Last Week...

of July!



The Days of '47 Parade is one of my favorites. Cam, Audrey, and fam camped out downstairs at the shop to get a front row seat and see her sister in the marathon in the early morning hours.



I guess I am a parade girl at heart. The jets, national anthem, and bagpipes will always give me chills. Crosby got some patriotic parade genes from me because he would not let go of this little flag we bought him. On the way down to the parade I told him to wave it and say, "Hooray!" and he did just that most of the morning. I also told him a quick story about the pioneers and how they had to leave their homes and walk all the way to this valley but then they were happy to get here and that's why we celebrate Pioneer Day. He said, "Mama I'm so sad," about how they had to walk. I can't believe how much he understands.

Checking out the helicopters-



Lucy and Croz had a great little spot



In their flag-waving glory...



Crosby agreed to wear a hat once he saw that Brig had one on.



He had been playing in a pit of dirty asphalt so his face is all smudged but this is after the parade. Still going strong with the flag-waving. Happy last week of July!

Snap Crackle Pop

I always look forward to July. Where has it gone?!

Here are Crosby and Munga watching the Sugarhouse fireworks...



He just sat there in her lap and giggled as she made "firework" sounds. It was a great memory.



It had been years and years since I had seen some of my cousins. A large group of us met at Utah lake and it was a trip to see their kids, like a time warp. My aunt Alice told a bunch of us to pile in her pickup and she'd take us around the lake...



I don't think I've seen my cousin Lindsay (we have the greatest childhood memories) for YEARS and years. And... four kids later (and one kid for me)... we reunite once again :)



It was fun to have such an extended 4th of July holiday this go 'round... the parties kept comin'!



Tug of war in Beth's back yard



We stuck the youngins in front of the TV for a bit to have a little quiet time and I went in there to take a shot of them but it was on video and I love that I got their cute conversation on tape



Tug of war was ruthless this year



Watching the parking lot fireworks across from Beth's house



Codi and Wendie, don't ask me why but when I glanced at you two sitting together on the lawn, Paul Simon's "Mother and Child Reunion" popped into my head. It was a crazy silly moment for me. No rhyme or reason. But look on the playlist... enjoy!



The girls



Crosby is growing like a weed and loves so much to be outside. We've got to get up a couple more times to Silver Lake this summer; he loves it so much. It is a perfect little walk for him around the "boardwalk."



I've taken the ol' frog toilet out a couple of times, but... I have a very uninterested candidate for potty training. First of all, he will not sit anything other than sideways on the toilet (can't blame him!). Second of all, it just turns into a reading chair. Ha! Bye bye for who knows how many more months, Froggie. Or possibly forever.



In seven seconds I will show you the epitome of being two -



He is looking so grown up! I love him so much.



I haven't let Croz do any painting yet; just hadn't thought of it. I got some out the other day and he made quite a work of art. He LOVED using paint.

Wow!

I'm doing a photo project for my good friend Steph's 30th b-day surprise. I have found some blast-from-the-pasts.

I forgot that, even within this same decade, I still wore overalls. Could that be right? No. It is very very wrong. Especially when I noticed Steph's wearing overalls too.



Zion National Park... one of my favorite places ever.



For as long as I can remember we've been going to the Sugarhouse fireworks for 4th of July... we haven't changed much ;)



The night I got engaged Steph was right there for all kinds of fireworks!



Speaking of the past... my brother Steve's band has reunited for a BIG show! Formerly known as The Contingency Plan, The Union Arms will be playing Kilby Court this Saturday night July 10th. Stop by and sing along with all of their originals plus awesome guests, this will be a FUN show!

Fun-Packed Summer

We're trying to do lots of fun things for the first part of the summer before my 7 month mark of pregnancy hits, because I swear that's when I really turn into a hermit. It's a bummer because D has human anatomy this summer. It's such a challenge; having to memorize and study so much. I told him school has to come even before family this semester, so unfortunately he couldn't come to our 2 planned family outings... more on that later.

Crosby and I hitched a ride with Codi and Luce to Carver's Cove petting farm (Eden, UT) and we all enjoyed it SO much!



Croz and Luce were quite a pair for the car ride. Croz would talk some jibberish and Lucy would be in the background like, "What Crosby? What???" Then they were literally SCREAMING half the way back to Salt Lake, they were either really tired or really bored with Codi and me talking about cupcakes. I was surprised to find Croz has no fear in the feeding animals department.



