The Greatest Show on Earth!!!

Derrick got tickets from his work for the circus.  I was super excited because I had never been to the circus before and our seats were on the 16th row.   Madi was in awe the entire time.  I thought she might be a little scared with the lights out but she was just awe struck by all of it.  She got a "princess wand" and thought it was great!

Her favorite part was the zebras.  Even a week and a half later she still will tell you without hesitation that they were her fave.  She has never seen zebras in real life before since our zoo closed that exhibit when they began construction on the Rocky Shore exhibit.  She kept saying she wanted to ride one.  :D 

The pictures aren't great because it was dark and I had my point and shoot camera but that's ok.  You still get the idea.  These two guys have two massive logs and four girls on swings and a guy on top.  They spun them around.  They said they eat something like 7,000 calories a day each!   

My favorite parts were the tigers and the elephants.  I love to watch the elephants.  It is amazing what they train them to do.  Someday I would love to ride an elephant.  Maybe when we are retired and traveling the world... 

Aren't they so cute? 

I loved the circus!  Easton slept through the majority and Madi just sat, amazed at all there was going on.  We will definitely be going back someday.  Thanks babe for getting us the tickets! 

When did I get old???

Okay, so 30 really isn't that old, but I'm pretty sure last week I couldn't even imagine being  in my 20's and now I am in my 30's!  CRAZY!!!  I didn't have any break downs or hide under the covers or cry because I was old.  Thanks to the world's most amazing man, I had the best birthday EVER!  See all those post-it notes on the fridge.  For the 30 days before my birthday I got a note along with a gift the coincided.  Each note started "I love you because..." and then finished with something he loved about me.  I got totally spoiled.  Among some of the things I got... popsicles (Pace's, the best kind), toothpaste, Mt. Dew, a small camera (for the diaper bag), several books, Rio, 17 Miracles, Excedrin, a few games, a marble Christus statue, Sugar Baby's, Lagoon ticket, craft things and a bunch more I can't think of.  It was so fun to wake up each morning and see what he had given me that day.

The best present he gave me though was him.  He surprised me and when he left for work Monday morning, he really ran to the store to get stuff to make my cake and my breakfast.  He returned home with sausage and stuff for french toast, complete with strawberries and whipped cream on top.  Then Madi and Derrick made me a pumpkin struessel cheesecake bar for my cake.  It was AMAZING and I am pretty sure he will be making it next year too! :D  He spent the day shopping with me and then we came home for some yummy enchiladas and my cake.  It was a perfect day. 

A birthday weekend...

Derrick's parents take us to lunch for our birthday's every year.  I love how special they make us feel and the little things they do to show us how much they love us.  Since it opened, I have gone to the Cheesecake Factory for my birthday.  I love that place!  It is always so yummy.  We met them there on Saturday (the 10th) for lunch.  I enjoy spending time with them and watching them with our kids.  They are such wonderful grandparents and I am glad they are so close to us.  Here is Madi and Grandma.

After lunch we walked around Fashion Place and stopped at the Wood Connection to pick up a few crafts.  Then it was off the the state fair.  Each year we get tickets from Derrick's work and it seems like it is always on my birthday weekend.  It's fun to go and see all the people and new things.  I especially love the photography exhibit.  Easton enjoyed being out in the sun (and rain) and watching everything that was going on.  He is always so happy.     

Madi LOVED the animals.  We let her go on a pony ride which thrilled her.  She was completely smitten with the bunnies and wanted to bring one home with us.  Since then she has told us several times that she wants a bunny.  So, if you know of anyone close to us that has a rabbit hutch they aren't using and wants to get rid of, we are looking for one. :D  

People would stop to play with Easton while we were looking at things.  He has the most captivating blue eyes.  We don't go anywhere without someone saying how beautiful they are.  I have to agree.

One of the things on our list to do at the fair was the Little Hands exhibit.  Madi really liked it last year and we knew this year would be more fun since she was older.  Here she is milking a cow.  She talked about this for days too.  She liked the cow and the sheep and talked about getting an egg from the chickens.  So fun! 

While we were looking at the bunnies it started to rain, not a lite rain, a down pour.  Got to love what the rain does to my hair... :P  

We bought Madi 10 tickets.  She rode a train and a hot air balloon ride and wanted to use the rest in the bounce house.  She went in that four different times!  The last time the guy said since there wasn't a line he would let her stay as long as she wanted.  She had a blast and it took some real convincing (or maybe bribery) to get her out. 

Our little guy was happy all day, wet or dry, he enjoyed being outside and seeing all there is to see at the fair.  I can't get enough of his grins and laughs.  He is such a good baby and so easy for me.  I love this kid! 

Labor Day...

