Pioneer spirit!

Isaac needed the computer today but knowing it is blogging day he offered to take it and bring it back but I said don't worry about I'll see what the phone and I can do :) 

Living at the mouth of Emigration Canyon for the 24th of July...Awesome!

Saturday we hit the children's parade with Miss Carol-I didn't really know what the children's parade was but it was tons of primary kids, the stakes made floats, it was great. 

Then we finally caught the bird show at the Zoo, Isaac has been wanting to go for a while and I'll admit it was pretty cool. Colt was a wrestling match but that's ok. I tried to take pictures of the birds zooming over our heads but none of them turned out. This is how close they were though.

Sunday we had a fireside with our ward at the bowery--ok I didn't even know what a bowery was but now I do and it was really cool! Such a fun tradition they have, so cool to have this is the place park right in our ward boundaries.

 

 

Cannon is clapping for the Primary children after they sang but I had to include this picture because...you can see how much rain that would have kept out. NONE. But it knocked all kinds of junk off and into the food. Oh well-and really we were done eating mostly just visiting. Clean up went super fast and people scattered pretty quick but it cleared up in about 10 minutes and it was beautiful, and there was even a double rainbow...but the picture I took it looked pretty faint. 

For Family night (We're kind-of rock'n the Family Evening thing, we might need to work on the Home part--but we have a plan for that.) Anyway we hit the Bees game, we met Jesse and Uncle Shawn there too, it was fun.

Smith's has a deal where you can get 4 tickets and 4 hotdogs for $20 bucks on Monday night, but you have to buy the tickets before 5:00, well, we didn't, so Isaac bought tickets for another Monday and them used his charm and our cute kids to get them to exchange them-- I would have said oh bummer we missed it, but he's not do easily deterred! And hey it worked out--it usually does.

Speaking of Smith's somebody found the kids size shopping cart, he was in heaven, only thing was he wanted Colt him his cart...no. But getting to drive the little cart was a good bartering tool for behavior. Unfortunately he also thinks he should get to drive any cart at any store. "Its small Mom! Its small!" He says about every cart.

Tuesday we barbecued with Carol here's Cannon helping his dad all the while informing us he knows "all about chicken" 

In fact he knows all about_____ just fill in the blank. He's been a pretty challenging lately, sassy always says "no" in a snotty voice not matter what I ask him to do. This week I yelled at him "we do not act like that"... I don't even remember exactly what he did, but Really--Do we act like yelling at our children? I don't think so... I have a long way to go :(  (and it seems like I type that every week-it must be true) the sooner we get through this little phase though the better, but I also have to remember his world is a little crazy these days too. And I did better after realizing I too was acting how "we don't act".

Moving on:

Back at the Alder's, see how high he is--ok it doesn't look that high but it was and almost falling out, I was beyond freaked out but he and his dad were having fun so I bit my tongue, and took a picture.

Colt man is happy with a snack-he loves giving high fives lately, it's pretty cute, he smacks his lips for kisses but I haven't got him to blow them yet.

Oh yeah and Cannon told me this week he has lots of money :) I'm hoping to cash in on some if it soon :) 

We went to the float preview thing for the days of 47 parade-very impressive-and caught some of the parade on Thursday, it was fun, President Monson was our favorite part, (too bad this girls back is in our picture-and too bad I didn't get it cropped) Cannon found a dog to "tend" he was in heaven.

Tonight we went to the a dance performance with Kathy and got to see Uncle Bryan and watch Sister Urie preform. It was fun. Not the best pics but oh well.

Cool Uncle Bryan let Cannon change the lights--pretty fun!
PS-Cannon doesn't really need a dog, he's got Colt to play fetch with...

Sing'n "If your happy and you know it!"

