Play Your Heart Out!

That was the theme for the fair this year, so play we did! We started off with gyros in honor of Evan. (I'm sure they are not as good as an authentic Greek gyro but we'll settle.) I wish I could attend the fair in two installments, once with all four of us, and once with just Richard. It's hard to do what we want to and what the boys want to but it was fun anyway. Cameron loved the horses of course, Eli not so much. Too big I guess. My long-term blog readers will remember pictures like this from last year... couldn't pass it up.


We had to take a second mortgage on our house to pay for the rides, but it was worth it. Cameron just grinned the whole time. Our agreement was one ride for me and one for Cameron. But a nice family who had had enough gave us some more tickets so Cameron got to ride a few times.
By the time I rode the swings it was dark so the pictures didn't turn out. I felt a little ridiculous standing in line with a bunch of tweeners and I may have even sprinted with all the other 11 year old screaming girls to get a swing on the outside. But I loved every minute of it! I love the swings.
Eli was much happier around the smaller animals.
We finished off the night with an elephant ear, that I am pretty sure was Eli's favorite part of the night. Richard was easy to please with a giant strawberry lemonade. It was good times.

Another Road Trip

For most of you, or all of you, this post might be dull ramblings and although I haven't yet claimed my blog to be my journal, I just feel like I should document this trip and this is the format I find most enjoyable for such documentations.

There aren't a lot of pictures to capture the moments for two reasons, the first being that everything seemed to go by so quickly. Our stops were brief. The second reason is that this road trip was just me and my little guys and found that my hands were always busy. It actually turned out to be quite challenging. (Don't ask why that surprised me, it shouldn't have.)

First stop after departing Boise was Mountain Home. We stopped there to see my friend Autumn and her new little boy Justin. He was so sweet and it felt nice to hold a newborn. Cameron had fun playing with Lizzie and I think Lizzie was having fun too because she asked if Cameron could stay and I could pick him up on my way home.

Second stop was Twin Falls where we took my little brother Darren to lunch at Pizza Hut. Darren loves the boys, he's a great uncle and we wish we could have spent more time with him.

After dropping Darren off at work we went to see my college roommate Ashley. I hadn't seen her since her wedding last summer and she hadn't ever met Eli. I'm looking forward to someday meeting her little offspring. :)

From there we went to Jodi's house where we could relax a little bit and Cameron was happy to play with another person his size again. In fact he was having such a good time he didn't want to go to the Twin Falls temple open house with me. So, I went alone. Which turned out to be a really nice and reflective experience. I'm grateful I had that opportunity. If you are still reading, thank you Jodi and Eric for a delicious dinner, babysitting my boys, generous hospitality and just good company.

We stayed in Twin overnight and the next morning hit the road for Provo. It was a long morning to say the least! I think the most difficult part of the trip were the regular visits to public restrooms. Cameron still requires frequent potty trips and it was a nightmare trying to keep Eli from touching anything while helping Cameron do what was necessary. Inevitably it ended up that Cameron and Eli would both need hand washing which meant lifting them both to the sink and maneuvering hands, soap, etc. Then helping them both dry (curse the air dryers, I don't care if they are environmentally friendly!) without letting them touch anything again. I'm really not an excessive germ-a-phobe but public restrooms are just a little too icky.

Once in Provo we headed to the graduation. I thought the boys did pretty well and I really enjoyed the talks by Richard G. Scott and John Hughes, who spoke at the second commencement the next morning. Two graduations, yes that is the way it is at a big university like BYU.

Hence, the only picture to document our trip. Congratulations Laura. College graduation is a pretty big deal in my opinion. Good for you!
We had BBQ with family on Thursday night and went to lunch Friday after a nice tour of campus with the fam. Then we headed home! The drive home went relatively smoothly, and I felt a little bit better because Gordon and Julie were close at hand and very helpful.

The only stop I didn't get to make was at IKEA. I figured if a public restroom stressed me out then I better not venture into that huge abyss. Maybe next time.

I have a new gratitude or a renewed gratitude for the following things:

-paper towells for drying hands
-the car dvd system
-Richard!
-good friends
-new friends (Michelle probably won't read my blog but Laura's sister was a ray of sunshine to me while in Provo)
-temples
-cruise control

One last story: Ben got Laura some balloons for graduation and she gave one to Cameron. Of course he let it go and it started floating up to the sky. He begged and begged me to get it back and I tried to explain that it was too high. He said "But we just need a ladder!" Ben was quick to reply "We just need an airplane!"

One more camping trip

My wonderful in-laws (Thank you Gordon and Julie) let us borrow their boat for an overnight trip to Spring Shores at Lucky Peak. Luckily Eli survived this camp-out without injury! Our friends Sean and Kim came with us and even let me beat them in "Oh Heck". (Very unusual, "I never win games!") It was Kim's birthday so we had melted cupcakes and sang to her. Cameron loves to sing the birthday song.

Eli learned how to say "Dees" for the camera and was offering plenty of smiles. The boys found the perfect spot to throw rocks and feed the ducks. Go Kim!
It's your birthday!
I had to get Richard in here somewhere! He is totally in his element. For those who don't know, our first date was a disaster. For various reasons we went on a second date, which was waterskiing. That's how he won my heart.
This life jacket was Richard's when he was a little guy. In fact on the back is written "Richie Bird" in permanent marker.

I'm really going to miss summer. But today was kind of fall-ish and I can appreciate the coming season. Bring on the bouquets of sharpened pencils!

