Fourth of July

This year I was in charge of the Fourth of July for our town celebration. We had been watching the park closely with the water situation and finally decided a week before the fourth that we had better cancel. HUGE STRESS RELIEF! Things had really been on hold and I was going to have to scramble to get it pulled off.

SO-for the fourth we headed to Liberty to Nate's grandparents. The boys were very excited to chase animals. Kace had been working for quite awhile to earn enough money to pay for his pig and chicken chase.

They are both pretty competitive (Ty sometimes too much and if he is losing, he doesn't want to participate anymore). He is ready to race!

Sadly, Kace did not catch the pig, but he did catch the chicken. He says that is because he KNOWS chickens.

He wanted to pose making his "Mac" face.

It was such a fun day. Nate's mom spent the night and spent the entire day with us and we got to visit with lots of Nate's family as well.

Mom's day 2011

I am now back from my break (kace's mullet) from reality and back into catch up mode.

I am eternally grateful for being blessed with the best mom. She has ALWAYS been there for me. She has sacrificed more than anyone I know for her family. She is a great example of what a mom should be.

**I remember a time in 2 or third grade when it was Johnny Appleseed Day and we were supposed to bring some "apple" treat to share with the class and on the steps of the bus I dropped my beautiful apple pie. I was devastated. When it was time for the apple treats I was shocked to find that my mom had baked an apple crisp and brought it to school for me. True motherly love.

**She would wake up really early (we lived out in the sticks so the bus came very early) to make a nice breakfast EVERY MORNING and we sat down and ate at a family.

**One time when we had a bad morning (I am pretty sure I wanted to wear make-up or my hair was really ugly.....I was in third grade) and I came home to find a nice card on my pillow from my mom. I still have it.

**There was the time in fourth grade that I really really really wanted this awesome outfit that my friend Anna had. It was from Shopko. It was a one piece and had a skirt with biker shorts underneath. It was all black except for the fluorescent accent buttons. I wanted it so bad. In our family we didn't just jump in the car to buy something if we wanted it so I pretty much knew that unless I earned the money to buy it myself, I wasn't getting it. BUT, before my fourth grade field trip to SLC she surprised me with it. I was SO EXCITED (understatement).

**When I was trying to decide my eternal future with my wonderful husband I skipped class and went for a drive and talked to my mom on the phone for a LONG TIME (she always takes time out for phone calls) and she taught me about having an eternal perspective and what was really important. She always takes time, with every one of us kids, to talk to us. She knows when we are having a bad day and comes and talks it out with us.

**When I was graduating from high school I had some friends that were planning a senior trip to California. I didn't even ask my parents because I knew we didn't have the money, but when one of my friends mentioned it to my mom she came to me wondering why I didn't say anything to her about it. She started crying and told me that I was going. She felt bad that we didn't get to go on very many vacations when we were little, but I think they are making up for the trips now :) She sacrificed and I had a great trip with my friends.

**When I was in kindergarten I remember coming home off the bus and seeing that our new teeter totter was installed in the back yard. My dad had made it so it would go around in a circle in addition to going up and down. I threw my backpack on the ground and ran to the backyard and my mom cam out and pushed me around on the teeter totter for what was probably a very long time.

**She never missed a ball game, dance recital, piano recital or anything I was in.

These are just a FEW memories I cherish with my mom.

So for the past two years we have done a "day of fun" with mom and the girls for Mother's Day.
Sometimes it is hard to know what to get mom's, especially with the fear that it might be boring (kidding mom) and so we decided to start the tradition of spending the whole day together and doing fun things.

This year we went to the big city and went shopping at the Gateway. Mom felt silly with us just buying things for her, so she got us each a shirt. Don't worry though she got some thing's too.

We then went to Mimi's Cafe and met Grandma for lunch.

I think our mom is so great because she learned from her mom's example. It is always fun to get together with gram.

We then went to YOGURTLAND. Anyone who regularly reads Heidi's blog knows that she is all about the yogurt. She introduced us to it a couple of year's ago and now all of us are hooked. We can't take a trip to Salt Lake without a little Yogurtland. I honestly think we were all the most excited for this. When I talked to mom a couple of day's earlier we both talked about how excited we were for Yogurtland. Lame, but true.

Can you even see the yogurt with all of those toppings?!

