{T-Ball}

Ry started t-ball. We moved after soccer sign-ups so he has to wait till fall. He hasn't stopped talking about soccer since last Fall. He had so much fun.

However, he loves t-ball. I thought he would be really bored, but you can see by this picture he is finding a way to entertain himself on third base!

{Utah}

In Utah, things are different. It is sunny almost all the time. As a native Oregonian I never realized how much it rained until we left it. When it's rained here, oh, for the 3 hours, it reminds me of home.

 

In Utah, people are polite, but they are SO rude when they drive. You can count on at least 3 cars running every red light.

 

People wear large necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to the grocery store and everywhere else. I love fashion and accessories so I have felt quite at home; however, I can't bring myself to wear the three-tiered necklaces to the grocery store.  

 

We got lots of nosebleeds at first.

My knack for baking is taking time. I have to make recipes at least twice the "first" time around.

The static electricity is crazy! Especially when I wear fishnets. I can't use dryer sheets and I'm still working out the kinks.

Darn altitude!

My kids enjoyed 3 snow days in the 2 months here and tons of hot sun! Bizarre.

 There are several license plates to choose from here. Chad used to ski so we had to have those for Bob.

I don't know if we will ever over come chap lips and dry skin!

 

I LOVE the store Tai Pan trading and I wish I had a space for both theses tables. If you love this store to, they are opening up online soon.

The University Mall has so many cool stores and I am in love with the tie store too! Hundreds and hundreds of ties!

I miss the Hillsboro super Costco. The ones here are so small and beyond crowded. Like, 15 people in every line, every time you go!

The news comes on an (and everything else) an hour earlier.

It took my a couple weeks to get used to the time, I always said, "In Oregon it's only ---."

My ward is much, much different. Hardly any young people which is the opposite of our other wards.

They aren't in to technology as much so I just started an e-mail group. It's been 2 or 3 weeks and I've only received 2 emails. I think it will take time but I hope it gets used!

If you've been here maybe you can relate.

{Temperatures and Tradition}

 

We aren't used to the change in temp here in Utah and we are hoping to figure the temperature out in our house before long.

I'm sure the gas and electric companies are confused.

The middle floor is FREEZING, the top story a little too warm for comfort, and the bottom floor is just right.

Needless to say, the guest room may become my room this summer.

 

Friday nights are family movie nights when we get the chance. This is a long time tradition but we didn't always have them in OR due to constant engagements.

 Wizard of Oz

It's so cold Chad is laying on a heating pad!

Our freezing family cozy under blankets.

It is probably 58 degrees.

I bet I am on (or close) because I've always liked our room at  60 in the summer and this is way colder (plus we're not under blankets on the middle floor). I LOVE cold air in our room and lots of weight from blankets. Darn vent placement in this house!

 

{Dance & Thumb War}

Maisey's school had a really cute end of the year dance festival.

Every grade did their own dance and it was very impressive.

Maisey is in the front left in black. They were instructed to wear red, black, or white. She certainly didn't fit in without having a red class shirt being the new kid and all but she was easier to spot her.

 Hip Hop girl in front of her class.

Afterwards, the school decided to hold a 5 minute thumb war to beat the world record.

They needed 978 people and only had 923.

The 5 minute thumb war took 90 minutes to get everyone in (the world record book made it very technical) and we all left irritable and sunburned.

{Planet Play}

So I'm not, nor have I ever been a fan of fun centers. My husband on the other hand, he loves anything that involves play.

This place was like Incredible Johns in OR only there are extra attractions.

Maisey loves laser tag and this time Ry fell in love. I was not pleased that he went around all day pretending to shoot things, but he sure had fun.

 Go karts.

 Eating pizza while watching Wreck it Ralph.

 Posing by the diner. The place is divided up into 4 huge rooms that probably seat 150.

The kids loved it as much as their dad.

{Temple Square}

After 7 weeks here we finally made a family trip to Temple Square.

