Dave's artificial mustache due to a shaving incident
The charger cord to Dave’s razor got lost during the summer time. So for the past couple months he’s been having me shave him with a regular razor. Though this morning I took off part of his upper lip. OUCH. So bad that he had to have a band-aid on it for a couple days. This picture is the first day. He said with that classic teasing twinkle in his eye, “I’m so tempted to get a marker and color it in black.” I said, “Let’s do it!” He even went into the office that day and got quite a few chuckles from the crew.
The charger cord to Dave’s razor got lost during the summer time. So for the past couple months he’s been having me shave him with a regular razor. Though this morning I took off part of his upper lip. OUCH. So bad that he had to have a band-aid on it for a couple days. This picture is the first day. He said with that classic teasing twinkle in his eye, “I’m so tempted to get a marker and color it in black.” I said, “Let’s do it!” He even went into the office that day and got quite a few chuckles from the crew.
Sometimes I look through the “Hometown Mailer” that has coupons, etc. They recently added a calendar section which listed the World of Speed 2009 on the Salt Flats. I thought that would be a really fun activity to do with the boys. Since it would take 3 hours to drive there, we decided to make it worth our while and make it a Friday activity (since Sat was a shortened day). And yes, we did take the boys out of school, and Dave did his Friday workday on Saturday. Fortunately we borrowed the Lewis truck so we could haul all the stuff needed to make it a fun day on the salt; Bikes, trailer, Sun Oven, coolers, shade tent, water.
Samuel and Jacob
We wanted to leave at 5am to be there by the 8 am record races (those that had the highest from the previous day). But we didn’t get away until about 6:30am. We had so much fun talking and imagining what it would be like and telling stories. We arrived right at 9:30am. The boys were so excited when we reached the entrance, they were hanging out the window like little puppy dogs. (We did bring Ruxpin with us, but he didn’t have as much fun as we did.)
We passed the pits and got set up 1/4 mile away at the spectator parking. The boys got out of the truck and said, “This is salt?!? It looks like snow, but it’s hard!” Anthony even tasted it. He said that it was REALLY salty. 🙂
Streamliner - one of many that we saw. This picture is actually cropped, so it appears closer than it really was.
When we first arrived and watched the cars zooming out on the ‘track’, I had a big smile, excited to be there watching this fun event and sharing it with my boys. I started crying because I could tell that my dad was there too, smiling along with me!
The boys immediately wanted to start riding their bikes around, but we still had to set up the shade so we didn’t fry. (Which wasn’t too bad, but that was because we were in the shade in the heat of the day!)
Thanks to the Lewis' for use of their truck. And also thanks to the Leavitt communal property for the shade tent!
We brought quite a few chairs, but really only needed 1 out because the rest of the time kids were either biking, or just sitting in the truck bed. It was a pretty good set-up. A note on the hat Dave is wearing – it says, “Pushing 40 is exercise enough”. James really wanted his dad to wear it, so he did. What a good sport Dave is by driving 3 hours to a really dirty, grimy place to please his wife and wow his children. 3 cheers for Dave!
Anthony Anxiously awaiting the fix
Anthony’s ‘new’ bike needed the back tire replaced, so today was a perfect day to work on that. Once Dave got the rusty bolt budged, it didn’t take too long to finish the job, and then Anthony was off!
Beautiful day for bike riding
Dave getting his exercise in for the week 🙂
Once we got the bikes fixed and the lasagna in the Sun Oven, Dave took the boys to the pits and the starting line to see the cars. Anthony said that he pumped up the tires in my (grown-up) bike, and in the kid trailer. So Dave took off with all the kids (and Ruxpin), while I stayed back to nurse Jacob, and get him to take a nap.
James
Jacob napping in the trunk bed
When the others got back, Dave told me that the tires weren’t really pumped up. So he nearly passed out biking 1/4 mile with 80 pounds of kids (plus his own weight) doubled by the weight of the flat tires! Poor guy!
Samuel liked playing in the salt while waiting
I decided I wanted to go check out what they just saw, and took Samuel with me. Everyone we saw was so friendly and loved to answer questions. Samuel mostly liked playing in the salt, especially while we were waiting for a launch to take place. There was at times some downtime while either course (there were 2 courses) had to be cleared when vehicles leaked oil, or dropped something. When we were at the starting line waiting for an Aston Healy to take off, this was the case. We waited about 20 minutes.
