strangest thing

Tell me the strangest thing you've seen this past week.

The strangest thing I've seen: A dude running a marathon... BAREFOOT. Who runs 26.2 miles on asphalt without any shoes on? Maybe he got ready in the dark!?! Very, very strange....

it's a first

We had put it off long enough - Zach needed to get out and experience life. So we packed up the car and headed east for our FIRST CAMPING TRIP! The Greens invited us to bum along with them to one of their favorite spots up North Fork by Eden and we were happy to oblige. As we drove to the camping spot, Zach was spurting out a constant stream of tree, rock, blue, tree, green, car, truck, tree, tree, tree... Zach was in his element.

This was our pre-camping trip in Kevin and Corinne's backyard. It went well so we moved onto the big times.

This isn't the best picture, but it forever will remind me of the trip. Zach is blurry in this picture and most of the rest because he was moving constantly - just too much to see.

Hanging out by the stream and finding rocks for Grandpa Dick. Most rocks ended up flung across the water as Zach loved to see them splash.

Thank goodness Greens have dogs! Zach thinks they are his doggies and Brandon and I don't have to do any work.

so I think I saved the earth

So I might have saved the earth today... well, maybe not the whole earth, maybe just a small sliver, but it felt good. I have always been an aspiring granola. While still maintaining shaven legs, I would like to wear Tevas, wear khakis, eat lentils, ride my bike everywhere, and live off the land all while saving the earth - please don't tell anyone. I haven't really gotten a hang of any those things, except for saving the earth.

I bought cloth bags and used them today at Walmart instead of the customary plastic ones and IT FELT GOOD. I don't know what it was, but it brought out my inner granola. I think I could save the earth every day.

fun-filled fourth

We spent the holiday weekend at Bear Lake with the Allan family - it's one of my favorite traditions. We swam in the pool, went skiing, played in the sand, hopped in puddles, played horseshoes and Ultimate Croquet, whipped out the board games, watched fireworks, golfed, and ATE - pretty much all of our favorite things to do packed into one weekend. It was great!

fashionable toe jewelry

I'm not sure that the information I am about to share is blog-worthy, but I thought it was funny (and maybe a little quirky).

Zach has found a new and fashionable alternative to regular toe rings - rubber bands. They come in any color you could want (as long as you're into bright colors) and they're cheap. Give me a call if you're interested in purchasing some - I'll give them to you for a good price - maybe... a buck a piece - you're not going to find a deal like that just anywhere.

Zach found some of these hair rubber bands that I had leftover from Girl's Camp and they have been a hit. He'll put them on his thumbs and on his toes and walk around like he's the cutest thing in the world - he's got me believing.

It is funny to me what kids are interested in... maybe next it will be plastic wrap...

monkey boy

So... we found out Zach's a monkey - I think it comes from the Tucker side. Brandon went to pick Zach up from nursery yesterday and was told that Zach's the biggest climber they have ever had. Case and point: when Brandon went into the room, Zach wasn't playing with toys or running around with the other kids, he was standing on the window sill. I guess he climbs on room items the entire time.

I have to admit I've always known he was a bit crazy, but I thought it was normal for a boy. Most boys I know are crazy. He climbs on the couch and likes to belly flop on the ottoman - he even tried this same action but into his shallow swimming pool (I luckily saved him). He'll even take advantage of when nobody's watching and balance on the couch arms [a big no no in our house - it took weeks to train Brandon not to do it :) ].

For another monkey example, this picture is of Zach at the park just "hanging around". I know... bad joke, but you had to know it was coming sometime.

canadian invasion

Jeff (Brandon's brother) came to visit this past weekend. He is moving to Utah from Canada and needed a place to stay while he was house-hunting. Jack (B's brother), Michelle, and Logan joined the game-fest on Friday, so we had a full house.


A LOT of time was spent playing video games, and less time playing Killer Bunnies and Australian Scrabble (which B and I DOMINATED). However, we were less than dominate at Galactic Mini Golf. Jeff played well... yadda.. yadda... yadda... and Zach really enjoyed hitting the glow-in-the-dark ball with his mini golf club. He would often climb in the putting area to helpfully (or not) collect the other glow-in-the dark balls that were in play.

It was great having the family here! However, one thing is certain, whenever Jeff visits, it is game time all the time.