Proud to be an American

The 2008 Summer Olympics have been amazing to watch. Every night until late I am glued to the TV and then I tune back in the next day for the recap. Swimming, Gymnastics, local celebrity Jake Gibb and Water Polo (in honor of Ashley) are my favorites!

I remember when the 2002 Olympics came to Salt Lake. We were able to see the Torch Relay and attend a few events. I remember wanting one of those hats the American athletes had worn to the opening ceremonies. Lets just say they didn't look as cute on the general population.

Swimming! Wow! IF that can't capture your attention I don't think anything will. I was at work on Sunday night for the Mens 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay. I was able to see it and we were all cheering and yelling at the TV- seconds after it was over Dan called to tell me he had seen the most incredible race! Definitely the best race I have seen! I got to see it again with the 3:30 am re-run of the days events (finally the insomniacs of the world have something to watch) and the race was still unbelievable knowing the outcome!

For more Michael Phelps photos!

The Dentist- arrrgh!

I went to the dentist today because a tooth had been bothering me while on vacation. I almost canceled because it really wasn't hurting that much anymore and maybe it had just been sensitive. Well I went anyways and the very nice (very calm) dentist said I didn't just have one cavity I HAVE EIGHT!! I got a crown today and I need a root canal! you would think I had never heard of a tooth brush let alone ever used one.

P.S. truth be told the dentist was nice! (less I offend him twice in one week)

The Summer is flying by!

I have been warned by Travis that if I didn't come up with something quick my house might burn down! I am ashamed to say that the entire month of July has passed without a single post from me. I am actually disappointed about this because I had great and lofty goals of daily ... okay more realistly weekly posts (for journaling purposes.) Rather than catch you up on a day to day run down of the month I am going to have to resort to "event" Scrapbooking. You know where the only memories your kid has birthdays, halloween, christmas and the yearly trip to Disney. I want to be like Sandie and capture the little moments (like Luke in his Chaps) but until then here is a catch up!

And yes the basement is finally finished- I promise I will post pictures soon!

Beach Week XVIII

Alternate title for this post: Homage to Tradition! (best if said with a foreign accent)


Tradition # 1 The Bakery

An undisclosed amount is spent on cow cookies and other tasty treats from the bakery. The "pink" box arrives and the 12 year old inside me saunters over for a cookie. Well the number of us has increased over the years and so has the size of the box. So while we may claim we could have done with less- every day a cookie (or two) and a IBC put a smile on many faces!

Happy 21st birthday twinkies! The girls loved the cupcakes!!

Tradition #2 Competive Male Bonding

Over the years the boys have tried to out do each other in 5 am rounds of golf, ultimate, football, soccer and baseball. But now that backs are stiffer, knees are weaker, and cardio fitness is at an all time low due to gratuate degrees, long billable hours and families- the boys have settled for a rousing game of Bocci ball. And although they are not likely to break a sweat it is still very intense!

Tradition # 3 The Zoo

For the past few years Dan & I have taken the kids to the Santa Barbara Zoo after church on Sunday. We love the drive up the coast and the SB Zoo is one of the prettiest I have ever been to. We were saddened this year to find out the famous giraffe with the crooked neck had died since our last visit. But the zoo was still fun with a slide down the grass hill.

Tradition # 4 We never get tired of the beach!

18 years and going strong! We love the smell of the salt water, the crashing of the waves, the feel of the sand. Sliverstrand has that familiar feeling like home. Not every day was warm and sunny but it didn't stop us from dragging all of our gear out to set up camp in front of the ocean. I love that the Hydes are bundled, the teens are trying to get a tan, and the kids don't mind that the water is cold. There were 2 new little ones this year and four more on the way. It is a challenge as a mom of young kids at the beach to enjoy the "vacation" But I believe that the reason why we endure long car rides to be there and then sleepless nights with kids who are out of sorts and lonely evenings because were were all too spread out is because our parents did it for us and my best vacation memories as a kid are with this group.

Tradition # 5 Good Food, Good Times, Good Friends!

Many thanks to the G1 fellows who make this all happen! Dan & I often wonder who will become our livelong vacation friends. You are all great examples to me and I am grateful for what you all "bring to the beach"! Love you! And thanks for another great year!
Ahh! The Parker girls!

Arrgh!!

Meg has learned to climb and every time I turn around she is on top of something! (usually with scissors or similar "safe" item in her mouth) It makes me crazy. But as I grumble and put her back on the floor for another go- the words to the book "I'll love you forever" always come to mind. I am gently reminded that this won't last forever.
Yes it is totally hot pink around her mouth from where she was eating a stamp!

P.S. another Meg thought: The other day Ash and I took the kids to Little Mermaid (one of those free PTA summer movies that you manage to endure because it it FREE). When Scuttle tries to set the mood by singing, Prince Eric comments "someone should put that bird out of its misery" Yes the singing/dying Scuttle is living with us via Meg! And boy does Kate know how to proke her. Recently my dad suggested I just wear ear plugs! ha!

Lagoon

Confessions of a slacker mom: I had never taken my kids to Lagoon. So as a part of Mushie's Summer of Forced Family Fun we took the kids! It was actually a really good time! According to Ashley, Dan & I are theme park enthusiasts which is actually a title we should reserve for Annie! She has no fear when it comes to thrill rides. If she was tall enough she was on it! After Wicked, Annie said "Mom! That was tight" Oh no I thought - too much time with Aunt Lauren! But I soon realized she was talking about the seatbelt!

Meg on her first theme park ride! She loved driving the boat! Who would have thought she was big enough to go with just Kate! (Annie was too tall to go on this ride with her)
Dan, John, Scott and Papa came up after work and joined us!
Meg kept making the best faces everytime her horse would go up and down. Wish i could have captured it even better!

Parker on the swings! Many thanks to Annie, Ash didn't have to suffer through too many kiddy rides. Annie was a huge help holding his hand and helping him on and off the rides.
Kate driving her car- oh she is so independent and so cute! She melts my heart.

Happy 4th of July

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

We seemed to pack just about everything possible into our celebrations. Starting with a family breakfast at the Parkers. We covered all the options from omelets to waffles with plenty of fruit and juices mixed in for good measure.

Annie pauses during breakfast for a photo opt of her new haircut!

Next it was off to the neighborhood bike parade and picnic lunch. They usually start by having the boy scouts present the flag and conduct the pledge of allegiance followed by the singing of the national anthem. As we were finishing the pledge we heard a rumble in the sky followed by a fly over by 5 fighter planes and a bomber courtesy of one of the larger gatherings in the valley. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. There was also a fire engine making an emergency call nearby and when they finished they agreed to lead the parade of 30 kids on bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, skateboards, and most every other wheeled device.

Annie, Kate and their friend Annie thought the firetruck was pretty cool

Meg was psyched about the good eats!

We mixed in a run through the sprinklers to cool off, then it was off to the 4th annual Barbeque of Fire, an event held at my sister Sarah's house. First we barbeque some good food then we blow up the barbeque. It's actually quite fun. The smaller show is followed by the big fireworks at Sugarhouse park. We really had a great time, but I'm glad we've got nothing planned for tommorrow!!

Believe it or not, there's a barbeque in the middle of that!