Still here

I am having a hard time keeping up to date with the blog this summer. I've actually created a few posts, but haven't managed to get the pictures on it, so I'm holding off on posing. Hopefully I can rectify that tonight.

We've had a busy summer, and have a few more busy weeks to go. Justin has been out of town for three weeks of it so far, and two more weeks to go later next month. Hyrum has learned how to say "Dad's in Michigan, Chicago, and Washington D.C." and will soon learn Rhode Island. He seems pretty sad, missing his dad, especially after the first few days.

We've already been camping once-with TWO kids- so far this summer. Last weekend was Denise's family reunion at Fremont State Park. It was a really nice group camp ground (flush bathrooms and even showers), but pretty hot without a lot of tree's. We played in a nearby lake, went on a few walks/hikes , ate good food, and hung out with family. It was just one night, and the kids did okay. Hyrum had a hard time falling asleep at night, but it was nice to have an air conditioned trailer for naps on Saturday. We have the ward campout this weekend, and a whole week of festivities for Midvale that Justin's involved in the following week.

The kids are growing up so fast. Kate is so big and way too close to crawling for my liking. She sits on her own for the most part and can roll around the living room before I have time to put the groceries away. She'll get up on her knees and rock back and fo

rth all of the time -I have a feeling she'll be crawling before the summer is over.Hyrum is kind of at a standstill on toilet training. That's really our constant obsession these days. We're not doing too bad, but there's definitely room for improvement. In other area's he is sure maturing. It's been fun to watch as he starts to become more imaginative in his play. He seems to have entire conversations with family, friends, and even neighbors on the phone. He plays with his toys and talks them, and they talk to each other. He is still great with his letters and numbers and we're starting to color a lot more.

I'm heading up to girls camp (just for one day) this week and by the time I get back, we'll have a friend from Brazil staying with us for a while, so I imagine we'll do the tourist thing in our own backyard again, which is always pretty fun.

Independence Day

I guess it's not surprising that these kind of holidays (like Veterens Day) have taken on a different meaning to me since Justin joined the Navy. It's been almost a year since we found out his application was accepted and about 7 months or so since he was commissioned as an officer in the Navy Reserves.

As far as impacting our family life, it's only cost as a few weekends and one full week without our dad and husband. His first full two weeks is later next month. Justin missed Kate rolling over for the first time (although it was Monday night, so he would have been teaching even if he had been in town), but it did get me thinking of the things he'll miss when he is deployed.

I have obviously become very aware of the men and women who are full time military, at any part of their life. What they've sacrificed to serve their country, and especially what their families have had to sacrifice. I won't lie, I was not and am still not overly excited about the prospect of deployment, but I do take some comfort in the fact that Justin's position will most likely never take him close to any war front or even close to it.

The other day in church someone was bearing their testimony (I honestly don't remember who) and they used the phrase, "this country that God gave us". I don't want to diminish the fact that we are living in a land that I DO believe was set aside by our Heavenly Father to be a nation that would afford it's citizens certain freedoms. Many of which made the restoration of the Gospel a possibility. But I think it's equally important to remember that it didn't come to 'us' without a fight. And at great cost to many generations and families.

I don't claim any special privilege because my husband is in the reserves, (except for maybe the occasional chance to purchase groceries without sales tax or get 10% off at some restaurants and stores). I'm fully aware that we have yet to sacrifice much for our country, but it's coming. I think that's why I had such a hard time these two weeks Justin's been out of time, because I could only think of the time he'll be away from our family for deployments over the next few (or twenty) years.

So, to all of those that have sacrificed and will continue to sacrifice for the defense of our freedoms and those that come to the aid of others who cannot defend themselves, thank you. And thanks to your families that have had to learn to say goodbye to loved ones time and time again.

Summer is here (finally)

We've had a very wet and pretty cool summer up until the last couple of weeks. Which is good news for most of Utah, since we had a SUPER wet winter, and if it had been any warmer any sooner a lot more area's would have been flooded.


Justin and Hyrum went fishing (on a boat) with Justin's dad. I guess Hyrum just loved it, and he caught more than anyone else. They were catching (and releasing) catfish, or as Hyrum called them, sea monsters.




Grandma and Grandpa Lafeen bought a new toy...


That's all that kids needs -more speed!

Dinner, a sprinkler and a few sparklers at the Flints (Jodi and Trevor's house).



And a quick nap with Big Matt.
Trying to get a picture before church this week. It didn't work out so well.

A trip to the zoo with the Lafeens. We had a lot of fun -but it was sure a hot day!




Touching a snake. Hyrum also got to touch a tortoise.

We've been to the pool once, and to Liberty Park's splash pad and park.

A quick trip to Wheeler Park. We forgot our stale bread, and it was REALLY hot here too.

Poor Kate has all of her pictures in the stroller!

Hyrum and Elijah hanging out the the outhouse. Boys.
Elijah, Noah, and Hyrum.

We went to the Hill Aerospace Museum with Grandma Hardcastle.


Hyrum just loved the airplanes (Jeremy's) and Helicopters (Harold's).

Countless hours playing outside. In the dirt. With the water. Eating snacks. It's kind of annoying, since our little backyard is not gated, I have to open the door and stay in the kitchen to keep an eye on Hyrum. But, he'd stay out there all day if I let him.


A few other places that I don't have pictures of -trips to the library, a canyon breakfast with the Goughs, and I think Justin and Hyrum are headed to his first neighborhood firework display. Kate and I will be content to stay home and listen to all of the loud booms from our house.