Lest you (or I) think its all fun and games here in SLC we don't have air conditioning (ok its tolerable because we're at the mouth of the canyon and shaded most of the time and its not like we have Mississippi humidity or St. George heat but I'm just saying, it was getting a little bad-it hit a hundred earlier in the week- but we did borrow a fan from Miss Carol so that helps a ton and its mostly pleasant 90's outside so it stays pretty ok here in our basement shade.) Sunday night Isaac and the broom went one on one with  a mouse-in the house! Thankfully he won. AHHHHHH I can't think about it. But I had to listen to Cannon "I like mouses...I'll go help dad...Mice are not scary mom..." and so on. Carol was horrified, when the Ghanian's were here she had them put some food in a pantry that usually doesn't have it--anyway she HATES mice and found turds then caught two. YUCK. So now traps are set so far no more for her or us--keeping our fingers crossed. And one more thing, I HATE having to go to the laundromats! (However I'll tell you that is one extravagant thing I've learned I want in my house someday-2 washers and dryers-getting multiple loads done at once is pretty awesome. Its just the doling out hundreds (literally) of quarters and wrestling/entertaining two kids when at least one of them should be napping I'm complaining about.)
And really other than that it is pretty much heaven.
Speaking of the quarters though, I did the stupidest thing this week and didn't count the quarters after I put money in at the laundromat--I just put the big handful in my pocket. Well apparently the machine drops quarters two different times, so off I ran to get my batches started and get back to my kids who I left in the car (running but I locked it but the first time I went there the guy pointed out that it is illegal...thanks dude) anyway I'm not talking about four quarters here-try 40! (Who can't tell the difference between 40 and 80 quarters--obviously my rushing brain wasn't working right, $10 bucks I lost in quarters. BUMMER! But do you know what Isaac (who has his flaws but seriously he's my own little Mr. Wonderful, he has such a good perspective on life) he said "Well there's a good chance that whoever found them really needed them." Such a good guy! I'm really lucky!
So last week was the car-this week the quarters-if I do something really stupid this week I think I'm going to have to skip it on the ole family journal! Yikes!
So on to the fun and games
Friday we got to go to the zoo with Grama and Klint's family then swimming at the pool in their hotel.

 

This (stupid) leash kept both these boys in check. Cannon loved getting to "walk" Riley like a dog! 

Saturday we hit temple square. Before my boys crashed with late naps and they headed to the Aquarium and then home.

Saturday night the boys got in some backyard dirt time and played in the creek. Both boys were crying to start but ended up loving it-Isaac wasn't letting them back out before they had some fun. He did tell me they had a lot of me in them though--yeah right.
They also helped repair a couple of Miss Carol's steps.

Sunday night we were out on a walk/dog hunt. We went to the golf course but I was having a cow because we walked right by a no trespassing sign. Isaac didn't really care and he and cannon were out running after a ball through the sprinklers when another ball hit. He said "They're still golfing!" so we hurried out of there! (Even though we think it was just kids golfing.)

 

 

We ended up going to the Alder's house to check out a rope swing Bro Ely had told us about...well they have a sandbox...Cannon's new favorite place! He asks to go 50 times a day! (The dog is a bonus too) They are so nice and just say come whenever! (Everyone here has been so nice to us!)

 

The Salt Lake temple has been closed pretty much the whole time we've been up here. But Wednesday was a highlight for me! I got to go with some members of our ward/stake here and clean it. It was so cool! I've been to a session there once but it was just a really really neat experience! I loved getting to tell Cannon about it too-changing into white clothes-and why. Oh it was just really a great!
When we can't think of something else fun to do we just go tot the zoo :) We stopped to cool off at the little water place and Cannon kept kicking water in Colt's face, I loved this picture of paybacks!

About a month ago my cousin's son Chase was in a horrible accident with a loaded Semi, I've become quite the facebook junkie checking every single night for updates. In all of the awful, its been a really incredible and faith building experience, I feel like know a my cousin so differently now as she's endured and is enduring this experience as a mother. One of the things she pleaded for was for prayers on behalf of others in similar situations. Last week Becky called me and told me about an accident over the 4th of July that one of the kids that used to play basketball for me was in, her name is Makenzie. It was kind of neat to think we'd been praying for her before we even knew about her accident. She and Chase are both producing miracles that are brought by faith, its really incredible. Makenzie is up here at the U so while I didn't get to see her (except through the glass) I met and talked with her grandmother and recorded a message for her on the ipad. But this week as Isaac and I were reading Moroni Ch. 7 I definitely thought of these two teenagers. Faith. Hope. Miracles. And a loving Heavenly Father who is so good to us!

We had so much fun in Emery County! Isaac is really close with his friends from there and we got to see Jesse and Gwen, Nato and Stephanie, and Buck and Shanny (and the whole Parrish crew) Such a good time! I added a few pics to the bottom of last weeks post of Cannon getting to ride in the kid parade and fireworks and such.

