The day after Christmas in July ;)

My sweet Cole's bday is the day after Christmas and like I tell him all the time there are advantages and disadvantages to just about everything in life. For the most part he always looks on the bright side of having a birthday the day after Christmas. He likes that he gets to open more presents...he really likes presents.

This year we decided to have his "friend" party in the summer. We knew it would be a water party and I decided it would be a surprise water party......fun, fun, fun!

So today was the day. I thought maybe Cole was onto us, because he knew it was supposed to be in July and we're nearing the end, but I was able to put him off. And he was surprised. One disadvantage of having a party in the summer, for us (this is our first party in the summer) is not having a connection with the kids at school. We did have two of Cole's friends from church come, and it turned out great.

They had water gun/balloon wars, a horseshoe type game, then I found (what turned out be a huge hit at play group and Cole's party) in Family fun Magazine an erector type set where you use pvc pipe and joints and connect with the waterhose and build whatever with water coming out. Turns out it's for all ages as the pics will show.

Oh and the cake......some may say it was underdone....some may say it was overdone....some may say it was just plain heavenly (I'll go with those)! I don't know if I'll do it again, but it was great for a son who is continually begging for some KK and strawberries. Happy Surprise July Bday Cole! I loved tucking you in tonight and seeing the love and thank you in your eyes, so sweet! Can't wait to surprise you again !!!!!


Cole being surprised, blurry, but noteworthy.

Back to our trip

Working backwards now I suppose. These were the first pics in put in a collage so there.

Brandon and I honeymooned in Yellowstone almost 11 years ago and were excited to share it with the kids. Well, you know how some plans can go. The kids wanted to stay at the cabin and watch tv. The drive was too long there and even inside. I remembered loving the waterfalls so that's where we headed first. Along the way we saw a ton of buffalo, well probably a few ton.

We go to the waterfalls and a shower came down..it was already cooler than we anticipated and Cole forgot his jacket at the cabin. Well we strongly encourage him to come with us to the falls lookout and it starts raining but we trudge ahead we quickly see the falls all the while Cole is beyond miserable then as we head back to the car it begins hailing on us. We were drenched and pelted by the time we made it to the car. Two minutes later the rain was gone..for the day. Go figure. Cole didn't get out to see the lower falls. Laura my fish could have whatever happen when it comes to water and she wouldn't care. She was unfazed. Hannah was in the stroller slightly traumatized, but we survived.

We went back the 2nd day determined for the kids to see Old Faithful. It was cold and they were happy the pavement was warm, that's the crust of the visit.

We've decided to go back when they turn 21ish and can really appreciate it.

It was so beautiful. When I go back I would like to stay inside the park and have a good time seeing it all, just driving along the rivers was breathtaking.

Say

what you need to say...

Just heard that song on another blog and it reminded me of the movie "The Bucketlist".

The beginning was slow and silly, some of the language needed soap. The ending needed a box of kleenex for me and .....(don't tell) Brandon. I think for different reasons.

I loved the message that monogamy is lasting happiness.

I liked that Morgan Freeman is the narrator and (Brandon pointed out) for more reasons than just to here his voice.

My favorites on the list were
'kiss the most beautiful girl in the world'
'laugh till you cry'
'witness something truly majestic'

Won't say too much more because you should see it for yourself.

If you'd care not too take the time, spend the time you would have loving your family and living life to it's fullest - which is kind of one in the same.

D Day

I enjoy Father's day, for the most part. I like boys/men, ya know in general - one in particular more than the rest. I am not a fan of male bashing. I suppose some of them deserve it, but I believe they're just trying to get along like us gals. Everyone's got their pros and cons and the fact is we couldn't get along without them.

I have a variety of "dads" in my life...

my father who instilled in me the importance of education, being fit and strong and a certain amount of discipline.

Daddy G., father #2, who helped raise me and set such a great example of being a kind husband, father and that men could/should help around the house and with the kids.

