Forever Sunshine

100 Free things to do in the summer

2009-06-09T16:50:00.004-06:00

2008 100 Free Things to do in the Summer Link

The new list for 2009 is coming. I am just a bit behind

Only 79 days of SUMMER VACATION (June Edition)

2009-06-04T16:21:00.013-06:00

Only 79 days of summer vacation
then school comes around to end it
and the annual problem of the parents
is finding free things to do with them

Saturday June 6
*RAMP Free Activities (we buy stuff in Weber County too)
Hill Aerospace Museum 9-4:30pm
Lorin Farr Pool 12-6pm
Treehouse 10-6pm
Ogden Nature Center 9:30 - 11am & 1:30-3pm
Weber State Pool 12-4:30pm
Ogden Ampitheatre Family Concert 7-10pm
Weber Pathways 9:30 am kickoff - 10:30 hike

http://www.co.weber.ut.us/ramp/PDFs/summer%20schedule%202009.pdf

* Star Wars: A new Hope @ Pleasant Valley Library 2-4:30pm

Sunday June 7

Thunderbirds 3:45pm

Monday June 8
* Discovery Time @ Pleasant Valley Branch 10:30-11:30am & 11:30-12:30pm

Tuesday June 9
* Singin in the Rain @ Pleasant Valley Branch 1-3pm

* Youth Chess Club @ Pleasant Valley Branch 4-5pm

Wednesday June 10
Free Jazz Concert at Union Station 7:30pm

Wild Wednesday @ Ogden Nature Center
$4 adults - $2 kids 2+

Thursday June 11
*Summer Sizzle Music Series @ Pleasant Valley Branch
Voice of Polynesia and Pacific Generation - traditional fire/knife show
7-8:30pm

Friday June 12
Rotary Car Show
4th North 200 West Bountiful

Saturday June 13
7pm - Mrs Peek's Dance Recital @ Northridge

Rotary Car Show
4th No 200 W Bountiful

*RAMP Free Activities

http://www.co.weber.ut.us/ramp/PDFs/summer%20schedule%202009.pdf

Hill Aerospace Museum 9-4:30pm
Lorin Farr Park 12-6pm
Ott Planetarium 12-5pm
Ogden Nature Center 9:30-11am & 1:30-3pm
Roy Recreation Complex 11-5pm
Union Station Museums 10-5pm

*Ogden Arts Festival 10-8pm
Historic 25th Street

* Sci-Fi Classic Film Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
The War of the Worlds
2-3:30pm

Uintah Days
www.uintahcity.com

Sunday June 14

Monday June 15
*Discovery Time @ Pleasant Valley Branch
1030am & 11:30am

Ottreach (Weber State) Science in the Park - Lorin Farr Park - June 15-19
11:30-1pm FREE for kids of all ages
http://community.weber.edu/ottreach/index.html

Tuesday June 16
* Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour - Ogden Union Station Track 1 - 9am -7pm

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/christmascaroltraintour/#/map/ogden

* Hollywood Musicals Film Series @ Pleasant Valley Branch
West Side Story 1-3:30pm

*Youth Chess Club @ Pleasant Valley Branch
4-5pm

Wednesday June 17
*Family Film Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
Planet Earth
1-2pm

*After School Program - Pleasant Valley Branch
2-3:30pm
Many educational activities

Thursday June 18
* Summer Sizzle Music Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
Nino Reyes - Native American Flutist (He was one of five chosed to play @ the 2002 Olympics)
7-8:30pm

Friday June 19

Saturday June 20
*RAMP Free Activities
http://www.co.weber.ut.us/ramp/PDFs/summer%20schedule%202009.pdf
Hill Aerospace Museum 9-4:30pm
Lorin Farr Pool 12-6pm
Ogden Nature Center 9:30-11am & 1:30-3pm
BSA Ropes Challenge Course 10-2pm

*Free Admission to National Parks
http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

* Sci-Fi Classic Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
Plan 9 from outer space
2-3:30pm

Sunday June 21
Free Admission to National Parks
http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

Monday June 22
Ott Reach (Weber State) Science in the Park
June 22-26
11:30-1pm
Liberty Park (ogden)
http://community.weber.edu/ottreach/index.html

Tuesday June 23
*Hollywood Musical Film Series - Pleasant Valley branch
1-4pm

*Youth Chess Club - Pleasant Valley Branch
4-5pm

Wednesday June 24
*Growing Greens: Plants & Tree's Children's Summer Reading Activity - Pleasant Valley Branch
learn how plants and trees grow, what they need and how to take care of them.
10:30-11:30am

*Story Hour -Children's Summer Reading - Pleasant Valley Branch
10:30-11:30am
for kids 0-5

*Family Film Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
Schoolhouse Rock: Earth
12-1pm

*After School Program - Pleasant Valley Branch
2-3:30pm

*Free Family Swim Night @ Layon Surf n Swim
7-10pm
(there is a $2 charge for tube rental)

Thursday June 25
* Summer Sizzle Music Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
Ogden Buddhist Taiko Drummers

Friday June 26

Saturday June 27
*FREE RAMP Activities - see the link for times
http://www.co.weber.ut.us/ramp/PDFs/summer%20schedule%202009.pdf

Hill Aerospace Museum, Lorin Farr Pool, Ice Sheet, Roy Aquatic Center, Fort Buenaventura, Ott Planetarium, Peery's Egyptian Theatre

