Let me explain that I’m working my way backwards through our vacation.  It’s a bad habit I have with photos, technical manuals, and even some books.  So for posterity’s sake, let me explain that my posts are not in chronological order and any . . . → Read More: Capitol Reef National Park & Petroglyphs]]>

Let me explain that I’m working my way backwards through our vacation.  It’s a bad habit I have with photos, technical manuals, and even some books.  So for posterity’s sake, let me explain that my posts are not in chronological order and any with OCD should stop reading now.  With that in mind,  we enjoyed Capitol Reef National Park after Bryce Canyon, but before Goblin Valley.

Before leaving Capitol Reef we stopped to see the the Petroglyphs on the canyon wall.

And snap a few photos…of course.  It was a cool, crisp morning and the shaded, orange canyon walls and fresh, spring, desert foliage begged to be the backdrop of just a few more portraits.

It was actually really cold while we were there in Southern Utah, something I didn’t anticipate. Luckily we brought along our jackets…just in case. The twins weren’t sticking around for pictures though.  Not as impressed by the petroglyphs as the rest of us, they rushed back to the warmth of the car as soon as I let them.

But Total Sweetness was my most devoted child. Not for the petroglyphs, but just as my trusty sidekick, hanging out with mom, dutifully enduring the endless picture taking.

What a sweet little guy!

April

It was spring break this last week which meant family vacation on a budget for us. So we loaded up the minivan with Walmart snacks and our favorite, flavored water and hit the road for a short tour of several Utah State . . . → Read More: Goblin Valley and All My Goblins]]>

It was spring break this last week which meant family vacation on a budget for us. So we loaded up the minivan with Walmart snacks and our favorite, flavored water and hit the road for a short tour of several Utah State and National Parks.  The kids favorite place was a quick stop on the way home. Goblin Valley State Park.

Who could ask for anything better than climbing all over rocks in the desert.

All while I stayed safely on the ground.

Wishing I wasn’t seven months pregnant and could climb with the rest of them.

And holding my breath on some of their more daring climbs.

Experiencing the excitement of nature and grandeur of the master creator.

April

Brooke, Xyla, and I escaped to the desert for an overnight camp trip this past weekend. We made our way out to the Little Sahara National Recreation area in South West Utah.

We . . . → Read More: Camping in the Great Basin, UT]]>

Brooke, Xyla, and I escaped to the desert for an overnight camp trip this past weekend. We made our way out to the Little Sahara National Recreation area in South West Utah.

We managed to find a great developed site and set up for the evening.

The night was beautiful, perfect temperature and the sky was incredible, even better than these pictures can capture. And it was fun to try and capture some shots with the camera.

Me gusta having a tripod!

Xyla was a devoted beggar all night.

And in the morning we took in the west desert.

Including some sheep that managed to escape their fence. One way to know it’s spring, all the sheep had lambs, cute baby lambs.

I even claimed this sheep:

Despite the fact that there had only been 10 days since the last serious accident,

We were totally safe, had a great time, and would definitely return.
Cheers,
Catherine

Catherine recently helped me take the “blue room” in my house to a calmer grey.

One trick I’ve stumbled across purely by accident is . . . → Read More: No More Bright Baby Blue & My Favorite Drop Cloth]]> Blue is a wonderful color, but maybe not this much blue.

Catherine recently helped me take the “blue room” in my house to a calmer grey.

One trick I’ve stumbled across purely by accident is that old vinyl table cloths make wonderful drop cloths over carpet.

You know…the kind that are fuzzy on the back. This approximately $5 red tablecloth from Walmart served us well for many months, but eventually needed to be replaced. That’s when, instead of throwing it out, I discovered how well it works as a drop cloth. The best part is that on carpet it stays put because of the velcro-like effect between the fuzzy back and the carpet fibers.

Its top is also non-absorbent, so if a big drip falls, it is easily wiped up, unlike a traditional fabric drop cloth, which absorbs the paint and can transfer a large spill through the fibers to the floor, something I learned the hard way.

Cath and I can really crank out a paint job when we set our mind to it. Between her cutting in and me rolling, we painted the whole room in two hours. (Or something like that…Time flies when we are having fun.)

This lovely color is Behr Gentle Rain. We didn’t bother priming first because we were just determined to be done, and the Behr paint did well covering the old blue.

We didn’t bother priming first because we were just determined to be done. In some light there is still a hint of blue to the gray walls, probably due to the blue underneath, but that’s ok. I like blue.  I just prefer it in smaller quantities.

April

Last month we went in for the annual checkup, and now all the children are officially four eyes.

. . . → Read More: So Many Four Eyes]]> I’ve never worn glasses.  Always had perfect vision.  I can see street signs and score boards long before my sweet sports addict, even with his contacts.  So what’s with all the glasses?

Last month we went in for the annual checkup, and now all the children are officially four eyes.

Missy K’s prescription changed to worse, and we replaced the glasses she lost last year.

This year Missy L finally joined the others. Last year she was our one hope, which was a huge bummer for her. But this year she joined everyone else in the fun of getting new glasses.

The crazy thing is, Sports Addict is near sighted and I’m better than 20/20, but all the kids are far sighted.?.?

The optometrist suggested we always keep our eye insurance.

