Heber Creeper

June 30

Jon's parents were in town for a bit and Jon took a few days off of work so we could spend time with them.  On Thursday, the 30th, we got tickets to ride the Heber Creeper. This is something I had wanted to do for years! Especially, since we moved to the area. It was a stormy morning, but luckily things cleared up by the afternoon. We did the 3 hr ride to Vivian Park and back.

Its funny...pretty much anytime I try to take a picture of Max he's either not looking at the camera or he's holding something in front of his face.

Close quarters. I had no idea how tight it would be. This is the car we rode on riding down to Vivian Park.

There was very pretty scenery through the whole ride. This is Charleston, the small town between Midway and Deer Creek, North of Heber. Our landlord moved there from the house we currently live in.

Typically, Jon and I have different tastes on many things. But this white house in the pic....we both really like-win! Hopefully, when the time comes, it won't be so hard to agree on what kind of house to buy.

Looking out toward Daniel

I just love these pics of Max

When we got up by Soldier's Hollow, we were boarded by bandits!! Hands up!

They were looking for a money box, which turned out to be empty. So they took some hostages and threatened to kill this duck. Haha, it was pretty fun. The boys were nervous at first. And there was another toddler who was hysterical.

This is what I get when I say "smile"

Deer creek

I love this!

This was the conductor

When we stopped at Vivian Park there was this creepy bug outside the window. What is it?! And check out that long stinger looking thing. I've never seen these before. And there was one in our tent when we went camping last week.

Luckily, on the way back, I decided to check out the other passenger train car. It was soooo much nicer! The windows worked, so it was nice to get fresh air and not very many people were in that one so there was more room.

It was a fun, long ride. I'm glad we got to see the canyon this way.

Random

June 30

The boys after new haircuts

Jon reading to the boys on a Sunday afternoon

Max doing the bungee swing at gymnastics--he was pretty nervous at first, but then had a fun time

The boys jumping from napkin to napkin. Trying to wear the boys out on a Sunday evening, the week before we moved. As much as we like to get Sunday naps...it means if the boys nap too, they won't be ready for bed til after 9:30p maybe even later.

Gymnastics and T-Ball

June 15

During the month of June Zac played T-ball with the city. He was on the Phillies team. He LOVED the red and he got a shirt and hat.

To be honest, it was pretty boring to watch. But it was really nice to be outside in the sunshine! One team hit the ball, while the other ran to get it and then threw it to first base. In my (and many others') opinions...it wasn't very organized. Zac never played a base and half the time he didn't get to throw the ball to first since he was in the back of the outfielders line and the other team ran out of players to hit. I much prefer Provo's City teams where they did drills and exercises.  But it was something to do and I think it was good for Zac to be involved. I heard there is a private neighborhood type organization doing a t-ball and I hope to get him on that next season. 

Zac on first base. He was a champ at running the bases. It was fun to be the last batter because then he got to run all the bases in a row, like a homerun.

I also, signed Max up for the summer gymnastics program here in the area.  I am hoping he can get stronger and more coordinated. He is pretty floppy with his low muscle tone. He loves it! Its once a week for the summer. Do to the gym's insurance, I can't go on to the mats or anything so these pics are from the top of the stairs at the far end of the gym.

Here he's doing a back roll on a cheese wedge mat.

There is a little course that they get to do and use different exercises. He loves it!

Here he is being helped to do a flip off the trampoline-soooo funny!

He loves, loves, loves it! I'm so excited for him to be learning this stuff. Its his first time being involved in a sport and he is so happy about it. Although Zac is a little jealous he is still a good sport and supportive to his brother :)

Here we go-a-blog postin' .... among the leaves so green...yeah I feel a little loopy. And as weird as it is, I'm kinda looking forward to fall and Christmas already-what is wrong with me?! And what's with all the thunderstorms around here, isn't it the middle of summer????

Anyway, I should be getting ready for the cub committee meeting I have in a half hour-blah...but I would rather name and upload photos.... Standby for just major back posting... I have about 10 files of pictures to go through. 

First Swim Day!

YESTERDAY!!
We finally got to go to the pool!!! Honestly, I'd love to go 2x a week, but that isn't reasonable with driving out to Provo :(  But it was bliss! The weather was perfect! The boys had a blast! (Can you tell I'm still excited about it from all my "!!!!") I tried to soak as much of it in as I could, the smell, the sounds, the feeling.  Its been too breezy and cool here to get wet. Even laying out in the yard is not ideal.  The weather is all over. The wind gusts in every direction, and when the sun goes behind the clouds I get chills. But when I comes back, its delightful!

