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

Day 158: June 18, 2009

Summer vacation boredom at its best! Caleb begged me not to send this to anyone - technically I'm not sending, I'm posting ;)

Day 157: June 17, 2009

This is Megan's "evil scheme" - can you tell the kids watched a "Phineas and Ferb" marathon on Saturday?

Day 156: June 16, 2009

This is the map I've been poring over lately. This weekend is the 187 mile relay race I'm running with 11 other teammates. We're going from Logan (top of the map) to Park City (bottom of the map). Last year it was HOT but I'm afraid this year will be RAINY - I don't know which one's worse. I'm just hoping for no car trouble.

Days 145-155: June 5-15, 2009

June 5: Gabriella the princess in her "office"

June 6: Caleb and Michelle get a post-track meet treat at their favorite train restaurant

June 7: Megan's contagious smile finally caught on film

June 8: Caleb catches me in the fine art of barbequing brats

June 9: Happy 5th Birthday, Megan my princess!

June 10: Caleb and Michelle at Discovery Park

June 11: Michelle at soccer camp

June 12: Caleb the scout showing us his accomplishments from a day at scout camp

June 13: Megan has made the best of the rainy days by riding her new scooter around the house

June 14: Unfortunately the sand we bought was wet so we've spent lots of time shoving it into the tiny hole in our new basketball hoop. Someday soon Caleb will finally be able to shoot hoops.

June 15: We spent the evening transplanting our vegetable plants into the garden. Also take note of the new shrubs we planted next to the fence. We also picked enough strawberries to make 5 jars of freezer jam.

Day 144: June 4, 2009

More living room forts! But now that Caleb and Michelle are building them they have multiple rooms.

Day 143: June 3, 2009

When we returned from our trip we found out that Caleb earned an award for his state testing results. He earned the highest score in the second grade in reading comprehesion (a 6th grade level). Well done, Caleb!

Day 142: June 2, 2009

Tonight was Caleb's first baseball game of the season. When we got home we discovered the power was out so we HAD to go out to eat - oh darn I couldn't cook dinner ;)

Since we were tired of the kids eating nothing at restaurants but chicken fingers or pizza, Trevor and I chose a mexican restaurant. The kids were disappointed at first but then the unlimited chips and salsa came. Needless to say it was a success and we can now add one more choice onto the list of restaurants we can go to.

Day 141: June 1, 2009

Michelle has come up with some interesting outfits in her time but today's takes the cake! The blue frilly thing she's wearing is actually a DRESS that fits 2 year old Gabriella. Michelle decided to use it as a long shirt that spins when she twirls. But then, because the dress is sleeveless, I told her that she needed to wear a shirt under or over the dress so she'd have sleeves, so she chose to wear this 3/4 length jacket that goes with her Christmas dress.

She never ceases to amaze me with her fashion trends.

Day 140: May 31, 2009

Laundry, here I come! Ugh! This is the downside of a week long trip for 6 people.

Day 139: May 30, 2009

The time finally came to say goodbye to Oma and Grandpa. It was a nice vacation but we're all looking forward to sleeping in our own beds tonight.

Day 138: May 29, 2009

On our drive back from Carlsbad to Mesquite, we stopped at a 50's diner in the happening town of Yermo which I think only exists because of the Marine base. I also think that my dad has made this trip so many times he knows every 50's type diner along the way.

Day 137: May 28, 2009

You can't really see the penguins but Gabriella just loved them. As you can see she's trying her best to go swimming with them.

Day 136: May 27, 2009

My parents were kind enough to watch the kids so Trevor and I could have some time alone. We drove past my old house which brought back a thousand memories.

Day 135: May 26, 2009

The kids' first roller coaster ride at Legoland. Michelle and I are in the front - which was a first for me.

Day 134: May 25, 2009

Our first family trip to the beach. At first Gabriella screamed if any part of her body touched the sand, but as you can see she soon couldn't be pried away from her digging.

Day 133: May 24, 2009

Since it was Sunday but it was our first full day in California we needed to find something to do that was free. We headed down to La Jolla to see the seals with my brother and his son. On our way back to the condo we stopped at the San Diego temple.

Day 132: May 23, 2009

Last night we drove from our house to Mesquite, Nevada. This morning we checked out of our hotel and headed to our final destination of Carlsbad, California.