Day 181: August 20, 2009

I know you can barely see them but there are several hang-gliders in the sky. At first there were about 30 of them all bunched together but as the wind had its way with them they scattered north and south along the mountains.

Day 180: July 10, 2009

The kids finally got me to drag out the pools, but only because their friends came over to play too.

Day 179: July 9, 2009

A family in our neighborhood is generous enough to let anyone and everyone pick from their cherry tree. They even provide a ladder!

Day 178: July 8, 2009

For days Michelle has been asking to go to the store so she could buy a Juicy Drop Pop (too much tv leads to too many commercials and thus silly "must haves" like this). So last night I told her to give me her money and I'd buy one while I was doing errands. She was so excited she woke up at 6:19am and was enjoying the sour candy by 6:21am. After a few licks she closed it up and went back to bed - obviously it wasn't as great as the advertisment. Shocker!!

Day 177: July 7, 2009

Caleb has successfully taught Michelle how to play Pokemon - she's a good substitute brother.

Day 176: July 6, 2009

Welcome to Megan's Pirate Cowboy teaparty. She's been fascinated by pirates and cowboys ever since we went to the American West Heritage Center where she rode a pony and met a pirate woodwright (he wore a patch over his eye since an accident in his youth). Megan even asked him if he spoke pirate language.

Day 175: July 5, 2009

After the kids were back in their own beds I was able to have a few minutes to myself. I dug into my souvenir from the trip: a solid chocolate golden spike! Yummy!!

Day 174: July 4, 2009

Megan and Michelle standing by the railroad tie where the Golden Spike was driven to complete the transcontinental railroad. Earlier they'd each been able to hold real gold spikes (the original is of course in a museum at Stanford).

Day 173: July 3, 2009

We visited the aerospace museum where Caleb found the real plane that's exactly like his toy plane he bought when we were at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Day 172: July 2, 2009

We had a great time in the Pepperidge Farm's outlet store. The kids thought it was the greatest thing ever that they were able to get a whole bag of goldfish all to themselves.

Day 171: July 1, 2009

This is just one of the tires that's used on the huge trucks at Kennecott Copper Mine.

Day 170: June 30, 2009

I kidnapped Snow White from the Seven Dwarfs. She's a pretty good worker, too.

Day 169: June 29, 2009

As I came back from running this morning I saw this weed that is taller than our plum bush. But did I pull it - No. I didn't even pull it after I took this picture - it's still happily growing.

Day 168: June 28, 2009

Today at church, part of a lesson was about respect. As I was wondering what my daily picture should be I looked around our house and this flag caught my attention. Inside of the frame is a photograph of Trevor's great-uncle who was killed in action in France during World War II. Everytime I look at any flag I can't help but think of all those who have and continue to sacrifice themselves all in the name of freedom, God and country.

I love the sticker that I've seen: Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave

June 19: Pineview Reservoir was just one of the gorgeous views along our relay race course. Of course it was more beautiful since I had just finished my first run and could now relax - at least until I run again at 3 in the morning.

June 20: This is my garmin watch showing the elevation I finished running at was 8,961. I ran at almost 9000 feet above sea level - and did I mention it was 48 degrees, raining and on a steep uphill dirt road!

June 21: Happy Father's Day - we love you tons

June 22: Last night was the first night Gabriella slept in a toddler bed. All the books in the white basket were in her bed prior to the picture.

June 23: I finally took the kids swimming yesterday. I soon realized we had no water toys or accessories. Michelle and Caleb are loving their snorkeling gear; Megan and Gabriella love their new kickboards.

June 24: I asked Megan to take a picture of Caleb and I playing a card game. Not to bad of a picture considering that Megan tries to look through the viewfinder with both eyes

June 25: My first loaf I've been able to braid. It looked so good that Megan snuck a huge hunk when I was in the other room. When I asked her why she took the bread she simply replied, "it was delicious!" and licked her lips like Scooby Doo does after he gets a scooby-snack.

June 26: Megan got all fancied up to go to Kangaroo Zoo

June 27: Caleb earned his golf beltloop for cubscouts. He had a great time hitting the golfballs as hard as he could