We are having fun visiting family in Utah. If I can figure out how to hook my camera up to my parents computer I will try to post some pictures, if not you will just have to wait until we get home. We have been enjoying to cooler weather. It is warm here in Utah too, but at least it cools off here when the sun goes down, and you can get some relief in the shade during the day. We have lots of plans for our time here, we will have to see if we can make them happen. It never seems like we get everything done that we want to do. Steve has done a lot of hiking and was able to go kayaking with his friend. The kids and I have been jumping on the trampoline, shopping, and visiting with family and friends. Steve and I were able to go and see the new Batman movie, thanks go my sister Janessa for babysitting, not a movie to take the kids to, but we both LOVED it. We were also able to make it to the temple. It is so hard in AZ to make it. We will enjoy our time here, all of the family and friends, the cooler weather, and everything else, then we will return to the oven and get ready for the kids to start school.

ROCKET

Steve and the kids built a rocket this last weekend. We have had evening storms and wind here every night since then, so we had to wait a few nights to launch it (it was pure torture for Walker). We went out to the farm to shoot it off since there is a lot of open space out there. We still ended up having it land in the neighbors back yard twice.

Putting the rocket back together after the first launch.

Walker eating bacon

For any of you that know Walker very well, you know that he hasn't eaten meat willingly since he was probably about 2. We really aren't sure why, we have fought it, and finally given up on trying to force him to eat it. Tonight we had some bacon with our dinner and when there was only one piece left we started joking with Walker asking him what it would take to get him to eat it. I offered him a dollar and he said that wasn't enough. He started saying that he wanted any toy he picked out, and we said he would have to eat a steak for that. Finally I said he could pick out any toy at the dollar store. He then picked up the bacon and took a bite. I couldn't believe it so I grabbed the camera so I could capture the rest of it. He didn't seem to mind eating too much. I really think now he is just acting like he doesn't like food to prove his point. Anyway for our family, prepare to be amazed.

4th of July in San Diego

Steve had the 4th of July off of work, so we decided to try and take him to San Diego and stay with my brother and his family that just moved there. We all had such a good time. Steve really misses living near the beach, although I can say there isn't much I miss about living in Southern California. It is a lot of fun to visit. Here are some pictures of our fun weekend.

Carter loves playing in the sand. Just don't try and take him to the water.

Playing in the sand.

Reagan and Steve. It looks like Steve just splashed her. They had so much fun boogie boarding.

Walker trying to keep up with Dad and Reagan. They went out too far for his taste. He likes to ride the shallow waves.

This is our second day in San Diego. Another day at the beach. This is Reagan and Steve riding a wave. It was a pretty overcast day at the beach.

Steve helping the kids build in the sand. This is one of Steve's many talents in case you didn't know. He is so good and building things in the sand. The first day he made a ship, but it broke before we could get a picture. This day he made a hamburger. Can you see how bad his sunburn is? Poor guy.

Walker with Kate. He sure loves her. He kept singing the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" to her. "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight." It was so cute.

Jaron, Emmy, and Carter.

Walker came in from being in the water and he was freezing. He asked if we would bury him in the sand. Jeremy sure had fun doing this. The kids tried to help too, but they just kept getting sand in his eyes and mouth.

This is Walker trying to get up after being buried in the sand.

This is on our way home from San Diego. Carter fell asleep while watching a movie. Can you tell how much he loves his blankets? Yes that is right, plural, he has two. I thought I was being smart when he was tiny by getting two similar blankets so when one was in the wash he still had one to love. Then one day he realized there were two of them, and now he has to have both of them. If he only has one he says,"Where's my nother blankie?" He is definitely a blankie boy.

Walker chillin while on the way home. He is usually the one we have a hard time with in the car on trips, but he was really good this time. Reagan on the other hand had melt downs the entire way home. Nothing was going right for her. I tried to get a picture of her, but then she hid and got mad at me.

Steve trying to hide from the camera. That is kind of hard to do when you are driving.

Sticky Carter.

Superhero Capes

This is my latest sewing project. I made 3 of these capes a few years ago for Walker and my nephews Konner and Tanner. I did have help from my sister Jill and my mom in making the symbols for the back of the capes. They are reversible one side Batman and one side Superman. My nephew Jaron just had a birthday so I decided it was time for him to have a Superhero cape. Jaron and Carter playing Superheros.

BATMAN

SUPERMAN

Konner, Reagan, Tanner, and Walker about 3 years ago with their capes. I had to make a princess one for Reagan, one side is silky purple the other silky pink.

Slave Labor

I decided it is about time for the kids to start pulling their weight a little bit more around the house. They do some very small things like emptying the dishwasher, taking care of their laundry, and cleaning their rooms every once and a while, but that is about it. When I was talking with a girl in my ward that has kids Walker and Carter's age and she told me that she has her kids clean their bathroom I decided my kids needed to start cleaning theirs. I did try to have them start this a few years ago and they were just too small to reach all of the places that needed to be scrubbed, so I took back over. They didn't whine too much when I told them they were going to do this. I let them choose two things to clean and then told them what to do and supervised. They were pretty proud of themselves when they were done, and were very happy to brag to dad when he got home that evening. We'll see how long this last, but I was very happy to have the help.Walker scrubbing the tub.
Walker scrubbing the toilet, Reagan washing the mirror. Walker has always loved to scrub the inside of the toilet, whenever I am cleaning he will volunteer to do this for me. When I told him this time he had to wash the outside too he was not happy.
Reagan washing the sink.