Toquer Falls

I'm trying to get back into the blogging world, I've missed it.  It's a real nice way to journal what my family is up to, so thank you to those that have been patient with me and have still stopped by the blog!  This last weekend we went for a "Sunday drive" to our local Toquer Falls!  I've recently learned that Todd's Grandpa Young used to take his kids for Sunday drives, sometimes with no destination in mind!  So when big Gary suggests a Sunday drive I love to grab the opportunity to make memories!  Our little outing to the falls was more fun then we anticipated, not that we didn't anticipate fun... just that it was really really fun!  At first the kids were incredibly cautious, especially when walking across the top of the falls.  But by the end Gary boy forgot all danger and often was caught suddenly off guard when waist deep in rushing water (thank heavens there were four of us adults to keep an eye on him).  Even Liv was more daring!  I had left my water bottle at the top of the falls, so Todd climbed up then sent it down the falls to me.  Soon that became a game... The kids or Todd would throw the bottle up the falls and then the kids would rush to try to catch it as the current carried it towards the next fall!  It was a hoot!  Probably more action then should be have on a Sunday, but it was still incredible fun and a great bonding experience for all of us!

By the way, you may have noticed the band-aid on the back of Gary-boy's head... I actually put that picture in on purpose, because on Saturday he gave us quite the scare!  He was "helping" me clean the bathroom.  I turned to my back to him to rinse soap off the walls of the tub when he slipped off his stool and hit his head on the knob of a draw.  I picked him up to console him when I saw in the reflection of the mirror that his head was gushing blood.  Eventually we got the bleeding to stop, gave him a buzz cut around the wound and placed a band-aid.  Isn't that just how it is... right before special events (my dad's wedding and family pictures) we have to give him a silly haircut and bandage him up!  I'm just grateful he wasn't hurt worse!!

Looney Fun

This "Looney" blanket was very fun to make, and was given to my bestest friend, Laura Joy, for her soon to arrive baby girl!  My favorite thing about this blanket is the fringe!  I hate fringe, I hate how messy it can get, and how it can tickle your nose when you cuddle with it.  Anyways, so I thought this was the perfect solution!  By putting three single crochets in each chain creates a spiral effect that is so fun and decorative while also giving the fringe the bulk it needs to hang nicely without tangling!  I also love the color combination.  I know it's not the most "girly" combo, but Laura's favorite color is yellow, so I hope so loves it's bright playfulness!  I am super excited to meet Laura's little one when she finally arrives here sometime before the end of June!

Technical Difficulties

I have been experiencing technical difficulties with my computer lately... it hasn't wanted to upload my pictures lately which explains why I haven't posted, no pictures no fun.  BUT I finally got it working so I'll post about April activities soon.  For now I wanted to post about the books I've read recently:

Elsewhere by Gabreille Zevin gave me a creative look into an alternative afterlife when a fifteen year old girl dies and awakes on a cruiseliner headed to Elsewhere.  In Elsewhere everyone grows younger until they are infants and then sent down the river back to earth where they will be born again.  Liz is not happy about what has happened to her and is faced with the challenge of accepting it and learning to live as she ages younger... which means not ever getting a driver's license, getting married, having children, growing old with the love of her life, etc.  I thought it was incredibly creative and a very unique story!

I have loved the first two Fablehaven stories, and the third one was just as enjoyable.  Book three: Grip of the Shadow Plague by: Brandon Mull was one of his most creative stories.  I loved watching the young characters, Seth and Kendra, grow into their personalities and roles.  The story had several twists, some I thought where lame and others I really enjoyed!  Overall this Shadow Plague is very dangerous and those that live at Fablehaven must be very courageous if they are to defeat those that created it!

