About Temples and Football

For the last several months as we have driven past Brigham City on our way to Idaho I have said to Olivia-" there is Emma's temple" (Emma's is Liv's cousin that lives in Brigham City).  She was so excited when we got to visit Emma last month and take a tour of the temple.  The temple was beautiful and it was fun to spend the afternoon with Brittany's family and Grandma H.

 

 

 

It's football season.. this last weekend we were able to go to the BYU-Weber State game.  Scott has been working with Nate and he now knows part of the Cougar fight song.  Nate only lasted about a quarter of the game, but it was fun the them to be able to go to the stadium.  Go Cougs!

 

More Summer Fun

As much as I enjoy summer- I was a little excited when I looked up on Y Mountain yesterday and noticed some patches or red and orange amidst the green.  Fall is coming...my favorite time of year- football, sweaters, pumpkins, cooler weather, Halloween, back to school, apples, - love it all. 

But since there is still a bit of summer of left we will enjoy every moment of it...

Last weekend we made a quick trip to Idaho for a family reunion with my mom's family.  It was fun to see my grandma and grandpa along with my some of aunts, uncles, and cousins I haven't seen for awhile.  The kids had a lot of fun playing in the water and  jumping on the trampoline.  We love Family.

Last Friday Olivia's school class went to Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake.  Since work was a little slow, I decided I would tag along.   They were short on adults so I ended up being a group leader for four little girls (including Olivia).  It was hot and by the end of the day all four girls were complaining their feet hurt, but overall I think they had a fun time.  It was fun for me to see Olivia interacting with her school friends and to spend some quality time with her.   

 

We have been doing lots of swimming this summer... here are the kids at Seven Peaks last night.  

 

Olivia is part fish...I see her like this a lot at the swimming pool.

Olivia and Scott crafting.  I found this fun website called Kiwi Crate. Each month Olivia gets a box of craft projects we can do together.  This month is was all about Robots.

 

 

 

Banker turned Race Car Driver??

I have a pretty good job... I have banker hours, never work on Saturdays, gets lots of vacation and 10 federal/state holidays per year.   Oh yeah and sometime I get paid to be a race car driver... literally.  The EVP over my division has a passion for race car driving and so when the opportunity came up he invited several of us to experience what race car driving is all about at Miller Sports Park.  I am not exactly sure why I was invited, but I have a hunch it is because I am female and since there are not many of us in my world that I was invited by default to fill a quota, which I am totally okay with. It was a lot of fun; however, I am not a very good race car driver as I hate driving sharp corners, get pretty motion sick, and haven't driven a manual car for over 10 years.   But it was awesome and I am glad I got to experience it because it would not have been something I would have signed myself up for.

We love the Olympics at our house... especially the summer Olympics and so we decided to celebrate by hosting an Olympic Opening Ceremonies party.  We invited most of our street and ended up with around 30 at our house to play games, eat pizza cooked on the grill, watch some opening ceremonies and get to know each other a little better.  It was a lot of fun.  Next time I will remember to pull out my camera.  Olivia has really liked the gymnastics, swimming (diving) and track.  She keeps practicing her gymnastics and diving off of the couch.  It has been fun for us to watch Gabby Douglas win gold for the United States.  Olivia keeps telling me... she looks like me mom and she does good tricks on the bars.  She has also been learning about the Olympics at school and even came home one day sporting a crown of leaves just like the real Olympians. 

We have been playing in the water a lot this summer.  Both in the backyard and at Seven Peaks (the water park up the street in Provo).   So much playing to do and so little summer left...

So I don't forget...

Olivia says the funniest/smartest things sometimes and I say to myself- you need to write that down so you don't forget.  But then I don't and I do forget.  So this is post is so I don't forget the conversation I overheard this morning between Scott and Olivia.

Scott:  "Olivia, you are strong like a boy"
Olivia: "No Dad, I am strong like a girl"

Her response made me happy- I want her to be proud that she is a girl and know that it is awesome to be strong and smart.  I want her to grow up confident and not be afraid to try new things or go after her dreams or choose to do right even when it is hard.  She is an amazing little girl and I know that she is going to do big things with her life.

I took Mr. Nate for his 18 month check up on Thursday.  He is now 32.5 inches tall (50th percentile), 26.2 pounds (75th percentile, and his head is 19.25 inches (87th percentile).  The tubes have done their job and he has not had an ear infection for over four weeks.   Here are some more pictures from his 18 month photo shoot... isn't he handsome?

More Summer Fun

 July has been a busy month so far... it all started with Scott and I celebrating our 8th anniversary on  July 3.  We celebrated  the following weekend by leaving the kids with Scott's cousins overnight and spending a fun night in SLC including dinner at the Roof.   I thought it was a little overpriced for the food, but the view was fabulous.  

On the 4th of July we hit the hot air balloons followed by breakfast at Cracker Barrel and the new Disney movie (Brave) in the afternoon.  It was a fun day with our little family.

Last weekend we had the Hillman family reunion near Ririe, Idaho.   Saturday it rained most of the day, but that did not stop us from swimming at Heise.   I am convinced that Olivia is part fish-she has really taken to swimming.  I am going to have to get her into some swimming lessons this fall.   Nate was in heaven- rocks, mud, puddles- what more could a little boy ask for?  We love our family.

Catching rain,,,

Ready for swimming...

 

18 Months

Picture by Angie Harwood Photography

The little man turns 18 months tomorrow.  Here are some fun things about Nate...

• Favorite Foods: Chicken, crackers, strawberries, beans (all kinds- kidney, black beans, baked beans), cookies, Cheetos, milk, and apple juice
• Toys: Trucks,trains, cars- anything with wheels.
• Favorite people: Mommy, Daddy, and Livy
• Favorite Books: Not my Monster, Touch and feel animals
• Favorite TV Show: Little Einstein and Elmo. He will not sit through either of these, but will at least watch part of them.
• What he is saying: Mom, Dad, Sis, Apple Juice, Cookie, Cracker, I get you, please, I love you, No, Up, Down, Grandma, Go, Go Cougars (Daddy is training him to be a BYU fan early), all done, Chicken, Bye Bye
• Other things about Nate... He can count to three (sometimes 5), loves to sing (knows a lot of the ABC song), loves music, loves water, playing outside, does not like the sun to shine on him through window but loves being outside in the sun, is a lover (loves to give hugs) and a fighter (and hit his sister and others- not loving this), he is very happy and smiley, loves to climb, attack (picture him hunched over like a football player running straight for your legs, butting you with his head all while yelling arghh!!!), make messes, write on walls with markers (we have to keep writing utensils away from him), watching the washing machine and dryer, taking a bathes, pulling out the Tupperware and pots and pans, he is very strong, and can do a somersault pretty much by himself (Olivia has been teaching him)

We sure love the little guy!

I have lots to report on our fun busy summer... stay tuned.