The Stream

Thursday, August 29, 2013

What did the 0 say to the 8?

What did the 0 say to the 8?

Nice belt



Greti turned 8 on Monday and we have her big baptism ahead of us on Sunday. She is way excited.

Greti can:

change the lyrics to any song

dance like Elaine on Seinfeld

generally happily dramatic

scary quick learner

a good friend

honest abe

can make many facial expressions

mathematician

all around great kid

youngest in her class. Always.

hates broccoli

loves pets and nature



I surprised her with a bean burrito from Taco Bell (no onions. no sauce.)

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We later went to the PPC for dinner (that's Pizza Pie Cafe for those who are not in the know).  She finally got to try the ultimate cookie.  Sugar. Just what need for a birthday treat!

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She later got one of Grandma Andrea's fabulous signature outfits which we treasure and wear 3Xs a week

In fact, why not try it on in the restaurant over my dress?

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Why not wear it to school the next day--even if it is going to be 90 degrees (outfits are that special A)

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Happy birthday dear Gretchen. We're looking forward to your baptism.



School Special

4th Grade and tired

Becket

3rd Grade and tired!

Gretchen

1st Grade and tired!

Micah

Back to life, back to reality.....

If you need a wake up call, all you have to do is take a look at these high top sneakers and it's instant caffeine.

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Dazzling aren't they?

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And she's off!

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Meanwhile, what have I been doing to keep myself busy

PTA and TIRED!

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I have managed to squeeze in some hikes and what not with friends.

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Sunday, August 25, 2013

In Honor of Dan- Fallen Officers

We got to participate in the ride for Fallen Officers last Sunday.  It started in Lehi and ended at the Capitol.  I don't think we knew how many motorist were going to be riding until we got there (4500 total).  The Utah Highway Patrol and Police Department do this to raise money for the families that loose a loved one while serving.

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So, here we are hanging out with the Harley dudes in our church clothes. We were a little out of place, but we all know what a soft spot Harley dudes have for good causes--at least that's what the movies portray.

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Micah was given a badge

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 The rover got a special badge too! This baby got us to the front of the line. We felt like the President!  photo
 Behind us you could see for miles all of the motorcycles! photo photo
 At the Capitol, we found Dan's name. photo photo
 The kids made themselves useful by passing out water bottles to the bikers. It made me smile to see these tough guys and my kids meet through the delivery of water bottles. photo
They also pitches a flag for Dan too. photo

 I think Dan would have been proud of his son. Thank you Dan for having such a fine son for me to marry. In some way, I think I owe it to you for getting us to meet. Dan Harris passed away this day August 25th, 1982

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Friday, August 23, 2013

Custom Made Suit

A little bird told us about this custom suit place in downtown Salt Lake. Mat has always wanted to have  a custom suit made for him.  He's got really long legs, not to mention he's very lean, so suits just drown him.  So, we stopped in to Beckett and Robb to have a fitting.  Here's what I learned:

Business suits should not be black, too formal.  Always go with a grey, brown, or navy.

Never button the third button on suit, the second is optional and the first is a must.

There are so many decisions to make, that in the beginning it is fun, but by the end you just want the consultant to make the decision for you. : 3 button hole cuffs or 2, butterfly, scalloped, or straight collar, trimming, material, lining, design, construction, thread, button holes 2 or 3 or 4, what color? what size? After two hours, I needed some air--and I actually like this stuff.

We went with a grey and a navy suit. We also got a few shirts made as well. It took about 6wks and they arrived just in time for Mat's presentation up at Park City.  He couldn't be more dashing and dapper.

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What a fun expensive experience.  He better not gain any pounds or we're in trouble (doubt that will happen with Mat)

Thursday, August 22, 2013

End Summer with a Bang

These are our last few weeks of summer. Nothing special or unordinary, just trying to enjoy it and make time slow down.

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Old friends stopped by! Wish I had a picture with you Christina.

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A cute and funny dad.

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Watching the Tour of Utah

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A new scooter to ride!

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Family Events

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Stink bombs

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Yummy restaurants to dine at! (Becket happened to be wearing his I love Bacon shirt in front of this vegetarian restaurant.  I thought it was funny)

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We lived each day to the max! Time for school to start for these little darlings.  I rest knowing we had a fantastic summer and new memories.

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Breathing and Mary Jo

PTA has hit me like a pan in the face.  Mary Jo came for a visit and as soon as she left, I've had a fire under me to get some PTA business done. It's been fun to be involved and I've enjoyed it. It's nice to have the first few days under my belt and I'll be excited to have back to school night completed tonight. Right now, I've done all I can to prepare and now I just remind myself to go with the flow if things don't go as planned.

