Logan-Let it Snow!

When we arrived in Logan, at Grandma and Grandpa Growly Bear's, the boys ran in the front door, gave everyone hugs, and ran out the back door to play in the snow. There wasn't a lot, but there was enough for Nathan to help them shovel into a wall of snow a few feet high. They made snowballs and then used this snow fort to hide behind. When grandpa came riding by on the snowmobile they jumped up and launched their snowballs at him. It was really fun to watch. Not to worry...there was lots more snow on the way. One afternoon we realized the kids had disappeared from our view (we were enjoying warm conversation inside, watching them through the window). Nathan ran out to investigate and found them. Daniel, Liam and their cousin Conner were busy at work, rolling a giant snowball for a snowman. Another cousin Mikayla, was pushing a middle section. It totally amazed us to see what they had done entirely on their own. Grandpa and Nathan helped stack the sections and a head was also rolled. Grandpa donated a hat and milk lids were scrounged together to make buttons and eyes. Grandma pulled out a carrot for the nose. The kids even found some tree branches for arms. Wow! I'm so glad my boys got to build their snowman. They did a better job than I would have done if they'd recruited my help. They all stood in front of their snowman and sang "Once there was a Snowman"--of course! It's funny how you can live somewhere and never visit the places near you, but when you move far away you come back and go those places. This time we decided to try out Hill Aerospace Museum. We were totally impressed. They had planes, jets, and helicopters to walk through outside (it was freezing, but we endured for a while). They also had two huge indoor areas. Nathan and the boys love to watch "Heavy Metal" on the History channel and learn all about the different jets and planes used on military missions. Nathan made a good tour guide, explaining what was neat about each one. I have to admit, I am hopeless when it comes to recognizing planes or jets flying overhead--but they are fun to watch. A shot of the girls. Heather we miss you!

One of the best parts of the museum turned out to be a hands on children's section. They had flight suits for the kids to try on, flight simulting programs, a cockpit where the kids could press all of the buttons. And lots of hands on fun. We'll be coming back here again. My little astronut Caleb. Surrounded by airplanes and fascinated by spinning pennies! The museum was free, but worth a good donation. We took this picture after a sleepover with Conner and Mikayla. Everyone was getting ready for church the next morning. Can't you just hear the hymns they playing and singing? Ok, ok--they were goofing off and having a great time! I love family dinner when we go home. My mom is the best cook. Besides, with my fun family you're sure to laugh a lot. I love swapping stories with my brothers and sisters. On Friday and Saturday Nathan went snowmobiling with my dad and brothers and brothers-in-law. Friday was a perfect day for riding. Saturday was a good one. Nathan was very sore when he returned. If I'd gone, we'd be riding slow enough to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. The guys on the other hand..... It wouldn't have been fair if only the big boys got in on the snowmobiling so they came back and gave lots of rides to all the little guys.

When they weren't riding snowmobiles, they found plenty to do in the outside. Did I mention they love the snow?!!! Grandma is the greatest. She called us months ago, when the snowclothes were all on sale, to check my kids' sizes. Since we don't have need to buy them out here, she makes sure she has boots, gloves, coats, snowpants--everything for everyone. Thanks Grandma. You made our visit so fun. The pictures of Caleb walking in the snow totally remind me of Ralphie in the Christmas Story. "I can't put my arms down!" Getting Grandpa Growly Bear is always fun. They like to shoot him and he does his dramatic death scene ("Oh, you got me!"--tongue hanging out the side of his mouth) and then they tell him to play again. He jumps back up and it begins again. What a good sport. One night my parents got us a babysitter and we all (my parents and all of my brothers and sisters and their spouses) went to a Brian Regan Comedy Show. He is definitely a family favorite. Nathan enjoyed the show, but tried not to laugh because he had a horrible cough. Talk about torture. It was hilarious. Brian Regan's brother opened for him. He had a similar sense of humor and so it was great all around. We ended our adventure with a trip to Ti Pan, a home decorating superstore. My mom and sisters and I could spend a long time and a lot of money there. It helped that Nathan was a really good sport about the whole thing. (He got to watch the boys for me while I played.) It was really fun. I was specifically looking for something to put over the couch in my living room. I found some really pretty red pots and some greenery to fill them with. I remembered some iron brackets that I had at home and decided to paint them and a board black to make a shelf. I'm pretty happy with how it all came out. (I may still change up the things on the shelf and I need to fill a lot of old nail holes, but it's an improvement. The couch looks a little strange, but considering it was Nathan's grandparents, then his parents and then ours-for the past 12 1/2 years, I think it's not too bad.) Every time I try to decorate my house, I wish my mom and sisters were able to come over and help me. They are really good.