Spring Break Week

This last week has been a whole lot of fun!  Todd and Nate both had spring break, so Nate decided to head down here to visit us!  I especially appreciate this since this summer he'll be headed off on an LDS mission and that'll last a couple years... so I enjoy all the time we get to spend together!  We had a lot of fun playing board and video games and even putting together a puzzle, but my favorite part was hiking Angel's Landing.  I hadn't gone on this hike since a few years ago and I had forgotten how hard it was... but it was incredibly enjoyable too!  We had such a great time laughing and teasing, especially when the cliff edge was near... but don't worry we were safe too.  I have to tell you, I was most excited about getting the picture of Todd and I in the hole in the rock, though, because my mom and dad have a picture just like it at about the same age!!  I'm very sentimental!

St. Patrick's Day was a blast as well!  I love every holiday that can be celebrated, because I love reliving and creating new traditions!  This year for St. Patty's we woke up and had green pancakes and scrambled eggs.  Nate and Todd tore

 off my green and pinched me over and over again... I don't think that was fair at all!  Then we made and decorated sugar cookies, as well as make shamrock necklaces.  And for the finale the kids were lead by clues throughout the house until

 they found the "Leprechaun's Golden Treats" (butterscotch candies and such)... I think they were actually disappointed when they found the treasure cause that meant the hunt was over, how interesting!  I hope you all had a great week and holiday!

February Activities

I have felt bad that I haven't been posting like I used to.  I really have enjoyed blogging not only because I can share my life and make new friends, but also because it's a good way to record or "journal" my family's life!  So I'm going to get better at it again, even if I have to do these "month in review" type posts.  So here's how February went:

After Gary's super fun birthday came Valentine's Day.  I absolutely LOVE holidays, because of the traditions I can share with my kiddos that creates lasting memories!  The kids and I created our own Valentine cards to give out to

 friends at Liv's preschool.  The kids used their thumb prints to make hearts!  On the actual day we decorated sugar cookies and made bookmarks to take to our neighborhood friends.  The kids loved it and I loved watching them, especially their excitement when the delivered them!

That night Todd took me out to the a Ballroom Gala put on by the SUU Ballroom Dance Team.  It was a formal occasion with a really yummy dinner!  The team put on a performance and then there was a live band so that all could dance.  It was slightly intimidating to get on the floor with a bunch of people who actually knew what they were doing... but in the end we had SO MUCH FUN!

Later in the month the kids and I headed to salt lake so we could watch Aaron star as Maxwell Smart in the play Get Smart at his high school.  He was a hoot!  I love watching him act, he always seems to be cast just right... the goofy

 characters!  He did a great job!  That same weekend we celebrated his 17th birthday.  It's hard to believe my littlest little brother his 17!  We had a great dinner with the family at Linda's house which was fabulous until we had to pack

 up and head home.  February was a wonderful month full of fun times and a lot of growth!

Gary Boy Turns 3

My little Gary boy turned three last friday (February 6th), so on Saturday we celebrated with a construction themed birthday party!  It was a hit!  First the kids got to try out some of the jobs that can be found on an actual construction site.  They included: hammering nails, screwing in screws, sawing wood, climbing a tall ladder, and painting a house (ours made out of cardboard).  The kids, even the "big kids" loved these activities!  Especially the birthday boy.  When I asked him what his favorite part was he said it was the tractor cake, but I think he loved the activities just as much cause he was the last one we had to drag out of the garage for dinner!  Dinner was scrumptious, and a special thanks to all those who helped me get it ready!  After that we headed back into the garage so the kids could break open a cement truck pinata, just what kids need... more sugar!  Then Gary boy got to unwrap his presents.  I love how appreciative Gary is with each present, because he takes time to check out the new gift.  It's a very unique trait of politeness he has already built in!  For the finale we lit up the tractor, well backhoe, cake (which I was just so happy it turned out), sang happy birthday, and let Gary blow out the candles!  What a great time!  I am so grateful for those that traveled for the occasion (which many of our guests did since we live in the middle of nowhere now)!  It was a very special day!

F.Y.I.

For those of you that do frequent my blog I wanted to apologize for not posting for over the last month... it's been a crazy little bit for us during the holidays and now I've devoted my free time to making blankets for the handful of babies that will be arriving this new year.  I will try to post now and then, but know that we are doing well & that I have not forgotten you, blogger friends!  I will be around and will be posting some fun blankets (at least) soon enough!