Friday, August 08, 2008

The Dreaded Drive to PA

We spent the majority of our summer in Pennsylvania. Jason had a summer research internship in conjunction with Hershey Medical School. So we drove out to my parent's house. They were so kind to let us invade their house for 5 weeks. As we were packing up the truck, Jason noticed this little guy on the tire. Tab really enjoyed watching the cicada shed his skin. Tab was crouched down watching it for about an hour. Every time that it pulled itself out a little bit more Tab would squeal, "mommy, mommy, what's it doing?" It was fun.It was neat to see the process.Right before we left Jason pulled it off and hooked it's shell/skin thing onto a tree. We just couldn't bear to kill the nasty thing after all of the work it went through.


Anyway, we were fully prepared for the boys to be horrible and scream the entire way, but they were very good. Tab spent the first few hours playing and talking and then he settled in to watch some movies. He also had his little computer that we hooked up. Between movies and his computer he kept himself busy the majority of the time.Those Thomas the Tank Engine cards that are in his hand, never left his hands. He is beyond obsessed.Benton, well... he doesn't occupy himself as well. So we were forced to occupy him. Poor kid. Ahhhh. Our favorite part of the trip.We stopped at a hotel on the way to split up the drive a bit. The only crappy part about that was having to unload and reload all of our belongings out of the back of our truck. Tab really enjoyed helping Jason load the truck back up. Somehow, I think that Jason's bungee's are going to help secure our belongings slightly better. Sorry Tab.And then they did this, which really scares me. Don't try this at home. And just for fun, I had to snap a picture of myself in the car because ... well ... I'm never in the pictures. And the napkin is there because the seatbelt was bugging me.And tada...the driver. Jason did all of the driving on the way to PA. I only did a few hours on the way back. Did I ever mention I hate driving long distances? I don't mind riding though. Thanks sweetheart.And finally, oh glory, finally!Wait, what, we still have another 4-5 hours. Gag me. However long the drive, we survived unscathed. There were no potty accidents. Way to go Tab! And there were few tantrums.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Sigh ... Glad he's mine.

Jason Reminded me today why I married him. Jason has a knack for making me happy. Good thing, as we're kinda stuck with each other at this point. Jason can always tell when the boys are giving me a particularly rough day. It is usually a good clue when he calls and I answer the phone with one of those "why are you calling me and what do you want and I don't really care what you have to say, my day sucks" kind of hello's. He's usually pretty patient with my snappiness. But he knows how to melt it all away too. Today he came home from school with some flowers and immediately took the boys in the playroom to play while I finished dinner. Did I mention I love this guy? I love that he frequently brings me flowers after I have a rough day, as if every day for him isn't rough/long. I love that the flowers are those $4 per bunch ones from the grocery store. I think it is cute and thoughtful. Well, ok and I don't have to worry that they are going to break out budget. I love him, enough said.

A few more from Utah

I found a few more pictures worth sharing from our trip to Utah. We had some fun in the pool at the Pinegar's house. It took Benton a little getting used to, but he really took to the water.And of course I had to go to the outlets in Park City. Tab wasn't as thrilled and decided he was just too tired to cope.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

A family Outing

While in Utah, we met up with the fam at a Salt Lake Bees game. It was a blast. I think the best part was not the game but the free brauts that we got because one of the vendors was closing down for the night so he gave us the rest of what was on the grill. The game was fun too though even though they lost terribly as I recall.

I think that Tab is sick of me taking pictures. Half of the pictures I have of the kid as of late are of him with a cheeser grin with his eyes looking at whatever else is more interresting. Which honestly at this point could be grass.
Benton spent quite a bit of time just hanging with Erikka. He had a definite fondness for her.Don't worry, Matt made sure to steal his fair share of snuggles too.Tab decided that he wanted to go home with Matt. He was much more fun than me.At one point Erikka took Tab over to the little park they have in the stadium. She was nice enough to snap a few pictures for me.Now that's my boy. Way to sharpen those climbing skills, you're going to need them here is Missouri ... oh wait, nevermind, there's no stinking mountains here. Pout Pout. And afterall, I guess he does look a little more terrified than in control.
As the majority of you know, Tab is obsessed (and obsessed is an understatement) with trains. Well, it just so happened that they had a little train that drove back and forth behind the outfield. Tab waited not so patiently until I agreed to take him over to ride the train. Benton wasn't really into the whole conductor hat thing.And of course we had to have our picture taken with the mascot. Tab was so excited. He kept seeing him all night and he finally came to where we were. He thought he was the guy from Bee Movie. I couldn't break his heart my telling him otherwise.And lest you think Bekah, Clint, and Cam weren't there...

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Tay Tay, Kimberlie and Tyler

Tab just loves the Pinegars. He has a special affinity toward Tay Tay or Taylor. And it just so happens that we approve because Taylor and Kimbelie are our best friends that we left behind in Utah. It was likely the saddest part of moving away.While we were in town visiting, they were very generous in putting the boys and me up for a week. They took all of the furniture out of their office and set up a pack and play and an air mattress so that we would have our own space. Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. We love you and miss you again already.

