The Canyon

Utah is beautiful! We are so lucky to live here. The drive to our campsite and the drive back were so beautiful (we came back a different way than we went). We also stopped at Cascade Springs to look around. Beautiful!

Some nice cows grazing by the spring.

A moose!

Please ignore the lovely after camping look.

Camping Trip '09

We haven't gone real camping this whole summer. Time just passed us by. We knew this weekend would be our last chance before cold and BYU season because Shane goes out of town next weekend. We picked Aidan up from football practice and headed up in search of a campsite. We found a great little spot and had a fun little camp out. London loved being outside and loved camping. Up to this point she has been a little eater and cuddler. She still wakes up a lot through the night. She thinks she needs me to hold her or feed her. I think she would eat all night if I let her. We have been working on this because I need some sleep. Apparently I need to take her camping. She slept through the whole night! What the...? She woke up so happy and ready to explore.

Andrew telling a scary story. Max watching intently!

My brother "J" joined us and told his own scary story.

Max had to do what the big boys were doing so he told a story as well.

This little guy loves his big brothers!

So on our way, Max decided he needed to be spider man. Shane and I both thought he looked like he was going to rob some place.

The Eye Doctor

Max had his 4 year old check up a little bit ago and I noticed him pointing to things and closing one eye. I asked him why he closed one eye and he said that if he didn't then everything looked crazy. Well, the doctor said to get him checked out just in case. We went to our friend who is an Opthamologist. Max is friends with his son, so he wasn't scared at all, although he was kind of shy when we got there. He was a great patient and everything is fine, just normal kids stuff. Because he has never been to the eye doctor they dilated his eyes just to make sure everything looked good. He got the special shades to wear and he thought he was cool stuff.

Max's First Day of Preschool

Thursday was Max's first day of preschool. He was soooo cute! He got right up in the morning and did everything I asked. He was all smiles. We had a special first day of school breakfast and then got ready. We took his picture to show off his backpack and how he looked for his first day. The sad thing was that when we got to school he tripped on the way in and skinned his knee. =( He stayed at preschool though, and had a great time. I have to admit that after I dropped him off and headed to work I cried. I can't believe how big he is getting. One day I was telling my Mom how big he is getting and jokingly said he needs to stop growing so fast. He interrupted me and said, "Mom, I'm not growing anymore!" I told him that he was and he said, "No, I'm not growing anymore because you don't want me to!" Such a sweetie! I told him it is ok for him to grow, just maybe not so fast. =)

Throwback Thursday #14

For this Throwback I had to include 2 pictures and tell the story. This is from 2006. For those of you who love BYU like my family you will remember the famous pass from John Beck to Jonny Harline that won the BYU vs Utah game. This happened the same night. Unfortunately my photos don't do the event justice. After the game we headed up Provo canyon to go to Park City for a quick shopping trip. We were headed around a bend and Anna (my sister) screamed. Because of the turn she could see everything first. We all looked up and saw the ending of what she saw. A tanker coming down the canyon went across the road to our side and turned on its side and then slid on the road, blocking our side. There was crazy dust everywhere, which you can't see. Anna and Shane jumped from the car and ran to the scene, not even thinking this tanker could hold gasoline! So brave! The rest of us stayed in the car because it was dangerous and Max was sleeping. I took this picture of us waiting in the car. We were the first on the scene. Luckily the tanker had been carrying milk and he was empty. They helped the guy and when the police arrived the filled out a statement. They completely closed the canyon and we had to head back out of the canyon and go the SLC route. Crazy event! Basically that whole night (between this and the BYU game) is forever going to be remembered.

Just One More

Tonight we were watching the results of "America's Got Talent." There were 3 acts left, one of which is an opera singer. The winning act will get an hour or 90 minute show in Vegas, so we often say if we could watch the act for that long. Andrew said the following:

"I could totally watch Opera for an hour…it teaches you stuff!"

Gotta love him!

Sweet Things

There has been so much going on and I haven't been a good blogger. There are some sweet moments I want to remember, so I need to write them down.

A month or so ago Aidan randomly sent me a text. All it said was, "I love you." It made my day!

Andrew is so sweet with London. He always wants to hold her. His arms get tired so he passes her back and forth all day, but he is holding her all the time.

Andrew is really into doing magic lately and loves to come up and do tricks for Max. He is such a cool big brother!

We all went to Aidan's football practice and Andrew brought a book to read. Max had to bring a book too, of course. During the practice Andrew said, "I'm going to the playground. I will bring my book in case I get bored." A few seconds later Max said, "I'm going to the playground. I will bring my book in case I get bored." He then followed Andrew to the playground. He wants to be just like his brother.

We went to the Owlz game and we all got a free baseball, even London. While we were sitting there, Max took London's ball and said it was for Andrew. I said that it is London's ball and he would have to ask her if Andrew could have it. He said, "She wants Andrew to have it." Again, he loves his brother.

We went to Aidan's first real game yesterday. I don't think I have ever seen him sweat so much! It is great for him. They won! He did a great job and had several good blocks.