It was fun listening to the announcer – I heard one car, driven by a husband/wife team, with their kids as the pit crew, that it was “sponsored by Mastercard and Social Security”. Dave and I chuckled over that one.
While biking back to our camp spot, my cell phone rang twice in a row. I didn’t answer since I was biking, and wondered what the big emergency was. Found out that James had chipped a tooth, and was in severe pain. I had brought a few of my oils, but didn’t bring Clove to help deaden the pain. I gave him the choice of trying Basil, which does take away ‘stinging’ pain, but he whimpered and whined instead, and begged (!) for a dentist. We called Julles to see if she could look up a dentist inWendover, NV (just 5 miles away). We found one that could see him. However, James decided after about 30 minutes that he was ok, and could wait until we saw our regular dentist. (Which is a good thing, for many reasons!) I think he was also pretty hungry which made him even more whiny. So we ate our now finished lasagna, courtesy of the sun and the Sun Oven. Pretty yummy! (Though next time I will be sure to rotate the pan every 30 minutes or so.) And we even cooked some Toll House cookies on it. Though not very many, as Dave was ready to go and wanted to pack up.
We said good-bye to our next door neighbors, whom our boys became friends with their 5 year old boy named Hunter. He was pretty sad to see us go and take our bikes and scooters. (Benjamin did get some bike practice in.) I also talked to his dad about his foot-glove shoes he was wearing. Very interesting!!! I might see if I can find a similar pair to help me with my sore right foot.
We left around 4:30. Which it was a good thing we did leave earlier than expected, because by the time we got home and got everything unloaded, washed/scrubbed off, and kids (and adults) showered, it was 10:00 pm, and we were exhausted!!!
Though it was a really fun day and we are definitely making this a bi-annual event. Anyone want to join us?
Samuel and Jacob
Streamliner – one of many that we saw. This picture is actually cropped, so it appears closer than it really was.
Thanks to the Lewis’ for use of their truck. And also thanks to the Leavitt communal property for the shade tent!
Anthony Anxiously awaiting the fix
Beautiful day for bike riding
Dave getting his exercise in for the week 🙂
James
Jacob napping in the trunk bed
Samuel liked playing in the salt while waiting
Aston Healy – one of the first to race here 50 years ago
The Purple Buffalo being towed back to the starting line.
A Streamliner going across the flats
A street legal car, a bit souped up. This is what I want to do!
Watching a streamliner get pulled back from the wonderful shade of our tent
‘Smoking Dragon’ because it really pushed out the smoke when racing!
Human Speed Luge – went 208mph. Talk about a rush!
Well, it really isn’t preschool, just a playgroup between 5 moms on Tues/Thursdays. We’ll take a turn hosting at each of our houses. Anthony is really excited that I’m going to be a preschool teacher (as he always talks about how this is what he wants to do).
The first “official” day of the playgroup (August 25th), I wasn’t even able to be there (I was at another funeral). But my sister Lynette dropped him off for me. He did really well! Marched right into the house with no shyness. He knew at least one of the other kids there, so it was no problem. This picture was taken the 2nd week, at another house. But same friends! This 2nd week, he even wrote some of his name! That was VERY exciting, and he was quite pleased with himself too!
We are calling this his preschool because he has just been so lonely for his brothers when they are all of at their school. Last year he would run crying after James and Anthony when they would leave in the morning for school. One time Samuel even got his backpack on and started going out the door as well. That time I indulged him and we went and sat in the back of James’ class for about 15 minutes and read stories. When I told him it was time to go, he began to get very distressed. He wanted to be with his brothers! Fortunately the teacher intervened and gave him some crayons and paper to put in his backpack for ‘homework’. But it didn’t appease him enough. I still had to carry Samuel out of the school, nearly kicking and screaming.
Oh how I hope that he will continue to want to be in school once he gets there! Though it really is his love of his brothers. He wakes up in the morning saying, “where’s guys?” or “Where are my brothers?” Today in the store he began freaking out because dad went down another aisle, and Samuel couldn’t see him. Oh, how he loves his dad and brothers! Samuel at his 2nd week at his playgroup
Sam & Ben running on abandoned tracks. You can see the windmills in the distance. They are MUCH bigger than what you see here!
