Pioneer Days, Part 1

Ben's hometown of Lund, Nevada has a huge Pioneer Day celebration every year. The town's population literally doubles in size (at least! Which honestly may not be that hard- considering that there are only 300 to 400 people that live there? Maybe? It's small. The end.). There are rodeos, a parade, programs, a 5k run, fireworks that seriously rival any 4th of July show I've ever seen (and that's including the Melaleuca show in Idaho Falls), dancing, and tons of food. It's a pretty big deal- and we love going back for the week-long celebrations! 

Malcom got to drive for the first time (on Ben's lap, of course!). He drove from Grandpa's house to the rodeo grounds (maybe a mile?). We had to explain very carefully that he only gets to drive in Lund (where there are no cops.. hehe), on dad's lap, and only in special occasions. He was such a happy kid. :) 

The rodeo was a lot of fun- in all, we went on two different evenings. Broco riding, bull riding (the kids liked these the best), wild cow milking, sheep riding, barrel racing, and the usual events were seen.

There was a dance held down the street that night, to which we went for just a short time before deciding we were completely exhausted and needed to go to bed. Two of Ben's siblings- Syd, and Luke, and Ben and I, participated in the 5k run early the next morning. Luke came in 4th with a time of 19 mins, something. Jerk. ;)  Ben and I finished at 28:19 (ish, I can't remember), and Syd came in behind us though I don't remember her time. It was really great to run with Ben, though it infuriates me that I work so hard to prepare, thinking I'm going to smoke him, and he's so naturally athletic that the run is nothing to him, and I end up pushing to stay up with him. Sad. Next time perhaps? 

We got home, showered, and got ready for the parade. Syd, cousins Rocky and Joni (I have no idea how to spell you're name, sorry!), and aunt Rhoda made most of the float (duct tape themed), as well as most of the cowboy/girl costumes for the kids (also out of duct-tape). I was in awe watching them work the tape... seriously talented inlaws. Since I had no idea what chaps look like, I copied Syd's designs for Tanner and Aspen who are about the same size as Malcom and Calvin. It took me FOREVER to finish their costumes, and by the end I was making up all sorts of angry non-existent swear words. Duct tape sticks together sooooo easily! It's a pain to make clothes with, unless you're really talented (ie. Rocky and Syd). 

Malcom sitting down, Handsome little guy!

Left to right: Tanner, Sage, me (with the hat). Calvin, and Malcom

We later headed to another Rodeo: Ben gettin' some grub.

 Malcom sitting on Ben's head, I think this was during the barrel races.

 Calvin really enjoyed having cousins to play with constantly! Jack in the foreground, Grandma Doreen, Calvin, Aspen, Syd, and Betsy's ponytail. :)

Cousin Tanner was exhausted! He slept through most of the rodeo on his grandpa's lap. I'm sure Lance (grandpa) didn't mind!

 This is part of the firework show. Seriously, no exaggerating, this was spectacular!!!

The next day was Sunday, so we headed off to church in the morning, had dinner at Ben's Grandma's house, then headed to Ben's mom's house for a few days- about 45 minutes south of Lund. Literally, the middle of nowhere. :) Continue to Pioneer Days, Part 2

Gone Prospectin'

We went prospecting for gold with Ben's sister, Syd, and her family in American Fork Canyon last Saturday. I had never been before- and it was definitely something Ben has always been curious about- so we were more than excited to spend a day in the beautiful scenery, searchin' for gold. 

Here's Ben wearing Syd's wet-suite-overall-things (what are these called??). They may or may not have been a size or two too small. Hehe. Stud.

 Here's Syd's husband, Jason, working the dredge up river. I don't know how he dug around in the stream for so long- it was FREEZING!

Some of the equipment (for those curious):

 Our niece, Sage, was trying to catch butterflies! She's amazing. You can see this one got away though.. haha.

The kids went with out napping, which proved to be a bit of a challenge. Thank goodness for the ipod in circumstances of over-tired and over-sensitive little boys!

 Handsome little man. I love those blue eyes!

 Aspen, being adorable (as usual), held by Ben's sister Betsy.

 Sage showing us more things... that do stuff... and get sand.... and whatnot.

 Calvin playing in the stream with shovels. This kid was soooo happy!

Good times! So glad we got to go and enjoy some family time!

The Day We Became the Coolest Parents Ever (AKA: The Carnival)

A traveling carnival set up shop just a few blocks away from our house Friday night, complete with rides, games, flashing lights, balloons, and questionable "fair" food. Ben and I decided that it was our parental duty to take the kids to their first carnival experience. ;)   The best part? Malcom was tall enough to ride on every ride except maybe two or three of them!!

"Which ride do you want to go on first Malcom?" 

"This oonnne", he says as his eyes glaze over in the direction of the magically lit Ferris wheel.

I dutifully (haha!) volunteer to go with him on his first "big kid" ride. I'm giggling and fidgeting impatiently like it's Christmas in July, and I think I might be more excited for the experience than he is... 

...that is until we are buckled in and the Ferris wheel begins to roll. I can't stop watching his face! Can that grin get any larger?! 