Yes. That seems like a no-brainer to me.
April

Xyla and I have been enjoying the great outdoors in the form of hiking various trails around salt lake. We apologize for being absentee for the last bit, but we needed a break. As we are started to come back to . . . → Read More: Happy Trails to You]]>

Xyla and I have been enjoying the great outdoors in the form of hiking various trails around salt lake. We apologize for being absentee for the last bit, but we needed a break. As we are started to come back to life, with the spring weather, we’ve gone to Tanner Park, an off-leash dog area. And to Memory grove, which also has an off-leash area. Xyla loves the freedom and meeting dogs.

I love the freedom and not being tethered to a crazy dog.

Hope you’re finding your freedom this weekend.
Catherine

This is just a quick shout out about my newest purchase…Norwex cleaning cloths. I bought them on Friday after trying my neighbor’s. They’re these ultra-microfiber cloths with silver and they do an amazing job cleaning. I’ve been going . . . → Read More: New Cleaning Cloths and Science Experiments]]>

This is just a quick shout out about my newest purchase…Norwex cleaning cloths. I bought them on Friday after trying my neighbor’s. They’re these ultra-microfiber cloths with silver and they do an amazing job cleaning. I’ve been going a little hog wild experimenting.

Windows…so clear so quick
Bathrooms…sparkley
Brooke’s tub…I needed to see if I was getting positive results simply due to my water softener.
Kitchen…sure looks clean

I’m not using any chemicals. You’re not supposed to. Just water. They are supposed to eliminate the need for chemicals by removing micro organisms with their itty-bitty fibers, and then the organisms die on the cloth due to the interwoven micro-silver.

Someone else’s photo.  Hopefully I will have my own photo soon.

This is something I must test for myself, so I’m currently in the market for petri dishes and sterile swabs. I’m also looking for grandpa’s old microscope.  The cloths have proven they can make things look clean, but now I have to test their antimicrobial claims. Princess can help me and we’ll do it as her science fair project for next year.

Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoyed my college microbiology class so many years ago?!

April

Buddy had his lesson a week after TS and Princess. Like TS . . . → Read More: Horseback Riding Lessons for Buddy]]> (First of all, Happy Birthday to my wonderful Buddy! You’re growing up so fast. I’m so proud of you and all the good choices you’re making!)

Buddy had his lesson a week after TS and Princess. Like TS though, he got to ride Beau.

Good Beau!

When we arrived, Beau was out playing with six or seven other horses in a corral, and Shay, the trainer, had to bring him out, then taught Buddy how to lead Beau back into the stables.

Cleaning poop and dirt out of a horse’s hoof for the first time was an awkward and new experience for all three kids, but cool at the same time.

Once Buddy climbed on, adjustments had to be made.

Then came the riding with lessons on how to hold the reins, steer, walk, and trot. As well as lessons on how to say whoa and how to cluck the tongue to make a horse go, and hints on how to not confuse the sweet horse.

It was fantastic. The best part was graduating to going around the arena on his own. By the end Buddy was convinced he wants a horse. In fact all the kids are convinced that we “need” a horse. If only one could walk into the local animal shelter and pick out a nice horse like the family did with Gypsy dog. Then there’s that little problem that they eat a ton and need a lot more space than a dog. And it’s too bad they poop the size of a birthday cake.

Try not to step in that Buddy!

Other than all those reasons…sure lets go get a horse. Or maybe on second thought, how about a picture of a horse for your bedroom wall?
So not cool mom!
April

I recently wrote about TS’s horseback riding lesson and wanted to share how things went for Princess.

To sum it up, she took to it like a duck to water and LOVED every minute. We might have to start calling . . . → Read More: Horseback Riding Lessons for Princess]]>

I recently wrote about TS’s horseback riding lesson and wanted to share how things went for Princess.

To sum it up, she took to it like a duck to water and LOVED every minute. We might have to start calling her cowgirl, except this was probably a first and last experience for her.

Princess went through almost the same routine TS experienced.
Brushing,

Cleaning hooves,

Learning to put on and adjust all that horsey gear.

Princess’ horse was a 21 year old female affectionately called “Miss P”. Her real name is Panic, but as the trainer Lisa explained, most parents get a little concerned when they’re told their child will be riding Panic, so they just call her Miss P. (Huhhh…Imagine that!) She is very gentle, and obedient and they don’t know why anyone ever caller her Panic.

Once everything was in place, it was time to climb on and start learning to ride.

Princess quickly learned walking and caught on to posting so fast that Lisa let her off the lead rope after only a few minutes.

The trainer, Lisa, only had to give Princess minor instructions on how to walk and trot Miss P around the arena for the rest of the lesson, reminding her how to pass grumpier horses like “Grandma”, and how to adjust her posture and the reigns to stay in control.

Princess my 100% city cowgirl.

The lesson finished with another brushing, blanketing, and treats for Miss P.

Princess was in heaven the whole time!
April

What pet?

A parakeet.

A very loud parakeet! It twitters constantly. . . . → Read More: Our New Pet]]> A few weeks ago my husband, the sports addict, and I discovered we had added a new pet to the family. Not a real pet thank goodness. No it’s just the sound of a pet without the other aspects of upkeep.

What pet?

A parakeet.

A very loud parakeet! It twitters constantly. In fact I’m not sure our parakeet is even aware of all his twittering, but as long as he’s in the house there is a constant whistling wherever he goes.

He whistles while on the computer, or playing video games, or getting a snack, or doing his jobs, or getting dressed. Upstairs, downstairs, in between.

Even while waiting for a piece of grammy’s birthday cake.

Total Sweetness–the family’s new pet parakeet.
April