A Shoot

To compensate for numerous picture-less posts, I have over-loaded this post with pictures. My friend Krista did a little photo shoot for the boys. I think the pictures are fabulous, but I might be biased because they are my adorable children. It was a bit of a challenge to keep the boys focused, too many rocks to throw, trails to run down and then there were the dogs to watch...

Does anyone remember the book Maniac McGee? That's who Cameron reminds me of...running running running.

Eli of course, story of his life, always trying to keep up.

Thanks so much Krista!

Has it really come to this?

I rarely give my phone number to the pesky cashier who is just doing what their employer requires by asking for it. (Sometimes I can see in their face how much they hate asking.) But I must have let down my guard the other day at Deseret Book. I don't remember giving anyone my phone number but I must have been distracted and assumed it was safe with DB. Boy was I ever wrong! The following is the conversation I had on my cell phone, the best I can recall:

Deseret Book Phone Solicitor: Joanne, may I have a few moments of your time to tell you about a program that we, here at Deseret Book feel very strongly about?
Me: Sure... (Thinking to myself "Is this what I think it is? A sales call from Deseret Book?")
DBPS: blah blah blah movies these days are poison for our spirits blah blah blah even PG-13 ratings are questionable. . . we need movies that are good for the family to watch. . . do you agree?
Me: Sure...
DBPS: blah blah blah a program where we send you four movies for ONLY $12.99 each blah blah blah we are not a club so you aren't required to make any purchases thereafter. . . these movies are even made by LDS producers. . . can we count on your support for this program?
Me: Um no. I rarely buy movies, I usually only watch them one time and wouldn't be interested in this "program."
DBPS: Oh yes, I completely understand. blah blah blah you could purchase only two of the four movies . . . donate them to a school or family when you were finished blah blah blah By purchasing these movies you are supporting a clean and good movie business . . .Can we count on you to help make the world a better place by participating?
Me: Maybe if I had lots of money I could buy a movie when I wanted to watch it and then donate it to someone. I'm not interested.
DBPS: Yes yes, absolutely I completely agree. BUT you can also do your part by purchasing only one movie! I'm sure we can count on you to contribute just this much to so great a cause!
Me: (By now my charity was waning and my patience had run dry.) Quite frankly I am feeling a little manipulated here, and I guess I didn't think Deseret Book was in such dire straights that it needed to resort to phone solicitations.
DBPS: (no script to respond to that) Um.... okay have a nice day. Thank you for your time.

I have a lot of other thoughts about this, but I'm more interested in your thoughts. Can anyone make a defense for this business I have patronized as long as I can remember?

A New Bike

In my post about my new iPod I may have suggested, okay I plainly stated that Richard was into buying material gifts to compensate for his extensive travel. Of course he compensates in more meaningful ways too, but last Saturday Cameron was the recipient of Richard's generosity. Richard took him to the store and bought him a bike. We had been talking for awhile about how Cameron was probably ready for something to ride and so as usual Richard executed. Tonight the little guys and I went on a walk with Misha and Cameron got to ride his bike. It was so much easier for me to just push Eli instead of both of them in the double stroller. (Those things are heavy and hard to maneuver!) It may sound cliche, but I really can't believe my little Scooter has grown up so much!

Unphotographable

A friend of mine posted about this and I thought it was brilliant. She got her inspiration from this blog: http://www.unphotographable.com/ This guy is actually a photographer but once in awhile for whatever reason (forgot his camera, picture taking wouldn't be appropriate) he doesn't snap or shoot. Last night I totally had an unphotographable moment. Firstly because I forgot my camera, but doing so gave me the chance to enjoy the moment wholly without capturing it digitally. They say a picture says a thousand words, but I'll try to keep it brief.

The pictures I didn't take...

were of my family and friends sitting on blankets on a grassy field anticipating the Kuna Days fireworks. Richard keeps a wary eye on the impending sprinklers to our right, prepared to jump the moment they spring up from the grass and threaten to impair our enjoyment. At last bright lights and a loud bang bring us all to attention and send Eli in his best sprint to Richard's lap for safety. The show begins and the children are captivated. I am captivated by the colorful display. Everyone aahhs at infernal fireballs that mushroom up into the sky, purple, blue and orange. The brightness from the lights makes the cheeks of my boys shine and I can see perfectly the intensity on their curious faces even in the darkness of the night. Periodically Cameron tries to describe to me the excitement he feels while watching the show and I try to hush him and redirect him back to the fireworks. After an awesome display of colors and sparkles we think the show is finished only for it to continue on, mesmerizing its viewers until the last explosions and flares have blinded and deafened us. Cameron's cheers bring smiles and laughs as we appreciate his appreciation.

Way to go Kuna! Pretty good fireworks for a town who sends around a man before the show with a brown paper bag to collect contributions. (At least that is what he said he was doing...)

Any Takers?

A long time ago I borrowed the original Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants from my sister. Months went by and I never watched it. I kept saving it for a night when Richard was out of town but there were just too many other movies or something. Anyway, I saw the other day that there is a sequel coming out, so after a rough and lonely evening tonight I needed something girly. Sure enough it did the trick! I cried multiple times (like I said, one of those evenings) and loved it. So what did I do when it was over? What anyone else would do of course! I got on the internet and watched the trailer for the next movie. (I might have even watched it more than once...) Anyway, I'm sure Richard isn't going to be interested so anyone else who wants a GNO let me know! It comes out August 6th.