Summer Lovin', Had Me a Blast

Of course I've missed any blog updates over the summer so now I am stuck with a almost a whole summer's worth of activities to catch up on.  Story of my blog life.  This summer has definitely been PACKED.  Between camping, vacation and activities, we have also been working our hind parts off to get the barn done.  It has been a labor of love, I suppose.  But the barn is coming along and almost done!  Hooray--I can't stand another day out in the 100 degree heat putting up wood and trim and roofing etc.  I'll post some pictures soon once we get the entire thing finished.

A highlight of our summer is that Jessica has put in an awesome swimming pool so we get to go swim almost anytime we want!  Joey has perfected his chicken dive off the board.

 Tyler went to Timberline camp this summer for scouting.  He totally loved it.  I guess they didn't teach him how to wear hit hat normally though...

The kids have also had a blast playing in grandma's yard.  We have a definite lack of grass at my house so water and sprinklers are not allowed (water + dirt = muddy mess mom doesn't want to clean up).  So every time the kids go to grandma's the head straight outside for water works.

 Water balloons have been a favorite this summer.  They make up water balloon store games where they basically barter for water balloons.  Jacob always seemed to come out ahead.

 And what trip to grandma's house would be complete without popsicles?

 Grandma also took them to a town carnival -- Tyler and Jake went on this spinner ride with some crazy name I don't remember.  They went on it several times and you can tell they thought they were pretty cool...

 Joey liked the giant slide.  He told me we should put one in our backyard....

 In other news we have had a new addition to the family!  It's a boy!  We are thinking of naming him Scout but we probably have to give him back to the mom's owner so we aren't getting too attached.

 A few weeks ago we found a HUGE snake in the road.  It looked like a rattlesnake without the rattle.  It was right in front of my neighbors house.  We hurried and got her and we decided that we should probably kill it since it looked poisonous.  My neighbor went and got a shovel type thing and we gave Tyler the assignment to get it.  He failed.  So then it was Jake's turn.  He failed.  My neighbor was too petrified of snakes so then it fell to me.  At this point it was hissing at us so I took aim, and (while screaming mind you) jabbed it until it died.  Later I found out it was a just a gopher snake, which is a good snake and I felt really bad.  I really did--we only killed it because there are kids and animals around and we thought it was dangerous.  Well I regret it and will never kill snake again unless I am in immediate danger.  Poor snake.

 We've gone on a couple camping trips this summer.  Our first big trip was up in the mountains--around 11,000 ft elevation.  It was nice and cool up there.  We went with some friends who had dirt bikes.  One of the moms decided to teach Tyler to ride so she took him to a field near our campsite.  It looked like the perfect place to cruise around and learn to ride.  Well she was watching tyler ride and go up a tiny little hill (like 2 feet high) and then next thing she knows is he drops and disappears!  A second later he pops up, drenched and dripping, saying "I'm sorry!  I'm sorry!" Turns out there was a pond in that meadow that you couldn't see at all until you stood on that little hill right at the edge of it.  There would have been no time to stop at all.  The bike was completely submerged--we had to bring the 4-wheeler up and Tyler had to get back in the water to attach a rope to the handlebars of the bike (which were about a foot under the water).  Tyler felt so bad, he kept telling them how sorry he was and that he'd buy them a new bike.  But there was no way he could have seen the water in time to stop.  In the end they got the bike running again and Tyler got dried off.  It was pretty funny since it all ended well.  Here's Ty drenched with the infamous bike... (that is not the pond he fell in--this one is way too obvious)

 That camping trip was filled with dirt bikes, four wheelers and ranger rides....Here's Maggie and her pal Paisley...

 Joey snuggled between our good friends Whitney and Porter in the back of the Ranger...

 And me and Tyler getting windblown in the front....

 Tyler and Joey....  no water mishaps here.

 There was a little stream by our campsite.  The kids loved to play in it.   Joey made boats from leaves and raced them.

 Then on to the 4th of July.  Carrie and her girls, Samantha and Kate, came down to visit.  It was so much fun.  We packed a lot into a few days.  Fourth of July fireworks at Grandma's house...

 Jake and Joey look so much alike.  I think they look like the same kids just a few years apart in this picture.

 Maggie was LOVING having her girl cousins around.  She was the "big sister" for a few days.

 The girls!

