Scheel's Sporting Goods Extravaganza

Yes, we did.
We went to the new-and biggest- Scheels.
On opening day.
Yes, we did.

Us Utahns get into Grand Openings.
It was very busy, but what a great store!

Loved the big fish tank and the Ferris Wheel (didn't ride this time, we are not that crazy!)
Loved all of the displays-dead stuffed animals everywhere you look.
In fact, our family friend donated several animals for display and it was cool to see his name under some of the displays.

Luke picked out what he wants for his 7th birthday.
A gun.
A bow and arrow.
A knife.

Run.
Run like the wind.

Natural History Museum

Things I know about the Natural History Museum

• It is amazing
• Like most museums, it is expensive
• It is not quite as exciting as the movie "Night at the Museum". I am quite sure Luke begged me to take him because he was convinced that the dinosaur skeleton would come to life and chase us around.  Alas, it did not.
• It is worth going to, at least once.

I also know that 

• I should attend museums without my children, or husband. My children ran from display to display, never pausing for a moment, except maybe to yell "Look at this" and then by the time I arrived to take their picture and teach them about the display (I am MOTHER OF THE YEAR), they would be off and running again.  Seriously annoying.
• Todd does not really care for culture.  At least not for longer than 30 minutes.

The dioramas (is that what they are called?) and the ant display were among the kids favorites.

This is their scary faces.

Or their "special" faces as it were...

I loved the puzzle of the cell. Very cool.  Luke is looking through a microscope at something.. well...disgusting.

My favorite was this gigantic crocodile.

After our Day at the Museum, 

I wanted to take a little hike on the Bonneville Shoreline trail, 

which goes right behind the museum.  

My kids legs were tired from their Museum Sprints as I like to call them,

and did not want to walk at all.

Sadie whined about being tired after about 10 steps.

Her legs hurt.

She was tired.

I reminded her about our Pioneer heritage.

I reminded her that little children walked all day long and never complained.

She replied, "Well, my legs still hurt!"

Super awesome.

I decided to continue our hike.

The only way I could distract them from their tired legs-

(I AM SO SORRY YOU HAD TO WALK FOR 1 BLOCK!)

-was to offer them money if they could spot any cool animals or birds or insects.

More specifically, it was coins I offered.

Luke made 51 cents for his efforts and Sade 26. 

It worked -- for another 42 seconds there was no complaining.

Then Luke started in..

"My thumb really hurts and my legs hurt too"

Holy crap!!! I must start an exercise regime for my little puff pastry kids.

Maybe just get a year membership to the museum so they can do their sprints regularly.

Lame, totally lame.

We stopped under the shade of a tree and looked out over our

spectacular valley.

Boy, do I love where I live!!

There is nothing better than this valley in the fall.

Stupid winter. I know you are coming and I hate you.

This is Sadie doing her tricky trick.

Her legs are tired from walking, but by damn,

they had enough strength to hold her water bottle for her.

Sadie and Luke were thrilled to find a Scrat nut.

We had to carry some Scrat nuts down to the car.

My kids are constantly collecting little mementos from our adventures.

I am sure, some time in the near future, I will step on a Scrat nut 

and I will foul the air with a horrible word. Or 2.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!??

BEAUTIFUL!!

Boys

Luke.

Luke with his 2nd cast of his young life.

I swear, one of the Lord's tender mercies 

is that I have a husband who works in the ER

and I work in Physical Therapy.

Another tender mercy--

not only can I see Luke in the dark but

this cast is new-fangled!!

Completely and utterly waterproof!

He can shower or bath or swim, no problem.

Waterproof!! Why did that take so long to come up with??

Tanner is #36.

Tanner is also #1 in my eyes.

This young man is tough.

Tough and persistent.

Strong- he is beast! In every way!

A warrior!

I love his heart and effort.

I know that playing football this year has had it's challenging times,

but he won't ever quit or give up.

He always does his best.

Today at his game, I took notice of a kid on his team.

He is 6'5'' as a sophomore.