Our wonderful little town of Spanish Fork continues to have great events for the families here. Last year, to celebrate the new windmills that have been put at the mouth of the canyon, a new WindFestival was created. We actually went to the inaugural event and had quite a fun time (even though we arrived in our typical late fashion, and vendors were beginning to pack up).
This year we got there early (the day before in fact), for the Luau dinner and a few other events. We were up past the reservoir for the dinner, then we hiked down to the beach. (At this point, I must add that the boys started walking around the edge of the reservoir. Samuel was sitting down trying to get a rock out of his shoe when they started off. He then began running to catch up on the sidewalk above the slanted cement sides. His little legs were really pumping! He finally caught up at the half-way point.) Then we all went down over to the gun club where there was a large field for a special kite/wind demonstration, but the wind didn’t blow! (The first time in 60 days.) Dave was tired from the day and the hiking around and he almost convinced me to not hike back up to the reservoir to see the Kites with Lights. But we both relented to the boys’ pleading that we go back to watch. And I am glad we did.
Kiteman Productions used their waverunners on the reservoir to make their own wind and danced the kites. It was a great production and everyone was entranced. (Except Jacob who just wanted to go home and go to sleep.) They had music which they choreographed their flying kites. And to make it even more special, the kites were lit up so in the pitch black, we could see the beautiful lines they created. Really awesome!
'Kites with Lights'. BlackBerry didn't get the best picture, but it was still cool!
The thing that the boys will remember best about this year’s Wind Festival was that there wasn’t any wind to fly their kites. But they did get to try some rip-scooters (kind of like rip-sticks, but in scooter form). They thought that was a pretty cool thing. Dave took the boys the next day and they got to see lots of other fun things. Like for the grown-ups, trying a Segway, and seeing demos on how to use alternative energy sources. And of course, getting lots of flyers. (Of which there is a rocket stove that I think we will get to add to our Emergency Preparedness.)
Benjamin was a little nervous the 2 days before going to Kindergarten. But the morning before he kept asking over and over, “Is it time yet?” “How much longer?” “Now is it time?” I almost didn’t get him there on time because our district has different schedules on Wednesdays. But we made it in time, and he was not at all nervous. Most all of his pre-school class is in his afternoon Kindergarten class. So he already knows about half of the kids in there. He has the same teacher that Anthony had, so that also makes it easier as well.
Look out world, here comes Ben Berky!
He came running out of his class, with big smiles! He is definitely excited to be in school!
Benjamin was thinking that maybe he would like to try learning cello too, but said that violin would be enough for right now. (Gee, that is a very grown-up decision Benjamin.) Benjamin and Samuel then began playing in the small 1/8 size cello case. Sam fit in the best!
Although I cut his head off a bit, you can see that Sam would fit pretty good!Benjamin probably wouldn't be able to fit as a carry on.
Cambridge Ward's float - Builders of Eternal Families.
Spanish Fork’s big celebration for the year is July 24 (Pioneer Day). They hold the Saturday before the 24th a Children’s Parade, that has grown into a much larger event than what the original was intended to be. Now after the Children’s Parade, there are activities and festivities in the Library Park that last all day. It really is a lot of fun, but also exhausting!
But that’s ok, since summer time is about having fun!
The boys really wanted to take Ruxpin with us for the parade. I really didn’t want to have to drag him around with us in the park for the rest of the day, but I relented and asked Dave to come get us when we were done. Well, our day turned out much different than we thought it was going to be.
I had Jacob in my sling and Ruxpin on a leash and I walked down with them on the parade route down to the park. Ruxpin was very excited for the walk. Jacob loved all the attention too.
Benjamin, James, Anthony, Samuel (hiding in the house)
Once we got down to the park, there were activities galore. The first and most important for my boys and for LaMont’s family was to get to the Fish Derby. They really wanted to make sure that they caught a fish with their bare hands. For $5 each they waited in line for 45 minutes waiting for the fish to arrive. I called Dave and had him pick up Ruxpin, and drop off swimsuits. They really wanted to have swimsuits so they didn’t have to get their clothes wet.
Dave was a good sport and was taxi person for the next 30 minutes doing my To Do list (like going to the ATM to get cash, bring the swimsuits, then coming to pick us up when we were done).
