Is our backyard big enough for a pony?

We took a trip to the Thanksgiving Point Petting farm thing and the kids really liked it. We saw how milk is processed and heads to the stores,
Pygmy goats that were really cute.
And while we were looking at the goats I saw something that made me think that all moms must feel stepped on or climbed on at one time or another....
I rest my case.

Also Gwen had the chance to ride some little ponies...many many times. She rode as many times as I had cash, she just really loved it.



Harry liked the horses alright, but he sure liked the other animals that were just running around a little bit more.

Maybe there will be some mutton bustin' in his future? Don't tell James that I said that.
When we had to leave she was so sad. She wanted to take the pony with us naturally. So I said maybe we could come back another day, and the deal making began like this:

G: I need to ride that pony.

Me: Honey maybe we can work out something and come back.

G: I need to ask dad to ride the pony.

Me: That is a good idea, when you talk to him tonight ask him if he would like to take you to ride on the pony.

G: Can I ask dad for a pony?

Me: Sure, I bet that he would like that.

Later that night when Gwen was talking to James on the phone she blurts out, Mater (nickname for James from the movie cars) can I ride on the pony? Can you get me a pony to ride on?

Poor James was ambushed on the phone and didn't realize that she was asking to have a pony...not just telling him that she rode on one. Too bad our yard isn't big enough for a pony...imagine the fun times that could bring them.

a tiny black tangent

It has been almost eight years of James begging and pleading and trying to convince me that we needed a dog. And it finally came down to him basically doing all the research and dirty work and taking ALL the initiative to go and get it, but here is our newest addition Spock.
He is a little black Scottie dog, who is terrified of Harrison, I think that he fears for his life when Harry comes around, and I also fear for the life and safety of Spock when Harrison is around, lets just say that Harrison is kind of rough, and LOUD.
Gwen loves him and wants to carry him around most of the time, I think that if she had the chance she would be having a dress up party with him.
Here is our first meeting. He is like a little stuffed animal, doesn't bark or go crazy. He is totally mellow and sleeps at night, (thank goodness). So I guess we are now complete, a little family with a dog. Bring on the adventures of that.


I will get back to the vacation posts, I just thought that this was really fun news and wanted to share.

A little place I love in Logan

On a bright and sunny afternoon my mom and I took the kids to a little place that is filled with memories for me as a kid, and I hope that it will be the same kind of place for my kids, even if they only go there each time we are in Logan. It is the Willow Park Zoo, although I am not quite sure how it classifies under the name of zoo, but we will take it.

When we got there the monkeys were hiding, and the Macaw's wouldn't talk for us, but as soon as we got to the ducks and turtles none of that seemed to matter, because we found these little baby ducklings and they were so cute, and super fast, and totally not afraid of my kids that were ready to love them to death just on the other side of the fence.

We fed some of the ducks, and Harrison kept playing a mean game with me where he would put the duck food up to his mouth like he was going to eat it, then throw it. Boys, I tell you what. Gross.
After the rest of the park we found our selves in the playground where the swings were alright, a playscape that was too crowded, and the mother of all twisty slides...
Gwen acted like she was excited, but she had no idea what she would be getting in to, and Harrison proved his manliness by pretty much climbing all 20+ stairs by himself over and over and over.
My mom helped them up the first time and then Harrison was hooked. He would just come shooting out of the slide like a maniac. It was so great.
Gwen went down with my mom and myself, but she was too chicken to go alone. Oh well maybe one day we will get her to like the slides a fraction of the amount that Harrison does.
Thank you Willow Park, always a good time, and the kids love the little animals, and now we can add the giant red slide to our list of things that we are thankful for. What a fun day that was.

No more weddings for Gwen

It is official. It sure feels good to be home. We just returned from our trip to see the families, and kind of participate in my baby brothers wedding. I have decided that Gwen is no longer allowed to attend weddings that take place at the temple, seeing as this was the second one in a row that ended with us leaving before the bride and groom even exited the temple, and rushing Gwen to an emergency doctor of some sort. So if you are getting married in the temple and we are invited let me just put it to you this way, we will not be there, but best wishes.

