Best Zoo Day Ever....

I like to get 1 membership a year to somewhere fun for the boys.... so we can take "field trips."  We've had memberships to the Discovery Gateway, Museum of Natural History (well, not so much a membership, but we were all still free), and most recently- the Zoo.  We love the Zoo... at least we love it during the school year.  I think we only went once this past summer because it was just too hot and too crowded.
We drive Dave to work on Thursdays (because I work in the morning and parking at the U in the afternoon is impossible), so I treat Thursdays as our "fun" afternoon- that's usually when we go on our little adventures. Anyway, this last Thursday, I really wanted to go out and have fun with the boys- I've been working so much I feel like I have been neglecting them (not the kind of neglect that leads to Child Services, but the kind that leads to a guilty mommy).  The boys had the choice between the Zoo & the Rec Center's outdoor Pool, and the boys chose wisely- we ended up at the Zoo (which also had the bonus of being close to Dave's work, so less driving).
It was the most fantastic Zoo day ever! I had a whole bunch of energy (which is a nice change of pace from the usual) and a bag full of goodies (we packed a lunch and so many yummy snacks).  Emery had already had a nap and Ethan was in a good mood (also in the "good big brother" zone as well).  It wasn't too hot- just in the upper 80's- not the blistering upper 90's we have been dealing with.  And- Salt Lake City Schools were back in session- so no kids!  Really- there just weren't that many people in the zoo! It was great.  And the animals were so cooperative- most were sitting just a few feet away from the windows or were pretty active.  In the past about 80% of the animals have been asleep or hiding when we were there, so it was nice to be able actually get up close and see the animals, see them doing animally things, and to not have to fight through a crowd to see them.  We usually end up doing the train ride & the carousel when we go- it's just a fun way to break up the day.  We found out they are closing the train ride in mid September though- I'm kind of bummed about that.  And they'll be closing the playground area too! Those are two of the best parts!

Here's our day in pictures... 

No trip to the Zoo would be complete without a visit to the fountain the courtyard... 

I think of these as the skunk monkeys (not for the smell, but for the color), but for the life of me I can't remember what they are really called.  Just chilling by the glass. 

These monkeys were super active- there were 2 swinging and climbing against the glass and watching everyone watch them. 

We were finally able to catch the Elephant show (usually we miss it).  The boys lost interest fairly quickly, but it was fun to watch the Elephants get a bath 

I have never seen an elephant lay down before (I mean go through the action of standing to laying).  

Just enjoying a bath...  

Just like with the fountain, no trip to the Zoo is complete without a visit to the Gorilla 

(or as Ethan likes to call him "the Big Monkey.").  

Rhinos! Awake! 

I couldn't resist taking this picture and sending it to Dave at work.   

The Seal was showing off for the boys.  It was going in circles in it's pool and would repeatedly pass in front of the windows.  The boys would chase it from one side to the other and then run back so they could run after it again.  They thought this was hilarious.

2 of the seals were playing right in front of the windows here. 

Ethan sat and watched them for like 10 minutes.  

Lunch time.  And token photo of Mommy (I hate having my picture taken when I am pregnant).  

This was so cool- they have tables right in the middle of the Rocky Shores Exhibit so you can sit and eat and watch the bears roam around.  This was the view from our lunch table.  

I promise I was taking a picture of the boys watching bears, not just them eating lunch...  

Another example of some prime animal viewing- there were 3 bears all roaming around and 1 was swimming 

Look at how close the boys were to this bear!  It was so cool! 

And a pit stop at the misting fan.  This thing was almost more fun for the boys than all of the animals combined.  I finally had to drag Emery away...  

We do the Carousel & the Train ride whenever we go to the Zoo (if we have time).  Ethan really wanted to ride the "Big Monkey" and Emery was sitting on a Rhino.  

Em was fascinated by this cat. 

And we were there during their feeding time so we got to watch them eat a mouse! 

I think this thing was trying to make a break for it.  It had a pretty good sized hole going.  

Usually we just see the tigers asleep in the shade, so it was fun to see one up close and in the water!  I know that tigers swim, but I'd never seen one in the water- so this was quite a treat. 