On Labor Day we went to Union Station to check out the trains.  Madi LOVES them and will walk around saying "choo choo, all aboard" so Derrick wanted to go see the trains with us.  There were more open then when we went before.  Madi was able to climb up inside a lot of them and touch things.  They were a little intimidating to her once she saw what was inside.

That didn't stop her though.  She wanted to climb into every one of them.  You can't really tell from the pictures but she was loving it!

"all aboard!" 

Easton and I hung out and took pictures.  I went in a couple of the trains but thought I would let Derrick see them since I can go back easier then he can.

Madi picked a flower that was growing by one of the old trains.  It looked like it had caught on fire or something.  It was rusted and black inside and totally gutted.

Derrick liked this one a lot.  It is the train car used to bring the Olympic Torch into Salt Lake for the 2002 games.  

We walked through the museum which was actually pretty busy.  Madi liked to climb on things and see the model trains.  This is on a caboose.

The horses were still up from the parade of horses.  Madi thought they were cool and wanted to ride them.

I love when we have a three day weekend with Derrick.  It is always fun to take the kids places with him and see and learn new things.  We had a great day and were excited for the weekend since we had lots planned already!

Lagoon...

Derrick's work had their company party at Lagoon on Aug. 27th this year.  We haven't gone in the past because Madi was so young.  This year we decided to leave Easton with Grandma and Grandpa and take Madi.  She LOVED it!  She wanted to go on all the rides over and over again.  We had planned to go to Lagoon-a-beach but never made it.

We went on the Odessea.  That was the ride we waited longest in line for.  Madi did not love being sprayed but did like the ride.  We went on this ride twice so she could ride with both of us.

 Then we hit the kiddie rides.  She LOVES the whale ride and kept asking to go back to it.  She wasn't too sure about this ride but I think it is cause the boys face paint freaked her out.

We had a nice lunch and they did a raffle.  Derrick won the coveted prize... the Rockstar BMX bike.  He had five different offers to trade him things but we hung onto it in the end.  Then we changed Madi out of her swim suit since we ruled out Lagoon-a-beach.  We strolled through Pioneer Village and I got the sweetest picture of our Madi.  I love it! 

We rode the train and Madi went on several more rides before calling it a night.  We had a lot of fun and can't wait until next year when we can go back!

Ever have a day like that???

Yesterday was one of those days.  You know, the kind that you just want to go back to bed and pull the covers over your head.  I am not sure why but I woke up and felt like I was in a rut.  My floor was half mopped and I had no motivation to finish it or clean anything else for that matter.  Easton is teething and is whiny.  Every time I started to clean, Madi followed me around making a bigger mess.  When I asked her to do something or help or NOT do something she would yell "ROCK ON" and go about her business, ignoring my request.  By noon I was sitting in our rocking chair with my two babies, bawling, while I read them I'll Love You Forever.  I decided I had to get up and do something to get out of whatever funk I was in.  Nothing helps me relax and stay sane better Derrick and crafting.  Since Derrick wasn't an option I went straight to the craft room.

Derrick has been spoiling me daily as my birthday nears.  Since I am turning the big 30 he is counting down to the day with an I love you because... and a gift to match for each of the 30 days before my birthday.  One of those sweet notes read "I love you because... you have many talents and you add 'a little something' to our house to make it a home."  With it came the August ornament collection from the Wood Connection.  I had a brilliant idea to make some ants out of seed beads and went to work finishing my craft.

Here is my sunflower...

and my crow...

and my watermelon...

and my favorite... my picnic basket.

I spent the most time on this one.  I wanted it to LOOK like a basket.  I braided raffia around wire for the handles and tried to make my ants just right.  The seed beads didn't work.  They kept falling apart.  I think the surface was too smooth and they were too small.  In the end I had to get creative and I made them out of a black hot glue stick I had in the closet.  They aren't perfect but I love them! 

It was the perfect thing to help me cheer up a little.  Got the floor mopped, cushions, pillows, slip covers and swing liner washed, dried and put back on. Madi's room cleaned, dusted and vacuumed. Bedding washed in our room, dishwasher loaded and a few other things I had been needing to take care of.  I love crafts and love that my sweet hubby supports my habit!

Playing catch up...

A few weeks ago our laptop screen broke.  We took it to Best Buy to be fixed and they called me yesterday to let me know that it was going to be over $500 to replace the screen.  I said forget it and we bought a new computer yesterday.  It just so happens that the last couple weeks of July are usually our busiest time of the year.  So, I have been blogging like crazy today trying to get things a little up to date.  I still have more to post and will hopefully get to it today or tomorrow and then I can get all my other 'stuff' together on my computer and feel a little more organized.  Some people can't live without their cell phones and I am glad mine has web services, but I would trade that any day for my computer with internet.  It is so nice to be typing on something that actually fits my fingers. :D

Yellowstone 2011!!!