*Monsters vs Aliens @ Peery's Egyptian Theatre 11am & 2pm

* Sci-Fi Classic Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
2-4:30pm

Sunday June 28
* Sunday Night Concert Series - Voices of Liberty Concert
Ed Kenley Ampitheatre - Layton
7pm

Monday June 29
*Discovery Time - Pleasant Valley Branch
10:30 - 11:30 & 11:30-12:30

OttReach (Weber State) Science in the Park (June 29-July 2)
11:30-1pm
Monroe Park
http://community.weber.edu/ottreach/index.html

Tuesday June 30
*Hollywood Musical Film Series - Pleasant Valley Branch
My Fair Lady
1-4pm

*Youth Chess Club - Pleasant Valley Branch
4-5pm

Tagged with 3's

2009-03-19T11:43:00.003-06:00

3 THINGS ABOUT ME.....

Three jobs I have had:

1- Ref for kids softball

2- Crisis Worker for Abused Women

3- MOM

Three place I have lived:

1- Layton

2- South Weber

3- Heaven (I've only lived in 2 cities)

Three shows that I watch:

1- Grey's Anatomy

2- ER (only 3 episodes left)

3- American Idol

Three places I have been:

1- Disneyworld

2- Mt Rushmore

3- Olympic Pennisula

Three place I have been this week:

1- Top of the toll road

2- Grocery Store

3- Library

Three places I'd rather be right now:

1- San Diego

2- England

3- Idaho (holding my new niece)

Three people I'm tagging:

1- Jeni

2- Jodi

3- Angela

The Kindness of Strangers

2009-03-14T23:01:00.002-06:00

I have been thinking of how we treat others lately. We are becoming a world that people no longer routinely hold doors open for the next person, say "Merry Christmas" or even "Happy Holidays", look at other people as we pass much less give them a smile. So this struck me as amazing when it happened.

My dryer was on the fritz and the girls begged for "soft" clothes so early one Saturday morning we packed up ALL of the laundry for the week, left the baby at home with Dad and headed out to the laundry mat.

We brought in our baskets and I started putting everything into the washing machines and having the girls count out quarters. That's when we found out that I grabbed the bucket with dollar coins instead of quarters (yes, they get sorted at our house - don't ask) Not a big deal to me, I was just going to go trade them for bills so that I could then put them in the machine for quarters. A man saw my kids pulling any quarters out and came over and brought me at least enough quarters to cover all of my laundry. I protested but he just said "I've understand, I've been there before"

All I could think of was - "but I have the money,do we look like we are desperate?" I used his quarters since he wouldn't take them back. I then went and took him dollar coins to give back to him. Again he wouldn't take them. I kept telling him that I had the money to cover the laundry but he would not budge.

For the next couple hours waiting for the laundry it just bugged me that he wouldn't take his money back - I didn't need it.

It took me a while to just accept that he was a nice person. He saw someone in need and gave them something to help them out - just to be kind.

Last week I took Little Miss Persistent to Primary Children's. Yes I realize that they try to pamper kids there, but I have never had so many strangers be so kind to my child before. She was spoiled by 3 seperate strangers while we were there. She wasn't having anything painful or scary done so it wasn't because she was having a traumatic experience, they were kind to her because one noticed she liked to draw; another had her same diagnosis as a kid and said it was a pain and understood and another one just because. She was so excited when she left because people had taken the time to be nice to her.

Boy that got really long - what I meant to say was there really is a lot of good in this world. What would happen if we all used the manners that we were probably taught as a kid and went out of our way to be kind to strangers?

The robins are coming! The robins are coming!

2009-02-24T18:16:00.003-07:00

The robins are coming - the robins are coming!

My kids must know what that means. This morning I showed them the robin in the tree and they both yelled "Spring is coming!"

Little Miss Ingenious and Friends

2009-02-22T16:58:00.004-07:00

Little Miss Ingenious asked: "Do you think if I ask the ink thing to become friends with me he will let me see the track?"

Oh if we could all only be friends like little preschoolers.

Book, books and more books

2009-01-12T18:18:00.003-07:00

I love this site! I have been able to get a bunch of books - PLUS I have gotten rid of books that we don't want anymore!

Here's the scoop:
1- Post 10 books in good condition that you want to swap. You'll get 2 credits for this, so that you can order some books for yourself.

2- If somebody wants your book an email is sent to you. You mail it to them. Once your book is received by them they log it on paperback swap and you get 1 credit (2 if it's book on tape). I don't think that I have spent more than $3 to send any of the books out.

3- Look up books that you want and request them. They pay the shipping to send it to you. Once you get the book it's yours or you can read and put it back up to swap.

This site has been great. I have received hard back books that look brand new and would have cost $16 at the store. It can be hit and miss but everybody is supposed to send good condition books, I haven't ever received a lemon. If so there is a spot to log that once you receive the book.

PS - The DVD swap site is great too. I have cleaned out a bunch of old DVDs and we have received some that we have wanted but didn't want to pay full price.

Christmas Spirit Candy Cane

2008-12-21T22:04:00.005-07:00

Recipe to Grow a Christmas Candy Cane
1 bag oreos
1 candy cane seed
1 bucket (we think the red ones work best)
lots of Christmas Spirit

1- Turn oreos and the filling into crumbs. The filling will act as fertilizer for the candy cane seeds.

2- If you have a big bucket - fill the bottom with Rice Krispie cereal. It will act like pebbles to help your Candy Cane seeds grow.

3- Just pat down your oreos - not too compact or the seeds can't grow

4- Plant candy cane seed

5- With lots of Christmas Spirit, kindness to others, obeying Mom and Dad the candy cane seed will begin to grow into a Candy Cane.

