Summer perfection

We've been having a little bit of summer perfection over here. Not every moment, but glimpses here and there. Lately I have had the feeling to stop and enjoy the moment I am in. The very moment--it's the only thing that is real. The past is a memory, the future an aspiration, only now is now. So I have tried to think more in the moment and savor little things. Like a drive to Kneader's on Saturday night (half off after 8, yes I am there every week! I think the staff hates me). I was by myself listening to an upbeat song, feeling the wind blow over the slightly down window, watching the fleeting sunlight on the most amazing mountains. I do really truly love the mountains in Switzerland--probably my favorite place on earth, but my favorite have to be the ones I get to adore every single day. How lucky am I to live in such a beautiful place. And each season brings its own joy on those mountains and even this weird weather year has made them green and lush for much longer than usual. Anywho and in this moment I hear the buzzing of machines behind me and that's it besides my typing fingers. And you know, that has its own rewards, how blessed am I to work in such a lovely quiet place where I get chances to reflect. And how nice is it once in a while to not have children screaming or dogs barking? But I admit as much as I enjoy the restfulness here (when it isn't busy of course) there's nothing as sweet as rocking my baby to sleep or kissing my boys tucked in their beds. I miss them every night I work--not that I regret working--but I miss them. And that handsome hunk of a man who is manly enough to be home, who after reading to his boys from their scripture books tucked them in and then gently snuggled his adored little girl until she was ready for sleep. And then who will do the dishes, play with the puppies, and maybe even fold the laundry before crashing exhausted into bed. I don't know anyone who could be more blessed than I am. I am literally crying thinking about it. I love my Lowell.
Wow, I will never get to dinner time if I don't move this along. Just some things I have been mulling over. That along with the trials of some friends who have little ones who are struggling or who have already returned to our Father in Heaven--I am reminded to love my littles for every moment, good and bad.
So we have been busy busy and I couldn't find my camera for half of it. Sheesh! Lame mom. Here are a few shots from t-ball this year:
Carter chilling in the outfield
And up at bat
D's big swing
And waiting in the in-field. This year they are the Gators and have the best coach ever. Seriously this guy rocks. He must be exhausted after every game, he has so much energy and is amazing at keeping the kids in line. And he has taught them in unique ways and has great ways of keeping them involved in the game. They have been getting better too, they have decent little arms and had a couple really good hits the last game. Big thanks to my friend Tara who has covered for me at work a few times so I could go to the games. She rocks too! They are doing better with focusing during the games too and I think they have had fun.
Last week the boys had a day camp at the Legacy Center every day--that was the biggest busy point because adding it to any other day just got a bit crazy, but also fun. They had a super hero day, pirate day, they climbed the rock wall, and did some cooking. They also had a water fun day in the park and scored a hat, apron, and backpack. Their friends A&A went too and I heard nothing but good reports from the kiddos. No complaints at all.
Tuesday we had a play date with a friend I hadn't seen in 4 years I think! Jillian and her triplets were in town and while I have been an avid blog followers I hadn't seen those kiddos in so long--and in real life they were so big. We played at Lyndsie's house and the kids had a great time and came back wanting Squinkies (we got a few Marvel ones and they were all the rage, for a week or so).
We saw Lyndsie and more of our twin friends on Wednesday as well at the splash pad in Spanish Fork. First time we had been to play, I think I like the Highland one better though SF's has a great playground attached too. Either way, good times and it was fun to play and to visit.(Photo credits to Jess, thanks!)

Thursday we had a cooking class and the boys did better than the last time--it was fun and the rootbeer float cake was delicious. I was totally surprised, but they made and ate and enjoyed tuna fish finger sandwiches as well. May have to add that into our lunch menu.
Friday we met up with Whitney and her kiddos for a pirate day at Thanksgiving Point, that was so fun. They hung out with a "real" pirate, made hats, played games, got face painted (Carter had a mustache and beard, it was awesome--I need to get the picture from Whitney), and then looked for the treasure chest in the museum and found it scoring themselved some gold dubloons. They were so excited about finding the treasure that I had a hard time keeping them where I knew where they were, but it was still fun. Thanks to Whitney for the pic.


