Playgroup - Splashpad (7/5/11)

My dear, independent Rachel climbed under this fence and was already headed toward the kids before I set my stuff down.


She did a fair amount of watching.



And a good amount of playing.


She especially loved the slide.



I loved the two 11 year old girls who kept her active, happy and safe.



Summer is so fun.

Rachel Feeds Joseph

Rachel was over the moon that I let her feed Joseph.  It took a lot of focus and concentration on her part.

They always say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. If that is the case then these two will be joined forever.  Oh wait.  They already are.

Big Bear Hug

Every once in a while everybody needs a big bear hug.

4th of July

We started out the morning at the Valley Ridge Ward Annual Independence Day Breakfast.

Rachel was quick to make a new friend.

Then she got down to the business of balls.  She stole this purple ball.

And away she went.

She talked a friend into being her accomplice.

Her attention was briefly diverted by the bubbles.

But she still didn't let go of the purple ball.

Wait.... What's this?  The purple ball was forgotten.  There were balls flying everywhere. 

Rachel waded into the fray and began gathering her treasure.

 

She didn't care that she had innocently walked into a war zone.

 

She was on a mission and nothing else mattered.

All of a sudden she understood what she had done. 

 

So she turned to the nearest unsuspecting target and fired.

A recurring theme in Rachel's day was "All good things come to an end."  We loaded her up and took her home.  After a short pit stop we were off again. 

 

Laura and Greg made a fantastic BBQ for the family complete with hamburgers, bacon potato casserole, watermelon, and homemade sugar cookies (among other things).

Then the kids enticed Rachel outside to try pop-its.

I thought that she probably wouldn't like it.  But she LOVED it. 

Ready...

 

Aim...

Fire!

 

Here's Gracie trying to save one that didn't pop.

Joseph was not in the mood for all of this commotion.  Luckily Aunt Rebecca was nearby.

 

That night we celebrated with some fireworks of our own.  Actually, we sat across the street from our neighbors and shared in theirs as well.

Joseph didn't care anything about the fireworks but sat pleasantly in his chair. 

 

This was Rachel's initial attitude.

She eventually warmed up to the fireworks.  She started to enjoy them so much that she didn't want to go inside when it was time.  Yep.  "All good things come to an end."  Even this post.

Joseph - 4 Months Old (7/7/11)

Weighing in at 10 lbs 14 oz.  Joseph is 24 inches of adorable boy.


Joseph has a wonderful personality and is generally happy.  He is the most content when held or when he can see the action.  He's got good eye tracking.  He has a nice strong neck and has rolled from front to back a couple of times.


He loves to smile.  "Smiling's my favorite."


He giggles during patty cake.  He babbles often and loves to play with his hands.


He sleeps consistently from 10:30pm to 6:30am.



Joseph is only one boy but he has increased the love in our house exponentially.  We love this little guy and can't wait to explore this world with him.

Brother and Sister

I've been wishing to take pictures of these two in their shirts for a very long time.  I had to laugh when my photo session was not the idyllic moment of family love but a true picture of siblings.

"He's touching me."

"Mom, make him stop touching me."

"Get off me!"

"Okay, you stay on your side of the chair."

I decided that I wanted them to sit by each other in the picture.  So, I put them back together and pretended that a teddy bear was taking the pictures.

That's better.

Why Midnight?

I have gone to the midnight showing for 5 out of the 8 Harry Potter movies.  

#1 (Sorcerer's Stone) -- I was on a mission, doesn't count.

#2 (Chamber of Secrets) -- Freshly returned missionary, new in SLC with no money.  Matinee the first day.

#3 (Prisoner of Azkaban) -- Midnight with YSA friends, including Bethany

#4 (Goblet of Fire) -- Midnight with Bethany and YSA friends again.

#5 (Order of the Phoenix) -- Doug and I joined Bethany and other friends at Midnight.

#6 (Half-Blood Prince) -- Bethany and I went on our own to the midnight showing.
#7 (Deathly Hallows:Part 1) -- I made the mistake of thinking I was over midnight movies.

#8 (Deathly Hallows:Part 2) -- Midnight or bust.  Doug and I met up with Bethany and TJ for the final event.

Some people have asked why the midnight showing matters.  The movie is the same at midnight as it is at any other time.  My answer, dear friends, is that it is like a football game.  Sitting in a stadium filled with super fans is vastly different than watching at home with friends.  The adrenaline, the spectacle and the experience is just bigger at the stadium. 

The spectacle, hype and enthusiasm at midnight movies is unparalleled.  I just wish I had brought my big camera.  I only got a few pictures of super fans.  The plaza was filled with house elves, kids from every "house," wizards and witches, werewolves, deatheaters, ghosts, and every character possible.  Can you name all of these?

As a matter of interest:  The Gateway (where we were) was one of the top 3 theaters in the nation for midnight income from the Harry Potter movie.  http://www.ksl.com/?sid=16386982&nid=148.  All 3 of the top theaters were here in the SLC valley.