Diamond Rio: In God We Still Trust

2008-12-12T18:10:00.001-07:00

The Christmas Sweater

2008-12-07T17:01:00.003-07:00

Michael took me to see the production of "The Christmas Sweater" last night. Glenn Beck did a great job being all of the characters, I must say that I was sceptical when I heard he was doing the whole show himself. It is a story of redemption and love. The show was good but I liked the book even more (what else is new) All of us can find things in our lives that we aren't grateful for, that we should be. There are those around us that would love to help us, if only we would let them in. If you want a new feel good Christmas book, this is a good one.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-02T07:58:00.003-07:00

Giving Thanks

This year leading up to Thanksgiving we are going to each write on a strip of paper what we are thankful for every night at dinner. Then the papers will get looped together and hung in the kitchen. Thanksgiving morning before going to dinner we are going to read them all again and talk about how many things we have to be thankful for.

In search of the great pumpkin?

2008-10-27T09:58:00.001-06:00

The youth council did a food drive last week in exchange for pumpkins
I have a bunch of extra pumpkins that need a good home for Halloween
Bring down some canned food for each pumpkin that you would like. REMEMBER the Food Bank is in desperate need of food, so give generously
The food box is in my garage so just use the honor system

Leelou Blogs

2008-10-27T09:55:00.002-06:00

This is where I get most of my cute blog backgrounds. She has made it easy to change your backgrounds PLUS you shouldn't lose your widgets. Go check her out, she's doing a bunch of giveaways this week

Bad Guys just turn around and go away

2008-10-08T16:54:00.002-06:00

We were out for a walk the other day and Em saw this sign.

"Look Mom, it's a sign that says No bad guys allowed past this sign. That's a good sign to have so the bad guys know where to turn around and go away."

Advice from Elder Busche

2008-09-28T23:54:00.001-06:00

This is such simple yet profound advice to have an incredible life

Date Night is Back!

2008-09-22T14:11:00.000-06:00

Yippee! It's date night tonight once the girls are off in dreamland!

Anybody else watch? What are your predictions?

In search of good books

2008-09-18T18:03:00.000-06:00

I am in search of good books to read. What are your favorite books and why?

All of those with perfect houses... we all know who you are!

2008-09-11T11:45:00.000-06:00

Now that we have determined that you are all perfect and have perfect houses - let Ang and I in on your secrets.

2008-09-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

Schools back in full swing! It's time for me to get back into regular routines again.

What are your routines to keep your life afloat? Is it flylady, doing one main thing a day, set schedule or you're just a wonder woman and keep everything perfect because you are perfect.

Green Smoothie Anyone?

2008-08-29T11:20:00.000-06:00

I thought that I came across an amazing way to get vegies into my kids. I wasn't going to tell them what the ingredients were though. While we were at the store I mentioned something about smoothies, Jessica starting jumping up and down and asked if we were going to make green spinach smoothies. So obviously I'm not the only one making these. If you haven't tried them - they are great! If you have tried them - what's your favorite recipe or things to put in them.

Here's the one that two of my kids like - the third one doesn't like smoothies much anyway

1 cup spinach (I use baby spinach)

pineapple (fresh or in it's own juice)

banana

orange juice

enough water to keep it blending smooth

I put the spinach in and add a little water until it's blending well then add the rest of the ingredients. Blend until it is completely smooth.

You can't taste the spinach at all. If you can just add more fruit. I love the fact that there isn't any sugar in it and it's still sweet enough to enough. PLUS - there is a bunch of spinach in it. We have added frozen berries and the kids like that too - it also gets rid of the green color.

2008-08-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

The first week of school is almost over! Now it's really time to get the routines going. What is your favorite tip or routine to help keep everything running smoothly with school and activities.

Jessica takes her lunch everyday (except every other Wednesday). This year she is in charge of packing her own lunch. Each evening once dinner is cleaned up, she packs her lunch completely then sticks it in the fridge for morning. This has been wonderful, no more running around making breakfast and packing a lunchbox at the same time!

3rd Grade!

2008-08-28T10:48:00.000-06:00

Back to School

Today I hurry off to school

To work and learn and play

I'm in a brand new grade this year

What a happy day!

Strollin' Down Memory Lane Playin' Tag

2008-07-22T13:39:00.000-06:00

I want to hear from ALL OF YOU LURKERS...even if you have never commented before!

Here are the rules.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is most memorable. If you don't have a blog and don't know how to sign in, please comment as anonymous.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you... either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!

3. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all

☺Okay, let's see what you've got!

I Will Remember

2008-07-18T14:29:00.000-06:00

I Will Remember

Faith - Obedience - Sarifice

Rescue

Martin's Cove - Pioneer Trek 2008

This statue is right after you cross the Platte River, on your way up to the first cove that they took shelter in. It, along with others represents the men/boys that rescued the starving pioneers and carried them across the frozen river. It made me think of a father carrying his small child away after burying the toddlers mom. The faith that they had to come to Zion, even after being told all of the things that could go wrong because they were starting late is amazing to me. They gave up their lives to come to Zion.

Frank Allen was barely 23 when Brigham Young called for a rescue. His first reaction was it was foolish to go out in late October. He prayed and knew the answer to his prayer immediately, he must go and obey.