Sizing each other up...  

Ethan was fascinated by how big the tiger's paws were.  I think Ethan liked looking at his claws more than looking at the rest of the tiger. 

The downside of posting once a week...

Is that I forget everything that has happened during the week.  Not that we are that exciting, but still, it would be nice to have something to say.  I can remember thinking at a few points during the week "okay, I need to remember to add this to the blog on Sunday," but it is now all gone.

Monday started off to a Monday ish start.  Dave got to work, but barely. Our little 2nd car has been having radiator problems.  Our wonderful neighbor, Nick, has come over and revived it each time: "The Red Car Lives On!" Anyway, this last time, Dave & I were both thinking that we didn't want to bother Nick with it (again!) so we were ready to just write it off (for a week).  But Nick & Brittany saw the red car go by on a tow truck and Nick came right over and fixed it (again!).  And to boot, my day had been a difficult one with the boys, so Brittany just invited us all over for dinner that night and totally saved our evening (and I got a new recipe out of it too!).  Could have been a bad day, but it wasn't. :) Unfortunately my week with the boys just continued that trajectory- I was having a hard time with the boys again on Tuesday, so as soon as Dave got home I snuck out for a Pedicure (I so needed that).  I had some awesome company (Thanks Brittany!), and sometimes it's just nice to have some girl time.  And my week started to get better after that. Friday night we all headed up to Park City to walk around and basically just get a change of scenery.  I was "that" mom though.  I thought Emery's shoes were in the car when I put him in it and when we got to Park City, they were no where to be found.  So yeah, Emery walked around PC barefoot all evening (super classy!).  In my defense, we did try to buy him a pair of shoes, but couldn't find anything reasonable.

And for the boys... We went to Ethan's School's Open House yesterday.  It was so awesome.  I am so excited for him!  The Preschool (The Learning Lodge) is just down the street from us, a few houses, so we could conceivably watch Ethan walk down the street by himself to school (but we'll walk with him).  We got to see Ethan's classroom, meet his teacher (allow him to meet his teacher), and get an idea of how the school year would go.  We also got to see Ethan's classmates.  I am just so excited for him.  Ethan is so very social and he loves learning. It will be so much fun for him to have some structure and have a chance to learn.  

Emery has been having a tough week.  I don't know what is going on with him to be honest... just being a baby, I guess.  I can't feel any teeth coming in so I don't know if that is it.  Basically, Em has been following me around all week and crying (or if Emery isn't following me around, it's Ethan).  At night Emery wakes up and he fusses from about 1.30 AM to about 4 AM.  So no one has been getting much sleep at night.  Man, it makes me tired just to think back on this past week.  And normally, any other week, I'd be okay, but it's been difficult with trying to get some work stuff done (I keep telling myself that someday things will return to normal).  Anyway, it's been an interesting week.  And for baby #3 news.  We're 23 weeks along now (just a few more weeks and I can begin counting the other direction instead!)- 17 weeks to go.  I can feel him moving around a lot and every once in a while Dave feels a good kick too.  I haven't had a chance for the boys to feel him move yet.  A few more weeks and we'll be ready I think.  Right now I'm in the easy part of the pregnancy- appetite is okay, energy is okay, and I'm not so big that it is uncomfortable.  So life is good. :).  And I think we've come up with a name (maybe?).  It continues the E theme and the meaning of the name fits with both Ethan & Emery as well.  So that's kind of exciting...

Dave has been loving his online classes.  He dropped his math class in favor of another financial planning class (he's now taking 2 financial planning classes).  Dave did some research and found that there are 6 classes required to becoming a certified financial planner- and now he's taking 2 of them. :) So it might be an interesting direction for him to pursue (and if he doesn't, at least the classes he is taking now have some real world practical application).  It has been nice for me, in the evenings Dave and I work side by side after the kids go to bed- me with work and him with his classes.  

And now it's almost September!  This year has gone by so quickly.  Ethan is already looking forward to Halloween & Christmas.  And to be honest, I am too.  I am looking forward to cooler days (not necessarily cold days), and to the holiday cooking that comes with it... almost time for pumpkin bread! Yum! 

