Birthday Party

Happy early Birthday Jacob!

Now I know it isn't the 25th yet, so technically he is still eight but his best friend Ben is moving and he wanted to celebrate before he left. We invited his friends that were in town to our house, and started the festivities off by flying nerf rockets outside.

You had to jump on the pump as hard as you could to make the rocket fly as high as it could.

Here is Olivia, Ben's little sister. She mustered up some big strength and made the rocket soar. We only lost one rocket to the roof (I was kind of impressed we didn't lose more). 

Afterwards we headed back inside for cake, ice cream, and presents.

I was a little disappointed this picture turned out the way it did. Oh well live and learn.

Jacob was so excited to get this game. He has been wanting it for a while. If you can't tell, it is Bejeweled card game. He also got legos and more legos and a new 3DS game, Donkey Kong.

Next was cake. Mmmmmm cake. He wanted a minecraft cake but the only store who sold one was very pricey and I am just not good enough to make one on my own (I need my Jamey!!!).

After everyone scarfed their faces with sweets we let them play Minecraft on the PC. They were ecstatic and dove straight in. We had to literally pry them away when their parents came to pick them up.

I think all in all it turned out great. I was one tired mama afterwards and was reminded why I do not like hosting birthday parties (kids have to much energy). :P

Here are Ben and Jacob showing us their true personalities. They are a bunch of goofballs. Ben will be missed, but always remembered. 

Happy Birthday Jacob you are a special and wonderful addition to our family. We love you so much and are so pleased with the young man you are becoming.

-Sarah

Bike riding pt. 1

No more training wheels!

Finally we were able to get a bigger bike for Jacob so he could learn how to ride on two wheels. He was very excited to learn and very impatient with waiting.

We packed the car with their bikes and headed to the middle school so we would have plenty of space and no cars to worry about. 

Josh is going over the basics of what to do and how to do it as well as giving him a physics lesson (you've got to love the nerd in him). It started off rocky, but Jacob was determined to learn.

He was getting there when he had an accident and hit the curb and the bike landed on him twisting his ankle in the process. Jacob was not happy and refused to get back on, so we quit for the day. Jacob says he will never get back on again, but we will see. I am going to take him back out next week and have him try again. I know he can do it.

Meagan loves her bike, but will need to have a bigger bike next year. She is growing up too fast.

-Sarah

A Visitor

A friendly visitor!

So it was like any other day I was watching the kids and they had some friends over. Olivia one of the girls wanted to play barbies with Meagan. She brought out the tub that had all the clothes and barbies in them and they began to play. Meagan was reaching in to get an outfit for Olivia when she shrieked and said there was something moving in the tub. Lo and behold we found this....

....A small little gecko was trying as hard as he could to climb out of the tub. By then all the kids came running and wanted to see the little guy. I looked online to see if we could find out what this little guy was. He is a Mediterranean gecko. I guess they are very common in the south and very hard to get rid of since most pesticides do not kill them. They are good however because they will eat cockroaches and moths and spiders (and anything that will kill spiders is okay in my book).

We played around for a while and then set him free in the grass outside out apt. Oh, and the kids named him Barbie Farbie Gecko.

-Sarah

New Friendships

Farm Adventures

Most of you know I have a hard time meeting new people and talking to strangers. Lately, it has become easier than ever before, but I did it. Her name is Michelle and she is an amazing woman. She invited us over to her house to swim, play, and talk. The kids had a blast, and we even got to ride her horses.

This is Lizzie and Meagan getting ready to dive in. Meagan would live in the water 24/7 if she could.

That expression says it all. She LOVES to swim. A regular fish out of water.

Jacob is finally at ease in the water as long as he has his vest. Swim lessons WILL start next year, cause I think he is finally ready.

This is the first time around horses for the both of them and they took to it right away. 

Meagan was nervous to get on. It took a couple of tries, but she did it, and even rode her around in a circle. I was very proud of her.

Jacob loved pulling the weeds out and feeding the horse. The first time he did it he tried to shove his whole hand into her mouth. Luckily, the horse was well trained and didn't bite his fingers. He thought it was hysterical.

Jacob really loved it up there and had no problem riding her around.

Finally, Meagan became comfortable enough to enjoy it.

I had the best time talking and telling stories about how similarly we grew up and the things we each had to do. The great thing is: Michelle said to come back whenever we want, and that next time we will get the saddles out and really take them for a ride. The kids jumped for joy!  I also got a big bag of fresh veggies from their garden. Lots of zucchini and yellow summer squash in our fridge. I miss having a garden, and yes, Dad, you heard right, I miss it.

I am excited to become closer friends and have some fun farm adventures.

- Sarah

Pioneer Days

July 24th 2013

Pioneer Days

In 1847, Brigham Young and the first pioneers entered the valley in Utah. Our ward celebrated this year by getting together to play games that they played back then, and have BBQ dinner. 

Meagan really wanted to learn how to walk on stilts. I think she has the idea and she continued to try 'till she became good at it. 

Jacob on the other hand LOVES to swing. If I would let him, he would be happy doing nothing else when at the park. 

It was a great night and I even meet a new friend whom I really enjoy being around. The night went well, and we have a lot to be grateful for.

- Sarah

Independence Day

So for the 4th of July celebrations, we went over to a friend's house that lives in another ward.  They had family and several other friends there.  Dinner and BBQ was good, and games were fun.  The kids ran around and played and jumped on their sunken trampoline.  Of course, though, the whole point of Independence Day is the fireworks, just like Christmas is presents, and Easter is Easter Eggs...

So when it got dark, we, like most of the rest of the city, started setting off the various and sundry fireworks that those who came brought.  It was a pretty splendid display and something like 11 other fireworks displays were visible both near and far.

Jacob came over to ask me why we were doing fireworks, so I explained to him about the Revolutionary War and the reason we celebrate the 4th of July.  He thanked me and walked off.  About 10 seconds later, I see him running around in a circle with his hands waving in the air, screaming at the top of his lungs:  "Freeeeeeeedom!!!!  Sweet Freeeeeeeeedom!!!" over and over again.  I about died laughing.

You know, I half expect the boy to grow up looking like this...

- Josh

Wonderful surpise!

So Thursday, June 20, 2013 was like any other day.  I did my usual routine with the kids and picked up Josh at around 5 pm. We had some business with the front office of the apartment complex and called them to take care of it. To my surprise, they said there was something for me there.  Josh and I had no idea as to what would be there. So we left, heading our way trying to think of what it possibly could be, and from who. Josh went in and came out with a beautiful, gorgeous bouquet of flowers.  I was amazed with no idea of who could have sent them. I opened the card, and voila!  A most simple, but beautiful phrase.....Love You    - Cheri

I was so moved.  My wonderful sister sent me flowers.  She even remembered my favorite color was purple.

Thank You, Cheri.  It meant the world to me.  I love you.

- Sarah