Zoo, Water, and Camping!!

We had a super fun week last week. Ben took a few days off work so we had some family fun time!

On Wednesday, we went to the zoo. It was fun. The new African savanna part of the zoo was all open so we were able to see zebras and ostriches and the giraffes were in their new home. It's really nice. We were able to ride the train, which all the kids loved. We also rode the carousel.

On Thursday, we went to Seven Peaks water park. Isaac didn't appreciate the water and ended up falling asleep while I was holding him in the kids shallow pool. I ended up with a sunburn on my shoulders because I sat in the sun providing shade for Isaac while he slept. Everyone ended up having a fun time.

On Friday afternoon we went camping. We drove up the Nebo Loop and camped in the  Ponderosa camp ground. It was a really nice little camp ground and the kids had a lot of fun exploring. Isaac especially had a great time. He loves being outside and had the best tone running around the little trails and playing in the dirt. I took a lot of pictures and will share some.

I love spending time with my family!

Feeling the need to open up

I have been feeling a bit lately that I don't really know anything about a lot of the people in my life, especially women at church that I'd like to get to know. I thought about it for a while and realized that even though I have the desire to get to know people and be a friend, that I don't really do much about it. I also realized that to have good, close friends, you have to be a good, close friend too.  You can't just hope for people to come talk to you and include you.

After contemplating some more, I realized that when I chat with people, I don't really say much. I've always been somewhat shy and hesitant to open up to people. It is probably a miracle that I have the amazing marriage I do because of that. I am grateful that I wasn't afraid to open myself up to the amazing man that is my very best friend.

So, since I do want to have good, close friendships, and learn to open up,  I decided to make a list of things about myself. Then the facts are out there...Ha ha... and maybe I can talk about myself a little easier.

- I am the oldest of 5 children
- I have been through a divorce
- I have given birth to 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl, I have 2 step sons and we want another child fairly soon. Am I crazy? Most definitely! ;)
- I grew up in Lyman, Wyoming. It's a tiny little town off the side of I-80. It was a great place to grow up. My parents still live there and will forever.
- My dad died when i was 4 years old. My sister's were 14 months and 6 weeks old. My mom remarried when I was almost 7.
-  I graduated from Utah State University in 2004. I have a bachelor's degree in family, consumer, and human development.
- I often hesitate to try new things. It's not that I don't want to learn, I just get nervous that I might screw up :P
- I am self conscious (who isn't right?)
- My favorite animal is a giraffe
- I hate house work, especially bathroom cleaning and dishes
- I love my flower gardens. They bring joy and such beauty.
- I love growing vegetables (I hope the beans sprout soon)
- My favorite thing to do is sit down and get lost in a good book. My favorite type of book is historical fiction.
- I have lived in Wyoming, Utah,  and Washington. Utah is my favorite.
- I want to learn to be more crafty but see above about trying new things
- I enjoy making simple quilts for my kids.
- I can sew... unless there are curved lines
- I am not "fashionable" and I don't care ;)
- My favorite things to wear are comfy jeans and a t-shirt, with a hoodie in cool weather
- I don't like swimming because I'm a little afraid of the water
- I love the books Pride and Prejudice and Little Women
- I played volleyball and basketball in high school
- I enjoy cooking and want to learn to cook healthier meals
- I love breakfast foods, especially hash browns and French toast
- My favorite place to eat is Applebees
- speaking of bees... I'm afraid of them and anything with a stinger, which makes it really hard to try and help my children not be afraid of them. I have, however, never been stung.
- I took one year of piano lessons when I was in 6th grade. I can plunk around still but not enough to play for anyone. I also played the flute from 6th through 12th grade. I wish I had never sold my flute.
- I love many kinds of music, pretty much anything except hard rock and rap. I most enjoy uplifting music, Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride.
- I love spring and fall because of the beautiful colors and mild temperatures
- My favorite holiday is Easter, because it happens with all the beautiful, newness of spring
- I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I love my Savior and am so grateful for all he's done for me!
- I love life, even though it's hard

Well, that's a lot more than what I thought I'd write. I hope, if nothing else, that this helps me to know myself a little bit better. Now it's time to reach out and open up to others in person.

Here goes...

Not as long a break as last time

Sometimes I wonder if its a big waste of my time to even blog anymore. Most blogs are informational or cool or interesting. Mine is just basically a compilation of pictures and a few words. Is it worth it? I don't know.

But that said... here are some pictures from the past little bit. Andrew had a birthday and turned 7 years old. We haven't done a whole lot lately but there are a few cute pictures to share. Sorry that some of them are sideways. I forgot to rotate first... oops. Just turn your head ;)

Just a little farther...

This monstrosity came from two pumpkin seeds and only yielded 2 small pumpkins

Our three brave spiders

These next ones are from the past week or so. Isaac has been under the weather and trying to eliminate a morning nap. So by lunch time he's pretty tuckered out most days.

Notice he's still holding the fork

He loves sheep and knows what they say "baaaa"

These animals are from the petting zoo they have at the pumpkin patch that is set up behind our house this year.

Also from the pumpkin patch. They have corn pits for kids to play in. It's a lot of fun (and messy)

His treat from Maceys yesterday

Luckiest baby on earth!

And this was also yesterday. Gotta love it!

Well, haven't I been the slacker!

It's been a few months since I posted and lots has been happening. Here's a quick breakdown of events since July and some fun pictures/videos.

July: we had Andrew and Ryan for a couple weeks that month. It was fun to be able to spend lots of time with them throughout the summer. Kids learned how to ride bikes and there were many flowers and days at the splash pad. Kyler and Ben went to cub scout day camp (aren't they the most handsome scouts ever?). There were baby donkeys and baby goats at the farm too. And Isaac smashed avocado all over himself.

August: We had more trips to the splash pad (new in town and awesome) and Benjamin had a birthday. We starting getting insanely huge tomato plants and the kids started school. Oh, and Isaac stole a sucker from dad and was in heaven!

September so far:  we've had quite a month so far. It's been raining like gang busters trying to make up for the driest and hottest summer ever. Kyler's pumpkin plants are insanely huge but only have 3 pumpkins (only one worth talking about). Under our insane growing tomato plants we've had a lovely rollypolly, spider, worm, snail ecosystem. (We pulled out one plant the other day). We got a new dining room table, our fridge died, the water valve to the fridge broke and made a mess. We're still trying to fix that. Kamaryn had blood in her urine, we've had dentist appts and Isaac has an ear infection. It's been kinda crazy, but there's life for you!

And just for laughs....