Cute Video

Trying to keep Liam from having a melt down this afternoon, I showed him this video...he had to watch it again and again!

Movies

With the kids getting a little older, Mike and I have felt a lot better about leaving them with a sitter. We love our kids, but it has been really nice having dates again. The kids actually like having sitters come to play with them, which makes leaving much easier too. The last time Mike and I have been to a movie was about a year and a half ago with some friends, and before that was when I was pregnant with Liam!! Friday night we went to Koi, a local Japanese restaurant, and then to a movie at Thanksgiving Point. We were quite impressed with the addition to their theater, and were also pleased with how nice and clean it was. So on Sunday, we decided to take the kids to their first ever movie! We decided on 'Brave', since it has been out for a couple months, and add that with a Sunday matinee in Utah County, we practically had the whole place to ourselves. We actually did up until it started, a family of 3 came in. We were glad it was mostly empty because we were not sure how well they would do. Liam was super good, and Rowan was really good too considering she is only 2-1/2. She did talk and move around a bit, but didn't try running away, which was nice....that is what I imagine Liam doing at her age, and that is why we waited so long to take them. But, now that we have gone, we plan to take them to future Sunday matinees! It was a great family date!

(You can see how empty it is!  Rowan is on my lap, and Liam is next to us on the left.)

Most AWESOME Marble

We have been using marbles as a reward for being good each day.  It works kind of like a sticker reward system, but tends to be more effective with our kids.  So far it's worked pretty well.  Although, I know I need to add new ones to the mix to make it fresh and exciting.  As I was looking on Ebay, I came across this beautiful marble....WAY too expensive at $125, and definitely not one to play with, but I just had to share a picture of this most AWESOME marble!

First Day Of School

The kids were so excited to start school this year.  This is Liam's 3rd year of preschool, and Rowan's first year.  Our kids are complete opposites when it comes to their personality.  We took Rowan to her class first, and we said goodbye.  She was so into her own world, she didn't even realize we were leaving!  Liam on the other hand is painfully shy, and he clung to me, and didn't want us to leave.  Thankfully it only lasts about 10 min. and he warms up, and is totally fine.  Anyway, I think they will really have a great school year!!  (Click on Label 'First Day' below, and you can see all the first days of school)

Red Butte Gardens

(This pic is from their Facebook Page)

Friday night Mike and I went to our second concert this season at Red Butte Gardens.  And we have totally enjoyed the concerts there, so much so, we were pretty excited when one of Mike's co-workers mentioned that they were going to the last concert of the season, Trombone Shorty And The Orleans Avenue, and that there were tickets still available!  The next day we listened to a few of their songs on You Tube, and decided we had to go!!  Anyway, the first concert we went to was Diana Krall, she was amazing.  Then the most recent one was Dead Can Dance...really great too!  Originally for Friday's concert, the plan was for Mike to get a ride to work that morning, and then I would pick him up.  But, his ride fell through the last minute, so he left his car at work, and we decided to go up Saturday to bring the kids to the Gardens, and pick his car up.  We had been planning to take them there this summer anyway, so it really worked out well.  Although, it was pretty hot!!  We would like to go back when it is a little cooler and have a picnic with them.  They have lots of little areas in the shade with tables and chairs to set up a nice picnic.


                  (This pic is from their Facebook Page too)

One of my favorite things there is the duck pond.  The ducks are very friendly, and will even eat out of your hands.  We have been really impressed with Red Butte Gardens...they are very environmentally friendly, and have recycling there at the concerts and throughout the gardens...we plan to stay members for many years to come.   We would even love to take the kids to a concert next year, when they are a little older and can handle a late night.

(Forgot the nice camera, but got these on our phones)

Shame on Pennsylvania

Politics is not something I have ever posted on this blog, but I feel that people really need to see what is going on in our country.  They are passing laws in some states that require people to have voter ID's.  You may think this isn't a big deal, but what it does is make it harder for Seniors and poor people to vote.  A lot of seniors don't drive anymore, so they do not have a valid driver's license.  ID's also cost money and time to obtain which can be difficult for this demographic.

Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Mike Turzai doesn't even try to hide their agenda when he spoke at a meeting of the Republican State Committee in Hershey PA on June 23rd 2012. (video link below)

If you don't want to watch it, this is what he says:

"Voter ID, which is going to allow Gov. Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania-DONE!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOT1bRYdK8

How in the world is this legal?  How can anyone be OK with suppressing people's votes?!  EVERY U.S. Citizen has the right to vote.  Shame on P.A. for doing this.

Pleasant Grove Farmers Market

Our friend Heather, who is in a band called 'Callanish', posted on her Face Book that they were going to be playing at the Pleasant Grove Farmer's Market tonight.  We decided to take the kids out for a little change in scenery.  We bought a wood carved tic-tac-toe game, and a couple of cute owl purses (below).  The kids mostly enjoyed playing at the playground, and got to stay up an extra hour, so they didn't complain too much about going to bed when we got home.  All in all, it was a good time, and it was nice to be in our old town for an evening.  (P.S. My phone takes lousy pics, but O-well, the last 2 pics are from Mike's phone, his takes much better ones!)