Em's sunglasses.   

This is the super awesome raft I made (as a part of a group) at our employee retreat on Friday.  It's ugly, very ugly, but it still floated.  I hope that this is enough proof that I should never be called to Scouts in any way.  And Dave said if we were ever stuck on an island he wouldn't ask for my help (probably wise).  On another note- as I was walking to the employee retreat on Friday, I saw an old friend of mine playing basketball on the courts right next the bowery my work had rented.  It was so random. I hadn't seen him in so many years.  That's just Salt Lake for you I guess.  

As A Man Thinketh

I think one of the more interesting aspects of this blog (for me), is that I update it after church on Sundays- usually when everyone is napping.  That means it's usually a quieter, more introspective time for me- especially now that I listen to a lesson on Sundays instead of chasing after 20 kids (in nursery).
Anyway, as I was putting together my church stuff this morning (we all actually woke up early this morning and therefore had time to take things at a nice pace), I grabbed a little book that had been given to me when I was baptized.  It's called "As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen.  It's actually more of a long essay than a book- and a very fast read.  I flipped through the pages and between Dave & I, we have highlighted almost every word.  Different things have spoken to the two of us for different reasons, but all if it can be pondered. I'm really writing about it right now 1) cause I think you should read it too and 2) because it has related to much of what we have been learning in church lately- how we need to control our thoughts and how our thoughts lead to our actions, etc.  You don't have to be LDS, or even religious, to enjoy this book.  Here's an excerpt from the Bookcraft Publisher's Introduction (you can find many different publishers for this essay):  Elder Milton R Hunter, a member of the First Council of the Seventy from 1945 until his death in 1975, explained the book's message in this way: "Keep your mind and heart clean and pure at all times.  The scriptures truthfully declared: 'For as... [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he.' (Prov 23:7).  Our thoughts are like seeds planted in a fertile garden. They take root, grow, and eventually mature in full bloom.  Thus the very center of our character-growth is our inner thoughts.  Our thoughts precede our actions.  They are the underlying forces that shape our destiny... It is definitely true that each person is the product of his individual thinking.  Mr. James Allen aptly declared: 'Whatever your present environment may be, you will fall, remain, or rise with your thoughts, your Vision, or your Ideals.  You will become as small as your controlling desire, as great as your dominating aspiration.'"  Anyway, just in case it catches your attention, here's a link to the essay online: As A Man Thinketh.  You can also buy bound copies of it (or even get it as an e-book).  Just my thought for some Sunday reading...

And now to more fun topics... Can you believe August is more than half over? Hello!? Time goes by faster and faster- the days grow longer and the weeks grow shorter. :) Last week I wrote that Dave was starting school this past week.  I lied, I guess.  He actually starts tomorrow.  He's taking an online finance class (I am super excited and intrigued by this class- it actually sounds interesting!). And a math class.  So I guess there's balance in everything. :) Ethan still starts school on Thursday, Sept 6.  I can't wait! The first of many "First Day of School" pictures.  I can remember being mortified by my mom because every year she'd make a poster "Back to School- 19xx" and we'd have to hold it up and have our pictures taken (we have years of the horrible outfits, big glasses, and bad haircuts just waiting to come back and bite us).  We finally convinced her to move the picture taking to the backyard so at least the entire neighborhood couldn't see our mortification.  And now that I have kids? Oh yeah- Back To School Pictures.  I understand my mom a little bit more every day. :)

Anyway, I've been more or less a non-entity in our household this past week.  It was the final week of audit prep so I've been working until Midnight more or less every night for the past 2 weeks.  The good news? That part is done... the bad, there's still more to do.  I think I am looking forward to September at this point. Friday I finally called it quits and deep cleaned my house (to make up for how much I've ignored it lately).  And yet, I had 2 little boys following behind me so it didn't make much of a difference (but at least I know and that's what counts right?).