In an effort to catch up my journaling, I will start with our visit with MJ from PA and write as if weeks haven't passed by. Mary Jo arrived mid July and as always, it's awesome to hang out and have the full attention of our dear friend.

This is just after we picked her up at the airport. Feel the happiness.

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And in true Mary Jo fashion, she always has some kind of gift in her bag.  Mmmmm, adobe cracker nuts, so good.

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We had a lite supper (supper is what she calls it--) and we headed to bed.

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The next day we hit the Tracy Aviary and the Pizza Pie Cafe--my kids favorite place to eat in the whole wide world.  I don't need to take them to Disneyland because the Pizza Pie Cafe fills that need for them.

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In true Mary Jo fashion, she finds all animals cute.  She loved taking pictures of the many birds, birds and kids, birds sprinklers, birds on buildings, birds with knick knacks, birds in bathroom sinks....

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Later that night she taught us the game Skunk.  Just love her.

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The next morning we were St. George bound, but before we left, Emily had invited us over to pick yummy raspberries from her mom's garden.

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It makes you crave some raspberries doesn't it? One of my favorite fruits.  I take that back, it actually is my favorite fruit.

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I stopped at Walmart to get a few things, and in TRUE Mary Jo fashion, she bought the kids their birthday presents.  She gave them a little budget and took them to toy land to pick it out. Becket and Micah knew exactly what they wanted, Gretchen carefully strategizes and stretches out every dollar. I was just glad they said thank you for all of the spoiling taking place.

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On the drive down the kids enjoyed lots of Grandma Tootie time.

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We also stopped at the dairy in Beaver for ice cream.

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We puttered around St. George...went to lunch at Benjas, saw a few movies, went swimming, my mom and Mary Jo hit bingo in mesquite, while I took the kids crawdad catching.
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I happened to run into my cousins at the Veyo pool and had the rare chance to catch up with my Aunt Nan. Tate is one of my youngest cousins on top of the tower.

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Mat took the kids camping while we went to the play.  In true Dannielle fashion, she takes really good care of us and packed extra snacks and food for the kids. Mat would have been living off the land and eating leaves for dinner if she hadn't thought to do so.

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Micah had so many bananas this trip that we teased her of turning into one.  She replied, "You'd have to eat like 99 of them to turn into a banana," coupled with a "duh" look.

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pedicures--clearly, I don't know why I explained that.

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We went to the Shakespearean Festival and Anything Goes at the theater. Pronounced, Thee-a-ter in an English snobbish accent. We noticed that old coach Laden, former coach of the Jazz, had decided to join us. His wife really got jamming in those musical numbers.

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Sunday we had a picnic with Mat's parents and Casey and Tiff. Mary Jo made her mom's potato salad where everything is chopped into miniature pieces.

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and....... some got to cruise up the canyon in the mini

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A visit to Le Calle for our blessed peacock feathers that seem to fall all over the house.

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Le Calle management was nice enough to give the kids free expensive truffles.

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We headed for bowling and ice cream the next day.

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Micah looks like Sally from Charlie Brown.

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We also threw a combined birthday party for the girls at the Classic Fun Center.  A child's dream.

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Wow! I take some awesome fuzzy pictures and I only took two.  I was too busy chatting and having a party.

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The next day (Mj's last) I labeled it Canyon Day.  We went up to Little Cottonwood Canyon for a hike to Cecret Lake.  We were able to witness a mama moose and baby moose swim laps around the lake.  Breath taking really, especially for someone from Pennsylvania.

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The baby is starting to test the water in the bottom right hand corner.  Again, I was too busy watching to take any more pictures after that, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

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Beautiful
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Mat mountain biked Corner Canyon so we decided to continue our canyon day by driving up Big Cottonwood over Gaurdsman's Pass stopping for lunch in Park City, then we  headed down through Parley's Canyon and over to Emigration Canyon, stopping to meet Matt and Lindsay and Bob and Andrea at Red Butte Garden.

Here is Mary Jo holding onto the car because of the vertical drop down below.  She would have felt better if there were guard rails.

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Mat also did his classy belly shirt pose with Mary Jo not knowing. We show her the picture afterwards, and she just laughs and says, "Oh Mat!" photo photo

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We ended Mary Jo's trip with fireworks across the valley.  It was the 24th of July, but it was also Abuela Tootie's last night so I thought it was appropriate of Utah to send her off with a bang. We sure loved the time we got to spend with Mary Jo.  What a treat.  She is back home taking care of her dogs and teaching school.  We look forward to next summer!  Just wish we lived in a neighboring state so we didn't have to wait so long.