So You Think You Can Dance

Went to the So You Think You Can Dance tour again this year. It was so much fun! The dances were amazing, as usual, and it was just really great to have a night off with the girls. At one point, while standing up and clapping, I completely lost my head and waved at my favorite dancer. Like I expected him to recognize me as the one who voted for him every week, and come down to say hi. Very embarrassing.



I feel a tradition in the making.

I Went A-Shootin'

I went shooting the other day, for the very first time, at at range in Springville with some ladies from my ward. I'd never even handled a gun, so it was a little scary at first. I shot a little .22 that wasn't too intimidating, and then tried a .9 mm that had quite a bit more kick to it. That felt awfully dangerous in my hands, so I only shot a few rounds.

with the .22

Some other patrons at the range offered to let us shoot their big guns, and this one scared me to death. An AR-15, I think.

This is Stephanie, the gal who organized our trip, with the AR-15.

Amy, the girl next to me, hasn't ever really shot before, but she was awesome. Don't make her mad. Hers was the .9 mm, which is why her holes look so much bigger than mine.

Gardner Village

We visited Gardner Village yesterday with Patti, Stephanie, Erika and Claire. It was so adorable! They go all out decorating and have witches walking around in full costume. Riley is going to be a witch for Halloween this year, so she got some good tips.

Iris on a witch's bed

What a cheese!

These women were hilarious!

Aside from the horrible snow and cold, we had a blast! Thanks, Patti!

We've Been (in no particular order)...

• cheering Stephanie on while she ran her first marathon
• attending "The Scarlet Pimpernel" musical at the Hale Center Theater
• dreading and then surviving the first snow
• having our first roller skating experience at Classic Skating, which was a blast from the past for me
  
• loving General Conference
• dealing with Riley's THIRD self hair cut, the day before school pictures
  
• getting ready for Halloween
• making a road trip to Cheyenne to surprise my bestie, Cheryl. Had a blast and took no pictures, of course
• sick with croup (Iris), strep throat (Riley), and pneumonia (me) all at the same time
• experienced our first ever parent/teacher conference, and feel way too young for that business

As for me, personally, I'm preparing to be cold for the next five months, and to see the play "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and the tour of "So You Think You Can Dance" next week. Can't wait!

Iris is Two.... and a bit

Our sweet Iris turned two in August, and I'm just getting around to writing about her. She is such a fun girl, and she adds so much to our family. It's so amazing to watch as she becomes more and more her own person each day-- she definitely has an independent streak! As far as the "terrible two's", things haven't been too bad. (Hold on while I find some wood to knock on.) She has her grumpy moments, but compared to the ride Riley took us on, this is a breeze!

The best of friends... mostly.

She loves all her aunties.

Iris loves juice, her sister, books and being read to, Nursery, snacks, her stuffed monkey, her winter boots, binkies, Mommy's phone, showers, pink, and her family. She is talking more than ever, and is such a mimic- especially to Riley. She doesn't like being made to sit in her high chair, the idea of ever sitting on the potty, naps- sometimes, when Mom is reading, hair clips, and most vegetables.

We love her so much!

End of Summer

I'm playing catch up.... again. We had a great month of August, including (but not limited to):

My birthday, full of relaxation and wonderfulness.

Iris's birthday- more to come later. Can't believe I have a two-year-old again!

Riley starting kindergarten. She loves it! Also more on this later.

A trip up to Deer Valley with Stephanie and Alyssa to listen outside the gates of an Avett Brothers concert

A day at Seven Peaks with the kiddos. Look how jealous Noah looks about Iris's drink.

Onto September, and Patti's birthday. We managed to get a picture where they both have their eyes open!

And yesterday, a trip to the zoo. Been meaning to go all summer, and finally made it. Had a blast!

How hard is it to have us all look at the camera at once? Apparently, very hard.

Iris asked for the tigers the whole time, and we made it to them right before closing time. Very impressive, and made her day.

All in all, we had a fantastic summer! We are glad to be back in our house, and are having a great time fixing and painting. Eric began school again, and, as always, we are much refreshed after the summer break.

We are blessed

Westwater Trip

This past weekend, Eric and I were able to go on a trip down Westwater Canyon, on the Colorado River, with my family. It's only an 18 mile stretch, so we do it in two days and take our time. It's got some pretty good size rapids, so we left the girls in the wonderful care of Grandma Pat and Aunt Stephanie, who were good enough to take on the job. Eric and I haven't had any time alone together like this since I was pregnant with Iris, so it was much needed, and much appreciated.

My little brother couldn't come this time, so we were in need of another boatman to row his boat. Eric was more than happy to take that over. It was his first time rowing a stretch as technical as this, so there were some nerves involved. Of course, though, he did fantastic. In fact, another family we've been rafting with for almost thirty years came on the trip, and they flipped. Eric was going to tease them about how the rookie didn't flip and the old timer did, but the boatman seemed kind of disheartened (understandably) so he held off.

My wonderful mother does such an amazing job planning the food and the gear. We almost never want for anything.

My sister and Lad recently bought themselves a fleet, and this little baby of a boat was included. It's just a tiny little thing, but Liz is a master boat(wo)man, so everything was fine.

The original old timer himself, my dad, with Terry (Lad's mom) and my oldest and shortest sister Annie

Just keep in mind that the life jacket adds 10.... or 20 pounds. It's very thick.

It was so great to have that little break, and we're indebted to Patti and Stephanie (plus Daron, who house-sat the house we're housesitting for, to take care of the dog) for making it possible for us to go. Does anyone have any ideas for something extra nice we can do for them? It's crunch time this week, as it's our last week sitting for this house, and we're moving on Saturday. The plan was so do as much spackling, sanding, and painting as possible this week. But, of course, the head cold I got while on the river turned into an ear infection, sinus infection, and now pneumonia. Of course it did. So I'm not as much help as I should be. Fantastic.