I was impressed at how Max just went right out there. Last year, he wouldn't go very far from me. He spent a good amount of time warming up on the cement.

We went with our friends, the Nemelkas. Zac had a fun time playing with Chance.

Pool check=snack time!

Everything turned off during pool check

Drying off to go home.

The boys kept asking when we can come back. I, myself, was wondering the same thing! Unfortunately, it might have to wait a month...maybe I can sneak a trip or two in during the move and upcoming holiday!

Another Door Hanging

This is almost exactly what I envisioned in my head. I was originally thinking of the stripes being something less sparkly. When I was thinking of what I could use, I thought of plastic table cloth, waterproof type material in streamer strips. But I didn't know where I'd find that. So I looked around in the trim section at Hobby Lobby (50% off! :) And found this sequin trim (that I love)! There were also floral picks with 3 stars of each color: red, white and blue. These stars are exactly what I pictured! I also got the gold trim to go with the flag theme. 

I love how it turned out. And like the Easter one, it was a bit tricky to get it to look the way I wanted. I got online and looked up measurement ratios for the real flag-this doesn't follow them. It was fun to use different tools to get the finished product. I used a saw, yard clippers, paint, sand paper, a drill and the smallest bit, glue gun, fishing line and wire. And of course my trim and stars. Fun project!!

 

(Friday, June 9, 8:30p--While writing this, the house windows are open, welcoming the cool breeze of the Heber Valley.  In the distance, notes of country twang from the State High School Rodeo Finals can be heard drifting in.)

Stewart Falls

We're catching up! I have really really wanted to make the summer count and pack it in and enjoy being outside since its been a looong winter! And its sure to be the same in the next few months. Also with realizing how much I like to be outside. So I want to do a few hikes a month. Even if its just me and the boys. Or whomever I can get to come with us!

On Monday, Lexie and Ben came up and we hiked to Stewart Falls behind Aspen Grove. It was a cloudy day, but pretty much perfect temperature with slight breeze. There was a few times it started to sprinkle. When we got up there I didn't know I'd have to pay $6.00 at the booth. And none of us had any money! And there was no where else to park near by. I had like $2.00 and change. The lady at the booth would not budge and I didn't want to go ALL they way back home to get money.  So we turned around wondering what to do, I stopped at the Aspen Grove main desk thinking maybe I can see if someone has a dollar here or there to let me have.  The sweet BYU student at the desk was able to scrounge up $4.35 to make the $6. She was soo nice! I said I'd come back and bring her a treat. We went and paid the lady and when we were getting out of the car I remembered I had some Skullcandy ear buds in the car. So I turned around and gave them to her! She loved it!  Anyway, it turned an annoying situation into a positive one.

There was snow just down the trail. There is NO WAY I could have done this hike with out Lexie and Ben. They helped so much and it was good company too!

There were also LOTS of trees that blocked the path. It was easy to see where there had been avalanches.

Looks like trees heavy with snow pulled out of the ground.

There were also a few large avalanches that had left lots of snow to cross to get to the other side of the trail.

Stewart Falls

This was the biggest snow pack.  The snow was really, really slippery since it was melting. It didn't help that we didn't have much grip on our shoes! To get across this one I put Max on my back and tied his feet around the front of me and told him to hold on. That way I wouldn't have to hold on, and I could catch us if we fell and started to slide down the avalanche.

There was so much snow up there, we couldn't get to the falls.

But Lexie and Ben decided to venture out and sled down the snow.

I thought this was a cool picture

The boys did great! I am so proud of them!! Zac hardly complained and only did because he was hungry or wanted a snack. His foot slipped out of his shoe on one rocky steep part and he started to tip down the slope off the trail but grabbed a branch and luckily I was right there, Max tied to my back, so I could grab Zac before he went too far! Ben carried Max on his shoulders for a bit and I carried him off and on. Mostly I just held his hand and Max was able to stay with my pace. Max is so clumsy so he would trip or slip about every 10 steps. But he was such a trooper and didn't complain much either!  He was exhausted and fell asleep in the car. When we got home I put him in his bed. He took a nap for three and half hours!

I think it was a great kick off to our summer hikes. But now, where else to go that is easier for not having helpers?!