Fourth of July: Part 2

Sunday we had a BBQ and games with my family.

Part 2: Monday

I did my fourth 5k of the summer, the Provo Freedom Run. I did my average time. I thought I did better though because the clock at the finish line was off. So that was a let down. But the last part of the race was uphill for a good distance, and I ran the whole way. I was so proud of myself! I did have to walk for about a block after that. I had my headphones on the whole time so running on the parade route wasn't as intriguing as I expected.  But it was fun and I am so glad I did it.

I didn't get the memo that you could pick up the number and chip the days before the race so I was stressed to get them before the race since the starting line was about a half a mile away from the registration tables.  Jon was amazing as usual and got up to drive me around so I wouldn't have to wake up way way way early.

I ripped this pics off of the runner pics website.

This during the race a little more than half way, with Jon's old shades on, I left mine at my moms.  For some reason I always run with my thumbs up-Jon likes to tease me about it.

My sister, Rachel did the 10k, so after my race I grabbed some water and food, and went out to watch for her.  I decided to finish the race again, but this time with her. It was pretty fun to do that, especially because I had my energy back.

Then we headed down to the Parade. Rachel's In-laws always have a great spot, and they let us come sit with them.

The whole group

My cute boys, I sure love them

Then we went to the Freedom Festival which was crazy hot. I was hoping to find these PVC pipe noodle swords for the boys. I got some last year and they loved them all year, but they are starting to fall apart. One booth was out, another had some cheaper ones, but I thought there weren't anymore. But after I bought them 10 mins later I found the ones I wanted at another booth...darn. The boys were exhausted and hot as was Jon, so we just headed home.

We had a BBQ with the WGR friends, and then we did fireworks on our own. It was actually pretty fun this year.

It was a such a nice weekend to take a break and not think about all the craziness that was ahead, with selling the house, finding a rental to move into, packing up, etc.


I sure love the freedoms we have to put on such events, to participate in them, and to decide and make our lives what we want them to be!

Fourth of July: Part 1

As always, 4th of July Part 1:

Being in Utah, if Independence Day falls on a Sunday, we celebrate all weekend. Saturday is when they do the fireworks and Monday (the day off) they do the parade.  This year we went and saw the fireworks on Saturday.

This was as good as it got. There was too much wind so they couldn't blow the balloons up all the way. The wind was pulling the balloons away before they even heated the air.  (Speaking of Hot Air Balloons, we can see the out the windows of our house here in Heber every morning. Pretty fun!)

As soon as the Coke Bottle was almost upright the wind started blowing it back and forth it was pretty crazy. It was a cool balloon, I wish we could have seen it in the air.

The big thing Zac remembers about the Fourth of July is the hot air balloons, and for months he had been talking about riding in one. That costs about $190 per person.  Since that is not in the budget, and no balloons were being blow up or taking off. I asked an operator if Zac could get in. Zac was thrilled!

He also liked the little window where you can see the ground from the air

And Max has to be just like his brother. He even daily mimics most of what Zac does and says.

I can't remember what we did during the day-oh I remember now, Jon took a nap while I shopped for more summer clothes for the kids, we cleaned cars and shopped for a bunk bed for the kiddos. We went to 6 places with no luck. We are pretty picky.

Then we went to Pier 49 Pizza and headed to the missionary field to watch the fireworks.

Jon was a genius and brought a kite to play with. Other little kids were so jealous.

I love this picture! We kept telling Zac to look at the kite...haha

Pretty sun set

The last couple days the boys have really been into playing Barrel of Monkeys. There are also Barrel of Bunnies in there from my mom, from a few Easters ago.

Max was cold

Watching the fireworks. It can be tricky to watch the fireworks from outside the stadium, you never know when they are done. One year they did like 5 mins fireworks, 10 mins of nothing and then 5 mins fireworks, and 10 mins of nothing, like 5 times. It sucked. This year they took a break between the main fireworks show and the firework finale.  Lots of people left before the finale. I miss the days way back when you could listed to the program on the radio.

