Dads

Father's Day was also our first day back at church. Since we got home at 9:20, we waited until then to make breakfast--biscuits and gravy, fried eggs and hashbrowns. 

The kids surprised him with these cute cards and gave him some of his favorite treats and ammo.

 

 

He relaxed most of the day and then made dinner for my parents. Then we enjoyed flan while the kids ate ice cream.
We sure love him.

He takes them to cool places like this

and will dress to match upon kids' request.

I don't have many pictures of my dad and I so I made him take one with me. He likes to tease us that one of us is adopted. I don't think it's me. 

 My kids like to go to "Grandpa's farm" to help in their garden. This day they picked peas.

 "Find the fat ones. And ask me before you pick it."

 James lasted longer than Henry and Erica.

But Sarah lasted the longest. She even helped my mom shell the peas and freeze them.

And a shoutout to all the grandpa's and uncles out there that add fun and adventure to my kids' lives.

Let's Get this Summer Started!

One Sunday Erica was rocking an 80s vibe and she didn't even know it.

She usually dresses like a fancy old lady or as if she's going out for a jog so this was a nice break.

Memorial Day! I like Memorial Day. We met my mom at Spanish Fork cemetery where most of her dad's side is buried.

All around us we saw families gathered listening to the grandma or grandma share stories about who is who and where they all came from. I love it. Family history all around!

This is my grandparents' grave. After my mom chatted with a long-lost cousin (happens every year) we parted ways.

My kids wanted to wander through the veteran flags.

They each have a name of someone from Spanish Fork that died in a war. They are mostly in alphabetical order but we couldn't find any Dyes or Baadsgaards.

We then checked out the statues for the branches of the military. I liked this one but James liked the army guy on the left because he had a gun.

Justin got home from shooting a little while after we did. Then we made doughnuts! I used this recipe and they were soooo good

They are a lot of work and doughnut shops are better but I think we'll make them once in awhile for the fun of it.

James approved. He still talks about "the time we made doughnuts in our house."

Swimming lessons time! I am so glad they didn't cancel swimming lessons or we would have no scheduled activity this summer. James was old enough for lessons this year and he was so excited.

 Erica had been coaching him in the tub for the past few months on how to put his face in the water and blow bubbles so he was a pro.

 Sarah considered not taking lessons since she can swim pretty well but at the last minute decided to. I'm glad she did since there were no art classes or anything else to sign up for. They learned the breaststroke this year which was a harder stroke for her but she passed.

 My dad bought this virus mask online. He said it's for church. It's good for distracting me while I tried to talk to my mom.

 James wanted a picture of his lego house he built. He then got mad that a printed picture didn't magically appear that he could put on his wall. I'm still confused why he thought that would happen.

The kids filled up their button jar so it was time to take them out to do something fun. We tried to go mini-golfing before a storm rolled in. The mini-golf place didn't open until noon even though their hours said 11 so we went to a park instead. It's a good thing we didn't pay for mini-golf because after 30 minutes it started raining (which didn't scare us away) but then it started hailing and pouring rain so we had to make a run for it.

This park on center street in Orem is pretty cool and we had never been there before. It is a lot like Thunder Junction in St. George, just not as big.

 James is playing in the train. There are buttons that make train whistle sounds and say "all aboard." He played there the most.

 This game was hard and we never got the hang of it. Then it started hailing so we ran to the car and got In n Out for lunch.

 We'll try mini golf again after they fill up the jar again by remembering to take care of their stuff. It takes a month.

I pulled into the garage after a dentist appointment last week and James and Erica poked their heads out. Erica was dressed as a cowgirl and James had on the Wolverine costume. When I asked Sarah why in the world she got out the Halloween costumes, she replied that Erica asked her to.

James wore this for 2 days except for sleeping. We made him take the mask off during dinner and scripture reading.

 "Wolverine can do anything!" he'd shout while he ran across the room and into the couch.

 And he really did everything while wearing the costume. Even wore it to the store and to my parents' house.

 After 2 days of constant wear it was covered in cherry juice. I put it in the washer that night and then snuck it back into the costume tote after that. I think he's forgotten about it for now.

Mondays are for Mom School. For 30 minutes they have to do workbooks, write journal entries or flashcards. James got out his paint with water set and the girls couldn't resist once they got their work done.

Tuesdays are new park days, Wednesdays are for playing in the water, Thursdays are for working on goals and making a fun drink (thirsty Thursdays) and Fridays are free. We still have a lot of downtime around here and frankly I'm getting bored since we had been at home together a summer break's worth before summer break even started.  Thank goodness we have big plans for Independence Day.

And happy Flag Day on Sunday.

14 Years!

Justin and I celebrated our 14th anniversary this past weekend in Midway. We mostly ate ice cream.

 
Here are my reviews:
Glade's in Spanish Fork on Tuesday (our actual anniversary) Oreo shake. I liked the soft oreos but the ice cream is too soft. I don't know what the fuss is about. I'll try their fries next time.
Shake Shack in Sandy on Friday--good but Culver's is better, closer, and cheaper.
Aggie Ice cream at the cheese place in Midway--I got raspberry and orange sherbet. Loved it. Justin got chocolate almond and cookies and cream  (pictured above).
Red Mango frozen yogurt in Midway. Pomegranate and plain. I always love me a good tangy plain frozen yogurt. We got it without toppings.

I also had kolaches for the first time at Dottie's kolaches in Heber. I thought they were good and fun. We have a kolache place in Provo I want to try.

We stayed at the Homestead in Midway. Our room is on the left.

 I had never been there before. I liked the old buildings. I did not like our big huge heavy dense feather pillows on the bed.

Their outdoor pool is the biggest hotel pool I've ever seen. We may need to come back with the kids before they tear it all out in their huge renovation.

On top of the crater.

In front of the pretty main building. It was sunny!

I'm laughing because Justin is blocking my phone with his phone.

I sure love him. Aside from being ridiculously good-looking, he's kind, generous, patient, hard-working and laugh-out-loud funny. And he'll cook me any food I ask him to.