August 2012

We joined the digital age with smart phones the beginning of August and I didn't realize just how much I would use my camera. Next upgrade I am looking at the camera a little more closely! I still have the problem of not ever having my phone with me, eventually I will do better...

The boys planned a mini-Olympics BBQ the weekend before school started. We had a fun, energy releasing evening, and then as we were walking out to the car Andrew was stung by something. Since it was dark we don't know if it was a bee or a wasp. Thruought the night his mouth started feeling weird and he started having systemic spasms. We ended up in the ER with a diagnosis of allergies to bee stings and now are a happy- epi-pen-carrying-family!

The night before school started Andrew had all of his clothes laid out just perfectly.

This is Andrew sleeping--the kid seriously moves around A LOT.

The shoes: Andrew Zachary and Matthew

Waiting for Sister Kleinman to come pick them up for the first day of 7th, 5th and 3rs grade.

After only living here for a year our across the street neighbors moved back to Utah. How we loved Rob and Christie, and Beezy their dog. Christie is the dearest person and she loved our kids. Zachary would go over after preschool on T and TH read books with her and make smoothies. It was a little ritual they had, and very endearing.

The boys and Christie

Raingutter Regatta Evening. Andrew spent many nights working on his boat, Bolt. The excitement of a Wolf, with a few other brothers and finally getting to participate in the activities was very evident in Andrew. Matthew came because he had to and didn't originally even bring his boat from the previous year. He had no desire to build a new one for this year. After seeing everyone else with their boats, Matthew asked to go home and get his old boat. Definitely a plus to living three minutes to the church!

Matthew blowing and blowing. A few of the boys get a little light headed after finishing the race.

Silly boys trying to catch rain drops in their mouths. I love that Andrew has goggles on, so he doesn't have to worry about the rain getting in his eyes.

Sunday afternoon science experiments. Squeezing a hard boiled egg through a narrow neck jar.

First day of preschool for Zachary with Miss Buffie. What growth in a year! He happily went and was fine with the time he spent away from me. It is a good thing to see him more independent.



A Sunday Lego creation. They reconstructed the crane putting the Angel Moroni on top of the Gilbert Temple.



One of our favorite Family Home Evening Snacks is Home-made Monkey Bread- the plate is cleaned in no time flat!

Brandon-13

We drove home from Utah a few days before Brandon's birthday-- he told us he wanted to be home for his birthday. 13. An official teenager in the house now.

Boys get excited about shoes too. I thought it was just a girl thing until he started getting more particular about what went on his feet. The dear boys feet are bigger than Brian's now...I guess I will be saving my pennies for shoes and food for all these boys. Realflex Reebok shoes, Under Armor shirts and tiny compression sleeping bag for hiking, dot the floor.

Knives, real knives are needed for opening of boxes; apparently, table knives don't open boxes properly.

The admiring peanut gallery

Brandon helped design and decorate his cake this year. A chocolate cake with mint frosting cover a cake baked to be an airsoft BB.

Proof that it rains, monsoons here during the summer.

July 24

 

A boating day on Utah Lake and BBQ/fireworks to end the evening. This was the first 24th of July we have spent in Utah, and decided they do a fine job with it.

 

Brandon could barely get his feet into Sue's board, but we managed to squeeze them in to get him up. He does a great job now of getting up--now to get him going side to side.

Matthew tried and tried and tried. I love his tireless persistence in trying new things. He isn't a boy of much emotion. But this picture is huge in his book. The fist pump up in the air and you know he is proud of himself and excited he was able to stay up for awhile.

Me on the other hand...well at least falling off a skurf board doesn't hurt as much as a wake board. I did finally get it and my body thanked me that it wasn't ridiculously sore.

Fireworks from the balcony of Sue and Bart's. They live high enough up on the bench that you can see fireworks from throughout the valley. After our dud of 4th of July fireworks, we were thrilled to watch various fireworks for over an hour.

This is the Mt. Timpanogos Temple in the background of the firework smoke.

Park City

One Friday evening in Park City I had a bowling date with eight handsome boys. Brian had flown home early to keep things at work and church flowing, so it was my four sidesicks, Craig and Gayles three boys and Parker, Adam's friend from home. Dinner at Café Rio and Bowling. Bowling was so funny, Zachary wouldn't let go of his green ball and Parker could not bowl- total score of 16. The boys were trying anyway they could to help him knock some pins down. But with no use.

 

Matthew, Parker, Isaac, Noah, Zachary, Adam, Andrew, Brandon

One evening all the Utah Teuschers came to Park City. The kids found rocks with interesting striations in them and spent hours in the rock piles and the ipad trying to find similar rocks and what the striations might be.



Dawn, Penny, Kevin, Laurel

James, Dawn and Spencer



Happy boys eating home made Ice- Cream

Dawn made Gram's hot fudge sauce and Kevin the Ice Cream

Once it was too dark to play outside.. the Piano Guys entertained everyone.

Kaysiville/ogden

We spent a day with Kevin Penny and some of their kids. We went to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden and the Hill Air Force Museum.

Brandon, Matthew, James, Andrew and Zachary

I love all the boys looks on their faces-- Zach just standing there with no expression, Andrew hiding his face the other two making funny faces. Zach is so Zach. so matter of fact. I'm not making a funny face just because you told me too.

Playing Wii and DS and anything else they could find with the cousins.. the poor boys had been deprived of anything electronic for almost two weeks at this point.