August 8—Testing!

Today my new toy arrived in the mail.  A Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens.  Wessy was more than happy to be my test subject and show off his beautiful eyes and his “tar” tattoo.

August 4th—Finger paints + Wesley = Afternoon Bath time

Recently we have been starting our day with a morning devotional.  We started this when Ian got out of school and the kids enjoy it so much we have worked it into our early morning school schedule as well.  Part of our devotional is to go over the schedule for the day.  Well, the other day when going over the schedule Miles announced that after lunch we would be finger painting.  So, after lunch we pulled out daddy’s old t-shirts and the finger paints.  I don’t know if Wesley has ever finger painted, but he thought the stuff was hair gel.  A quick art activity turned into an afternoon that consisted of laundry and bath time—next time I’ll tell Miles he needs to schedule in clean up time.

July 30—Two Flats, 60+ Miles & a Few Biker Dudes

Okay so I guess this is a good time to write about my new obsession.  Back in April my good friend Nora and I put in for a relay ticket for LOTOJA.  I was nervous about getting in, but hoping like crazy we would get a ticket.  The first part of May we found out it was a no go.  I was bummed but started thinking about other biking opportunities.  I hadn’t really wanted to train for a century just because 100 miles seems so far, but if I didn’t have LOTOJA it was my next option so I decided I would ride the Cache Valley Century with my dad the end of August. 

I started riding a few times a week and trying to go a bit farther each time a rode.  I decided to try for some longer rides on the weekends and slowly built up my pace and endurance.  I kept telling my dad I was going to ride the whole 100 miles with him, but I think he thought I was a bit out of my league.

In July I went up to visit him and we planned to go on a ride.  We left the house and he was keeping a pretty easy pace as we headed out to Trenton (really big) hill.  At the bottom of the hill the chain on my bike froze up and my dad told me to switch bikes and he would catch up with me on the hill.  He didn’t catch me until the very top of the hill and after that there was no more easy pace.  Since we have been on two more 50+ mile rides and he is now my biggest cheerleader. 

I am borderline obsessed with my new found workout/hobby/escape.  Every day is centered around “my ride.”  I love my time on the bike, time to think, time to not think.  I love hills both the up and down. I love going fast—48 mph being my fastest.  One time I even registered on one of those cop patrol speed limit things. I could go on and on…The century is in a two weeks and I think I am ready, I know I am excited.  And as luck would have it my Uncle Mike got a LOTOJA ticket and I will be riding two legs of the race with him and my dad!

So, all that rambling about cycling brings me to his photo.  Let me introduce you to my Bishopric, without the Bishop.  (Bishop Butler if you read this I’m thinking you should get a bike and you could hold all your bishopric meetings while climbing the hill out to Copperton)  Brother Buxton on the left is our executive secretary, Brother Laufiso in the center is 2nd counselor, and Brother Richmond on the end is 1st counselor.  They all ride, and being the nice guys they are they let me tag along on the 30th for a fun ride out to Eagle Mountain.  I was nervous because I had no idea if I would be able to keep up with these guys, but even though they sailed past me down the hills I was able to hold my own most of the time.  It was the largest group I have rode with and we got some great speed pulling on the flat.  I managed to flatten two tires and thanks to Brother Buxton I was back on the road in no time.  It was the perfect day for a ride and such a great time.  Thanks guys for letting me crash the party. 

July 26—Spelling Lists, Reading Time & Prime Time Numbers

Yes, can you believe it!  Year round school really sneaks up on you. Ian started 2nd grade today.  I was worried because two of his best friends are in another class, but the second we showed up at school and he started talking to everyone I knew there was nothing to worry about.  Here he is with two of his friends Jacob and Daniel who were in his class last year and will be in his class this year. 

I’m writing this three weeks after the fact and we are now knee deep in reading time, spelling lists and math homework (aka prime time numbers).  Dave has promised to take Ian to the BYU/USU game if he gets a hundred on all of his spelling tests between now and then.  Did you know 1st graders have 6 words a week and 2nd graders have 15!!  He is determined though and it appears that he escaped the Lee spelling gene so he might be yelling “go Aggies” soon.

July 25—Fireworks, Snow cones & Thunder

On the 25th we headed over to the Mairs to celebrate Pioneer Day with some fireworks.  James never disappoints with the assortment he provides and this year he put on a great show.  We started before dark with some snakes, smoke bombs & parachute guys.  After dark James pulled out the sparklers, flowers and some very impressive fountains.  It was really hot and Nora whipped out the snow cone machine and I was soon having flashbacks of the snow cone runs I would make with my friends Jen & Amy during high school—my favorite being half coconut half blueberry.  The night ended with us all huddled in the garage watching the lightening as a huge thunderstorm rolled through.

July 18—Homemade Jam, Cousins & a Few Chickens

Spent our second day in the country with Aunt Mimi and her three cute girls.  While the kids played Mindy and I smashed bucketful's of strawberries into freezer jam. I bet you never knew the secret ingredient to great jam is cherry diet Pepsi!  Add just a little bit to each batch…just kidding…drink it while mashing berries to keep sane while everything in your house turns sticky and your kids run wild around the kitchen.

While Mindy and I  made  jam the kids spent the day chasing chickens, playing at the park, watching a movie and eating popcorn.  Ian even slept over for two nights which was so brave of Aunt Mindy because Ian + Syd = roughly the noise level of a full stadium.

July 18—A Little Country Air & Some Garden Goodness

Off to our annual week in the country at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  Miles started the week off working hard in the garden by picking peas.  He also went fishing for mudfish (catfish) with Grandpa, played with Claire, and accompanied me to the “Fishy Cracker” Factory.