August Fun

I love summer in Heber, especially when school starts again, because that is when I get to spend my morning working in the yard, instead of teaching piano lessons. Every morning I take Brandon and Maggie out to the front yard to pull weeds, while I am out there I get to watch all the kids riding their bikes and scooters to school, I also get to watch anywhere from 1-5 hot air balloons float around our home, sometimes they get so close I can hear the air being blown into the balloon, and I can hear the people inside talking. I love it, someday I hope to be able to ride in a hot-air balloon. The great part about the morning routine is that Brandon and Maggie are happiest when they are outside, and my yard with any luck will someday be weed free.

The other day after we were done eating breakfast I turned on my favorite exercise show to exercise, I must have been very entertaining because Brandon for the very first time fell asleep in his highchair. This NEVER happens, he is always way to busy and active to fall asleep.I was very happy when it did happen because that was one of the things I looked forward to when having children, we even bought the highchair that can recline should it ever happen, of course as soon as I reclined the chair he woke up, oh well.
We have had a few very fun weekends this month.

We recently inherited a tent from Jared's parents and Jared was so excited to use it we decided to set it up right in the back yard. you know so that Brandon could have fun camping. :) We had a great time, and slept very well, until our neighbors behind us started working on home improvements with a very loud saw. Just the same we had a great time, and we love the tent, Thanks Wyn and Dee Ann!
The next day we went to the zoo. We thought maybe this time Brandon would be able to enjoy it better, and find more animals to be interested in, but once again his favorite animal was the giraffe (and the humans of course).

One of Jared's very good friends from high school recently graduated from medical school, (WAY TO GO, NICK!!!) they have been living in St Louis, and are now living in Pennsylvania. They came into town last Monday so we got together with them and some of Jared's other high school friends. It was so good to see everyone again, we just don't get together nearly enough. (Jared with Brandon, Ryan with Logan, Justin with Jack, and Nick with Spencer)(Alison with Jack, Jamie with Emmalee Me with Brandon, and Natalie with Logan)It was also so fun to see cute Emmalee, she is Nick and Jamie's third. I love the chubby cheeks!!

Tuesday morning I was finally able to get together with friends from Oregon! YEAH!!! We met at Liberty Park, and had a great time visiting and playing with the kids. Everyone was finally able to meet Brandon for the first time, and I was able to meet Moses, and Garrett for the first time. Now that we are all living in Utah again we will hopefully be getting together on a more regular basis.

Brandon really liked playing in the sand, and to my amazement he did not try to eat it (at least not too much of it).
Karie with Brinley, Parker, and Garrett, Erin with Brooks, me with Brandon, and Kristen with Moses and Bella. I can't wait to get together with the Woods Cross friends, and the Oregon friends again real soon, and with any luck I will be able to see my high school friends soon as well (I'll start working on that). After all, as the song says, "The more we get together, the happier we'll be!"

I've been tagged! (thanks Nat!)

3 Joys:
1) My family, my amazing husband, my darling son, my funny puppy, my great parents, siblings, and in-laws. I am so blessed to have such a great family!
2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
3) Music, I love to listen to it, play it and teach it. Music is good for any mood you are in!

3 Fears:
1)Losing a family member or close friend
2)Moths, I know it is totally irrational, I owe this fear to my mother and Grandma Johnson.
3)Losing my freedom

3 Obsessions:
1) Food - I love it!
2) Blogging
3) I really don't know what else?

3 Surprising Facts:
1)I love to teach, and I love to learn, but I hate school!
2)I really do not like the TV, but I watch it nearly everyday, and I am lost without it.
3) I did not know the difference between Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt, until I was married, and I do not feel any smarter now that I know.

I am tagging everyone who has lived, or now lives in Oregon.

Look Who's Walking!

Well this weekend has been very eventful. I will start with the most recent excitements and work backwards. Last night was my bro.-in-law, Scott's birthday. So we went to his new home for a birthday dinner, and open house to see their new house. I love the new house, it is very cute! (for pictures looks at Natalie S. blog) While we were there Brandon started to play with Chandler's walker. Brandon thought it was great!

Then while my little sister, Lindsey, was holding him she let him go so that he could stand on his own. I was amazed when he did it, because each time I have tried he would sit down. Well the next time she tried it he took a few steps towards me. By the end of the night he was taking 10 to 15 steps each time, and maintaining his balance. I am still in shock! I am so happy, and terribly sad, my little boy is growing up. I find that I am celebrating and mourning each new milestone in his life.

Way to go Brandon!

Friday night we had some friends from our ward over to watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I made egg rolls, YUM! and we were all amazed at the program for the ceremonies, WOW! I love the Olympics!! My favorite event is the gymnastics, and the swimming. Which makes me wonder, what is your favorite event? GO USA!!!

On a side note the picture most chosen, from the previous post, was Brandon in front of the mirror in color, thanks to all who voted. :)

Brandon got his third tooth, and overall the teething thing is going much better than I thought. Also it seems that five years ago this month many friends were getting married, so to each of you,

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

What do you think?

Many of you are amazing photographers, so I am seeking your opinion. Which of these pictures do you think is the cutest, most random, and shows the best technique? (I realize that the technique part is a little funny since I do not have any technique.) Also do you like sepia or color better?

In My Next Life, I Want To Be A Bear

In this life I'm a woman. In the next life I'd like to be a bear.
When you're a bear you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that! Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that, too!

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children, (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute cuddle cubs. I could definitely deal with that! If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business.You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.
I could deal with that!

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.
YUP.......GONNA BE A BEAR!

I wish I knew who wrote this, I found it on a Relief Society newsletter a few years ago, and loved it, especially because Jared's nick name for me is "bear". Thought you would enjoy it too.