Closer to Death than we Knew

I haven't posted in forever, but had to record this for posterity.

Cameron came home from school bawling. When I asked him what was wrong he said that Spencer told him he got to eat lunch at Grammy's. I gave Spencer the stink-eye (he's not supposed to mention the "fun" things we do---just the trips to Wal-Mart etc.)I told him I was sorry, but he has to be at school all day, so he misses fun, and not so fun things.

He cried, "but I hardly get to be with Grammy on Tuesdays and she's old enough that she could die any day now!"

Poor little thing (Grammy I mean). Who knew that 50-something was so close to the grave.

The First of Many.....I'm Sure

Chad competed in the Provo Triathlon the first weekend in June and is officially addicted. He trained since January for the Olympic length (1 mile swim, 26 mile bike ride, 6.2 mile run). But because of the high water level etc. they cancelled the Olympic length, so he did the Sprint length instead (800 meter swim, 13 mile bike, 3.1 mile run). Chad was REALLY bummed, but I was thrilled to not have to entertain 3 kids for 4 hours.

Waiting for everything to start.
It was a BEAUTIFUL morning!!
Chad coming out of the water---58 degrees that day----chilly.
Transition from swim to bike.

Approaching the finish line.

So proud of Daddy. The weather was beautiful, and we had the biggest cheering section. And I even got to hang out with my friend Keveny---Her daughter is a triathlon MADWOMAN (going for elite status). Chad was thrilled with his 1hour 27 minute time--He said anything less that 1hr 45min would be awesome.

We headed straight from the race to the Art City Days Parade--and it was perfect timing.

Lovin' the candy and the music. I was so proud of my 3 kiddies, they were absolutely perfect all day long. It was especially amazing for Kater-bug, since I had to wake her up at 6am. Luckily she took a monster 4 hour nap that afternoon....All in all a wonderful day!!

What a Kid!!

Oh that Spencer! He's quite the character. On our trip to Moab he got a little bit car sick and I told him that he wasn't feeling well because he, "didn't have anything on his stomach." I gave him a baggie of animal crackers and he asked, "do I put them on my stomach, or do I eat them."

Giggle...Giggle.

Then when we got to the condo he and Cam checked out their room and Cam said, "AWESOME, we have our own phone." Spencer was just as excited, "SWEET, call 911!"

Giggle....Giggle.

Love my Pencer-Poo!!

Moab 2011

We headed down to Moab (or Chad's and Grammy's favorite place in the universe) a couple of weekends ago.
We have decided to budget an extra day of vacation each year for our annual trip to the sun and sand.

The condo we stayed in had its own hot tub. I think the kids had 5 dips in the 3 days we were there. It was a hit.

We called this "Spencer's rock". He climbed and scampered over it for the longest time.

Our little fam on the top of "spencer's rock"

Sand Dune Arch

The sand was marvelous!!!! So soft and fine and it was on an incline---perfect for running and jumping. We played in the sand and the little slot canyons for 3 hours. SO FUN.

The boys wanted us to bury them in the sand. They giggled and giggled. The picture doesn't show it very well, but I gave them "sand boobies". Oh, I crack myself up.

Abby LOVED walking in the little slots.

Daddy could just eat this little girl.

Love eating out on the patio.

Spencer and Daddy fell asleep watching a movie---Chad was snoring so LOUD. hehe old man.

There was even an outdoor shower that the boys thought was awesome--so did I. Grampy did all the washing and they dried and dressed themselves. NICE.

Grampy and Cam playing Slap-Jack

Remnants of a copper mill on the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail.

We are loving hiking with the kids, but I've got to be honest--I was itching for a good, long, hard hike. I just hope my joints will hold on until the kids are old enough to do those long hikes.

Who needs a sandbox?

It has been so rainy and cold lately I can't really blame Abby for trying to re-create her sandbox.

I was really busy when she dumped the oatmeal, and at first she was playing well, so I just let her go.

And the grape-nuts. Unfortunately those really hurt when you step on them with bare feet. And I was stepping on them for days after.

I couldn't find the pictures, but the boys and I remember her emptying an entire Cheerios box in the family room and a bag of Cheetos in the kitchen. I made it through 2 kids not needing to child-proof anything, but Abby is a different monster.

It's all fun and games....

...until somebody gets their eye poked out.

Abby was holding my Pepsi and tripped. The straw scraped her nose and just under her eyebrow. She was pretty sad, but wouldn't let go of that cup.

I guess Pepsi is bad for you after all.

Family Pictures

I had a great place scoped out for family pictures this year, but decided to just have Shell snap some shots at Kristi's house since we were all going to be there anyway for a family lunch. Spencer's eyes were sensitive to the sun, Abby wanted Grammy, and Cameron just whined about anything and everything. So it was a typical family picture session. We still got some good shots and I don't have to repeat this nightmare for at least a year or more.
As always thanks Shell-bell, you are wonderful.