The rumor is that we are real outdoors people

We haven't been hiking very much since we've had kids...I can probably count on one hand how many times. But we are starting to get more adventurous. I've often wondered how people with kids could go hiking. Now I'm glad to know it is possible. It does take a lot more work and more snacks, and more songs, and more balance on rocky trails, but it is possible.

We enjoyed a beautiful hike up Dry Canyon at the base of Mt. Timpanogos this Memorial weekend. I love Springtime when everything is green and the mountains are snowy and it feel like we live in Switzerland or something.

We spent time looking at some big owls in the trees and and dead birds on the ground, and listening for squirrels and wishing to see snakes.It was a beautiful day and I think we will have the venture out again soon.

Preschool Graduation

Paige had her last day of our neighborhood preschool group. She has really enjoyed all the different activities and field trips we have taken this year. Graduation at the park was a lot of fun for the kids. Can you believe how cute these graduations caps are? (not my doing)

Pansy Fairy

Brian learned that the flower garden outside his office would be getting torn up on Monday so he came home with boxes and cans full of colorful pansies. We have never planted flowers at our house before. We've been happy to have some perennials come up each Spring since we bought the house, but I honestly know nothing about them. Even though I love yards with beautiful flowers, its hard for me to justify spending money on something that will just die in a month or so. We had so many flowers we even got some flower pots to decorate the front porch (thanks, Amy) and we gave some left over pansies to an elderly neighbor as a surprise.

We went back to the area on Saturday afternoon with Brian's sister and our neighbor to pick more flowers. We probably picked a hundred bunches of pansies, but you can hardly even tell. It sure is a lot of flowers to go to waste.

I learned a few things about gardening in this process...one reason I don't like gardening is that I'm constantly showing my bum-crack. I changed my shirt three times on Saturday, but it didn't seem to matter how long it was. I also learned that I'm crankier about working in the dirt when I have had a manicure, but with french tips, its harder to tell how much dirt you have under your nails.

Birthday Spoiling

After trying to figure out the best way to celebrate my friend Elizabeth's birthday she called and said, "You know what I really want to do for my birthday is paint your nails."
"What?! Shouldn't I be painting your nails for your birthday?"
She said it was a new hobby and talent she was trying to develop and that she would love to practice on me. So I was the lucky one that got to be spoiled for Elizabeth's birthday. Even Paige and Ashby got into it. Ashby wanted green nails. Paige had stickers and drawings on her nails. I chose french tips. I have never had my nails done. I remember I wanted to get french tips when I got married, but it didn't end up happening, so I was very excited to get a manicure. Elizabeth did a great job and it was so fun.
The next day I went on a date with Brian to the BYU Ballroom Dance Concert. I felt so pretty with my beautiful nails. Sometimes I feel like I need all the help I can get in order to feel attractive. I'm grateful to Elizabeth for helping me out. And...Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Field Trip

Paige is involved in a neighborhood co-op preschool and this past week I was in charge of the field trip. We went to Brian's aunt's classroom. She teaches orchestra at a Middle School.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mom.

In a "get-to-know-you" game today I was asked what I love most about my mom. I didn't tell everyone that you were gone, but I was surprised that the first thing that came to mind was how cuddly you are. I really, really miss your hugs and loves. I always loved crawling into bed with you as a kid or sitting in your lap on your recliner - I even loved to try as an adult. I miss having my own kids getting a chance to rock with you too. There are so many things I miss about you, but I really long for a good Mom-hug. I love you Mom.

Pencil, Spoon, Paintbrush, Mascara, Weights, Driving, Biking,

These are all the things that make my fingers go tingly and numb. I have to stop and shake them out to continue. It's a little painful, but mostly annoying and weird - especially with feeding baby food, doing my make-up and taking notes in class.

Back to School

It has been six years since I graduated from BYU. I didn't know how strange I would feel about leaving that part of my life - 23 years of school and then suddenly nothing. I really had to work to redefine myself, especially since I always loved school and I loved being a student. It was a weird process, but I have still really missed school. The other week when I went to take Paige for Kindergarten registration I walked through the halls of the school and longed to be there again. I also saw the teachers chatting amongst themselves outside their classrooms and I imagined I was one of them.

I got my degree in Biology Education so I could teach high school someday. I hope that day happens because I think it will be so fun. I have a teaching certificate but since it has been 6 years and I haven't taught I need to do something to keep myself certified. So I decided to go back to school. If I take a certain number of college courses I can re-certify, and since Brian works at UVU so I get free tuition, and my kids are at a stage when I can leave them for a while, this is my chance to do something.

I signed up for Physical Science 1000. It will be a good class to get me thinking about science again. This class will be really good for me because, although I loved my science classes and I did somewhat well in them, I know that I never really really understood everything. My student success came from being a good memorizer and knowing how to spout out what the teacher wanted me to - not because I knew what was going on. I especially don't really understand physics and chemistry, and guess what...That is totally what this class will be about. So I really want to learn the right way and totally "get it". But that will take up a lot of my time.

I'm pretty nervous about using my time wisely and really getting done everything that I need to do. I'm excited to see if I can do it, but hope that I don't get too stressed out.

Sitting in class last night was really fun. I didn't feel like I was almost 30 years old (but I wonder if I looked it). I had my pencil and notebook sitting on my desk and I awaited anxiously for class to start. I was surprised by the familiar feelings of wanting to be the teacher's pet, but having someone else beat me to it. I felt unprepared because some people already had the notes printed and the text book picked up, while I was still waiting for a syllabus. People asked so many smart questions and I wondered how they thought of such things. I raised my hand to ask why Occum's Razor was spelled "occum" when it was named after "Ockham". That is the extent of my brain power.

So everybody wish me luck. I plan to take a class or two for the next couple semesters. I'm looking forward to it, but know it will be a big adjustment.

3 years old

Ashby got a sleeping bag from his Grandma and Grandad Blumer. He is pretty thrilled to use it.
T-ball season starts for Ashby in a couple weeks. I think he will be an old pro. He is so athletic it amazes me. I wonder what sport he will like the most.