Thick and muscular.

Looks like the epitome of a football player.

I decided to watch him specifically on the field.

The first play I watched him, I was startled at how quickly he lost his man.

It seemed as though he gave up.

I watched a 2nd and 3rd and 4th time.

I got more and more irritated.

The kid was lazy!!

That kid quit every play!

He was blessed with so much potential in his physicality,

but his heart was not in it.

This kid should have been able to dominate the opponent.

But, he didn't have any fight.

I couldn't contain myself and mentioned it to Todd.

He said, "I know, I watch him practice. He is lazy."

I am proud of my son, who is not the biggest or the fastest.

But his heart is in it.

He will not give up.

He always does his best.

(I love it when he smashes someone because even though I can't see his face

from the stands, I know there is a huge smile on his face-he LOVES that!)

The best part though is he always greets me after the game with a hug and a "thanks for coming"

I AM PROUD OF YOU SMASHBY!

No more football this year for one son.

3 more games for the other.

Why does Fall have to go so fast?

P.S.

To my darling daughters:

(or at least to the one that may read my blog)

You are the sunshine in my soul.

I don't want to hear about how Tanner is the favorite.

You may (or may not) be mentioned about 5,000 times in this blog.

And at least 99% of the time it is positive.

I would rave about you too, if you put on a jock strap and a helmet 

and went out and knocked somebody flat on their back.

I'm just sayin'..

Fall Fun

Did I mention I love football?

Did I mention that I love my Iphone?

Did I forget to tell you I love all my photo apps?

Who cares!! I will tell you again!!

Luke has started with some flag football this year.  Those ref's look like they are about on the same caliber as the replacement refs that ruined Monday night football last night. 

Sophie had a playdate.  We love to make sure Sophie is well-rounded (Shut-up haters!).  She enjoys when this little girl comes over for a visit.  Except this time, there was a little too much girl on girl action for Sophie's taste.  She was very upset when this little beauty propositioned her.  The visit had to be cut short.  Sophie almost ate her friend.

Is she not the cutest dog ever? 

Maybe I said that out loud to Sophie and that is why she wanted to murder her.

Or maybe she was just jealous of her figure.

And her ear bows.

It would not be the first time, remember this?

Tanner got answered back for homecoming.  

(Tanner! Your room is a mess, but the answer is yes!)

Lots of confetti and streamers and balloons.

LOVE IT!

AND THEN....

MY GIRL CAME HOME!!

Maddie surprised on Saturday evening, by making a quick trip home.  It was so awesome to see her and I am so glad she made the effort to come see us.  I was glad that I had gone to Costco and stocked up for some of my family's favorites.. She got to eat like a Queen instead of a poor college student.  We had french dip sandwiches with fresh fruit for dinner and her favorite-CREPES-for breakfast.  The best was just getting to hang out with her and give her hugs and tease her like old times.  

Cute Gabe! We have missed you, best friend! Thanks for coming to see us! I dislike that you started an Oreo frosting fight..Actually, I don't really dislike it.  I loved it! We have so much fun when you come see us!  

Maddie is a freak.

A freak with Oreo frosting on her face.

Now, I am a freak.

A freak with Oreo frosting all over my face.

This is Tanner's way of getting back at me.

What did I do to deserve this?

I fed him a dog treat.

He ate it.

Oh, yes he did.

It looked like a real chips ahoy cookie and I didn't tell him it was really a Sophie treat.

It was a dream come true watching him eat that fake chips ahoy.

It was worth getting covered with Oreo frosting.

Luke and Maddie enjoyed jumping on the tramp.

I am slightly concerned for my daughter.

Despite never having given birth, she can not control her bladder when jumping.

She came running in,

"Luke made me pee!"

Awesome!

So good to have you home!

Did I mention that I love Fall?

Did I mention that I love Halloween?

I DON'T CARE, I WILL SAY IT AGAIN!

I realize it is still September, but I have my hat display up. 

Ready for trick or treaters.

Did I mention I go overboard on almost everything in my life?