Summer 2012---In Photo Review

 

In my attempt to revive this little blog here is our summer in pictures.

We did some Scouting this summer.  Fishing, Rain Gutter Regatta and 2 days at Camp Tracy.

Here we are on one of our many walks.  Ian would ride his bike, Miles would ride the scooter and Mommy would push around the empty baby jogger after Wesley hopped out and decided to hoof it.  So glad our days with the stroller and jogger are numbered…we are moving on to bigger and better things.  I see bikes for all the boys in our future.

We went to the park…lots.  The Train Park, the Rainbow Slide Park, Skye Park and my favorite Copperton Park.  I read two books while watching the kids swing, climb, slide and build sand castles.

We used our zoo pass…many times. Miles likes the rhinos, Wessy is still all about the elephants, Ian likes the monkeys, I’m thinking the new polar bear is quite the charmer, Grandpa likes the tigers and Grandma just loves all the time to play with the grandkids. 

On this day we went to the bird show.  It was most impressive. 

Grandma and grandpa would always spoil us with ice cream and merry go round rides.

Inspired by the Summer Olympics the Noel Syncronized Swim Team was formed this summer.  We spent the 4th of July inspired and amazed by their incredible talent and precision.

We all got our Slurpees on 7-11 day.  Nothing like a good brain freeze to cool you off in July.

We had a blast at the Lee family reunion:  Eating Fatboys (thank you Uncle Shawn), stuffing our bellies full of Cache Valley specialties (thank you Mom), playing kickball, laughing at everyone over the age of 30 playing kickball, watching the Mike Lee Family whoop us all in “Minute To Win It” games, and watching all the kids spin and spin on the merry go round thinking we were home free until Claire upchucked all over Mindy.

Love this litte guy.  I started unwrapping this ice cream for him and he just about passed out from excitment…I do think I am now his favorite Aunt.

Syd and Olivia talking strategy in the outfield.  I should post some of us “older” kids playing…with the Lee big feet and gracefulness we all looked AWESOME!

Went to Uncle Jake’s and rode the motorcycle.  Jake seriously has the status of a superhero at our house because he owns a motorcycle and use to build rockets.

Participated in this little thing called Trek this summer.  Dressed like a pioneer and took photos to document the journey for 4 days.  It was an great experience both spiritually and creatively. 

So this is how I spent most of my summer.  Training for this little bike ride called LoToJa with my relay partner Nora.  Lots of miles, a few centurys and the “big” race to round out the summer of riding. 

We spent some time with our favorite people…the Mairs.  Lots of running through the sprinklers, riding bikes, chasing chickens, building with legos, and learning to boondoggle.

Made myself some gluten free chocolate chip cookies…yes this was exciting enough to make it to the blog. And yes they were super yummy even James Mair gave them his stamp of approval.  So of course I ate too many and still felt sick but not gluten fire gut sick; just sugar overdose sick which is much better.

Me and this little guy celebrated our birthday’s.  While I turned 26… again he decided to move on from the adorable, charming two year old to the terrible, tantrum throwing three year old.  Happy Birthday happy boy!

Wrapped the summer up with a night at Ruth’s.  The best company (Mairs & the Thurbers), live entertainment (the bike riders going up and down Emmigration Canyon), great food, twinkle lights, and live music.  The perfect end to a fabulous summer.

June 22—Popsicles…what color is your favorite?

 

It is officially too hot to do anything but this….

Let me share some with you.  We have no more blue raspberry or root beer…they are our favorites.  They should make a bag with root beer only.

April 22—A Proud Moment for this Mom

 

I was cleaning up dinner today when I heard the boys in the living room.  I heard repeated “that’s mine” “I want that one.”  Now typically this would be the start of an argument with the two year old in the middle yelling “THAT IS MINE!”  But when I went to see what they were doing this is what I saw.  They were looking through my cycling magazine deciding what they would each like to buy.  So proud of my little cyclist wannabes.

April 21—From Mozart to Quarterback

So, he’s Mozart one minute and Steve Young the next.  Ian is back to playing flag football again this year and after the first game he was quickly thrown back into calling plays and passing off the football.  He made two touchdowns on Saturday and made his daddy super proud by running a great “fake out” pass play.  It was fun to watch him play and something the whole family looks forward to on Saturday.  I will say 8 year old football is much more exciting than 8 year old baseball.

April 19—No More Belly Ache

 

 

 

Took Miles to the doctor a few days ago for his Kindergarten check up.  Spent some time talking to the doctor about Miles’ always upset stomach and his random need to throw up every once in awhile.  He suggested minimizing his consumption of animal products and getting rid of any processed food.  Ever since I was diagnosed with IBS we have minimized the processed food, but the kids still have store bought bread, cereal, and the snack cupboard is full of fishy crackers.  So, after our visit to the doctor we loaded up on produce and I attempted to make homemade bread.  The bread was a bit of a disaster, but I assume I will get better at it.  Miles has been a good sport.  It was good he listened to the doctor because he keeps reminding me that he can’t have anything out of a box.  We are still working on finding a milk substitute, he doesn’t like rice or almond.  I guess we will try soy next.  I will say since we started this about 5 days ago he hasn’t complained about his stomach. 

April 18—Three Arms & Hairy Armpits

 

 

Miles walked into the kitchen with his shirt like this and said, “mommy look I have three arms!”  Silly boy.  He then proceeded to grab his armpits, dance around the kitchen and sing, “hairy armpits, hairy armpits.”  Wesley and I had a good laugh and then tried to help him get his shirt off (it was not easy).  Thanks for making me laugh every day little guy with the big brown eyes.

