The two year olds

Let them in or leave them outside?

My oldest

Luke and Noah sat next to each other on the bus tour of Rockland, Idaho while listening intently to the stories of their ancestors.

Last Saturday we attended a family reunion for my mom's maternal side of the family up in Rockland, Idaho. I have lots of pictures and emotions to sort through as I think about composing a blog post. It was a revelation of an experience in so many ways. One thing that Nat and I both commented on though was what the trip brought out in our oldest son. His reaction to the whole thing really highlighted what I love about my Luke.

We explained to the kids the night before what was going on and told them that we would have to wake them up early. When we pulled Luke out of bed he was full of questions about his ancestors and the extended family that he had never met-- the answer to most of the questions was "we'll have to ask Grandma Meg" as I know very little of the family I grew up so far away from. He viewed the whole thing as a grand adventure especially once we got off the freeway and started taking back roads. He got Noah involved in imagining what the abandoned farms had looked like when there were still families living there. He referenced all the knowledge he had gained reading all the Little House books and wondered if there had once been faithful bulldogs protecting the houses we passed on the way. He asked me about what kinds of plants bordered the roads and where the water came from for the crops. He was feeling his connection to the land and the people who had settled it.

The other boys followed along, deciding that if Luke thought it was fun then it must be. I again found myself feeling blessed that Luke came along first. His attitude really sets the tone for the rest of his brothers. He's a treasure.

Cheerful

It's amazing what a good nap will do, isn't it?

Your daily dose of cute

We live in a neighborhood where all pets are shared and this is the newest addition to the gang. His name is Loki and he's a seven week old yellow lab. He came over to meet Jem today and I nearly drove out to Syracuse to buy one of his brothers. I came to my senses and took a nap instead. But, seriously folks, is there anything cuter than a little lab puppy?

Bubbles

When you regularly end up with nine+ children running around your house it's useful to have a few sure fire weapons in your arsenal. Making play dough is always a hit, as is sidewalk chalk. The older ones love it when I let them loose in the craft room with a few supplies. When I am feeling brave (and super patient) I let the kids cook something special with me.

We tried out a new trick this morning that will be repeated, to be sure. I have had the supplies on hand for a while and this morning when the natives were restless we tried it out. Homemade bubble solution was a hit with young and old. Though the older kids weren't thrilled with the younger ones dumping sand into the solution. Here's the recipe in case you want to try it out for yourself, which I would highly recommend.

Bubbles:
1 gallon water
2/3 cup Joy dish washing liquid
2-3 tablespoons glycerin (this is easier to find that you would think-- it's in the first aid or health care section at Walmart or Target)
These are far better than store bought bubbles. They are much stronger bubbles and you can get bigger results.

We made all the kids a little bubble blower out of yarn, which allowed for big bubbles. Eliza went around finding sandbox toys that could also be turned into bubble blowing instruments. Then they all figured out that their hands worked as well. So. fun.

Fourth of July

Watching the parade. Doesn't my belly look like a torpedo?

Noah waved the entire parade. We kept wondering why and later learned that Jakob had told him that people only threw candy at kids who were waving.

Isaac, for some reason, is obsessed with horses and pony rides. He was enchanted by the horses in the parade.

This is the neighborhood float. Emily constructed the rooster out of chicken wire, paper maiche, and felt. It was amazing.

What's the fourth without a flag cake?

There were many more happy things about the fourth that remain undocumented with photos. I was hosting that day and did more running around than picture taking. My parents returned from their mission just a few days before the fourth and it was so wonderful to have them around. I love them.

We did some mean grilling and enjoyed some really great food for dinner. I also made a peach pie that the grown-ups enjoyed after we fed the kids flag cake. I do love me a peach pie when the peaches are at their best.

Park City Mountain Resort

With caramel apples in our bellies we headed over to the Park City Mountain resort for alpine sleds, zip lines, kiddie rides, a gigantic tramp and the climbing wall. (I must add that the staff was fantastic-- completely accommodating. The guy working the climbing wall took a ton of time teaching the kids the best techniques and helping them figure it out.) Park City is fantastic in the summer.