Wasatch State Park

We took off this last weekend for Wasatch State Park which is only about 10 mins outside of Heber and Midway. We didn't really have any plans we were just going to get there and figure things out. I did want to get shakes at the Dairy Keen but I knew there wouldn't be any resistance to that idea. It was so HOT all weekend. The mornings were pleasant because we had some shade but from noon until about 7 pm each day it was unbearable to be at the campsite. We even considered taking the kids to a movie in Heber but were able to find other things to do instead. There was a small fishing pond down by the visitor's center and they let the kids use some poles for free. The kids LOVED it even though they didn't catch anything so we let them fish both days. Now we need to find some fun fishing holes closer to home. We brought several card games and LOTS of food. We went on a short 1 mile walk but didn't dare do any real hiking with Abby's still healing foot. The campground was great - showers, flushing toilets, what else could you ask for in a campground? Yogi didn't get to go because one of the dogs he breeds with went into heat on Wed so he stayed home with her. :( I missed him so much but with how hot it was I think it was a good thing.

All in all is was a great weekend!

Now for the clean up . . .

Abby's first sewing project

Abby has been doing 4H this summer. Here is the apron that they made. She will be entering it in the Tooele County Fair this coming week.

It turned out nice for her first project!

Here we go!

I heard about growing an avacado tree from a seed at work and found this website. So I went and bought some avacado's and we are going to try to grow some. It will take AT LEAST 5 years for it to actually fruit and I don't know if it will but it will be fun either way.

After removing the pits I washed them in cold water and patted them dry. I would recomend not letting them dry out first because the shells cracked a little. The toothpicks went in much easier than I expected. After I did the first one I started angling the toothpicks up a little bit so that the glass doesn't have to be quite so full of water.

I will try to post about once a week so you can track our progress. I am also thinking about growing some cherry and apricot trees. I don't know how sucessful I will be with all the other things I have going on but we'll see.

Well, Abby broke her foot. :(

We usually stay with her at soccer practice because it is 15 mins away but last night I decided the drive out and back twice was worth not sitting out there for 2 hrs. But an hour into her practice she texted me and asked me to come get her because she had hurt her foot. She tripped on some equipment during ladder drills. She tried to walk it off but she was hurting. It really hasn't bruised much and the swelling was almost completely gone this morning but she was so unwilling to put weight on it that I wanted to make sure she was fine. I'm glad we didn't chance it. I'm proud of how tough she had been. She hopped to the car and all around the dr's office today until someone finally didn't give her a choice and made her use a wheelchair. She broke the end off of her 5th metatarsal. We follow up with a podiatrist on Tues to decide what to do from here. Send hugs to Abby!

Happy Birthday to Jordan!

It was Jordan's 9th birthday today and what a great day we had. We started off the festivities with cake and ice cream at the park. Here is our birthday crew.

This is how they opened gifts so it was pretty hard to see what was happening but as you can see I think they all had a fun time.

Then we went to the pool and let the boys run wild. They all had so much fun and were so well behaved at the pool. I thought it would be an absolute zoo but it all worked out perfectly. They all had fun and I didn't have to plan any games, clean up after anyone or referee anything. I would definitely do this again!

After the party was done it was time for birthday dinner. Jordan chose french bread sandwiches. They were nice, easy and delicious.

Then it was time for family gifts. He got 2 Ratchet and Clank PS2 games, a bumblebee transformer, some balsa wood planes, water rockets, a fun sprinkler, and a model car.

Ben took the kids out to play with the water rockets and we quickly had a crowd of neighborhood kids wanting to join in. They all had fun launching and catching the rockets.

It was finally time for cake and ice cream! Jordan asked to have a cookies and cream cheese cake so I took the easy was out and make the jello in the box variety but hey, he was happy. We also had cookies and cream ice cream. Abby played Happy Birthday on the piano for him.

It was such a great day. Happy Birthday Jordan, we love you!

AAAAHHHHH!!!

We have had black widows in the basement and garage since we moved in.  But they have left us alone so I have left them alone.  But this is what I found in the window well today and I couldn't just let it stay.  (I say I, but Ben is currently outside fighting the spider!)  I don't know if you can tell how big it is but it has at least a 3" leg span!

Happy Friday.

School's out for Summer!

The kids had their last day of school this week.  I am so excited to not have to get everybody up and ready!  Jordan's class was the only one to have an end of school program and I forgot my camera!!  They sang a few songs and did an end of school dance to a HSM song.  Jordan was front and center and did a great job!  All the kids had a great school year.  None of them wanted to leave school, in fact Megan said today, "I can't wait for winter when we're back in school."  

Abby was given the Superintendent's academic achievement award.  She got straight A's all year and also got another perfect attendance award!  She also did student council this year and enjoyed planning and helping with some of the school activities.  She is doing 4H for sewing and cooking this summer along with her soccer competitions.  We are so proud of her and are looking forward to seeing her excel in the things she does in the future!  

Jordan got an award for his national test score in social studies.  He is also excelling in Math.  He got A's in math all year!  He has passed off his times tables through the 8's.  I still get chills when I hear him read sometimes.  It has been amazing to watch him grow, learn and progress!  This summer he will be working on finishing up his wolf badge and start working towards getting his bear badge for scouts.  

Megan had a great year too.  In 1st grade they use number grades instead of letters.  She went from 1's in reading and writing to 4's.  Her biggest problem has been her shyness.  I think she just needed time to warm up to the teacher before she would talk to her!  She also enjoys math and flips through anatomy books for fun.  She loves to ask about how stuff like the heart and the lungs work.  She says she is going to be a nurse so she can come and work with me.  

I am so lucky to have such great kids.  I hope everyone has a great summer!

Some one needs to buy that kid some flip flops!

These are Jordan's legs right now! We have this thing about not letting them ride bikes or scooters with sandals or flip flops on and I don't let them wear them to school. I just want all of their toes to stay attached and I want them to be able to run and play at school without twisting an ankle! (I worry too much I know) But I bought him a new pair of sandals and will be buying flip flops next week.  Hopefully his feet won't see socks for 3 months!  

Happy Birthday Abby!

I forgot that I didn't post about Abby's birthday!  I had to work the actual night of her birthday so we opened presents before I went in.  She got a scooter, a watch, a soccer bag, some leggings, flip flops and more minutes for her cell phone.  

The next night we had cake and ice cream.  I sold out again and took her to the store to pick her favorite.  This is what she picked:  

Then Friday night she had a sleepover with 6 friends.  It was a little crazy but she had fun!  

Happy Birthday Abby! We love you!