Salt Lake City

We went Salt Lake to pick my parents up from the airport last week after they drove to Oklahoma to help my sister Rachel move. She and her family will be missed. Because we where having to drive all the way to up town Salt Lake, we decided to make a day of it. We went to see the temple, play at a park and get sandwiches at Moochies. Moochies.... amazing sandwiches. I think it is one of Dan's favorite places to go in Salt Lake.
 It was the first time Derek and Lizzy had ever been to the temple. Jacob and Derek loved the little exhibits with the life size characters of the prophets. I know most of Temple Square is for older kids so I was proud of them listing to our stories and enjoying the sights. I know we are lucky to live near so many temples.

 We also went to the Zoo recently. It was a ton of fun getting to hang out with the family. Jacob and Derek had a blast, Lizzy Lynne tolerated the experience. We where lucky enough to see them feed the crocodiles. It was one of the coolest things I have seen at the zoo. Jacob was enthralled and didn't seem scared at all that an animal in front of him was tearing apart a huge rat/bunny.

Another fun thing about going to the zoo when it is overcast is that apparently it is code for bears to be super active. They where walking around, swimming and trying to break through the reinforced plexiglass.

 Did you ever build a nest out of blankets as a kid and pretend you where a bird? Well I did. I have installed this fun past time in my kids and I am an amazing blanket nest builder. When I saw this play nest, I thought it was awesome. I want one. This has hours of fun imaginary play time written all over it. Though it isn't as comfortable as the ones i make.

 I have no idea why but my kids LOVE these bronze statues of the animals. They spent more time climbing and attempting to break a bone then looking at the actual animal itself.

 That is right... Jacob got to get within touching distance to his favorite animal. The Peregrine Falcon. He stopped dead in his tracks halting the line behind us when he saw it. He then hounded the very nice zoo lady with facts. " Did you know this is the fastest animal ... ever". " Did you know it can kill a pelican". I am glad he met his animal super hero.

 Yet another random bronze statue the kids had fun climbing and falling off of.

Baby!!!

We are so happy to announce we are expecting our third baby in November! Here is Baby's first photo.

Cousins!

 Angie and I decided that we needed to get a picture of the cousins. We put them in the jerseys my parents got them for Christmas.  Its not easy taking a picture of a baby, 2 yr old and a 4 yd old. Here are our favorites!

 Jake started to help Angie. He started playing peek-a-boo and trying to get Oliver to not cry.

He cried anyway.

 The more Oliver cried, the more Derek slowly scooted away. Jake was told he needed to help Oliver sit up and make sure not to let him fall. He did great!

Fun at the Farm

Angie is in town so we thought it would be fun to go to the farm! I thought Oliver would like all the animals. Who knew he would be terrified.

Derek has liked having Oliver here. Jacob has been ecstatic Oliver is here! He is so cute and patient with him, there is a reason he is the oldest.

I think the cows where the highlight of the farm. Aunt Rachel was a bad example by climbing the fence.
Then Angie started to climb the fence so she could pet the baby cow.

It was only a matter of time before my kids started to climb the fence like a jungle gym. If the Aunts are doing it, why not them?? 


Look... The cow is close to Oliver and he isn't crying!!! YAY!!! I think it helps that he had a bottle and was in the security of his stroller. 

We got a little goat feed and fed the goats and sheep. Jake does the " toss the food" method because he doesn't want to get his hand dirty. Aunt Rachel let them actually feed out of her hand.

Yea, Rachel was nervous with the lamas. She was afraid that if she turned to face me for a picture they would spit or bite her.

Here is a rooster who was quite vocal. Angie thought is was a good idea to let Oliver hear the
" cokoodoodle-doo " from a few feet away. Oliver didn't seem to agree.

 Derek thought it was cool, especially when Auntie Rachel gave her own rooster call.

Jacob decided that he wanted to talk to the rooster , so he joined in . He has an impressive rooster call. 

Look, Oliver is smiling!!

Oliver is sad again.

The kids had fun playing in the little saloon and jail. Derek enjoyed climbing through the windows while Jacob tried avoiding Rachel who had the camera.

We then went into the farm where they started the cow milking They even let the kids and adults try milking a cow.

 Angie, Rachel and Jacob milked the cow. Derek and I where good with just watching. 

Babies!!

 My guppie gave birth!! Right after we got the fish tank a girl guppie had babies, Jake and I loved them. We then acquired a few more fish thay loved them too. They loved to EAT THEM. It has been about a month since that tragic day. Now we can find joy in our new little baby fishes. We put the two super pregnant girls in the separate "mommy space" and where so excited when we saw babies. Then one of the girls ate a baby. I acted as quickly as possible. Putting the pregnant fish in the blue net. This kept the babies safe.

 The mommy fish took over an hour and a half to have all the babies. Dan and I took turns standing above the fish tank waiting for another baby.  This way I could take my little measuring spoon as scoop them up and into the 'baby safe zone'. They make me so happy!

Valentines Surprise

My parents have installed a true love for holidays in me. Something that Dan had to get used to when we first got married. My parents where always trying to make us feel important and loved. They made a point in celebrating even the smallest and commercial holidays with their own flair. I hope my kids grow up knowing they are loved and celebrated like I was. Valentines Day as per Glassford ( now Astin) tradition is a celebration of all loved ones. Dan and I got each other cute little gifts and got the kids Valentines presents. We had a Valentines day dinner ( heart shaped pancakes) and Jake had fun making valentines for family and friends.
But in Grandma and Grandpa Glassford fashion they wowed the kids with this.They tagged our door with hearts and candy. Leaving cute little notes and wonderful presents. Jake saw it and was speechless for a bit, not knowing what to do. I read him the note and told them that his Grandparents loved him and they wanted to give him and Derek a surprise valentine. He looked so happy, he got a four headed orange dragon! He adores it. It is his favorite color AND his favorite number if four!! After about an hour playing with their new toys and having Dan read them their books Jake got a concerned look on his face. " I haven't given them their valentine Mom!! I love them too and they need their candy!!" I explained to him that we where going over for our traditional Valentines Day Dinner with the Glassford family later. That the Grandparents just wanted to surprise you. He then responded, " they are very sneaky." Then he kept playing with Derek and the Dinosaur.

Snow!!

It has been a cold winter, but with very little snow in the valley. It was nearing the end of January and we hadn't had any decent snow storms. We finally had snow that stuck to the ground plus had the quantity to make a snowman! Jacob was thrilled. So was I, Dan was home and HE could go out in the cold and have a Father -son bonding experience. I bundled up the kids and sent them out with Daddy.

Yes, Jacob has pink gloves on. I realized I didn't have waterproof gloves in his size, so he got my gloves.

After building a great snowman they had a snowball fight. Which consisted of Dan throwing snowballs and me and Jake. Jake throwing them at Dan, and me throwing them at Jake. Derek kept running around the yard just enjoying the snow. All the snow melted the next day and we have yet to have snow again. Weird weather.