Our Summer fun

While this doesn't count as swimming lessons, it's a step in the right direction! Since our HOT streaks of weather kept coming, I decided the boys and the dog needed this little splash pool. You can see Bennett KNOWS when he's on camera. He definitely likes getting other people wet, but Paxton is more of a good sport in getting splashed, dumped on, and otherwise drenched. Paxton has been a great big brother this last week, cheering Bennett up when he's grumpy, we think due to some molars coming in. I love how easily they are entertained, we've done lots of chalk drawing on the patio, kicking soccer balls and batting off the t-ball tee. The boys do like their bikes too, Bennett's getting better at gliding on his and Paxton's already a pro. The neighbors are all super sweet to our boys, especially the 10 year old girl who could soon be a great babysitter. She is cute with both of them and they like her just as much. Sorry Grandma, you need a break here and there even though we LOVE your willingness!

These goggles are Paxton's but, like everything else, Bennett claims them as his own. The two year old selfish stage is here.  He has plenty of words too to say what he wants.  We have had a couple success with toilet training but haven't abandoned diapers just yet. As long as Bennett is willing and happy about spending time in the oval office, we're game.

Paxton wants to show off his muscles, he definitely tries to do push-ups like daddy and helps Mom bring in the gallons of milk we buy each week. If only he was taller he could mow the lawn!

For the 24th we waited, and waited, for some fireworks we expected to see from a neighboring park but they never happened.  SO, in the meantime we did some of our own and I had fun getting these sparkler shots.

These are some pots from Jared's latest glaze fire. They were, as usual sort of an experiment, this time Jared mixed the glazes, one of semi-transparent and one was transparent.  My favorite pieces are the bowls that have dark and light clay combined.  The surfaces within those bowls are different too, the dark part has a more rough texture and the lighter area is totally smooth.

Here's a couple pics of one my my "hobbies", our yard and garden.  I knew I was planting too much too close together in terms of the vine plants, but I did it anyway.  The cantaloupe, pumpkin, and spaghetti squash plants are doing well along with some corn, swish chard, cucumbers, raspberries, blackberries, and peaches.  And of course one very vigorous zucchini plant that I can't keep up with.

Our Vacation

Jared took a week off of work so we planned a camping trip to the family favorite camping area. The boys loved it, we thought we all might get bored without Grandma/Grandpa on either side coming too but it was very relaxing and nice to go at a slow pace. We took bikes, baseball equipment, and our dog. This little hike was perfect for Bennett, it wasn't too far from camp either. We had our first experience running the trailer into a tree trying to make a tight turn. The tree and trailer were okay though.

The only part about camping that was less than ideal were the mosquitoes. We all came home with a few bites, even using repellant. But the temperatures were ideal during the day and chilly at night, perfect for a campfire.

 I don't know what it is with boys and sticks but they literally go hand in hand. And, there's always a BETTER stick in your brother's hand. Somehow. Thankfully no one got their eye poked out. We did see some of the fish who were spawning trying to jump up waterfalls and generally get up river however they could. It was interesting, and they were large fish.

Paxton was SURE he wanted to swim in a lake...we kept telling him he'd get too cold but we did let him wade in and see for himself just how cold the water is. Not exactly the giant swimming pool that he probably thought he'd get. He didn't get in past his knees before he said "sometimes I want to swim and sometimes I don't". This time he didn't. We did have the canoe and took the boys out in it; I didn't take the camera in the boat for fear our two year old, who loves to lean over the side, would tip the whole boat over.

Some of the days the wind kept us off the water but Jared had other ideas. He spent a little time harvesting his own clay to make pots. One of the pottery teachers at his work warned Jared that digging his own clay is a sign of things to come - long hair, a beard, and wearing tie-dye.

On the last of Jared's days off we decided to take Frontrunner and Trax up to the Arts Festival. The boys enjoyed both train rides and the festival was great. This photo shows our "friend" the trombone player who was waiting for his train too. He was a friendly kid who asked if his playing was bothering us. To the contrary, it was fun.

This was at the festival in the children's art yard where kids could paint a piece of cardboard that would later be used to assemble a monster. Paxton also got to play a trumpet in another booth.

This "spider web" was Bennett's favorite part. He liked to walk under it and was also fascinated with the "bugs and spiders" hanging from it. This was another project kids could work on and add their creations to. There was a booth selling peanut butter/jam sandwiches and milk for $2...that was too good to pass up for the boys.  They wouldn't appreciate spanakopita or  Peruvian food anyway.

This little staged scene included a couch, rug, lamp, table and walls which could ALL be drawn on with colors of the kids' choice. There was a sign posted "Do not try this at home" in front of the exhibit. No kidding. I don't think even the magic erasure could handle that job.

Since it was a warm day, the boys asked to splash in the fountain. When it was time to go, Bennett did NOT want to leave the water and had as close to a tantrum as we've ever seen. He does have a little temper showing up these days, as well as changing his mind waaaay to much.

But Bennett is also hilarious. One day he was interrogating Paxton at lunch with questions like, "Is this  mine?, Is that yours?, Can I have some?, Is this your shoulder? (while he grabs Paxton's shoulder). He's also a tease in more ways than one.  We've reached the awkward to-nap-or-not-to-nap stage. He will lay down, and mostly stay in his bed, but in it he is looking at books, playing with toys, singing, jumping up and down, you get the idea. And then when he doesn't nap he's falling asleep at dinner. Most of you have been there.

We (meaning Mom, the boys, and Grandma) were able to go to the Parade for Strawberry Days. I thought it would be too commercial, as some have become, but it really was great. Just the traditional kinds of entries, bands, high school and local dance groups, fire and police people and just a few politicians here and there.

