Gateway Olympic Fountain

I haven't posted very often this summer simply because the days have been packed with fun things to do. Today was especially fun and epitomises our summer experience. Our favorite thing to do is hop on the train (there's a stop right by our house), go downtown, and have some fun. Today was especially great because we went to the Olympic fountain at Gateway. Here's the trip in pics...

Every other week or so we meet Audrey, a dear friend from work, and head to the downtown library. It's an amazing building with a great kid's section. We look at the board books and check out a few.



Here's Audrey and I on the train.



After the library stop we headed for the Gateway, changed Lucy into her swimsuit and walked out toward the fountain. As you can tell by the way I was dressed, I really had no intention of getting wet myself but as you will see Lucy had other plans.







This fountain is so fun because the water shoots up from the ground in patterns set to music. You really never know when or where the water will be coming from. I was planning on just holding Lucy over the water shooting up from the ground, but she didn't like that idea at all, all she wanted was to crawl around in it. Sometimes the water would shoot up (at fairly high pressures) and get her right in the face. She loved every minute of it.



Usually when I hold out my hands and call her name, Lucy scoots right over to me. Today in the fountain however, whenever she saw me she immediately changed her trajectory and crawled away from me as fast as she could for fear I would pick her up and take her away from the water.





As you might guess, the train ride home included a nap, but not before some light reading.

Summer

Summer is such a great time of year. Here's what we've been up to so far....

We took a trip up to Washington with Grandma Joy and Grandpa David along with Crystal, Kelliann and cousins Abigail and Anita. We stopped at Wendy's for lunch on the long drive up.


After David's graduation we had a Casper family BBQ, which is always exciting. Here's Aunt Sanette, Aunt Michelle, Aunt Lisa, Granny Jo, Grandma Joy, and Grandpa David all listening to another one of Uncle Ben's crazy adventures.


Lance is always doing things over-the-top and this time he got the idea to roast a whole pig in our parent's back yard. It turned out rather tasty.


Lucy is enjoying the festivities from a blanket on the grass.


This is classic David. I asked to take a picture of him with his Seminary graduation certificate and this is what I got. David has been making us laugh since he could talk, what a comedian!!! I am so excited for him to move to Utah and attend BYU in the fall. Love ya Dave!


Sweet baby Lucy loves to be around people. If she's in a cranky mood (which is rare) I sometimes just take her to the mall or to Wal-Mart and she's so happy laughing and talking to all the people. Anyone who has met little Lucy will agree, she's quite the little socialite. Here she is hamming it up with Aunt Rebecca at a family BBQ.


Lounging and talking with the family at Uncle Kent's house. This is what summer's all about!


We went to the Campbell family reunion at Hyrum Lake State Park near Logan. We had a lot of fun and Lucy got her first real taste of swimming. She is made for the water. There's definitely some of her dad's Hawaiian ancestry in her, she loves the water!! The only real temper tantrum we heard from her the whole trip was when it was time to leave the water (which was freezing cold, by the way). Here she is giving the camera a smile on the beach.


Playing in the water with Dad. That smile didn't come off her face the whole time.


Finally, Lucy, our little Diva, lounging on the beach.


Hope everyone is having a safe and happy summer. We're headed off to Priest Lake this week and can hardly wait. If I had to choose anywhere in the world to visit, it just might be the Casper cabin on Priest Lake, ID.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all the women who have been such great mothers in my life. Seriously, Mothers do not get enough recognition and appreciation, so we should all take this opportunity to say "I love you" to our mothers/women who have helped raise us. Here's a list of mine....

Mother Teresa who taught me everything I know about being a good mother.

Grandma Joy who loves unconditionally.

Grandma Jo who worked hard to make my life easy.

Debbie Mildenstein who brought out the best in my sweetheart.

Thelma Campbell whose heart always has room to love one more.

Kelliann Wright who cultivates independence and creativity through example.

Brittany Gledhill who radiates peace and calm amid chaos.

Hauni Crockett who is graceful and loving despite heartache.

I truly love all the women who have taught me how to be a good mother. As a mother's day gift to you I will do my best to take the lessons I have learned from you and be a better mom to my Lucy. Happy Mother's Day!!

Easter Blessings

This time of year always brings such strong feelings of gratitude for me. I love the spring and the prospect of upcoming warmer days ahead. I also find myself thinking about the blessings of Easter and the presence of Jesus Christ in my life. Without the mercy of Christ my life would be hopeless and sad, it is because of His sacrifice that we can find the beauty and happiness He wants for us in our lives. Another memory of spring brings bittersweet joy into my life. My dear friend Eric Driggs died 9 years ago last week. I think of him with such fondness, the days I spent with Eric were ones I will cherish forever and I am a better person because of time spent with him. Every spring when I think of Eric and celebrate what his life meant to me, it makes me want to be a better person and spread kindness and service just like he did.

I am also overwhelmed with gratitude for my beautiful little family. Lucy couldn't be cuter and I couldn't love her more. She's learned who her mommy is and is just not as happy in the arms of anyone else. I secretly LOVE that! Finally, I'm thankful for Chris. He works so hard to make his two girls happy and comfortable. I've made some poor choices in my life and I'm just so happy that I had the presence of mind to make the correct choice about who I wanted to spend my life with. Plus, he's sooo good-looking.

Well, thanks for letting me run on and on about my charmed life. As a reward, I've posted a few pics of Lucy in her Easter dress and eating rice cereal for the first time. Enjoy!!

Spring Fever

I was so sick of the endless winter today that I dressed Lucy up in a bright spring outfit and willed the weather to follow suit. Unfortunately, it's still gloomy outside but Lucy is a ray of sunshine!

Pierced Ears

I know, I know. We're the horrible parents who took their innocent baby to some stranger in the mall and let them punch holes in her ears. I even felt a little guilty about it at the time. I am, however, very happy with the result and I'm really glad we did it. She cried for less than 30 seconds (blood-curling scream though it was), and at this age we can keep them clean and infection free, a task that I'd imagine is a little harder when she's 2, 5, 7 or 10. But what about her choices? Shouldn't she have the right to choose whether or not she has earrings? Yea, I guess you got me on that one. This is purely her mom and dad's choice... we hope someday she'll forgive us. For now though, we think the new jewelry is so stinkin' cute!

Dad and aunt Crystal walking with Lucy into the mall. Crystal had to come because neither Chris or I could bare to hold her during the procedure.


Getting the equipment ready. I kind of felt bad at this point and almost changed my mind. She was looking at us and smiling and had no idea what we were about to do to her. Chris picked out her earrings, beautiful CZ flowers. They did have pink flowers but we decided against them because her little birthmark looks like a pink flower already! :)




The end result. A Beautiful Girl!!

Lucy's baby pictures

When Lucy was about 10 days old we took her to have some professional pictures taken. The experience was a nightmare. Lucy peed, pooped, spit up and lost her umbilical cord all on the poor photographers bolts of silk and flower pots. We were sure there would only be pictures of her screaming or throwing up. Well, we got the pics back today and they are amazing!