Bee's Baseball & Fireworks

Yesterday we went to the Bee's Baseball game in Salt Lake and after watched some breath taking fireworks. It was a great time, I guess this has been a little tradition the last few years in my family, I just haven't been around to attend. So this year I got to go, and it was awesome. The food was outrageously priced but how often do you go to a baseball game, so since it was a special occasion I decided to try something new; a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, it was pretty good. I had never had one before. We sat and watched the game. There was few scary fly balls and some questionable calls by the refs ,but all in all it was a really fun game. I think the bad calls from the refs may have cost them the game. My sister said don't be surprise it they lose, they lose every year we come.... and they did by one run. It was fun doing the wave and watching my sister Kasey and brother-in law do the YMCA, good times, good times. After the game they let everyone onto the outfield to watch the fireworks display. We stayed in our seats, it was just as good a view from where we were at. Can I say AWESOME FIREWORKS!! They took my breath away and as they played music along with it, it gave me goose bumps. I am so grateful to live in such a wonderful place and to have the freedoms we have. It truly gave me a moment to reflect on this amazing country we live in and the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. Once again all I had was my cell phone to take pics so the quality is not so great, just mostly took pics to document the evening.

Independence Day

Happy July 4th everyone! This year we had a great time! We had a nice picnic BBQ with all the fix ens. It was actually really cold out I had pants and a long sleeve shirt on, in the beginning of July, never thought that would ever happen. After dinner we shot off some sparklers, as Kate kept saying Sprinklers, to funny. All the Kids really got into the sparklers, then we shot some fountain fireworks off in the drive way. After we finish we looked out at the horizon and watch the professional firework displays from Thanksgiving point and others. So a double dose of fun. Kate, I have to admit was really funny, she has been spoiled over the years with her Daddy's display of fireworks. It's Jerry's favorite Holiday, so as you can imagine he goes all out. Kate kept saying so when are we going to light the big fireworks off, are we just lighting little ones. I had to tell her that it is very dry here in Utah and we can't buy the big one with out the whole lawn catching on fire, it's not like home where it's so humid and wet. It was a hard concept for her to understand. She is become much like her Daddy, I think she loves the 4th of July just as much or even more than Dad.

I wanted to take a moment today to remember the reason for the holiday and say that I am so thankful for my freedom and the young men and women who sacrifice their lives in our behalf. I get goose bump EVERY TIME I sing the Star Spangle Banner. I am thankful for the chance to live in this wonderful country of ours, and the freedoms I have. Happy Independence Day to all!

Sisters & Eclipse

So my sister Amy works at 1-800-contact, and each year her company buys out the theaters to watch the new summer block busters. Since I was in town I got to go this year, and the movie just happen to be Eclipse. I had a great time. It was so strange at first, we all got in the car together and look at each other and instantly at the same time realized that we haven't been out together as sisters (all 4 of us) in a very long time. It was nice to just go out with my sisters, no parents, kids, spouses, just sisters. I know that these opportunity are rare but so worth having. Our lives have all gone in different directions over the years, but I always know I have got my sisters! I realized that in my journey of life that my siblings are the longest relationship I will have in this life, they grew up with you as a kid, and continue on with you when your parents are gone. I am so glad that the Lord gave us siblings what a neat thing to have. I often wished I had an earthly brother but realize I love my family the way it was growing up and what it is today. I would like to think I get the chance to see what a brother- sister relationship is like by watching my kids, I am excited to see them grow.
Anyways back to what I was saying, we got to go to Red Robin for dinner and chat some and then we walked around and window shopped a little before the show started. Can I say I really liked the movie, it was very entertaining and it was the best out all three movies so far. I do have to say I prefer the book so much better, but I still think they did a great job on the film. It was a rare night out and a wonderful break, I sure do love my sisters a lot and it was fun having a girls night out. It was a nice change of pace. I only had my cell phone to take a picture with and the picture is not the best, it's hard taking it yourself without cutting heads off, oh well, it was just to document the occasion.

