Another Birthday!

I turned another year older on Saturday.  Birthday’s aren’t anticipated with great enthusiasm  anymore, I must be getting older.

My children and friends completely spoiled me!  Friday night Sarah and Jordan took me to Settabello’s for dinner, and Meg and Quinn joined us. I kept telling everyone that I went to Sono Bellos for dinner, kind of sounds the same right?  Oh my, they are completely different places.  One you gain weight, and the other you loose.  You can tell by my unchanged physique that I didn’t go to Sono Bellos.  Settabellos is an authentic Italian pizza restaurant with fabulous gelato for dessert, well maybe we had it for an appetizer while we were waiting. 

That evening we went to the Utah Art’s Festival and Library Square.  What an interesting place that was.  I felt a little out of my element, and thought we may have been in a completely different country.  It was great for people watching, listening to fine music, and viewing the arts.

Meg and Quinn took me to breakfast the next morning at Kneaders.  We had their famous french toast.  It was absolutely fabulous!

The children at home (Kate and Liz) decorated my room, and had birthday balloons waiting.  I think my kids are pretty awesome!

A friend of mine took me out for dinner.  Wowza!  Lots of eating, wonderful gifts, and the week has only begun. You know you have to have birthday week were you continue to celebrate all week long:).

Thanks to all my sweet, thoughtful friends and family members for making my birthday special!  Love you all!


P.S. If I don't get off this feeding frenzy, I am going to need Sono Bellos!

Kate bringing me a hot fudge sundae from Micky D's at midnight.

Park City 2012

On Father’s Day weekend I took my family out of town. We didn’t go far, because baseball, camps, and work keep my children busy. The Park City Mountainside Marriott, has been our place of refuge for the past few years. It is relaxing, beautiful, and carefree. Just a weekend to forget about what others are celebrating.

Celebrating Father’s Day at church is difficult for others if we are there. They worry about offending us, and it isn't our favorite day to celebrate. Those cute little Primary children should be able to sing those sweet Father’s Day songs loud, and clear til their hearts content. They should also be able to write their Father’s precious cards on their special day, and make beautiful ties, or other gifts for them.

When they started practicing the Father’s Day songs in primary, Ben said, “Mom do I have to sing those songs on Father’s Day.” I explained to him that I would never make him do that, but it was important for other children to be able to sing to their Fathers. I told him not to worry, that we would always be ‘out of town’ on Father’s Day.

We had a fabulous time in Park City! Mike went on a 35 mile bike ride (by himself without my approval, before I arrived); we swam, hot tubbed; went on the Alpine Slide; made smores; ate at great restaurants; shopped; and enjoyed one another’s company. Since, it was a quick trip, Kate wasn’t able to come. She had to work....Boo! We missed her! She keeps us laughing.

Warming up by the fire, and making a tasty treat.

Nothing like swimming and hot tubbing in the crisp mountain air.  (My children may have some vampire blood in them....those eyes.)

Mike and Ben didn't go down together, it just looks like it because Ben was a little slow.

Some of us don't like to shop as much as others.

Anniversary Day

Happy Anniversary Steve! Love and miss you! So glad you're mine forever!

Champions

The Mueller Park Minor League Angels had a very successful season. Thanks to some great coaches who volunteered their time to the cause. Friday night they played the Giants in the Championship game. Ben had 3 hits and a walk; was good with the glove; and at short stop, fielded the last ball of the night to 3rd, wrapping up the game. The final score was 20 to 13.

 Happy boy, happy team!

Fatherhood Flashbacks

 

 Happy Father's Day to the best Dad ever! We miss you, and love you tons!

Boating at Willard

Boating is one of my children's favorite summer activities.  My confidence in my ability to tow, launch, drive, and pull skiers, tubers, or wake boarders with the boat has increased tremendously.  Gone our mishaps such as this, (well, let's hope).

Today was our first day out with the boat since last summer.  I was pleased that the boat ran very smoothly, and we didn't have a dead battery, or other maintenance problems.  It was smooth sailing on Willard Bay.

We were able to go in the middle of the day when most people are at work.  Mike skied, (shame on him), and the others boated and swam.  The entire time Mike was skiing I thought he was wake boarding.  The Orthopedic surgeon cleared him to wake board, not to ski. The kids thought it was hilarious that he could pull that off without me even noticing.

Pregos, as we refer to Meg, even got in the water.  We sorta got a life-jacket around her cute little bump.

We didn't stay long, but it was a very relaxing, enjoyable afternoon.

Highlights From the First Week of Summer:

1.  Movies
2.  Rainbow's at Pace's
3.  Working on the spare room (or nursery).
4.  Sleep-outs
5.  Baseball
6.  Swimming at the neighbors (dogs friends included).
7.  Basketball camp #1
8.  The Boulevard
9.  Rec Center
10.Grandma's Out of School Party


Grandma's party rated as the number one highlight of the week for Ben.  He loved spending time with his cousins, getting refreshed in the pools and slip and slide, and of course egg-salad sandwiches with all the wonderful sides.

Welcome summer!

Camp Escapee

This week Bountiful High School hosted a basketball ball camp in which Ben was able to attend. Mike, has been taking him to camp every morning, since all the basketball players assist with it. Ben has LOVED camp!  Every day he would come home with stories about how fun and wonderful the camp was. That was until today.

I was laying in my room (my roommate keeps me up very late, thanks Kate), when all of a sudden I looked up and saw Ben.  “I thought you were at basketball camp,” I sleepily stated.  “I hate that camp, it’s so stupid,” he barked. Not wanting to get into the details of what happened in his current mood, I moved on to the more important question. “How did you get home,” I inquired.  “I walked,” he exclaimed.

Oh my, a camp escapee is on the loose.  I wondered if anyone knew he left, or if he created a disturbance.  I could tell by the mad look on his face that he wasn’t going to get a sportsmanship award.

Fortunately, Mike noticed, that Ben was missing and went looking for him in the truck.  Ben got half way home before he picked him up.

I took him back to camp once he calmed down.  He was happy to get a shirt, and an award for the best
dribbler.

Creativity

Flip Flops are an important part of summer attire for kids.  They keep their feet nice and cool during the intense summer heat.

Recently, I purchased an expensive (more than $5) pair of flip flops for Ben. He has enjoyed wearing them (not at school, that is forbidden), during the few HOT days of summer.

Yesterday, the temperatures took a nose dive into the 50’s.  One day it was in the upper 90’s the next in the 50’s.  Utah weather, you gotta love it!

Since it was a cold day, Ben wanted to wear socks.  He took matters into his own hands in turning his new ‘flip flops’, into ‘slip ons’.  He was really proud of his creation.  The kids all laughed and I gasped.  When he saw my reaction he said, “I told you I needed slip ons.”

 

Registering for the Little Man

Who is excited for baby Cottle? We are.....we are! The girl’s and I went with Meg to register for this little babe. I think they got a little carried away with the scanner. We saw lots of cute stuff, registered for a little, and even made a small purchase.

I have started to prepare a room at home for the little man. Quinn doesn’t want him in a pink room, so he is removing all the wall paper and painting it for me. Sounds a little like Mr. Brown if you ask me.

Two more months, but who’s counting!