more fun stuff

Last weekend was nothing but action packed family fun, and I have virtually no pictures to show for it. (I think Rachel & Mom might have some so watch their blogs.)

On Friday after school we went to the Wasatch Elementary Fall Festival. As parents, this is not necessarily an event we've looked forward to or enjoyed in years past. But this year the boys were old enough to take their tickets and go off on their own to play games, and June was tired and fell asleep in the stroller, which left me free to spend as much time oogling the silent auction items as I wanted. (We got a super-cool DC backpack, dessert at Rooster, and Crest refillable mugs out of the deal.) Plus it turns out that after 3 years of staying at the same school we actually know people and have friends we run into at events like these, so that was fun.

Poor Scott, though, didn't get to enjoy the Fall Festival. He launched into the daunting and overwhelming task of emptying out our basement -- sorting stuff, throwing things out, giving things away, and carrying boxes and boxes and shelves and junk up the stairs. Sore back. Oncoming flu. No fun.

Friday night I got to go (I mean, we got to go) to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus! It was awesome. Elephants, tigers, trapeze, clowns, people shot out of cannons, dogs doing tricks, cheesy ringmaster, creepy mullet roadie crew, the whole 9 yards. Grandma & Grandpa and Christine & Nate came too. Mom made the point that although the circus is a regular and common part of our vernacular, a relatively small percentage of the population actually gets to go and see a real circus.

Saturday we (and by "we" I mean "Scott") did lots more work on the basement and now he can't park in the garage anymore.

Then on Saturday afternoon Ken invited us all to use his first-rate season BYU football tickets (2nd row, 50 yard line) so we went and watch BYU slaughter Colorado State. It was fun to be in the stadium and feel the energy there, although it would have been nice if the energetic students sitting all around us would have sat down a little more. Grandma was happy for the excuse to not sit and watch the game and took the kids out for snacks. Huck slept the whole time. We should have worn blue.

Sunday was Huck's blessing day. After much deliberation and preparation, Huck was well outfitted from head to toe, including beautiful custom-made-to-match-his-outfit booties from Great Grandma Z. Scott's blessing was absolutely beautiful, and he made the switch from name-on-the-records "Harrison" to nickname "Huck" very well. Gratefully Dad made it in time, and thank you to Paul & Darin for coming too.

Unfortunately the 4th baby and XXth great-grand child doesn't get quite as much of a todo as the older ones did. But his blessing day will not be forgotten, since immediately after the blessing, and before the sacrament, the conducting counselor got up and said there was smoke in the building and we were to evacuate immediately and canceled the rest of the meetings. So, grateful to get out of sharing time and YM lessons, we moved the party over to Mom & Dad's for an early supper and dessert with cousins Justin Hale and Davy & Janie Widtfeldt.

Between all the special events, we're just trying to keep up with with regular life. We did finally get our new dishwasher this week (gotta love RC Willey for their free hotdogs and good return policy). I made myself some delicious bruscetta using tomatoes and basil from the garden. Grease was on TV yesterday so of course I had to watch that (one of the only movies I can watch over and over - that and Sound of Music). Tonight is the Pinewood Derby (more on that tomorrow) so there has been much preparation for that going on.

Huck went to his 2-month appointment yesterday and weighs 12 lbs 4 oz -- 64%tile weight, 72%tile length, 30%tile head size. He's strong and healthy and still doesn't like riding in the car or taking a pacifier, and has just in general decided he'd rather be held than ever be put down, so as you can imagine I'm getting a lot done these days. He's starting to find his thumb, which is cute and helpful. He is just starting to smile, which is the ultimate payoff.

Of course there's been plenty of twirling to do too. And Oliver went for a couple trial Karate classes. I've tried to get him interested in karate for years, but finally after a guy came to do a demo at school he was eager to go and break a board himself. It was cute how into it he was and enthusiastic and precise he was with his punches and kicks and "ay-a"'s. Of course now he says he doesn't want to go back.

Hopefully next week I'll actually be able to help Scott empty out the basement, as well as get the baby announcements done, work on Halloween costumes, and start knitting Huck's Christmas stocking. Does that sound realistic? I'm exhausted just thinking about it.