Sept 3-21

Sept 3

Kate and Milo kneeling.  It's a new trick for him.

Sept 4

First day back to school for Hyrum.  I coulnd't find my chalkboard, where I wrote PRESCHOOL on it last year, so you'll just have to trust me.

Sept 5

Milo in the mirror.  Like most babies, he just can't get enough of that kids in the reflection!

Sept 6

I've had a hard time taking photo's these last couple of weeks.  This was something I took a screenshot of and sent to Kathy and Bryon.  You have to know FRIENDS, and go out to sushi once in a while to get it.

Sept 7

We had a Richmond Family (Denise) breakfast up the canyon.  It was perfect weather and the kids were in Heaven.  And of course, there were rocks that needed to be climbed everywhere.

Sept 8

Birthday celebration with the Petersen's at Karen's house.  Milo loved the swing.

Sept 9

I lowered the crib for Milo.  With Kate I lowered it one nap too late, so this will ensure that he won't be falling out anytime soon.

Sept 10

Hyrum came home from Mimi and Papa's with this page torn out of a magazine.  He must know there's a big Hardcastle competition coming up with pumpkin decoration.

Sept 11

School is in full swing, which means my walls are once again covered in art work.

Sept 12

Milo kneeling again.  I think I forgot I already took a picture of him doing this.  No interest or attempt to stand, just kneeling so far.

Sept 13

Quick picture (and not a very good one) of Milo in a hard hat.

Sept 14

It rained all day and filled up the pool.  Kate decided to play in it.  Her dress came off at some point.  I made her come back inside as soon as the pull-up came off too.

Sept 15

Milo tried chocolate for the first time.  Blue m&m's at Grandma and Grandpa Hardcastles.  He was a fan.

Sept 16

New shoes for Hyrum from uncle Gordon (Solomon).  Guaranteed to make you at least 15% faster)

Sept 17

I took half a dozen pictures and they all turned out blurry.  Milo decided to actually crawl (as opposed to scooting)

Sept 18

Today was a good day.  I set a goal for myself to reach a certain weight by the time Justin got home, and I came in at just under it.    It's till 20-25 pounds from where I'd like to end up, but with Justin back and I start going to the gym more than once a week I'll hopefully lose a bit more that way.  I've definitely lost what I gained with Milo, and started on the weight I kept from Kate.  So, now I just need to work on the weight that stuck around from Hyrum, and then tackle the 5 pounds that came along with Justin (right after I got married).  A girl can dream, right?

Sept 19

A friend from the ward texted and invited us to go to Wheeler Farm with them in the morning.  I didn't want to go anywhere that day, but that's usually a bad idea in the long run, so we went.  It was probably a good thing, even though the kids were a bit on the crazy side and it was super crowded.  It was good to get out.

Sept 20

Milo turned one today!  We're saving his big birthday party for when Justin get's home next month, so we came up to my mom's for dinner and a couple of gifts.  He loves balloons and sugar filled cake.

Sept 21

My phone is spending a couple of days in rice.  Let's hope it works when I pull it out (submerged in water)

Social Experiment

I'll be the first to admit I'm addicted to my cell phone (iPhone).  It is very rarely more than a few feet from me, if not in my back pocket.  Like most of us now days I use it for everything.  All of my contacts and schedule is on there, social media outlets, I use it to Google strange and peculiar things that pop into my head during the day, and a camera that is always easy to get to.  We don't have a land line, so it's my only way to communicate with the outside world.  It's most often how I start and end my day, and spend a good deal of time on it during the day as well.  

So... yesterday morning I had my phone in my back pocket as usual and was getting the kids ready to take Hyrum to school (have I mentioned how I hate afternoon preschool?)  I blame the fact that I had on a pair of jeans that I haven't worn for sometime now, and are still a little too snug for public use (I was just seeing if they fit yet and planned to wear them around the house that morning).  I went to the bathroom -can you see where this is going?  In goes my phone.  My heart sunk when I heard the noise.  I've had a cell phone since I went to college in 1998, and I have never had one with any water damage.  Until yesterday.

I retrieved the submerged phone lightening fast and dried it off.  I've heard of the phone in a rice bag (just what it sounds like) and immediately submerged it again, this time in a zip lock full of rice.  I got online (on my computer) to make sure I did the right thing, and I think I did.  It'll sit there until at least Sunday.

Can I tell you how many times I've reached for or tried to look for my phone in the last 18 hours?  It's starting to drive me crazy!  I was reading a book on there, I play a couple of word games with 2 or 3 friends that I can't get to, it was Milo's first birthday and I couldn't take any photo's or get on instagram to see what other people are taking pictures of, I have no idea what time it is, ever.  I think it's safe to say I am (was) far too addicted to having a smartphone at my finger tips.

I'm at my parents for the night (a planned over-nighter because we came up for a mini birthday party for Milo) and actually just went a bought a throw away (pay as you go) phone for any just-in-cases when I'm back home.  It's a flip phone, with no bells and whistles.  I can't even remember how many years it's been since I had a similar one.    So... I've got another day or two with no phone and I'd like to say I'll learn something.  And hopefully I'll get a bit more done during the day, but I'll be honest, I'm looking forward to getting my phone (or a new one, gulp) back and running.  I'm dying to know what time it is.

