weekend round-up

Like many other states in our wonderful nation, Utah has a state holiday. July 24, or Pioneer Day,  symbolizes the day the state was settled. I like that Utah's state holiday is at the end of July. Thus an extra holiday before school starts and summer is officially *gasp* over. Besides, it is fun to have an extra excuse to get together with family and chill. We love it. 

The weekend started off with a mile fun run Saturday morning.

It was really cute how the Primary presidency had it set up. They registered each person entering the race and gave everyone a race number. There were different divisions of registration: a bike group, a stroller group, an over 60 group, etc. The kids in the primary also got to decorate signs that were set up along the race route. This is the one Mase and Omi did:


Very Picasso-esque...don't you think?


The kids loved crossing the finish line and having people cheer them on. There was even a water/fruit snack station halfway through the race set up by the Relief Society. Mase said the water helped his legs go faster.

Apparently the water really helped! At the pancake breakfast afterward, prizes were given and Mase was awarded first place in the bike division. Grandpa won first place in the 60 and over division. Both were very proud:

Next on the agenda: Bear Lake. The weather was perfectly hot for a day at the lake. We had fun chilling on the beach while the kids played in the water:


Apparently all of northern Utah and southern Idaho had the same idea:



Leesie was smart and stayed under the tent/umbrella with me:


And, of course, we had to stop at LaBeau's after our time at the beach for a burger, fries and a raspberry shake. I pity anyone who has never eaten at LaBeau's. Yes, I pity you. And your little dog too.
We ended the night with a movie (Despicable Me) at the park and then a fireworks show after.

Even though July 24 (the official holi-day) was Sunday, Monday was officially recognized as the day of celebration. Yes, Sunday is even recognized as sacred in Utah by the state government, a "day of rest", and any holiday that falls on a Sunday is not celebrated until the day after. Local and state businesses even get to shut down to par-tay. It works out though because a day off from work is much more fun than not.

We started out the day with a parade (can you tell we can't get enough of parades??):


The best thing about small town parades is the loads and loads of candy that is thrown/chucked/aimed at us. We got away with a bag full of loot that even Garfield would be proud of. And a parade is not a parade without  the floats and everything else considered "parade-worthy" (i.e. Model-T Fords and other classic cars, flat-bed trucks, tractors, Firetrucks). Here is a group dressed like pioneers:


Parade floats like these remind me I am home:





A BBQ after and a ukulele sing-along topped off the day:


And last, but certainly not least:

fanatical friday

I am so excited to see this but totally bummed to wait until next year. How mean can they be?

the boy who lived

I realize that blogging about Harry Potter will possibly enduce a sequence of eye-rolling from anyone who reads this. But my reasoning for even talking about it is definitely worth noting.

First off, the movie is excellent. Anyone who has not seen it must at least do so. Not only does it bring the massive franchise to a satisfying and thrilling conclusion, it also closes the end of an era. In the ten years since Harry's first big-screen close-up, the spell has never been broken. And we Muggles have been made better for the magic of it all.

In fact, the first of the Harry Potter movies was released on the day we got married, November 16. I was worried our invited guests would not show on account of the anticipation of the new movie. My cousin even teased he would not be there. I should say "threatened" rather because I honestly thought he may not show! The movie was that big of a deal and I was really looking forward to seeing it. Luckily, we were able to catch a showing while on our honeymoon.

Our first ten years of marriage have been echoed by "the boy who lived" and to have it come to a close is all a bit emotional for me. I will admit getting teary at the end of the movie. And showing (spoiler alert) Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione dropping their children off at platform 9 3/4, ready to be first year's at Hogwarts, tugs at the heart-strings. 

Obviously, we won't have a Harry Potter movie to help us celebrate our ten years of marriage in November. What is the ten year anniversary type of metal? Silver? Bronze?

FYI -- Wikipedia says tin or aluminum because it is pliable and symbolizes the flexibility a marriage requires. But diamond jewlery is a suitable tenth wedding anniversary gift.

Mmmmmkay.

 Tin -- pliable. A diamond -- can cut glass.

Totally makes sense. Totally... 

hi! hi! hi!

In light of Japan's recent World Cup win - yes I was majorly disappointed but at the same time happy for Japan - I want to share a video we made one night at dinner. The hubs and I at one time knew a little Japanese. We had made a stop there on our way home from Thailand and had given ourselves a crash course in Japanese in order to help us get around while there. So at one time I knew what "Honey Mustah" meant but today I don't. I realize as well that I'm spelling it completely wrong and will probably offend many who actually know Japanese. I apologize.

