Day 1

Our latest trip to Utah and Wyoming began last Tuesday; after work I came home and we loaded up the car. We made it as far as Cortez, where we camped at the KOA. It’s a good blend of roughing it (sleeping in a tent) and being civilized (hot showers).

On the way we encountered some road construction. Some years ago, on a similar trip, I saw a sign marking the end of the work area and joked that it made a weird political slogan; this is now a running gag in our family:
At the campground, Evan was contained in his portable crib, for the last time:
And Allyson was apparently eaten by the tent:
Wednesday we made it to Utah Valley, where we visited the Monte L Bean Museum, a favorite from our Provo days. For Allyson’s birthday, Grandma C gave her a card game called “There’s a Moose in the House;” here there’s a moose in the museum:
That evening we went to an Owlz game in Orem with Michelle. Here Ryan lounges pre-game:
And here are Summer and Evan:

Coming next, more baseball, and Evan’s first steps.

Another UT Trip Down...

This is just a quick recap--pics will follow. We got back from the latest trip last night, and the drive was uneventful. It is good to be home.

Here are some of the highlights of the trip:

• A trip to the Monte L Bean Museum at BYU
• Two Orem Owlz games on consecutive nights
• Isaac's name on the scoreboard at game 2, on his birthday
• Playing more catch with Ryan than I typically do in a month
• Fireworks in Evanston
• The Evans family reunion thing
• Evan and Ben sizing each other up
• Spending time with Summer's parents and my folks, as well as two of my sisters and their hubbies, and Nathan

Random Sampler

I have been busy lately, and just a little sleep deprived, so I haven't been able to blog in a long time. Although Roy has blogged plently for the both of us. Nothing wildly new and exciting going on, but I have some amusing pictures to share.

First, at Mom's request (who said she couldn't wait till Wednesday): my new hair. I am still getting used to how short it is but I love it. Evan, however, didn't recognize me at first and just looked at me funny while reaching for Roy. I was so sad. I had to do lots of things that only I do, sing "If Your Happy and You Know It" while changing his diaper, reciting "Good Night Moon," playing "Peek-a-boo." Finally, he was okay with me and loved me again.

Next, we have a few sunflowers growing in our backyard. I took a picture of the one that opened first. The funny thing is, we didn't plant sunflowers this year! These are the remnants of the seeds eaten by the birds off of last year's sunflowers (which we actually did plant). I loved having the birds in the backyard all the time, and I guess we get them again.

Last, but not least, have your kids done this? Isaac threw such a fit this week and when put in his room for some time alone, fell fast asleep. I was going to take a picture half an hour later since he was in the same exact position, but thought this would suffice.

My question is (and I guess it's one of those unanswerable "chicken/egg" questions): do they throw fits because they are tired? Or are they tired because they throw fits? I may never know.

Finger Painting, or so I'm Told

Tuesday was a very fun day around here. I was home relatively early and was able to play outside with the kids. But earlier in the day, things were apparently even better. Since I was at work, this is all conjecture, but the pictures speak volumes.

Summer and the older kids took advantage of a nice Evan nap to make finger paints and decorate a bit. Here is Ryan getting in touch with his inner artist:
And here's the whole crew:
The paint was made of vanilla pudding mixed with food coloring, so it was nontoxic and water soluble, a key to any kid-based messiness. Here is Isaac proving why we don't paint with oils:
Allyson is more deliberate than the boys, as shown here:
Isaac, it would appear, revelled in a mom-approved mess:

As you can see, much fun was had by all. The summer months can be long for the kids, who thrive on the structure of the school schedule. Allyson has taken to sleeping late, and as the day wears on, the kids tend to get at each other's throats. So it's fun to see this kind of cooperation:
And to see them not flinging paint at each other:
And here we have the final work:
I came home to three of these large posterboard-sized murals. Pretty nice.

Trips Updated, Or Oh-So Fickle

So, at the risk of seeming completely unable to make a decision, we have changed plans and will be at the Evans family reunion. I've even rescheduled classes (and my students didn't whine at all about class being cancelled). So we will get to Utah Valley sometime Wednesday and catch the Owlz game that evening for Isaac's early birthday (it's $1 ticket, popcorn, hot dog, drink night--woo hoo!), and any who can make it are welcome to join us. Likewise, we would like to celebrate Isaac's birth Thursday in Evanston; again all are welcome for cake and general merriment.

Mom, we got the roof racks on the car, so we can take the car topper off your hands and out of your garage. Thanks. Dad, what are the plans for building stuff at your place? I'll bring my work shoes (such as they are). Speaking of work, at Summer's insistence, she and I fixed our doorbell yesterday. And nobody got electrocuted. That's what I call a good day...

Trips

We are contemplating some upcoming trips, including some camping in the near future and a Turner-clan get-together in the long-term. But first, I mentioned to Dad last week that we were considering making it to the Evans family reunion in a few weeks, but on further review, we won't be able to do it. It turns out that, eager to encourage my students to attend class right before the 4th of July, I made some assignments that make it impossible for me to skip town early for that weekend. I believe they call that poetic justice.

So instead we are planning a camping trip for the near future, and pictures and accounts will follow. If anyone nearby wants to join us on a camping trip sometime this summer, let us know.

But the most exciting idea--one that has been percolating for some time--was mentioned in my Fathers Day phone call to Dad. We talked about another trip akin to the 2005 Yellowstone trip, and I proposed doing something like that over Christmas, perhaps to the Grand Canyon or Mexico. I think other warm-weather locations would also be fun. So, my question is, what interest is there among the children of Roy & LeAnn in something like that this December? And, if the interest is as high as I hope, where should we go?

My preference would be to reserve a large cabin where we could all stay in separate rooms and then frolic in an outdoor wonderland. Zion, Arches, Grand Canyon all come to mind. Here is one possible destination near the Grand Canyon (there's also a photo album here). And here's a place near Zion (this cabin looks big enough for us all, even thought it says it sleeps up to 13; there's a big lodge that sleeps up to 20 as well).But your research assistance and input is requested.

Butterflies and More

On Friday we decided to celebrate springtime (nearly summer, and feels like it here) by visiting the Botanic Gardens at the BioPark and seeing the just-opened-that-day Butterfly Pavilion. This is an annual staple of our summertime recreation, and it's much fun. The structure is filled with butterfly-attracting plants and is a cool oasis. Here are Summer and the kids:
We also strolled the grounds around the duck pond. Here is the crew by the water's edge:
Isaac looks like he want to jump, no?

And here are the kids looking for fish or ducks (I'm not sure which):
We also spent some time lounging on the grass, which eventually devolved into Evan crawling away and trying to eat grass. Here's a picture of the former:
And here's the latter:
This is his new favorite game: "Does this taste good?"

Today we visited one of the city's grower's markets and picked up some fresh produce, as well as some tomato plants, which we planted, along with some bell peppers and basil from our new nursery in town. Pictures of the veggies will follow. We are also harvesting some strawberries, but that will deserve its own entry.