Sick, a Beard, and Bird-Watching

Stress, a new environment, far too crazy schedules, and yucky eating all caught up to us this month. The month of June we spent, sick, sick, and sick again. We probably have gone through 2-3 rounds of illnesses (everyone being sick slightly after each other) since we moved here. It's been difficult for us, yet at the same time, the blessing in being sick is an excellent excuse to focus inward on your own family. For Austin, it was a great excuse to grow out his beard. 

 At two weeks long, this is the longest he's ever grown his beard. He likes to keep himself clean shaven and even if he doesn't take the time to during the week, he always shaves by Sunday for church. Skipping a week of church for being sick (which Austin doesn't do unless he's VERY sick), he took the opportunity to grow it out. I'm not sure it's really a good indication of what his "beard" looks like. Two weeks wasn't long enough to grow it in full, but I think he decided he mostly didn't like it. 

 Another exciting thing has been enjoying some relaxing days at home (sometimes just looking outside and hoping we could be there). Austin has started to "bird watch" at our house. Every morning you can find plenty of birds to keep you interested, flying, and even jumping around in our backyard. Robin's are plentiful as are Pigeon's. We've also seen European Starlings and Yellow-Headed Blackbirds close by, and some sort of, what Austin thinks is, a Yellow Finch.

 We found a nest just outside Ethan's window in the front yard. I thought it was so fitting I was repainting and decorating the nursery and a Robin was doing the same just outside.

 This is a piece of the bird egg (on our kitchen counter) we found outside in the grass.

 Next, we found a lower next in the back yard (outside the other boy's windows), with three beautiful eggs inside. Bird watching has been a blessing of slowing down while we were sick. I'm not sure in fast-paced life if we would've seen them, and had the opportunity to teach the boys about them.

There are little gems inside each trial. I could list off so many other small blessings from the long-lasting illness. I'm so grateful for trials in our lives that help us see God's hand and help us more fully appreciate His blessings.

JC Mickelson's & Nebo Loop

If you've ever been south of Provo, you've seen some interesting billboards for a Restaurant in Nephi called JC Mickelson's. One of them reads, 

"Nephi? 

It's worth it dear...eat some peanuts!

HUH!?! I found myself trying to figure out what this billboard was saying. Then I realized - oh someone might think it's a long drive so "eat some peanuts" to tide you over until you make it (because it's worth it). 

So we talked for the first while about someday going there to see what the restaurant was all about. One Saturday (we were actually north in Provo shopping), we just up and did it! On our way down we saw more billboards with words like "cabooses" and "boxcar" and started to hope they had a cool train. And - they did! The boys loved it!

We were worried that we had built up the restaurant so much in our minds and it wouldn't live up to our anticipation. But, we LOVED the food. And while the outside of the restaurant is nothing to get excited about, or the "updated" look, the trains were wonderful, the service was great, and we couldn't have had a more pleasant experience. 

 Even better, the day we just up and randomly decided to finally (driving from Provo), the Thompson's were there too! Ironic that some of our best friends ended up at the same restaurant, at the same time, in NEPHI, when we hadn't planned it. We've been sick off and on since we moved so we hadn't planned many official playdates. It was fun to randomly run into them :-)

Matt told us they took the scenic Nebo loop to get here. They actually set out to do that first and ended up in Nephi, deciding to check the restaurant out while they were in town. So, we decided to do the same thing, and took the scenic loop back home. It was a beautiful drive (and it dropped us out only about 2-3 minutes from our house)! We love living so close to such magnificent mountains.

Camp Koholowo

This weekend was the first "Father and Son 's" Campout with our new ward and stake. We looked forward to this campout every year. The boys love getting outdoors with their Dad, and I enjoy having the house all to myself overnight, excepting Ethan of course. Next year I'll get to send him too!

They went to Camp Koholowo, a campground in Santaquin Canyon. It was a cold evening. In all those blankets somewhere is a cute two-year-old. Guess I know how to keep him still now!

Cadence was excited to sleep in a tent, and disappointed to find out that they had cabins with bunks. So, Austin draped up the tarp above his bed so he'd feel like he was still sleeping in a tent. It satisfied his 4 year old dream.

They showed a movie in the evening, which they enjoyed watching together. Austin didn't have a very restful sleep though, worried about the boys falling off their beds, and not having much room sleeping with Kory.

Here's the tired two-year-old in the morning. Tired, but happy.

Good Morning, Cadence!

Here we are ringing the breakfast bell in the morning! I'd love one of these for our backyard! They also enjoyed tackling a ropes course (yes, both boys did it!), and seeing some wildlife! A great little overnight that is over all too soon. I debated about what to do with the evening and decided to do "nothing" and went to bed early to get some good sleep. Ethan decided to wake me up nice and early in the morning (which I didn't appreciate at the time) and we were off to enjoy some shopping! A successful campout!