But the boys had a great time! 2 years ago when we did the fish derby James was heartbroken to see his fish die before his eyes
Here's Sam using a net to try to get his fish
in the Ziploc bag. This year he did ok, but it was Anthony that was traumatized with the death of his fish. He started crying, asking for Dave to get to the park fast to pick us up so we could get it home and in the fish bowl. Even though we kept telling him that a trout can survive in a little bowl. He had to see it for himself. After quite a few tears, he insisted that we bury it in our backyard. So we did. We planted a plant over it too. Benjamin couldn’t wait to have his fish grilled up. (Which we still haven’t done yet. It’s still in the freezer.)
Sam's Fish!Ben's fishAnthony excited for his fish. After this picture James gives him the bad news that the fish is going to die.James finally got his fish with his bare hands. It took him about 45 minutes, but he did it without the net!
We got home with the fish, changed their clothes (the boys, not the fish), and returned back to the park to do more activities. This time we brought along Jessica, Ryan and Savvy. (Boy that’s a full crowd to put in the van!)
Samuel and Ryan climbingSavannah coming down from a big jump
There was also a jumping trampoline thing that was $5/jump for about 3 minutes. There was a huge line for this right after the parade, and Brynn Lewis waited in line for it for 1 hour. By the time we got to it at noon, there were significantly less amounts of kids there, so we waited about 10 minutes for a turn, and nearly everyone took a turn jumping HIGHER than they’ve ever jumped before. Too fun!!!!
Anthony - a bit blurryBenjamin loved thisJames (10) is really getting brave about some things, and was getting some great flips
Revolutionary War Dude explaining how they loaded a gun back then. A good marksman could get 3 shots in one minute.
Last year I heard about this free event that Provo holds called “Colonial Days” as part of their Freedom Festival. (One of the largest festivals celebrating our Freedom – aside from Washington DC of course.) So I loaded up the boys and took them.
It was at the Crandall Printing Museum and surrounding buildings in historic Provo. I didn’t know that the Crandall Printing Museum has the only fully-functional Gutenberg Press replica. We learned about where “upper-case” and “lower case” comes from. Also saw a replica of the Golden Plates, taken from a description that Joseph Smith recorded, including the ‘sealed’ portion. Because it was nearing lunch time Samuel was getting crabby so we didn’t get to stay very long in that part of the museum. So we ventured outside where we saw some Revolutionary War army items. Also heard a rousing rendition of the speech, “Give me liberty, or give me death”. James and I were the only brave ones in our family to say “Hear! Hear!” when the actor/orator was giving the speech.
We moved along and happened to run into a man who was telling about the Indian Chief Crazy Horse and why General Custer didn’t have a chance against him. Very interesting history!
Bully for him! A 98 year old registered scout! Look at his shirt!
We also saw a 98 year old man who is the oldest registered Scout in the Boy Scouts of America! I wanted to get all my boys around him for a picture. But Samuel was having a fit about his shoes, and Benjamin was not feeling well (left over from the dentist visit the day before). So I just quickly took a picture of him. Impressive with all his awards on his shirt!!!
We left before being to see everything. But I’m sure that we’ll do it again next year. And bring dad along to help.
Yesterday when loading everyone up to go up to Meika’s house for lessons, Samuel insisted on taking the little violin. I didn’t argue, and let him. So he had a short 5 minute lesson with Meika that made him so happy. The interesting thing was that during one of my cello lessons today, Samuel watched the whole lesson. At age 3, I’ve never had any of my boys stay and watch a lesson voluntarily. He was squirming back and forth on the couch during the lesson, but he was watching nonetheless! Hmmm….I wonder….
On his 8 month birthday, Jacob finally decides to crawl!
In words from cousin Savannah:
We were downstairs and Jacob saw piece of a horn. Then he decided to crawl to them. Then he crawled to them! I tried to get him to do it again. I used one of his toys. Then he did it again! I was so glad i told everyone!
Back to LaReita: It was a very exciting day for everyone! Jacob was beaming while everyone shouted and cheered for him. Today he has been crawling a bit more to everyone’s delight. I have been wanting him to figure out crawling because I know that it is an important developmental step for them in learning how to read. (Cousin Laurel Ann Strate, who is an excellent educator can fill you in on all the scientific details.) So our patience and efforts in helping him get down on his knees finally paid off.
Though his favorite thing to do is still to stand. And grab the glasses off my face. He’s getting pretty quick at that!
