Sacrifice

Today is likely to be a day of mourning in our home. I cancelled cable.

I'm prepared to be tough in the face of tantrums and tears. After all, we will live through this. We have lived without cable before, for an extended period of time mind you, and survived (shocking, I know).

All joking aside, my wonderful children agreed almost unanimously that continued existence without cable was possible. I will refrain from labelling the dissenters.

Now I will only have to battle over video games, Facebook, homework, chores and......

The Zoo

We had a great trip to the zoo with Aunt Anna and David. The paddle boats and the monkeys were the favorites. And there was always someone to carry around Ben which I loved!

Ben and Amanda

 Jessica posing in a turtle shell.

 Jacob

Joshua and David on the paddle boats. Josh and David are buddies and spent most of the day together. 

Jessica

Joshua and David. David loved the monkeys.

We were so close to the monkeys we could reach out and touch them.

Ben

Josh and Ben

Josh

Nate

Amanda

Nate and Ben

Jessica's Baptism Day

Jessica asked Joshua to baptize her. It was a memorable day for both of them.

Jared performed the confirmation.

 

Congratulations Jessica!

Ben's 3rd Birthday

Ben enjoyed his gluten and casein free cake and kept sneaking bites. It was an accomplishment on my part to make a great tasting cake without wheat or milk. I am so looking forward to adding gluten back into Benjamin's diet. Have I mentioned how much I dislike cooking gluten free?

Ben absolutely loved everyone singing Happy Birthday and blowing out his candles. He jumped the gun and we had to relight them twice! I was so pleased that he understood the idea of birthdays. He has gone through the house singing "happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday" over and over again. Although he hasn't grasped the whole song, the tune is pretty close.

He could hardly wait to open his presents.

His favorite gift was his Buzz pajamas .

We are so thrilled with the progress he has made. A year ago he had limited eye contact and had regressed in language to only two words. The progress seemed so slow day to day, but looking back on it I can now see what a diffrence a year of hard work has made.

Utah

We enjoyed some time at Grandpa and Grandma Pope's cabin near Park City. Building camp fires and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows is a favorite activity.

Of course Jacob spent as much time as possible "building" the fire. What is it about boys and fires?

Everyone seemed to have a good time even without television, internet or cell phone service.

After a day of 4-wheeling and hiking we banished the children to the basement.

 

Back in the valley we spent a day swimming at Seratoga Springs (Thank you Stephanie).

Amanda, Natalie Pope, and Alayna Pope.

 

Jacob was my dare devil. He spent an hour doing twisting flips off the diving board.

The view was absolutely amazing. 

They had some kind of Summer Event at a park near BYU. Nathan was determined to beat this bungie game.

I think it may have beat him.

Amanda and Ben found some shade.

Amanda and Natlie Pope.

Melissa found this amazing park up Provo Canyon. We drove 4 miles through nowhere and found this gorgeous park nestled between the mountains. There was a clear pebble bottomed stream running through it.  It puts the desert landscapes of arizona parks to shame.

Jessica

Joshua

Nathan clowning around again.

Ben found Melissa's magazine and spent some time "reading" it.

Although it wasn't a European Vacation, it was still a really great adventure.