Jane

I simply love this little girl and this picture. This is Jane's first time sitting up in the Shopping Cart all by herself. She couldn't get enough of it. She kept looking around and smacking her lips with excitement and giggling. I had the chance to take her by herself to the craft store and thought, hey she is sitting up now she can sit in the cart now too. I just haven't tried sooner because Caleb requires sitting in the cart with the seat belt still because he is still little and he well you know is two years old. I think everyone know what having a two years is like outside the cart let along the seat belt. So Jane got her chance to try it out and she love, love, loved it! Jane did not want to go back in her car seat when we were finished, I couldn't blame her, sitting in the cart is soooo much better.

Splash Pad Visit # 2

This past Friday we got a chance to show Jerry's side of the family the little splash pad we discovered a couple of weeks ago that I wrote earlier about. It was such a fun time. The weather started out cloudy which made the water cold, then once the sun came out so did the wind. The water got a little warmer and the Kate and Caleb and Jane and all their cousins got a little braver and started playing in the water more. The littler ones didn't like getting splashed so they mostly where out of the water more then in it. We took a break to eat some pizza and Pop or Soda which ever you decide to called. The pizza and the water made for a very good time. It was great to see Kiya, Kate's cousin just get right in the middle of the fountain and got hosed by the huge gush of water coming up from the ground. She looked like she was having so much fun. Kate and Caleb and Jane and I loved playing and spending time with family. As you can see from the pictures we all had a blast, and no one got to sun burnt which was a plus. I am kicking myself for not getting a group shot again of everyone, but I did gets some good ones, enjoy!

Toy Story 3

Opening night of toy story 3 I took Kate and Caleb to the movie to see it in 3D. I was worried that Caleb might not want to sit and watch the movie the whole time or keep his glasses on, but I was wrong. Caleb stayed put, he just got a little fidgety at the end. Kate was loving every minute of it. I ended up getting Kate and Caleb the kids Snack, which included a small popcorn,drink, and candy. It was such a great time, it was a good experience. I enjoyed taking the older two to the theater and watching them enjoy themselves with their treats and glass in hand. They absolutely loved the movie, and laughed a ton. I remember my dad taking me to see Pinocchio and Fox and the Hound when I was Kate's age. Those were some fond memories for me. My Dad always trying to finish the popcorn before the movie started so he could focus on the show. We always got really spoiled at the movies with treats, drinks and popcorn. It was great to finally be able to at least go to a kids movie in an actually theater and not the Drive-In. The best part was I got to see the movie too, instead of being out in the hall with one that will not sit still. Kate loves Jesse and Caleb loves Buzz. I really enjoyed the movie too, it was a great time had by all.

The Three Little Bears

So I got a little creative a few weeks ago and decided to use some of my preschool ideas outside the classroom setting. It was that awful time of day between 3-5pm, I call gang green hour. It's the time right after naps, but not quite time for dinner and as a mom the most exhausting time because you are just done. Your done with being the entertainer, maid, chief you name it. So I decided to reenact the three little bear story with my two oldest kids and my niece Julia. It was a real hit. We first read the story together. Then we made porridge, well instant oatmeal in our case. Then we placed the porridge in the bowls and the kids took it from there. Kate said, "Oh mom it's to hot we need to go for a walk and let it cool off." So Kate, Julia, and Caleb all took their stuffed animal bears for a walk outside. They walked all over the front yard with their bears, then Julia said is the porridge cold yet. So we went inside and eat our porridge together. They soon notice that the baby bears bowl was empty, (I had my sister empty it out when they where out walking), Kate said baby bears is gone. Then we went to the front room and sat in all the Chairs and the baby bears was knocked over. Then we moved from room to room to try out each of the different beds and on the last bed was a baby doll that was suppose to be Goldie Locks. The Kids had a blast. They did really well remembering and retelling the story. Kate must of had a tons of fun because she asked me if we could do it again the next day. It was nice to remember some of the fun activities I did as a preschool teacher and apply else where. I told myself I would do a bunch of these activities when my kids got to be of age and I haven't. I didn't realize that I would have younger children to look after and take up my time and not be able to do as may activities that I would have liked. I am trying not to be hard on myself about not doing it, I just have to try to remember to do it more when I can. I miss teaching in the classroom some days, but realize I am still teaching my children everyday, and there is no greater call than that. So all in all the Three Little Bears was a hit! Julia and Caleb enjoy it too, I think Julia loved following Kate around and Caleb love eating the Porridge! I think I might try this again with a different story.