Miss Fashion Plate (aka Lucy) had it just right with the red cowboy boots. I told her to do a little hop-step... she is like a mini Sarah Jessica Parker with all this fashion!



The animals were fun for the adults to look at too... this pig was even larger in person than the picture shows!



I was told that this poor creature on the left was pregnant and who knows how many days or weeks overdue. I was totally feelin' her! And it shows with that crazed look in her eye; didn't want to hang around her too long...



Crosby did enjoy the animals but most of the time while we were there he was trying to climb on tractors and carriages. He wanted to spend forever on the tractor pretending to drive it.



Cute tiny kittens were roaming around



Crosby loves bunnies



Then a horseback riding session too! He seemed so old up there! I had to "assist" because he's under 3.



The look on his face was like, "No sweat. No biggie, just riding a horse."



Or maybe it was putting him to sleep. It was SOOOO cute to see him riding a horse.



Friends



So... D was supposed to come to the lake with us Father's Day weekend but he had to attend study group and study for Monday's big test. I was SOOOOO sad he couldn't go. Pat can usually pull me out of a slump, though



My aunt Julie and uncle Bob are the ones with the boat and we LOVE going... my cousin Elese and crazy driver uncle Bob.



My beautiful cousins came along!



And... drumroll... we got my mom and dad on the boat!



I never fail to surprise myself when it comes to how very idealistic I can be. I went into this - no question - with the thought that I'd for sure be tubing and participating in all the water festivities. I guess I forgot I'm pregnant :(



All right, so it wasn't that major of a feat to get my parents on a boat. But to get them on the tube is another thing! Such a roof-raisin' occasion ;) AND... of all people, my DAD spent a few minutes and then said he couldn't take any more... what?!?! The man I inherited the HUGE adventurous gene from? And my MOM stayed in there forever; she loved it. I was thrilled to pieces... go, Mom!



The wind was RUTHLESS. Seriously... Bob and Julie were going to stay over a second night but had to pack up and leave. After sunscreen and sand, at the end of the day - Crosby was a walking piece of sandpaper. Too bad my camera battery died :( But check out Brooke's hair on this one! These three were going wild out there, I was soooo jealous!



Crosby was completely fried from playing with his trucks in the sand all day so by the time I got him on the boat, he fell asleep as we were going along.



The wind was whipping Becca's hair - so pretty.



So our other summer outing was going to be Panguitch. Last minute we decided to not go, and I was seriously SO SAD about it! Panguitch and Vee and family... we are there every year because it's tradition and it all holds a special place in our hearts. But reality took the reins this time; after not having a kitchen for 2 months and having dreams and fears that this baby might come early, I told D that he had to have that floor done. Not to mention we had 2 wedding receptions and a baby blessing...

Anyway, there's always next year! Lindsay's brother Stephen got married and so we were needed in the babysitting department. It was definitely a preview of what's to come in October! I broke out the Bjorn from storage and a baby swing. D was working so hard to get the floor done on Saturday I don't think we even spoke to each other all day until our Del Taco run at 10:30 pm that night. So... yeah I had to keep telling Crosby, "No! You CANNOT jump on the baby," and "No! Don't swing him so fast." and I'm ALWAYS telling him to lay off my belly. I am so beat up these days; Crosby is a kicker and a jumper and... well, a 2-year-old. I was getting myself ready for weddings, toting Milo in the Bjorn while washing Crosby up and getting him changed and dressed. Wow. Things is gon' be BUSY.



Milo's little wedding outfit - he cleans up nice!



Things were a whirlwind that day, so I am ashamed to say this is the only picture I got... and it's like half the bride or something. Stephen married Mahlet. They met in Ethiopia and it's quite a story. They are an amazing couple!



I put a little ethnic twist on Crosby's wedding garb. I found this gem of an outfit that he received as a gift from D's cousin in Bangladesh. I love him in this, though I didn't get the best shot.



The next day Suman blessed his sweet son Milo at a small gathering at Chatwin's. It was so wonderful. He mentioned in the blessing for Milo to always remember and be aware of the sacrifices made to get him here.



Sabita and new baby grandson



This is the BEST picture of Sabita and her 3 grandkids; when Crosby's done he's done



Have to document. Although I look at this picture and it gives me a good laugh. Is it just me or is my hand on Suman's leg instead of my husband's?



And... ahhhh... our new kitchen floor! I'm so happy! I love it!