He and the other rescuers found the Martin Handcart Company around noon. He then felt that he needed to go further to search for any stragglers. He recounts: "As I was riding, I saw a little speck up on the side of the hill that somehow caught my attention. As I rode on, the object appeared a little larger and I felt he urge to ride up and see what it was. Image my feelings when I found there a little boy. He was so cold and hungry that he had slipped away from the others in his company. He had hid himself there on the hill and was praying to die and that the wolves would come and eat his body. I wrapped that young man in a blanket and put him on my horse." Frank's willingness to listen and obey the promptings of the Spirit saved that young mans life.

Many years later Frank was telling that story to his grandchildren and their other grandfather. After the story the other grandfather (George Frederick Housley) excitedly said, "Your horse was bay with one white foot, a white star on his forehead, and your blanket was red and black plaid!"

Frank was suprised and asked how he could have known that.

George replied that he was that yougn man and that he was sure it was because of his prayers and the prayers of his mother that he was found.

George was 20 at the time of the rescue. He had looked like a small child because of his starving condition.

Would you sacrifice everything?

Maria Jackson Normington was my pioneer. She was 5 months pregnant with their 9th child when the family sold most of their belongings to sail from England toAmerica and then onto Zion. Along the trail the family sold the rest of their belongs at Fort Laramie so they could have more than a pound of flour to eat each day.

Her 18 month old son, Daniel died along the trail. Soon after she gave birth to another baby boy, who soon also died. Her husband, Thomas and her 4 year old son, Ephraim died most likely in Martin's Cove.

She would give her small ration of flour to her 3 girls that were still alive and would eat dirt to satisfy her hunger pains. When her feet were so frozen that she couldn't walk, she would crawl on her hands and knees and then on her knees and elbows - just to keep going.

Along the trail Maria went to see how her friend's husband was doing. He had been ill. His family had thought that he was dying, and since the company had to move on, they wrapped his in a blanket and left him to die on the prairie. When she learned that they had left him she would not permit that he was left and took her handcart and went back on the trail until she found him and brought him back to the camp. She remembered the blessing that he had received in England, that he should reach Zion in peace and safety. James Bleak did reach Zion and lived a long and successful life.

Maria was never heard to censure anyone for her trials, nor complain because her lot was hard. She was cheerful and faithful throughout her life and felt tht the gospel of Jesus Christ for which she had endured so much, was the most glorious of all blessings. (Allphin p 260)

The second day we walked 17+ miles. Everyone was so tired that they took their buckets to sit on while waiting for the restroom.

These boys were some of my first cub scouts. They have grown into fine young men.

It amazes me that the pioneers would walk 15-20 miles a day and then dance at night. Even when they got into Martin's Cove - starving and dying - they danced.

Who knew that freezing cold water to wash your hair with could be so refreshing.

We made it!

All of the pioneers had such faith to come to unknown places just to be able to worship. The stories of the pioneers are amazing. They truly had faith, obeyed the prophet and sacrified so much. We reap the rewards of their trials.

I love Pioneer Trek, that's why I convinced Michael to go. It is something that is physically painful while you are there yet when you return the memories and the blessings are so much more. The pioneers were heroes. Their stories of faith, obedience and sacrifice are testiments of the gospel. The kids did have to work harder and walk more than they probably ever had before. They did have fun. The Spirit was so strong that it touched kids that didn't know what the feelings were. It is an amazing experience and if I ever get the chance again, I will talk Michael into it again.

My 3:30 AM visitor

2008-07-07T11:08:00.000-06:00

I woke up to that strange call again. A look out my window just in time to see a large tail disappear into the shadows. At the front windows I again watched a tail and then the strange cry disappear into the shadows. What a night!

Thursday Tell All - One Word

2008-06-26T01:00:00.000-06:00

I noticed that I haven't posted anything but Silly Science Tuesday stuff all month. So I'll do Thursday Tell All. I think this is the same one word thing that Becky A did, but it sounded like fun when I ran across is on another site so bear with me.

My Cell phone? Lost
My significant other? COG
My Hair? Wet
My mother? Yankees
My father? Broadway
My favorite thing? Kids
My dream last night? None
My favorite drink? water
My goal? Run
Room I'm in? Kitchen
Children? Princesses
My fear? Harm
Where do I want to me in 6 years? Home
Where was I last night? Hill
What I'm not? Tall
Muffins? Blueberry
Wish list item? Shoes
Where I grew up? Lancers
What I read last? Scarlett
What I am wearing? Stinky
TV? Off
Pets? Hiding
Computer? Table
Life? Great
Mood? Tired
Missing Someone? nope
Car? Expensive
Something I'm not wearing? Shoes
Favorite Store? online
My Summer? Hot
Like Someone? MBL
Favorite color? all
Last time I laughed? today
Last time I cried? Saturday

Silly Science - What will happen when you add mentos to Coke?

2008-06-25T17:12:00.000-06:00

2-liter of Coke
Mentos

Open the pop and place on the lawn. Quickly put in the mentos and run. It's messy and fun! My photos didn't work well enough to post onto this so go and watch these people with way to much diet coke, mentos and time on their hands!

Silly Science - Can an egg bounce?

2008-06-19T23:21:00.000-06:00

This started as an experiment to see again what happens to an egg shell in vinegar (since both girls didn't see the results last time) and see if you can bounce a raw egg - it didn't all turn out as planned.

One egg was put into a glass and covered with vinegar. The other egg was colored on with a crayon, then put into a glass and covered with vinegar. We were supposed to see if there was a difference in how the shells disappeared with the crayon or not.

They checked their eggs the next day, before we could bounce them the girls tried to poke the shell-less eggs. We never got to bounce them. It is a cool way to teach osmosis though.

