Tools

This morning Ben was asking me for a real tool box with real tools. I told him he was too young to use real tools and that he had plenty of toy tools already. His response was well how old is Curious George because he has real tools. I tried to explain to him that Curious George was not real and he didn't seem to believe me. As his last effort he told me that if he had real tools then if I had a problem and Dad was not home he could fix it for me. He was so sincere about wanting to help I loved it. So I finally told him that maybe for Christmas. Now he wants to know how soon Christmas is. We may be hearing about this one for awhile.

Great Find

On Saturday I went to the Copper Frog with my mother-in-law. While there I found this hutch for only $140. I have been wanting one to put in my basement for a long time. I end up buying it and I am very excited to have a place to put all of the nice silver and crystal I have been given.

Snowbird

Right after the 4th of July we headed up to Snowbird for the weekend. The kids had a great time. It was nice to hang out and relax. The kids loved going swimming. Ben loved the Alpine Slide and the Bungy Trampoline. I really enjoyed hiking and going up the mountain on the tram. I couldn't believe how much snow was up there. John liked the Alpine slide and getting some quite time at the condo while the baby was taking a nap. Anyways here are a few pictures (click on the image to see a larger version).

Also here is my little brother doing a triple flip on the Bungy Trampoline. It was pretty impressive. It is a lot harder than it looks and you get tired fast.

4th of July

The fourth of July was a fun filled day. The highlight of the day was seeing my little sister Anne who returned that morning from her mission in Boston MA. But more on that in a minute.

We started the day by going to the parade. This was our first experience with the parade since we usually are at a family breakfast. My sister came out and joined us in the fun. The kids had a great time. I think they enjoyed getting candy more than actually watching the parade.


The parade ends with a big water fight. Just look at this picture and you can see how serious they are about the water fight. We headed up the hill pretty quickly to keep the little kids dry.


After the parade we headed over to my parents to see Anne. We had our traditional breakfast but for dinner so everyone could be there. It was great to see Anne. The kids were shy around her but still happy to see her. She was a great missionary and we are happy to have her home.


After dinner and swimming we headed out front to light off fireworks. The kids just loved the fireworks. They would get so excited with each one. Jacob would clap and jump up and down. It was more fun to watch the kids then the fireworks.


Even Katelyn loved them. She just sat there with her mouth wide open and her eyes really big. What a cutie. Overall we had a great day!!

Knock, Knock

Today while eating lunch Ben told me a "Knock, Knock" joke. After he told the joke the inner child in me felt the need to teach Ben some of the great "Knock, Knock" jokes so he can impress his friends. Well sadly enough the only one I could remember was this one, which I am not sure if I even remember it right.

Knock knock
Who's there
Apple
Apple Who

Knock knock
Who's there
Apple
Apple Who

Knock knock
Who's there
Apple
Apple Who

Knock Knock
Who's there
Orange
Orange Who
Orange you glad I didn't say apple

Then Ben responded with the following joke
Knock Knock
Who's there
Car
Car who
Aren't you glad I didn't say race track

I though that was pretty funny. Anyways I really need some help in remembering these knock, knock jokes. I use to know dozens of them. So if you remember any please share them with me.

Conversation with Ben

So last night while making dinner I had the following conversation with Ben.

Ben: Why is Katelyn crying?
Me: I don't know probably because she is hungry.
Ben: Did you hit her!
Me: No I did not hit her she is probably just hungry.
Ben: Are you lying to me!
Me: No I am not lying to you. I would not hit her.
Ben: Then why is she crying? Are you sure you did not hit her?
Me: Yes Ben I am sure I did not hit her I would never hit Katelyn, she is crying because she is hungry.

It is always funny when your kids try and be the parent especially when they do it the same way you do. I know I have had this exact conversation with Ben when I asked him if he hit Jake.

Our Fish With 9 Lives

Back when John and I were young newlyweds we bought a 20 gal fish tank. For several years we had fish. When we moved to our new house 5 years ago we decided not to set the fish tank back up. If I remember correctly we didn't have that many fish and the last few had died a few months before we moved in. Well last March I had this great idea to set the fish tank back up and get more fish. (Unfortunately I had forgotten how much work it is to take care of a fish tank.) The kids of course loved it but after a few months the novelty wore off and I was getting tired of cleaning the tank.

Shortly after Katelyn was born we decide it was time to get ride of the fish tank. John suggested we just flush the 3 fish we had left but I just couldn't do it. I just felt cruel. So he went and bought a 2 gal tank that how sits in our kitchen. Well since that time the following things have happened.

- Went out of town for 5 days and didn't feed the fish.
- Jake poured a whole can of fish food in the tank. By the time I got around to cleaning out the tank (the next morning) I could not see the fish in the water.
- I have been terribly neglectful in keeping the tank clean. I usually wait until it is really dirt before I clean it.
- Jake poured an entire bottle of salt and pepper in the tank.

Now surprisingly the fish have not died. I mean it seems that people are constantly telling me that they can not keep fish alive. I don't know what kind of super fish I have but they will not die. I think they are just hanging on to spite me.