Nagging

Whoever said that nagging doesn't work was wrong. I have nagged our city so many times about this ugly empty lot in front of me and I just got an email that says the builder will be starting clean up this week. Now lets see if it really happens. This lot is supposed to be a green space which will be so nice for the kids to play on. Below the picture is the actual email from the city. I posted it for my neighbors to read.

Mrs. Marshall,
My name is Mark Edwards, I’m the Capital Facilities Manager for the City of Saratoga Springs. Your email was forwarded to me to sort this out. We’ve sat down with Rick Salisbury and a contractor he has hired to clean up all unfinished issues in his projects in this subdivision. A punch list has been compiled which includes the landscaping on this lot. Rick Salisbury has committed to completing everything this summer and will be starting this week. I will check with his contractor as to when they intend on starting the landscaping and get back to you. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and for your patience.

Chinese Food

We have lived here in Utah for 2 1/2 years now and have not found a decent Chinese food restaurant. We had some delicious Chinese restaurants in California and so coming to Utah and not being able to get a decent order of chow mein has been very hard on us. Panda Express just isn't cutting it anymore. Today we found a Mongolian BBQ online way down in Springville so we decided to try it out. We were very happy with the place even though we didn't try the chow mein. The boys loved the orange chicken and steamed rice and Jon and I really liked the Mongolian BBQ. So if you want to try it, it is called, you guessed it, Mongolian BBQ and it is off of Exit 260 in Springville. If anyone knows of any others please let us know.

I've got hair!

I was finally able to put a barette in Elora's hair. She kinda has the Pebble's look going on.

Pioneer Day

Here in Utah July 24th is Pioneer Day, the day to remember the Mormon Pioneers. Jon was off so we decided to go explore. We were looking for ghost towns but no luck, instead we ended up finding Vernon, a town that looked like it could be a ghost town with a population of about 300 people. Tyler's friend Conner was playing at our house when we decided to go so he joined us. We took the boys to a "summer tery"(how Degan says cemetery) and got to see grave stones from the 1800's which the boys thought was pretty cool. It was fun seeing Tyler and Conner reading the names and dates on the tombstones. Degan was very sad to find out that "real life babies" were buried there. After the cemetery we ate lunch at a church where the boys were able to climb trees and run around before getting back in the car for the boring ride back home. When we got back from our adventure we were able to get together with our neighbors for a BBQ and fireworks. It was fun getting to know them better. Their girls are so sweet and well behaved, we love having them over.

Conner, Tyler with Elora and Degan in front of a Pony Express landmark

Faust Station 1860-1861

The Vernon Cemetery

Cori, Lexi, Tyler and Jacob throwing pop-its

Our fun week

It has been a good week. The boys had summer camp for 2 1/2 hours each day where they made cowboy stuff and got to play with friends. We also got to see Jon's cousin Heidi from Colorado and her beautiful girls. They are some of the sweetest girls and I mean it. Ryann, Maddie and Skye are so sweet to the babies and precious Bayli just makes your heart melt with her big brown eyes and chunky little legs. It was so nice to see them and have them take time out of their vacation to come see us. We have really kept in touch through our blogs and I am so glad. So many years went by where we had no contact. Thanks again guys for coming. We love you.

Ryann, Heidi w/Bayli, Skye and Maddie

Bayli

Elora and Bayli, wondering who is going to get that toy first!

Our Garden is finally producing some fruits(or veggies) of our labors. Now if we can just get rid of those pesky Squash bugs.

Tyler and Degan with our first Zucchini. Tyler actually wants to try it.

I have had this floor activity mat thing and finally was smart enough to bring it out. Elora loves it and doesn't even care that she is on her tummy. Finally we are getting tummy time.

Tyler was so excited because July 19th was his best friends birthday. Tyler was the only friend that Zion invited so they had a blast. I was a nervous wreck and wasn't even sure that I wanted him to go on account that 3 years ago Tyler almost drowned and Tyler is not very experienced in the water. I told Zion's mom several, OK at least 10, times that he needed to be watched every second and he needed a life jacket and so on. She assured me that he would have a blast. To my surprise I gave birth to a FISH! She couldn't even get him out of the water for hours. Sometimes it is good to be away from mom. I must be the one who makes him nervous or he just knows how to play me. Anyway, I am glad he had such a great time with his buddy.

Zion and Tyler jumping in.

Look at those cute boys.

Glow sticks, everything is better with glow sticks.

Also this week, Elora found her voice and she loves it. She makes these loud high pitched squeals that are so cute. She also loves being pulled around while she is laying on a blanket. Here is a video of her laughs and squeals. You will have to pause the music at the bottom of the page so that you can hear her.

