goblin valley

This was our first day on our road trip to Southern Utah. The kids kept requesting Thriller over and over again. It was fun at first and then after the millionth time.... not so much. We kept giving into their demands. We were going to Goblin Valley after all so Thriller seemed sort of appropriate.

bathing in a witches brew

A spooky Halloween bath

We were faced with the tough decision of what to do with the dry ice left over from the pumpkin carving festivities the night before. Meanwhile, it sat dissolving the the brown paper bag we brought it home in. When the girls got in the tub we or I should say he had a grand idea. The Dry ice would make a spooky bath perfect for Halloween. For a split second I worried that maybe there would be adverse side effects to bathing in dry ice. Like maybe their hair might fall out or hives would take over their little bodies. In case you are wondering all hair remained intact and Halloween was hive free. Dry ice has always been a friend of the family starting way back in the day when we lived in city house # 7 and dial up to get on-line. "What should we do tonight?" Response...."Lets go get some dry ice". Oh, the things you find to entertain a toddler and Canyon loved it (he still does every time). In Kindergarten when he was to bring something for show and tell that started with a D he talked me into bringing dry ice.. ha ha. I still remember how cool he thought that was. I wonder what else we will do with dry ice over the years. Long live the powers of dry ice.

p.s. For any of you wanting to play with dry ice the trick is to put it in a big bowl and then add some dish soap here and there. Not to much but not to little. Give everyone a cup. Then let fun will begin.

new things to come home to

Upon my arrival home from New York City there were some new things waiting for me.

#1 This new screensaver/picture that was taken while I was gone. How could she look 2 years older? I was only gone for 3 1/2 days. Crazy! I had to go look at her in her sleep and stare for a while.

#2 This skateboard ramp was assembled in my basement in my three days away. I guess the kids pitched in and helped, a team project. I might need to get my hands on some ear plugs. It's kind of noisy. Canyon is pretty stoked to say the least.

#3 This one is probably the most exciting. A fully potty trained toddler. I guess when she says she wants to wear panties she means it.

A lot can happen in 3 little days.

New York City

I loved every second of this trip. It was a complete dream.
Thanks Miki for inviting us to come visit. It was unreal.

Brooklyn

Heather found someone special in Brooklyn....we call him Mr. soft lips.

We wondered around Brooklyn I loved all the old buildings and the character it had.
When we were at the Brooklyn Flea Market Martha Stewart was filming one of her shows.
She was in line right behind us to get a pizza with her film crew. It was pretty funny.
Somehow she got her pizza before us. She is tricky that Martha. :)

Central Park

I LOVED Central Park. It was so pretty this time of year with tons of trails and trees everywhere. It's cool you can see the big buildings in the city from there but you feel miles away. It was really peaceful.

discovering NYC

I loved everything about this trip! Some of my favorite times were just exploring the streets and neighborhoods. Just walking around to see what we would find. I also loved eating and shopping at all the cute little shops, cafe's and bakery's. Everything was soooo good and the atmosphere everywhere was amazing. We were lucky to have a local with us. We would have never have gone to such great places without Miki....Thanks Miki!




Upper West where we stayed.

NYC (subway)

I just got back from NYC. Me and the girls headed out on the red eye to visit our friend Miki. We did not sleep a wink, but somehow managed to explore all around that city that never sleeps all day and night long. It was all of our first time there. While Miki worked our first experience in the big apple was the subway. We took the subway all over. It was fun to see if we were lost and what it was going to look like when we surfaced up from below. I have to say getting around the city was much easier when Miki was there to show us where to go. :)

"mini mouse club panties" and purple socks

fall picnic

Today was dark gray and cold. Which was actually fine I guess because the little miss has decided that diapers are not for her. So I guess it is potty training season rather I like or not. So confined to the walls of my house the fire went on and the diaper went off. I have to admit she looked pretty cute strollin around in nothin but "mini mouse club" panties and a pair of purple knee high socks. Inside looking out the window at the gray it's hard to believe a couple of days ago we were basking in the golden beauty of fall farm picnic. This is my good friend Ali's backyard playground isn't she lucky. The kids loved romping through the pastures and building forts in the creek beds. Ellie unfortunately got bunches of burs in her golden locks and when she tried to get them out on her own they turned into a big dread lock. This did not put her in the best mood so when she came to me for help she got really mad for two good reasons. 1. I was laughing at the dread lock. 2. I took her picture with her "embarrassing" dread lock. She did not go back into that "worst burr fort" and a little leave in conditioner and some patience saved us from a trip to the salon. Ahhhh... fresh air and perfect temps maybe if we all wished for an Indian Summer until Dec 1st it would really happen. Then I would want fluffy white big snowflake storms 3 times a week until March and then it could magically be in the 70's again. It would be perfect.

cute boy and a hot tub conversation

I love talking about things with my kids while sitting in a hot tub.
For some reason it always brings up interesting new things.
Maybe it's the steam or the chlorine.....or just time to think about ideas.
But I love the things they end up saying.
A couple of nights ago Canyon and I were the last one's left....lagging a little behind the others.
What was said goes pretty much like this.

Canyon: Mom how old will you be when I am 19.
Me: 42...(I am thinking..... whoa! is that possible?)
Canyon: Do you think you will have an i-phone by then?
Me: I hope so. That would be nice.
Me: Why?
Canyon: Well I was thinking by then I would have a pretty good job and so I would want to buy you an i-phone for either Valentine's or Mother's day.
Me: Oh..that is so sweet (trying not to smother him with hugs and kisses)
Canyon: But if you already have one by then don't worry I will buy you a MAC lap top!


Seriously, can a nine year old little boy get any sweeter?
I guess the true question is will it last until he is 19?
I am crossing my fingers it does.

catch and release

Okay, so maybe the only thing we caught was moss.
But it was still a win, win if you ask me.
Sure there was no tasty fish fry for this summery night.
But there was also no fish guts and big mean hooks to rip out.
Oh, care free summer nights... how I already miss them.

tan lines

Have a Happy Weekend everyone.

We will be doing fall things like soccer games,
gathering leaves and getting our yard ready
for the fluffy white stuff that is sure to come or way.
I have a strange feeling that there will be no more
soft sandy beaches and tan lines for a while.
I better hurry and go buy my season pass to get me excited for what lies ahead.

Beach Baby - Bon Iver

beach bike ride

One of our favorite days was...
riding the ferry across the bay
to get our bikes.
Then we got to ride our bikes...
up and down the coast until we found the beach spot just for us.
to get doughnuts
to get ice cream
to explore the pier
to see what was up around that bend...and the next one.
to get dinner
and then finally back to the ferry.
It was lovely.