Sunday Spirit

Memorial Day

On Memorial day we had planned to go to the Zoo with Wade, Jenny and there little family. But once we got close to the zoo, we decided that was a bad bad idea. It looked like the rest of SLC had the same plan so we quickly resorted to plan B, which we quickly made up on the spot. So we ended up at Liberty park.

I didn't know it was such a cute park. It was such a nice day and the kids enjoyed collecting feathers and trying to get close to all the ducks (we had nothing to feed them, but they were not lacking in food)

As we were walking around in the duck poop grass we noticed a few rides for the kids to enjoy, so we headed over, and this is what we found.

A Ferris Wheel that both Wade and I enjoyed with our little girls. (It was actually pretty high when you got to the top.)

There was also a Carousel,

Airplanes,

And Matayia's Favorite, the swings!!!

Matayia loved the swings, I think she rode them 3 times. We were all surprised on high the swings went when they finally started the ride. The first couple of times around Matayia looked pretty scared, but that soon changed to a big smile and laughter. I was actually quite surprised with how brave she was. Each time she got off she quickly said "I want to go again." On her third ride Wade and Jenny decided to join her.

This picture of Jenny says it all, the swings didn't sit so well with her. At this point our tickets were gone and our trip at the park ended. (I think Jenny was relieved.)

We next headed down to the Gateway, walked around for awhile.

We had lunch and then headed to the fountain to let the kids run around in the water. Our kids weren't as brave as I thought they would be. There was alot more watching then playing but eventually they warmed up.(or cooled down)

After the fountain we ventured down to temple square where they are doing alot of construction right now. We walked up by the reflection pool for awhile took some pictures and just let the kids run.

Thanks Wade and Jenny for the fun day, the zoo was a bust but we always enjoy the company of you and your family!! (this was much better than working on the fence all day)

*** Whenever you go some with where Greg you can expect to get alot of good pictures, so here are a few more good ones!!!***

My little Giraffe

So I am having trouble posting Matayia's, giraffe dance. I think it is too long but I will keep trying. This is Matayia's third year dancing, She keeps telling us she is not sure she wants to keep dancing, I am trying to convince her to keep taking. But this might be her last dance recital, not if I get my way though. Matayia is on the back row 2nd from the left.

I love how Kaitlyn just wants to be like Matayia in this picture.

Matayia, Kaitlyn, Kaylee

My little hippo

We started Kaitlyn in dance last fall, it started off a little rocky but she has really decided that she loves it. Memorial day weekend was her dance first dance recital. (this did not sit well with Greg who would of rather been camping) I was a little scared about the big stage and bright lights for Kaitlyn but she was really really cute. This year our studio did, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. When we got our costumes I wasn't quite sure about it but ended up really enjoying the performance. It was alot of cool african dancing with some cool drums. In the hippo dance, Kaitlyn is the littlest hippo, the third one. The teachers had told the girls to stand on a "X" Kaitlyn is concerned about finding a "X" to stand on.







Kaitlyn was also a "shaker girl". Give a three year old a fun prop to dance with, but please don't expect much dancing. We thought she was really cute, and were so glad she didn't "have any tears" I think she looks so small.

Throwing rocks

Yes throwing rocks can be a good thing. I think this is the girls favorite family activity right now. We have been trying to go on more bike rides as a family, and somehow we always end up at the river to throw rocks. Like I said, I am trying to simplify my life and what can be more simple than just throwing rock in the water. I think I sometimes forget that I don't need to do big extravagant things with my kids. So we will continue to throw rocks and race sticks down the river, and have so much fun doing it.


The river flows through the cedar hills golf coarse, so Greg is always on the lookout for golf balls and sometimes when the golfers have gone home we walk on the golf coarse

Walk a thon

I always love going to help at Matayia's school. But what I love even more is that she wants me to come and help. Last week Deerfield Elememtary had their annual walk a thon to raise money for the PTA. I was lucky enough to be able to help. I stood in a row with other moms to mark off a lap each time one of the first graders came around. So I got to encourage Matayia each and every time she ran another lap. It was fun, but really cold that morning. They usually let the first graders go early so that they won't get too hot. This year it back fired, and it was a quite cold. Kaitlyn sat patiently in her chair swaddled in her blanket for the whole hour, she was too cold to even want to run around. But she never complained, what a trooper!!

It is so nice to get to know the kids Matayia gets to spend most of her days with.

