My husband and I went out on a date on Monday. He took me to the Sheryl Crow concert, tickets that he bought me for Mothers Day. It was so exciting I have loved Sheryl Crow for a long time but the best part was being with my husband. I love taht

My friend Camille and I went to Thanksgiving Point to try $2 Tuesday (again) I guess I am not a fast learner. Really it was not so bad we got there right after they opened the line was long but there really wasn't as many people inside as there was last time. Ben kept running away because he knew what he wanted to see and he didn't want to wait. This time with less people I was able to see some things and I felt better prepared because I knew where to look for Ben because I knew what he liked the most. The kids had the most fun digging up the dinosaur bones in the sand box ( I think that is what Ben was trying to get to so fast) I tried to get pictures of all the kids but Camille's boy didn't want his picture taken, oh well what are you going to do?! It was fun but unless my kid starts talking about Dinosaurs as much as he does trains we probably will not go back anytime soon.



On Wed we went to the preschool to meet Ben's new teacher, Miss Sally. They held an open house and I was a little disappointed to have it when they did I was hoping they would wait until the first day was a little closer because he will be asking me everyday when he gets to go to school. When Joy School ended he would ask me for a few weeks after "How come you don't let me go to school anymore?" I was very impressed with all the teachers and the set up that they have it looks like he will have a lot of fun.

Texas anyone?!!?

I have good friends who are moving back to Utah and I could not be more excited! They just need to sell their house in Texas so if anyone is interested..... http://swallowlane.blogspot.com/

Foutz Week 08

I couldn't be more upset about this, all I was doing was transferring pictures from my memory card to my SIL computer and it went haywire and deleted 100 pictures for no reason. And it is not like it was the pictures from the week we had just spent with family who all had their own cameras and I was trying to share mine so we could decide who had to best pictures. NO! it was all the pictures before that week the ones of our whole summer ya know the ones that I should have been downloading so I could update my blog already but I have just been too lazy to do. I guess I will take that as a sign that I should stop being such a slacker. Now that is off my chest on with the trip. PORTLAND The first night we spent in Portland was girls night out, I don't really get to spend to much time with just my SIL's and I miss hanging out with them so we planned a night for just us First we went dancing at some clubs in downtown Portland. It was great to let loose and just have fun. Our group of girls got a lot of attention because we were the only group that had two very pregnant chicks. Most people thought it was funny and some even took pictures but a few people were rude (mostly girls) I guess the reason that most everyone else was there (meat market) didn't make much sense to them why the knocked up ones were there and getting a lot of attention. You cannot even see the cute prego bellies in the photo!! On the way home we stopped at a cool doughnut shop voodoo doughnuts and bought some sweets then we had to run in our heals to catch the train. We missed the last run of the night by seconds and had to take a cab, what a rip off. Oh well at least we didn't have to walk in those shoes anymore. CAMPING We camped on the coast and the kids had so much fun riding their bikes around "all over everywhere" as Ben put it. Kendall had more fun making other people take her for rides I think. We spent a whole day at Seaside a city on the coast and the kids got to play on the beach and in the waves a little bit. Kendall is such a beach baby she threw the biggest fit when we had to go it was almost heart breaking Our campsite was close to some trails so we all went for a bike ride to see a wrecked ship and an old Fort that was suppose to used in WWII. On the way to visit Tyler's mother we all stopped at the Cheese factory to get some squeaky cheese. SOUTHERN OREGON The rest of the week was spent hanging out by the pool, eating great food and more pool time because it was so hot. We did take the rafts down the river one day. I was worried that the kids would be scared but they really liked it. Enough to make it a family tradition to run the river when we get together every summer. Ben was not so sure of the tahitis at first but he saw Kendall and his cousin Natalie taking turns riding with people that when he finally got in with his YaYa he didn't want to get out until the end. In fact Ben liked it so much he spent the rest of the night in the pool paddling back and forth. Something I would have never guessed that he would like, but my kids surprise me more and more everyday.

