Our Version of the Beach

Great view of Cheyenne Mountain

For kids who don't LOVE the water, Bode and Keegen really love the beach. The sand to dig in and bury stuff in and rediscover stuff they buried. The water to dip toes in and maybe walk in a little further if they're feeling adventurous. While we won't be going on our beach trip this year, happily, we were invited to our friends' pool and they have a BEACH. Now, when she said, "We can take the kids to the beach too" i was expecting an oversized sandbox. But was surprised to find an actual beach along the lake.

It was perfect. The boys had a blast. Kristen and i got to talk under the shade of an umbrella and the boys could have stayed there all day long!

P.S., Al, this is in Colorado Springs, about 20 minutes from our house. The mountain you can see is the one that our zoo sits on (and for you military minded, where NORAD was housed).

Bode and the Dinosaurs

Anybody else love the book Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff? I remembered it from my childhood and have loved reading it to the boys. Bode has especially loved it. And more recently has a fascination for dinosaurs, which is a pleasant change from the years of trains and trucks (although the trains and trucks are definitely here to stay!). Bode had a "Digging with Dinosaurs" day camp one week in June and thus began this new interest.

So, oh yeah, we're in Virginia visiting family this week (minor detail) and i've been most excited about taking the boys downtown to the Natural History Museum (one of the Smithsonians). Today was the day. We got a late start, parking was packed at the metro (totally frustrating fiasco but we eventually got on a train after 45 minutes). The boys loved the metro. That alone could have been our main event. We could have just gone back and forth on the metro. Well, they could have gone back and forth. Me? Notsomuch. We got to the Smithsonian station and headed up the Mall. I pointed out the Washington Monument to them. OK. I LOVE being back in DC. Love it. I love showing them things i grew up around and drove past on my way home from work; etc. I know. They're 2 and 4 and won't remember, but i don't care.

We had a little lunch on a patch of grass on the Mall and then headed into the museum. We checked out the huge elephant in the rotunda and then went straight to the hall of dinosaurs. It was dark (and PACKED! HELLO! Summer tourists!). So we walked in and i said, "Bode! Guess what's in here?" He walked in and realized what he was seeing and the smile that came across his face was so great. A little bit of awe. A little bit of wow. We checked out the three main dinos--the triceratops, T-rex and diplodocus. We looked at displays and more bones. We looked at pre-Ice Age animal skeletons/fossils. We looked at prehistoric water creatures. And after about 30 minutes Bode looked at me and said, "Mom. I'm tired. I want to go back to Grandma's." And really, they were both beat. We were there when Keegen normally naps. Just getting there that morning had worn them out (i'll spare you the details on the parking fiasco). Anywho. I tried to lure them into the mammal hall. But no go.

So we stepped outside, grabbed a couple of patriotic popsicles from the refreshment stand, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Walked back to the metro and headed home. They were totally hyper and obnoxious on the way home (after i looked at the angels they were on the way there and thought about how lucky i am to have such great little travelers!). Keegen eventually fell asleep sitting up.

We had a little stop at Maggie Moo's (because the popsicle on the Mall wasn't enough). Then we met my sister and her girls for dinner. And then the boys passed out in bed within minutes of getting there.

Sadly, this is the best picture of these four. i took, like, 8 shots.

The 4th of July

I stole every one of these photos from Kristin's camera (as we couldn't find ours. We found it literally as they were driving away). So thanks Kris and Alyssa! Sorry if i'm spoiling your own post on your blog!

dog pile!!!

on the skyride at the zoo. waaaay cool.

this chipmunk picture amuses me

Randy, Kris and Alyssa came to visit us this weekend. I was on-call all weekend but enjoyed their visit. The boys loved having fresh playmates. And that is one really great thing about the Bell family--you guys love to play. Bode got up each morning and played quietly until one of them woke up to play with him...Nice (possibly he played right under their noses so they would wake up sooner?). We enjoyed the fireworks on the night of the 3rd. Had a super-yummy barbecue of our own on the 4th. They went to the zoo on Saturday (i stayed home since i feared being called into work). Played at a couple parks. Saturday night Alyssa stayed home and watched a movie while the boys slept and us grown-ups went out to see "Get Smart." It was a fun flick. Lots of laughs!

