Noah to kindergarten

backpack.
lunch.
snacks.
water bottle.
uniform.
hat.
indoor shoes.

everything labeled and ready to go.

new friends.
new teachers.
new projects.
new playgrounds.

P.E. on Tuesdays and Fridays. French on Wednesdays and Fridays. Mandarin on Mondays and Thursdays. Computer on Thursdays. Library on Wednesdays. Music on Mondays.

How do moms keep this all straight? And when did this boy get so tall?

He is loving every minute. He is happy when he comes home. He has questions and giggles. And I can already see his little mind growing.

U.S.A. day 35 a canoe and a submarine

More adventures in Washington.

On day 35 we took Grandpa's canoe out on the Columbia River. Not many wild blackberries on the bushes this year, but plenty of calm water, pebbles to throw and sky to watch.

We also took a walk with my dad out to 'the area' to see the top part of a submarine. The USS Triton's sail is going to be part of a memorial park. The sail has the conning tower, periscope, and all the radar and communication systems.

And these lucky boys got a private tour from an engineer. All the insider info.

U.S.A. day 29 on the Deshutes River

My favorite part of the river is when you abandon your raft on the beach, hike upriver a little ways, and then jump in feet first to ride the rapid yourself. Its called 'The Elevator'. The waves bob you up and down as you ride. Remember to keep your feet in front of you in case of rocks, and time your breathing so you don't inhale when the waves are over your head. Swim to the side as soon as you can so the guides don't have to catch you with their ropes and then get out and do it again. and again.

Dave had to miss it because he was working, but I made my sister Erin and her Tristan husband promise they'd rescue me if I fell in. The day was hot and sunny, the water freezing, and the rapids fast. But if your sister acts like she doesn't want to get wet don't be nice and stop splashing her because later she'll grab you by your life jacket and throw you overboard.

U.S.A. day 27 at Boulder Cave

All my sisters were in town at the same time. At least for a few days. So we packed up our flashlights and headed to Boulder Cave. We were lucky to have Dana with us before she had to have surgery. The hike through the pines was breezy and cool. It even smelled good. Noah and Gage pretended to be rocks or trees in the middle of the trail to surprise aunts and uncles as they hiked along.

This is at the beginning of the cave. The flashlights came on and careful steps were taken. Noah bravely led the way. On the second time through we turned off the lights in the middle to listen for the Pacific Big Eared Bats, but they must have been sleeping.

On the other end of the cave.

U.S.A. day 24 in Kennewick

One of my favorite things is watching my mom laugh until she cries. Game nights always get her. My whole family was at the house this summer so there was lots of: Mexican Train (with sound effects), Sequence, Settlers, Miles Bourne, you name it.

Noah and Gage are pretty good at it too. They sure love their Grandma. This is what summer with Grandma looks like: snow cones in the park, freeze tag at the splashpad, picnic lunches, happy meals at the playplace, cookie making, playdough playing, visits to the toy store, retro books on tape, outside on the tramp, ball throwing with the dog.

We also got to see Grandma and Grandpa Brown. And eat the kind of real barbequed burgers I've missed.

My dad was the Washington Elf who left presents for the boys every day. And their Absolute Favorite Thing was riding the lawn mower with that Grandpa. Just look at their faces!

Happy Birthday to me

July 30th was a great day. Yummy cheesecake from my sweet mother, pretty flowers and even some excitement from Dave's backyard pinata. And I got to see old friends over a restaurant table. Happy Birthday to me.

U.S.A. day 21 to Washington

From Utah we drove up to Washington with our usual stop and stay in Boise to see David's brother Ted and his gorgeous family. Leslie made some mean jalapeno poppers and I am convinced that the boys could stay in that basement with those train tracks or outside with those cousins for the rest of their lives.

In Washington the boys settled in so fast. Noah says that Aunt Erin is the best at SuperMarioWorld and after every meal Gage would sneak out the backdoor to play with Grandma's dog, Riley.

Dave was busy working and even took a business trip to Montreal during our stay but we still found time to hit the river. The boys are fearless on the jet skis. And apparently so is my sister, Brinna. Round and round she goes.

