Family Learning - Prophets & Birds

  For family night tonight, we learned some about President Thomas S. Monson, in preparation for his birthday celebration on Friday (that Austin and I will attend live). I'm inspired so much by his love for others and willingness to serve. I hope after learning more about him and celebrating his birthday this week, it will stick with me. We took some of our ideas and facts from this month's Friend magazine. I have really grown to love this children's magazine! It has given Cadence and I countless activities on Sunday and great stories to read together as a discussion point for values and making righteous choices.
 After learning some about President Monson (Cadence told us a story for the lesson), "Kory" taught everyone the verse to "Follow the Prophet" about him. One interesting fact that we learned was he raised pigeons. So, for the activity, it was off to the Aviary. It's also our attempt at making more regular family outings that we usually save for vacation (because with Austin's schedule, vacations just don't happen as they have in former years).
 The boys had a blast at the Aviary and we learned so much! I was surprised how much Kory enjoyed it! Usually, it's hard to tell he's really enjoying something until it's over. These birds seem to bring out the excitement in him! I was grateful for the photo-op! It's so hard to get a photo of him and his cute expressive face! 

Duck - Kory's favorite

Pelican

Peacock

King Vulture

Kory's actually getting visibly interested!

Cadence's map skills ("the owls are this way")

An Emu egg

Now he's really getting excited!

A little Macaw of our own (he thinks he's an owl)

This is the awesome, typical face of an interested Kory - finally caught it after months of trying!!

Getting some energy out

Learning how birds eat (with sand which ended up all over him)

Most handsome bird I know, perched on a tree stump watching the young.

The bald eagle, successfully brought from only 2,000 remaining to now being off of the endangered species list!

Mommy and Kory

More mapping skills (at this point, there was no interest in birds - just the map)

"Ducks I can touch!!"

"Hello little duck!"

Choo, Choo!

What little boy doesn't love trains?! Do you know one? I certainly don't. My boys LOVE trains and I love indulging them! There are a cute little train that runs in the mall. They can't go to the mall without at least looking at it once.

 

Here are some pictures with their most recent train ride with Aunt Maria. We ended up at this favorite spot after discovering that "Jump On It" (where Cadence had his 2nd birthday party) closed down. Thanks to this happy train ride, the boys quickly got over the let-down (I think I may still be working on it though). This was one of the many fun things we've done while Daddy has been at Woodbadge.  By now, we're missing him tons and ready for him to come home tomorrow... I'm grateful for the fun little distraction! 

 Notice Kory's stoic look in practically every photograph. You can never know if he's really enjoying most adventures until afterward, when he BEGS to do it again. Cadence is all smiles and giggles, as usual. Enjoy the ride! CHOO-CHOO!!

Pioneer Day Extravaganza '12

Kory's dreaming...

Pioneer Day this year was so much fun! We were glad to have Aunt Maria along to help us enjoy the festivities! She always makes things more fun! We also love running into old friends randomly - you never know who will be there! What a great way to celebrate our heritage!

Cade was a little scared of the loud fire engine noise.

Just thought the sign was funny!

At first, Cade didn't want to ride the pony, but I "made" him. He LOVED it and was glad he did it!

Kory's first pony ride. He loved it at first, but after one time around and petting it, he was done!

This little guy needs a nap!

Petting Zoo - Cade just looked at the animals, but didn't want to pet them.

Cadence really got into the crafts this year, which was fun. Here is his "kite"

Duck hunting - Cadence LOVED practicing his new knowledge of gun safety.

 

Kory's 1st Pony Ride!

In With the New (Carpet)

Laying the carpet...

Need I say more? 

 

It feels so nice Austin even said, "Who needs a couch?" We love it!!

Out with the Old (Carpet)

This post is for those of you who didn't believe we really needed new carpet. 

Me lying on the twin mattress (we sold the couch) with a pretty empty room. Can you see the traffic pattern?

Austin pulled the carpet out - this is the color it USED to be...

What was under our carpet? First, some nasty padding.

Then, hardwood.

Linoleum under the floor in the hallway & the boy's room.

Even after everything we sold, this is what our bathroom looked like. 

...and this is what the kitchen looked like. We had to stuff everything in the kitchen & bathroom.

 

Goodbye nasty carpet!!

I told you it was awful!! Honestly, it wasn't much better when we first moved in. Austin has been dying to get new carpet since we bought the house. I finally came to a breaking point when I started selling our stuff (to make room for Baby #3) and realized that with a practically empty house, I now knew why I felt like my house was never clean! NASTY carpet. Gross! No wonder I often wore shoes on it!
 Austin was busy getting ready for the new carpet last night. He wasn't quite done as he headed off to the ward priesthood retreat. He was planning to come back and finish it, then camp out with the boys at home. Well, it rained - so no camping on the trampoline. The suburban was also full of what we couldn't fit in the kitchen and bathroom - so no sleeping in the suburban. I ended up cancelling my trip up to North SLC for a family reunion today to stay in a hotel with my little boys, so Austin could work on ripping up the rest of the carpet (he joined us for a nice hot shower and was grateful to have a hot breakfast in the morning). It has been such an exhausting weekend already...but I can't wait to see (and especially feel) what the new carpet looks like! Stay tuned (see September 2012, after we finished the paint job as well...)