Author: julie

This is me, Jules. Saturday we all packed the car up around noon after cleaning the house a bit and headed up Provo Canyon. I love being so close to the mountains and evidently everyone else does too. Lots of people were tubing/canoing/fishing on the Provo river. Both Deer Creek & Jordanelle Reservoirs were very busy with boats. The number of homes that are popping up in the Canyon and near Heber astounded me. We arrived at Granny’s in Heber around 1:30 pm–late enough I thought the lunch rush would be over. Boy was I wrong. I forget that Granny’s is ALWAYS busy. I guess it closed down for a while but it is back up and running by popular demand. The girls were pretty excited because we hadn’t told them where we were going. We all ordered a years supply of grease and awesome shakes. I got raspberry and boy was it good! After the shake bonanza we continued on to Park City to the outlets there.

Brian and I were calculating that we hadn’t been to the outlets since Abigail was a few days old. I took a trip up with Charlene and Catherine when Abby was literally 3-4 days old because I was flippin’ out with my first baby and had to get out of the house. So it had been about 8 years and the outlets have really improved. We decided right off the bat to pick about 4-5 stores and just go to those because there were so many people and it was pretty warm out. We hit the Children’s Place, Old Navy, Rue 21, Gap & Banana Republic. Brian was more than patient and very generous with the girls and their back to school shopping. I think they were most excited about their leopard print backpacks and matching lunch boxes! We got lemonade & bagel bites to tide Gwen over & make it through. That was one of the first times that the girls were really excited about clothes shopping–I can see how much fun shopping is going to be in the near future. I now have partners in crime!

Next, we hit the road for Salt lake via Little Cottonwood Canyon. Lucy and Gwen were literally asleep within a minute–slobber and all. We were able to attend Michael & Adriana Robinson’s wedding reception. The girls were all pretty tired so we didn’t stay long. Adriana looked beautiful and what a beautiful couple! My sister Amy has three married and four to go! We didn’t eat at the reception because it was too fancy for the circus our four little girls would have put on. We did stop at Olive Garden on the way home. Good air conditioning and endless bread sticks seemed to do the trick for all of us.

When we arrived home we had a quick fashion show of our “finds”. Lucy’s fav was a blue furry snow hat from Children’s place. She has been wearing it on and off since–I might have to hide it considering it’s 100+ out. Then it was off to bed–easier said than done! Lucy was going through our stuff in the bathroom like she does nightly and sprayed Brian’s cologne directly in her eyes. So, it was a call to poison control for some very red and irritated eyes and then a bath/rinsing of the eyes for 20 minutes. She was pretty upset and I was too. I was hoping that would teach her to stay out but she was at it again last night–BANDIT!

For family night a trip to the park was much needed. We grabbed the FHE manual, went through the Wendy’s drive-thru and headed for the rotary park near Provo river. The park was pretty much vacant much to our delight. It was overcast and warm but not unbearable. We had a lesson, compliments of Brian, on being a good friend. Then the girls were off for the playground. I just sat back on the blanket and looked up at the sky. Laying on the blanket was a good break from making apricot jam (thanks for the apricots, Amy) and refereeing the neighborhood kids earlier today. Gwen absolutely loves the slides and hates the swings! Lucy will not keep her shoes on! Grace is the little mother and Abigail is getting good at the rings.

We got to feed the ducks after the playground and that was a lot of fun. We had so much bread that by the end we were playing who can tag the duck with the biggest piece of waded bread. I pelted the one with the mohawk! Gwen would chase after them and they really weren’t that afraid of her. One time we thought she was going in the pond–on top of the ducks and all. After the park we thought we would top off the evening with a trip to the BYU creamery. It always brings back a whole lot of memories. Brian was disturbed to see that they had torn down his old Deseret Tower dorm on BYU campus where we used to hang out back in the day and play cards. It was neat to see the new Hinckley building that has gone up diagnal from the Marriott Center. It is an amazing building. Well this is getting way too lengthy and I must go check to see what Lucy’s up to. The next blog should be more entertaining with photobooth pictures and fun!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/sets/72157600965315491/

