South Fork

This week my friend Debby and I loaded up the kids and headed for South Fork Canyon. It was so good to be out in the fresh air and soaking up sun and bugs.

Eli and Diane enjoyed exploring my camera. Eli has now successfully disabled two of my cameras. You'd think I'd learn...but I'm kind of a pacifist.

Debby and kids across the stream.

Keeping Eli from throwing himself in the water.

"Taking" pictures.

Guitar Hero

He following in his daddy's footsteps.

Tuning up!

The Backyard

I finally have a backyard! Or at least, a backyard that isn't full of foxtails and rocks. Eli and I spend as much time as possible outside and are enjoying getting sunburned and picking roses.

Our raspberries are in full boom. In a month or so, give or take my ability to kill all things green, we will have a hopping patch of ripe berries!

Tomatoes! We should have a bumper crop..mostly because I have touched them as little as possible...

The zucchinis are coming on strong. I've already picked about half a dozen and Eli and I like to cook them up for lunch.

Eli loves the trampoline. He's a funny little bouncer. In fact, here's a video of him bouncing right now!

Operation: Shock and Awe

This year's fourth festivities were sans Dan, which was sad indeed but he was in Denver nobly helping his folks move. We carried on without him and had a pretty good time with my folks in Bountiful. The weekend started off rough after I must have got heat stroke or something and ended up having to go to Instacare Saturday night for fluids and drugs. It was by far the nastiest day of this pregnancy thus far. Sunday I spent in bed but by Monday I was feeling better and we had a great time swimming (no pictures) and BBQ-ing at Greg's house (lots of pictures). Here are a few highlights:

This pic is why I titled the post what I did. Eli just didn't know what to think of the fireworks my family were lighting off in the road. He liked them, I think, but he also seemed to be pretty wary of them at the same time. As the night progressed and he got sleepier, the noises seemed to scare him more.

Where there's smoke there's little boys lighting things on fire. I was sort of a Fourth Scrooge and spent a lot of time yelling "Keep that skinky smoke away from the pregnant lady!!". The memories my poor nephews will have of their aunt...
Eli and Grandpa. Eli LOVES my dad. I don't know if its because my dad always has his smart phone in his front pocket or if its because Eli recognizes Grandpa Don's greatness at such a young age. Whatever it is, he was glued to Papa the whole trip.

Toby and my mom conversing on the lawn.

Kids young and old lighting off bottle rockets.

Lil' Book Worm

Eli has discovered books! He knew of them previously, but he is really discovering the goodness that comes from sitting and reading (or looking) at the written word. More and more lately I find him on the ground with a few children's books "reading" them to himself out loud. It mostly sounds like "DeeedooofrumpBLAH" but I love it nonetheless.

A Night Out

In May we celebrated two Garfield graduates! Rebecca and Rachel both received masters degrees and we partied hardy in honor of their great accomplishments. Here are a few shots from Rebecca's after-graduation party. Notice the lack of baby and the presence of make-up.

Reba and I show off the bling (that's what the kids call it these days...right?)

Rachel and friend...whose name I forgot.

Yes...Dan is wearing a necklace.

Other party attendees who need no introduction.

He is The Walrus

I'm attempting to post a video...it's my first try. This was Eli last night after dinner being very punchy. Notice the lack of shirt...its the only way to eat pasta sauce...