Birthday BBQ

Greg and Lois were in town and it's close to Josh's B-Day so they hosted a BBQ for him at Josh and Kiera's house.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and being outside wasn't all that pleasant.

I love taking pictures of people eating.

Aidan would rather play with Jordynne's kitchen than eat.

In the middle of it I had to go pick up my parents from the airport so I left the camera and instructions for Cary to take pictures.

So this is what I found on the camera. ☺

Unfortunately, my airport trip that was only supposed to take about 20-30 minutes turned into a lot longer because of the weather delaying flights and all that.

Sorry Shawn, Chris and Amanda, I was hoping to get more photos but this is what I have. (Thanks Abby!)

When I got back the crew was watching a movie and Aidan, Ella, and Jordynne were playing in the other room with grandma.

At the Garden

Today is Arbor Day, so get out there and plant a tree. ☺

In honor of Arbor Day, the Red Butte Garden was having a free admission day and passing out free trees.

If you didn't know, I was a horticulture (ornamental) major in college so I've actually been wanting to visit this place for quite some time, and I'm always game for a free tree. Heh. (although I ended up not getting one since the place was PACKED with school kids)

So, even though it was raining and there was snow on the ground, I packed the kids up and we headed to the gardens, because it was FREE.

And now I know. It's a very cool place and I really want to come back when it's warmer and there isn't snow on the ground.

Aidan enjoyed splashing in the puddles and snow slush.

It was stinkin cold though, so we didn't stay too long.

Here is the entrance to the childrens garden

with an overlook bridge and stuff. I think the kids would have a really fun time here when it's warmer, there are so many places to run around and explore.

Yeah, all that stuff I just wrote about coming back when its warmer...

I changed my mind after I saw this sign.

(I know! I grew up in the desert, I shouldn't be afraid of snakes. It's not so much that I'm afraid of them it's more like a paralyzing fear!) ☺

I'm only partially kidding about not coming back... sort of.

That was quite a workout pushing the stroller up this hill, but the view overlooking the valley was worth it!

Pants Down

Since this probably looks like my Ella blog lately, I bribed Aidan with a cookie to let me take some pictures of him.

It was all going somewhat well...

and then,

he started pulling his pants down.

Your guess is as good as mine.

Does this mean he's ready for potty training?

More Ella because she's just too darn cute.

Even when she's got food all over her mouth and rubbing it in her hair.

(The reason that there is only one b&w photo is that I was playing around with settings, and happened to really like this photo.)

Yesterday we had quite the windstorm, but night time it was pretty fierce outside. Around 9:30 PM our power went out and we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Aidan was still awake and thought it was pretty cool since he's quite fascinated by flashlights. I did realize our emergency preparedness isn't all that great if something major were to happen. ☺

Thankfully, our power was really only out for 30-40 minutes.

How prepared are you?

Construction Update (another one)

Oh sorry, she's always getting in the way of my camera. ☺

The orginal plan for this area was scrapped and this is what they did instead around the flag pole.

Here is the area below the center. That's the wall for the new storage building.

and the work for the deck is still coming along.

Feeling Discouraged

We're feeling a little discouraged about all the work needing to be done on our house, the fact that we live so far away and can only be there on weekends really limits the work that we can do. By the time we leave on Friday and make it there it's time for the kids (and us!) to go to bed, rest for Shabbat, and then have to leave on Sunday, that doesn't leave many hours for working. Not to even mention some other issues we're going through right now with the inside of the house. I guess we'll make it through somehow. ☺

Speaking of said house, I'd post some "before" pictures of inside the house, but Cary won't let me. So if this is displeasing to you, go ahead and leave a comment telling him what you think of that.

Flowers

I was having fun today shooting in macro with Sharon's lens extender.