I took Elora in for her 4 month old pictures a month ago and got some great pictures but I had to post this one. Look closely at her middle finger. I had to buy a sheet of it just because it made Tyler and Degan laugh so hard.

The picture is better in person but I don't have a scanner so I just took a picture of the picture.

Elora's new chair

Well I really wanted one of those cute new wooden highchairs that are a hundred and something dollars but the practical side of me and Jon convinced me to go cheap since we aren't having anymore babies after Elora. This little highchair that straps to one of our dining chairs is actually not that bad for $24.99. She loves being at the table with us when we are eating and she doesn't care what it looks like so why should I? Who's looking at the chair anyway when there is such a beautiful baby sitting in it, right? Right!

Happy Birthday Museum of Ancient Life

AKA the dinosaur museum. I took the kids to the museum once again because this whole week they were celebrating their 8th birthday. They had lots of things for the kids to do and they had a special T-Rex named Bubbles that was made completely out of biodegradable balloons. Over 2000 hand inflated balloons were used to recreate the 200+ bones of a T-Rex. It took 7 balloon twisters and 1 paleontologist 6 days to build. The boys got their face painted, made Dino hats, and got Dino shaped balloons for themselves to take home. They were a lot smaller than Bubbles but they were so happy with them anyway. We also did an adventure hunt throughout the museum. The boys found the password at the end of the hunt and were able to get a little flying dinosaur toy. The boys had a lot of fun and I am glad that it was not real crowded and not outside where it was too hot to have any fun. I love how close it is to our house too.

"BUBBLES"

A close up of his head.

Tyler getting a claw painted on his face.

Degan getting a footprint painted on his face. He was so still for the girl. What a big boy.

Dino hats that the boys made.

What a fun day.

4th of July

We spent 4th of July at our house this year and had yummy hot dogs and hamburgers with all of the other good stuff including homemade ice cream thanks to Jon's mom. We then all went outside for fireworks. The kids had fun just painting their hair, playing with glow sticks and just being with friends. They really didn't even watch fireworks very much but oh well they had tons of fun.

Avery, Klara, Degan, Tyler w/Elora, Samantha, Jacob, Brock and Korrin

Jon and Degan

Tyler watching fireworks for a little bit.

4th of July Bungee Swing

We were invited to go up to the Provo Canyon to go bungee swinging. Not knowing what to expect, we decided to go. WOW!!! did we have a good time. The bungee cord was tied to 2 trees about 30-40 feet up and a swing(cargo net) is strapped onto the cord. We had to sit in the net and strap in, then we get pulled down to the ground and shot like a sling shot. Jon went first and then to my surprise Tyler went with me. I can't believe my Tyler did it. I can't even believe that I did it. It was so much fun and kind of scary. Tyler said he felt like he was going to die but when asked if he wanted to get shot up again he quickly said yes. Nobody asked if I wanted to get shot up again but I had no choice, we were already up again. I am glad we did it. What an experience. We told our friends to let us know when they do it again. Degan did not want to go. He is probably the only smart one in the family.

Jon getting ready for take off. It takes about 5 guys to pull down the cord.

Jon in the air.

Me and Tyler in the air. Woo hoo!!

See how big the tree is. We were way up there.

They just let us go.

First bite of real food

I wasn't going to start giving Elora real food yet but every time we eat at the table she just gets mad and moves her mouth like she wants to eat. I finally gave in 2 days ago and this was her face during every bite. What is funny is that she kept opening her mouth for more. Yesterday was the 4th of July and we were busy all day and didn't think of giving her any food except for the normal nursing schedule. At about 12 am she was sooo mad and we tried everything, everything except food that is. Once we gave her just a couple of teeny bites of her rice cereal she was happy and smiling. I then decided to eat a piece of watermelon which she tried grabbing out of my hand. I let her lick the juice and she loved it. I think we have a little eater on our hands. I want her to stay a baby but she wants to grow up way too fast.

MANNER'S

The other night at dinnertime the subject of manner's came up. Probably because one of the boys(this includes Jon) farted. Yes, thank goodness I am no longer the only girl in the house. Anyway, Jon was telling the boys some rules like no elbows at the table and saying "may I please be excused." While Jon was telling the boys the rules he burped without even realizing what he had just done. I quickly told the boys that not burping at the table is one of the rules too. We just started cracking up. This is why Tyler and Degan don't take us too seriously and by our next meal it was like rules had never been discussed. Oh well, I guess I can keep trying or just give in to the fact that there are 3 boys in our house. Am I the only one with these problems? By the way, they don't always eat while wearing just undies but they got all wet while playing outside.