We Are Missing the Cousins

We miss playing lawn golf, swimming, marshmallow wars, day trips, rock band (try-outs), Landon's sense of humor, Ben and Maddie's ability to entertain, adventure camp, spending our days in a gorgeous home surrounded by Zion, Lisa's wit, Alicia's stories of Ponderosa guests, Chef Craig, and most of all "snarfing on junk" (that's a Cara quote circa 1995)

A conversation overheard while at Zion Ponderosa

Miriam: "Craig calls you Anna Banana (long pause) and he calls me Maid Marian"
Anna: "that's because that's his job, he is a name maker"
Miriam: "and he is a cooker man"
Anna: "Yea, he is a teaser, name maker, cooker man"

We miss our entertainment.

Sarah and her kids had a little vacation in Park City and Salt Lake so we got to tag along.

We are always up for the zoo, especially Bub.

This time we got to see them feed the tiger and pet a millipede. So fun!

The Good Life

The life of a four year old is certainly the good life. While Darin was stuck in traffic for 2 hours and I was pacing the floor with cold dinner on the table, Miriam danced, sang, filled the bird feeders, snuck finger swipes of whipped cream, and created a new food show.

Honeysuckle flowers really do taste like honey on the ends.

Miriam collected a whole bag full. Half were for the families she and Darin went home teaching to, and the other half were for a new recipe on her cooking show "Cooking Like Miriam".

Miriam painted a clock this week, went to a swim party, had a picnic at the park and...

created a new way of setting the table for extra fancy evenings.

By the way - In American English “snuck” has become increasingly common as the past tense of “sneak.” This is one of many cases in which people’s humorously self-conscious use of dialect has influenced others to adopt it as standard and it is now often seen even in sophisticated writing in the U.S. But it is safer to use the traditional form: “sneaked.”

We have him back!

In my opinion, all the biggest celebrations in life require matching outfits. Mark coming home was a BIG occasion. Look how handsome he is, and you should hear him do lead vocals on Rock Band...amazing (except he won't scream when he is suppose to...shy I guess). It's good to have him home.

The Girls From Way Back When

I had a great picnic with these girls. The topic of conversation ranged from Toronto to Ted Bundy just the kind of random conversation I love. When the rains came from out of no where, (we were surrounded by blue skies) we had to laugh. Especially when we saw the kids taking cover in the playground tunnel....

and then run for their lives to our tree.

I love that with these girls there is absolutly no pressure to impress...how could I even try when they've known me so long. You just can't live down Jr. High.

He's Back!

When we finally all left for home that evening Miriam said "oh Mom, I was just getting use to Uncle Mark again". Then last night during bedtime prayers Miriam blessed Uncle Mark in Price, which sounded funny after two years of blessing Uncle Mark in Brazil. After she finished she nodded her head earnestly and said "I blessed Uncle Mark because he still needs it".

Question: Why is Bub wearing an overpriced, much too large Grand Canyon jacket and a diaper?

Answer: He "lost his cookies" on the drive to the Grand Canyon. We didn't have a change of clothes (there goes my Mother of the Year award) and the gift shop didn't carry anything smaller than a size 2T of anything. It was overcast that day with a slight breeze so we settled on the overpriced, but nice jacket. He was so happy we chalked it up to car sickness.

He lost it again outside of Bryce Canyon the next day, and then Miriam joined in the fun all the way home. We stopped twice to clean up horrific messes, and finally just cut the lining out of Bub's car seat. We got into some sort of a groove where I could hold a cup up for Miriam, Darin could quickly pull over, I toss the "stuff" out the window and we keep driving. We finally arrived home around 2:30 am. It's strange moments like that when I realize that I am really truly an adult now.

The strangest thing about the whole experience is the lack of warning. Right before the thrill ride home, both our kids had been laughing and playing at Bryce. Miriam was scampering about wanting to go on "adventures", Bub was laughing and giggling at her antics. We had a wonderful time! We would never have stayed so long if we had known they were so sick!

It's Birthday Time!!

This was an especially rough photo shoot.

The best $80 we ever spent

While at Zion Ponderosa, I decided to go visit my friend Louise (thanks for the sheshe lunch Wheezie). This required a drive through the park, which costs $25 per day OR you can get a year pass to all National Parks for $80. I am delighted we opted for the year pass because it pushed us to visit the surrounding parks which are......amazing, breathtaking, awe inspiring.

Miriam loves the National Parks passport. It was the best souvenir we could have bought. You can get a stamp at the visitor center of each park. I have to admit the little book makes me excited too...I just want to fill it all up!

The Tour

Observation Point Zion

Grand Canyon North Rim

Bryce Canyon

Thank you Lisa and Craig! So many of our greatest adventures are because of your hospitality.

What Is That?

Emeril Lagasse would know.

Gorgonzola stuffed figs wrapped in prosciutto drizzled with honey. We've been eating like that all week.... aren't we posh? Thats just what happens when Darin comes shopping with me. His thirst for knowledge traverses even Costco produce. He wanted to try figs, and then a fresh mozzarella tomato and prosciutto sandwhich sounded good. Today I needed to use up all the left overs quick. So began the internet search for recipies using both figs and prosciutto. I had fun making them, and really loved the flavor, but the figs are a bit mushy for my taste.

I love my husband, he adds so much fun to my life.

This is War

Happy Birthday America and Papa!

Cristin & Co came with us to celebrate the birth of our nation, coal country style at Pleasant Valley Days. This rustic lake town parade throws the most trinkets and candy per float of any parade I have ever been to, and the fireworks aren't too shabby either.

Darin and the older kids did lots and lots of canoeing (they would have done more time permitting). No pictures of this because Darin couldn't paddle and keep the camera dry at the same time.

We had a cherry pie birthday dinner for my Dad.

We attended the parade, catching more than our fair share of treats & stuff.

We visited the park, which was a bit disappointing this year. It's hit or miss with the booths, sometimes its great, this year was sub par. They did have the inflatable slides. They gave us unlimited sliding for all 4 kids for the last 45 min for $15. We told Ben he had to make it worth the money, and he came through for us. He alone slide down around 20 times.

Of course the horse rides, Licorice and Blaze I believe were their names. No climbing wall, no train this year...whats up with that?

Regan and Vanessa came up to do some canoeing and fishing. They stayed for the fireworks so the kids (and Darin) could pile in their truck to watch. Cristin and I stayed happily in the cabin with the babies sleeping away.