Moving on to the rest of the trip where there are less injuries and more playing, just the kind of fun we like. We were able to spend some fun times with my best friend Kelly and her family. Here is Payton hanging out with Harry as we all eat lunch. (Payton is such a handsome boy, look out ladies when he grows up!!)
Gwen and Cooper are so great together, I totally think that they should get married...but we will have to work on Gwen's accident rate at the temple before then. I love Cooper because he thinks that he is a super hero...I am pretty sure that he has his own theme song too.
Harry and a fudge pop.
Gwen up to no good at my friend Julia's house. Who we were so happy to get to spend the day with.
Nothing like some Aggie ice cream and some silly times with Uncle Jonathan. (who I still can't believe is married now!)
Our favorite part of the store...the rides outside. Harrison was so excited about this one because he could say "big truck".
and "choo-choo".
And the night of the wedding at the reception, all the little girls from our side of the family, I totally apologize now, but this is the only picture that I could snap where they were all in the same place. The colors were brown and orange, and it was so beautiful. The kids looked so great in all their dresses and matching ties.
Harry snacking down before we did pictures.
Cousins, nieces, and nephews all saying something like hop scotch.
By the end of the day Gwen was not the only one that was looking a little tired and sleepy. I am pretty sure that it was a long day for everyone...well maybe not the bride and groom.
I have a lot of pictures and since we were there for three weeks, we did quite a bit so I will do a few more posts on our trip while I clean up the house from getting back. Then we will make sure to post some house pictures for all of those that have been asking. Did I mention that it is good to be home.

a nice thing to take along

My baby brother got married the other day, and it was really neat, but I won't be sharing any of the pictures that I took with you because I can't find my camera cord. Did it just get left at home? Was it stolen from my bag? Did one of the little niece's get into the luggage? Who really knows other than it is gone.

So when I return I will be sharing fun, exciting, and some sad little pictures that will sum up our trip to Utah....or maybe I will just buy a new camera and start from scratch....we will see how desperate I become in the coming week.

catch up this

Very quickly I am going to try to catch up on the stuff that has been going on around here, I have a list of things to do that is about as long as my arm, yet I still find myself drawn to the computer...I may have a problem, but I am admitting nothing right now.

I love that Harrison is so fascinated by the vacuum, maybe it is just the noise that it makes, but whatever works. So the other day he was trying his hand with the actual vacuum that we use, not just the play one, I think that soon enough I will be handing out that job to him.

Next on the agenda we went to Mighty Fine burgers on Saturday, It was soooo hot outside, but the kids really wanted to go on the playground, so this is where they mostly played, in the shady under part of one of the playscapes.
One of the nights last week we had a pretty messy dinner, and while I went to grab the stuff to get ready for baths gwen helped herself to the hose, and the great outdoors, and all while wearing her panties.
On Sunday evening we met some of our friends at this dog park that is just down the road from us. They bring their dog Meme here all the time (the kids really like Meme, shown here in the first photo)
Harrison decided that he liked the dog toys too, so it was a battle for who would really get to play with the squeaky rubber toys. Harry or Meme?

Fetch...um both of you.
Gwen was sure that she was in love with all the dogs there.

This one was Hurley and he was pretty dang furry cute.
Harrison couldn't stop himself from going over by the watering trough, the little gray and white dogs name is Zeus, and he was super soft.
I think that we may have to head down to the dog park more often, the kids loved it and it fixes any need they may have for wanting a dog. Problem solved. Phew what a week. Now maybe I should start on that list that I have...or maybe I should check my facebook first...?

it hasn't even been a week...

The other day I was in the kids room and Gwen started talking about her painting...so I said what do you mean about a painting? She got all excited and ran around the room pointing out giant red marks on the walls and on her bed. I was so angry. I started asking her (in a partially yelling voice) what did you paint with, find it for me now! Needless to say that she never found the "painting tools" that she used.

But this morning our internet was back up and running and so I thought that I would post about the wall drama when Harrison dug into a drawer and pulled out one of those foamy paintbrushes that had been in there for awhile, and immediately ran it right across one of the kitchen walls and it did this...
Culprit found! I guess that paintbrush didn't get washed out when it was used last, and as a result the new walls suffered. Case closed. I wonder what mess awaits us today.