Belleview Park

We went to Belleview Park on Tuesday. There was a wading creek, petting zoo and train. Matthew absolutely loved the train (no surprises there)! He also liked splashing in the water. I think he would've liked the petting zoo, but he was too mesmerized with the train. Thank you to Kelly who took some pictures for us!

New jammies

I have been working on these little shorts for weeks. My friend Elizabeth took pity on me and came to solve my sewing machine woes. With her help we got these sewn in about an hour.

Happy Pappy Day!

I did a post for Mom on Mother's Day, so now it's Dad's turn.

My dad has taught me so many things. He is such an example of hard work. But even with all his hard work I always knew that our family was the most important thing to him. I have had dozens of concerts and performances in my years of playing and he always attended. My dad is a man of integrity and a man of his word. In a day when people's words mean little, Dad will always tell you how it is and what he can do. Dad is a great wealth of knowledge-of many things, secular, spiritual and human nature. I remember sitting up late at night in my junior high and high school years trying to figure out what why people do the things they do.

I haven't heard my dad complain. Obviously, things haven't always gone as planned, but he always put his shoulders to the wheel and went to work. Dad is fair and kind. He expects much of his children, but he will do everything in his power to help us succeed.

So dad, thank you for your love and kindness and willingness to help us out with our ever changing needs and questions. I love you!

Grateful Exercise

My mood and attitude the last week or so have not been very wonderful. Today I decided I need to modify my perception of some things and view them as blessings. Here are a few random ones-

I am grateful that my nose is running and my eyes are watering because that means the beautiful trees and flowers are in bloom and that I am able to be outside enjoying them.

I am grateful for a house with two bathrooms so that when one breaks we have somewhere else to go.

I am grateful for my handsome husband who got to work and fixed that broken toilet without grumbling or complaining.

I am also thankful for Brian's patience during weeks like this when he doesn't know what's up with me and neither do I.

I'm grateful for a sweet, happy, healthy little boy who teaches me so much about myself and can turn my day around with his smile.

I'm grateful that I have awesome in laws and for the lack of problems that comes with them :)

I am grateful for my family who always make me want to come back as long and as often as I can.

I'm thankful for the spirit that tells me when I've made mistakes so that I can make changes to get back in the direction I want to be going.

And last, I'm so thankful for all the good people in my life that cheer me up when I am down and bless me with their goodness.

Adventures in finger painting

It was rainy and cold yesterday so I decided to go out on a limb and let Matthew try the finger paints. I don't know if we'll be able to use them again since the colors are all mixed together, but I think he enjoyed it. Here is some video I took and I'll post some other pictures too (hopefully).






The aftermath-as you can see we no longer have individual colors, just a brown mess.

Water play

We went to a playgroup with some families in our ward this morning. We've lived here 18 months and I still have no idea where anything is. I didn't know this park was so close by.
Matthew was a little unsure at first, but then he started enjoying himself.
Thinking about it-
Almost . . .
Now we're getting there!
And now we're reading to go home!

Day o' fun with the Sandbergs

We met up with Richard and Deanne and their three kids, Caradyn, Savannah, and Nathan last Saturday. We had lunch then headed up to the CU campus in Boulder to see where Richard works and goes to school. He is finishing up his doctorate in physics. They have this amazing laser up there that he spends a lot of time with. I didn't understand a lot of what he said because he's brilliant, but it was lots of fun. Brian was so excited to play with the laser!

This is Matthew on the way to meet the Sandbergs. Doesn't he look excited?!
Running around with Caradyn.
Richard showing us some liquid nitrogen.
The laser.

New favorite pasttime

Last Friday Matthew spent two hours out playing in the sand box. I couldn't believe it. I'm glad he likes it, but man, two hours is a long time for him to do one activity (besides sleeping).