The Great Outdoors

We have had a lot of fun this summer getting out and about and enjoying the great outdoors. What was not so much fun was all the fires. I swear it was hotter sometimes because of them. Even though we couldn't venture far because of gas money and our tires we still had a lot of fun.



One place we really enjoyed was Salem Ponds. We had a nice little picnic lunch there one Sunday.







Being summer we found we had a few weddings to attend. One was for a friend of mine from childhood. I think this was a first for me. The first time I attended a wedding reception for good friend, that I grew up with. I guess I didn't have many childhood friends. Her reception was at a golf course down by Utah Lake.



We also enjoyed a fun trip to the Mt. Timpanogos temple in July. The Provo was closed for cleaning that month, so we drove to American Fork so I could get my monthly temple visit in. Craig kindly watched the boys. After I was done we walked around the temple grounds with the boys. Big H was so upset that he couldn't go inside so only Little H and Little M would pose for a picture.



One of our other ventures found us feeding the ducks down by Utah Lake-- I like this little spot right where the river meets the lake. We stopped by after dropping Craig off at work one day.




Of course, as everyone knows, this summer brought a lot of fires. At the beginning of summer there were several burning all over the state. The effects were seen at our house. There was ash everywhere,



and outside was tinted with a weird sepia like light. It was kind of weird. I tried to capture the moment on camera. I didn't do a great job though.



After our, above mentioned, picnic at Salem Ponds we came home to find smoke billowing out of our local canyon. We drove up to try and get a good picture of it. The smoke looked so thick from far back I could have sworn the fire was just around the corner. The further we drove into the less thick it seemed. And we never got to a spot where we could get a really good picture of the effect.



We also enjoyed taking the boys to a fun sports camp this summer.




And we joined my parents for their wards Book of Mormon activity. The boys loved the play battle scene area.




We've enjoyed ourselves a pretty full summer of fun. I can't believe it's already over.


Did I Forget to Mention. . .

Craig started a new job back in June. Here he is with his certificate saying he passed training. He now works at Teleperformance providing tech support for Verizon. He talks on the phone with people when they are having trouble with their service. So far he really enjoys it.



My brother graduated from POST. I was so happy for him. I hope he finds a job soon because he'll make a great cop.

What's Better Than a Day With Grandma?

A day with three Grandma's!

Last Friday I decided to take my car loving son on a trip to my mom's work. Why? Because at my mom's work there are a lot of big fun trucks to look at. But before we headed out we got a surprise visit from Grandma Darrington and Grandma Dendra!



Grandma Dendra and I were naughty. See it all started when some strangers on the street mistook Baby M for a girl-- this happens a lot with our boys. Well I've been looking at him wondering if he would make a cute girl or not-- the strangers thought he made a cute girl. So curiosity got the best of me and Grandma Dendra and I placed a bow on Baby M's head-- I've done this once with Little H and a flower and he makes a cute girl too ;)



Well Grandma Dendra and Grandma Darrington soon had to leave, so me and the boys headed to Grandma Andreason's-- my mom's-- work. As requested, she took us to see the big trucks, and boy was Little H in high heaven.





Big H was a little scared.




We always love spending the day with grandma, and spending it with three is even better!

Friday November 19, 2010: Visiting Daddy's Work

Last Friday Craig had to attend a meeting at work, so we all piled in the car and drove up to Salt Lake to see where Daddy works.

The boys and I waited in this room while Dad went to his meeting. Some kids came from a local charter school to spend time with the seniors. It was one of the most awesome things I've ever seen.

This is Big H playing with a resident's dog.


After the meeting we walked around to meet some of the residents Craig helps care for. They were all so complimentary of Craig, and they kept telling me what a wonderful and caring man he is. Everyone we met was really sweet.




Can't you just see all the happiness and pride coming from that smile of his? Craig loves his new job!




Everyone loved the boys! They kept saying how cute and good they are.





After our visit to Dad's work we stopped at Gardener Village for a little Christmas shopping.





It was such a fun filled day, and amazingly stress free considering.

October 21, 2010: Congratulations Daddy!

Yes, it's true! CRAIG GOT A JOB!!! We were all so excited we pulled out a bottle of Martinellis to celebrate.



Craig like how Little H held his glass at the stem.




Congratulations Dad! We love you, and we are so proud of you!

June 7, 2010: There's a Lawn to be Mowed. . .

. . .and thankfully it is no longer ours. Though our very overgrown back yard mowing experience probably would have made a good post I forgot to take pictures, so instead I'll right about helping Craig mow my Grandma Andreason's lawn.



The twins and I paid Grandma a visit



while Craig mowed her lawn.



This has become a weekly chore, and my sweet Grandma won't let us do it without pay so it's a nice way to earn some money.

This dog is name Rudy? Or Ruthie? Or something along those lines. Something that sounds very similar to Ruby. . .



. . .and so most of our stay was trying to remember which dog we were yelling at to stop barking.



Did I mention this sweet little pup of ours decided to get herself lost on Friday. She thought it was important to jump out of the car to bark at a little boy. The little boys Dad needed gas and with all the confusion and nervousness, of being approached by a strange man while I was alone in a park with the boys, I left her behind. My mother is to thank for her happy return. Craig and I weren't sure what to do because if she had ended up in the pound we couldn't afford to get her out. Well she did end up in the pound, and it was my mom who bailed her out.



Thanks for the cookies Grandma! They were delicious!



Yay! Dad's done!



Now he can play!



The twins had fun helping Dad, and Grandma enjoyed the visit. With Craig's new work schedule this weekly chore may now be mine, so the twins will get to stop by every time.