Matayia and Kaitlyn

Matayia and Dalton (who obviously doesn't dig pictures)

Kennedi, Aisha, Matayia and Allie

Matayia, Tyra, Gabi, and Melanie

Matayia and Camille

The Prophet said...

to plant a garden, so that's what we'll do.

Well we don't have a big garden and secretly I am just hoping that something will actually grow. But Matayia and Kaitlyn think this is pretty cool, so far they have been excited about watering our little carrot patch, when they get up in the morning they want to go out and check on the carrots, I had to explain that they take a long time to grow, i think they were expecting to see full grown carrots over night. While we were at the nursery buying plants a little old grandpa convinced Matayia we could grow a watermelon in our back yard, hopefully the summer doesn't end in devastation. We also have planted some peas in pots on our deck, but my fingers are extra crossed on these ones. I don't have a great track record on pots. (Just ask Greg, he ahas lots to say about this)


I came home from Europe with a stronger desire to simplify my life, I know I have a long way to go (I will be returning most of the bags of clothes I bought at the mall yesterday) But planting a garden, though it may be small right now reminds of the simple things in life.

Gym rat #2

Matayia finally convinced me to sign her up for Gymnastics, and she says she loves it. When we first got there I could tell she was a little nervous. I did have to remind her that there were no tears in gymnastics. Once the class got started, she seemed to do well and fit right in with the class. She says her favorite part is jumping on the spring board with the bar. As you can see from the video even when Matayia is tired and sweaty she can always find the energy to pose for a picture. Watching Matayia and Kailtyn reminds me of when I used to take gymnastics when I was little. I always looked forward to going, I can still remember the way the gym smelled. It is fun for me to sit and watch my girls every week and have a little trip dowm memory lane.

Whats Wrong?

What is wrong with this picture?

Hint: There is the same problem with this picture.

The problem is, Greg thinks he gets to help decorate the girls room. But the even bigger problem is, the girls think this is pretty cool.

When I first saw these lovely posters hanging in their rooms I started to chuckle under my breath, Matayia quickly said, "what mom, did you want one in your room?!" If she only knew!

Mock Disaster

So, our ward decided to hold a mock disaster to see how prepared we all are. I will have to admit that we (Greg and I and most of my friends) thought this was a lame idea. We had alot of fun making fun of this. I however do admit that if we really did have an emergency we would be glad that we held this little activity. To make this all seem real the preparedness board made phone calls to different individuals in the ward telling them that they would be dying or injured in this mock disaster. I got a call this week, and found out I was going to be injured in the mock earthquake. I thought surely this was a great excuse to spend the morning cuddled up in my bed. Because if I were really injured, hopefully someone would make me comfortable. So I was just trying to play along. This morning while I was enjoying my nice soft bed, Greg came in and informed me of our own little disaster in the kitchen. Our fridge had stopped working over night and Popsicles were dripping out onto the floor. Needless to say, I could no longer play injured in my bed. Thanks to some nice neighbors with some extra freezer and fridge space, nothing went bad but the Popsicles. We also found it handy to be able to use our trailer fridge to keep the essentials accessible. While cleaning out the fridge, I said to Greg, "well if we were in a disaster we would be scrambling to save our food just like this" Greg looked at me and replied "fortunately we are the only ones in the ward that don't have a working fridge" Thanks to this we now have the cleanest fridge in town!!

Moral of the story: I will never make fun of a mock disaster again!!

Wonderful weekend

Last weekend we went to Idaho Falls for Leah's baby blessing. It had been awhile since we had been in Idaho Falls and I always enjoy going back. Sometimes when I tell Matayia stories about when I was little she seems kinda confused, so it is nice to show her where I lived when I was little. The weather was the same as it always is in Idaho WINDY. Matayia thought the weather was bad because it was windy, I had to tell her that is how it always is. While I was doing my hair I wondered why am I doing my hair? It's just gonna get messed up and it did.

We always love going to visit Stacey, Jon and their kids. My kids often ask "when can we go to Annie's?" And just as usual we had a great time. One night when the guys were downstairs watching a game, I asked Greg where Matayia was and he said he didn't know, so off I went to look for her, and this is what I found...

Matayia and Jake we not amused by the game and had gone upstairs and got in Stacey and Jon's bed. They were enjoying Icarly in comfort. When I went back downstairs Greg asked where Matayia was and I told him with a chuckle. When I went back upstairs to put Matayia to bed this is what I found...