I'm trying to think if we've had any milestones this past week... We bought Ethan some Crayola Markers.  At first I thought I was the dumbest mom on the planet- Ethan was drawing on his hands (one day he drew all of his fingers black), there was ink all over the table, he carried the markers everywhere (at least he didn't draw on the walls), and he never puts the lids back on.  On the other hand, Ethan has been drawing all day long, every day for the past week.  He loves telling us stories as he is drawing.  So I feel pretty good about that.  We have some pretty awesome pictures taped up all over the house.  I know in 20 years I'm going to look back at these drawings and remember what a wonderful little boy Ethan is.  And for Emery? Well, he does whatever Ethan does.  Dave & I have been making a strong effort to spend more time with Emery 1 on 1 lately- when Ethan is sleeping or by dividing & conquering.  We've been trying to read to the boys as a group and individually.  Em has been testing us a lot lately to determine what he can and can't get away with. He's a good sport about it too.  And I think he might be teething. At least I hope he is.  I think I am the only parent that actually looks forward to teething because at least it means my kids are getting them. Emery is 16 months old and only has 4 teeth (all the front ones).  I'd be worried a little bit, but Ethan was exactly the same way.  Then he got all of his teeth all at once- so at least it wasn't a drawn out affair.  So yeah, hopefully Emery is getting tooth #5.  I am looking forward to when Ethan is in preschool because it will give me (and Dave) a few hours of special time with just Em.  Hopefully we work with Em the same way we have with Ethan- working on colors, shapes, singing, and reading, and just having fun.

Well I think that's us for another week.

At the Splash Pad- Emery really likes this fountain the best.  He usually just hangs out here the whole time.  

The Splash Pad fountains are all arranged in a circle.  Ethan likes to run around this circle and run through all of the fountains the whole time.  It really tires him out. :) 

I'm a sucker for Ikea.  Really.  I get giddy about going to Ikea (I love their french fries and chocolate cake).  And I love the idea of being able to stop and eat in the middle of a shopping trip (hint hint every where else). Anyway, We had to get Ethan a new dresser and it has been on my mind to get the boys a little table for while.  And so we did! The table & chairs are currently in our Dining Room now, and I plan on putting it downstairs once the basement is finished.  

The boys sitting together- they are stoked!

The Pumpkin Patch

I don't claim to be a good gardener, or even a gardener, but I do have a little vegetable garden on the side of my house and I love it.  There is just something so satisfying about watching some vegetables grow.  And it's fun to try to get the boys interested.   So this past spring, Ethan and I planted a whole slew of plants and Ethan's favorite contribution (the one he is most excited about) is the pumpkins.  In fact, Ethan and Emery go out every morning to check on the pumpkins (and the other plants).  Ethan likes naming each plant one by one. Anyway, Ethan's little pumpkin plants are turning into quite the pumpkin patch.  And in honor of that pumpkin patch- here's some pictures of my little garden... 

A Zinnia.  It's a good thing we have so many of these cause I can't stop Ethan & Emery from picking them.  On the other hand, Ethan brings me flowers every morning.  I love it.  

These are actually 2 massive tomato plants- One cherry tomato and the other a regular size tomato (technical term).  So far I've gotten 0 regular sized tomatoes but handfuls of the cherry tomatoes.  Next year, I'll just be sticking with the Cherry tomatoes.  

This massive thing is our sunflower plant.  It is still growing taller and I'm not sure when it's going to stop...  

The Zucchini & cucumber plants.  The zucchini plant grows like a weed- we're getting like 3 super massive zucchinis a week (so if you want one, please come & get one).   

The carrot & pumpkin patch.   

PUMPKINS! 

 

The garden & Emery picking tomatoes. 

The beginning of August (already!)

I've decided that the easiest way for me to keep up a blog is by only doing it once a week.  If I try to do it any more often I'm just going to stress myself out... so if I do, consider it a treat.  But until then- check back on Sundays...