 While Carrie was here was also went up the canyon and had a picnic and Ranger rides.  Eric taught the girls to steer the ranger.  It was pretty cool!

 Even Joey got in on the action.

 Silly girls going a ride!

 And of course more swimming.  My kids would live in the water if they could.

 Snow cones with cousins--doesn't get much better than this!  Blue and red tongues galore.

 Our next trip was just Eric and me.  We went to Boston for a dental conference.  I really love Boston.  It is such a neat town.  We visited Fenway park, did the Freedom Trail and one day Eric and I went up to Cape Elizabeth in Maine for a lobster lunch and some lighthouse looking...

 We ate at the Lobster Shack at Cape Elizabeth.  It is literally right on the ocean and next to 3 lighthouses.  Right after we ordered our lobsters the girl took them out of the bin and put them in the pot.  Thats' fresh!

 One of the nights in Boston Eric and I went to a restaurant called Atlantic Fish Co.  Turns out the night we were there they had a special.  They only do it once a week and the chef only makes 20.  Called Lobster Thermidor.  So Eric thought he'd better get one.  It was delicious!  Once of the best meals I have ever had!  Tell me this doesn't make your mouth water...

 Back home in Utah, now it's time for the Rodeo!  We went on Tyler's birthday (ack, he's a teenager now!  13) and had a blast of course.  It is the  Swenson Family tradition to hit the Rodeo each year.  It is always fun.  Get some funnel cake, cokes, and nachos, we are all set!  Yee haw!

 Hillary and Josh came into town as well.  They came to the rodeo with us and we all went out for lunch that day as well...

 We wanted to make sure we put Hillary and Josh to work so we decided to go bale some hay.  Okay, we actually didn't plan for it to be while they were here but it just worked out that way.  We got up early in the morning and went out for our first hay to put in our new barn!  237 bales that morning.  Boy those things are heavy!  And scratchy!  It was my first taste of many hay hauling days ahead.

 It was so wonderful to have so many family and friends to come and help.  Many hands makes light work.  We finished early and celebrated with donuts and chocolate milk!  What a great bunch of people.  We feel lucky to live here by family and friends and good people.

 The last load....

 I look like a pro!  Not really....  My fingers were sore!

 Of course after all that fun we needed to have more fun.  So we took ANOTHER camping trip up in Wyoming with some different friends.  We brought the horses up and wouldn't you know it we got a flat tire on the way up.  Between Eric and I we got it changed pretty quick but we did have to stop and get a new one in the next town for safety's sake.

 But the tire pit stop wasn't too bad.  We all got to stretch our legs and say hi to the horses.

 The highlight of the trip for the boys (Josh, Tyler and Jake) was their fresh catch of the day...squirrel.  They shot one and turns out a few minutes later Ziggy caught and killed another one.  So they decided, of course, that they should cook and eat them.  (barfing sounds)

 Josh was not afraid to get his hands dirty.  Now that I think about it, the whole eating the squirrel thing was his idea....hmmmmm.   Pulled squirrel sandwich anyone?  So Josh took charge of gutting and skinning it.

 Everyone was both fascinated and disgusted at the same time.

 The skinning wasn't going well since the squirrel was so small...so they decided to just skin the legs and eat those.  And...they....did.  I made them cook it thoroughly over the fire first!  They said it was chewy.  I'll just take their word for it.

The horses were fun.  We took several small horse rides with the little kids, then the older guys went on a longer one.  Joey had a lot of fun riding Penny.

 Tyler, Josh and Eric decided to try fly fishing on one of the days.  I tried to get out to the river to get a picture but the willows were so thick I couldn't get close.  This is the best I could do.  Fishing wasn't great but Tyler was glad to have the practice.

 Kids telling stories around the campfire...

 Here we are with some of the horses.  They were hungry and LOVED the grass at our campsite.

 Stella and Joey getting a mini-ride.

 Maggie loved being "big sister" once again this summer--this time with Stella!

 As I mentioned at the beginning, swimming at Jessica's has been a highlight of our summer--and cousins just make it more fun!

Not to let a day go by without having something fun planned, we took a girl's night up in Salt Lake City. Jessica, Hillary, Katie and I stayed at the Grand America Hotel.  We ate out, had yummy sushi and desserts, went shopping, ate more dessert, played some cards and had a great time.  

