The one thing I can always expect from Spencer is the unexpected.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
James is growing up!
James is growing up, and way too fast!
He loves to look at himself in the mirror.
In this picture he is kissing himself in the mirror.
James only likes to eat a select few foods. After Spencer who will eat anything- I just don't know what to do with this. He loves to feed himself though.
The thing I really can't believe is how much he is talking! He says "uh-oh" "daddy" "no" "cracker" "bubbles" "go" "cheese"(when taking pictures) "hello" "woof woof" (which is currently the sound every toy animal makes) and rarely his own version of "Spencer." He refuses to say mommy- but he still likes me the best!
He loves to look at himself in the mirror.
In this picture he is kissing himself in the mirror.
James only likes to eat a select few foods. After Spencer who will eat anything- I just don't know what to do with this. He loves to feed himself though.
The thing I really can't believe is how much he is talking! He says "uh-oh" "daddy" "no" "cracker" "bubbles" "go" "cheese"(when taking pictures) "hello" "woof woof" (which is currently the sound every toy animal makes) and rarely his own version of "Spencer." He refuses to say mommy- but he still likes me the best!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Bluff Fort
So we finally visited Bluff Fort yesterday. We have lived here for 2 years, and this place is only 45 minutes from where we live. Bluff is where the Hole in the Rock pioneers first settled. If you don't know about the Hole in the Rock pioneers you should read Undaunted. I know it is huge, but it is an amazing story. They built a wagon road through some very uncharted and unyielding country. Now that I live here I can say that even more. There are huge canyons and Mesa's everywhere. Most of which they had go up and over. It took all winter for them to get through. Winter is not a great time to travel.
One of the people in the company was Jens Nielson, Devon's ancestor. He was crippled when he got frostbite in the handcart company of 1856. He and his wife lost their only child on the trek. He volunteered to go on this mission. He has some "Sticky-toody." That apparently was a phrase he used a lot. I think the fact that this road does not stand today attests to the trial of building it, and the fact that is is very hard country to cross. I have gained a real testimony of the sacrifice of these people and of their faith in a call from the church leaders- and from the Lord.
So, on to the pictures.
Spencer pulled James about 10 feet in this handcart. I don't know how pioneers took their children!
This is a cool picture of the relief society meeting room and some handcarts (which were not used in this trek).
They had a TP (original home of the Utes) and a Hogan (original home of the Navajo) at the fort because one of the purposes of the mission was to act as a buffer (how would you like to be a buffer) between the Native Americans and bandits and the Saints in the Southern Utah. The members tried to build up relationships with the Natives in the area.
This was a pretty amazing woman. She was called to be a nurse/ midwife here with no prior experience. She read a lot and learned from the Native Americans and worked by the spirit to help many people.
This is the log meeting house.
Here is a video of inside Jens Nielson's cabin. The cabins were all one small room. It makes our house look like a mansion.
This plaque explains that the first settlement with the exploring party was in Montezuma Creek about 13 miles from Bluff. Crops never succeeded there and the settlement was eventually abandoned. (I wish our garden looked that good.)
This is the memorial to the Hole in the rock pioneers.
I swear Spencer climbed into every wagon there. James was not so sure about the height.
This is Jen's Nielson's home built after the fort was no longer needed. Someone lives there still today.
We also went up to the cemetery.
It was a very small and simple cemetery. This is Jens Nielson's grave.
This is the family plot.
This is his second wife Kirsten's grave, that is the wife Devon came from. She was the only wife to make the trek with him (I believe the other two wives came later).
Devon took this picture because it is rare to see someone who served in the Spanish American war.
After wards we ate at the Twin Rocks Cafe- which really is the best food until maybe Moab.
I am so glad we could go- especially after I just read that book. These pioneers were amazing!
One of the people in the company was Jens Nielson, Devon's ancestor. He was crippled when he got frostbite in the handcart company of 1856. He and his wife lost their only child on the trek. He volunteered to go on this mission. He has some "Sticky-toody." That apparently was a phrase he used a lot. I think the fact that this road does not stand today attests to the trial of building it, and the fact that is is very hard country to cross. I have gained a real testimony of the sacrifice of these people and of their faith in a call from the church leaders- and from the Lord.
So, on to the pictures.
Spencer pulled James about 10 feet in this handcart. I don't know how pioneers took their children!
This is a cool picture of the relief society meeting room and some handcarts (which were not used in this trek).
