Pet Rocks

Today we hosted playgroup at our house and we made pet rocks. Each of the kids brought a rock and we painted them, put googly eyes on them, made capes, wings, hair and all kinds of crazy things. The kids had a blast and I'm proud to have the most colorful grass, in my backyard, that has ever been. :) I wish I would have taken a picture of all the kids with thier finished rocks. But here are a couple with them in the creative process.


Abby worken' her magic on her rock.


Carson just chillen'. Being a trooper, as always.


Carson, Jr., Abby, Andrea, Kelsey, Kiki, and Karina hard at work.


Monica, KaeRa, Katie, Page, Jaxon, Lori, and Rachel just finishing up.



We had a great time. Thanks to all the mommies who brought stuff to contribute. I love our playgroup and am so greatful to have such wonderful friends among our group!

Bear Lake

Just this last weekend we had our annual Bear Lake getaway. We were only able to stay one night, but it was still fun! Hopefully next year we'll be able to stay longer! Brian's parents own a time share in "Sweet Water" up there. It's really nice; it's right on the beach. There is a large playground, a swimming pool and hot tub (although every year we seem to forget our swim suits.) It's a lot of fun to go up and spend time with the family. Abby had a blast this year. She loved all the grown up attention and learning to play "chutes and latters." Here are some pics form the weekend:

We stopped on the way up in Logan Canyon to show Abby this spring that comes out of the rock. She enjoyed seeing it, and listened to her Daddy tell her all about it.


Mommy and Abby going back to the car


When we finally got to Bear Lake Abby was SO excited. This picture is taken from the loft (where the 4 of us slept) down on her. She was dancing and being a BIG TIME show off!


On Saturday we headed out to play on the playground. Even Carson came with us and really enjoyed it too!


This picture is really funny...Abby's face cracks me up! We told her about the playground and the train (a metal frame) that was there. When she saw it she was SO dissapointed...I think she wanted it to DO something.


We had to try EVERY slide at the playground (there were like 10!) This was the funniest because it was the fastest...

Going down...


BUMP! She probably would have cried except Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa all laughted!


Daddy even tried a slide. Abby was scared to go down this one until she saw Brian do it. He's such a GREAT dad!!


About 30 mins into playing the sky opened up and began to hail. The weather was CRAZY up there. One minute the sun was shinning then the next it was a down pore! I guess that's Utah weather for you!


Of course on the way back to the time share we HAD to jump in puddles.


Once we got back Carson ZONKED out! I can't say I blame him...it looks mighty cozy there on Daddy's shoulder!


Patrice (my mother-in-law) is such an amazing grandma. She is always so willing to play with Abby and do whatever she wants to do. My kids are very luck to have her...as am I! Thanks Patrice!! And Happy Birthday!!


This picture is Spencer (Brian's brother) and Andiline (the soon to be aunt) playing with Carson.


Carson was a trooper. He slept like a charm and LOVED all the attention!

State Fair

Last Friday we ventured down to the Utah State Fair to have a little fun. It was actually really nice. It wasn't too crowded and the weather was BEAUTIFUL! We first went to look at all the livestock.

Abby wasn't too sure about all the noises. Latley she covers her ears if ANYTHING is the slightest bit noisy.


I finally convinced her that all the noises were silly and got her out of the stoller to pet some goats. Once she touched one she wanted to touch them all!


Carson was dead asleep for most of the livestock.


That is until some cows woke him up...this is how he woke up. He looks like he's saying "WHAT THE CRAP WAS THAT??"


Brian HAD to try the deepfried PB&J sandwich..I had a few bites too and it was actually REALLY good!


Then we went on a couple of the rides. We were only able to do a few because they were so darn expencive! First Abby and I went on the Merry-Go-Round. She LOVED it.


And of course we had to find a horse that had pink on it.


Brian took her on the "Helicokters." I think we should have switched rides we took her on. He looked like he was very uncomfortable. Although he did say that there was quite a bit of head room.


Waving to mommy.


Abby rode the hot air balloons by herself. We only had enough tickets for her to go. (Yeah LAME..parents had to have tickets to ride the kid rides with their kids too.)


She looks happy here, but when the ride started she WAS NOT happy. I think it would have been better to pay $3 more and get tickets for one of us to go with her. She cried almost the whole time. Luckly there was only one other kid on the ride, so the controller man stopped the ride early for her.

Silly Abby

I am always telling Abby to stay out of my music stuff for primary. She loves playing with everything I make, but I tell her that it's very special stuff and she can only play with it when I'm watching her. Well, this morning she was carrying around one of those foam puzzle things. She came up to me and said: "mom, it's special. No touch!" I about peed my pants laughing. She is such a mini-me. And she thinks she is second in command. When Brian gets home from work she starts bossing him around! It's kind of cute, but I think we need to put a stop to it!

Also, lately Abby's newest obsession is Brian's iPod touch. She LOVES to play with it, and being the GREAT dad that Brian is he lets her. He has even put some preschool applications on it just for her. We, Brian and I, are both really impressed with how well she plays with it. She rarely needs help! I guess being the daughter of an Engineer she comes by being tech. savvy naturally!

So Sleepy

The other night Brian was bathing the kids. Carson had had a rough day and was SO tired. When Brian put him in the warm water Carson totally checked out. I mean he was OUT! He just laid there while Brian washed Abby. It was sad to have to wake him up to get him out, and he was NOT happy about it!

Road Rash

Those who knew me when I was a kid know that I was the Queen of "Road Rash." I was always falling and scrapping my knees and hands. Well, it is now my honor to pass this title on. Abby has entered the "Road Rash" stage and is quickly becoming the Queen. Last week we were at our ward's primary water activity and Abby fell down. While the scrap was not that bad, in Abby's eyes it was the most traumatic thing that has ever happened. I'm always telling Abby, "if there's not any blood than it's a little ouchy." Well, this time there WAS blood. Once she saw that, there was NO getting the control back. She went BALLISTIC!! The poor kid still tells me that it hurts (5 days later.)

Cleaning her knee off.


She was throwing such a fit that Brian HAD to get the camera, and I couldn't help but laugh. I know I'm a great mother! :)


Check out those crocodile tears.