"THE PIT"

If you watched season one of a show called "Parks and Recreation," you will know about the plot that they wanted to turn a "pit" into a park.  Luckily no one has fallen in and gotten hurt in our pit, and ours is considerably smaller, but we like to make jokes based off that show for fun.  And we are now in the process of making our "pit into a park" like they did in the show.  Ours is an old trampoline pit, but it was an octagon shape that is very expensive to put new stuff on.  (We looked into it when we moved here.)  Plus we don't really want the thing there in the middle of our lawn for ever more.  It has been a pretty big deal getting it ready to fill, and now we are in the process of trying to get it filled.  But that will be a LATER post.  We'll see how long it takes us.  Anyway... this is our latest project.... "The Pit of Dispair!"  Yeah...we also use the Princess Bride refrence too.  :)

At scouts.

Just a cute pic.

Field Trip to the Splash Pad

The kids alwas love a visit to the splash pad.  I just wish they had one in our town so we didn't have to drive so far.  And I don't know how we managed it, but both times we've gone (this year and last year) it got cloudy and rained on us.  Maybe will get to go on a really hot day sometime, but until then....the weather made it a bit colder for the kids, but way more do-able for the spectators (aka the mommies sitting on the side.)  Super fun field trip.  Super fun place!

  The "observer."  (He did get to come out and splash a little bit near the end, but for a lot of the time he was kept safe and out of the sun in there.)

WhooooHooo!

So Fun!

Before, During, and After

"BEFORE":

I didn't really get a great "before" pic.  But you get the idea.

This was the one the realtor's put online.

"DURING":

Ripping off siding.

The "ugly house"...as the kids called it.

The old front door.

New plywood.

A proper wrap to protect from moisture and creepy crawlies.

Construction zone.

The new door and window being framed in.

Coming along, mostly done.

Painting the new 8 foot door! 

And finally, several months later, pulling the bushes out!

"AFTER": 

New siding, windows, roof, front door...

And we ripped out all the old 70's bushes.  Now we just need to put in the landscaping that we want, and the outside of the house will be done!  I think the front door is my favorite, but I also love the windows (they are amazing), and I love not having to come out of church and see the awful blue tarp on the roof covering the awful old swamp cooler.  Instead I see the  beautiful, nice roof, and the wonderful back door!  We couldn't be more pleased.  It is all turning out so nice.  Now we've got to get back to work on the inside.  Still....so much to do!  :) 

The Scottish Festival

We always love going down to the Payson Scottish Festival.  Chad does a great job!  And we are proud of our Scottish Heritage!

The booth.

Josh, looking at a book that has pics of Grandma and Grandpa as children. 

The Carnival

I love this pic.

Grandma Mortensen treated the kids with some tickets to A.F. Carnival this year, but before we went to the rides, we checked out the art exhibit at the library.  She was a part of making it all possible, so we wanted to see what it was all about, plus see all the fine art.  Some of it was really good.  I was very impressed. 

Then on to the rides!  This was the first time my kids had been on rides like this.  They LOVED it!  What a thrill!  No one was happy when it was time to go home.  Thanks for the fun time Grandma!

"Let us in!"

Riding the little roller coaster.

Joshua looked mortified during every ride, but then he would get off and tell me how much fun he had.  He loved it, even though he looked like he was about to loose it!  Ha!.. I love that I caught this pic as the ride was wizzing by.

There's me... the only adult on that ride, but I was probably screeming just as loud!  Ha!  What fun.

The only ride mellow enough for Brigham.

"HI!"

Field Trip to Museums in Provo

First off was a quick visit to BYU's museum of People and Cultures.  It was fun and interesting.

Then we went to a park in Provo and let the kids play on the play ground, and had some lunch. 

Then we went to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum.   

I would love to have that doll collection!  That was my favorite exhibit.

Then to the Sons of the Utah Pioneers Village.  It was probably the kids favorite.  They had lots to see and to do.   Sure glad we dont have to live like that anymore though. 

The school.

The "bathroom!"

And the well, where we had to fish out the water bottle that the toddler threw in!  Luckily there isn't any water in there, and it isn't that big of a hole.  But the kids had a lot of fun bringing the bucket up and down.

All in all, a really fun day.