Silly Science - Dirty Pennies

2008-06-19T23:17:00.001-06:00

The girls put salt on dirty pennies then dropped vinegar on top of the pennies. (It makes hydrochloric acid - just what every parent wants their kids playing with!) They had fun cleaning up the pennies and making them shiny again.

Smart Habit Saturday - Sparkling Kitchen

2008-06-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

I found Smart Habit Saturday on The Lazy Organizer (I'm think that she lived around here at one time) I loved the idea and it will be a way to break down my 101 in 1001 days into smaller bite size pieces.

My first habit for June is have a Sparkling Kitchen before bed. I have gotten out of this habit and my morning's show it. I know that my morning's and the rest of my day will go much smoother if my kitchen is clean when everyone gets up. So, back to the shiny sink every night. Only half of the month is left, I hope the habit will settle back in quickly.

Baking Soda & Eggs

2008-06-12T10:57:00.000-06:00

We are playing with baking soda again. The girls had fun seeing what baking soda would do with vinegar (mom, it's a volcano we've done this before), water, orange juice, and grapefruit juice and Coke.

I'm going to have to start buying my baking soda at Costco!

How it works: Bicarbonate Soda reacts with the acid, releasing carbon dioxide which bubbles up through the liquid. The more acidic the more bubbles there are.

She also put eggs into a glass of Coke and a glass of vinegar to see what they would do to their shells.

Silly Science - Volcano!

2008-06-03T15:43:00.000-06:00

Tuesday is Silly Science for the summer. The girls wanted to do a vinegar volcano. They never get tired of trying to figure out how to change the amounts to make it bigger. I now have no baking soda - so no cookies today. Oh well, they still had a ton of fun and didn't even miss the cookies.

1/4 cup vinegar

2 Tbsp baking soda

optional - food coloring or jello

There are fancy ways to make it look like a volcano but the girls just want the eruption part so we skipped all of that this time.

Pour 1/4 cup vinegar into a paper cup. Put the paper cup in the bottom of a big bowl. (If you are using food coloring add it to the vinegar now - if you are using dry Jello add a tsp to the baking soda now) Pour the baking soda into the vinegar. Eruption time!

Tagged by Becky A

2008-05-30T12:28:00.000-06:00

1- Four places I visit over and over
* Zions National Park
* School
* Weber River
* Pine Needles in Gardner Village

2- Four people I get email from the most
* Loreen
* Michael
* My Dad
* Me ( I email myself things all of the time)

3- Four of my favorite foods
* Corn on the Cob
* Truffles - but only certain kinds
* Salmon
* Watermelon

4- Four places I'd rather be right now
* asleep in bed
* Disneyworld
* The Temple
* London

5- Four movies I'd watch over and over
* Princess Bride
* The Sound of Music
* Heffalump (We have this because of me, not my kids)
* A Christmas Carol

6- Four bands/ groups I love to listen to
(I listen to a lot of music, but I usually don't know who performs it, so bear with me)
* Rascal Flatts
* Martina McBride
* U2
* Shania Twain