They had a TP (original home of the Utes) and a Hogan (original home of the Navajo) at the fort because one of the purposes of the mission was to act as a buffer (how would you like to be a buffer) between the Native Americans and bandits and the Saints in the Southern Utah. The members tried to build up relationships with the Natives in the area.
This was a pretty amazing woman. She was called to be a nurse/ midwife here with no prior experience. She read a lot and learned from the Native Americans and worked by the spirit to help many people.
This is the log meeting house.
Here is a video of inside Jens Nielson's cabin. The cabins were all one small room. It makes our house look like a mansion.
This plaque explains that the first settlement with the exploring party was in Montezuma Creek about 13 miles from Bluff. Crops never succeeded there and the settlement was eventually abandoned. (I wish our garden looked that good.)
This is the memorial to the Hole in the rock pioneers.
I swear Spencer climbed into every wagon there. James was not so sure about the height.
This is Jen's Nielson's home built after the fort was no longer needed. Someone lives there still today.
We also went up to the cemetery.
It was a very small and simple cemetery. This is Jens Nielson's grave.
This is the family plot.
This is his second wife Kirsten's grave, that is the wife Devon came from. She was the only wife to make the trek with him (I believe the other two wives came later).
Devon took this picture because it is rare to see someone who served in the Spanish American war.
After wards we ate at the Twin Rocks Cafe- which really is the best food until maybe Moab.
I am so glad we could go- especially after I just read that book. These pioneers were amazing!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Trip up North
Last week we took a trip up north to Provo/ Salt Lake area. There was supposed to be a family reunion for my mom's extended family and we needed to get some Dr and dentist appointments in. On the way there on Wednesday we went through Moab and were stuck for an hour and a half in construction outside of Moab- it was insane. We left quite early, so I was only 15 minutes late for my Dr's appointment and they let me in- thank goodness.
All of our other Dr's appointments were on Thursday morning. We went to the dentist at 8 with appointments for Spencer, Devon and I. Spencer chipped his tooth the first day we got here two years ago. It recently started to abscess. Instead of paying twice as much for a surgery that only had a 50% chance of working we opted for the tooth to be pulled. It was emotionally draining, Spencer screamed "You are hurting me!" but the tooth came out easily and we were all glad Elizabeth came to help with James and Spencer in between times. Besides being a little hungry from eating only ice cream and smoothies all day, Spencer was pretty unaffected. We dashed to James 9:30 well child check up. He is mostly healthy, just a little low iron. He weighs an even 20 pounds and is 29 inches.
Next was my eye appointment. I knew it was a bad sign when the lobby was full when I got there. At 11:15 these people said they had a 10 o'clock appointment and had not even gotten in yet. It turned out they had a new doctor- who I volunteered to see since we were supposed to meet people at the Aquarium. It worked out fine- just a little stressful.
Done with Dr's appointments, on to fun! We went to the Living Planet Aquarium near Salt Lake. Before the trip I asked Spencer what he wanted to do, and then tried to persuade him to a different option (swimming, aviary etc.) but he was set on the aquarium. We met Anna and her boys there.
We also me our friends from MV who have been living in Salt Lake for the summer. It was fun to see them.
Then we went to stay with my sister in Salt Lake. Spencer had so much fun playing with his cousins- and James really enjoyed the extra attention, especially from his cousin Anna, Spencer could not stay away from Jase. We had fun playing in the water at their house on Friday.
Friday night was the family reunion which turned out to be a dinner with just a few family members. James has a hard time with big groups- and that mixed with too much vacation and too little sleep led to him crying the whole time and us paying $40 for Olive Garden take-out. Oh well, at least we got to see people for a few minutes.
Devon went with Gabe and Anna to his new favorite movie Inception on Friday night.
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/inception/
On Saturday we went bowling at BYU. Devon's friend Greg and his wife Penny met us there. The boys really had a good time. Spencer was so excited to hit the pins- he would dance around every time.
For lunch we went to Wingers with Elizabeth, Thomas, Greg and Penny, Christian, Shelley and Barbara. It was fun for me to see Shelley and Barbara again. Thankfully there was popcorn to keep Spencer busy and James did not scream the whole time.
In the evening Gabe and Anna's ward had a BBQ and swim party at the Spanish Fork pool. The boys loved it! they really like the pool more than the water spraying at the splash part.
We drug them out after about a half hour and Gabe watched them while Devon and I went to a play at the Scera outdoor theater call "Willy Wonka." Penny, Greg's wife was in it. It was fun to see. Devon was so excited about the movie Inception that we got late tickets and saw that too. I must admit- it was really good.