We then decided to jump out on a limb and try and go get pedicures. We were going to hike Ensign peak, but it rained (naturally) the day before and was all muddy. So pedicures was the back-up. It was heavenly :)

For those of you who read Heidi's blog you probably read about this little adventure MONTHS ago (she is really on top of it). She has very funny commentary about our activities. You can read about it here. The pictures are pretty much the same because she is the faithful camera bringer.

Fourth of July and Mullets

We had a lovely fourth of July in Liberty. Unfortunately, I will have to post about those festivities later. We have a mullet to discuss.......

Kace had a great time, so great a time that he needed to have a shower. After his shower he called me to come upstairs. When I got up there he said, "Mom, I did something very bad. I made a very bad choice. I will never do it again." I honestly didn't see what he was talking about. I thought his hair was smashed down with water (he was still in his towel, just out of the shower). He then pointed to his head.

That's when I saw it.

I asked him WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? (although I couldn't stop laughing--I couldn't even look at him) He told me that he wanted to have a mullet. I am now certain he doesn't know what a mullet is (this guy does not live in Tremonton).

I called Donene up to see Kace's handiwork and she had pretty much the same reaction I did. She couldn't look at him either and couldn't stop laughing. I am not sure if that is the reaction Kace wanted, but he sure got it.

Kace was having a hard time describing the look that he was trying to achieve. Later he told us that he didn't like the cowlick in his hair and tried to cut it out. By cut it out, he means take my bic razor in the shower (not bother to look in the mirror for guidance) and start shaving.

This is my lovely son earlier this very day. He is so handsome.

And this is him now. We are very proud.

And just so you all know. Kace is a very smart boy. The top of his class even. We just worry about his choice selection sometimes. We now call him.....Gomer.

Ty Preschool Graduation

I know, I know, I am about a month late in posting about preschool graduation, but I have been SOOOO busy and now I will play catch up!

For the past year Ty has been taking preschool at Miss Jami's preschool near our home. She is great. We have gone on a field trip once a month and Ty LOOOOVES going to school. He has made a lot of friends. His best being, Holden and Zachary.

His favorite thing about preschool was to sing songs (or so he says.....he does not like to sing and does not like anyone else to sing at home).

At preschool graduation the kids were all supposed to stand up and say who they were and who their parents were and what they wanted to be when they grow up. Here is a video with Ty's presentation.

And here is the translation...."I am Tydon, and when I grow up I want to be a skunk killer (Nate has been catching a lot of predators lately). And my mom and dad are Rachel and Nate." His teacher told us later that while they were practicing at school he didn't say skunk killer he said that he wanted to be "Nate" when he grew up. His teacher told him that was his dad, but he didn't care he wanted to be just like his dad. I thought that was pretty special!

Washington D.C.

At the end of April Nate called up and said that he had to go to Washington D.C. for work and wanted to know if I wanted to come too. I, of course, was really excited because that is where Becka and Bennett live and I really wanted to go see them. I also thought it would be a good experience for Kace to come too and it would also give me someone to go and do things with. And I knew that Kace was my companion with my companion pass so it would be a free trip if he came.
We were only there for three full days so I knew they were going to be marathon days. The first night when we got there we went to Becka and Bennett's house and just hung out. It was so much fun to see them and to catch up. I wish we lived closer to each other.
The second day Kace and I got up early and headed to the Smithsonian. It was a rainy day, but of course this year we were used to it (come to find out we missed the only three nice days of spring while we were gone). Once we figured the metro out (I am now a metro pro :) ) we got there and looked for the museum of natural history. I stopped and asked someone and they showed me and then asked why I was here and where I was from. I explained that Nate was here for work and that he worked for the government and was working at hill. He got really excited and asked if I was LDS. I told him I was and he immediately stuck out his hand and introduced himself and his wife as Brother and Sister Evans from Nova Scotia. Come to find out he just got made Stake President. I thought that was pretty cool.

We went to the Museum of Natural History, Air and Space Museum, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. This was one of the things Kace really wanted to do. He told me before we left that he wanted to go see the money being made.

That night we were pretty tired so we had the Oberg's come to our hotel (the hotel had a free buffet dinner) for dinner and then the kids went swimming. Seeing Ashden and Kace was so much fun. The immediately clicked and acted like long lost best friends.

