I want to be a gymnast!

So we have been totally consumed by the Olympics at our house. We turn the channel to KSL every night and watch until we fall asleep. Of course, I've been completely taken in by the womens gymnastics once again. I was especially excited to see Nastia Liuken get her gold in the All-Around and so happy to see Shawn Johnson get her gold on the balance beam. When I was little I would watch the gymnastics events and dream of being on that stage one day. And every four years this dream is rekindled as I watch these amazing athletes perform on the beam, uneven bars, vault, and floor. I remember when I was little I would put on my swimsuit, with a turtle neck underneath, and do cartwheels around the living room as I pretended to be a gymnast. I also remember having a great debate with my dad about why I couldn't take gymnastics lessons. He thought that I should focus on piano lessons instead. He made me make a pros and cons list for each activity. Of course my pros list for gymnastics was huge. And the one for piano was very small, with it's major con being that it was totally lame. But he forced me to be realistic and said that I wouldn't be able to do gymnastics when I was an old woman, but I would always be able to play the piano. So my dad won that one. And I do love playing the piano. But every time I see those ladies performing amazing acrobatics in the air, I can't help but think "Man, I wish I could do that."

Vacation in our own backyard

So I'm a little slow in posting, but before Phil started his new job we decided to take a vacation. Only we couldn't decide on a destination. So in an effort to avoid high gas prices and hotels, we decided to take advantage of all that Salt Lake City has to offer. It ended up being one of the most fun weeks ever. We got to do a lot of great things and spend a lot of time together.

MONDAY- Tracy Aviary and Real Salt Lake Soccer Game

There were so many cool birds, although Tate was more impressed with the animals at the zoo. Probably because birds tend to hide in the topmost corners of their cages. But he definitely enjoyed the "no cone" (snow cone) afterwards.
Tate was watching some birds peck at the ground and he was convinced they were eating the grass, so he decided to try it out. I love his little bum in the air.
I think that is a golden eagle sitting on that stump. It looks fake, but it came swooping into the bird show right over our heads.
Although the soccer game was a little slow-paced, Tate had fun. And he came home so excited to kick every ball in the house. Basketballs, volleyballs, baseballs, footballs. It is now one of his favorite games to kick his basketball across the room and yell "Nice kick!"

TUESDAY- Swimming at Murray Pool and Salt Lake Bees Baseball Game

This pool was great because it had some really shallow areas that gradually got deeper. Tate finally got brave enough to walk slowly into the water by himself.

Of course it's much more fun to let daddy throw you up in the air.

Tate was excited to hold the baseball mitt at the Bees game. He actually got really into the game and would cheer and clap with the rest of the crowd.

Of course he was pretty happy about the nachos and drinks too.

WEDNESDAY - Do laundry, pack, and get ready for the weekend at Grandpa and Grandma's- I know all of these activities sound way fun, but unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of them :)

THURSDAY- Famous Preston Night Rodeo and Carnival

So we did venture out of Salt Lake for a few days and went up to Idaho. Grandma and Grandpa took us to the rodeo and the carnival. Tate was nervous at first, but ended up loving the carousel.I'm not so sure what he thought about this huge slide. I think we were at the bottom before he had a chance to realize what was happening.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY- Parade and Anniversary Date

We all went to the parade on Friday, and Grandpa and Grandma took Tate again on Saturday while Phil and I headed out to celebrate our anniversary. Tate was thrilled about all of the tractors in the parade.

And he squealed with delight when the candy started raining down on him. He had fun hunting it down. Gutters are great places to find candy.
Thank goodness Grandma was there to supervise and keep Tate from running under the tractors in an effort to get every last piece. Here he is proudly showing off a piece of "Canny."

We didn't have a sack to collect all of his loot, so Tate piled it in Phil's pockets. Little did he know he would never see it again. Phil and I ate it all. Well, we might have shared a piece or two with the little guy who gathered it up for us.

