Happy Anniversary

Shelly and I enjoyed a modest Anniversary yesterday, since we had previously spent all our money on the California vacation.  Shelly made an excellent dinner complete with baby back ribs that we enjoyed with friends and then the two of us went for a temple session.  It was nice to spend some quiet time together and reflect on how much we have grown as a couple.  Honestly eleven years have gone by quick - I think having kids speed up the process.  Next year Julianna will be old enough for us to get away on an overnighter, that we will have to budget for ahead of time.  

Earlier in the day I had taken the boys out for initially a trail walk along Logan River but we found a spot to try to catch frogs - notice I used the word try.  I definitely plan on taking the boys back with nets and will have to dig a pond/ frog hole in the backyard to line with trash bags and fill with water to keep them in (I suppose this is what you do).  

The water is really high right now - we've had a lot of rain.  There are actually rivers and streams that run all throughout Logan.  

You can barely see the frog in this picture - right across from Isaiah's hand.  

Those things are quick.  

Malachi scared quite a few away.  

Nope this is not a frog egg its a golf ball.  

Of course you have to take a bath after doing this.  Here's Isaiah mugging with his Mohawk.  

The Incidentals of Spring

Ahh, Spring is here. And so are the wasps. Isaiah finds a way to surmount the wasp threat (the Darth Vader Mask is to protect his face, not necessarily scare the wasps). Nothing as insignificant as wasps should deter him from playing on his swing that Daddy made for him. Yes, a pool noodle with a stick makes an excellent swing and an old inner tube hung at Malachi's level is perfect for spinning.

Hooray, our tulips are finally in bloom! Jim planted these beauties last Fall. Alas, these flowers are particularly fleeting, but I love them nonetheless. Figaro does too.

Please be sure to admire the blossoms on our apple tree. Thank you. 

Incidentally, I made Isaiah a snack after church today that he really liked. This has nothing to do with spring. I just felt like sharing.

Shelly

Trip to California!

Here it is, a blow by blow account of our vacation.  Remember when people did slide shows of their vacations and were infinitely more interested in it then you were?  Well relive that experience now with me.  

With the last ounce of money from our tax return, we decided it was time to take the family back to California.  Lately we had been shopping for a new mini van, a Honda Odyssey and found just the right one a few days before we left.  Let me tell you it made such a difference.  Not once did I get that tension between my shoulders reserved for finals and long car trips.  I'm not sure how the pioneers did things without a DVD player.  

In the past our california vacations have been centered around family, going to restaurants we don't have in Logan (Souplantation, El Pollo Loco and Del Taco this time), and stocking up from Trader Joes (we now have nine jars of their peanut butter in our food storage) but this time we added some more fun and was able to spend time with family while we did it.  

On our first day we went to Santa Ana Monkey and Bird Zoo with Melissa and her daughter and Mike and Stephanie with their new son.  

 

Here's Shelly, me and Julianna then the boys on the train.  

Later that day we went to the Corona Del Mar, where I didn't get any good pictures and surprisingly Julianna did not eat the sand.  

The next day we were able to go to Disneyland with my mom and sister Carrie with her two girls.  The boys experience on the rides varied from excitement... 

to overstimulation... 

My favorite part was seeing the cousins enjoy each other.  

and Grandma holding Woolies.  

The next day of our marathon vacation we went to Disney's California Adventure, where we continued to play tag team with taking Isaiah on rides the rest of the kids couldn't go on.  I loved taking Isaiah on Roaring Bigfoot Rapids  and Shelly loved taking him on Soaring Over California.  All the kids enjoyed getting wet in Bugs Life Land.  

Isaiah apparently doesn't like paparazzi parenting.  

After that you go on more rides just to dry yourself off.

So that's it.  I'll spare you the pictures of our trip to Trader Joes, but feel free to come by for peanut butter (the Gingeroos are already gone).  We loved seeing family in St. George too of course, including Mom Coombs for Mother's Day and Sand Hallow Reservoir with Joe Coombs family and Crystal Hanza family.  

To echo Julie's recent lament - I look forward to living closer to family.  

We All Need to be Good at Something

We are proud of our son.  He is an excellent reader and a very creative drawer.  Isaiah drew a picture of trees for Arbor Day that won top honors at his school.  The picture went on to compete in the state competition and if it wins will end up in a calendar for next year.  He is, of course, excited.  Neither Shelly nor I have seen the picture, but when we get a hold of it we'll be sure to post a copy.  At least here's a picture of him getting the award from his Principal. 

We also enrolled Isaiah on a soccer team.  He was quite hesitant and Shelly told him that he only had to go three times and then after that he could decide for himself if he wanted to continue.  Which he decided he did not want to.  In watching him I had visions of me at six years-old playing soccer, including being goalie and being so bored during the game that I would sit down and play with rocks.  The other quite vibrant memory is finally getting the ball and excitedly kicking down the field with everyone jubilantly cheering on the sides.  I ended up making the goal... for the other team.  Those cheers were actually everyone telling me I was going the wrong way.  

Needless to say, I didn't have much of a sports career after that.  Oh, I did try softball at eight - but it yielded similar results to the soccer experience.  This sealed the deal in my disinterest in sports.  However, I have always had some regrets about this and will be signing Isaiah up for baseball in a month.  We will practice, though first I will find someone in the ward to practice with me.  Every boy needs at least one sport he's good at.  And I want to help Isaiah find his.  I guess I haven't quite found mine yet either.  That is why I will run a marathon at some time in my life. It may be tough but at least I could say I was good at it.  

 

Communal Pool

Ok, video cameras have changed the nature of parenting.  Instead of frustration over some of sillier things your kids do, you run to get the camera.  Actually this was pretty funny.  At one point the cat was drinking the water too, while Malachi drank and Julianna played in it.  Since we can't afford a pool maybe this is the next best thing.  

Only two more weeks left of school and I am excited.  Summer school plans are not set in stone as far as class schedule.  We just plan on having fun.  Oh and planting a garden.