The second day we had an appointment to tour the capital through Rob Bishop's office. We got there a little early and this is how we killed time:









I thought the capital was so pretty. The detail was amazing. There was an artist that did paintings all over the walls, ceilings and tiles on the floor. It was beautiful.

Then we went to the International Spy Museum and to Arlington National Cemetery. I loved Arlington. It was probably my favorite. I really liked the spirit that was there and the changing of the guard and the history that was there. It was all interesting to me. However, Kace got really bored here and was really tired and ready to get back. Go figure :) The picture pretty much sums up Kace's feelings.

That night we met up with the Oberg's and went to see the national monuments. We started at the Jefferson and then went to the Lincoln, WWII, and Washington monuments. One thing that I really noticed was the mention of God on all of the monuments. They were truly inspired men and knew that they were being led by our Father in Heaven. They gave credit to Him. What has happened since then?

It didn't matter where we were, those two loved to wrestle!

The next day we went shopping to the outlets :) I wonder whose idea that could have been! They were good sports though. That night we went to Oberg's for dinner. Becka's mom and dad were visiting as well and it was good to see them. I met Becka (and her brother) while working at ICON in 2000 and became good friends and did a lot of fun things together. She ended up marrying Nate's cousin! I was so excited!! Anyway, I knew her parents from before, and Kace has seen her dad for his feet so it was really fun getting together with them.

It was a great trip. I love the history stuff. I really wish I would have paid more attention in school :)

Kace Face

I know I really need to post our Washington D.C. pictures, BUT I found this little beauty on my camera and really needed to share. Kace would probably die if he knew I put this on, but I will take my chances. It is really too funny.

Please ignore the totally messy room (although they clean it and this is the way it looks the very NEXT DAY :/ grrrrrr) It adds to the video though!

Herpes

Ty is showing off his new spiderman watch (thanks Grandma Spencer!)

So (my stories always start with 'So') Nate and I were driving to Logan the Saturday before Easter and I was telling him that I had thought about getting the boys a bunny for Easter. His eyes got really big and started to sparkle at that thought. He was all for it, but then I burst his bubble and told him that I quickly dismissed the idea. The Easter Bunny did bring them some awesome bubble guns and I thought that was good enough.
By the end of our date he was still thinking about the bunny and how great it would be and how it could live out by the pond and eat the grass and just hop around all day long. So, being the nice wife that I am, made a compromise.......I said that if we could go to Spoon Me (it is closing and I wanted to go once more before it closed) then we could get a bunny. Imagine a little boy on Christmas. He was SO EXCITED!
We drove back to the house on the corner that was selling bunnies in the front yard and picked out the perfect bunny.
Now for the BEST PART! On the way home we were just chatting and then Nate said, "EW! My leg is all wet, I think the bunny peed on me!" I DIED LAUGHING. So funny.

When we got home we told the boys we had a surprise for them. They were ecstatic! They didn't want to leave it alone and fed it carrots and just loved it. Now we had a dilemma in picking out the name. We all wanted different names. I wanted Easter, Kace wanted Calico and Ty wanted Christmas. So we had Nate be the tie breaker and he said he didn't like any of those names, he wanted it to be named HERPES. So the bunnies name is Calico Christmas Easter Herpes Jones. But for short the name Herpes has stuck.

On Monday Nate let Herpes out of its pen (yes out by the pond) and we watched it hop around. On Tuesday morning I hadn't seen it hopping so I started wondering where it could be. I sent Ty out to see if he could see it. As I looked out the window at him walking back to the house, my heart started to break. He looked crestfallen. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "Heeeerrrrrpeeeeeessss is gone (crying). Dad is a meanie, he let him out of his cage." So he called Nate and told him the news and Nate told him to say a prayer. When Kace got home Ty told him to say a prayer as well. And then they started to look. They spent about an hour and a half searching all over, but never found him. I was thinking great, Herpes only lasted TWO DAYS!

But as we knelt down for family prayer that night Nate looked out the window and was staring at something. It was, you guessed it, Herpes. The boys were so happy. They came in and said a prayer of gratitude. Nate and I could hardly stop laughing as they gave thanks for Herpes (because of the name, we would never laugh at the actual prayer :) ).