Bode was sad they had to leave ("I want them to leave the next morning!"). Keegen smothered them in hugs and kisses. It was an easy goodbye since we will see them next month for the familiy reunion in Aspen Grove. And happily, i wasn't called in at all while they were here. They left our house at 10:30 am and my phone rang at 11:23 am telling me to come in!

Wedding Tag Meme

1. Where did you meet? Ice skating at Seven Peaks in Provo.

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met? I remember thinking he had fun energy and a good build (not too skinny, not too tall).

3. Do you remember what he was wearing? Jeans and a long-sleeve shirt is my guess. Definitely NOT those awful green jeans he used to own. That would have been a major turn-off.

4. Where was the first time you kissed this person? In my apartment whilst "watching" Batman (the movie, thanks. We're not QUITE that old).

5. How did he ask you out? His roommate, Joel, "asked" for me. They did a little "i'll ask her for you if you ask her for me" deal. Silly boys.

7. How long did you know this person before you became a couple? Ummmm. I don't know that we ever declared couple-dom until we were engaged. The fact that we were engaged 6 weeks after meeting each other say anything??

8. Has this person ever proposed to you? Proposed what?

9. Do you and this person have kids together? Two extraordinary boys.

10. Have you ever broken the law together? Hmmmmm. We're pretty boring, so don't think so.
11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person? I don't remember specifically. I was pretty excited when he called after the Christmas Break. We had a lot of fun together and he made me laugh. All good things.

12. Do you get along with this person ex's? He has no exes (at least that i'm aware of).

13. What's the most expensive thing this person has given you? Diddo on the Engagement ring, unless a house counts.

14. What is the one thing this person does that gets on your nerves? The many layers of snoring gets pretty old.

15. What is the one thing you do that gets on his nerves? I've always got a project for him.

16. Where do you see each other in 15 years from now? Old and nearly empty-nesters. Yowsas.

17. Wedding date? August 19, 1997

18. Wedding day memories? Just really enjoying the entire day. From sealing to reception. I wasn't stressed. We basically just showed up for a party in our honor. I do remember the whole silly garter tradition. My mom made me a beautiful garter but it was too big, so i'd hiked it way up. When it came to the removing of the garter, i forgot to pull it back down a bit. So whatever "base" that would be considered, was the first time Doug had gotten that far...

I tag Alicia. If you want. No pressure.

Decorator's Touch

I wonder what people will think when they come into our house and see this in our ceiling fan above our family room??

Keegen at 2

So, some two months past your second birthday, you:

have wild hair. I've contemplated cutting it, but i don't know that that would help anything. And i honestly love how crazy it is. Goes perfectly with your personality.

are the definition of Mr. Messy.

talk. A LOT.

love love LOVE fruit. Any and all. But especially bananas, apples, grapes, raspberries and strawberries.

common answers to requests/questions of late--"why?", "because", "I will"--example: Me: "Keegen, eat your chicken!" Keegen: "I will eat my chicken!" (as he grabs another grape).

try really hard to keep up with big brother. And you guys play really well together.

Fred-Flinstone your trike and are starting to ride a scooter.

have terrifying jumping skills. You jump off of the ottoman, off of the chair, off of the high steps, with zero thoughts about your own safety.

are still madly in love with your binkies. We'd weaned you to only having them when you're sleeping, but they've somehow crept back in lately. You are very happy to sleep with one in your mouth while holding four in your hands.

are in that determined to "do it myself!" stage.

in time for this post, for the very first and what had better be last time, BIT your brother on his belly. When I asked you the first time why you bit him, your response? "Beca-ause."

There's so much more to you. You are so much fun and i'm so glad you're a part of our family!

This video doesn't do the jumping justice, but will have to do.

Utah

WAY to overwhelming to document our trip in its entirety (is that a word? i'm tired). So instead, here are some pictures for your enjoyment. That's what you come here for anyway, right?



It was a draw for "favorite uncle" status between Nick and Trevor



Easter Sunday at Temple Square--we're either being beamed up or translated. i can't decide.

Maybe I can photoshop these two pictures to make one good one?

Post-Easter egg hunt haul at Trevor and Bethany's

Learning to throw/catch a frisbee at the park after egg hunt

Mr. Mischief in the flesh

Taking care to cross carefully at BYU

The AWESOME children's museum in SLC

Cousins at the aquarium

More from the children's museum. Over and out!