And the new Notion of Motion exhibit was awesome. I adore the Exploratorium in San Francisco and they have been loaning exhibits to the dino museum. I just love these kinds of exhibits and so do the kids. My favorite was how many parents were busy playing on their own while their kids were trying other things. I was one of them!
Then last weekend we had a t-ball game and then went for a nice hike. Buffalo Peak was blocked again-grrr, so we tried the Big Spring trail also up Provo canyon. We didn't go the full length of the hike (5 miles round trip I think) but found a lovely place along the way and called it good.

Throwing rocks in the water
On a bridge that crossed the stream, they are apart because there was a huge spider web with the spider hanging out watching us that spanned the space between the 2.
At the little pool we found
See what I mean about summer perfection--see the video (turn up the sound). Just my little family splashing in this pool, listening to the water rushing by. The scenery was fantastic, the water cool, the sun warm. We were all happy. Ahhh.

Back home again the boys spent some time in the pool while I got a nap. They love drying off on the patio, and catching bugs (a grasshopper in the container).
On to this week--Monday the bubbas saw the dentist. It took longer than it ever has, but the 3 kiddos still did pretty well. The boys had no cavities and their teeth looked great except that they are grinding them. The dentist felt the teeth would be fine though until the new ones come in. Probably won't be until Carter is 7 when his dark tooth will fall out. Then we all spent some time at WalMart and surprisingly, they did pretty well.

Tuesday Hillary joined us for a visit to 7 peaks and it was heaps better than the last visit. It wasn't busy at all, about as good as I have seen it. The kids played all around and Claire was so happy splashing and hanging out in her tube. We all got a little sun and I was just so happy to have had such a good day.

Then yesterday was just a little nuts. We had reading class in the morning (Claire and I swapped out library books) then picked the kids up a little early for a Animals and Water class at the Central Utah Water Conservancy Garden. It was way fun--a tortoise, skunk, boa constrictor, bunnies, hedge hog (super cute!), chinchilla, cockatoo--we got to pet each one and learn about where they live and how they conserve water. We all had a blast (Claire was less happy about not getting to crawl around than the others, but mostly happy). Then we hit up the buy 1 get 2 free sale at Toys R Us (woot!), got some donuts and headed to our library class. A&A were there this time and the boys were wild. Maybe it was good they weren't together the rest of the classes though I enjoyed visiting with Reva. The class was fun though and so was the craft (foil punched pictures) and since it was the last class the boys got to spin the wheel twice (they both got movie tickets and Costa Vida kids meals--there are a lot of options on that wheel, I can't figure out how they both spun that!) and then got to get a book for doing their reading all 6 weeks. What a great program, I think we'll go again next year. Home again Claire and I caught a little nap:

Cutest darn baby bum--before heading out to Hollywood Connection:

Hey guys, I want to play!




It was great--pretty much dead. The last time I went it was so busy and they have a lot of summer promotions so I was expecting a mad house but there was no wait on anything. Weds afternoons must be the trick. They did all the rides they wanted (except mini-golf) even though we only had an hour to do it in. Yea! Then we were off to the Days of '47 rodeo!

Cowgirl Claire

Rob, Michelle, and Mr. C came along too--and Dinda. We all had fun. It wasn't too long (good for crazy allergic me) and the kids were rowdy but not terrible. Oy, the bullriding scares me to death! The kids had fun though. Rodeo, check.

We didn't get to bed until almost 11--it was a full day! We slept in this morning (9:30) and then went to the gym but Claire wasn't having it so we went home early. Poor thing was all blotchy from crying so much, she was fine when I left. I may not take her for a while, I hate to think of her so upset. She recovered over lunch though:

LOL, this little girl loves to eat! She has been such a busy busy baby. She is into everything now--especially the dog food and water. She is jabbering up a storm now and Lowell and I love her little voice. I almost think she is starting to make words, last night dropped her toy, put her 2 hands up and said, "oh". And today she grabbed a Donald duck toy and said, "Heydo" (like Hello). I don't know probably a stretch. She is crawling so fast now too and wants to be wherever I am. She is also starting to screech if she doesn't get her way. She is a handful already--and 10 months old now, as of yesterday. Sigh.

Anywho, I hope you are all also enjoying some summer perfection. This really has been the "best summer ever" as my boys would say. And more to come--next week we are going to Snowbird and then rafting and camping. I can't wait.

P.S. Thanks to Hillary and Todd for watching the kiddos so we could go out to dinner (IHOP) and to see the new Pirates. We liked it, our #2 for the series. Also of note for Lowell and I--we got to have a couple of great take out date nights and go to Shakey's once as well, even though it isn't our favorite pizza.