The policemen on their motorcycles in this pic were definitely the boys' favorite, with the firetrucks (our city has a GIANT one) a close second. There was also a little group with bikes and a ramp that did flips and other tricks...my favorite.

And, we were lucky enough to run into good friends to sit by with a little shade too. When the candy was thrown out, Bennett eventually caught on to run and grab some...the group next to us was pretty quick though, and not the kids in it if you know what I mean. So we had a nice week, more of our style than taking giant trips to distant places. Someday we'll get to Disneyland : )

Sand, Tulips, and Supermen

We decided to take the boys to the sand dunes at the end of April. These are at Little Sahara and were just right. Because we went on a Tuesday we had the place to ourselves, only seeing one RV the whole time. At first we needed our jackets but after a while it was great and the sand itself was a lovely warm temperature on our toes. Occasional wind was the only unpleasant part.  

I had forgotten how much work it is to walk, let alone climb in sand but the boys managed well and came home with their pockets full of sand.  

There is a "play area" which is fenced off from any atvs but the one we found was too small so I was glad we could roam free wherever. I'm told the place is a madhouse on certain long weekends so we won't visit then.


Bennett in particular hated the sand in his eyes. But even then he didn't complain all that much. He is a mellow little man generally but lately has been asserting himself in the usual two year old way with "mine" and "no" and the like.

Jared thought to bring a medium sized shovel which worked perfectly to dig down in to the wet sand to make sand castles.

We were especially lucky this year to go visit the Tulip Festival with Jaylene. Jared was lucky to be at work : ) Although he is very tolerant of my gardening obsession, he doesn't share the same interest in flowers. It was beautiful as usual, and I went back again to take some of these photos. If you get bored with these, just scroll down to see the Supermen.

Our boys are spoiled by all their grandparents. One Grandma in particular made these Superman costumes and they are awesome. Jared says Superman is his favorite superhero (and actually the only one he remembers as a kid). So I couldn't help but get the boys out to fly around on the trampoline.

Truly the Best Two Years

Many of our loved ones were able to be here to celebrate Bennett's 2nd birthday, but for those of you who are far and still follow the blog, this post is for you.  It's hard to believe how fast these two years have gone by. And our little Bennett isn't little, he's growing taller and becoming more well balanced. I laugh at older photos when I see his chubbiness. He still has the cheeks for the most part. And his eating habits are still impressive. In some ways we've created a monster because he'll ask for broccoli or asparagus over noodles or bread.




I looked at a lot of cake ideas and this is what ended up happening. The cooked frosting worked better than I thought it would to make a dirt road. And I did have fun making the pretzel fence.

We have loved having more cousins close by to celebrate birthday parties with. They make the party and help us put the toys together when "some assembly is required".

This little one was getting so excited, we all had to laugh at her enjoyment of the ball.  If only we could still be so easily entertained! With so many expecting more babies we'll have a lot more birthdays to enjoy together. Paxton really loves it when everyone comes over, it makes his day if someone comes to the door. It's been great for him to have a different set of friends at preschool, he sort of has a life there we know little about. But we'll get the scoop at his parent-teacher conference next week. Yep, in preschool.

One of Bennett's gifts was a balance bike, some call it a glide bike. The idea is that the kids learn to ride without pedals. A friend of ours had one and we liked to idea that he wouldn't ever need training wheels because he'll learn balance earlier then grow into pedals. So far he has ridden it all over the house as well as outside. Luckily he enjoys putting the helmet on too.  The best part is that he can be out with Paxton who is very adept on his bike. Actually he goes super fast and I cringe thinking he'll crash into a parked car because he's watching us watching him. But other than that it's fun!

March

It's time to post again...the last month+ has gone by quickly.  The photo on the right shows the beautiful orchid that Jaylene gave us last year. Now it's in bloom again, just as amazing as when she gave it to us. I didn't do much to care for it except giving it adequate water and consistent light. And there's a second shoot this time off of the main stem which will have flowers. Now I can see why orchids are popular.

The picture is of our tiny crocuses that bloom at the first signs of spring. When I planted them they were supposed to include purple and white but so far they're all yellow. At this point in the year I am happy with any color in the garden.

These little sprouts are Nasturtium, a plant that has edible leaves although I started some indoors for their orange flowers. There should be variety of flower colors, ranging from yellow to orange to red. I am also growing Zinnias, which sprouted easily and are doing well.

So there you can see some of my gardening obsession. I also planted peas a couple weeks ago with Bennett helping. And he really did help, he loved putting the peas in the holes I made and kept saying "more peas" until we did all 10 rows. Maybe that's a sign of what is to come, if we had a little farmer on our hands I wouldn't mind a bit. These two both like to play outside and have enjoyed the warm weather too.

This was one of those times I left Bennett in his room too long, although this didn't take much time at all. He likes to "wipe his nose", whether it needs it or not but I guess this time was just too tempting with the endless supply. I don't keep the tissues by his bed anymore.

Some of you know of Jared's pottery, well he was part of Utah County's "Bowls for Humanity" fundraiser again. Potters from all over donate bowls at the Food & Care Coalition in Provo and the public comes to buy the bowls and get soup. It has grown quite a bit and although we arrived right when it began, there was a large crowd. Paxton chose his own bowl. Bennett apparently likes tomato-basil soup.

 This is a portion of Jared's bowls, he donated about 21. The potters range from hobbyists to students (both high school and college level) to professionals. They also hold a silent auction with some of the best ceramic pieces, not just bowls.