On Sunday we had dinner with my Grandma in the afternoon. I hadn't seen her much since my Grandpa died in November, so it was good to see her again. she seems to be doing really well. She had a new kitten which the boys loved- although I'm not sure the kitten enjoyed the boys as much.
We left on Monday after the usual long shopping trip (thanks Anna for saving Spencer from the craziness). We went back a new way to avoid the Moab road work. We drove over the North end of Lake Powell. It was a very pretty drive.
Now we are back, and back to work. Summer is only 3 weeks longer and I cannot believe it! I wish I could stop time and enjoy summer a little longer.
All of our other Dr's appointments were on Thursday morning. We went to the dentist at 8 with appointments for Spencer, Devon and I. Spencer chipped his tooth the first day we got here two years ago. It recently started to abscess. Instead of paying twice as much for a surgery that only had a 50% chance of working we opted for the tooth to be pulled. It was emotionally draining, Spencer screamed "You are hurting me!" but the tooth came out easily and we were all glad Elizabeth came to help with James and Spencer in between times. Besides being a little hungry from eating only ice cream and smoothies all day, Spencer was pretty unaffected. We dashed to James 9:30 well child check up. He is mostly healthy, just a little low iron. He weighs an even 20 pounds and is 29 inches.
Next was my eye appointment. I knew it was a bad sign when the lobby was full when I got there. At 11:15 these people said they had a 10 o'clock appointment and had not even gotten in yet. It turned out they had a new doctor- who I volunteered to see since we were supposed to meet people at the Aquarium. It worked out fine- just a little stressful.
Done with Dr's appointments, on to fun! We went to the Living Planet Aquarium near Salt Lake. Before the trip I asked Spencer what he wanted to do, and then tried to persuade him to a different option (swimming, aviary etc.) but he was set on the aquarium. We met Anna and her boys there.
We also me our friends from MV who have been living in Salt Lake for the summer. It was fun to see them.
Then we went to stay with my sister in Salt Lake. Spencer had so much fun playing with his cousins- and James really enjoyed the extra attention, especially from his cousin Anna, Spencer could not stay away from Jase. We had fun playing in the water at their house on Friday.
Friday night was the family reunion which turned out to be a dinner with just a few family members. James has a hard time with big groups- and that mixed with too much vacation and too little sleep led to him crying the whole time and us paying $40 for Olive Garden take-out. Oh well, at least we got to see people for a few minutes.
Devon went with Gabe and Anna to his new favorite movie Inception on Friday night.
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/inception/
On Saturday we went bowling at BYU. Devon's friend Greg and his wife Penny met us there. The boys really had a good time. Spencer was so excited to hit the pins- he would dance around every time.
For lunch we went to Wingers with Elizabeth, Thomas, Greg and Penny, Christian, Shelley and Barbara. It was fun for me to see Shelley and Barbara again. Thankfully there was popcorn to keep Spencer busy and James did not scream the whole time.
In the evening Gabe and Anna's ward had a BBQ and swim party at the Spanish Fork pool. The boys loved it! they really like the pool more than the water spraying at the splash part.
We drug them out after about a half hour and Gabe watched them while Devon and I went to a play at the Scera outdoor theater call "Willy Wonka." Penny, Greg's wife was in it. It was fun to see. Devon was so excited about the movie Inception that we got late tickets and saw that too. I must admit- it was really good.
On Sunday we had dinner with my Grandma in the afternoon. I hadn't seen her much since my Grandpa died in November, so it was good to see her again. she seems to be doing really well. She had a new kitten which the boys loved- although I'm not sure the kitten enjoyed the boys as much.
We left on Monday after the usual long shopping trip (thanks Anna for saving Spencer from the craziness). We went back a new way to avoid the Moab road work. We drove over the North end of Lake Powell. It was a very pretty drive.
Now we are back, and back to work. Summer is only 3 weeks longer and I cannot believe it! I wish I could stop time and enjoy summer a little longer.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway
Our plan this summer was to see some of the things around here that we haven't seen yet. We always take people to the same places when they come to visit- well, we found some new great places. We decided to go to Valley of the Gods because we thought it would be a pretty short trip and we got a late start.
It was beautiful! Kind of a smaller scale Monument Valley, but much more green.
We went on a very little hike- just up one hill. There weren't too many trails, and after our 4th of July rattlesnake experience, I am all for staying out of the bush!
Spencer was very excited to hike, James was not sure.