the last week

we had a great week this week first the kids had their check ups together, just one of the nice things about having them so close together them seem to hit their milestones at about the sametime if only the co-pay would count for both. Ben didn't need any shots and that is not a big deal either way because that stuff has never really bothered him but I was glad that Kendall didn't have to watch him get shots because she really would have know what was coming. She really doesn't like anyone in scrubs and for good reason anytime she has encountered someone dressed like that she is usually on the reciving end of some sort of tourture that I am sure she thinks I enjoy watching because I always seem to be the only one available to hold her down. All tourture aside she was done poking out her lower lip when I exchanded the generic cartoon bunny bandaid for a waterproof Princess one as soon as we got home and pulled out her "swimin-soup". The rest of the day was spent at the splash park with friends something we hardly ever have time for. This funny to me because when I remember back to the lazy days of summer that is all I ever did was spend time with friends WOW my mom must have worked her rear-end off to arange such a thing. Allthough these were my friends and it might just be convienent that we all have kids the same age that will play well toghter and the kids have fun so that is all that matters right! (here is where the cute picutres of the kids running through the water go)
Tuesday was the Dinosaur museum at thanksgiving point with my sister and her four kids, two dollar Tuesday to be exact. Considering it is about $10 to get in on a regular day we thougt we would give it a try how crowded could it really be?
$2 Tuesday was sortof a nightmare I wish we still had the photos just so we had proof of how many kids were actually there, but seeing as how Thanksgiving point is in Utah County that might not be a stretch for anyones imagination. I am not saying that my sister and I were any less of a spectacle but with all the large families there we blended in better than I thought we might. Picture this me with my double stroller (the limo) fighting for enough room to turn because it is so long I cannot see my front wheels. My sister with her baby in the stroller her two boys dissapearing off and on for different reasons. And her toddler on a leash, normally I am apposed to those but the toddler in question is an escape artist and under the sircomstances I thought it might have been the best investment my sister ever made untill she started chasing one of the boys and gave the leash to me. At first I was really embarased to have anyone see me use it but when she started to try to get away also and was draging me away from my children in the limo what choice did I have but to tie her up. That is correct tied her right to the handle of my stroller and then I put the brakes on. That little girl was not going anywhere. too bad we no longer have pictures of this ( I dont know if I am ever going to get over that, soooo many pictures just lost like they were nothing......)Anyway at the end of the day the kids were tired and happy just they way we like them so I guess fighting the crowds were worth it

Wed was a little more relaxing, no needles and not so many people. I had lunch with some friends from High School at Castle park in kaysville.
Our kids played and we got to talk, It was nice to sit and chat with the same girls I have been friends with from High School. I wish we had more time to spend together but sometimes I am amazed at how we have all kept in contact for so long.
I know we owe that all to our Christmas party that has become such a tradition my husband even starts asking when it will be so we can plan the rest of our holiday celebrations around it, he knows you dont mess with the green elephant. he he he ( I know only like 10 people are going to get that one but it is true) I am happy for the true friends that I have been able to keep and what they mean to me in my life.

I love to see the Temple

My kids and I took a field trip downtown to see the temple with my friend from High School and her neighbors. We rode the train in, I think that might have been their favorite part, and took a tour with some of the sister missionaries. It was nice to hear their simplified version of the tour ya know just the basics sometimes we all need to be taught like we are children who don't understand everything. Anyway this outing was one of the many that the pictures were lost so thanks to Z and the wonders of the internet I was able to swipe some photos from her blog, thanks for being more organized than me I hope I can make it up to you someday. For now i am just grateful. Oh and thanks for letting us tag a long

Fun family outing turned crime scene

When our evening suddenly opened up we decided we would go for a bike ride as a family. The kids were excited and we thought it would be fun to ride on the jordan river parkway so the kids could see the ducks and stop at a park for a break. If we rode our bikes to the parkway we would have had to take the bike trailer on the street something we were not all that comfortable with so we packed up and drove to a parking lot along side the trail. We saw an older man riding a BMX bike in the parking lot and even though I felt a little funny about it I didn't say anything to Tyler. Turns out he felt funny about it too and with good reason, when we returned from our ride our passenger side window was busted out all of our compartments were opened but nothing was taken. We didn't have anything to take really, the car had just been cleaned out because my dad drove it to girls camp for his ward and I didn't want any of my things getting in his way. All I could do was take a deep breath and hope Karma catches up with whom ever did this old guy on the BMX or not. We called the police just to get a case number so it would be easier to make a claim with the insurance, the officer that showed up was really nice. I know there was nothing he could do and they will never catch them and I am sure that was the last place he wanted to be but he was patient and helped us fill out a report and gave my kids some jr officer stickers that they loved. Our night as a family was still fun but I have an uneasy sick feeling in my stomach and I am not sure when it will go away.

play date with friends

Ben is always looking for someone new his age to play with and is so convient that my friends and I have kids all around the same age. I don't know why we dont get together more offten. We all had some time and decided to meet at a splash park in Herriman it is kindof a drive but the park is fun enough to keep the kids intertained but small enough that we can keep an eye on them.