My Grandma and Grandpa Baum have spent time every summer in Yellowstone National Park for as long as I can remember.  Most of the family goes up during that time and spends time up there.  This year we were able to make a REALLY quick trip up for the weekend with Chris and Annie and Tara, Eric and their family.  We left Thursday night (July 15) and met up with the Wardell's in Rexburg, ID.  After some detours and a lot of hours in the truck, we pulled into our campsite at 2:07 am. (I remember because we made a bet as to what time we would get there and I guessed it exactly right!)  After setting up what had to be done that night we all crashed with the hope that the kids would sleep really good.  Derrick was great to get up with Madi when she was done sleeping way before the rest of us were.  We ate breakfast and were ready to go explore by 11:00. 

Here is Easton all dressed and ready for his first vacay!

There was elk EVERYWHERE this year.  In the past, it has been bison that ruled the park but this year they were off far from the road and the elk were the ones blocking the roadways and stopping traffic.

We didn't get to stop at very many waterfalls but we did stop at this one that I don't remember seeing in the past.  This is Chris and Annie.  I am SOOO glad that we were able to go with them.  We had so much fun and made some great memories that we will laugh about years from know!

Tara, Eric and their kids had never been to Yellowstone so Old Faithful was a must!  We toured the new visitors center and watched a short movie before going out to see the geyser spew it's hot self everywhere.  Madi saw several of her favorite animal... mans best friend.

I think this guy was probably the highlight of her trip.  She LOVED this dog and he was so friendly.  He couldn't stop kissing her and she kissed and loved on him right back.  (I am not a dog person and find it gross but the joy it brings to Madi is one of the sweetest things.  I love to see how happy dogs make her and have even thought about getting one in the distant future.)

And for me, camping isn't camping without some yummy smores.  I showed Madi how to roast the gooey marshmallows and put it all together.

On Saturday we were determined to find us a bear.  We planned to drive the upper loop.  Across from the mud pots were the closest buffalo we had seen, so we hiked down a little to see them across the river.

Madi was excited to see the buffalo and kept yelling and pointing at them.

We stopped at Mt. Washburn for lunch and then kept going.  Just past Towers by a little pond we saw our first bear.  It was fun for the kids to see even though we had to stay in our cars.  We just got a quick picture as we drove by.

Since we hadn't seen a bear or wolf in Hayden Valley we decided to check out Lamar.  We didn't see our bear or wolf but we did see some pronghorn and bison close to the road.  We only went a few miles in since there is construction on the NE side of the valley.

As we continued we on to Mammoth we saw three more black bears, a sow and her two cubs.  (I am not sure where that picture is.  I will add it later.)

As usual, there was elk all over Mammoth.  We toured the museum, got some ice cream and relaxed in the shade before heading back to camp.

This is some of the elk in the median in Mammoth.

I REALLY wanted to see a grizzly and a wolf but all we saw on our way home was more elk, a few far off bison and a few coyotes.

We got back to the camp after dark and and had our yummy taco salad before turning in.  Madi didn't sleep as well as she had the night before which means neither did we.  As soon as we got up we had to pack up camp and shower so we could stand to be in a car together for the ride home.  (OK, I don't think we really stunk THAT bad, but the showers were definitely nice.)

As we left the park we stopped at the Yellowstone sign to capture a picture of our first family vacation.

Chris and Annie...

Tara, Eric, Braden, Alex and Brynlee...

(It was so fun to spend time with them.  It has been a really long time since we have seen them!)

Another of Chris and Annie...

(there was an elk that walked across the river right at the bend.  It was cool to watch it go in.  In the center you just saw her little head bobbing across.)

I love this picture of Madi.  We almost didn't stop for pictures because Madi was asleep.  I am so glad that we did.

Madi and Brynlee... the two of them are only six months apart.  It was fun to see them with each other.  Madi enjoyed having some new friends around.  She is a social butterfly when it comes to kids and warms right up to them.

Tara and Eric had to park their van over by the laundry/showers due to the camp vehicle limit.  When they went to get it on Sunday morning they noticed that a couple of visitors had tried to get in during the night.  They had bear paw prints all over it.  There was at least two, a cub and an older bear. This is about the best picture I could get since there was a glare and a little someone put his hand print over the top of it.

Madi slept a lot of the way home but enjoyed playing games on the phone too.

Easton did great!  He was a trooper and hardly fussed the whole time. We had a fabulous trip and can't wait for the next one!

This one is a little out of order but sometimes that's how it goes. :D