So this week has been BUSY!  We are in full swing audit mode at work, so any free moment I have, I am trying to get stuff for that done.  I have to keep reminding myself that we did it last year and survived and I can do it again.  And it's all got to be done by the 15th (ish) anyway so we're coming down to the final few days.  I also learned how to make freezer jam! We love freezer jam but I've never had the opportunity to make it.  Our neighbor, Brittany, showed me how while our kids all ran around, danced, cried, and created general chaos.  It was so easy and so much fun.  It will definitely become a staple at our house. :)

I was also called to Young Women's (as secretary) at church!  I am really excited about this.  And any worries that I had have been put to rest. I went to my first activity on Thursday and sat in on my first class today. My biggest worry was about the boys- I had been in nursery with both of them.  I knew Ethan would be fine without me, but Em is just starting to go through his clingy stage.  It turns out after a brief cry being left alone, Em did just fine.  And I was actually happy to see both of the boys after church ended. :)
Anyway- back to Young Women's... For those of you who don't know, church is in 3 hour blocks- first (in our ward) is Sacrament, followed by Sunday School & Relief Society (for women) or Priesthood (for men).  Young Women's is for the young women ages 12-18.  They go to Sunday School with everyone else, but they have their own classes together during the 3rd hour.
I feel somewhat like I showed up to class in the middle of the semester, everyone else knows what is going on but I have no clue.  I don't have any prior experiences to look back on- this was going to be completely new for me.  The presidency I serve with (the Young Women's President and her 2 Counselors) are amazing! I am so in awe of all they know and how wonderful they are with the women.  I should probably add the advisors/teachers to that list.  Seriously- the women are so awesome.  I am looking forward to getting to know the girls too.  I am little intimidated to have to put myself out there, but I think I'll be fine with time.  I guess I am just more worried about doing what I am supposed to be doing (I don't even know what I don't know at this point).

As for the boys- We've been trying to have as much fun as possible while staying as cool as possible.  We have a wonderful splash pad maybe just a mile from our house.  The boys love to go and run and cool off.  I try to take them at least once a week until the weather cools and it turns off... We also love going to Grandma's house to go swimming in her pool.  Emery is such a natural water baby- he just loves splashing and swimming.  Ethan has a little life jacket/floaty that he puts on and he is off. He'd swim around for hours if we'd let him. Other than that the boys have just been spending time in the back yard- in the sprinkler or in the sandbox.  I love having a fenced back yard.  I hate paying for it, but the benefits are so amazing.  The boys have also been spending a lot of time with their cousins.  Ethan & Emery play so well together, but they love having new faces.  And for baby #3? Well, we still have no name picked out.  We have a pretty clear idea on the middle name, but absolutely no idea on the first.  Dave just knew Ethan and I just knew Emery but we're both stuck on this one.  The due date is officially December 24th, but I really want to have him earlier so I can be home for Christmas (and Christmas Eve dinner).  According to our ultrasound, this little boy will probably be bigger at birth than the previous 2 (Emery was heavier than Ethan, so I guess this one is just continuing that trend). I can feel him move around a lot and we're about to the point where someone else can too (if they're patient).  It will be fun to see Ethan's reaction the first time he feels the baby kick.

And it's almost school time as well! Dave is taking 2 online classes (through the U) as a test run to see if he really wants to go back and get his masters.  He does want to go back, but it's intimidating to think about with 2 little boys that love their daddy time very much and a 3rd one on the way.  So we'll see how it goes after this semester... And Ethan is starting Preschool come September!  Wow! He is going to the Learning Lodge Preschool just down the block from us (he could walk there on his own- I can see it from our house).  I am so excited for him.  Ethan is so sociable and he loves learning.  He knows he is going to school, but I don't know if he really knows what all that entails. :)

And when Dave isn't playing with the boys, or working, or trying to make my life easier, he keeps himself busy down in our basement! One of the things we wanted in a house when we were looking was an unfinished basement.  And we have one (and it's just the right size for learning- in my opinion).  The basement will have a playroom, a bedroom, and a bathroom when all is said and done.  We thought it was a lot further along though- the prior owner had started on the bedroom, but it looks like we're going to have to tear it all down because of shoddy workmanship.  Oh well.  More for Dave to learn- correctly. :) Right now, with the help of our so very generous neighbors the Bennetts, and our brother in law Dave, Dave has been framing out the playroom area of the basement.  This includes having to frame out a wall to separate the furnace from the rest of the play area.   Our goal is to have that room done first (at the rate we're going that might even be done by the end of the year!).  Then I can move the boys' toys down there (yay!).  After that is done, we'll get the bedroom done (which will be Dave's new man cave), and last will be the bathroom.  I am so excited!  It's been fun for me to watch the basement transform from a concrete space to a finished room (I know it's still a ways off, but I can visualize it now!).  It has been awesome for Dave to be able to learn some new skills.  He never had the opportunity when he was younger to do anything like this and I know he just loves learning the how's and why's.