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The Wardles have come and gone and it was all too short and sweet. It all started Sunday after church. I called Jami and she informed us they would be driving down within the hour. The girls were running around the house trying to somewhat pick up and I was running around in the kitchen getting some dinner on. I was getting more and more excited to see my long lost Surprise friend, Jami. She’s not just any friend she shares with me many things. She is my… bunco partner in crime, jogging confidant, girls night out planner, gym guru extraordinair, Target aficionado, Marley Park PTA representative, candy aholic, Sweet-soul-Sonic-slush-sister, listener/lamenter of the summer heat, and partner out front watching the kids tear the neighborhood apart. Man I miss her! So when she pulled up, the girls were squealing with excitement and I’ll admit so was I.

We got to eat some dinner together–Brian was so outnumbered (9 girls/1boy)and he kept hoping that Rob was coming. After dinner we got to catch up and talk some and then we went to the Discovery Park here in Pleasant Grove. We pretty much let the kids run–barefoot and all while we sat and talked like we always do. The girls practiced their gymnastics. Ashley has been practicing her back handspring–You Go Girl! There were lots of cartwheels going on. I think the kids really had a good time.

We came back home and the kids played a little bit longer–had to fit it in. While Jami & I talked about what color scooter we’re going to get, the girls played Hide and seek all over the house! We sure miss the Wardle girls at our house! They all looked so cute and have grown a bit too. Jami couldn’t believe how much little Gwen has changed. She says she reminds her of Grace. Kasey is turning into a little girl with beautiful curls. Ashley is getting taller and will be going into 4th grade?!? And Miss Bailey seems happy as ever–confident and full of life! Abigail and Lucy chased their car as they pulled out to leave and Brian sat there on the porch for a while. He soon confided that having the Wardles over made him the most homesick for Arizona he’s been yet. I guess being around all the girls and talking to Jami about Surprise and all the AZ friends will do it. Thanks for making the time to stop by, Jami, it was great. We missed you, Rob! As always more photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

This is Jules Vern–as Natalie Kidd calls me. Thought I would write about the last batch of photos we uploaded. We are so glad the Steele’s were able to make some time to see us over the 4th holiday. We know that they have oodles of family & friends here in Utah. When we met up at the gardens there were squeals and giggles and then it was like we’d never been apart. Sheri suggested the Children’s Discovery Gardens which is owned by Thanksgiving Point. I am embarrassed that I hadn’t ever heard of it but was glad to experience it. It is located just north of the golf course.

It was amazing with a huge ark with animals hanging out and water squirting everywhere. Abigail was my helper with little Gwen in the water. Lucy was Lucky to have Sydney play with her and show her the sights. Grace and Izzy were super-glued together most of the time. We were able to walk around the Garden and enjoy the amazing sights and flowers. I have never seen Lily Pads like that. They had a bear cave that the kids kept running through–Lucy wouldn’t even think of it or get near it! Then there were the mazes made of bushes that the children could literally run through. Sheri and I realized after looking at the map that we had only really seen 1/5 of the total gardens. I think there were a total of 55 acres of gardens–AMAZING! We’ll definitely be going back.

We decided to call it short and sweet and left the gardens after about an hour or so to go eat @ the cafe at Thanksgiving Point. Sheri & the girls gave both Abigail & Grace the cutest silver charm bracelets with princess crowns. They’re so fun and the girls are excited to add charms to them. Sheri also made Abigail a beautiful detailed frame with Abby’s baptism picture and notions (I have no idea how you fit that in Sheri). It matches her room and she loves it.

Over lunch the girls all played Madlibs. I had forgotten how much I used to love to do that! Abigail and Grace played it into the evening and I’ve never seen them laugh so hard! Sheri’s girls also started singing a song I haven’t heard since girls camp. My girls were hesitant at first but have been practicing ever since and love it. We ended with ice cream–it was so picturesque to see all of them lined up on their swivel stools eating ice cream in the old fashioned parlor. Kindof Normal Rockwellish. The Steele’s newest addition, Lily, has beautiful skin and big eyes like the others. She is such a happy and content baby. We are glad we finally got to meet her!

