First Day of Turtles

Caleb's start at the WWCC Children's Center was a little rocky. I was unsure if any of us would survive Bunnies, but Bears was better, and Turtles is turning out to be terrific.

 

Here are a few pictures of Caleb's first day in the Turtles class (pre K).

Just Me

The Dance Show

In true Cali fashion she organized an end of summer dance show. She and several neighbor girls worked tirelessly on their routines. Every day when I got home from work I would find Cali and her friends perfecting their routines.

 

They planned and prepared for weeks. There were costumes and makeup and the works. She even hired Marissa to work the concession stand. They also hand delivered home made invitations to everyone in the neighborhood. At about 8pm there were about 20 people gathered in my back yard to watch. They kept telling me, "good job". But the only think I can be congratulated for is giving birth to a creative child. This was Cali's dance show from start to finish, and I only regret that because of the darkness I was unable to get some better pictures.

Baby Sitting Brock

 

We found Brock in our house again, we suspect his mother came to visit Steve, but we don't care so much about her. Christian wanted some Brock time, and Brock really wanted to be wrestled and scared to near death. I don't think Bethany has seen these pictures, so I'm sure she'd love to know what we do with her kid when she's not around!

Our Soft Little Angel

 

The summer came and went, and just like that, it was time for Dorothy to go back to USU to school. We had such a great time with her, she was a true joy to have in our house. She was clean and nice and help out with the kids all the time. They will miss her so much, and so will I.

 

We hope to see her pretty soon, as she has a handsome boyfriend she met while she was in Rock Springs for the summer!

I Nice Sunday Visit From Some Homeless People

 

My cousin Doug his wife Tara and their lovely children stopped by. They usually live in Abu Dhabi, but once every five years they live in New York City. They were on their way back to Utah after vising friends in Indiana, and our schedules finally matched up so that we could get together.

 

It was so fun hearing about their Middle East and European adventures. Their kids were really nice and it was fun to see them, if only for a few hours. They joke that they are homeless, but couldn't help feel a little twinge of jealousy at their ability to move around the world and their adventures!

Whaaaat? Look Who I Found in My Tub

When I got home on Saturday night from running the Hobble Creek Half Marathon, I found this wild meowzer in my bathtub. My kids miss Brock so much, and talk about him all the time.

 

I would like to think that Bethany came to visit me and welcome be back from my race, but in reality she was in Rock Springs visiting Steve, her boyfriend. There will most likely be more to come about this situation, but for now, we see Brock more than we use to.

Hobble Creek Half

Months of running, watching many sunrises, and sprinting around the Jr. High track all culminated into the running of the Hobble Creek Half Marathon. I thought about running the Wild Horse Half in Green River, WY. But after training with Jenni, Jesika, and Brooke I jumped I couldn't not jump in and do the Hobble Creek.

 

We got to Provo on Friday morning and took a little rafting trip down the Provo River, we ate some great food, and shopped around the University Mall. We ate a giant pizza dinner, had an equally giant sugar cookie, and then tucked ourselves into bed early Friday night.

 

Saturday morning came pretty early, and we had to be at the bus pick up by 5:30 a.m. The drove up Hobble Creek Canyon near Mapleton, Utah for what seemed like and eternity. After the bus dropped us off, we walked another mile to the top.

 

I was amazed at the number of porto potties, but soon realized there was a reason for so many. I took a place in line and waited my turn to use the bathroom. After we'd all taken our bathroom break, we ran into some of Jenni's friends from Herriman, one of whom just happened to be my friend Jeremy from high school, small world.

 

Before we knew it, it was time to start the race. We took our places in the middle of 1200 other racers and got ready to run down a canyon. I felt great, mile 1-6 were a breeze, mile 7-9 got a little harder and I began to slow my pace, mile 10-13.1 were the hardest, and I was disappointed that I had to slow even more. However, I made it, I finished, and I beat my time from last year 2:06:50.

 

Now I just need to get about 6 seconds faster, and I'll get it right at 2 hours. There's always next year. I'm sure these wonderful friends and runners will be up for it again!

Funny Meeting You Here

I ran into my favorite college friend at the University Mall in Provo, Utah. Natalie lives in Austin, TX and was on a cross country road trip to visit family. The chances of running into her at the Down East in Provo were probably 1 in a million, if that. We screamed, we hugged, we laughed.

