Pre-Days of '47

Okay, we're not really big on parades. I don't think Brad and I have ever taken our kids to a parade. Now before you claim that we're depriving our kids, you're probably right. But Rachel, Emma, and Caleb seem reasonably well adjusted and happy individuals.

But I digress. A tradition I have been doing with the kids for the past five years is that we go to the South Towne Expo Center to see the floats for the Days of '47 Parade up close. It's something that I've always enjoyed. I love watching the kids expressions when they are walking up close to the incredible floats. They also really enjoy voting for their favorite float. We usually go out for treat afterwards. This year Rachel couldn't go with us because she had to go to a Young Women activity and I was really sad about that. But, I had a great time with Emma and Caleb.

At one of the floats, one of the men that created the float offered to let Caleb stand on the float next to "Curtis the caterpillar". Cabes thought that was pretty cool.

As the kids get older, I know it will be harder for them to be excited about going to see the floats. Rachel didn't seem too disappointed to miss the activity. But I really like doing this with them. I hope to keep this tradition going for some time. Maybe someday I'll take my grandchildren.

I look like who?

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Okay, so I found this online and I thought I would give it a go. Lisa Ling, Michelle Yeoh and the other Asian women I understand, I'm even flattered, I think they're (to borrow the phrase from one of my look-alikes) hot. But Paris Hilton and Oprah Winfrey? Huh?? I'm completely baffled. They don't look anything like each other let alone bear any sort of resemblance to me. As for Jet Li and Ang Lee, that just depresses me. I think I'm going to go lie down.

. . .Like the Corners of my Mind

My friend Tresa has this post on her blog and it seems like a pretty fun game to try. So, let's give it a try. I have one request though, don't retell any memories that might incriminate me or send the authorities after me!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments

Activities in the Mountains

Tuesday we took our Activity Days girls up to the Boy Scout day camp up Hobble Creek Canyon. Camp Jeremiah Johnson is a popular spot for the Boy Scouts to go to so why not have some girls up there once in awhile too? We had a great time (even though it was hot, sticky and very dusty) spending the day shooting BB guns, shooting rocks across a stream with a slingshot, and generally doing things that are normally associated with being a Boy Scout. The girls were so cute! It was funny because the 11 year old girls started the day out trying their hardest to look jaded and disinterested but once they forgot themselves, they had a blast. Here's Emma and her friend Baylee trying to look like they're above it all.

They had all the activities you would expect from a scout camp-regatta races, shooting a bow and arrow, hitting things with slingshots, and shooting cans with bb guns. They also had an activity where they made tote bags with bandannas, which they loved. If you ask me, making purses out of bandannas doesn't sound like an activity that I could see 8 to 10 year old boys enjoying so we asked the scout leaders about it. We found out that yes, it was an activity that was tailored specifically to girls. Can you just imagine it?

"Son, did you have fun at day camp today?"

"It was totally awesome mom! Look, we got to make these bags! I chose peach and brown for my colors. I'm going to put my chapstick in it!" Uh, I don't think so.



They loved making the bags, but not many of them could finish before the next activity. So, while the girls were trying to shoot arrows at targets, the trusty leaders were busy tying many, many square knots. If any of you out there is familiar with the Boy Scout culture, can you explain something to me? What is it with the skits? There were SO many of them! I know they are meant to entertain, but to tell you the truth, I think it baffled the girls. Look, I have pictures to prove it! I especially love the last picture where the four girls are just staring with their mouths hanging open. I was definitely more entertained by the girls' expressions than with boys jumping around and yelling.



I think it's a shame that once we become adults we become less enthusiastic about things. Is it because we've become jaded or are we afraid to draw too much attention to ourselves? After watching the cute girls all afternoon, I believe if you forget yourself, the world is a brighter and more exciting place. I think I will try harder to act more enthusiastic, that is if no one is looking at me.

4th of July (3rd and 5th as well)

We had a fun low-key 4th of July this year. On Thursday night, we saw Wall-E and I have to say it is not one of Pixar's finest.

On the morning of the 4th, I went on my bike and had a really good run. That is until I stopped at the driveway to and my bike tipped on the side that I couldn't get my foot out of the toe clip (Oh no! My nightmare has come true!). Caleb seemed a bit concerned as he watched me but I felt more stupid than hurt. Now I have a huge bruise on my knee and I had to wear a long skirt to church as to not alarm the children in primary.

For lunch on the 4th, we packed a picnic and headed up to American Fork Canyon. We ate our lunch and stopped at Cascade Springs. Apparently, if you're not in Provo enjoying the patriotic festivities, you are at Cascade Springs. There was a cute family there trying to have a formal portrait taken and I think they were having a really hard time because there were so many people there. We tried to take some family pictures too.

We were met Derek and Laura's family up at Cascade Springs. It's a good thing they're tolerant of us. We've seen them a lot lately and they still act like they like our company. We for sure like theirs.
After Cascade Springs, we drove down to Grammie and Grampa's house. They live just a few miles away from LaVell Edwards Stadium and it's a tradition to have a huge barbecue at their house and enjoy the music and the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire. We like this tradition very much, we get to spend the holiday with friends and family and eat good food. How can you beat that? Rachel and Emma like to pretend that they aren't Miley Cyrus fans but I can guarantee that they've probably seen every episode of Hannah Montana at least 15 times.

We have our own version of fireworks. Brad calls it "Gutter of Fire." He even has a jingle to go with it. I think Brad and Grampa had as much fun with the fireworks as the kids.


After the fireworks at the stadium were finished at about 11:00, several people wanted to watch the movie "Johnny Tremain." It's a good film to watch on Independence Day only we started so late that I think the only people that were able to stay awake for the whole film were Brad, Rachel and Emma. The rest of us fell asleep. We made it home about 12:30 and I don't think the kids were coherent or even conscious by then.

The next day we spent the afternoon swimming at the Draper pool and then we saw "Kung Fu Panda" with my parents, since we didn't see them on the 4th. This movie was a lot better than Wall-E. (Did I just blaspheme?) After the movie, we had a barbecue with them at their house. In conclusion, we had a relaxing weekend with many activities stretched out over three days. We didn't do any of the marathon days that some of you had. So why to I feel so tired and worn out?

So, What do you think?

As you can see, I just changed the look of my blog. What do you think? I just got an email from Brad saying that the background looks like wasabi. I like wasabi. Any input from you would be appreciated. Do I change the background?

More Pics

Here's some pictures I like that I didn't use in my previous posts. Some are silly, some are nice. I hope you like them too. May I offer my sincere apologies to Emma for making her the first picture in the slide show. I tried to move the picture but I can't figure out how to do it yet.