 The night after our girls' night we took the kids to the drive in movie.  It is always a fun time.  Treats movies and cousins.

 And then the day after that was Eric's Lee Family reunion.  Just to top off the summer Jake decided to fall off his hoverboard and break his collarbone.  Sheesh.  Right before the reunion.  He does get the award for first person in our family to break a bone.  Poor kid.  His summer pretty much ended right there.  No more swimming, soccer, trampoline or hoverboard for 6 weeks...  He took it like a trooper though, had to watch everyone have fun while he just sat there.  No fun for Jake.

 Everyone showed him extra love and support!

 At the reunion we also had big blow up bubble balls.  They were hilarious.  Maggie decided to just topple herself over and over.  The funniest were the guys when they got it.  Some pretty big crashes!

The best and worst part of the summer was Tyler birthday--best for him because now he is a teenager, worst for me because....now he is a teenager.  The big 13.  Makes me feel old now to say I have a teenager, but Tyler is worth it.  He is really a good kid.  He has his moments, like we all do, but Tyler is such a kind and sensitive boy.  He is always looking out for his friends to make sure everyone feel included.  I am always having his church leaders, scout leaders and teachers tell me what a nice boy he is.  He is easygoing about things and loves all the things his dad loves--horses, fishing, camping and hunting.  He is getting to play a pretty mean electric guitar as well.  We love having him in our family and wish him the best (and least moody) teenage years!

Parenting Prowess

So you know those days when as a parent you wonder if you are just irrevocably screwing up your kids (okay, most days)?  I often wonder, "Am I doing ANYTHING right?!?"  So I had a little moment of assurance the other week.  A quick background....our bishop at church issued a challenge to all the youth (ages 12-18) to start the Book of Mormon from the beginning and finish it in 3 months, by the time school starts in the fall.  Although I knew it would be hard, I was excited to get the challenge.  I am not "officially" a youth (a few years past my prime there) but I am a leader of the youth, so figured I would take on the challenge.  Tyler qualifies too, so I though I'd bring in Eric and Jacob as well.  We had a family meeting about it that night and Eric, Tyler and I are going to try to finish in three months, Jacob's goal is to finish by the end of the year.  I was doing great the first week, but Tyler....not so much.  He was already falling behind!  That doesn't bode well.  But at church I saw Jacob reading his Book of Mormon and picked up the bookmark that the bishop handed out as a reading chart to keep us on track.  Jake had already made it through his chapters for the week!  As if I didn't feel proud enough I happened to turn it over and saw he had written this, of his own accord, on the back....

 My heart just melted.  What a sweet kid.  So I had at least one hour of the day when I didn't feel like my kids are going to be doomed to be in therapy the rest of their lives.  Good job Jacob!

On another happy note, Eric and I were able to sneak away for our FIRST vacation away from the kids for more than one night.  And even the one nighters have been few and far between!  We found a steal on plane tickets to San Francisco so took a quick 3 night trip out there...well it ended up being 2 1/2 nights since our flight was delayed until 1 am getting out there!  Ugh, there is not much worse than sitting at the airport in the middle of the night (when all the stores and eateries are CLOSED, mind you) hour after hour.  But we finally made it out and to our hotel.  Phew!  One of the days we rented bikes and biked through the wharf and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito.  It was so fun.  It was a bonus too because we ate a huge lunch at a delicious restaurant and didn't have to feel too guilty since we had biked so far!

 We also went to a Giants baseball game, drove around while, walked and explored, and ate lots of yummy sourdough bread.  It was such a nice get away.  We really had a good time, and it was great to take a break from stresses at home!  We appreciate the people who helped watch our kids.  We had to truck them off to 3 different houses--1 for each day.  Apparently our children are so undesirable no one can stand them longer than a day.  Yikes!  But at least me and Eric had fun!

I remember middle school years being a time of "finding out who I am" and all that mumbo jumbo, figuring out my interests, hobbies, etc.  Well Tyler has hit his stride.  When in San Diego you may remember we went to a Padres game..after that Tyler was all baseball.  Keep in mind he has not played baseball in YEARS.  He hated it---afraid of the ball.  But we get home from San Diego and he wants to join a baseball league (FYI we live in THE most competitive baseball city in america I am convinced).  Eric and I gently persuaded him that these kids have played since birth, year round and he played T ball when he was 6.  Eric encouraged him to play some pick up games with friends instead and just have fun with it--so he took that to heart!  He has watched the sandlot repeatedly, rides his bike around the neighborhood with a backpack filled with balls and a bat, his baseball cap on, his converse under his rolled up jeans.  He looks like a kids straight out of the movie!  I love that he is taking initiative to do this, he cracks me up.  He hasn't had too much luck finding boys to play--life is busy--but he keeps trying!