So that's pretty much been our week... nothing too special, just a lot of hanging out together.  I can't believe we're already in the middle of August- we only have a few weekends left to try to do a short trip.  We're trying to think of some fun places to take the boys within a few hour's drive- so if you have any ideas- let me know!

And now for pictures: 

 Emery playing with the sprinkler in the backyard

Emery throwing toys from the loft at Grandma's House 

The Basement- wall #1- this is the first wall Dave put in with Nick's help.  

Basement Wall #2 (the window wall).  Dave put this in with Dave's help. 

I would have taken a better picture, but the light from the window blinded the rest of the picture.  

 The furnace- if you look closely, you can see where we drew out the future plans for the wall on this side.  

Nick had the idea to angle the wall in so that it would seem more open (awesome idea!). 

And the other side of the basement- the room (filled with our storage) and the bathroom area.  

Ethan and Emery

Ethan is 3 years old now and is so much fun.  Ethan is also the best big brother- he is always watching out for Emery and loves playing with him.  Emery is our little jokester- he's always putting on hats and sunglasses and trying to make us all laugh.  Emery is a little over a year old now and goes wherever Ethan goes.
And here are some pictures:

 Ethan at the Temple

Ethan's 3rd Birthday 

Kids Parade (neighborhood parade) w/ our neighbor Alivia 

Em loves wearing hats 

Ethan loves it when Dave does his hair for church 

Good Looking Em for Church 

Em broke his elbow just before his 1st birthday 

Em at Discovery Gateway (Kids Museum) 

Ethan in the snow 

Ethan & Emery touching fossils at the Natural History Museum 

Rockin Mom's Sunglasses 

Ethan Rides a Horse (at This is the Place Park) 

Em Rides a Horse 

Ethan and baby chicks 

Playing the piano (at Grandpa's) 

Riding the train at the Zoo 

The Fountain at the Zoo 

Em fascinated by the Gorilla at Hogle Zoo 

Hiking 

More Hiking 

Dinosaur Park in Ogden 

Grandma's Surprise Birthday Party (at the top of Snowbird) 

Playing in the sprinkler 

Treats in Park City

Not even going to try to catch up...

It has been almost 2 years since I last added anything to our blog.  Too much has happened to really try to update everyone about it all, but in short:

• Dave got a new job (in the Systems part of the U's Financial Aid Office)
• We bought a house in Woods Cross, Utah
• We were sealed together as a family in March, 2011
• Emery was born in April, 2011
• We found out we're having our 3rd boy (due in December, 2012)

Busy little bees...

I'm ashamed to say it's been almost exactly 2 months since I last posted. We've been busy little bees around here... Ethan has been busy growing and making trouble for Mommy and Daddy, Mommy has been busy with work and trying to clean up after Ethan, and Daddy has been busy trying to keep up with Mommy and Ethan.

Soooooo.... updates... well Ethan has been walking since a few weeks after his first birthday. That is both wonderful and quite tiring. It's nice not having to carry him everywhere- especially cause he was getting so heavy... and it's nice that he can entertain himself so much more (he loves chasing Pookie around)... but he gets into EVERYTHING. And he loves helping me "clean." As I was cooking this evening I realized that Ethan threw away most of my cooking stuff- measuring cups, stirring spoons, ladles, etc. Not fun. I wasn't able to save those. But was I able to pull out both of his shoes, a measuring spoon and a spatula from the garbage this evening.

Ethan had a wonderful first birthday (I know it was

so long ago!). We had a party at the park by Grandma & Grandpas and so much family showed up! Dave's family was there and my sister & her husband, my brother & his fiance, and my other brother & his wife surprised us by all showing up. It was great!

And now... well, the big news is that we're adding to the family! Sometime in April, Ethan is going to be a big brother! Yay!

And now for pictures...