7- Four people I'm tagging
* Angela
* Tiffany
* Mel
* Becky P

101 Free Things to go and do this summer

2008-05-24T15:14:00.000-06:00

101 Free things

to go and do this summer
davis / weber county

Glasmann Way Park - South Ogden - 5175 So Glasman Way - walking path with light
Weber River Trail - Riverdale - Trailhead, from Riverdale Rd, turn south on 700 W, then East on 2600 South - trailhead is at the end. There is a frisbee golf game too
21st Street Pond - easy - 1 mile loop - Trailhead @ north side of 21st Street Expressway
Centennial Trail - easy - .5 mile one way - Trailhead @ Ft Buenaventura off "A" Avenue south of 24th Street
Kingfisher Trail - easy - .5 mile loop - Trailhead @ southwest entrance of Ft Buenaventura
Mount Ogden Park Trail - easy- 2.5 mile loop - Trailhead @ the top of 29th street, at the east end of 32nd Street and at about 1550 East 36th Street
Ogden River Parkway - easy - 3.4 miles one way - Trailheads @ 18th Street & Washington Blvd, 1700 Monroe Blvd (smooth surface can blade, take strollers, etc)
Old Trappers Loop Road - easy - 2 miles one way - Trailhead @ 7450 East off Hwy 29, just east of the Jackson Fork Inn. 7450 East is just east of the interesection with the Trapper’s Loop Hwy & Hwy 39
Many other harder trails are listed on http://www.weberpathways.org/ (Thanks Becky) There are also printed maps available all around the valley, the website lists the places
Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area - South of 1325 W & Glover Lane (925 So) Farmington - excellent bird watching - bike riding (not positive if it’s a smooth path)
Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve - educational exhibits, boardwalk trail and viewing tower - End of 3200 West at the Great Salt Lake Exit 330 - Daily 7am - 8pm - www.nature.org/utah
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - 2155 West Forest Street - Brigham City - Open M-F 8am -4pm http://www.bearriver.fws.gov/
Farmington Bay Wetlands Trail - easy bike trail 6.3 mi- no cars - http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/farm-bay-tg.htm
Farmington Trails - http://www.farmington.utah.gov/
Centerville Trails - http://www.centervilleut.net/displayarticle1912.html
Wild Bird Center Bird Walks - http://www.wildbirdcenter.com/stores/lay/birdwalks
Layton Wetlands Preserve - Go west on Gentile for 5.4 miles from Main Street - turn south @ 3200 W large double gate on the south side of the road. www.nature.org/utah
Great Salt Lake Bird Refuge
Bamberger Trail - 1 mile of paved trail - Layton - it goes along the freeway for most of it - from Gentile to Gordon Avenue
Kays Creek Parkway - Layton - 2700 N 2125 E (Parking) - 2 miles of paved trail, good for walking, biking, skating. It is natural so there are mosquitos (for the rest of the trailheads look at http://www.laytoncity.org/public/Depts/ParksRec/CityTrails/kayscreekpkwy.aspx
Ogden Nature Center - http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/ - On 12th street. Sorry, I know it’s not free, but it’s dir t cheap $3 for adults and $1.25 for kids 2-11
Free entrance to all Utah State Parks - Sept 24th
Walk down to the Weber River and play under the bridge (when the water goes down
Barnes & Noble - Layton - reading time - Saturday’s @ 1pm - Preschool storytime Wednesday’s @ 11am (Magic Tree House groups for 5-7 & 8-11 - on bn’s website for layton’s store)
Barnes & Noble free book - http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pImages/resources/events/2008/summerreading/summer_reading_tearpad-activity.pdf
Weber County Summer Reading Program - Registration starts May 27th - Weekly drawings for reading
Discovery Time @ Weber County Southwest Branch (Roy)Wednesday’s 10:30 and 11:30am
Davis County Summer Fun & Reading Program - "Catch the Reading Bug" Schedule for summer - http://www.co.davis.ut.us/library/
North Branch (Clearfield) Story time - Wednesday’s 10:30 & 1:30, Thursdays @ 10:30am http://www.co.davis.ut.us/library/kids/storytime.cfm
Wise Owl Bookery - story time ages 3-6 Thursday 1pm (4850 So Harrison Blvd) 479-1490
Reading is Fundamental summer reading program/ olympics - http://www.rif.org/summer/
http://www.bookadventure.org/ Free reading program sponsored by HoughtonMifflin and Sylvan Learning Center
Safe Kids Fest - Saturday May 31 - 10am - 2pm (Ellison Park 700 N 2200 W, Layton)
Rotary Coats for Kids Car Show - Bountiful - 400 No Park - June 14 - 8-4pm
Brigham City Heritage Arts Festival - June 14, 2008 http://brighamcity.utah.gov/heritage_arts.main.html
Bountiful Handcart Days - Parade 6pm, activities @ Bountiful Park 11:30-9:30pm
South Ogden - June 23 - June 28th Http://www.southogdencity.com/sodays.main.html
Ogden Arts Festival - June 28th - http://www.ogdenartsfestival.com/
Uintah U Days
Layton Liberty Days- 4th of July
"Taste of the Town" Layton Commons Park - 6pm - July 24th - free concert "Riders in the Sky" (to eat there it costs $)
Sunset City Fundays July 24-26th
Roy Days - August 1-2 - George Wahlen North Park, 4200 S 1900 W
South Weber Country Fair Days - August 2nd - 9th
Weber County Fair - August 6-9 - Weber County Fairgrounds, Ogden
Davis County Fair - August 13-16 - Davis County Fairgrounds, Farmington
Ogden Valley Balloon Festival - Eden - August 15-17
Bountiful Summerfest International - August 11- 14
Cedar Cove Park - South Weber - 1950 E 7550 So - cute little park
Central Park - South Weber - 7355 S 1375 E - playground, ball diamond
Cherry Farms Park - South Weber - 2100 E 8100 So - playground, ball diamond
Golden Spike Park - Riverdale - 1260 W 5050 S (take road across from drive in) - walking path that you can see 95% of from the playground, playground, ball diamond
Nature Park - South Ogden - 5874 So Park Vista Drive (1175 East) 2 playgrounds, splash pad
Beus Pond - Ogden - from Harrison, turn east on 42nd street. Park will be on the right after the curve at the top of the hill. Playground is up a little path on the west side of the pond, by the bridge. Swings and medium size playground for all ages. Pond is shady but the playground is not. There is a walking path around the pond also. Ducks to feed also
Friendship Park - South Ogden - Walking path, playground
Glassman Way Park - South Ogden - walking path with lights
Sand Ridge Park - Layton - 2555 No Church Street (a little behind the neighborhood Walmart on Hwy 193) Playground with a covered pavilion near, path around the park that kids can bike/skate
Layton Commons Park - Layton - 437 No Wasatch Dr - feed ducks, walk ways, playground
Castle Heights Park in Fruit Heights - just off of Hwy 89. Benches inside and out for mom’s, running and playing room in the playground. I loved this park until Em got stung. (Emily got attacked by ground bees protecting their nests in the toddler part last year so double check that)
Barnes Park - Kaysville - 950 W 200 No - large playground, sand volleyball, ducks
Fort Buenaventura
Utah Botanical Center - 725 Sego Lily Drive (725 So 50 West) Kaysville - open daily dawn to dusk - walking paths, educational pavilion, bird watching, fishing - http://www.usu.edu/ubc/
Hill Aerospace Museum - Exit 338 off I-15 - 9am - 4:30pm
Layton Heritage Museum - 403 No Wasatch Drive, Layton - Open T-F 1-6pm and Saturdays 1-5 http://www.laytoncity.org/
Museum of Natural History - Ogden - Weber State University, Lind Lecture Hall- (on campus follow Edvalson St up the hill to the northeast corner of campus, it’s the round building) - Monday to Friday 8-5pm
Daughter’s of the Utah Pioneers - Ogden Temple - 2148 Grant Ave
Brigham City Museum - 24 No 300 W Brigham City - Tues - Fri 11-6 Sat 1-5
Kid workshops at Lowes - Saturdays - http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/
Kid workshops at Home Depot - Saturdays - http://www.homedepotclinics.com/
Babies R Us Kid Days -store events
Free Fishing Day - June 7 2008
Free Slurpee Day @ 7-11 - July 11th
Treehouse Museum - 347 22nd Street - Ogden - http://www.treehousemuseum.org/
Monday 10am Toddler Time $2 toddlers/ adults free and Friday 7-9pm $2 children/ adults free (again not totally free, but really cheap)
Layton City Ampitheater - July 2nd - Voices of Liberty - Free - 8pm
Monday Night at the Movies - Ogden Ampitheater - http://www.ocae.org/mondaymovies.htm
Wednesday Night at the Movies - Layton Ed Kenley Ampitheater - http://www.thedavisarts.com/
Geocaching - http://www.geocaching.com/ (If you don’t have a GPS and want to give this a try give us a call and we’ll take you caching)
Clearfield Farmer’s Market - 4-7 pm - 825 So State Street - Fridays - August, September
Utah Botanical Center Farmer’s Market - 5-8pm - Kaysville - Thursdays July, August, September
Ogden’s Farmer’s Market - Saturdays July 12 - September 27 - 8 - 1pm
http://www.thingstodoutah.blogspot.com/
Lunar Eclipse - August 28
Ott Planetarium - Weber State University - okay it’s not free but still cheap $2 for adults and $1 for kids They have shows for ages 1+ http://community.weber.edu/planetarium/default.html
Science in the Parks with the WSU science department. They will be in various parks around Ogden throughout the summer. Check the website for info - http://community.weber.edu/planetarium/default.html
Pioneer Fireside and Fireworks - Weber State - July 20
Field Trips (usually need apx 5 moms & their kids plus an appointment)Great Harvest Bread - 272 Historic 25th Street - 394-6800
Jerry’s Nursery - 1520 No 1900 W, Farr West - 782-4149 They will give kids a tour and teach them about plants - for a $1 they will let kids plant a plant to take home
Weber County Animal Shelter - 1373 No 750 W, Harrisville - tour the facility and visit the animals (399-8244)
Beehive Cheese Company - 2440 E 6600 So Uintah - 476-0900 - See how cheese is made and get a sample at the end
Krispy Kreme - watch them make donuts
Lemonade Stand
Read-A-Thon
Make a movie
Night Games
Run in the sprinklers
Sidewalk Chalk
Make a blog of your summer fun
Almost Free
Cinmark Movies $1 -
Layton - http://www.cinemark.com/smc_flyers/119_SMCflyer2008.pdf
Newgate - http://www.cinemark.com/smc_flyers/240_SMCflyer2008.pdf
Loews Movies - $1
Layton - http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/movies.html
Antelope Island Junior Ranger Program, Hike with a Naturalist, Star Parties etc - pay $9 to get onto the island http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/events.html
Have fun with your kids