Week with the Hardastles

Jodi and Stella came into town for a week, and we didn't miss a minute of it.

We picked the two of them up at the airport and came back to our house for dinner.  (Jodi took our extra car for the week from there)

The kids were so excited to see Jodi and Ste-ya, even Milo.

Tuesday Jodi came down and we all went to Wheeler Farm.  The only clear pictures were of the two that were strapped into strollers.

Wednesday we had a family dinner at my parents.

Thursday my mom came with all of us and we headed to the zoo.

Friday we had our annual girls trip to Swiss Days and Park City.  This year's was a bit condensed, an early evening in Midway and just dinner in Park City.  It actually wasn't too busy and I think we all saw just about everything we wanted to.

Dinner was delicious, we at at Vinto on Main St.

Kate had a rough few minutes back at home with Grandpa Hardcastle, Gordon, and Matt.  In Gordon's words she took a 'bookcase to the face'.  I'm sure she screamed for about 10 minutes and then was up and running around just as fast.

We slept over and headed out as soon as Jodi and Stella were ready to be taken to the airport.  Their trip home was pretty miserable, and it will probably be a long time before my sister tries that flight again on her own.

My mom came back to our house (with the Honda) and we were supposed to put her on the train back to Roy.  A few too many red lights on our way and we got there just as it was pulling away.  So, she hung out with us for the day and then we went with her and my dad up to the Uintah's that evening.

The destination was Mirror Lake, but we also seem to need to get out and eat about 10 minutes before we get there (we all went last summer too).

The kids loved being in the mountains and Hyrum just about jumped in the lake at least half a dozen times.  I'll never know the answer to this, but I'll always wonder if Kate would be as adventurous (jumping and climbing) if she hadn't had an older brother to show her how it was done, but she can certainly keep up with him.

Milo was a bit tired on the way home, which was pretty late for his standards.

And, since it was our regular Sunday we all headed back up to my parents for dinner on Sunday.  I'm sure all the Hardcastle's were going through withdrawals after spending so much time together come Monday.  I know my kids were asking where their family was all day.

August 13-Sept 2

Wow... I'm a little behind

Aug 13

Primary Elections.  Only the mayoral ticket on our ballot.

Aug 14

I think I nearly forgot to take a photo today.  I finally printed new photos... these were still on my wall.  The ones where Kate is younger than Milo -and Milo isn't even there.

Aug 15

Dermatologist appointment.  He must be a Disney fan.  You'd think he'd be more pleasant to be around.
  
Aug 16

New wall.  Thanks for your help, mom.

Aug 17

Our annual 5K race with Jessica's work.  I did better than I expected this year.  Finished in 31 and a half minutes.  The kids and Jess were a much prettier sight than I was.

Aug 18

Sleepy Milo.  Isn't he cute???

Aug 19

Horrible picture.  We had a video game date with some friends.  My poor, deprived children don't have video games at home (their parents don't play them).  So, Hyrum always wants to play, but he's not very good.  So, they ended up doing a dancing one.

Aug 20

Morning at the park.

Aug 21

My pick for book club.  This was the 3rd or 4th time reading this book.  (I picked it, I somehow just discovered it's the first in a trilogy, so my plan is to read the next two after I finish).

Aug 22

Hyrum AND Kate played by themselves for quite a while today -at the same time.  (Kate almost 15 minutes, Hyrum was closer to 30 min).  Pretty cool.

Aug 23

Hair cut.  I cried.

Aug 24

Our ward had a luau.  It was amazing.  I was supposed to help a bit more, but kind of dropped the ball.  Next year for sure, I'm sure it will be an annual thing.  Loved the food, and loved the dances!

Aug 25

Jodi and Stella are here!  

Aug 26

Another not-so-great photo.  My sister in law picked me up some raspberries, and I finally had a few minutes to do jam.  (Thank goodness I decided to freeze them the week before)  Last time I made jam I went a bit crazy, this time was a bit more controlled -only 5 jars instead of 20 or something.

Aug 27

More of Jodi and Stella time.  Today was the farm.  The only good shots we got were of the two in strollers.
Aug 28

Milo just loves little Stella.  I felt bad that he had a bit of a cold (and probably shared it) or I would have let him have more floor time with her.

Aug 29

More family time.  Grandma, Jodi and Stella came along to the zoo.

Aug 30

A condensed version of our annual girls weekend.  An afternoon of Swiss Days and dinner in Park City.  This was my fresh squeezed lemonade from dinner at Vinto.

Aug 31

We went on a drive to Mirror Lake with my parents.  I took pictures with my ACTUAL camera for once.

Sept 1

One more drive up North to see the Hardcastles.  Mom made a 'fancy' dessert since Gordon and Jess made dinner.

Sept 2

Milo and Hyrum looking out the window.  That little boy loves his brother.  (That goes for both of them)