Wish us luck!

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi -- Midnight In Harlem

I went with my dad tonight to see the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Well, unfortunately, not to the real festival. They made a movie type thing of the show in Chicago last month, and showed it at the University Mall theater for one night only. And it was great. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks performed this song, and it was magical. This isn't the Crossroads performance, but it's the best I could find.

They're married, and while he is usually so reserved, it seemed like you could really feel the passion between them during this song. Or at least I could. I may have a crush on them now. Enjoy!

Riley: "Close your eyes and no peeking... or I'll rip your eyeballs out."

My Kids Are So Weird

While we were on our Jackson Hole trip, I noticed that Iris started a new phase where she'll store her food in her cheeks for long periods of time without chewing or swallowing. 45 minutes or so after the first (and only) bite, something would startle her, and out would flow liquefied pretzel... usually all over Eric or me.

But the other day was the kicker. We had hot dogs and french fries for lunch, ending around 2:30. She ate pretty well throughout the meal, and only stored a bite when we were almost done. We went shopping after, and got home in time for her nap at 3:30, when I realized she still had the bite stored. Call me a bad mom, but I put her to bed with her cheeks full-- trying to get her to spit it out could have been a 15 minute process. She slept for three hours (which was great), and when she woke up at 6:30, this is what she looked like:


It took me till 7:00 to convince her to surrender it, and I found a surprisingly recognizable blob of hot dog and some french fries. Aye aye.


There's no big story about Riley, and it's not news that she's a crazy person. I went in to check on her tonight, and to my surprise, found this:


Well, it is very hot here. Love the tan lines.

Please click to enlarge. You won't be sorry.


Priceless.

Manis and Pedis

Eric placated me tonight and agreed to help me give the girls "manicures" and "pedicures" (we're very fancy here). He's actually much better at painting nails than I am... weird. Riley has loved getting her nails painted for a while-- it's kind of something they do together. But this was Iris's first time, and she did very well. She is a little mimic, and luckily followed Riley's example of holding still. I got my motivation when I saw my friend Cheryl's little baby with painted nails-- so adorable!


Very beautiful.

You can't really tell with Iris, but her nails are also green.

Jackson Hole '10

We made our annual trip to to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to raft down the Snake River the weekend after the Fourth, just as I have done almost every summer since I can remember. I love the area, and I've loved sharing it with Eric and the girls. We always have a great time, but I think this year takes the cake. It was a blast!

This picture of a beautiful sunrise was taken by someone who was up much earlier than I-- thanks, Cyn!

After years of persuading, Grandma Pat agreed to make the trip, and I think she liked it. Stephanie was back for her second year in a row, and Daron joined us for his first time (although not first on the river-- he came down Desolation last month).

Iris was a mess the first night, and kept us all up with her crying for a few hours (sorry, again), but was a dream the rest of the time. She even napped... sort of.

My vagabond children with some of their friends. Notice Iris' storage pocket in her cheeks.

Eric and I captaining the paddle boat down Lunch Counter-- we've lined it up fairly perfectly, if I do say so myself.

I only include this shot so you can see the beautiful scenery we float through.

The weather was great, the water was great (I took my customary swim, plus a few), the food was great, and most of all, the people were great. They made up one of the best bunches I've rafted with, and I appreciate everyone who came. Thanks for helping make it a great trip!

Early Fourth o' July Celebrations

My dad called today with the great idea that we go with him and my mom to the school he teaches at to watch the Thanksgiving Point fireworks. Eric had to work, but we got Grandma Pat to come along, so it all evened out. We had a pizza picnic, played on the playground, and tried to light sparklers in the wind while we waited for it to get dark.

Iris with her two grandmas.... isn't the sunset beautiful?


Riley and Grandpa Craig

Lucky Iris weaseled three Twizzlers out of softie Grandma Pat

Our family.... minus Eric (remember, I said it was windy)


We had a great time, and are so blessed to live close to our families. We have many opportunities to get together and are grateful for all they do for us. Love you all!

Catch Up

We've been up to all sorts of things since I last posted. First, Riley graduated from pre-school. It was adorable.


With her good friend, Gracie. She really was happy that night.


Secondly, Eric is the greatest husband ever and took a week off from work so I could go, sans kids, on a five day river trip with my family. It was amazing! I also did the shuttle for the first time, and after driving the truck and trailer almost all night to the end of the river, I got to ride in a tiny plane back to the beginning. Wow.

A quick shot from up in the air above the canyon.

Stephanie and her boyfriend, Daron, came with me. I didn't get a picture of Daron, but Stephanie was very happy to be there.

A tarp-and-oar canopy was erected to keep the rain off of us. Other than this brief shower, the weather was wonderful.

My mother and I, trying to keep the bugs off.


I came home, refreshed and replenished, and ready for summer with my family. We've been to two fairs, so far, and the girls had a great time. I made the mistake of going on a twirly ride at the first one, and therefore didn't have the best time afterwords. I'm such an old lady.


I don't have a picture to prove it, but we moved a few weeks ago, to the house of my parents friends. We needed to move out of my parents old house, which we've been renting, so they could fix it up to sell it, and my parents friends are go to Minnesota every summer, so it was perfect. They have a beautiful home, and an amazing yard, and we're enjoying our stay.

We're having family over for dinner tomorrow, and going to Jackson Hole for a few days this coming Wednesday for another river trip. So we've got some more fun things to look forward to! Happy Fourth, everyone!