More - Finally

2008-05-23T09:34:00.000-06:00

After 9 months of teaching Allie FINALLY signed "more" and said "mmmo" at the same time. She might be a super happy baby, but everything has been "ma" with different influxes to mean different thing for months. We would try to get her to sign or say things and Allie would just look at you and smile.

50 Odd Things about me

2008-05-20T12:57:00.000-06:00

No, I'm not in the photo, but it's an odd thing to see when you are out and about.

1-Do you like bluecheese?..........yes and no

2-Do you have a college degree?.......... yes - Bachelor of Science

3-Do you own a gun?.......... No

4-Your favorite song?..........Because I have been given much

5-Do you get nervous before Dr's appointments?..........Just scheduled c-sections

6-What do you think of hot dogs?.......... really cooked, good with mustard

7-Favorite Christmas Song?.......... O Holy Night

8-What do you prefer to drink in the morning?.......... orange juice, if we have it

9-Can you do push ups?........... some

10-Are you afraid of flying?.......... nope

11-What'syour favorite piece of jewelry?.......... wedding ring

12-Favorite hobby?.......... reading

13-Animals?.......... cat

14-Do you have A.D.D.?..........nope

15-What's one trait you hate about yourself?.......... time management

16-What is your middle name?.......... none

17-Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?

1- Is Allie asleep yet? 2-I need to finish field day 3-Is Em getting into trouble, she's too quiet

18-What is your favorite number?..........4

19-Name three drinks you regularly drink.......... 1-water 2-milk 3-orange juice

20-Current worry right now?.......... how long am I going to be in my house

21-Current hate right now?.......... my back lawn

22-Favorite place to be?.......... Disney World

23-How did you bring in the New Year?.......... Had my kids watch the ball drop New York Time and put them to bed, then watched tv with hubby

24-Where would you like to go?.......... Disney World when it's cool and uncrowded

25-Name three people who will complete this?.......... Angie, Becky, Becky

26-Do you own slippers?........... I think - my kids might have claimed them

27-What shirt are you wearing?.......... brown t-shirt

28-Do you like sleeping in satin sheets?.......... only when my feet are smooth

29-Can you whistle?......... not really

30-Favorite Color?.......... pale yellow

31-Would you be a pirate?.......... nope, I get too sea sick

32-What songs to you sing in the shower?.......... none

33-What did you have for dinner last night?.......... honey baked french toast

34-What's in your pocket right now?..........Em's wrapper and bracelet

35-Last thing that made you laugh?.......... Em playing hide and seek right now

36-Best bed sheets as a child?.......... ones that mom washed

37-Worst injury you've ever had?........ no really big injuries (knock on wood)

