Olympics

I have just been so inspired by watching the Olympics. I am also very tired and understand why TIVO is important. I am staying up so late every night to watch but I am so amazed at the Olympians and all the hard work they do in preparation to compete. I have loved watching Michael Phelps and also the women's gymnastics. Even watching Dara Torres made me think you are never too old to give up on your dreams. It makes me so grateful to live in the United States and to cheer on our amazing athletes.

Company

We have had company for the past few days. Katherine (my niece), her husband Matt and their friend Tanner came and stayed for a few days. She is expecting a baby boy in October. We are so excited for them. Tanner and Matt went hiking in Zion's, rock climbing and a few other guy bonding things. Katherine and I went to the temple, In and Out and shopped for her little baby. We had a great time. They were able to see Les Miserables at Tuachan and visit some friends as well. It's fun to live in a place where we get visitors!

Eight Months Old

Avery is eight months old! She is growing so fast. She just started saying, "Ma,Ma" which I consider a huge success since she said, "Da,Da" first! She is rolling over and sitting up well. She loves her pink pig and blanket to sleep with. She falls to sleep on her own. She is eating all sorts of food but definitely prefers bananas and all the fruit over anything else. She loves to put her face close to Dad's and rub cheeks. She is a Daddy's girl along with her sister Lauren. Her brother and sister love to play with her although they don't always know how not to make her cry. I think their "love" is just a bit aggressive at times. She loves bath time although she never gets to stay in long because we are always rushing to get her to bed. She is still taking three naps and going to bed at 7 or 8. We have not seen any teeth yet but she slobbers lots and puts everything in her mouth. It is so fun to hear her make sounds. She always gets compliments when she is out about how cute she is and her beautiful blue eyes. I can't believe another month has passed!

The Week

We finished swim lessons this week. The kids both did really well. The teacher said Landon could move up to level three. She said, "Lauren does really well, she just has a hard time listening?" I was so suprised by this comment since she always listens to everything I say..ha ha ha. So basically she can go to level three next fall. I had told the teacher she was three years old but I think they forget because she is close to Landon in size. The teacher said she was really smart which I would have to agree with. They had a good time. Lauren had two birthday parties on Saturday and Landon had one (combined with Lauren's friend because its her brother) so we spent the day doing that. Jerry had to do training because he starts high school football officiating soon. He is excited. My old mission companion Mary Jane and I went to dinner and shopping on Saturday. We have such a good time together. I am so glad she lives close. Jerry gave an amazing talk on the restoration. He did really well. He is very humble and prepares well so the Lord is able to use him to teach. Jeff Frodsham spoke as well as he is preparing to serve a mission. They are an amazing family who we truly admire. We enjoyed attending an open house for him today. We have Katherine and Matt coming tonight to stay for part of the week. We are looking forward to their visit!

Hogle Zoo

Rod and Shelby came to see us on Friday. We spent the day with them and of course we ate at In and Out. We were able to help them plan their trip to California. They left on Saturday for Las Vegas and we left for SLC. We drove to Springville and stayed with Clyde and Jeannette. Jeannette had a great lunch for us with Brent and Jill. Jill made an awesome red velvet cake....she is so thoughtful. Then we took off to Hogle Zoo for the Jacobsen summer party. The kids really enjoyed the bird show and seeing all the animals. The zoo was closed for Jacobsen so we were able to see a lot of things in a short amount of time. The carousel was definitely a highlight as well. We hope to go back sometime when we don't have to rush but loved the time we had there. Jerry and I went back to Springville and put the kids to bed and then went to visit Brent and Jill. It is so fun having them right there in Springville. We had a great time and of course laughed a lot. They are the best. The next morning we attended sacrament meeting in Springville and then drove to Holladay to visit Kevin and Lindsay. Brooklyn, Landon and Lauren have the best time playing together. Thanks for a great breakfast! We were driving back and talking to Landon about his Leapster game. Both his game and Lauren's game had dead batteries. We just kept saying, "The batteries are dead so you can't play your game!" Suddenly Landon blurted out, "Heaven must be full of batteries!" A classic kid moment.

Baseball Game

Landon had one of the best nights of his four year old life last night. Jerry took him to a Dixie Roadrunners game. Jerry was given box seats right behind the catcher by one of his subcontractors. He took Landon and they had the best time. Landon's friend took him to the bull pen and got him a REAL ball. Jerry took the ball to Rick Berry who my Dad knows (he runs the team) and he took it to the locker room to have all the guys sign it. Landon got to give five to all the players and stand on the pitcher's mound. Of course Jerry said he took the perfect stance and practiced pitching (Jerry has dreams of Landon supporting us as a left handed pitcher in the majors) just like his Dad had taught him. Way to go Landon!

Accident

So Monday night was just a horrible night. Lauren woke up around 1:30am and wanted to sleep by us. We tried to tell her to go upstairs but she gets so crazy we just decided to make a bed by our bed. I went to the closet to get a blanket down and Jerry went to the kitchen to get a drink for her. He heard me scream and came back to find me looking in the mirror with my lip bleeding and my tooth knocked out well actually one of my front teeth was broken in half. Not a pretty picture. So Jerry's construction belt was on the top shelf and his construction angle came down and broke my tooth. We are so grateful it wasn't worse but just a crazy accident. I was so light headed and nauseous. I don't do well in any sort of medical situation. I wasn't crying just not feeling so well. I took some Motrin and Jerry gave me a blessing. He felt so bad. He tried to help with Avery when she woke up but she was not having it. I got her back to sleep and then Landon woke up because he had a little "askident (accident aka he wet the bed). I looked at the clock at 4:30am and realized sleep was not happening. Jerry had called the dentist the next morning before I even got up and he happen to be out of town but called me and I went in this morning at 8 am. He is going to put a crown on so I have a temporary now which has really improved my looks. I thought about posting a pic but I just don't know if I can handle the social shame......emotionally I may not be ready.

Grandparents

We had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa and it was great. We love having them here. The kids go CRAZY when they are here and love all the personal time and attention they get. My parents came on Monday night. We went to Jerry's softball game that night and it was great to be able to watch a little of the game because they were there to help me with the kids. My Mom brought peas and carrots from her garden and the kids loved eating them. On Tuesday I helped my Dad look at places they are thinking of renting this winter. We are hoping it will work out to have them here. My Mom and I braved Costco with the kids and opted to to Wal-mart late at night when they were in bed. She is still at the stage where their crazy antics are "cute" and maintains it was fun to take them. They are great they just have so much energy she does agree we can accomplish more in a faster time frame when we are on our own. On Wednesday night we went to "The Sound of Music" at Tuachan. I was so impressed and we all really enjoyed it. Landon came with us and did really well. My Dad tried to get him to meet the cast after but he just kept saying "No, thank you!" The next day Jerry was home from work so we went to the pool and swam. We had a really good time. Jerry cooked for us while my Mom and I ran errands. We always have fun shopping together. Then the boys went to the baseball game and we put the kids to bed and worked on my Mom's wedding album we are putting together for her 50th anniversary. We had a really good week and Jerry was home for the weekend so that always makes life fun. It is so much more fun to have someone else here to enjoy the kids. Our new exciting thing is to make rice krispie treats. I haven't ever made them with my poor, neglected kids. They are now professional rice krispie makers. I really have the best kids, husband and parents. I am so lucky.