Circus!

Last Friday we took the kids to the circus. It was a first for all four of us. We got to go see the animals and performers up close before the show started. The BEST part was Tyler and Hannah getting up on the performer's platform and dancing in front of hundreds of people. Oh, to be a kid with no fear! The theme of the circus was the Spirit of the Dragon. During the opening number, Tyler turned to me and asked, "Do you have the heart of a dragon?" I didn't know how to answer that!



This was the typical circus you think of. They had horses and riding performers, clowns, gymnasts, trapeze performers, lions and tigers and a tamer, elephants, eight motorcyclists in a small steel circle, cats, dogs, miniature horses, and the list goes on.  The lions and tigers were incredible. They were growling and taking swipes at the tamer. It was totally tense and engaging!  I think Steve and I were more entertained at some parts than the kids. All in all, it was a very fun evening out!

Is anyone there?

I have been MIA for a while. I feel like I've been neglecting my blog, and everyone else's. So I thought I'd write a quick update on the family.

Steve--He is a busy guy. Between demanding work, calling, and family obligations he has little to no time for himself. He never really complains. He is a wonderful husband and father.

Erin--Trying my hardest to keep up with Tyler and Hannah. Some days I do, and some days I don't. I'm learning that I set my own expectations when really no one else cares. Taking the pressure off of myself, I've found life to be a lot simpler!

Tyler--He is absolutely LOVING kindergarten. He asks if he can go on the weekends. He still has more energy than I know what to do with! Tyler has a huge imagination and loves creating things with Legos and creating imaginary games to play with Hannah.

Hannah--Her new saying is "you're not in charge of me." She mostly says that to Tyler. She is really growing up and potty training is around the corner! She has also mastered her "sad" face!

I promise to update more soon!

Things I learned in California

We just got home from a week long vacation to Steve's hometown. His parents were generous enough to let us stay with them. Of course the men went off to fish for the week, so the women stayed home and played hard. It was a great week of relaxation, shopping, site seeing, and spending time with family. Here are a few things I learned over the past week:

1. Tyler and Hannah love time with their Grandmas! I think all kids have a special place in their hearts for their Grandmas.

2. Hannah is afraid of feeding goats. Who knew? I love that she is clinging to my mom for dear life. Yet, she was perfectly fine to brush the goat.

3. Dieting on vacation is for sissies! Here is a short list of the delicious food I ate during our week visit: ice cream, kettle corn, fruit tarts, spinach and gorgonzola pasta, snicker doodle cookies, a cookie sundae from Ghirardelli square, cheesecake, and more...much more!

4. Tyler and Hannah can get along...some of the time. The perfect phrase to sum up their interaction is "monkey see, monkey do." Hannah will do whatever Tyler does...good or bad. Tyler loves the power!

5. Tyler is a true engineer. We rode the cable car in San Francisco and he was more interested in watching the conductor and gears than he was seeing the beautiful sights of the city. Also, we stopped at Ghirardelli Square for dessert and he was fascinated by the machines that make the chocolate. He turned to my mom and said, "I want to work here!" My mom asked, "So you can have the chocolate?" Tyler replied, "No, so I can make the machines that make the chocolate!"

6. I want a bathtub filled with pillows for our playroom. This is the cutest bookstore, and such a great idea!

7. We wished Daddy was in each of these pictures, but are glad he had a great time with his dad and brother fishing.

  

A huge thank you to Doug and Kathy for a wonderful vacation!

What to you do in the summertime?

The question is, what don't we do in the summertime? I love summer for many reasons. I love the warm evenings, lack of schedule, delicious fresh produce, and the overall feeling of relaxation. Even though it is relaxing, we've been super busy doing fun things. Here is a short list of the awesome things we've done...so far!

1. Made several trips to Hogle Zoo with cousins and friends. The new exhibits really are well done. And please ignore the fact that my kids are wearing almost the same outfit each time we've gone!

 2. Gone laser tagging with all the family. This is one of my favorite traditions. There's nothing like running around a black-lit room, sweating and shooting at each other for three hours to bring a family together!

3. Played outside...a lot. Whether at the swimming pool, in the backyard, or exploring, the kids get tired and happily go to bed every night. That is what being a kid in the summer is all about!

4. Gone on a zip line. Tyler was the first brave kid to try the line. Of course, Hannah couldn't be outdone by her brother. She had NO FEAR at all and had a great time! When it was my turn, I had to tell myself, "If Hannah can do it, I can do it!"

5. Visited the Treehouse Museum in Ogden. Tyler and Hannah's cousins, Hayden and Jonah were in town. They all had a blast together. Even though it is a bit of a drive, it was worth every cent!

6. Done parades and sparklers. The 4th of July is always a great day full of good food, fun family activities and awesome fireworks. My mom sure knows how to host a good party!

7. Gone fishing. This was just for the boys. When I asked Tyler if he caught a fish he said, "I caught a few, but I didn't get to reel them in!" Either way, he loved it and can't wait to go again with his "best bud, Dad."

8. Tried to savor the moments when we are together as a family.

Eight is Great!

Eight years ago today, I married this guy:

(This is actually the first time I "kissed" Steve...we lost playing a game against his cousin Sam and my friend Shannon and the losers had to kiss each other on the cheek! Thanks Shannon for coming up with that idea!)

 I remember thinking the day we got married that I had no idea what was in store for us as a family. And I still don't know what life will bring us. I'm just blessed beyond measure that I have someone to share my life with. I think it is safe to say that when any of us get married, we are in the "infatuation" stage of love. Now that I'm older, I feel like my love for my husband has matured. He still makes me laugh and treats me with the same love and respect he did when we met, but I feel like we have "grown up" together. After seven moves, three degrees, four states, and two children, we have come to rely on each other.

When we were engaged, I remember people telling us that marriage was going to be work. To be perfectly honest, the first four years were a breeze. It was a smooth easy transition for us. But in the last few years, I've come to understand what they meant. If we don't make time for each other and work towards making the other person happy and stay connected, it will never happen. It is a conscious effort to let the other person know you love and appreciate all they do.

How do I know I married the right man for me? At the end of the day he is still the person I want to talk to most. He is still my best friend. I love you Steve. Thanks for eight years of wonderful!