Rylee Kitty

See, I have this funny app where you can record a video and change what your face looks like, you can compress or expand your voice, it's become one way that I can connect with Rylee - she loves to see herself on the screen and she's a master at the instant humor required to pull it off. This is proof.

If it doesn't make sense to you what she says, join the club.

When I do a video where Rylee has this voice, she actually sounds like a normal person. :)

the toothless alien. This video is short and simple.

More Disneyland

Huck Finn's steamboat ferry ride. There was a large bell, too close to the reach of some very annoying children. The ride couldn't be over soon enough.

You're not scared, are you? Nothing scared this girl, bring it on!

Sure shooting Rylee, 3-D was just her thing!

I believe in Fairies

The Mormon Battalion Museum

A Rainy day at Sea World

Let the magic begin!!!

Lunch with the Princesses! Rylee was in heaven, Lauren thought she'd rather be on a fast roller-coaster, but not for long. The food was actually delicious and the girls loved it!

Road Trip to Disneyland

Yeah, we made it!

The girls were traveling troopers.

This was our first stop, Cove Fort. Amazing!

This is what happens when mom takes a turn at the wheel :)

More to come. . . . .

Jamal

The End mark's the Beginning

I have an older business savvy friend who often says, "You know what I like about owning a house?" When I answer What? he says, "Absolutely nothing." He then goes on to explain how the projects never end, the wear and tear always continue and therefore the home improvement projects never stop. At the conclusion of each project lies discontent and regret for "not having done it this way, or that way." I must admit there is some truth to this, but I would also add that there is great satisfaction in achievement and value earned in hard work.

Our yard falls into that category, what initially feels like the "end of the project" is only the beginning of many more. But we are very pleased with how it turned out. But now, the sprinklers don't quite reach, the cement didn't quite cure correctly, the ground has sunk a bit in spots, and the trampoline pit didn't turn out exactly as I had imagined it.

The curbing crew. They showed up on Thursday morning about 9:30 am and did not delay in getting started. Two hours passed and the cement was placed, wet, and the check written. Some things you just don't want to do yourself.

The topsoil in the front yard just off the driveway, patiently waiting for sod to be laid.

Sunday afternoon. The sod has been in place for 3 days now. The places where the sprinklers don't quite reach are now starting to show up along with the places where there is too much water. The end of one project mark's the start of many new projects.

The backyard. The trampoline pit turned out nice, the railroad ties make a very robust retaining wall lining. The gravel in the bottom covers the mud and prevents weed growth. I finished putting the springs on the trampoline on Saturday night at about 9pm, then me and the girls jumped for a little while - just enough to wind them up before bedtime.

Janna's garden boxes. This is Janna's space. I have very little to do with anything inside the boxes, but I am responsible for the drip system, the manifold boxes, and the water spigot off to the side. We will also be laying weed barrier, topped with bark chips, and a paver pathway that goes through the garden area and out into the backyard.

On to the next project, I guess.

Yard Project & a Quarter in "The Machine"

The yard project continues. We finally completed all of the trench work and pipe laying until we were satisfied with our layout. Topsoil, lots of it, arrived on Thursday morning. By Saturday night we had all the sprinkler heads on two zones. But some of them sit too high, I'm going to have to dig them up and rebury them a bit lower. Man, this project never stops. But the trampoline pit looks good!

A few things I've learned or done while doing my own sprinkler system:

1. Clay is not my friend.
2. I burned up a 1/2" diameter spade bit, overheated it drilling holes in railroad ties.
3. 1" High Density poly-pipe and 1" low density poly-pipe are NOT the same diameter.
4. If it only leaks a little bit, it still has to be replaced.
5. If you dig six feet deep through clay, you find more clay.
6. The companies who design sprinkler boxes have never installed one before.
7. Always buy two of that part that you need.
8. It's not a rock, it's more clay.
9. The guy at the local sprinkler store can sell you two more parts instead of returning one.
10. If there's a small pipe sticking up out of the ground, little girls will put sticks and rocks in it.
11. Sticks and rocks don't play well with sprinkler valves.

Now, a video unrelated to the yard. Meet the true Rylee. This is the hidden personality of Rylee many people don't get to see very often.

Peanut Cannon

Grandma sent Rylee a box with some goodies in it for her birthday, so far though the styrofoam peanuts have been the biggest hit. Who knew? During church today while we were in sacrament meeting, it was very quiet and Lauren leans over to me and whispers, "Hey dad, lets shoot the styrofoam out of the candy cannon when we get home." I couldn't help it, the random timing of this caught me so off guard that I choked on a laugh with something in my mouth. Being the good example I am, I answered: "Ohhh Awesome, that's a great idea!"

This is Rylee on the trigger. We can put all kinds of cool things in there. . . packing peanuts, racquet balls, socks, and um. . . small animals. . . (This was Rylee's idea: "Let's put Sophie in there!" Sophie is one of our pet rats. Don't worry, we didn't do it. We put Rosie in there instead.

Styrofoam Peanuts & Socks

Finish line high fives!

13 miles later, these high fives at the finish line never felt soooo good!

Double Hoola & Mormon Tatoo's

Family photo at Ogden Dinosaur Park. That's me on the left - the really hungry dude with the big teeth.

My C#. This is a bunch of guys who got together at the talent show at our ward campout. Our EQ president had 7 or 8 bottles all with just the right amount of water in each one - just enough to create enough notes to play "Take Me out to the Ball Game."

Lauren shares one of her talents with the rest of the ward. Double Hoola Hoops. Two hoola hoops is nothin' - you should see her do this while playing the harmonica and doing the Hula dance with her hands all at the same time. Very cool.

Lauren received a standing ovation. This shot was taken a few minutes after, and she was still smiling about her performance. She takes a moment to revel after the applause. Rylee was going to jump rope using the small pink hoola hoop - and she can do it too. But when she got out in front of the crowd she was overwhelmed. Everybody was chanting her name, but shyness won out. Maybe next year.

By the way, that butterfly tatoo on Rylee's cheek wouldn't come off for church on Sunday. Is this odd to anyone else? At the Mormon party we pass out free sticker tatoo's and encourage our kids to get one on their face? I'm still trying to figure this one out.

My Girls

This is Lauren helping me cover the 1" water pipe so I could see if the water would come out all the places other it should in my sprinkler system. She got a little wet, but it was fun.

Rylee & Lauren bought new hats

Nice bum shot of Rylee. We went to Bear Lake yesterday, that place is amazing.

Rylee has been telling us alot about her imaginary friend named Della. Della came to church with us today. While Rylee had Della on the phone I told her to tell Della to come to dinner but she had to bring me $1 Million bucks. Della agreed and said she'd be over for dinner. Anybody want her phone number?

With her birthday money, Lauren & Rylee both bought some stuff they wanted. These little beads that melt together. . . ????? I don't understand why girls like that stuff. They're not interested in race car sets and laser tag- no, no, no - melty beads and a track for their wind up doll pets. ???