Josh and Annie had decided to join Matayia and Jake. And as you can see they were all about to call it a night in Stacey and Jon's bed. But of coarse they had enough energy for a funny picture

Thanks for the fun weekend Maughan family!!

We love you!!!

Linderhof Castle

A trip to Germany wouldn't be complete without visiting a few castles. We decided to visit Linderhof first, I had been here before but was surprised to see how different it looked cover in snow. This castle is quite famous for its beautiful grounds. This is what I remembered it to look like...



And here it is covered in snow...




As the picture shows, covered with snow is not the best time to visit this castle. The little wood boxes you can see behind me and Greg are statues, they cover them in the winter time to keep them from getting damaged. We did however go inside this castle. The castle may be little but no expense was spared inside. Linderhof was the summer castle for King Ludwig, but they say he spent most of his time here because he loved it so much. During the tour inside you are not supposed to take any pictures, but, yes Greg snuck one...



Not the best picture since it was shot from the hip in secret, but it does give you a little taste of how ornate the inside is. (this was not the most ornate room we saw there)

On the grounds there is also a man made grotto, kinda wierd but cool!



Thanks Miranda and Ian for taking us to this castle even though it was a little boring for you guys!! (espicially Ian)

99 Things...

Here are the rules: Bold (mine is red) the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (10% always seems like more than I can afford)
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (not my favorite activity)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (every morning in my shower)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables ( though I didn't eat them)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked (does it count if I once picked one up?)
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (sorry mom)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (thanks to T ball)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (well, maybe)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (does baby talk count)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (redfish Lake baby!!)
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud (mud volleyball, need I say more)
54.Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (the whale nearly landed in our boat)
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (does it have to be finished)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Redwoods
82. Bought a brand new car (and learned my lesson)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (wedding announcment)
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Well, I watched)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (does Donny Osmond, or Lex from survivor count?)
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Thanks Amy, that was fun! Who wants to play?

Our little Gym rat

So Matayia has been asking to take gymnastics for a couple of years now. This year when I asked her if she still wanted to do dance she replied, "not really, I have done it for 3 years now" i then explained to her that, that is how we get good at things, we do them for a long time. She gave me a look of disgust. So I finally went to the Rec center to sign her up for Gymnastics (yes we are still in dance also) When Kaitlyn got there and looked in the window she was so excited and said she wanted to do gymnastics also. So I signed them both up. Today was Kaitlyns first day, she had her leotard on at 8:00 sharp, class started at 11:00. When we started dance there was alot of crying, but this time she just ran out to join the clas while waving good-bye to me. Boy she has come a long way!! She thinks gymnastics is great though she can't quite say gymnastics yet. The pictures are a little dark but I just couldn't resist putting a few on.

As you can see toward the end of the video we need a little help on our sommersaults. She thought that she was supposed to do a cartwheel right there, but no the cartwheel didn't work out to well either. But not too bad for her first day.

Nice or Mean??

So I came home today to find this on my porch...




And when I looked inside the cup everything seemed to be moving. Thanks Levi, Matayia thought this was pretty cool, this must be what little boys do for fun, collect bugs and give then to their girlfriends.

Wicked....

I am becoming so behind in my blogging. The problem is that I have been putting off writing anything, because I don't know where to start. I still have alot of pictures of Europe but they will have to wait, because I am getting behind in normal everyday life. So sorry to those of you that have been waiting for Europe pictures, I promise they will come soon.


A couple of weeks ago (the Saturday after we got home from Europe) I had tickets to see "Wicked". My parents had seen wicked before in NY and decided to buy season tickets this year at the Capital Theatre, just so they could get "Wicked" tickets. So I decided to join in on the fun, previous shows have been fun but "Wicked" is definitely the best. The plan was, that Greg and I were going to go to the show together. He needs a little culture in his life, and no he wasn't that excited about this. But while Matayia was at Grandmas house she listened to the music, and heard the story of "Wicked", and somehow she just knew her dad would give up his ticket for her. So needless to say I had a great night with Matayia at "Wicked". She probably appreciated it alot more than Greg would of. Matayia thought that the capital theatre was pretty cool. (It really is pretty cool) All and all we had a great night at the theatre. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is coming up next, and yes Matayia thinks my extra ticket is for her again, we will see!!!