We spent a few afternoons hanging out at the park near their house. It was so fun. Benton is a huge fan of the swing.What a stinking cutie.Tab just loved horsing around in the little "clubhouse" area of the park.This picture I'm sharing with you because I have never thought that I had any resemblance of my mom, but I see it in this picture. I can see her in my mouth.Me and the boys just enjoying life.Just another good picture of Tab.There were many milestones for Benton on this trip. He finally figured out how to really drink out of a real sippy cup. Good job Boogala.The boys, particularly Benny had a blast riding on Tyler's Rocking Horse.We also had a great time meeting up with some of my friends from a message board that I belong to. We went to the animal farm at Thanksgiving Point. It was really fun for the boys to see all of the animals. Benton was even interested in what was going on.

I think that the favorite part about visiting the animal farm is always the pony rides. This year both Tab and Benton were able to enjoy the ride.And would you just look at that hair just a flapping in the wind. He is so cute. I just can't take it. I'm kind of sad that it is gone now, even though it needed to be gone.And finally, the thing we missed the second most about Utah: The mountains.Kimberlie laughed at me as I was taking pictures while we were driving on the freeway. You would think I had never seen mountains before. It was just that it had been nearly a year. For those of you who don't know, Jason and I LOVE rock climbing and such and it has been really hard for us not to have the mountains so close. I think it is even harder for Jason as he was intimately aquainted with the mountains through TERT. Until next time gorgeous.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Rebekah's Senior Recital

My little sis, Rebekah, had her senior recital while I was in Utah. I was so excited that I was able to attend as I haven't seen her perform but a few times. She really is amazing. I wish I could sing like that. And can I just tell you how extremely difficult it is to take a picture of someone while they are singing. It is about as hard as trying to get a good picture of my spastic 3 year old.

Friday, August 01, 2008

The Cake

My fabulous sister-in-law, Kristine, had a baby shower while I was in Utah. So I helped my mother-in-law with the food and such. And because every party needs a cake or more like I've been dying for an excuse to make this cake, I made this little pregnant belly cake. Ok it wasn't really little, but it was sure cute. All I can say is picking up a piece of fondent that huge all by yourself is really freaking hard. I spent a lot of time making and preparing to make this cake, so I sure hope she liked it as much as I did. lol.

Visiting the Ogdens

We had the opportunity to go down and stay with Jason's grandparents in Nephi for a few days. The boys just loved being able to visit and play. Tab especially loved the horse. He wasn't even the least bit scared.Well, until it came to feeding him. And then he was a little nervous. But he got over that quickly.Tab sure loved to pal around with Grandpa.He was always asking where grandpa was. Here he is waiting patiently for grandpa to come back inside.Now this picture is strictly for blackmail one day.Benton loved his makeshift highchair. Although I do think he got annoyed when the phonebook would start sliding out from under him. At the Ogdens is when Benton really started to crawl. He had been working on it for a while and would go a step or two. But apparently the conditions were just right because he took off.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Catching Up

So I've been gone. I know, gone is the understatement of the century. I was away from home for seven weeks and thus it has been about eight weeks since I've blogged. My appologies. I really do have good excuses. The main one being the dialup that my parents try to pass off as the internet. I love you mom and dad, but it made me want to stick a toothpick in my eye. Here's hoping that highspeed makes it to the boondocks sometime this century or at least before we visit again. My excuse for not blogging in the week I've been back is that I didn't know where to start. I spent two weeks in Utah and five in Pennsylvania and we did A LOT, so I have more than a lot of pictures. So I have decided that I will try to divide everything up into different posts to try to share our trip. So we'll start with part of my trip to Utah.

Jason had to do a two week preceptorship in St. Louis. Since he was going to have the car my in-laws were nice enough to fly me and the boys out to Utah for a visit and to help with my sister-in-law, Kristine's baby shower. (I'll post some pictures later.) I was a little nervous about flying with the boys by myself, so I went prepared with all sorts of bribery, little of which I needed. They were seriously angels. I had several gentlemen comment about how well behaved my children were on the plane and how they had been nervous, etc. It made me pretty happy.


After we arrived, my sister Rebekah picked us up and we went straight to my brother and sister in law's house. We had a little get together with the family. Matt was taking the picture, thus he is not in it. What a sport.We spent a little time outside hanging out. The boys really enjoyed being outside after the plane ride.We then went back to Rebekah's house. She kindly put us up for about a week. The boys enjoyed getting to know Cameron. They even got to bathe together. Would you look at those cute little butts. Ok so Benton's got a big baby butt. You can't say you don't want to reach out and squeeze those cheeks.And I thought I would throw in this picture just because the kid is so stinking cute!Look for posts about our other adventures.
Visiting the Ogdens
Rebekah's Senior Recital
Hanging with the Pinegars
The Salt Lake Bee's game and other Utah adventures
The Drive to PA
Grandma's Chickens, Grandma's chickens and more about Grandma's chickens
The Dogs
Gardening
Cherry Picking
Grandpa's Woodshop
The "Gate"
The Quilt Show
Lazing Around
Rope Swings
Lightning Bugs
The "Tub"
The Bounce House
Water
Mother May I and other Yard Games
Shucking Corn
4th of July
The Park
Play Group
Blueberry Picking
Bowling
Geocaching
The Backyard
The Highchair
Guitar Hero
The Gecko
Missouri or Bust
Congrats if you read that list. Do you see why I had a hard time starting? And that was narrowing things down a bit!

Sunday, June 08, 2008

In Utah...

If you've been wondering where I've been... the answer is UTAH! I've been visiting friends and family. I'll be headed to Pennsylvania in another week and then hopefully I'll be back to my regular blogging.