London is growing so fast! In the mornings when she wakes up she will lay in bed and just talk to herself. It is so sweet. She also knows when I am leaving. I will be standing there by the door and she is fine. I open the door and she starts to cry. The other night Shane was holding her and she cried for me. She put her arm out and leaned over to me. I took her and she calmed right down. Shane tried to get her to go to him and she leaned in and hugged me. So sweet. She really loves Daddy a ton, but it is fun when she wants to be with Mommy. One of the other things I love right now is how she likes to hold the "bottle." Her hands are so tiny and so it is just cute. I love just looking at her.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

This morning we got up bright and early to go to the Temple Dedication. We were very fortunate and able to take Aidan and Andrew with us. Their Mom, with short notice, was able to rush them into the bishop to get a recommend so they could join us. It was neat to have them there and it was both of their first dedications as well as Shane's. I loved the first speaker, Sister Lifferth. She was wonderful. President Monson also shared a quick story of being on the President's 747 with President Uchtdorf. He said that President Uchtdorf knew all the bolts and buttons and it was all he could do to keep him from sitting in the pilot's seat. Well, after he sat in the pilot's seat he commented on how he had sat in this seat when he flew a 747. President Monson then said, "All I said was, 'Don't do it Dieter.'" And then he said, "And that is why he is able to be sitting here today." It was so funny. It was a great experience. After the dedication we headed outside to find it raining...make that pouring. This is the first time we have chosen to walk to the stake center instead of drive. So, I removed my heels and we all walked home. We were drenched, but it was fun. Thanks to my parents for going to the late session so they could watch Max and London. Max loved making pancakes with Grandpa.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas?

All day yesterday Max wanted to make Gingerbread houses. Well, after his preschool open house we went to the Owlz game so we didn't have time. Today we were able to make them with his friend "C." They had a great time. Max's tipped so it became a gingerbread tent.

Such a Big Kid

Last night we were able to go to Max's Preschool Open House. He is growing up so fast! Here is a cute picture of him in his classroom.

Rockin'

The other night we went to the Cougar Kick-off and I wish I had brought my camera! London was so cute! She would get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth to the music. The next night we were at Aidan's football practice and I had my camera. I got a little of what she was doing.

Throwback Thursday #13

School started today (actually yesterday for Aidan). I can't believe how time has just flown by. I thought it would be fun to compare some old school pictures. These pictures are of Andrew and Aidan when they were each in 1st grade! Look how little! Now Andrew is almost 11 and is starting 5th grade and Aidan is 12 and starting 7th grade. Amazing! (Andrew's picture is from 2005. Aidan's picture is from 2003.)

Growing Up Fast

Yesterday we had London's 6 month appointment and Max's 4 year old well-child. They are both getting so big, skinny, but tall.

Max
Height: 40.5 inches (53%)
Weight: 31.6 lbs. (13%)
Really these are probably higher percentages. The nurse had to get a new chart and didn't get me the percentages. I did an online chart for Max and these were the percentages. I entered London's and they showed lower than the nurse gave me.

London
Height: 26 inches (75%)
Weight: 14 lbs. 6 oz. (25%)
Head Cir. 50%

Pre-Season Football

Saturday Aidan played in his first scrimmage game. They played for only 40 minutes, but it was fun to watch. Here are a couple pics and video of him. He is #22 in the blue. They don't have their jerseys yet so everyone had to borrow them or whatever because they had to have a number. We borrowed one from the Orem High Lacrosse coach (my brother). It was cool. Aidan said one of his coaches went to Orem High. It also made it easier to spot him.

Here is a video of them calling his name and him running onto the field.

This is his very first play in his very first game.

P.S. They had him blocking the biggest guy on the other team.

Max's Birthday Party

So at our house we don't do birthday parties every year. We normally do 5, 8, 12, and 16. This year we decided to switch Max's party from 5 to 4 because a lot of his friends are moving. So on Saturday we did an Iron Man themed party and it turned out great. He had lots of little friends come. Here's how the party went down.
1. Andrew did a magic trick and pulled a quarter out from everyone's ears. The kids loved it!
2. Shane did 3 magic tricks including sticking a needle through a balloon.
3. We played games.
4. We broke a pinata.
5. We opened presents. (All his friends were so generous. Thank you!)
6. We had cake and ice cream.
7. Shane made balloon animals and swords for all the kids. Who then all attacked him with their swords.
It was a great party!

A Day Outside

Friday we woke up bright and early and headed up AF Canyon to Timpanogos Cave. We hiked up and walked through the cave. I have to say that I am TOTALLY out of shape! But, we still made it. In fact on the way down we saw a group at the 1/4 mark who were all young and in shape. No one was huffing or puffing and they were chugging along quite quickly. They commented on how it had only taken them 20 min. to get to the 1/4 mark. Guess what...it only took us 15! Wahoo! I carried London half the way up and then Shane took her the other half. We each took half the cave as well so we could enjoy it without a baby and with. On the way down Max decided he needed carried because it was steep and he said it was making him run (which is against the rules). Shane carried him a little less then half the way down and so I carried London the whole way down. I definately got my exercise!

I will explain some of the pictures: Aidan and Andrew were asked to participate in some of the things in the cave. Here Aidan was asked to lead the group and no one was to pass him. Shane posing. The 3 boys walking in a tunnel. 5 of us in the cave. Aidan being sweet. There was a part that looked wet and slippery and he reached back and grabbed my hand to help me (Awww). All my boys. Me and the kids at the start of the hike. The 3 boys posing on a rock. The whole family. All the boys on the trail.

After lunch all the boys went swimming. London was taking a nap so I stayed home. While they were there they were approached by a photographer from the LDS Church. He had Shane sign a waiver and took pictures of them swimming. The photos will be used on a new church website about families.

After swimming we ate dinner and headed out to Aidan's football practice. After his practice we ended the night by going crawdad fishing! We didn't have much luck, but we had fun. We plan to go again really soon. Andrew commented that this was the best day ever because he got to go through a cave and go crawdad fishing!