The Bonneville Trail

The sun came out for a day - so we took advantage.  

Lauren helped me climb this boulder for lunch.

The escape from the city.

Feeling like a small part of a big world.

Feet, Sleepwalk, Chainsaws & Accidents

Rylee came up with this sleepwalk idea all on her own.  In fact, my favorite part of the video is where she pauses to think - "how do I do this?"  You can see the gears turning as she formulates her plan.

Sometimes we JAM!

Making Leprachaun Traps.  They did work. . . sort of.  He left some clues to where he hid his chocolate treasure, but we didn't actually CATCH the little green man. 

Pink has never looked so cool.

Fort number 2, 491. 

If I take a quick nap on the floor after work, my girls don't let me get cold.  Not even my feet.

Sometimes we wrestle before bedtime, sometimes we read stories, sometimes. . . . WE JAM!

Groundhog Day

I'm still trying to figure out why the people of Punxsutawney use a groundhog to determine weather patterns.   It's not just tradition, people actually believe in this.  What's worse, why is he normally right????  

This is our home made version of Punxsutawney Phil.  It's an Almond Joy with M&M eyeballs and a gummy worm nose.  I'm going to do what the people of Punxsutawney should have done a long time ago - PUT THAT FAT SUCKER AWAY!    

The girls told me that if I gave them a cookie, they'd pay me a million bucks.  They owe me.  

If you don't have glass slippers, use the next best thing...  Mardi Gras beads and goggles.

Where've I been?

I haven't been blogging lately because of the downturn in the economy, gas prices, solar energy is down, and I pulled my calf muscle.  

What would you do for a bowl of Rocky Road ice cream?

Not sure how this one started, wrong place at the right time perhaps???  Either way, Rylee has given me permission to grow my hair really long.  Wait until I tell the Stake President.

Rylee had a water spray bottle back there somewhere within reach.  With a little encouragement from me, she was glad to apply water generously.

It's true, Lauren's fish died.  I took her blinds down from her window one day, and the next day while we were at church the sunshine heated up the water tank a little too much.  Well, this ended the story of "Princess Frostine" the fish.  So we got a rat.  I will let Janna tell you how we decided upon a rat.  The truth is, I'm very impressed with how good of a pet it makes.  Her name is Bianca.  She is surprisingly clean, very intelligent, extremely tame and gentle, never bites, and loves Lauren.  She can learn her name and come when called, can be potty trained, and can learn a variety of tricks.   Better than a cat.

I have a Darth Vader mug. . . Be jealous.  I also have a cool new Superman hat to go with my Superman lunch box that I take to work everyday.   Nutty?  Maybe, but I'm the envy at work everyday when Superman comes out.  I owe thanks to Jordan Knudsen Mangum for these great Christmas gifts.  Her creativity and thoughtfulness seem endless.  

Two Letter Words

So I come home from work everyday and see the alphabet explosion on my refrigerator.   Finally, I have discovered a subtle way to put this message board to good use.  Here's hoping.

Worth $10 ????

I don't know where she found the recipe for this evil stuff - but it's not vanilla Duncan Hines. Imagine mixing alum with toothpaste, crack in an eggwhite, a touch of baking soda, and a pinch of pure poison.  We used this stuff as a glue to build our gingerbread houses and bond candy to the walls.  It dries fast and you can't pry the stuff off without a crowbar.  They say it's edible. . . but my gag reflex proved otherwise.  

Janna however. . . . 

Next time, $40 to chew it for 5 seconds. 

Oh, what do you do in the winter time?

Lauren's taught Rylee speed is a good thing and there is no such thing as being cold.

The mountain of every blanket the girls own makes it's way to the living room at least twice a week.

Momma Mangum sent me comfy, new PJ's for Christmas, they came with an eye sleep shield.  Lauren begged to try it out.  It apparently works well.

Mark still has his amazing, creative, romantic side.  He planned a snowshoeing date a couple of weeks ago with our good friends the Schaellings.  The fire starting in the snow was a challenge for the two eagle scout husbands and I forgot the smores.  Mark loves to watch me try to be coordinated on regular feet, snowshoeing was a hilarious thing.  We had a blast!

Christmas fun

The nativity starring Lauren as Mary, cousin Bentley as Joseph and the donkey

Christmas morning music filled the air.  Cousin Annie on piano, Lauren on violin and Rylee on electric guitar.     

Thank goodness for volume and off buttons.

Rylee's make-up kit, what a masterpiece!

Gingerbread houses

Lauren and Mark's house.  Complete with melted jolly rancher windows and gum shutters.

Rylee and Janna's house, I think we ate more than actually ended up on the house.

The bandaid conceals no actual wound, just promotes Rylee's love of bandaids.

More Christmas stuff

Thank you grandma Pat for the PJ's and Princess blankets!

One of the many attempts at a family Christmas photo.

A brief visit to Temple Squares lights- most of our time was spent finding parking. 

 

Setting up the Christmas Tree

Of course!

Happy Birthday 2 days late Jeni!    One of the things I admire most about you is your incredible ability to make things become beautiful.  I stand in awe at the amazing things you create.  

You're wonderful and we love you.

What's In St. George?

That is the St. George Temple.  Lauren & Rylee were very excited to see the temple in St. George, what an honor.  Too bad it's almost a 5 hour drive from Ogden.

We also stopped to sink our feet into the red sands that dominate the landscape in this part of the country.  

The temperature was about 70° F, sunny skies.  But I didn't have my bike. . .

These sand dunes are perfect for digging. . . 

For rolling. . .  (and filling your shoes & pockets with sand to dump into the car)

Some believe this dirt is very good for eating . . .  (Owen)

We also went for a brief hike on a trail to "Jenny's Canyon."   Janna reunited with one of her old college roommates as we took to the trail.  Ironically enough, her moms name is Jenny, and her maiden name is Mangum.  Not sure what else to do. . . so we took a picture.

Of course, the rooms were the 2nd best part of the whole trip.  This closets doors are made of mirrors, so its visually deceptive when you first look at it.  This is Lauren, Rylee, and Bentley, and I believe little Owen is somewhere inside the closet.  The number one place to be is the pool.

It was very exciting.

Sorry Adrian, I couldn't resist.