Toward the end of our visit, Grace & Isabelle were trying to revamp the plans to cook up a sleepover but both Sheri and I had separate family parties that evening. They were good sports saying goodbye but we promised we’d be seeing each other not too far down the road. Good times and good memories!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/

Aloha, it’s me, Julie. I decided I needed to totally redeem myself after my trash talkin’ in the comments section of the last blog. Yes, I am an avid, emotional Jazz fan! But for the record, I was not attacking other teams merely defending my right to cheer on the Jazz! I’m cooking up a Chimichanga party for tonights game with some new ideas–thanks Sheri! We have some Hawaiian girls at our home–or at least our best efforts to be some. Last week was Western Day and then there’s crazy hair day, and school spirit days—I can’t keep up! All I know is we are running out of days and Abigail lets me know on a daily bases. Today she chimed out that, “There are only six days left of school!” (in distress). Most children would be excited and giddy about this–not my girls. They breath school and reading.

Abigail seems to be getting a little too much schooling and education for her Father’s likes. Saturday we were driving around the neighborhood in the hills (as I call it) where Brian would really like to live. Abigail says out loud, “Now why would someone go and ruin a perfectly good habitat to build homes like this!”. I just sat in the front seat jiggling trying not to laugh out loud while Brian says under his breath, “Tell me she didn’t just say that, please tell me she didn’t say that!”

I won’t even try to explain our housing situation so I’m going to be lazy and cut and paste from an e-mail I sent my sister-in-law, Ali recently to explain the situation. “So here’s the situation…all I can really say is that I have NO WORDS and NO PATIENCE. Here goes my run-on sentence. We have gone the full gamete from looking at the 220k piece of garbage, or the shoot the moon what-we-want but-shouldn’t-get, in the middle range but squishy, renting eternally, the infamous Spring Creek new build, more expensive/ fixer upper type, outhouse, cabin, tent, camping indefinitely, and my favorite, trampoline (fun and entertaining by day–great table, bed, net, strainer, and giver of shade). In the end, bless my dear husband, I love him, but I may shoot him! We do see the beginnings of a significant shift in the market SOOOOOOOOO I think we will continue to rent until A. Spring Creek house is built or B. until we find a home that we feel is worth what they’re asking. Enough said and PRAY for me/us!” There, that was an ugly run-on sentence with horrible grammar–but you get the idea!

On a lighter note Gwenyth is showing signs of walking. She’s almost 15 months and 15 pounds and has been our slowest walking. She is feisty and has everyone doing everything for her on her terms. Thus the walking late–it’s all on her terms. Can’t wait to potty train this one! Speaking of potty training, I found these great new plastic pants/underwear pack of three at Target in American Fork–I can only find them at that location. Lucy hates wearing them so bad she’s quit wetting her bed at night. They are a Godsend!

I took the tiny tots to Lucy’s music class today. She is still attending Art City Music Academy and loves it. Aunt Marilyn is in Cozumel, Mexico, so Gwen got to study music with Miss Leslie too. I wish I would have brought my camera because there was a lot of clapping, pounding, & squealing on Gwen’s part. She loved it! When it came time for the keyboard she wasn’t about to share it with Lucy and was ticked off she didn’t have her own bench and keyboard. We went with all the kids after to McDonald’s and they got their fill of playland for at least another six months (I have an aversion to buffets and also playlands or any sort).

I have been officially told that my turn is over on the computer by Grace. She is the networker. Networking friends, money, computer time, food, playtime, you name it. I can’t resist those brown eyes on occasions and this, my friends, is one of those. So it’s a scramble to get the Jazzy Mexican fiesta going and the house somewhat picked up before my luvy gets home. Aloha & Go Jazz!

Here’s a (long) video of Lucy:

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/midder/