Demolition Men

We managed to get a huge TV given to us the other day.  It's been sitting in the back of our suburban because it was too big for us to move (it's an old TV and very heavy).  We called our hometeachers to come help us get the TV into our play room downstairs (the whole reason for getting this huge TV is because it looked like it might be able to handle the stress of our boys).
In order to clear out some space for the TV we needed to move the old entertainment center that was already down there.  Michelle thought it would be a great project for the boys to figure out how to get the entertainment center out of the basement.  She told the boys, "Get the entertainment center out of the basement.  Use any means necessary."  The boys did just as they were told.  It took some thinking and some muscle but they managed to take the entertainment center out all by themselves.

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The boys did a great job working together.  The boys finished just in time for the muscle to arrive and move the TV downstairs.  We're not completely sure how we want the TV situated but the hardest part of the job is now done and we have our suburban back to use for hauling boys.  Thanks to our hometeachers for coming over!  You guys rock.

The Cops Have Our Number

My family is so wonderful.  Since I live so close to work there are frequent days when Michelle and the boys will meet me on the way home from work and we get to walk the rest of the way home together.  It is a wonderful thing that we've been doing occasionally over the past couple of weeks during this mild January weather.

Well, on Wednesday my boys wanted to run and meet me on the way home from work but Michelle was in the middle of things and not able to jump up and run.  So she let David, Michael and Aleky leave to meet me as long as they would stick together.  As I'm leaving from work I see David running up the street with Michael a long way behind.  We meet up and head toward the house.  We finally catch up to Aleky who had been left behind and only made it as far as Center St. in front of our hometeacher's house, just after crossing at the light.

Aleky turns around and runs back to the light at 900 E and starts to run into the STREET!  I yell at him and he stops, turns around and comes back to the corner.  Fortunately the car making a turn onto 900 E saw him in plenty of time and didn't run Aleky over.  Obviously, that didn't make me very happy.  The cop on Center St crosses through the intersection, turns around and tries to catch up with Aleky who, after crossing 900 E with me, took off running to the house.  The cop stops in the middle of the road, can't catch Aleky but follows him to the house.  A second cop stops and notices the rest of us and stops to talk to us.

Apparently someone had phoned in to the cops that a little boy was hanging out at the corner of 900 E and Center St. and they had come to investigate.  It was a little embarrassing to have the two cops stop because of Aleky.  But at least we have some good neighbors who are watching out for him, right?

Well, today the boys were playing in the park just outside our gate.  At least David, Donovan and Michael were just outside the gate.  Aleky and Quinten were exploring more of the park.  Michelle was watching the boys but couldn't see Quinten from the house and asked David to bring Quinten back because we can't watch him if he gets too far away.  After retrieving Quinten from the south side of the park the boys came in and locked the gate.  They went downstairs to play.

A short time later there's a knock at the door.  When Michael answers the door he shouts, "it's a police man".   Apparently another concerned neighbor didn't feel that Quinten had enough supervision and called the police.  They came to find out who was watching the boys.  Since they were all inside the house there wasn't much for them to do.  As the first cop was leaving a second cop call pulled up but noting that there was no situation here they both left.

On the one hand I'm glad to know that we have concerned neighbors who are watching out for our boys.  On the other hand, the boys should be allowed a chance to play in the public park just outside our backyard.  I guess you can't blame the newly wed mothers in the neighborhood for being concerned but calling the police may not be the best way to handle the situation.  However, we find it interesting that the police drove straight to our door.  Hmmm....

Waltzing Matilda Dinner Improvisation

Donovan starting learning "Waltzing Matlida" at school and was singing it all afternoon, at least the chorus was repeated frequently.  At dinner the song morphed into a cacophony of sound that was captured on video.

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Pack Meeting

David has his monthly cub scout pack meeting.  We went to support David in his scouting.  We arrived a little late but we got there in time to participate in the "snow shovel" race and to see David get awarded his "marbles" belt loop.  David was also able to lead everyone in the "motorcycle" cheer.  Afterward we had hot chocolate and donuts as refreshments.

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Aleky Sleeps During Shopping Trip

Our boys were extra good this weekend and we wanted to give them a little reward to say "thank you" for the pleasant day.  But one thing led to another and the reward had to be postponed.  However, today was the day and we took the boys to Macey's to get them ice cream cones.  The boys thought it was great and they happily munched on their ice cream while we tried to get some quick shopping done. 