Buraston Ponds

 Today we enjoyed Memorial Day by going to Buraston Ponds (which is technically south of here in Mona). We didn't have time to take the canoe, but it would've been the perfect spot! It was Ethan's first day in his swimsuit, though the water was so cold he didn't get in. Still, he had fun lounging on our blanket.

We went with the Thompson's. Austin hadn't been feeling very well so he didn't swim for more than a minute and didn't try the rope swing. It took some convincing from Matt but Elise and I finally roped in! It was freezing! I was done after saying I had experienced it!

 Austin got in some great bird watching pictures! Not sure what he found out about this little guy... (but in the picture he looks impaled, doesn't he?)

 Even Evan joined in the fun! The other boys were too cold to try it. Cadence complained the entire time about being there. He didn't like getting dirty. He didn't like the cold water. He just wanted to go home. Kory didn't say much of anything until, like usual, we were leaving. In the car on the way home he said "Mom, do that 'gain, 'nother day?" He always has such a placid look while taking things in, and when it's all over, he'll let you know what he really thought. I'm glad he had a good time!

We had a BBQ that night with the Roney's at our place. A yummy hummus platter, kabobs, and salad. Delicious and healthy! We spent the after dinner time enjoying the lawn and playing duck duck goose! It was a wonderful holiday break!

Projects at Home

 Austin has been busy at home this month working on a few projects. Our sprinkler wasn't working in two different locations in the backyard. He spent a week or two digging and cutting and taping to get everything put back together! We were so proud of him!

 Unfortunately we found out the hard way that the ceiling vent in Austin's office was loose. It fell out once and made a dent in Austin's glass desk. Shame on us for not having fixed it then! It fell again and broke Austin's computer screen. He took it upon himself to install a new screen! Mr. Handy!

Pomp and Circumstance

And here he is - the graduate! Austin John Smith is graduating with his Master's of Business Administration from the University of Utah...well, sort of. What I mean is, today is all the pomp and circumstance of graduation, but we still have two more summer classes to get through before we're done! Still, it was a great excuse to see all of his family and enjoy them in our new home as well!

 We went to Red Robin before graduation. We got there early enough it wasn't busy. The boys seemed oblivious to what was going on really, but they enjoyed being there. Having Austin as the guest of honor meant I was dealing with them a lot on my own. Thankfully, other family jumped in the help some (what was I thinking putting them in suits before dinner?!)

 He looks thrilled doesn't he? Well Uncle Keaton actually did a great job making Kory laugh and keeping him happy. He's just showing you he was about as thrilled as they were to be there.

 I played all sorts of games with the kids (and so did Grandma, AND Great-Grandma), gave out treats, and tried to explain what was going on. It was a battle. Graduation started at bedtime! Even Cadence had a hard time seeing Austin and only got excited for a second when he saw him on the jumbo-tron!

 Grandpa & Grandma Smith came from Florida, and Grandpa and Grandma Cobb from Texas to be with us! Mom and Dad, of course, came from Illinois!

 Dad, Kelsey, and Grandpa Cobb went down to sit closer to get some better pictures.

 It was so hard waiting for "Smith"! We had to get through all the doctorates, then half the Master's students (maybe more) until we heard Austin's name! I was grateful it wasn't a bachelor degree!

 After Austin walked Mom took the kids out to run around. I was so grateful! Ethan stayed with me and took a short nap. Can you find "Waldo" in the picture below? The rest of his row decided not to stay, and it was really easy to spot him after that!

 I wish we'd gotten pictures with everyone at our house. It was the intent, but didn't happen. Still, here is Austin with Grandpa and Grandma Cobb at the new house! We had such beautiful spring flowers!

 He accomplished so much during his MBA. Reflecting over the past two years, with all their trials and difficulties, there were so many more blessings than hardships. We have a beautiful new baby boy and a beautiful new home. Austin met his business partner in school doing group projects (and carpooling for the hour-long commute). They got together one day and decided to do something "real" (might as well make some money instead of just "simulating" everything). Now we have a budding new company and many great new friends. He was invited to a special leadership class based on his GPA and leadership qualities, along with an array of other students from the entire campus. He spent so many hours tutoring other classmates, even when he understood the material himself. It was great practice for his dream of one day teaching school and helped him gain real mastery of the concepts and discover his own weaknesses. We enjoyed many social events, including free dinners, trips to the museum, and a golf tournament (which he'll repeat this year). Last, but definitely not least, he met some great mentors and friends, who have inspired him to be better and really make a contribution to the world while making a living for our family. It's been an amazing ride!

  Congrats - well the countdown begins anyway! The weekend was exhausting but so wonderful with friends and family. I think it was just enough to give me the energy to make it through one more semester!