Splash Pad

 It was in the upper 70s and windy but we had fun at the splash pad (especially Jack, he always loves time in the water). The kite flying was less successful and ended with downed kites and tangled strings.

Trampolines

This morning we met up with some friends at a local trampoline park. I still had complimentary return passes from Rose's birthday 1.5 years ago... so you can guess how long the kiddos have been asking to go.

It's hard to take pictures of children in motion on trampolines but here's what I got. In addition to the strictly trampoline section, there was a trampoline dodgeball section, obstacle coarse, and giant slide.

Rainy Day

 

The Bus Rainboots

Today was a rare rainy morning. Jack wanted his bus rainboots but I donated them last year when they could only be removed with me yanking the boot off Jack's foot while he held the stair railing. His current rainboots are hand-me-downs from Rose and were fun for Rose when she got them but not Jack's style and big enough that his feet fell out a time or two.

Walking in the Gutter

We followed the sidewalk around our apartment complex. Unlike past rainy day walks, Rose chose to join me and Jack. Similar to his other rainy day jaunts, Jack tromped through the watery rain gutters.

Jack making a dam

Rose making a dam

They used their booted feet to create dams so leaves couldn't pass.

A leaf called "boat".

Jack held onto this leaf for the entire walk and named it "boat". Two others were named Poppy and Leafie but they didn't last as long.

Jumping in Puddles

After a while, Rose preferred jumping in puddles.

City Parade

 

The school "float"

Today was the culmination of Orem Summerfest - the annual city celebration. It ended with a parade followed by fireworks. At Jack's request, we participated in his school's float for the parade. The younger students rode on a flatbed truck while the older students walked beside the truck during the parade route, tossing candy to the crowd. Rose was a trouper and walked two miles in the 95-degree heat.

Rose ready to hand out goodies.

We were all tired after the parade (especially Rosie!) but we went home, spread out the lawn blanket, and watched the city's fireworks from our side lawn. We shared some strawberries and cream while we waited for the show to start. R and J are usually asleep by 8 and fireworks started at nearly 10 so I had two exhausted kiddos on my hands. I did a lot of nudging to get them to stay awake for the fireworks.

An Accidental Replay

N and I just passed our twelfth wedding anniversary. Thanks to some generous family members who love animals and babies (at times it's hard to tell the difference between the two beasts), we were able to get away for a night and sleep in until 8. I've come a long way because last year sleeping in would have been at least 10. Something that amused me was that we unintentionally repeated our plans from last year. Same babysitters, same hotel, same restaurant for dinner, and same plan to wrap things up with a matinee at the local Cinemark.

We deliberated between staying at a Crystal Inn or Hampton hotel (narrowed down to these two choices by: proximity/walk-ability to where we wanted to dine, offering of complementary breakfast, and openings of rooms with king-size bed and jetted tub). Finally, I said it didn't matter and let's sign up for xxx because I really don't remember why, I was that tired. And the next day, out of curiosity, I checked my email from last year and found a reservation confirmation for the same lodgings. I was satisfied with my stay but hopefully next time around it will stand out enough that I can make an educated decision. Such as, we stayed there last time so let's try the other one, or hey, that place didn't irritate me so let's go there again.

So that was the funny part of the story to me, that we ended up staying at the same place as last year and didn't even remember... For you it may be that, in my habit of over-analyzing choices, I actually made a table with two columns - the first listing the names of all hotels in SLC and the second listing the primary reason I wouldn't choose it, 1) no complementary breakfast, 2) no jetted tub, or 3) too pricey.

Easter Bunny Time

Last week we got an Easter package from my mom. Here's a few pics to show what R thought of her bunny. Thanks grandma!

Caspian

Caspian: Our little Prince Caspian was suddenly called to return to his heavenly throne  Thursday, December 13th 2012....

Words cannot express how much this hurts my heart. The Behrends are such a beautiful young family. I was blessed to meet them a few years ago when we were both members of the same church congregation. When I started at my current job I found out that they bring their children to see one of the pediatrician's I work and have had the opportunity to serve them from time to time. I was never very close friends with the parents but I know them enough to say that each of the children are very sweet and little Caspian will be missed terribly. Our entire office mourns his passing.