Cuckoo Nest

I sometimes feel like I belong in the cuckoos nest, but this time we just went to Traci Aviary to see the birds.  The kids had fun looking at the birds and feeding the ducks.  They also enjoyed the bird show which I didn't get to see because I had to leave with Spencer and Ethan who were going crazy.  We walked around throwing rocks while we waited for the kids.  They liked the show though.

More 4th

Happy 4th

This 4th of July we went to the Provo parade and hung out with my parents in the morning, and then went to Jeff's parents house for dinner and fireworks.  I always love going to the Provo parade because there is just a feeling of old town community.  Taylor marched in the parade, which we enjoyed seeing, and the kids loved seeing the big balloons that came by.  We also enjoyed some colonial day experiences the day before the 4th.

Roomates

At the end of June I got to go a special overnight with my college roomates.  It was so fun seeing those friends again, and talking way into the night like we used to.  It was also fun seeing how they all have families and are trying to do what is right in raising them.  They are great gals who really influenced me for the good.

Monte Bean Museum

We have gone to the Monte Bean Museum every summer since we have moved here, so it seemed fitting to go again.  We had to hurry and put it into our schedule though, because it closed for remodeling for 18 months the beginning of July.  We got in there the last day they were open, and they were more than happy to let us see their live animals even though there was not a show going on.  My kids left all wanting a pet snake.

Surgery for the twins

So, poor little Spencer and Ethan have had a lot of ear infections in their short life span.  It also turns out that they were having a hard time hearing, so they both had to get tubes in their ears in the end of June.  Spencer was going to get them first, but when he went the first time, he was too sick in his lungs to get them.  He then had to wait a couple of weeks and joined his brother in the operating room.  Well, actually they went in at separate times, but with in a few minutes of each other.  It was an adventure for all of us.  Surprisingly, Ethan handled it better than Spencer.  He came out of surgery sleepy, but not too unhappy.  Spencer came out screaming for 30 minutes, and then he vomitted twice.  Not fun.  Luckily once we got home and they got a nap, they were both happy.

Splash pads

Splash pads are a pretty big thing where we live now.  I hadn't ever been to one until we moved here, but I am a big fan.  I like them because the kids can play in the water and I don't have to worry about them drowning.  Unfortunately Taylor has grown out of them, but every one else still enjoys them.  We went to one with Grandma Blair and Suzanne one day, and the kids had a blast playing with their cousins.

Parade Season

Once we got back from St. George, we started going to lots of parades.  Taylor was in the marching band this year, so we attended all of the local parades he was in.  I believe there were six.  Taylor did a great job, and the rest of us got really good at getting people to throw candy at us.  The girls even got to march in one of the parades as girl scouts.

More St. George photos

Starting Summer With a Bang

We started off summer vacation by going down to St. George. Jeff's parents were kind enough to invite us to stay at their condo with them, and we were happy to go.  We all had fun swimming, hiking, and four-wheeling.  I'd say relaxing, but there wasn't much of that.  When you have seven kids you are always on the go.  That's ok though, because it makes life fun and interesting as well.  One of our favorite parts was going to Snow Canyon.  The kids loved the sand dunes, and those of us who dared loved our adventure into a lava tunnel (ie underground cave).  The best part of the cave exploration was breaking and throwing glow stick juice on the walls of the cave.  It felt like you were in the middle of outer space.  The glow stick disappears after 30 minutes, and we of course took all of our trash, and other people's trash, out of the cave.  Anyway, it was a lot of fun.  Other things we did were go to a splash pad in town, visit Brigham Young's summer home, and see the temple. 

Last day of school

On the last day of school the kids put on a dance festival for the parents.  It's pretty fun to watch, and the kids like performing.  This year Parker did the toe-knee-chestnut song for kindergarten, Emily did a hippie dance to the 1..2...3 song, and Ashley did square dancing.  My parents were able to come which was also nice.

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day we thought we'd be clever and go to the Copper Mine since we had a coupon to get in free.  Well, apparently a lot of people had the same idea.  We were worried when we had to wait in line in our car until a parking spot opened up, but when we got in it really wasn't too bad.  It was pretty cool seeing the deep pit they have dug mining for copper.  The kids especially liked the big trucks and wheels.

Friends

In May I was blessed to have my friend Traci come to visit for a day.  Carolyn also came over to say hi.  Also in May my friends Cassie and Lorena from high school got together with me for lunch.  It was fun catching up on old times.  Finally, my own kids had fun playing with neighborhood friends when a fire hydrant started shooting water.  It was a cold day, but that didn't stop the kids.

Spring and Summer Synopsis

Since I write in my blog about as often as I write in my journal, I am obviously behind.  Since I want this to be a record of our life, I still want to include what we've done this summer, but I think it is time to catch up.  So here we go.  In April and May, after our Spring Break trip to Arches, we had some fun school things happen.  Taylor was Mr. Bundles in the play Annie at his junior high, and Parker and Carter got to go on field trips for their school.  Carter went to the fire station, and Parker went to a local farm.  Both enjoyed their outings.  Emily also participated in the Spanish Fiesta for the Spanish Immersion program.  Three kids played soccer in the Spring, so every saturday we had three soccer games to attend.  It was fun watching the kids play, but it was rough keeping the babies in the stroller and off the field.