Frank, my stepfather, who is an excellent grandaddy, with so much energy and thirst for knowledge and one best of alls was he so generously was my pathway to the Big Apple, twice...a dream fulfilled.

Rhoud, father n law, one of the hardest working people I know. Was such a good father to Brandon that it seeps out of him.

Brandon, father of my babies, I couldn't have asked for a better dad to help me raise my children. The kids adore him. He is an excellent teacher and I am amazed and fall in love all over gain when I watch him with them.

Cole, the father to be I am raising, I don't often give this much consideration, but he has a gentle heart and is so incredibly smart, I know he will be a great dad like his own.

My Father in Heaven, I know that He lives. I know that He loves me. I have had experiences in my life in which His hand was undeniable. He. Is. There.

Cole gave Brandon a drawing for father's day that is a picture of him getting married in the temple. What a gift to give. I've thought of this throughout the day. How as a parent to want the peace the blessings of the temple bring and felt maybe a little of the hopes Heavenly Father has for us and what a gift it would be for me to continue to set my focus on the temple,attend often, and do what I can to help Cole fulfill his gift to his dad.

Happy Father's Day!

Kids Art, Baby Bedding, Nursery Decor

Here's a new website to check out. Lots of cute baby decor. Here's a message from the designer...

"Hey Guys! My new website is finally done and live. I have all my art for kids listed on there as well as other items for kids and babies from other companies and artists. Take a look and let me know what you think. I search the internet for unique and cute stuff for kids and I’m adding products daily.

I am trying to get the word out so if you blog please consider adding a link to my site…if that's okay, can you list the site name as "Kids Art, Baby Bedding, Nursery Decor" and then link it to www.LondonBridgeChildren.com. I'm trying to get linked to as many blogs as I can. If you have any friends that blog let them know that if they will add my link to their blog then I will send them a free 8x10" art print from my website (and they can pass that offer on to their friends…you can just forward this to them). Just have them email me if they are interested. And, of course I want you to pick out an 8x10" art print for helping me out…thank you so much!"

Lori

loribergstrom11@yahoo.com

Our guest Sarah

When Brandon got home this afternoon, we discovered that our Laura had replaced herself with a guest by the name of Sarah. She had been invited by Cole and Laura and would be staying the night. She stayed in character most of the evening. Here are some things about Sarah....

her family begs her to dress immodestly, which is why she was at our dinner table still wearing her swimsuit.

Her family only eats dinner in the living room while watching tv(which happens here only occastionally, we're so unfortunate).

You don't have to wait for dessert at her house.

They do have salad and other things for dinner.

For Family Home Evening they have prayer and then sing a song

Back to the Laura's family...we had lemon poppyseed muffins for dessert and Cole asked for seconds and I told him to split it with Laura/Sarah.

An hour later Laura was back with our family and we were glad because we missed her. She walks over to the muffins and asks for another and I asked if Cole didn't share a second one with her?

Very Seriously the response was,

No, that was Sarah.

Wydahotana

That's what Brandon's coworkers call where he's from, cause it's somewhere out there amongst those western states. We had a good time, experiences all kinds of weather. LOTS of pics, the task seems daunting to blog about it all....I'm going to give it a shot! Well mostly pics with a few comments where necessary. Here goes!


First stop SLC, UT

Susan picked us up then we headed to Temple Square and met up with our wonderful babysitter Miss Kristine, who's hanging out there for the summer and two missionaries who served in Tally but are home now, James Costello and Brady Nielsen. They were fun to hang with, the kids enjoyed their youthful energy...



We had a picnic lunch that Susan made for us, yummy. Then we headed to the north visitor's center and saw cool paintings and the Christus, then watched a video that moved you to different rooms that were decorated for different stages in life, it was about families being together forever (very well done).




We went back to temple sqaure the next day, Joseph Smith memorial building, conference center and headed north to Ogden to have lunch with Brandon's Aunt Barbara. We made it to Pocatello in time to eat at Tastee Treet...yummy.

It was good to see everyone again.

and due to picture editing issues we'll add more later :)