U.S.A. day 16 at Temple Square

Noah and Gage made a map of Temple Square in Salt Lake City. We read articles and learned about the buildings there and then drew them on the map with a checklist of what we wanted to do when we got there. Throw coins in the fountain, hear the Nauvoo bell ring, find the big dipper on the mural, touch the temple.

I hope they felt the spirit of this special place. I hope they soaked it all in. And I hope they'll remember it.

U.S.A. days 12, 13, 14, 15 in Brianhead

(taken on my phone)

Day 12 started on the Bunker Creek Trail with niece Ali and nephew Jake. Those two are great mountain bikers. Somehow Ali lands on her feet every time and all we could see of Jake was a lot of dust. The trail was great, single track, up and down, bumpy and fast. Perfect for a hot and sunny morning.

Day 12 finished with the whole Wagner family in one cabin.



ATVs could fast become one of my favorite things. Greg and Lisa brought theirs to the cabin and boy did they get some use over those 4 days. Don't you want to see what's down this trail? It's gorgeous, I promise. Strap on your huge helmet and hop on. There's nobody else out there - except the deer, the birds, a quick brown fox, and some guys in a red pick-up.



Here's the view at the top of the Brianhead ski lift and this smart little cookie, Claire. Best back seat driver you ever met. She taught me everything I know about driving a 4 wheeler from her class on the farm.


Or have a s'more with this handsome little man. He makes them good and gooey.

David and his brothers.

Gage and his cousins.

We loved: giggling with cousins, the tree house, late night conversations, geocaching, riding atvs, playing funny games, hiking in the wind, mountain biking, smacking the pinata, ladies' day out to Shakespere, men's golf morning, scrabbling, watching the kids' faces as they bravely tried some Singapore treats, hanging on the couch, jamming to the ukulele, viewing homemade music videos.

What a blast.

U.S.A. day 9 camping

Camping up Big Cottonwood Canyon with the Crandalls. Or is it Grandalls?

Some things we learned: when they say its a one tent camping site they mean it, sleeping on a picnic table is not comfortable, if you leave your tin foil dinners in the kitchen at home don't worry because your mommy will bring them to you, Glen and Rebecca cook an amazing breakfast on the camp stove.

Some things we already knew: Noah and Sarah have great imaginations, Spencer is the nicest card player you'll ever meet, kids love flashlights at night in the woods, hiking with cousins makes you go faster, the Donut Falls are gorgeous.

Happy Birthday to Gage!

Gage Christian turned 3 on July 14th. Happy Birthday to Gage!

About 10 times a day this cute little man will come up to me and say "Mom, I love you" in his quiet sweetie voice. He gives the best hugs and kisses and loves to cuddle. He loves to ride bikes, scooters, or anything with wheels and could be happy outside all day. He could also play Grandpa's old Nintendo all day if you let him and can take Mario all the way to level 2. He loves to swim and will run and jump into a swimming pool with a big smile on his face.

We celebrated his birthday at Grandma and Grandpa Wagner's house with heaps of cousins, cupcakes, and swimming at the pool. We also took a tour of the Sweet's Candy Factory and watched them make jelly beans and cinnamon bears from behind the yellow line. And since it was Gage's birthday, Sweet's let him pick any box of candy from the gift shop. His choice: a big box of Cowboy Mix. What a lucky kid.

Happy Birthday Giggs. We love you!

U.S.A. day 4 in Park City

We spent a day with Dave's sister, Liz, and her family. First to Park City to ride the Alpine Slide. I forgot how fast that thing can go!

Then to Heber for lunch.

And then to the cabin in Sundance. Noah and cousin Courtlyn ran a secret club upstairs. Gage and cousin Natalie threw rocks in the creek all night long. The rest of us played a good game of Snarf, freeze tag through the woods, kick the can, tackle basketball. We even climbed up the mountain and rappelled down an old rope. We ate pizza, roasted marshmallows and the boys fell alseep to a movie. Such a nice day.