The hubs and I like to pretend we are tri-lingual. We will rattle off little words and phrases we have learned over the years. Some really don't even make sense. Mainly it has been for the amusement of our kids. On this particular night Omi decided to be the linguist.

new pooh

Please tell me you are looking forward to this as much as I am:



Is it bad to especially like it because they use a Keane song for the trailer? What? Never heard of Keane? Tisk, tisk. They are my no. 2 band, behind U2. Truly. They are that good.

Also, I know I won't have to worry about the content in this movie. No jelly bean pooping bunnies or thong-wearing gnomes to ruin the atmosphere.

Basically, I get to sit back, relax and soak in a bit of A.A. Milne while with my kids. We will make a memory.

fats domino

I'm thinking it is time for Dan and I to lose some weight.

This is what I overheard today:

Mase: "If you tell me the magic words, I will show you where the treasure is."

Omi:  "Daddy's big belly."

Mase:  "Nope! Try again."

Omi:  "Mommy is a hippo."

Mase:  "Good job! You got it! I will now show you where the treasure is."

..............................

not a mundane monday

I am sure Hope Solo is feeling redeemed today. Rewind to 2007 when USA faced Brazil in a semifinal game. Hope had been the US's starting goalie and then coach Greg Ryan made a flash decision to use Briana Scurry for the Brazil game instead of Solo. The outcome was grim, the decision fatal and what ensued were bitter words, by Hope, heard around the world.

Yesterday USA came up against Brazil again in the semifinal round -- history repeating hitself. But would it repeat itself in the same way? The first minute of the game would say no. The US found itself with the first goal and not even by one of our own. Brazil's Daiane found herself scoring the first goal in the game in favor of her opponent.

But during the second half Marta, declared Brazil's best female player since no one, got tangled with one of our own, Buehler, and was given a penalty kick. Buehler got sent off the field with a red card. The penalty kick was blocked by Hope Solo and the excitement of knowing the US was still up by 1 was short-lived. The referee noticed a US player entering the box before the kick had been taken and Brazil was given a re-do. We are still scratching our heads at that one but Marta connected and tied the game 1-1.

Marta then got a second goal in extra time to put Brazil up 2-1. At this point the threat level is beyond the blood red stage. It was more of a scarlett red. The US team could've given up and decided there was no way they would, in the next few minutes left of extra time, get a second goal to tie the game. But they didn't give up. They dug in deeper and took advantage of some injury time, courtesy of Brazil's Erika, who showed there is actually a worse actor in this world than Kim Kardashian. She faked a back injury, was taken off the field on a stretcher, only to be miraculously healed, and jump off the stretcher.

Knowing we wouldn't get those precious 2 minutes back, the US team kicked it into overdrive and in the 121st minute, this happened:



Penalty kicks were taken and Hope Solo blocked Daiane's weak attempt at a penalty shot. It ended with the US making 5 shots and Brazil only making 4. It was a nailbiter and one of the most anxiety-filled, exciting games to watch. The odds were stacked against the US but despite playing with only 10 girls instead of 11, and dealing with the frustration of dirty plays by Brazil, they stuck to their guns and came out on top. Victoriously amazing.

fanatical friday

U2 F-I-N-A-L-L-Y came!! And, of course, they were amazing. The whole concert was amazing. This was our third time seeing them and each time we get a little closer to the stage. We had GA tickets this time around. It was awesome but I've decided I'm getting too old to stand that long. My feet were killing me by the time they were done. I could barely drag myself back to the car. Why is it that my body doesn't feel as young as I think I am? Did I seriously just say that? Wow...I really am old.  

They sang some old favorites, they sang a lot of new. They didn't sing my all-time favorite which is "Bad" but I did catch it live at their last concert. Their stage setup this year was ridiculous! It was so HUGE. It towered over us. They also had a giant screen that went all the way around (thus the 360 tour name). The screen made Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry look like little people.

Plus, it was a family affair. My eldest brother and his wife were there as well as my other brother and my sister. Unfortunately, we weren't all by each other but to know we were all there together was awesome.

Was it worth it the sore feet, back and legs? Was it worth being sandwiched between complete strangers? Was it worth suffering the pain of not nursing for a good 6 hours?
  

"A resounding 'YALP'!"

(Movie quote. Who can name it? Anyone? Anyone?)