Jacob had his tenth birthday!  I've got 2 kids in the double digits now!  We had a little family party and he also took a bunch of his friends from his soccer team to a BYU mens soccer game.  They had a blast!  He hates cake so we made homemade ice cream sandwiches--your choice of cookie and ice cream (based on the Baked Bear from San Diego).  It was so fun, he has such a great group of friends.  Jacob is just the sweetest kid.  Yes, sometimes he can get under your skin with all his annoying weird noises he feels the need to make, but he is always so sweet.  I've never met a kid more willing to help--almost without fail when we ask him to do something he just goes and does it without complaint.  He loves to snuggle with me and I love it!  He's whip smart too--catches on to everything super fast, especially math and science.  Did I mention before he invented a new way to multiply double digit numbers?  His teacher showed me and said he tested it and it works!  He loves Geology and has a HUGE rock collection and loves every one--he remembers where he got them and the story behind each one.  He is so much fun to be around and we all just love him a ton.  And I think he gets handsomer every year!

Tyler has been hanging out with his friends more and more.  I guess that is just how it goes now that he's almost 13.  The last day of school he had an airsoft gun war with a big group of friends.  They got pretty into it--as you can see from the camo face paint!  They played from 3 p.m. until 10:30 that night!  Tyler had a blast and I couldn't help but laugh at his warpaint.

For Memorial Day we actually did something patriotic.  We went to the Spanish Fork Cemetery for a Memorial Day program--and Great Grandpa Swenson was the guest speaker!  Grandpa is one of the few remaining WW2 veterans around.  He was a paratrooper during the war (yup, he jumped out of planes!).  He had some great stories to tell and did a great job. It was good for us to remember why everyone gets the day off--to remember those who have sacrificed so that we can have such a great life.  I think people today forget and take for granted so much.  We have become self-centered, narcissistic and self-gratifying and overly sensitive.  I am glad my kids were able to go with us to the program and see all the veterans, and even see their dad walk up when they honored the army (he didn't want to but we all made him).  I hope we can always remember what others gave so we could have so much.

Maggie has a dance recital coming up....I won't give away too many details yet but here she is in costume (she's supposed to be a lobster).  She told me she thinks she looks like a mayor.

 Every so often my mom takes the kids for a while to have "Grandma time".  They look forward to this like nobody's business.  In fact I think they would rather do that than go to Disneyland.  If they know they are going they drive me crazy all week asking, "is it Friday yet?"  Well, today was Jacob and Joey's day (Jake likes to have Joey come along as a playmate--I told you he was sweet).  Grandma sent some pictures.  Man I'd be excited too for splashpad, park and snow cones!

Joey had his end of the year preschool program last week.  I can't believe how much he is growing.  He doesn't look like a little kid anymore!  He actually let me comb his hair for the program, which he does not take lightly.  My big boy graduating preschool!  Now ALL my kids will be in real school!  

 Joey and his teacher, Marilyn.  Joey cracks me up.  He is all boy for sure--dirt spit and endless energy.   He has done so well this year learning his letters and reading.  He's definitely ready for kindergarten (and so am I)!

Spring is Here!

Winter is finally giving up and letting spring win, Hooray!  But with spring means lots of business as well.  Jacob's soccer season has been in full swing so we've been enjoying a lot of games!  His team has done awesome--in fact they started as a B league team and did so well they were bumped to the A league and are currently in first place in the A league!  Semi finals are tonight and we are excited to go.  Jacob has been feeling under the weather but I'm sure he's determined to win!  Go Shooters!

Here's the older boys at one of Jake's games.  I love it when Tyler comes to cheer Jake on.

As you may recall, in San Diego we went to a baseball game.  Well after that Tyler has the baseball bug.  He wants to play all the time now.  It's too muddy outside (we still don't have any grass) so he plays in the rec room under the garage.  Thank goodness for the cages over the lights!

