Big Springs Hike

August 11, 2008 This is becoming one of our favorite hikes--close, cooler, and not too long. We met up with the Christensens, had pizza at the trail head and then hiked to the meadow and back. We would have gone further, but we were loosing light and it was actually getting quite cold for a little boy who refused to stay in his backpack and whose shorts kept falling down. Guy showed us all a pretty impressive beaver dam that he found while hiking with Marcus (2nd picture), and the kids had a great time running around. Mitchell's favorite thing was finding the huge dandelion-like flowers (he calls them "Bubbles").

Caleb's Cake

Maybe someday I'll accurately predict how difficult a cake is going to be--but not this day. Actually this one wasn't the worst for me, and Caleb and I were both pleased with the result. I used the soccer ball pan (1/2 ball) and made the bottom layer out of firmly-packed rice crispy treats (thanks, Marenda for the idea), and the top was chocolate-zucchini cake. It didn't end up in a perfect ball (surprise, surprise), but Sheridan informed me that earth is actually an oblate spheroid, and though my cake was more exaggerated, I could claim that I was going for scientific accuracy.

I used the fondant left over from my last cake for the continents (and my perfectionist side was frustrated that I got them too small, and most everything ended up in the N. Hemisphere), and pretty much everything else. Kalen and Trysten helped me make the video game characters (Caleb was quite definite that he wanted them on his cake), and I stole Kendra's idea of using rubber stamps (well, mine were acrylic) for the lettering. When it was time for wishing, we stuck the candles in the Olympic rings (5 rings, 5 candles, see the unplanned symmetry?).

Caleb's Birthday

8-9-08 We celebrated Caleb's 5th birthday one week early so that his Reynolds cousins could celebrate with him. We had decided on an Olympic theme, with a definite nod to the Wii game, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. The kids all spun the globe to choose which country they'd "represent," then they made flags, we had a parade of nations (Mitchell was the torch-bearer). Then we had a few "events" for the kids to participate in, culminating in the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition (some good video from that one :-). After his cousins helped Caleb open his presents, we had Chinese food for dinner (Caleb loves fortune cookies--and yes, I do know that fortune cookies aren't truly Chinese). Overall, it was a successful birthday. The only problem is that Caleb keeps trying to convince me that he needs more presents today (his real birthday) :-).

Thanksgiving Point

August 5, 2008

We pulled off another cousins outing, this time to the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.

I love Owen and Caleb holding hands in the back of the group.

(This picture shows just how outnumbered poor Tamlen is when they come to Utah.)

We spent a good chunk of time feeding the monstrous goldfish at the Monet Garden.

In the Senses Garden.

While taking pictures of the two stroller kids, it became immediately apparent which one really knew how to pose and smile for pictures. Maybe she learned it from Owen. :-)

Family Pictures, 8-4-08

Marcus and Caleb

Family Pictures, 8-4-08

Cloning?

Before the 24th of July we went with Liz and Drake and Kerali and kids to the parade float preview at the South Town Expo Center. In my opinion, this is definitely the way to see a parade. The kids had a great time, got to vote for their favorite float and run around a bit. Since Kerali was the only one with a camera, I'll have to wait for pictures until she posts some.

Caleb and Mitchell fell asleep very shortly after getting in the car for the ride home, while Sheridan and Marcus talked about the other outings they'd like to go on. They mentioned Discovery Gateway which is an incredible children's museum in Salt Lake.

Me: "I don't really want to go back there. Remember, that was where I lost Caleb?

Marcus (pointing to his snoring brother): "So, is this one a copy?"

Getting Stuff Done

A couple of weeks ago, we had a relatively free Saturday and I took advantage of it to finish up these wall hangings for the little boys' room (that I started many moons ago). Caleb got excited about it and helped me with the glue gun once I finished the sewing. In the process, he was playing with the scraps of cloth and decided he wanted to make a blanket because his previous favorite was beginning to fall apart (it was one we got when Sheridan was a baby). Well, the scraps from the wall project weren't large enough for a blanket, so Caleb helped me pick out some other fabric from my stash and by Monday night, he had his blanket (I would have been done sooner, but I mistakenly cut the piece I'd planned to use as backing and had to find something else that would work).

Technologically Challenged

So, I'm writing this blog from my new laptop (yea!) found through a post on slickdeals.net for a great price (yea!). BUT I find that being married to a technologically-savvy* individual (this is how he pays for my new laptop, BTW) has created in me a serious spousal-dependence when it comes to any and all things computer. Combine this dependence with Guy's long hours put in at work lately (basically since beginning this new job in June), and it's been a slow-go getting this new computer set up.

Oh, and add to it all that our ISP was sold and we had about 3 days' warning before the new ISP turned off our old email addresses. I'm still waiting for Guy to set that up again so that I can get my addresses and my in and out boxes all in the same place and all working. . .

In short, I feel like I've been a bit disconnected lately.


* Ooh, I didn't realize that "savvy" was spelled with two "v's". Gotta love spellcheck.

14 Years (and one week)

August 4th was our 14th anniversary and we "celebrated" by getting family pictures taken, including this one of just the two of us. We have thoughts of trying to plan an actual anniversary celebration of some sort, but it may take till next August to find a time . . . In the meantime, however, we feel very lucky to have found each other and we very much look forward to the next 14 years. . . and the 14 after that. . .