Carnival

On Friday (last week) I had planned on taking my kids to the little carnival in our town. In the morning though, Ashleigh's friend Hailie came by and invited Ash to go with them--they had an extra wrist band for unlimited rides for the day. I was all to happy to let her go with them! I hoped that Preston would forget about the carnival, but at about 530pm he reminded me and so after dinner I took him. It was SO great just going with him and I. It was so easy and fun. I bought a specific amount of ticket, left my extra money at home and told him that once the tickets were gone, we were all done!

We rode the ferris wheel first--this was Preston's first time on a ferris wheel. He was very brave getting on, but once it started going, I could see the stress on his face. He held on as tight as he could to the safety bar and told me to keep my hand on his leg the whole time. I was happy to be his security blanket for the ride. This is our view from the top of the ferris wheel.



We also saw some of the kids' friends on the ferris wheel--up top on the left is Ashleigh's friend Jasna and below her is her brother Gregory.


After the ferris wheel, we went on the carousel. I think Preston could have gone on it a few more times, but I steered his attention to another ride and off we went.

Later we ran in to Ashleigh and Hailie. They were having SO much fun!!! They were at the carnival for about 4 hours, came home for dinner and then went back for another 3 hours!

We also ran in to my friend Francel....she was taking her other kids on the rides. Preston latched on to his friend Natalia and they rode a couple rides together...

Preston also rode the motorcycles

And the boats
Gee, doesn't he look excited?! ;-)

Preston and Natalia on the car ride.
The last ride Preston wanted to go on was the bouncy house maze thing...but less than 10 seconds in it, he told me he had to pee, so we left the ride and found a port-o-potty. But, he was SO upset when I told him we didn't have any more tickets and they wouldn't let him back in the ride with out tickets. We had to go home. He was pretty upset, but honestly, I was ready to go. Overall though, I had a great time spending some one on one time with my little man and I can't wait until next year when we can do it again! :)

Natalia....

Natalia is almost 4 years old. Her older sister, Jasna, is best friends with Ashleigh. Natalia and Preston have just recently started playing together. I think it's good for Preston to have a girl amongst his group of guy-friends. She is SO beautiful (this is a bad picture!!!) and so sweet. Her mom, Francel, is the first person I met when we moved in to our house here in Utah. Francel and I were visiting the other day and she told me that Natalia came to her and asked if her hair was beautiful? Then she said--"Do you think Preston will like my hair?" Oh so sweet!!! I just melted.
So, last night my in-laws came over for a bit and we were playing a new game out on our driveway and listening to the music from the concert at our amphitheater-which is only 3 blocks away. Preston was outside playing and we saw Natalia riding her bike across the street. I suggested to Preston that he go and tell Natalia that her hair looks beautiful! He got all shy and refused to go, but less than a minute later we all hear Preston yelling to Natalia--"Natalia, your hair is beautiful!" She yells back--"I can't hear you, yell it louder". So Preston yells it louder--"Natalia, your hair is beautiful". Again she yells back that she can't hear him. He runs up to her and says it right to her. Then we see her start to ride her bike away and yells back--"I can't hear you, yell it LOUDER". So he yells as loud as he can--"Natalia, your HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL!!!" This goes on, over and over...her playing hard to get and him trying his hardest to make her hear him. It was seriously the CUTEST and funniest sight I think any of us have ever seen from him. We were all laughing so hard. I wish for those moments we had a working video camera so I could have captured it on film, but I know between the 4 of us, we won't ever ever forget it!

video

Preston had some play time with daddy tonight before bed....he is such a little monkey! :-)

Health and Wellness Fair

I took the kids today to one of the many events our little town is hosting this week for Pony Express Days. We went to the Health and Wellness Fair. It my favorite part of the whole week cause it's fun for the kids but more fun for the parents (in my opinion). It's free, we get LOTS of free stuff--including food, and we get to see some pretty neat things. :-) This is my favorite week of the whole summer! :)

Here is Ash enjoying her free Hot Dog. yum!

After we visited all the booths--including getting my cholesterol and glucose levels checked--both well with in the bounds of normal, we went to the petting zoo.... we pet a baby cow, some chickens, a few goats, and some dogs.


Then we went to ride the ponies (but it cost money, so we passed) and saw this Air Med helicopter arrive....
So of course, we had to go see it. Preston did NOT want to leave. He LOVES helicopters!


After I was able to pull him away, we went to see part of the reptile show. This lady next to me kept talking-LOUDLY-so I couldn't hear the announcer very well, but it was still neat to see some of the animals.

He has some sort of lizard in his hand

And an 8' boa constrictor

We also saw hissing cockroaches, a hedge hog, and a lemur. Then Preston was getting grumpy and I was getting hungry, so we went home. It was a fun fun fun day!!!

The rest of our week will consist of a carnival, a parade, a movie in the park, a concert with Tracey Lawrence and fireworks, and a helicopter ride. :) I LOVE Pony Express Days. :)

Memorial Day

We had such a fun memorial day!!! I got to sleep in (thanks to my 2 wonderful kids who can fend for themselves for a few hours in the mornings!), and then the kids and I went to Tamsen's house for lunch and visiting. Nick has to work til 2pm, but joined us afterward and finally got to meet baby Tyler. :)

What a feast!!!

Tamsen's family got 7 baby chickens so all the cousins got to hold them, and pet them...and some of the kids even tried to scare them. :-(

I LOVE Amelia's face here looking at the chicks.

Preston wanted to hold one then got scared and would only pet it if someone else held it.
Ashleigh loved holding one--this one fell asleep in her hands. (his name is Trump, I think)
My nephew Nathan and another baby chick.
Nick getting his first look at baby Tyler. SO cute!!!

Later the kids (and willing parents) went out to play Fruit Basket Tipped Over. Apparently, they all wanted to be in the middle. lol.

Amelia is SO cute--eating her fudgesicle.
After we left Tyler finally woke up! I've only seen him awake once since he was born. I'm sad I missed this!


And the kids with Tamsen played on the tramp0line.

After leaving Tamsen's, we went to meet Nick's parents and went to the Family Fun Night--first of MANY events happening this week in our little town. We didn't stay too long--they advertised that there was all sorts of fun free things to do, but turned out we only got Cotton Candy for free. Everything else, we had to pay to get tickets. bummer. We did get Ashleigh's face painted though....


Then we went to their house for a hamburger BBQ (YUM) and they taught us a new game that was popular in the early 1940's called Wahoo. It's SO much fun!!!

We had a GREAT memorial day. It definitely felt weird not going to put flowers on the graves of our family and loved ones, but the only grave I'd want to go visit is my son, Christian's, in Vancouver, WA. I thought of him constantly during the day as well as all the men and women who are currently serving in our military and who have served in the past. Especially those who gave their lives so I can live! This is a great holiday, a great day of remembrance and a day I wish came around more often than once a year.

Breakfast for Dinner

We invited my parents over on Sunday for "Breakfast for Dinner"! :) It was one of my favorite things growing up so I knew they'd enjoy it.

I made German Pancakes, French toast, turkey bacon, and tons of fruit/berries--Bananas, oranges, grapes, cherries, blackberries, and strawberries. Plus I made some peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars and some parfaits.



We had a great time and enjoyed visiting after "breakfast". Thanks for coming, Mom and Dad!!! :-)