Poor Tyler also had an allergy test.  He is allergic to the horses but loves to ride and be around them.  So we did some research and decided to see an allergist about doing immunotherapy.  Here's the results of his scratch test...

Yikes!  Turns out he's allergic to a lot more than horses.  Mostly pollens and grasses and some trees.  Poor guy was so itchy but couldn't scratch his back.  But he survived, and the doctor recommended immunotherapy (lots and lots of shots over the next year basically, and longer).  So he goes in today for his first shots.  Here's hoping it works great for him so he can enjoy the horses.

Eric, Jacob and I went for a ride the other day as well.  It was a short ride, just testing out a new horse we got.  Jacob started on Penny, a horse we've had for a long time.

But then after I tested out the new horse a bit, we let Jake ride her.  We named her Oreo since she is black and white. I think it is called a roan.  It was a fun little ride.  Eric even made me drive the horse trailer back (almost all the way) to our house.  We had to stop at a gas station and I made him switch. I do NOT like driving that thing, but I did it!

In more exciting news, now that better weather is here (well, except for all the rain we've had lately) we are starting on the barn.  They have it almost all framed but I only have a picture of the concrete trucks.  We did a monolithic pour and had 8 spot footings--they used 7 concrete trucks!  Sheesh, can't wait for that bill....

Spring also brought us a wonderful treat--our favorite horse Deuce finally had her foal!  It is so cute.  She was born in Cinco de Mayo so we are going to call her Cinco.  We didn't get to see the birth--it happened while the kids were all at school one day.  But lo and behold that evening we went up to see the horses and there was the baby!  Wobbly legs and all.

With some slow movement and coaxing we were able to get close to the foal and even pet it.  Deuce is such a mellow horse she never cared we were touching the baby, but the foal was a little timid.   The kids did so good getting up to her and being soft and quiet (mostly..well, not Joey).

Cinco is so soft and fuzzy.  It is so fun to watch her run around.  Now we have to figure out how to train her.

Maggie was goofing around the other night and wanted me to take this.  I thought it was funny.

In our effort to start training the foal, we got a little pint sized halter for her and tried working with her to get it on and comfortable with it.  Luckily at this point we are still stronger than the horse.  It won't last for long!

Look at Cinco with her little halter on.  SO adorable.  We even got her to lick our hands.  Maybe she liked the salty taste?  Who knows, but it was cute anyway.

Eric worked on leading her around a little.  She didn't quite get it yet but she will.  I just think she looks too cute with that halter on.  Good thing her mom is so mellow.  There were a couple times little Cinco was trying her best to get away.

And of course nothing can be easy, right?  So guess who went and got herself sprayed point blank by a skunk?

Miss Ziggy.  She smelled so bad, we tried everything, baking soda and peroxide, tomato juice, but she still stinks.   Argh!

A few days before Cinco was born we actually went up to ride the horses a little bit around the field.  Eric wanted to give the kids some experience being around the horses and dealing with them, etc.  Which I think is a great idea.  

This white beauty we call Crazy Alice.  She doesn't act too crazy, but she looks a little crazy!  She has such light fur and bright blue eyes.  She's a good horse but hates to be caught.  Once you've got her she's ok but sometimes getting that rope on her is tricky.

Jacob is riding Deuce here, before she had her baby.  She's so fun to ride.  Everyone's favorite horse even though she is small.

Tyler riding Dutch.

What a great day for a quick ride!  The backdrop doesn't hurt either!  I love it when things green up but there is still snow on the mountains.

Maggie riding Penny.

It was a good time on the horses.  The kids did well and we are all learning how to be real "horse people."

As the end of the school year approaches I get treated to some school programs starring my kids.  Maggie had her first grade program last Friday.  She was one of the hula hoopers.  I had no idea she could hula hoop so well....I am miserable at it.  She looked so cute and sang her heart out.  I loved it.

And since life had been a lot about soccer lately, here's a few shots of Jake playing.  Their normal team uniform is the white jersey, but since sometimes other teams also have white we wear the green ones (their name and number is on the back).  Jacob really loves soccer.  He plays defender and does a great job.  He has such a fun team, almost all of them were his friends in school already.  So it's great to see them play together.

Spring is here and summer is coming soon!  I can't wait for school to be out and all the good times we will have over the next few months!