A Few Weeks Ago On TV

Like pretty much everyone else, we couldn't get enough of the Olympics. Even the computer games were turned off as we watched together - perfect family entertainment.

Favorite things...

• anything with Michael Phelps
• women's beach volleyball
• anything with Michael Phelp's mother
• synchronized diving
• this picture of Michael Phelps

• teaching Aaron to "do the Michael Phelps"

• gymnastics
• oh, just everything
• but mainly Michael Phelps

Swim lessons for everyone!

Back In School

I started back to school at the end of July, but the boys didn't start until the middle of August. I made them practice reciting the fun things that we did over the summer, just in case a teacher asked them what they did. I didn't want them saying "Played computer games."

Not that they didn't spend quite a few hours on the computer, I just wanted their teachers to know that I tried to make the most of the six weeks that we had.

First Day of School 2008

You are correct, the fourth grader is now officially taller than the sixth grader.

So it's back to early mornings, cold or hot?, deodorant?, backpacks, did you brush your teeth?and hurryhurryhurry. Four weeks into the school year now and things are going great. Both kids have teachers that they really like, not a huge amount of homework, and going to bed earlier hasn't even been a problem. Whew!

This is Cam's last year in elementary. How crazy is that?

Almost as crazy as these two...

First Day of School 2004

Love you guys...have a great school year!

20 Years/20 Reasons

Happy Anniversary to US!

Twenty years ago...

and just a few weeks ago, on a hike,
during a
very happy weekend getaway...

So in honor of twenty years, here's a list of 20 random reasons why I love Troy:

• You compliment me - all the time.
• You are a wonderful father.
• You gladly drive me around when I need to go on errands - just because you know I don't really like to drive.
• You can open tight jars, reach high things, lift heavy things, and kill scary things.
• You like going to plays with me, including musicals.
• You never hesitate to help out around the house.
• You understand my occasional need for some chocolate, some ice cream, and Cafe Rio.
• You rub my feet every single time you sit down on the couch next to me. Sometimes during church, too.
• You love my cooking.
• You are honest, kind, hardworking, and dependable.
• You support me in whatever I'm doing, whether it's cycling, tennis, eating like a vegetarian, whatever. And sometimes you even join me.
• You understand that sometimes I need to get away with my girlfriends.
• You tell me I'm a good Mom, even when I make mistakes.
• You hold and honor your priesthood and have a strong testimony.
• When I get a wild hair about tearing up the lawn and putting in gardens...you build them for me.
• When I mentioned that I was driving some ladies to a tennis match you ran out and gassed up my car, washed it and vacuumed it.
• You love my family.
• When our family has had something to grieve about, we have done it together.
• You work very hard for our family, sacrificing a lot so that I can be home right now to be with the boys. And play lots of tennis and go to lunch with my girlfriends.
• You put up with me. Yes, I put up with you too, but let's face it, you have the harder task.
  
  Golly, I love you, Troy. Can't imagine my life without you, and I feel very lucky that you are mine. Happy Anniversary!

ULCER Ride

The first weekend in August, Troy and I did a 33 mile bike ride called The Ulcer. There were several distances to choose from, 33 being the shortest, and we chose that one for Troy's first ride. It was completely flat and started early enough in the morning that it didn't get too hot.

There was a lot of fanfare and music, sending everyone off. The riders going for the 111 mile distance would be circling Utah Lake, so the theme song was Ring of Fire. Ring for the route and fire for the temperature which would end up over 100 degrees. I think we were smart to stick with the 33 miles, don't you?

The Smart Ones

It was a great ride, made extra fun because I was doing it with Troy. He had a great time and even got a little competitive at the end. Not with me -- with (surely) the oldest person on the ride.

We had about 3 miles left and had been riding right alongside each other the entire time. I pointed ahead to this little old man (white hair, skinny, scrawny legs, seriously old) and joked that we should "try to take him".

Troy took me seriously and shot ahead and caught up to the old guy and passed him. The second Troy got ahead, the man perked up and started pedaling like mad to regain his lead. And that's how the last three miles went - these two unlikely athletes, vying for position. They went back and forth a few times, and in the end, Troy crossed the finish line first. Victory for my man!

The old guy was a good sport and congratulated Troy with a "Good ride."

It was a good ride, Troy. Way to go, I'm proud of you, and I love that you are riding with me!

A Green and Crunchy Doggy Toy

Sorry about the cabbage. Several people have asked me in the last week or so to (please) put something else up so they wouldn't have to look at that dang cabbage anymore.

So how about this?

Dog...and cabbage.

That's my last cabbage and Oliver took it right out of the garden, rolled it and chased it all over the yard and then proceeded to eat it.

Making plans on how to Oliver-proof the garden for next year. Sigh. My kids don't eat vegetables this well.

I'm writing some posts to quickly cover the last month or so. We've been fine, happy, and just taking a wee break from writing about it all. Hoping to change that.

But I promise, no more cabbage pictures until next year.