April 17—Daddy Time

 

Dave was home from work today.  Wesley and Miles decided to take total advantage of their “Daddy Time.”  They read books, played the iPhone, and rode in Daddy’s truck.  Love what a great daddy Dave is an how he takes care of his boys.  Whenever I ask Miles what he wants to be when he grows up he doesn’t say a fireman, or a farmer which I would think were his first picks, nope he says a daddy. 

April 16—Mozart, Beethoven and Ian

 

Have I mentioned we have our own little Mozart at our house.  I do teach Ian a lesson every once in awhile, but for the most part the kid teaches himself.  A few weeks ago I we started level 3 in his method books.  I assigned him a few songs and now a few weeks later without too much help he has learned the whole book!  Play away little Mozart soon you will pass up your mom and need a new teacher.

April 15—Oatmeal Peanut Butter (because we were out of chocolate chips)

 

Every Sunday Miles comes home from church and tells us about how much he likes his Primary teacher.  So, today after church we decided to whip up a little treat for her.  Miles wanted chocolate chip, but we were out so we opted for peanut butter, oatmeal.  Miles helped mix and lick.  He was so proud as he carried his little plate a few houses down.  It is so nice as a parent to know that your little boy has someone else to help him learn to love the gospel.  Thanks Sister Schaibel for all your hard work and patience you give to these little ones. 

April 14—A Run, a Bike & Lots of Fun

This morning we rolled out of bed early, early for the Legacy Duathlon.  My sister Mindy, who is a cross fitter extraordinaire, talked me into riding the bike and volunteered herself for the run.  I don’t run, it hurts.  So, I was more than willing to join her for a relay.  This would be my first official “race.”  I’ve done “rides” before, but no races.  I was pretty nervous especially  with the rain and the new “slick” tires I had just put on my bike.  The weather decided to cooperate though and after setting up the transition station I watched Mindy take off on her run.  The run was suppose to be 3.1 miles, but somehow the mileage had been miscalculated and it was only 2.5 miles.  This made for an interesting transition for us because instead of waiting ready at my bike I was chit chatting with Dave and the kids when Mindy came running into the transition area looking for me.  I started throwing jackets and sweats on the ground while trying to untie my shoes.  It took us 1 minute 19 seconds and I was on the bike.  It was cold, but flat with hardly any wind.  I was hoping to finish around 1 hour 12-13 minutes, but with the recently sprained ankle I knew that might be pushing it.  I made it back in 1 hour 15 minutes jumped of the bike and tagged Mindy out the the transition.  She ran the second leg almost exactly as fast as the first which was so great.  At the finish line they gave her this little card that said we had finished the whole race in 1 hour 6 minutes…dang we were fast or as Ian said later on “someone doesn’t know how to do math.”  The card also pronounced us the winners of the relay division which we were not…a bunch of men on three man teams won.  Such a fun day, and so inspired by my sister who does this kind of thing all the time.  Hope to sign up for more bike races this summer and still crossing my fingers for that LOTOJA relay ticket.

April 13—An Oldie, but a Goodie

Didn’t take any pics today, but here is a good one from last week when it snowed.  My beautiful peach blossoms didn’t survive the snow very well.  I hope we still get some peaches.

April 12—Lots of Rain, a Pink Present & Two Rubino Pro Slicks

My niece Claire recently had a birthday.  Miles just loves Claire and all week he was really concerned about making sure we got her a present.  We went to the store a few days ago and picked out a few things.  Miles kept throwing stuff in the cart that he knew Claire would “just love” or “need.”  He would have bought out the whole Hello Kitty section if he had a wallet full of his own money.  He also told me we had to get pink paper because is was her favorite color.  He picked out the paper and the bow and today we wrapped up Claire’s little present.  So glad my little boy has such cute cousins to spoil.

So, I have a race on Saturday…bike race that is.  My sister and I are competing in a duathlon.  She will run (because I don’t do that) and I will ride (because she doesn’t own a bike).  I am so stoked!  I have never “raced” in anything. I usually just hope to finish or sign up for “rides” where there is no official racing.  My ankle is feeling somewhat better and I figure I will be too excited to notice it on Saturday anyway.  Today I decided to get the bike ready.  Two new tires, cleaned and lubricated chain, and duct tape on my seat bag (the velco snags my expensive shorts). 

Pray it doesn’t rain on Saturday & hope “slick” doesn’t mean slippery! 

April 11—Lime, Cilantro & Garlic…

…add to the crock pot with some pork, cook all day, shred, wrap up in lettuce and eat.  Mmmmm…

Dinner has become a complete chore around here lately.  I use to enjoy cooking (maybe that was because I could eat whatever and however much I wanted) now it’s just one more thing to get “done.”  So when I pulled out the crock pot an threw the pork roast in this morning I was actually pretty proud of myself…no cereal and toast for dinner tonight.  It was yummy and I even put the leftovers on top of a salad for lunch. 

April 10—Play-doh & Candyland

 

 

Ian went back to school today and we are back to our morning routine of books, markers, and play-doh.  Our afternoon routine was made up of Candy Land, Connect 4, and play in the sandbox.  Hoping to venture out tomorrow and test out this ankle to make sure it is strong enough for the duathlon on Saturday.

April 9—Sugar Covered Marshmallows, Toothpicks, & a Microwave

 

 

What did you do for family home evening tonight?  We decided to joust.