Six Years and going strong!

Saturday was our sixth anniversary. I can't believe how time has flown. It has been the best six years ever! We've each earned a bachelor's degree, Phil has earned a master's degree, we've moved only twice, and, most importantly, we've added a little munchkin to our family. For our anniversary, my mom and dad watched Tate while we saw a play at the Pickleville Playhouse in Garden City, then ate at the Bluebird in Logan. It was great.

I just want to let Phil know that he is the best, most awesomest husband ever!!! I love you! (As previously mentioned, he won't read this so when you see him be sure to let him know that I publicly declared my love for him.)

I also want to explain my new "Back to School" background. Phil started his new job as a Counselor with Indian Hills Middle School on Monday. After having six weeks off for the Summer, he's back to school. So I thought I'd be festive and have a school-themed blog for a while.

Pioneer Day Weekend

Happy Pioneer Day! Um, a week ago. Anyway. We had fun filled weekend and we have a few pictures to share.

We started off the day with our community parade and breakfast. A fire truck led the parade, which Tate was thrilled about.

The fire truck stuck around to hose down the kids after the breakfast. Tate wasn't so thrilled about that part.

Our cute little neighbor was cruising the streets in her convertable. She took pity on Tate, who was stuck in his stroller, and gave him a ride.

Tate was invited to his first official birthday party. His little buddy Isaac turned two and had an awesome Choo Choo Train Party. The kids got to decorate their own trains.

And then push them around.

And they got a chance to take a whack at Thomas, the pinata. I think Tate found himself in a moral dilemma. He so badly wanted to smack that pinata with the stick, but then he'd see Thomas' face and get freaked out. I think he was confused about why we were trying to hurt Thomas.


Isaac was such a champ. He let all the kids play with is presents. I think Tate hogged most of them.


These are the party animals. See the cute Rail Road Crossing signs that Isaac's mom made? She's amazing. You should have seen the cake!


We had family party with Tate's Handley cousins. I'm not sure why I specified "Handley." Those are the only cousins he has. Anyway, he was kind of anti-social as he couldn't part with the basketball hoop the entire night. He shot hoops until he was tired, and then he sat down to take a break. Not far from the hoop, of course.

Evelyn riding a little airplane. What a cutie!

Selena and Tai. I can't believe these are the only kids I got pictures of. There really were twenty-two others running around.

Summer Time!

Just checking in. We've been busy playing it up the last couple weeks. Here are a few highlights.

We visited The Living Planet Aquarium and saw sting rays, a shark, eels . . . oh, and rainbow trout.

"Meemo" was there too. You can see him right by Tate's hand in this picture.

We saw the geese and ducks at Liberty Park. And stepped in lots of goose poop.

And we rode the carousel. Tate was a little nervous about his bobbing horsey, but he had fun.

And more swimming and Aunt Andrea's. Tate now calls her "Andru." He's getting closer!

Stay tuned for more summer fun!

Grandma and Grandpa's House

We spent part of the holiday weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Ralphs' house. Which, of course, means roly polies, tractor rides, 4-wheeler rides, truck rides, basketball hoops, lots of toys, and other things little boys love.

Thornton Family Reunion

Happy 4th! We celebrated at the Thornton Family Reunion, held in Logan, UT. We watched the fireworks on the 3rd, and they were awesome. We had a great view, but were far enough away that they weren't too loud for little ears. At first Tate whined "No fighter works, no fighter works!" But we distracted him by pointing out all of the colors, so he ended up enjoying them. We spent the next two days reminiscing with long lost family members. Despite all of the "older" people in attendance, I managed to only get pictures of the kids.


The one-year-olds, Bridget, Tate, Alexis, and Adon. We parents were way more into the photo session than the kids.

Playing ring-around-the-rosies. Again, the parents enjoyed this more than the kids.

Everybody got a turn in the tree. This little monkey didn't want to come down.

Daddy and his little buddy.