noah's b-day

I had a vision for Noah's birthday party....a harvest hoedown...gingham, tractor rides, wheel barrow races, hunting for treats in a haystack. The ideas came quick and became more and more elaborate, unfortunately, the vision came only about a week away from his actual birthday.  The reality was much more scaled back but turned out super fun.  We still enjoyed lots of harvest inspired treats...caramel apples, pumpkin pie pops (pinkpeachcakes.blogspot.com), Grammy Pat's caramel corn, rolls, brownies, carrot cake cupcakes, and granola bars.  My chocolate ganache bundt cake didn't even get cut during the party!  Becky and I had a great time baking together. In the end what made the party was Josh's idea and phone call...

The bounce house was huge (basketball hoop, slide, obstacle course) and we had it all day (it was used ALL day)

All ages had fun.

I can't believe my little guy is five!

The Stika boys took the sack race to a new level...Casey had wounds to show for it...I wish he were in the picture too.

 It was a lovely family party.  I need to add a few more darling cousin shots that were taken that day as well.  I love you my John Deere loving, camo wearing, big brother helper, and bear hugging buddy!

a family hoedown

In celebration of Noah's 5th Birthday we had a family hoedown.  (He is quite into all things John Deere.) The party was so fun.  I will still try to manage a post of my own but Darcie did an amazing job capturing it on her blog. I had to share:

http://pinkpeachcakes.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-nephew-had-autumn-harvest-birthday.html

We had quite a bit of family out of town and missed them.  We were so grateful for those who were able to attend.

littles...their own words

I can't tell you how many times lately I hear something ridiculously cute or funny come from Noah or Clara and  file it way in that 'ole brain of mine.  Well here I sit trying to recall them to blog about them.....still sitting.....WHAT WERE THEY!  (okay think, laura, think, start with that one from tonight).  

Note to self: write it down instantly and tape it to the wall, you lose your cell phone and keys daily, and can't remember your own dad's b-day. p.s. buy sudoko or crossword puzzles or your going to be suffering from alzhiemers at 40. 
(here are a few, I wish I remembered more)
Noah:

The kids wanted to go to the pool but there where lightening clouds building up.  In my attempts to explain why we couldn't go swimming, I kept saying "lightening likes water... lightening likes metal, etc."   Noah looks at me confused as says, "How does lightening talk to tell you what it likes?" 

Noah wore his fireman costume to a family event.  He spent the evening sharing safety tips to whoever would listen.  On the drive home he pipes up from the the back of the van.  "Being a firefighter is hard work" and even ends with an exhausted sigh.  Little does he know how many times I tuck myself in saying the same thing about being a mom.

Clara:

Clara chose the largest horse to ride on the pony ride at Thanksgiving Point.  (I think the purple bridle was the deciding factor).  "By myself",  were the first words she uttered.  I nervously told her to "hold on tight" and off she went.  She did great for a long six laps around but rounding the corner from me I could see her sliding off, clinging to the saddle.  I ran and caught her while the worker stopped the horses.  The timing was perfect.  She wasn't scared or crying but as we walked away she said, "dat hors sippery"   (that horse was slippery).  Phew!

Rowan:

I know she doesn't talk, but her belly laugh can bring me to smile and laugh like nothing else. The easiest way to make this happen is have her watch someone swing or have her siblings run by her.  We really have giggle fests. because you can't just watch without joining in.   She just turned 7 months and I find myself singing, "where are you going my little one little one..."   I don't know how to explain it but part of me misses their childhood already. 

labor day=project day

Saturday I bought the chair at a yard sale for $5.00 (she said it was the last of her mom's 1940's dining chair and would love to see what I did with it).  It was pretty dirty, rickety even had an old hornets nest, but nice lines. I spent $3.00 on fabric and $6.00 on spray paint... a little elbow grease... and now I have cute $14.00 chair.  It's still a little rickety but it's done which is a big accomplishment for me.  

p.s.  the kids started out by helping me clean the chair then moved on to the garage floor and then the mini van (in that order...and we had just taken it to a car wash that morning!)  with such eager excitement at their hard work, all we could do was compliment them.

the rain came down and the floods came up

Last Thursday Draper got about one inch of rainfall within a fifteen minute period.  We were driving home from a family wedding in Manti at the time it hit.  When we reached our home there were only signs of where the water had been (wood chips and mud piles strewn all over our grass, driveway).  The neighbor said we had about at foot deep pond on our driveway and a virtual  lake in the left corner of the back yard.  We also had flooding in our basement (luckily its not finished). A lot of our neighbors and ward members had basement flooding as well.  It was probably good for my stress level not to be home seeing the water rise and not knowing it would stop raining with the hour.  Like Sting's reference to a woman,  Utah's weather can be "all four seasons in one day".  We came home sunshine and blue skies.  This picture was taken of Clara by Kris (Josh's cousin) who was visiting from CA during another summer storm...not nearly as bad as the latest one.

july

Draper Kids Parade...hundreds of kids, hundred degree weather, Noah never gave up trying to ride his big bike although navigating through the crowds was quite the challenge. Clara on the other hand ditched the cozy coupe for the stroller after about 25 ft and it was the right decision.  Let's just say we all earned our popcicle at the end.

I took the kids for a day at "This is the Place" we had an amazing time panning for gold, riding trains and making friends with the animals.  It was my first major outing alone without ANY crying from ANY kids...HUGE Success :).

Our little garden and our little garden fairies. (clara and rowan)

Thanksgiving Point Farm with Grammy Pat and Jack.

After a spend over in Springville we watched balloons, fed the ducks and took in Toy Story 3 as well.

Draper Parade (more candy than Halloween..as you can tell by the kids excitement)

Noah's been in swim lessons all July and is a head under water, silly, pool boy!

Year #6 anniversary. 

Swedish fish and Gerbers... does my true love know me or what!  Instead of a trip to a cabin we spent it with diaster relief ripping out molding, blowing 180' fans to try to dry out the harwood floor, dry wall and carpet.  Pretty miserable weekend but we got through it and hope to make up for it next year.

Visit from Grandma Peggy...ring around the rosey with cousins.

The LOVELY "R's" Rebecca and Rowan showing a beautiful likeness during an Aunt Beck visit.

What a month...parades, fireworks, BBQs, and family. I bought school supplies super cheap at Target yesterday. Can it really be nearing August?  Summer, I am missing your freedom already. Fall, send me a cool breeze to let me know it will be okay. 

sweet cheeks

I love this baby!