We saw this hawk right next to the road.
If you need a place to stay when you come to visit jk- out Bed and Breakfast is a lot more inviting.
We didn't really know much about the road, if it was a loop or if it just went right through and then you had to turn around. It ended up leading us to Moki Dugway, another place we wanted to see this summer, so we added it to our trip. It was a little scary dirt road switch backs up the side of a mountain. The view was beautiful. Each picture is from a little bit higher up the mountain.
From the top you could see Monument Valley
So if you have already been here you should come again to see this!
It was beautiful! Kind of a smaller scale Monument Valley, but much more green.
We went on a very little hike- just up one hill. There weren't too many trails, and after our 4th of July rattlesnake experience, I am all for staying out of the bush!
Spencer was very excited to hike, James was not sure.
We saw this hawk right next to the road.
If you need a place to stay when you come to visit jk- out Bed and Breakfast is a lot more inviting.
We didn't really know much about the road, if it was a loop or if it just went right through and then you had to turn around. It ended up leading us to Moki Dugway, another place we wanted to see this summer, so we added it to our trip. It was a little scary dirt road switch backs up the side of a mountain. The view was beautiful. Each picture is from a little bit higher up the mountain.
From the top you could see Monument Valley
So if you have already been here you should come again to see this!
Rocket Ship
Spencer has decided in the past few days that he wants to be an astronaut. He goes through phases when he is really into one thing, and right now it's planets and stars. I got out my planet books from when I taught school. He has been reading them and sleeping with them under his pillow. Luckily we still have the box from his new car seat so we could make a rocket.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The story behind the shirts
So a few weeks ago we were driving home from church and there was this car stopped in the middle of the road. That part was not actually too surprising- tourists stop in the middle of the road here all of the time. But there were people frantically flagging us down. We stopped and they told us their driver had fainted at the wheel. They had avoided disaster by one guy grabbing the wheel from the passenger seat and one guy jumping over the back seat to push on the brake. They were pretty shaken up. After we gave them some water we invited them to follow us to the high school to rest and calm down. They were nice, so we just invited them into our house. They ate "ice lollies" which is what they call popsicles. It ended up that they were tourists from the UK. It was fun to talk to them. Thankfully their driver and everyone else was fine. I think she was just in a little shock because a few minutes before she fainted she had slammed her ankle in the door and gotten a pretty big bruise. We were glad we were in the right place at the right time to help them. They sent the boys these shirts to say thank you.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Summer time
I officially love being married to a teacher in the summer! Devon still goes into work everyday (seriously, I was never that dedicated of a teacher!), but we get to see a lot more of him. Actually, he stays home with the boys on Tuesday because the library is open all day. One Tuesday Devon and Spencer planted an egg carton garden (I thought mom's were the creative ones!)
The weather has been great here (especially after Texas heat). It has been breezy with thunderstorms in the evening, so that is nice.
Devon brought back some of his "muscle men" from Texas. Like father like son. I did not even know what these things were, but Spencer LOVES playing with them. Yesterday when I got back from the library Devon and Spencer had set up a shooting range and were shooting these guys with Spencer's nerf gun. Spencer is defiantly Devon's boy, and they both have a great imagination!
This is Spencer helping Daddy pick peaches down in the garden. He has his backpack on because he was going on a trip to Argentina. That is where my brother is going on his mission, so Spencer is quite often going on a mission there, his missions are usually more like Little Einsteins missions though.
Just some cute pictures of the boys.
Here are some fun videos. These boys always keep me laughing.
James is singing eiei to Old MacDonald. He actually sings that to any song.
You never know what to expect with Spencer.
The weather has been great here (especially after Texas heat). It has been breezy with thunderstorms in the evening, so that is nice.
Devon brought back some of his "muscle men" from Texas. Like father like son. I did not even know what these things were, but Spencer LOVES playing with them. Yesterday when I got back from the library Devon and Spencer had set up a shooting range and were shooting these guys with Spencer's nerf gun. Spencer is defiantly Devon's boy, and they both have a great imagination!
This is Spencer helping Daddy pick peaches down in the garden. He has his backpack on because he was going on a trip to Argentina. That is where my brother is going on his mission, so Spencer is quite often going on a mission there, his missions are usually more like Little Einsteins missions though.
Just some cute pictures of the boys.
Here are some fun videos. These boys always keep me laughing.
James is singing eiei to Old MacDonald. He actually sings that to any song.
You never know what to expect with Spencer.
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