Here is the setlist from that night:

Even better than the real thing
I Will Follow
Get on your boots
Magnificent
Mysterious ways
Elevation
Talking about the end of the world
All I want is you
Love rescue me
Stay
Beautiful day
In the Name of Love
Miss Sarajevo (Is There a Time)
Zooropa
City of blinding lights
Vertigo
I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight


ENCORE:
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Rejoice
Walk on
One
Blowin in the wind (Bob Dylan)
Where the streets have no name
Hold Me Kiss Me Thrill Me
With or Without You
Moment of Surrender

six months

My idea was to put her milestone on a piece of paper and take a picture so I could always remember when the picture was taken. I tell myself I will remember...but then do I?? I bet you know the answer to that question. So it started off okay:

But then...



And finally...



Her body is happy with the fiber supplement she got from the paper today. :)
Leesie is such a joy to have in our family. I truly have enjoyed her from day one. Not sure if it is just the baby number 3 syndrome but I didn't stress so much this time around. I finally felt comfortable being a new mom and not so deer-in-the-headlights. Plus she makes it so easy to love her!



She is a very easy-going baby. She is mellow and laid back. She didn't even really cry until recently. She would just moan a bit when she was hungry or tired. She loves being with people and especially loves her big brother and big sister. She loves to be snuggled and is a very good sleeper. She is a very good eater too!!





We love this girl to pieces and are so grateful to have her in our family!







Happy un-birthday, Leesie girl!!

independence day

To celebrate the fourth of July we drive to Lewiston every year for the parade. I loved going when I was a kid and now love going with our kids.



We always stake out a spot and the whole fam-damily comes together to celebrate.



This was Leesie's first parade. She didn't like the loud horns too much but soon settled into the noise and stimulation all around her.



The kids always have bags ready to snatch up as much candy as they can.







Afterwards we took the party to my grandma's to celebrate her upcoming birthday. The kids always love the chance to play with their cousins and use the giant waterslide:





We truly are so lucky to be able to celebrate the fourth of July any way we please. Plus we are so blessed to have family around to celebrate it with.

happy happy birthday

Last week we celebrated Mase's birthday. I cannot believe he is 6! He is so excited to be a year older. The first thing he did when he saw his cousins that day was to tell them he is now 6. And don't you forget it! :)

Nothing says celebration like a birthday breakfast to start the day off right. Mase's birthday breakfast menu: Swedish hotcakes and watermelon.


Grandma and grandpa are always good sports with our birthday hat tradition.



Can't forget the red plate. Raise your hand if your family used a red plate too!?! You are now officially part of the Red Plate group. And yes, this means you are extra cool.






Look at that face! She could stare down the toughest mobster and win. I'm sure he wouldn't be able to resist cracking a smile as well. (Note: did you notice I assumed the mobster would be male? Aren't all mobsters male? If it is a female, are they known as a mobstress? Discuss!)

Mase is such an amazing kid. He truly has grown leaps and bounds over the past year, emotionally and physically! He loved Kindergarten and excelled in his reading. He loves to play with toys and ride his bike. He especially loves being outside and playing with friends. He is very athletic and loves shooting hoops outside or playing soccer or baseball with dad.



He is such a thoughtful kid. He is always making me and the hubs cards or pictures with sweet notes written on them. He is also the best big brother two sisters could ever ask for! He treats them both with love and respect. He is especially gentle with his newest little sister. He loves helping to hold her or play with her. He can always make her smile and also loves reading to her. (Plus, it helps him practice and keep up during the summer!)



We celebrated that night with a family BBQ and of course the cake! I always give the kids the option of either me making them a cake or them going to the store and choosing one. For some reason, they always choose to pick one out at the store. I'm thinking I had better take the hint.







Happy birthday, kid! We love you!!

bucket list

A few weeks ago Jimmy Fallon was featured in the Parade magazine sharing his bucket list. It has since been a topic of discussion within my family. So here is my bucket list. There are some things I have done already but still so much I want to do.

1. Travel Europe with the hubs (or be on The Amazing Race with him...whichever comes first)
2. Sky Dive
3. Run a half marathon
4. Become a coupon expert (i.e. play the game and save big)
5. Learn to play my favorite Beethoven piece on the piano

One thing that was on my list was to ride on an elephant. And not just in one of those saddle-style-basket-things. I wanted to be like Mowgli from The Jungle Book and ride without restraint. Or like Willie Scott (Kate Capshaw) in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.  Though she made it look a lot worse than it really is.


What is on your bucket list?