Apparently our quick shopping trip wasn't fast enough.  As were are speeding through the freezer section we notice that Aleky is out cold, literally.  Not only was he sleeping but he still had a beautiful ice cream mark around his lips!  It was just too cute to pass up.

We still tried to hurry with our shopping.  We managed to finish, check out and get home in time to be only 15 minutes late to David's pack meeting.  We tried...there just isn't enough time in the day!

Orange Peel Therapy

Michelle has started reading about herbs and essential oils.  This has led to numerous discussions related to various alternative medicine techniques.  Today she discovered a beneficial use of orange peels, using the non-sticky oils in the peels.  I'm still not exactly sure what this orange oil is supposed to do but it obviously enhance the mood of our home.  So bring on the orange oil!

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Going to See the Lights on Temple Square

One of the goals we had for this year was to visit Temple Square and see all the Christmas lights.  We didn't go last year and thought it would be a good family outing.  However, with all of the rush of Christmas we hadn't made it, yet.
With Christmas over and our boys still home from school we decided it was now or never.  So we grabbed the boys, packed the coats and took off to Salt Lake City.  Since it was more spur of the moment, we figured we would grab a bite to eat with one of the numerous restaurant coupons we had in hand.  The trip turned out great!

The last time we went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights it was very crowded and we were concerned about keeping the family together in such a crowd.  But one of the benefits of going during the week is that the crowds tend to be much smaller.  We were able to walk around most of the grounds as a family, not just a bunch of ducks in a row.

The boys loved to see the lights.  We stopped to see most of the significant statues and monuments on the grounds for small "teaching moments".  At one point we lost track of Quinten who had wandered off but David was quick to find him.  The second half of the grounds visit went quickly due to the late hour and we still wanted to at least see everything.  So we walked past the numerous nativity scenes, around the manger scene in the pond, past the Assembly Hall and with a token glance at the full nativity scene by the Tabernacle we completed our visit and headed to dinner.

For dinner we stopped at Village Inn.  We had a coupon that would get a kids meal free with the purchase of an adult entree.  When we asked if they would honor the coupon the manager came out and offered us an even better deal.  I don't think I could explain it again and it took the manager at least 3 tries to help us figure out what the deal was.  In the end we paid for 2 entrees and a couple of drinks but got more than enough food for everyone!  Whatever that deal was it turned out to be a great deal for us! 

We didn't get home until nearly 10 pm despite our early departure from Provo but it was an excellent adventure and a great memory for our family.

(Posted 1/23/12)

Historic Site: Bullion Beck Mining Headframe

As we were driving through Eureka today we noticed this strange looking wood structure.  Michelle stares at it and asked, "What is that?"  I tried to act intelligent and gave her a quick answer but then I had to admit that I really didn't know what it was.  Since we were going to be passing by this place again Michelle suggested that we stop and investigate.

It turns out that this place was actually quite important at one time.  This wooden structure was the point of entry for a substantial mine.  All the people, donkey and mining carts were hoisted into and out of the mine on this frame.  The mine went down around 3,000 feet.  Today, this is all that is left of the mining operation that lasted from the late 1890's to the early 1960's

Who knew?  Good thing we stopped to check it out.  This stop turned into an educational experience for all of us.

Coolest Mommy / Bum War

David was upset that Quinten had come in and messed up their Uno game by kicking the cards all over the floor.  Since there isn't much that can be done David gave up on the game and went outside to jump on the trampoline.   A few minutes later I notice that Michelle was outside jumping on the trampoline.  I grabbed my camera in time to catch them in a "bum war". 

I was just impressed that she would go outside in the nearly freezing temperatures to jump on the trampoline with David.  In my mind I think Michelle is the "coolest" mommy ever!

Gidean First Foods

Gidean is over 4 months old and the doctor indicated that we could start feeding him other foods.  So when he was hungry so we thought we would try feeding him some alternative foods for the first time.  Since this was the first "solid" food he's ever eaten we thought we'd try some bottled baby food from the store.  Gidean did not appreciate the fine cuisine.  Next we  offered him some of our bottled pears that the boys eat nearly every day for lunch.  Again he balked at the delicacy.  Finally we resorted to the traditional baby cereal that every child has eaten as a staple food in their diet.  Let's just say he didn't like any of the 3 options he was offered.  Not sure where we go from here.

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