 

The Cottam's are some of my all time favorite people, so I had to get a picture with the whole crew.

I Love Beef

Nothing like a tattoo on your stomach declaring your love of beef. Cali claims that she got a few of these temporary tattoos from a career fair where a butcher explained the wonderful career of chopping up meat. Months passed by and she forgot about the tattoos until she was cleaning out her room. What better place to apply said tattoo then to your brother's tummy.

 

We laughed pretty hard when we discovered it later that night at bath time, but didn't take a picture of it until before swimming lessons the next day. His entire swimming classes was impressed.

 



Dentist Day!

After Caleb's fairly recent nine root canal tooth problem extravaganza, it was a relief that neither of these sweet boys had any cavities. They enjoyed playing with the rubber snakes and insisted I take a picture of them as if they'd just caught these snakes in the desert, pretty convincing.

 

They also made some very sound prize selections after their stellar dental check ups, and Dr. Brian gave Caleb a pair of gloves that he cherished for many hours.

 

Christian's First Day of His New Job {and No Cooperation in the Photo Department}

After 5.5 years working for PacifiCorp, Christian had the opportunity to change jobs. The process was almost a year in the making, and a decision that we did not make lightly. This change means a lot less travel, and a more flexible work schedule.

 

I really wanted to get a First Day of New Work picture, but he wasn't very cooperative. These were the best we (he) could manage.

A Few Caleb Adventures

Caleb's first swimming lessons.

Taking a "shower" at Home Depot.

Having friends over to play....

Chaplain Peacock

After a long and bumpy road filled with school and military paperwork, Brandt was set apart as a Navy Chaplain. He, Alexis, and Kate will be stationed in San Diego. I was so excited to be able to be there when he and Alexis were set apart as special missionaries for life. They had a fun filled day full of training and orientations, and they we were able to join them for the setting apart. After which, Brandt's friend Gene commissioned him as an active duty military chaplain.

 

As with all good governmental agencies, there were several (stacks of) papers to sign.

 

Neal taught baby Kate how to salute, so she was ready for her military life too.

 

They were whisked off for more military paperwork and training and orientation, but before they left we were able to take one group picture.

 

Pioneer Village and Castle Valley Pageant

After a decent afternoon nap, Caleb and the other kids were ready to go again. We'd missed the pioneer village the night we went to the pageant, so we decided to go to the pageant site to explore the village. Caleb had been eyeing that cow and her utter, and finally got his chance to milk a cow.

 

The lines were kind of long, so we did our best to entertain the little kids while we waited our turn to ride the wagon.

Cali and Caleb climbed up on top of the dugout, and posed for a picture. I'm sure, similar to what actual pioneer children did. 

 

Caleb helped the blacksmith make some horse shoes, and was very reluctant to let others have their turn with the fire.

 

After waiting patiently they finally all got a free donkey ride!

 

Cali's legs were almost as long as the donkey's.

Emery County Fair Days

We try to make it to the Emery County Fair at least every other year, especially the years in which the Castle Valley Pageant is being held. This year we made it Castle Dale on a Friday afternoon. Carter had been staying in Castle Dale for the week, and so we picked this weekend to pick him up and stay for a couple of days. We went to the pageant on Friday night, but didn't get there in time to enjoy the pioneer village. Cali was cold, Caleb fell asleep, and Carter watched intently.

 

The next morning we got up and went to the parade. It was pretty hot, so these poor cold-temp Wyoming kids had to do a lot of waiting in the shade.

The fair also featured a petting zoo, and Carter really liked the tiny baby cows.

Caleb drank his weight in $5.00 lemonades and agreed to taking a picture with this giant horned cow instead of jumping in the pen with it, good choice.

 

The heat got the best of Caleb, and he wanted to get in the dunk tank (the only free or reasonably priced activity), I told him he could if he took off all his clothes so they didn't get we. He did not object.

He was then promptly dunked in the dirtiest water I've ever seen. He, thankfully, didn't contract a water-borne illness to all of our surprise.

 

After a full day of parades and fairs and food and hot weather, I found Neal, Caleb, and Brock in the back bedroom sound asleep.