We practice waving our arms in the air on the way down, as any "big kid" does on those "big kid" rides. :)

The ride ends too soon, but that's okay because there are plenty more to experience! Malcom leads the the way to the next one, a roller coaster just for him. He is very brave as he hands the carnival worker his ticket, and climbs into the front car. 

The roller coaster is followed by the spaceship ride- which turns out to be Malcom's favorite. The ride consists of several different "space ships" that go around in circles, and can go up high by the control of a button on the dashboard. The rider can then feel like they are flying the ship on their own. Ben and I laugh at Malcom's serious demeanor during this experience- flying a space ship is not a joking matter to a three-year-old!

As the space ships slow Malcom gets unbuckled, Ben is exclaiming that it's time for a father-son "man" ride. They chose a very fast spinning-type carnival ride, and hurry over to get in line. Both of them look beyond excited as they buckle up and the wheels and beams start to spin. Slowly at first...

...then faster...

.

...AND FASTER...! They are spinning so crazy fast that I can hardly tell where they are anymore!

Malcom squeals and screams maniacally in complete delight like a crazed mad-scientist-rabid-squirrel-banshee who is about to take over the world! No one has ever heard the likes of such a sound!

The ride ends in good time- long enough to be fun, not too long to make them vomit on each other (which admittedly would have made for some hilarious pictures). Malcom was unscathed from the spinning (that's my boy!), poor motion-sick Ben, on the other hand, did not fair so well. He lays down on the sidewalk and groans for a bit, waiting for things to stop moving and for dinner to settle back down where it should be. Poor man. He refuses to be defeated, and promptly takes our oldest manchild for another go at the Ferris wheel. 

The Ferris wheel proves to be Ben's undoing, as he ends up spending the next hour or so locked away in a bathroom trying not to be sick. I guess if we ever go to a theme park, I'm going to have to be the fun parent. ;)  Poor guy. Ben's leaving defaults me as the Calvin-holder/stuff watcher, and so Malcom gets to go on all the kiddie rides by himself for a while (and the camera gets put away as my hand are busy with Little Brother).

A few more rides pass by, and he loves all of them. We wonder where Ben is and if he's still alive, call a few times, take a potty break, ride a few more rides... and then Ben finally returns with a bottle of sprite in hand, looking a little worse for wear. Finally, it's time to go on another big-kid ride with Malcom! I'm so excited! I've been waiting for this since we rode the Ferris wheel!

We wave at Ben and Calvin before the ride starts...

And then things go so fast that the centripetal  force makes malcom sink in right next to me. You can hardly see him! The feels like it goes on forever... I'm not one that is prone to motion-sickness, but this ride definitely starts to get to me... Ugh, so much spinning!

Malcom goes on the "space ship" ride again for the third time, and we hand our 1 left over ticket to a very confused dad standing near us in line. I'm pretty sure he doesn't speak English, because when we explain that we are heading home and that he can have our last ticket, he just stars at us bewilderingly (is that a word?). 

Last but not least, we walk back to the carnival booths and try our hand at throwing table-tennis balls into empty goldfish bowls. We start with an entire bucket of balls, and are only able to make one in. It's harder than it looks! Who was the one who does it, you ask? ME! I know, I know. I'm amazing. ;)   What did I win us? A goldfish!! 

Malcom carries the goldfish all the way home, and names it "Fishy". Ben gives him a first name of "Reginald", and for short we call him "Mr. Fishy".  At home, we empty Mr. Fishy into an old mason jar, and put him on the dining table.

In the morning, we eat breakfast with Mr. Fishy and sing him songs. 

Unfortunately, by Saturday night Mr. Fishy decides to swim in the great fishbowl in the sky. I am sad to see him go, but relieved that the kids have apparently completely forgotten about him.  

R.I.P. Mr. Fishy. You were a great pet for the 24 hours we had you! Sorry we didn't take any pictures of you to remember you by...

.... And because this post is almost entirely about Malcom, here's a photo of Calvin to prove that he was there, albeit too small to ride or do anything super fun a the carnival yet:

I am so glad for my little family, and for opportunities like this to make such great memories. What a fantastic day to share together! Best. Family. Ever.

Independence Day

Our fourth of July was pretty standard this year- parade in the morning, followed by lunch and naps. My old roommate, Alisha, came over and helped me make cookies and potatoes later on in the day, and then Kevin, Becca, and Caleb came to celebrate with us with BBQ and fireworks. It was laid-back and great! Malcom and Calvin had a great time playing with little cousin Caleb (and uncle Kevin is a lot of fun too!)

Ben had to work all day, so by the time he got home he was tuckered out. I'm glad he works so hard! Honestly, at first I was a little bummed that he had to work on the fourth, but he got holiday pay, and that makes everything better. :) Plus, there is always next year! Happy Birthday America!

Brothers

I just soaked up the happiness of watching our boys play together on the sidewalk this evening:

Giggles filled with curiosity, mischief, and innocence...

I love my life!

Sage & Tanner's Birthday Party