38- Favorite Drink?.......... water

39-How many tv's do you have in your house?........... 1 1/2 (the little one only works with VHS)

40-Who is your loudest friend?.......... Angela

41-How many dogs do you have?...........0

42-Does someone have a crush on you?..........my baby maybe

43-Favorite Book?..........I don't have an absolute favorite

44-Party hard or lay low?.......... definately lay very low

45-What is your favorite candy?.......... truffles

46-Favorite sports?.......... volleyball or softball

47-What song do you want played at your funeral?.......... Because I have been given much and all the verses of I Am a Child of God

48-What were you doing at 12am last night?.......... Getting ready for preschool

49-What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?.......... Em go back to bed

50-If you are married, where did you meet your spouse?.......... my work, later his too

Emily has been tagged

2008-05-14T11:27:00.000-06:00

Emily Hannah Banana

Emily loves her thumb! She still sucks it because the blueberry hasn't run out! When she was 2 she sucked her nail right off - yet after wrapping her thumb for months to let the nail grow back she went right back to sucking her thumb

Kate is her best friend. The only problem is - Kate lives 6 hours away.

(PS Emily is the only one that calls her Kate)

Life is good for Emily. She is full of life and enjoys and uses every minute of it. She loves her sisters, sometimes too much! Last week she found black ink, put it all over her hands and tried to turn herself, Allie, Jessica and Ellie into tigers!

"I will help you out" that is exactly what Emily was thinking when she tried to open the cage for these animals. "They want to play with me mom" (She did wear pants when she was 2)

Waiting for Jessica to come home. Em can't wait for summer when she will have both of her sister's home all day with her!

Emily is teaching Allie to be silly like her. They love to play together. Emily teaches Allie how to climb on tables, hide under Mom's bed, jump off the couch, splash in the bath, make a big mess and SMILE

Feeding the baby lambs was one of her favorite things this year. Each time we pass the Byram's farm she looks for the lambs and wants to go feed them again. The only thing she didn't like was when mom made her quit feeding the lamb to see a newborn lamb. She took a quick peek at the new lamb and went back to the barn yard by herself to finish feeding that lamb

She loves preschool. Every morning she asks if it is preschool day. She loves to write her name and practically taught herself she wanted to learn so bad. She has to have a book every night before she can go to sleep. I learned the other night that we are giving her too many verses from the Book of Mormon that start the same. Em, it's your turn - "And it came to pass" Well at least she was listening.

Emily Hannah Banana is fun, crazy and silly. She wears a dress everyday. Yet even with her dresses and lipgloss she is the first one to play in the mud, fish in the "ponds" in front of our house, dump sand on her own head and just play.

She doesn't care if she gets into trouble. If she is in time out she will make up a game to entertain herself until the time is over. Yet, if you see her in pants you will know that she got into BIG trouble and had her dresses taken away.

Emily wants to tag - Kate, Kelsey, Molly, Rachel and Jessica

Learn of me, and listen to my words

2008-05-08T12:32:00.000-06:00

As we witness the unfolding events of the last days, we cannot doubt that in this scripture the Lord is speaking directly to us. We are Israel of the latter days. We are they who must teach our children of Him. Peace that endures is not dependent upon outside forces that are beyond our control. “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (D&C 19:23).
The Lord’s words spoken centuries ago are words of hope and assurance that give comfort to righteous parents who teach their children of Him. They speak to us at a time when peace in the hearts of children can seem but an elusive dream. But the Savior has assured us that it can be a reality if we teach our children. (Anne Wirthlin - Ensign May 1998)

Last night I was so grateful that we went to Stake Conference on Sunday. It was a hectic two hours, I think we were in the hall or potty at least 10x. I loved Elder Bednar's talk and how we are instilling the habits into our children when we read the scriptures with them. I didn't have a clue how to find his talk from a Stake Conference, but I liked Sister Wirthlin's comments also.

As we were reading the scriptures last night, I kept his talk going through my head and "this is worth it, this is worth it" Michael was working late, Emily was screaming "I neber, eber eber want to read the scriptures again!" most of the time while I held her on my lap or held her wrist so she would stay, Allie was exhausted so she just wanted to sleep and Jessica went between cartwheels, helping with Allie and making sure she could read every 10th verse. We did get through the rather long chapter and Emily topped it off by volunteering for the prayer, happily.

I want my kids to have the habit of reading the scriptures so it's not hard for them when they are older, so tonight again we will read. It might be delightful when each has their scriptures and everyone reads or it may be another "this is worth it" night.

birds, birds everywhere

2008-05-07T15:22:00.000-06:00

We are being bombarded by bird nests! I will definately miss that when we move. We have starlings in the trees out front, magpies in the side trees, robins in the back trees and a cooing pigeon (I think) in my front raingutter! It has been fun for Emily and I today to listen for the coo, it's so different from the songs of the other birds. I hope that they are okay in the raingutter though - it is the corner - but still...

"We are only as wise, as our ears are open"

2008-05-06T13:52:00.001-06:00

"Children pretend to listen. Through no fault of their own, they learnt it from those before them. The only way to change this is for everyone to listen." - leanne carmichael

I am so guilty of this. And I wonder why my kids act as if they have holes in their heads. This is my thing to work on this week. Actually listening, not cutting people off and not thinking of what I am going to say. I know when I am PRESENT in the conversation with my kids things go much smoother than when I have holes in MY head.