Playing catch up

Wow it has been a crazy summer it seams like after girls camp I have been going nonstop packing, traveling, unpacking, laundry, packing, traveling,....any way you get the point so today the kids are sleeping and it is time to take a breath and get my thoughts together.

BEN'S SWIMMING LESSONS
Ben started swimming lessons this summer he kind of had a rough start. He wouldn't try to do the things the teacher asked and he didn't even want to get his face wet. I was horrified that my little boy was the only one in the class not listening and I didn't know what to do about it. So me being the helicopter mom that I am I hoovered over him and told him what to do or that he needed to listen and it just want not working. .
One day I was ready to pack him up and take him home because it was just getting ridiculous and one of the other moms said "why don't you try just ignoring him?" Why didn't I think of that? It worked like a charm as soon as I stopped talking to him he had no one else to talk to but the teacher and on the last day he dove to the bottom of the pool for the dive toys I was so surprised!! Now we need to keep this up because he is still afraid of the water but we are making progress If any one knows of a good swim school that goes on in the fall please let me know.
COLORADO

In the middle of swimming lessons we took off for Colorado. Tyler's dad had a birthday and was on his way out to Colorado to celebrate with his family It is not very often that we get to see Grandpa Riggs so we thought we would tag along. The kids were so excited to go to Colorado they just kept saying it over and over "I want to go to Colorado" they didn't even know what Colorado was really because they kept asking when we got there. We just hung out the first day and Tyler, his dad, his grandpa, and his uncle and a few other people went golfing when the kids were napping. The next day was the highlight of the trip Water World!!

It was so BIG, so much for the kids to do and a lot of family was there so we were able to sneak away and ride on some bigger rides. The kids had a blast Ben was less scared of the water(thanks to swimming lessons) and he even went down the water slides all by himself by the end of the day. Kendall has never been scared of much and the water slides were not any different she was running around like a wild child the whole time. We went to dinner with Most of Tyler's family out there. Dinner was long and hard for the kids to sit through but they were great considering how tired they were. I was tired too so not as patient as I should have been but I was proud to watch them and how well behaved they were. They had no problem or protests with going to bed that night. We left a day early so we could have a relaxing drive home and not have to drive all night. When we got home my parents had a pizza for us, Thanks for thinking of us. They had even picked up our mail and newspaper without us asking. I love my parents and I love being so close to them that we can do stuff like that for each other, even if it is them doing more for us.

VISIT FROM YAYA, MARIO AND ANGIE
before I had time to even unpack we had a phone call from Tyler's mom saying she was coming out earlier than expected. Always a welcome visit but my house was a mess and I was so stressed. It is a good thing the only thing she looks at when she is here is the kids and they are so occupied with her that I can get some things done. This time she brought reinforcements with her, Mario and Angie are back from China a little early and we were all SO excited to see them. They have been gone for a year now but when they walked through the door it was like they had only been gone for a few months. The best part was the kids still remembered them, well Ben did I think Kendall was too young to remember but she knew who they were. I have been trying to pull pictures out and let them look at their email updates so they would not be scared of them when they came back. That would break my heart because of how much the kids loved them before they left. No worries they are still loved plus they came bearing gifts. Ben got two kites a fish kite and the dragon kite that he has always wanted. Kendall got a cute little pink purse with a pull string she loves to put stuff in it and pull the string then take it out over and over and over again. Tyler's grandparents were able to drive down from Brigham City for the day. we had a picnic and went for a "hike" around silver lake.
The next day we went to the Zoo. We spent to whole time looking for the animals that Ben remembered from last time. It was fun for me because the kids were busy with Yaya and Mario and Angie so I got to see the animals and I got to watch the kids looking at the animals I was not just trying to keep them with me. This time the kids got to ride on the merry go round and the train.

It was another busy day. And when we got home the kids took a nap our family left for the drive back to Oregon and I got everyone packed to go camping.

OUR NEW TOY

For the 4th of July we went camping with my family with our new camping trailer!! Let me just say camping in a trailer with young kids is the best. A comfortable place for them to nap, making meals, a tub to bathe them in and a freezer for Popsicles are just few of the perks. I am so happy we decided to make this purchase this summer now if I could have a few free weekends for YW would could get away. The camp ground we were at was not exactly roughing it. we had full water electric and sewer hookups but it was our first time out with the trailer so we were not as prepared as we could have been. Thank goodness my sister was close we didn't even have a lighter that worked to get the pilot lite lit so we would not have been able to make anything to eat except hot dogs. It was a nice to have a little time to spend as a family because our vacations so far seem to be more hectic. I cannot wait to take the trailer out again.