Jesse was in a horrible accident just a couple days after Colt was born (and a couple months before his daughter was born--awful--) it was good to see him and see him up and getting around! We played a little baseball in the backyard. Cannon was pretty good last year (since all we did all summer while I was pregnant was play baseball in the house) but we haven't played much this year and he just wasn't listening. I said to Isaac "I'm going to struggle if he's not coach-able." Isaac replied "There's a good chance he won't be, I'm not very coach-able." I got a good laugh out of that, at least he's honest! Oh well, we had fun and I think Jesse's' oldest daughter is going to be a pretty good little athlete :)

On the 4th its Parade time in Huntington. So fun! Cannon slowly got more brave about picking up the candy.

Later we were eating the candy and I asked him what he wanted, he told me I could pick so I gave him a laffy taffy but he didn't really know what it was. When he wanted another one (well actually a different colored one) he asked for a "rappy happy" I thought it was pretty cute and  shows his little mind working and trying, he knew it rhymed, I thought he did pretty good coming up with "happy" instead of "laffy."
After the parade we found some Nielson Construction equipment and boy was Cannon in heaven! He's tiny in the pictures but you can kind of see him running from machine to machine.

After equipment (the priority) we went back to the park for the festivities, then back to Jesse and Gwen's for naps and visited. That evening we headed to Ferron for the Buck's 4th of July BBQ.

We always have so much fun with the Parrish's and this time was no different.  I don't feel like we're visiting Isaac's friends anymore--they are my friends too! We just visited lots and finally got to meet Brady who is about 2 weeks older than Colt. We crashed on their floor and then brought Buck back up to SLC with us so he could catch his flight.
Cannon has been trying our patience a little (sometimes a lot) lately with his 3 year old antics (hoping its just an age thing) but he has a little charm too, Sunday at church he had his sweet little nursery leader wrapped around his finger, he was so cute and so polite (and rocking his "future missionary" tag and she has a missionary out so she loved that) she sent him home with a little train they were going to get rid of anyway, he told her he was "so excited" and "thank you" several times. It was good for me to see because sometimes it is hard but I'll take the hard if he will please behave for others! ...but he's with me most of the time so...I'll think about that one later.

 

 

Monday we headed south. On our way out of town I did this to the car. So clumsy, I was really attentive to the other car in the underground parking place at the grocery store, just not the pole. Such a bummer. But as evidence of how good of a guy I'm married to all he said was "Its okay, just be careful." Then after he saw the picture "Oh don't waste any time worrying about that I can fix it." He's so great!!! My driving, not so great.

And away we went. My mom is coming up today and bringing Klint's family so when Isaac found out he said "You still want to go down?" Answer "YES" We got to see Grampa and Grampa Great. I didn't take pictures but Cannon got some good Grampa time in up at the new corrals a couple of times and we checked on Poppa great each day we were there too-I really enjoy that so its good. And my friend Angie was in town. Yay! So I got to go to lunch with her and Lindsay-actually we all have little's so we grabbed lunch and went to Lindsay's house. It has been a year since we'd seen each other but its like it was yesterday, so fun. Love those girls! I took Colt and Cannon stayed with Kami (so nice of her) and bonus--he was great for her! Linds asked if I still blogged, I said "every week-religiously" and Ang asked if it was "Therapeutic" for me? Umm definitely! And I need therapy once a week! (maybe more since I usually construct posts along the week) I maintain that this is the family journal but yes, its therapeutic for me to keep the family journal... :)
Colton's getting to be just about the right size for these ride on toys, and Cannon got lots of good cousin time in while we were down there.

 

 

He told me Ann loves him the most-I disagree! Thursday we headed back up. Isaac put in way long days while we were gone but he said things are going good. He was so cute to ask about Ang and Linds and what they were up too and their husbands (who he's never met but someday he will) are up to. I was impressed.

He was happy to see us-and we were happy to see him. I was making dinner and heard Colt's happy squeal-inhale thing he does and walked out to see them having fun on the skateboard. Love these boys, all 3 of them!

I watched this little mormon message video this week and really liked it, I made a note that I wanted to post it so here ya go!

