Splash Park

 On Tuesday Jeffrey and I went to a splash park with my friend and her kids. In true Jeffrey fashion it took him a while to warm up to the idea of running through the water.

 Once he started he didn't want to stop! He had so much fun!

Jeffrey is a HUGE Phineas and Ferb fan! In one episode one of the characters Buford wears a paper bag on his head during a jump in the mud stunt and Jeffrey (owing to his incredible ability to remember small details) wanted one of his own. Here's the one Cory made him...

Here's a reference so you get the idea.

Saturday and Sunday

A good day starts with the panda kind (Cheerios with Kung Fu Panda on the box). 

Acme movers - we do a bang up job. The ward pitched in to help three families move this weekend. 

Can you find Jeffrey in this ridiculous pile of clothes?

Jeffrey finally earned his farm set. We asked him to do some things around the house and now they are finally becoming habits. 

His shake shake bridge is still a play time favorite. 

Jeffrey checking under the bed for a missing toy part. 

Jeffrey and I reenacted Wallace and Grommit's adventure on the cheese moon several times. I thought he was making a lot of it up until we watched the episode later in the evening. I was then amazed at how accurate and detailed our reenactment had been.

What's been keeping me busy?

 My new skirt, The Stella Skirt from Lila Tueller. I got the fabric when I was home in Utah from Material Girls.

 This was the second pattern (the Calista skirt,Lila Tueller) that came with another one that I bought. I had these fabrics stashed away for a quilt, but I don't quilt, I'm just not very good at it!

 The Barcelona skirt. LOVE it!! I got the fabric for the next projects from our own little Fabric shop, Crafty Laine.

 My new favorite skirt!! The Athena Skirt from Lila Tueller. Love it!

 The London Peasant Dress.

 Funked Out Peasant blouse.

My new church bag, the Amy Butler Birdie sling. Perfect size!!

Peanut Butter Sandwich

Peanut butter sandwiches are like Oreos. They are fun to open up and lick away the insides.

Play and Work

A stake conference held in our building put church off until the afternoon. I spent the morning playing with Jeffrey and his birthday toys. 

With work finally under control I am able to get back in school. There are two and possibly three taking my place doing the work that I did all alone for ten months.

Super Jeffrey

My first Saturday back home I slept in late. Sometimes you have to take advantage of the opportunity to do nothing.

While Tricia went to dance, Jeffrey went to play with his neighborhood friends. I stayed inside for a while to get some cleaning done. To a limited extend I enjoy cleaning and organizing. I would not want to be a housekeeper for other people. I do however; find enjoyment in it within my own house. 

Jeffrey came running inside to get his super hero cape. He had to warn to his friends that he is a superhero and show off his J. The wind can blow hard around our house. Jeffrey wanted his cape to blow in the wind to impress his friends. 

Next, I took Jeffrey to Spruce Mountain Open Space. Jeffrey calls it Spruce Spruce Mountain. On our way, we needed gas. Jeffrey loves to assist pumping gas. 

We all ended the night together watching The Green Hornet. Do not waste your time with this movie. I had a fun time just spending time with Tricia and Jeffrey.

Back from the Field

I am back from the field. I spent ten days at Training Area 40 playing Army. Going to the field for an exercise is usually a fun adventure, but this time I knew I would be working in the Tactical Operations Center. That is not fun.

By day two MAJ Law did take me out of the TOC to be his driver and assistant Observer Controler. As OC we watch each platoon recieve its mission, plan, prepare, conduct the mission and then share our observations.

My sleeping space was the back of HQ3. I could have taken a cot into a tent, but then I would be subject to many disturbances as there are many sleeping schedules when conducting 24 hour operations. The bed of the truck is a little hard, but it is always quiet and warm since the truck has a heater. My pillow was a roll of engineer tape tucked under the sleeping bag.

With the exercise over it is time to clean up. Day two of clean up is tents. SGT Tressler used to own his own landscaping business. He brought is some of his equipment such as brooms and a leaf blower to help get things cleaned quickly.

Eyes Aloft!!

I've been listening to all kinds of old time radio programs to help me fall asleep. I listened to one that was called Eyes Aloft! And talked about those who were serving in the Aircraft Warning Service at the beginning of WWII. Basically they were volunteers who would spend shifts watching the skies to report any aircraft flying overhead, figuring that if Japan attacked the mainland of the US they would come from the west coast. Since America had no Air Force at the time it was a pretty amazing feat by civilians who wanted to be involved in the war effort. Any aircraft seen was reported to filter center and eventually the information was given to the Army. I am just continually amazed by the unity of people during WWII. Between war bond stamps, rationing, and volunteering to spend 4 hours in the middle of the night in a cold shack watching the skies.

There's no such thing as GREEN waffles!

I love holidays! I love decorating for them, having fun celebrations and traditions. One thing I've learned, Cory's on board with everything except GREEN Eggs! Actually he was just a little shocked when I presented this as our St. Patrick's Day Eve dinner. Food coloring much? It was all in good fun and was fun. We ate it the night before because I had several dance shows including a late night one on St. Patty's day. My friend made rainbow waffles and everything had a "Lucky" theme and it was even cuter! So next year maybe we'll go for that!

Pam's Visit

Pam and her two kiddos came for a visit last month. She had to drive her car behind mine and since this was her first roadtrip alone she was a little nervous. The blowing snow in Wyoming didn't help either. It took us a while to get back and Jeffrey kept telling her (over the phone) that it would be ok and she should be brave. Things I know he's heard me say to him before. Jeffrey LOVES Liam and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. They would watch episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse together on Pam's phone.

 We found a game we had thought was long gone, Kabookii for the wii. It's like cranium except on the tv. Pam and Elena won!

 We went to visit the Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs when we discovered that the cliff dwellings (something we had promised Elena could see) was closed during the week.

 Stopping for lunch with all the kiddos was always a good time. Notice Liam scooting his highchair away from the table in the picture above.

 We went to the Denver Mint where we learned how they make coins. The kids were pretty well behaved considering it was so early in the morning and they couldn't touch anything!

 Elena came with me to dance class where I teach the baby dancers (3-5 yrs) and did such a great job. That girl has some natural talent for dance.

 The Manitou Cliff Dwellings...which I learned were not originally lived in here, it was moved here to protect it from looters and the elements.

 Love my sis!

 Dinner at Cici's Pizza. Kiddos were free! My favorite price!

The Only Way I Can Catch Up...

Anyone with a child knows that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep an "up-to-date" scrapbook. Anyone with a husband with a talent for photography knows they will have HUNDREDS of pictures that they want to keep around. My solution? I've become a digital scrapbooker. I swore I never would, but I don't have the time or the energy to drag all my supplies out and settle on a theme and then crop and stamp and glue to my heart's content. I haven't tried any but the Stampin' Up! program (My Digital Studio) but I love it and it's finally given me a sense of accomplishment. I don't even have to worry about printing my own pages out. I just upload them and send them on their merry way. A few days later they arrive on my porch and I slap them in a book and consider myself accomplished! Some of these pictures are older, but I hope you enjoy the peek into our lives!