7.16.2011

When Brett's Away...The Kids Play

While the jolly scout master (Brett) was gone the entire week to Scout Camp- Jack and I had ourselves some serious cousin time!

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Monday, we started the week with some tramp time and lunch with the boys and Annie at the Griffin abode. Jack was thrilled with their new bunk beds.
Later that night Jack and I went on a date with my dad to see Cars 2.
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Tuesday, Lucy and Isabel were over bright and early to babysit during my tutoring session, and then the planning began for what was to be the Sleepover of '11. I had told the kids a while back that while Brett was gone...they could come stay the night with me. So...we headed off to the store to pick up some essential treats.
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Jack was thrilled to finally have someone to share the car cart with!
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Annie and the boys came over for lunch, and then- we separated for a brief while...until the troops re-arrived!
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The stars of the sleepover...
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And in supporting, but important roles...
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(Max went home about 11 to sleep in his own bed...and Jack gave in to the crib about 10:00)
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We all got comfy and watched Gnomeo and Juliet.
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The kids were very sweet and patient while they waited for me to fill 5 very careful treat orders. It was Hank's first time sleeping away from Annie/Randy post-diabetes...so I was on careful watch...and practically had a carb calculator fastened to my belt!
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After Annie picked up Max, and Jack was off in dreamland...us BIG kids started the real paaartay up in the bonus room!
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We had an awesome combo of handstand contests, dance partying, jumping on the air mattress, and laughing at me doing somersaults!
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(can't help but love Izzy's limbs flying in the background)
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There was plenty of stachetastic enjoyed as well...
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After dissolving some witch fears, and passing the midnight mark, the kids were good for bed.
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It might sound nuts having all these rats at my house for the night...but honestly... I loved every single second of it. They are all my best little pals and I got such a kick out of hanging with them and having them all to myself. They couldn't have been sweeter to me and each other. My sisters are definitely doing something right!
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The next morning, Annie and Max rolled in about 8:30 and I made breakfast for everyone. The kids were still jumping around like maniacs even though I'm pretty sure they were running off of about 5 hours of sleep.
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Jack particularly loved waking up to all of his cousin's still here...and cuddling with Annie and Crusher.
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Thursday, we got in some more time with the Ross girls, and my mom and I took them with us to the Lindon Pool. They are the best little babysitters. They played with Jack on the slides and splashed with him to his little heart's content.
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Needless to say...Jack was a bit pooped after it all!
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Thank goodness for all of these little sweethearts+ their parents+ my parents who were such great company while Brett was away! We had a blast!

7.10.2011

Happy Memories to Catalog in My Brain

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.Last night we received an invite from my grandma and grandpa to come over and watch the American Fork Steel Days fireworks.
If you know my grandparents, you will know that this is not a chance to pass up.
We showed up at 9 pm, and were not only greeted by the most adorable 2 people in this world...but by yummy--perfect snacks and a gorgeous evening.
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We had front row seats from their deck, and the fireworks were an impressive show!
Jack was a total nut...running a million miles an hour and keeping us all entertained.
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I didn't get the greatest of pictures...but it's a night I don't want to forget.
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Everything about it was perfect and I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to be able to jump in the car and be with my grandparents, siblings, and parents in no more than 5 minutes.
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Not to mention my grandparents couldn't be more amazing and sweet.
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If you're reading this...and they aren't your grandparents too...you should be really jealous.
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Jammie Jack

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Brett and my darling grandparents ... ...
Randy and Max singing "Dust in the Wind"
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My dad doing "firework face" (whatever that means). ...
Kate and (16 year old) Lucy
Grandma Jackie + Izzy + Jack
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It was so much fun...I kind of wish there were fireworks every night...so we could all barge in around 9pm for snacks and hanging out!
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....... And one last thing image I'd like to remember in my mind forever and ever...
Jack at church today--
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Making sticker faces at himself in Brett's phone camera. (can you tell he insisted on ruffling his perfect church hair everytime I fixed it?)
/// What a mug.

7.07.2011

4th of July Collage Mania

We had a great 4th of July weekend.
Saturday was our 7 year anniversary, so Brett took work off on Friday, and we took Jack golfing.
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Later, Brett and I took off to stay in Park City for the night.
Annie and Randy so generously watched over Jack-man while we were away...and let's just say I'm surprised he came back home with us.
(do you like Brett's super urban shot of Park City...the one and only pic we took )
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The Fourth started out with the guys playing golf...and then we all met up at my mom's for a BBQ.
(yes we were dressed very patriotic for the occasion)
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Then, later in the afternoon, we made our way up to Alpine for more BBQ'ing and fireworks.
Later- Brett and I took Jack to the Thanksgiving Point fireworks.
He LOVE LOVED LOVED them!
It was lots of activity...too much food...and the best of company!
And I'm still tired from it all!
(Making 35 collages didn't help with that either.)