A Little Fun Lately

 I'm going to try to let the pictures do the talking since I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with pictures right now. Here's Ez having a good time swinging. He likes to swing with his eyes closed.

We visited the new Brigham City Temple open house. It was beautiful and we enjoyed dinner afterward. The boys each wanted a picture with Mom but for some reason neither of them smiled.

The boys and I LOVE artichokes. We eat them for lunch while Dad is working since he doesn't have such strong feelings about them. 

Two words: LADIES MAN! Nolan walked up to these girls, plopped down on the bench, and started having a conversation with them. They thought he was funny and humored him for several minutes until I called him over to leave them alone. 

 

Eating out with some of my family. Feelin' the love, obviously. The kids were loving the water fountain. As usual, Nolan was completely soaked. We enjoyed watching Travis's dance moves.

Justin's company party was at the zoo this year. Totally crowded but we loved the bird show and the new Rocky Shores area. 

Soccer Games

Nolan has been doing great at his soccer games. It's been fun to see all the energy the kids have at the beginning and then toward the end of the games they get a bit worn out. Nolan will bend down and pick some grass and then study it as the ball goes by. We've seen another kiddo stare across the street at nothing particularly interesting. It's pretty funny! We're proud of Nolan for being able to play some good defense so far. We're glad that Nolan's friend, Carter, is on the team. 

New Mud Run Photos

They offered free photos at the mud run and we just recently got a chance to see and download a few that turned out good. What muddy fun!

I've been diagnosed...

Sept. 1: Muddy Matrimony

Last weekend we were in Cache Valley for the Man vs. Mud 5k. It was also Justin's mom's wedding day! She and her soon-to-be husband, Jon, made the mud run part of their big day. They were in a wedding gown and tux and the rest of us had on bridesmaid dresses and matching ties. Our team was called Muddy Matrimony. We were quite a sight, even making the local news and several newspapers. My parents came up to watch the boys while we participated. The boys had fun on the train, having a pony ride, and doing their own "boggy bayou" run. The boys just loved the bubbles! And it was so great to have our own photographer (my Dad) following us (along with the news camera, that is). Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for helping us out!

After the race, the couple had a romantic dance and then cut a "muddy" wedding cake. We were looking forward to hosing off and getting back to a hot shower and a nap before the real ceremony that evening.
BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

THE KIDS: Funny pic of Ezra there... he really did like the bubbles, though.

Unfortunately, the sky clouded over and there was lots of rain in the afternoon. So much for the outdoor wedding! Everything was moved into Karen and Wayne's large (and luckily very nice) RV garage/pool house. The actual ceremony and buffet was outside under canopies, but we sat inside to eat. Nolan and Ezra made darling little ring bearers. When Ezra walked back with the empty box he said, "But I want my ring back!" I wish we'd gotten pictures of all of this, but Justin was a witness and I was keeping the boys quiet and out of the rain.

Nolan didn't feel too well after the ceremony and just wanted to "relax in the van." Ezra insisted on playing out in the rain so I had to keep checking to make sure he didn't decide to swim in the pool, too. I was a bit nervous of that. The food was delicious and Justin and I had fun chatting with Russ and Alysa, and Holly and Brandon.

I loved being able to do the flower arrangements. Kathi had told me what she wanted and then ordered the flowers. On Friday night, she took the boys to her house and left me to the job. It was so fun! The little fish bowls were cute and I think only one or two goldfish went belly-up. And all I had to do was add flowers to the cake, but it turned out so pretty.
While doing flowers, Justin's job was to help get some large (I mean really large!) cement flower pots from Campbell Scientific. What a huge job. Justin's arms were a little sore. Thank goodness Wayne's lawn mower helped make the job easier.

Jon and Kathi make a great couple. We're so glad that we could share in their big day! I'm pretty excited that Grandma K. will be moving closer to us in a few months (for now she will stay in her home and finish working this year).
The KSL news story can be seen here. They made it sound like they got married AT the mud run... silly!

