SBL #4 - Swim at Emily's Pool

Swim at Emily's Pool:

This is a weekly (or more) event.  We love swimming at Emily's Pool and only wish that she and Miley were there to join us!

SBL #2 and 3 - Walk on trails & picnic

Not sure what SBL is?  Link here.

Walk/Bike Ride on a trail + Picnic in a Park

The kids officially finished school on June 6th.  They were already looking for things to do by the 7th.  On the 9th, we decided to cross a couple things off the bucket list (although these two are things that I'm sure we will do over and over again throughout the summer, I just probably won't take a picture of it again unless it's super fun!)  We loaded the scooters and double stroller into the back of our new car (did I ever mention that we got a new car?  It's a 2009 Ford Expedition EL (which stands for Extra Long) and is very similar in size to a Suburban.  It is SO nice and makes our summer plans/vacations seem like much more fun) and I packed an easy picnic.  We drove to a park that is on the Jordan River Trail and after eating our very windy picnic, we walked along the trail while the boys scooter-ed in front of us.  I made everyone pause for a quick photo...

1st On the Bucket List

From here on out, anything that we do from the bucket list will be titled SBL #_ (if you're not sure what this is, link here.)

So this is SBL #1~
Our friends, Whitney, Berkley, and Sovie, invited us over one day.  They had just bought a new "pool" and wanted to try it out.  They lured us over with the promise of lunch.  Owen, Han, and Madi put on their swimming suits and we headed over.  They all loved the pool so much that they insisted we get one of our own!  So we did.  And since it was on our bucket list, we had to fill it up immediately!  It has seen many summer days already and I know there are more to come.  

Summer Bucket List 2012

Summer has begun!  My cousin, Monicka, posted a Summer Bucket List they had created for their family.  I thought it was a great idea so we totally copied them and made a list of the many things we want to do this summer.  As we accomplish them, I'll post the different activities we do.  Some are easy, some involve a lot of planning, some require other people, some are ongoing.  We're excited about it.

I know it's hard to read everything on the list so here they are in no particular order:
- Summer Reading Program through the Library
- Bear Lake
- Swim at Emily's pool
- Go to a 3D movie
- Play at a lot of new Splash Pads
- Go to a ReAL game
- Jump on the Trampoline
- Swim at Draper Pool
- Memorize the Articles of Faith
- Scout Camp (Cam)
- Wheeler Farm
- Eat a Snow Cone
- Swimming Lessons
- Hollywood Connection
- Have a weiner roast
- Go to a Drive In Movie
- Piano Lessons
- Lagoon with the Tew's
- Have a water balloon fight
- Roast Doughnuts
- Potty Train the babies?
- Do Sidewalk Chalk Art
- Outdoor Movie at the Amphitheater
- Teach Owen to Read
- Granny Camp
- Play with Friends
- Go Fishing
- Visit Kami & Girls in Wyoming
- Sleepover at Grandma Tisa's
- Buy a Book
- Fly Kites
- Happy Hour at Sonic
- Play in our Pool
- See Beaver & Amelia & kids
- Swim at Callie's Pool
- Go Camping
- Have Family Pictures taken
- Watch Fireworks
- Picnic at a Park
- Go See City Creek
- Walk/Bike Ride on trails


We wrote each thing on a sticky note so that when we've completed it, we can take it off the board.  Hopefully, this will prevent my kids from saying "We didn't do ANYTHING this summer!"  We've already gotten started and we're loving it! 

Bye-bye Mullet!

Because Madi is our first (and only) girl, I've had a hard time knowing what to do with her hair.  I didn't know if I should cut it or let it grow out.  I loved doing this:  

but most of the time, she pulled it out within an hour of having it done.  

One morning, while she was eating breakfast, I noticed that we had a serious mullet!

I texted Callie a picture of the mullet and decided it was time to get rid of it.   

 Madi sat nice for Aunt Callie and pretty soon we had a cute little bob!  

Other May Happenings

May was such a busy month and without my camera, I'm limited on the pictures I can post.  Luckily, Spence and I got new cell phones (iPhone 4S) so I've been taking a few pictures and videos.  I am not uploading the videos to the blog though, sorry.

Gavin had an end-of-the-year program for his French Immersion class.  He has really done well in learning to speak and understand French and he has the cutest accent!  They did the entire play of "Puss in Boots" in French.  I didn't understand a thing but Spence did.  They also sang a bunch of songs in French.  Gavin was pretty proud and so were we.  (Lots of video of this event, no pictures.)

We spent the long Memorial Day Weekend in Idaho with our Tew Family.  Although it rained Friday and Saturday, we still found a few ways to have fun.  We went to a place in Pocatello with a giant foam pit.  Gavin showed no fear and jumped and flipped into the pit numerous times.  Cam's quite a bit more timid and a little afraid of heights so although he would run and jump into the pit, he never got around to jumping from the upper level.  There were a few trampolines that Owen loved jumping on too.  We ate at Pizza Pie Cafe and headed back to Blackfoot.  

When we got there, the power started flickering.  This was a strange phenomenon for my boys and they thought we were playing a joke on them.  The power went off and on for a little while and then suddenly went out...and was out for 6 hours!  Ryan & No'el didn't lose power so we went to their house for a while and made dinner and then went back to my parents'.  We wished they had canceled church due to the power outage but it was back on by 10-ish Saturday evening.

After church on Sunday, we had a lovely steak and homemade french fry dinner at Ryan's house.  My kids sure love their cousins and it's nice to be able to just let them play and play and play.

We also went to the annual Hugh & Marie Baldwin Family Reunion on Memorial Day.  It was fun to visit the graves of our loved ones and then meet at the Stake Center for lunch and visiting.  I was glad we had made the trip, it was so fun to catch up with many cousins.  We all missed Emily, Jeff, and Miley.

If Callie or my mom have pictures of this weekend, I'll post them.  If not, oh well.

Preschool Grad

Owen graduated from Preschool on May 17th.  He attended Apple Blossom Academy and I would highly recommend the preschool to anyone.  He was lucky enough to attend Preschool with two of his best friends, Colton and Ally.  He learned all of his letters and sounds and has recently started trying to put sounds together to create words.  He loved his experience and looked forward to Preschool.  At the graduation he had a little speaking part, they sang a lot of songs, and he got to dance in the Caterpillar Conga!  He is such a sweet boy and I'm a little sad to be sending him to Kindergarten next year.