It was so much fun to see the grounds, shop, and eat lunch at my favorite place, The Cheesecake Factory.  

The flowers weren't the only thing beautifying the grounds... There were SO many beautiful brides! It was a sunny 84 degrees and the perfect day! 

 

 

The very cool City Creek mall on Temple Square was a hit for the kids- thanks to the fish!

 

From the second story you can see the fish gathered by the bridge.  

{Growing- One Way}

Soon Ry may have to wear the not so stylish elastic pants. He is growing- up, which is making it SO hard to find him pants that fit his, oh, 24 month waste!

 I found a new store that I love, Ruum (mostly out East they said).

Thank you GAP, H & M (I've never really like you until now), and Ruum for helping me expand my color pallet.

Mom, just for you (and Ry of course), 5 of these are t-shirts (play clothes)!

Tonight we had to get rid of this jersey. Since October Ry has refused to wear anything Oregon Ducks, thanks to Beaver Alumni Uncle Adam!

As a result of this conversation on rivalries, we won't be surprised if Ry gives into peer pressure.

He was super excited about his new garments!

I'm convinced he is the pickiest dresser around.

{The Family Bed}

Well, Ry may not have wanted to share sleep as a baby, but things have suddenly changed.

This scene is one I've seen for the last 5 days.

I am way too tired apparently to know what's going on.

Scary.

{Silly Girl}

It's hard to get a picture of this girl lately because she's ALWAYS striking some pose like sticking out her tongue or giving me nothing but attitude!

She is constantly taking pics of herself and filling my drop box with 20 similar poses a "session!"

{This Weekend}

 On Friday Chad took and passed his Utah drivers license.
We are still trying to figure out if this means he is a resident...???
Don't you have to live somewhere for like 6 months before you're legal? 

 Pretty lashes

 We went to see Val one of my close friend's mom. We've been going every other week and my kids love it. Val has been blind for about 25 years and she is immobile. I almost started to cry while watching Maisey hold Val's straw and cup for her, and assist her with eating. When I was a 4th grader like Maisey my class would walk to a nursing home 1x a week so we could read to the elderly. I have such great memories of that time and I hope my children can learn to be compassionate while growing up in a "I want" generation! 

 After our visit we went to an AWESOME public pool that resembled Great Wolf Lodge in many ways. It has the pale on top (which I cropped off) and the coolest baby pool EVER. They have his little grass hut with swings suspended for babies to sit in while partially submerged in a "hammock."

 Ryley's "hedgie the hedgehog" left out on the sidewalk after watching him ride his scooter. Oma gave it to him for the car ride from OR and they must have really bonded because this guys was in the trunk to be donated and Ry grabbed him up.

Sleepover in the guest bed. After checking on the kids 1 1/2 hours after putting them to bed we walk in to see them up reminiscing in their photo albums, 7 or so of them! The first words out of their mouths, "WE want a BABY!"

How do you think that conversation went?

{Tid Bits}

University Mall has a really fun play area, similar to Woodburn only much more.

 

 Kneaders bakery has awesome goodies. Maisey and I took an Oregon friend there for french toast and it was a hit with the butter sauce, similar to the one my grandma puts on apple cake.

 After breakfast we went to Scheels to show off the cool store.

Loving our picnics in the park lately. It is always sunny.

 

 

Playing with my camera. This is 1 of probably 30 pictures they took.

 Tea

 

Water balloon fight for the girls courtesy of dad.

{Ryley}

Every time we go to the library Ry has to assume his position behind this bronze statue.

 

 Pretty cute in glasses. Chad had terrible eyesight before lasik at 21 and so we will see how the kids fair.

 Library

 A style of his own- a navy tie with blue sailboats hanging from his pocket.

An oversized ball cap- way too big for his head.  

 

 Not in this family. He looks like an Oregonian here.

Underwear over his pj pants. Some nights he shows up for bedtime routine in only underwear. He claims to be a wrestler during those times.

This little guy melts my heart- always.