We love our visits to Utah. We love being with family. If only we were closer and could do it more often.

I'm Dreaming of a White Utah

So we were on our way to Utah...(We all had some terrible-sounding coughs and Caleb had been sick the night before--but we weren't too bad on the drive out.) The boys were so excited. (Nathan drove most of the way so I sat back and enjoyed a great book. I would definitely recommend Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. It tells about a boys who is Chinese-American, with a Japanese-American friend. They live in WA during WWII when the Japanese families were sent to internment camps. It's totally clean, very informative, and moving.) As we drove through Kingvale Daniel saw the first of the snow and announced, "Look! Snow! Snow! We are almost at Grandma and Papa's!" 10 or 11 hours later we drove into Grandma and Grandpa Brady's in Orem. There wasn't much snow, but the boys were even excited to play on the icy patches on the lawn.

We played lots at Grandma and Grandpa's. They always have trucks and all of the trains out for the boys to play with (they know what my boys like). My boys really look forward to the special sleeping bags that they get there too. They have pockets in them with stuffed animals and slippers.

Grandpa was battling the flu and episodes of vertigo, but Grandma took us to the SLC Aquarium. We've been there before but it has grown. Now it even includes penguins. Daniel and Liam took pictures of everything. They especially loved the Cayman, sharks, turtles, and eels. There was a crazy sting ray who let everyone pet him--it looked like he was actually trying to go AWOL. Lion fish are so cool--very fitting for Daniel in the Lion's den--or shall I say aquarium. Lookin' good Nathan--but I think that was supposed to be for the kids!That's better.At the end Grandma let the boys each make their own souvenir pennies.

Late one evening it started snowing. The boys were thrilled. They all ran outside in their PJs. Daniel didn't even stop for shoes! Crazy. They wanted to make a big snowman, but settled for a few mini snowmen--with the understanding that they'd get a chance to build big later.

It was a lot fun. We'd planned on rejoining Grandma and Grandpa for a trip to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa Steed in St. George (after our visit to Logan). Unfortunately, we were all sick. We were all disappointed to cut our trip short without seeing Great Grandma and Grandpa Steed and the other Great Grandmas but we didn't want to share our germs.

All Part of Being a Mom

I feel like throwing up as I write this--no I'm not pregnant (that is directed to you, Mom). Actually, I just brushed Caleb's teeth--after he had a little snack before bedtime...All I heard was Caleb saying, "Mmmm, yummy!" Then Nathan came over and asked, "Where is that blood worm?" Ok, Pause. Those two phrases do not belong together! Rewind...You see, Nathan had gotten out the frozen fish food to feed the betta. (It's called bloodworm --and it's exactly what it sounds like, little tiny frozen red worms). Nathan had cut off a small piece and turned around to put the rest back in the freezer. When he turned back around, the little red frozen square had vanished--that is until we checked Caleb's mouth. There wasn't much left, but his teeth had some red in them. I forced him to rinse and spit (in between my own gagging) and a little red something came out into the sink. Then we brushed very thoroughly! I have to admit I was a bit tentative to get his good night kiss. (Sidenote: Kids should not kiss parents on the lips--it totally creeps me out--for many reasons. Just add this to that list.) Our bedtime conversation ended up being all of gross things our boys tried eating when they were younger. The good news is we've survived.

So now you know that boys are gross, but in all fairness they are also really sweet. Who would guess that as a mom I get a fresh bouquet of flowers every day. My boys come in with their hands full of clover flowers and dandelions. Some may consider them weeds, but they really are beautiful. They are even more beautiful delivered by boys with such sweet grins in dirty little hands. Some time ago, I bought a three inch vase, from a dollar bin. Every mom should invest in one. I can't remember the last time it was empty. It is just the right size for 'flowers' they pick on our walk to and from school or in the back yard. The bright yellow bouquet is sunshine on my counter. Honestly, I don't know if any flowers will ever mean more to me. Being a mom of all boys has its perks.