Tuesday is Play Day

Every Tuesday we go down to Lewis Park with other neighborhood kids and have some summer fun. So far we have had hopscotch tournaments, made beaded bracelets, a water balloon fight and games, bubbles and lots of treats. The kids and I really enjoy going because we can be with friends and talk and play.

Today at the park we had a blast!! We tye-dyed shirts and ice blocked down the hill. First, we tied rubber bands around the shirts and then picked a color to soak them in. The girls loved this. They didn't understand the rubber band part but they will when the shirts are finished "curing". Some kids did multi-colored shirts and used squirt bottles and fun dipping techniques. But Emma only wanted pink and Maren only wanted blue. That's fine. But it was fun to see how serious some kids took it and really were serious about their shirt.

Then we ice blocked down the hill and even I went down a few times. Ahhh...brings me back to the times when we used to ice block down the big hill at Sugarhouse Park. Of course, my core muscles were in a little better shape then...

Even the Applegate's grandpa went down about a dozen times... and their grandma, too!! All in all, I think we had about 15 kids and 5 adults sliding down on towels and ice. It was great!! And cheap!! Ice blocks are only $1.39. Better than a water park!!

Maren's Baptism

Look who turned 8 years old and wanted to be baptized!! Maren was absolutely beaming on her baptism day! She walked around holding the edges of her dress like she was a princess and a smile from ear to ear! The most special part of that day...her primary teacher went to Israel and brought back a bottle of water from the River Jordan. We put that water in with her baptism water so she could be baptized in the same water as Jesus was!! Wow! Gives me chills just thinking about it! What a special day!

San Francisco Weekend

We decided that we needed a vacation after our family vacation. So I met Andrew in San Francisco for the weekend after his business meetings. We walked everywhere! The Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Boudin Bakery Museum. Then to the Ferry Building where they were having a huge farmer's market. Almost jumped on to a ferry to Sausalito but we would've had to wait an hour. So we walked to Chinatown and looked around there. Saw some dancing dragons letting off firecrackers. Walked to the Museum of Modern art and expanded our cultural awareness. Took in a movie and had some dinner. Went swimming. That was Saturday. Sunday we avoided the Gay Pride Parade (sorry to disappoint...no pictures of this event...) and headed for the Golden Gate Park where we saw more art at the De Young Museum. They were hosting the Chihuly Exhibit (which was in Salt Lake during the Olympics, if you caught it there) who is a world famous glass blower. We are big fans! Then headed to the Japanese Tea Garden, Stow Lake and the dutch windmill. Had lunch at the Beach Chalet with a band playing good music. (My fourth beach in a year, by the way...) Then finally made it to the Golden Gate Bridge after a bus fiasco that wasn't our fault. We only had about ten minutes to spare at the bridge before we had to turn around and get back to our hotel and make our flight home. It was windy and cold in San Francisco. Only about 63 degrees as a high and not much sun. I guess the wild fires were not helping and a cold front coming in late Sunday were the problem. I think it was a really nice, quiet weekend away. I think we need one of these vacations about every four weeks...

New Matt!!! Love it!!!

Here She Is

I didn't think she'd be outside my bedroom door
first thing this morning!! She's so cute!!

The Bountiful Zoo--I should charge admission

Yes, the neighborhood has gained a new resident. A moose. Yes, a moose!! We've had all sorts of wildlife sightings over the years...Deer, raccoons, ducks, weasel, wild turkey, eagle, bobcat, fox, coyote, all types of birds and their nests and babies, peacock, mongoose, mice, dogs and cats...
And now, moose. I guess she likes our next door neighbor's backyard because of the pond and waterlilies. And has now taken to wandering the streets!! I'm still trying to get a picture but she's very elusive. If I get one, I'll post it! Until then, admission rates start at...

California Dreamin'

Just got back from our annual Disney vacation. Had a good time. We took two extra boys with us so our teenagers wouldn't be bored and the car was quite heavy! We did Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, the beach, and St. George. Now I need a relaxing vacation to get over my family vacation!! The only crazy thing that happened was the boys getting stuck in the elevator for 25 minutes! But we got a free dinner out of that one!! Enjoy some pictures...