I think that's all... 
Have a great week!

We have a new cousin!

Happy 4th of July!
Four and a half years later I think I'm learning a little more about Isaac, like what makes him tick,  he loves to go go go (now don't be confused-don't Schedule him or rush him or bother him with time and if he wants to sleep-he SLEEPS! but if there's something to do, he's a go'er!) So we're just Going as much and as fast as we can and really thoroughly enjoying are time here in Salt Lake.
(Oh and I'm also excited for him he thinks about this project he's working with Dr. Barney on --ALL of the time, in his sleep! It reminds me of the story of  Presidents Eyring's dad telling him if he couldn't think about science ALL of the time--maybe it wasn't for him and he should do something else. So I just think hey, he can think about this ALL of the time, so maybe he's doing the right thing!)
Here's the pics from our Ensign Peak hike.

Friday we got a really fun text that we have a new niece! So Saturday  we went down and met cute little Henley

 

We are excited for Aaron and Tarra. We also got to see Uncle Shawn and meet his girlfriend Lauren. Of course Aaron and Tarra's  dogs are always a hit!

 

 

Poor little Cannon was getting a little confused with all the Uncles. He looked at Shawn, then at Aaron and then said "Uncle Levi, do you have some dogs?" it was pretty funny. 
On our way home we stopped and met Ryker's new little sister Kelsey Lou! She's a cutie (even though we caught her looking not to sure about me in this picture!--I think she looks just like Jill) and of course Cannon loved getting to play with Ryker and his trains!

Sunday, I got a really good laugh when Cannon came out looking like this and Isaac had his belt in his hand confused because there were no belt loops...they are Colt's pants. Isaac didn't notice they were total floods! (As much as I think Cannon looks like Isaac I think he looks like Aaron in this picture--maybe because we'd just seen him.)

We also walked over to This is the Place park--so neat to live so close! And had a little popcorn picnic and races in the back yard.

Then we played a family favorite game "tickle tackle" My favorite part is when I catch Cannon and starting tickling him and he squeals "Get dad! Get dad!"

Monday we checked out the kids section of the church history museum. Awesome! I hightly recommend it! We had a great time!!!

After the museum Cannon wanted to ride the trains (trax) so we did--2 blocks-- when we stepped off the train we thought we picked a good stop because there was a big construction project going on right across the street, then we heard "Hey, I know you." From one of the construction workers, it was Elder Whitehead who had served in our ward in Mississippi. It was fun to visit with him for 30 seconds or so. (I couldn't remember his name in the moment-whoops oh well) but it made the world feel a little smaller again.

Tuesday we had a little swim party at Stacy's parents pool. Isaac is a fish! He loves swimming.

We had a good time, EXCEPT when Isaac took Colt down the slide and then both went under water--it was the longest 3-4 seconds of my life--I could've rung his neck! Then later, after Cannon was done swimming he was goofing off with the net that cleans the pool and fell in. It was an equally long 5 seconds but I could see him kicking his feet and getting himself upright as I ran to him and grabbed him. (My really cruddy mom moment was that the first thing I said to him was "I told you a hundred times to quit messing around with that thing." HELLO crappy mother--how bout "good job kicking your legs" or "I'm sorry you were scared." Or keep my mouth shut and just comfort him. ugggg I have a lot to learn!)

Wednesday's fun adventure --I'm telling you there's something pretty much every day!-- a trip to the temple quarry trail. (Cannon loves quarries because they talk about them on Thomas the little train tv show he loves....Anyway I'm off subject) We had read about the quarried rock at the temple visitor center and decided we wanted to go. I don't know if you could call it a hike-it was a .3 mile loop but the boys loved playing with the rocks in the river bottom.

 

I know it looks questionable but Cannon didn't get clear to the edge or fall off this huge rock. He wouldn't cooperate for the family selfie. 

Isaac showing us the drill holes in some of the rock. 

And of course a lizard hunt!

Thursday we headed down to Emery County. I love spending the 4th here--so fun!
Cannon got to ride one of Jesse's kids old bikes in the kid parade! Pretty cool.  He thought he was big stuff!

 

 

We stayed with Jesse and Gwen Thursday night, Jesse had bought some fireworks. We hit the parade...it was just a good fun time! More details and pics next week.

Other phone pics...