On the way home-long day for us all. And it took 45 mins to get home too....when it normally takes 10 mins.

I really should be unpacking, but . . . . I'm not. Back posting is much more appealing. Although I would really like to clear out the garage so we can park the cars inside it. But its just too hot to do that.

SKDY Work Party

A couple weeks before we moved, Jon's work had their summer party. The boys got to hold a snake.

Its fun to see the boys' personalities come out. Max wasn't nervous at all . . . .

But Zac sure was :)

And there was an entertaining Roman Candle War.

More Swimming Lessons

Back in the middle of June, I put the kids in more swimming lessons. They were "safe" in the water, but really could not swim and play without clinging. So I found some lessons that were less expensive and focused on swimming progression. I had mixed feelings. They didn't like the kids to be "drown proof" because they need to rethink things when it comes to getting to the side, and they need to learn how to swim with their face in the water, so they lost some of their back floating skills. The other swim lessons would have taught them to swim face in the water, but it would have taken longer, which means more money and time. But I love the technique they learned at the other lessons.

Anyway, I am still pleased with their progress with the second set of swimming lessons. Zac just needs to get the confidence to know he can really do it alone.

Here are 3 videos of them:

Zac jumping off the diving board. Can you tell he has to pee? I love/hate how the girl behind him is nudging him. The first time he was on the board she actually pushed him off!

Here Zac is going down the slide at the pool

And Max jumping off the diving board

Father's Day 2010

Well, I can honestly say I don't remember what we did on Father's Day about a month and a half ago. But I'm pretty sure we BBQed some steaks, and just took it easy.

I wanted to make these fun, cute snack bottles for Jon and the boys liked to help me.

Max did great at helping until he was putting skittles in the bottle and decided to eat one and then spit it out in the bottle...I had to start all over and wash and dry the bottle, not to mention all the skittles in the bottle were unusable. But nevertheless, it was fun to have the boys help :)

I was just going to do one case of bottles (orange crush), but I ended up doing two 6 packs. When I was buying the candies and treats in the bulk section at Winco, I thought there were 8 bottles in the packs.

I tried to have heathier snacks with the candy. Here we have: Milk Duds, granola, Sour Patch Kids, toffee peanuts, Hot Tamales, yogurt covered raisins, Skittles, dry salted roasted sunflower seeds, Candy Corns, Craisins, pistachios, and MMs.

The online tutorial included fun vintage like labels for the packaging and bottles.

We love you Jon. You are THEE BEST Daddy in the WORLD!!

(Love this picture, my friend Amy Lindsey took it. We have family pics too,

that I want to send out in a holiday-like card. But I just have not had time!)

Strawberry Days Carnival 2010

 Trying to think back to June . . . we went to the Strawberry Days carnival on Saturday, the day after we went to the Rodeo. The boys love the rides and they even got to do a pick the duck out of the water and you get a price. They both chose swords. 

 

I know I'm in the minority on this when it comes to adults-but I like this ride.  Or I did years ago, the last time I rode it. Every year I want to ride it again, but I don't want to ride by myself, and no one I am with wants to ride it, and even if they did who would watch the kids while we're on the ride. And two years I was pregnant, so I couldn't ride. This year, we had no one to watch the kids. Last year, Rachel came so it would have worked out, except we ran out of tickets. So I continue to look longingly-til the day I can ride it and either hate it or love it.

We're Moving!

Well, things are finally falling into place. We sold our house and are moving in about a week. Its been quite a rollercoaster and I expect that to continue until we get settled in. We are moving to Heber Valley. Things are crazy busy right now and I have a lot of back posting from Father's Day, more swimming lessons, and the Fourth of July that needs to be done. But for now here are some pics of where we're going:

Yes, it really is beautiful and peaceful year round. We are not living in a barn, but this is what you'll find when you venture a few miles away from Main Street. Standby for more details and updates. If we can get "real" high speed internet out there, then perhaps my blogging will be more consistent.