4-Wheeling

On Labor Day we thought we'd have a quiet day at home (which we welcomed since the mud run and wedding were quite exhausting) but it turns out that our neighbor, Brother Ramsey, invited us to go 4-wheeling. We were pretty excited, especially Justin!
We had a fun picnic together out in the desert where the boys enjoyed all the root beer they could drink. Bro. Ramsey will definitely be one of their favorite people now. After a quick lesson for me on how to drive a manual 4-wheeler, we were off! After a while Ez just wanted to go back with Bro. Ramsey to have chips and root beer. So I stayed with him and then Nolan headed out with the men. I was happy to relax in some shade and read while Ezra roamed around. The boys headed up the mountain to see a mine opening. They had a good time and Nolan ended up riding with Bro. Ramsey because he could be in front and see what was coming. Justin and I had one last ride. We even found some mud to drive through... as if we didn't get enough of that in the mud run! What a fun, spontaneous excursion! We're so grateful to Bro. Ramsey. Our boys just love him. 

Off to the MTC

So far, things haven't slowed down yet. It's been crazy with kindergarten, preschool, and soccer starting. Throw in a mission farewell, a mud run, a wedding, and some 4-wheeling in two weeks and it gets downright crazy! But I've been really looking forward to the special day I had yesterday. My nephew, Bryson, entered the MTC. He said goodbye to his family in St. George and then flew with my Dad (who can fly standby) to Salt Lake City. I heard that it was pretty difficult for everyone, especially Ethan, his youngest brother. Bryson is really close to his family. In fact, he often chose to spend time with his family rather than being a social butterfly. I don't blame him... he's got a great family! My sister, Keeley, is a wonderful mom and I know it was pretty tough for her to say goodbye to her son.
Lacey and I picked them up at the airport and drove to Provo to have lunch. During the drive Bryson reminded us that it was the first time he'd flown since he was a baby. He joked that it brought back memories of our family's trip to Montana. The good ol' days! We ate a P.F. Chang and Bryson was a little quiet and didn't have much of an appetite. We couldn't get him to touch the dessert. I just wanted to hug him and tell him it's okay to be nervous... but I knew he just needed some space. He really was handling it so well. I can't imagine knowing that you're leaving your family for two years! He's so brave.
We pulled into the MTC where they have you drop off missionaries and unload luggage curbside. Bryson said, "My stomach just doesn't feel good." We told him that that's normal, that he'd feel better soon. We got out, grabbed his luggage, and Grandpa John started to go in for a hug. That's when Bryson lost his lunch. Poor guy. Right there behind the car. All the emotions and anxiety is a lot to handle. But things move quickly so he rinsed his mouth (I'm so thankful I had some water for him!), gave us each a hug, turned around for a picture, and he was off! I think he felt better after ditching the Chinese food. He was all smiles! I just get emotional thinking about the courage that these young missionaries have. I love him. I'll miss him. He's going to do a great job in Tampico, Mexico! 

Thanks to those who helped watch the kiddos for me... it made the day very special knowing that I didn't have to worry about them.

Ezra Talk

While walking through the grocery store yesterday, Ezra looked up at me and said, "You're the best mommy. And I have the best Daddy!"

Ever since going to Bryson's farewell two weeks ago, Ezra wants to play outside so that he can go on a "mission." I'll say that it's time to come in and he says, "But Mom, I have to go on my mission." And when we ride bikes he sits in the trailer and shouts to everyone he sees: "My name is Bryson and I'm going on a mission!"

Ezra's first day of preschool came and went so smoothly. He loved it! I pulled up in front of Ms. Anna-Marie's house and slid the van door open. Ez hopped out and ran to the back door. I got out and quickly followed so that I could take a picture. He turned back and said, "Mom, why are you coming in?" It was a relief to know that he was ready to head out on his own. And when school was over he came running back to me with a big grin on his face. I asked if he had a good time and he said, "Yeah, I loved it!"

There are 4 kiddos in Ezra's class and he's the only boy. I think he's going to get lots of attention. I'm so glad he is enjoying it!

At an activity day night, the girls ate all the donuts while I was inside getting them water. I mentioned to Justin how they'd gone crazy for donuts and I guess he thought I felt bad that I didn't get one because at my meeting with the other activity day leaders, Ezra came around the corner with a wagon full of assorted donuts for us! I was shocked to see him! He pulled the box of treats in and he said, "We went to the store to get donuts for you. So eat them!" What a fun surprise! Nolan missed it because he fell asleep in the van. Too worn out from his second soccer practice.