans kiddos!  Thanks Wes.  And then Wes loaded up the van and drove to the cabin with the boys and I kept Sam company on her drive.  Another great trip to SLC.

Have I mentioned that I absolutely love SLC this time of year?  There are fruit stands and farmers markets everywhere.  We brought home some of the best apples and peaches I’ve ever had.  And the corn is always delicious.

The rest of Labor Day weekend was spent at the cabin.  The weather was PERFECT this go around so we basically spent all of our time outside.  The kids really got in to playing games outside – “centers” as Daisy liked to call them: Hula Hoops, Corn Hole, Hide & Seek, baseball, catch, etc.  A group went horseback riding.  We went four-wheeling.  It was wonderful.  We love it on the mountain.

First day of school 2012

Today was the boys first day of school!

We decided to hold Nate back so he’d be the oldest in his class instead of the youngest – which means he had his first day of preschool today!  This is his 3rd year of preschool so he’s got the hang of it by now.  He loves his teacher, Ms. Joy and was excited to be back in school. 

I have a very brave friend – Jamie Frandsen.  She decided to teach a 2 year old preschool class in her house on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45am – noon.  I signed Ryan right up!  Ryan has quite a mean/rebellious streak in him so I was a little curious to see how this was going to go.  We’ve talked about school for the last week and how we have to use nice words and we have to be nice to the other kids.  He was SO excited this morning.  He asked me over and over when he could go to Ms. Jamie’s house from 7am until drop off!  We dropped Nate off at 9am and ran a few errands.  When we were finally on our way to Jamie’s house Ryan says “no you school, mom.  just me.”  It’s amazing what they are aware of!  He’s watched me drop Nate off at school for 2 years now and there was no way his mom was staying with him!  Apparently he did FABULOUS.  Totally listened to directions and participated in all of the activities without really being distracted.  When I opened the door to come get him – as soon as he sees me he yells – “MOM!  Me nice school!”  It was awesome – I could totally tell he was aware that he needed to be nice and was so proud of himself.  I love that Jamie gave him this opportunity to do something on his own!

I drop Ryan off at school right before I have to go get Nate.  Which means I get one-on-one time with each of the boys on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It’s going to be great!

the high dive

Nate is a total fish.  He loves to swim & try new things.  We were at our neighbor’s house – The Gublers – and the boys were swimming.  Nate casually dove off their rather high rock.  I knew it was time to take him to the diving boards at the rec center!

Abbie enjoys the diving board so we invited her to come along, too.  I didn’t think Nate would be up for the high dive but I knew he’d love jumping and diving off the low-dive. 

After a few jumps/dives on the low-dive, I asked him if he wanted to try the high dive.  At first he said “no way” and then all of a sudden changed his mind.  He climbed up, walked to the edge, and jumped.  No fear at all!  I was quite shocked and so proud of him!  He had a blast trying cannon balls and pencils off the high dive, too.  This is the boy who is terrified of many rides at Disneyland.  Apparently as long as he’s swimming – there’s no fear.

Abbie was super brave, too!  She jumped off the high dive and I was so proud of her.  Nate asked me to jump & even though I absolutely hate heights, I couldn’t tell him no after he went about 20 times.  So, I jumped.  Abbie and I were the one-time jumpers.  That was enough for us!

It was a fun afternoon with Abbie & Nate.  And for their bravery, I took them to Yogurtland a few days later!