Vitamin Dirt

Well despite our best efforts, our garden is continuing to thrive. We love going out to see the progress and spend sometime in beautiful Hyde Park. Jack is definitely a boy and no matter how hard I try, he ends up with handfuls of dirt in his mouth. I figured after a handful or two, he'd figure out that dirt does not taste good and give up, but no, he just kept on eating.

Deliriously dirt happy.

Our garden

Logan caught a snake. His first snake catch of the summer.

Beans!

Farewell to Friendship

Our good friends, the Denson's have moved on to bigger and better things (or should I say stabbier things?) So we had a Farewell to Friendship party for them before they left. Kym and Shaun Allen were kind enough to let us party at Shaun's parent's house. They had a pool that was just perfect for the kids and adults to play in. There was a medieval theme, so there were stocks, a dragon pinata, and crowns for the King and Queen (Mysha and Jason). I'd say it was a success except for the dutch oven turtle cake that was somehow boiling in the end. Are cakes supposed to boil?

Ella scowling with delight

The disaster of a cake.

Riley and Kym battle the dragon

Jack in the stocks. I don't think he understands he shouldn't be happy.

The pinata. I promise I'll get this down one day, but this pinata was a bit of a failure too. It was a little soggy so it would just absorb the blow of the sword.

The beautiful view over Logan.

The evil Queen Mysha

There she is, Miss America

Well almost. Hannah participated in the Miss Pioneer Valley Pageant held in Draper a couple weekends ago. There were three winners: Miss Pioneer Valley, Miss Rocky Mountain, and Miss Legacy. Honestly none of us quite understood, but she was one of the three equal winners. She did such a great job. Especially when she accidentally went out on stage even though it was not yet her turn, and slowly faded back into the curtain. It still makes me laugh to replay it in my head. We also ate at Applebee's...twice! I think that is all the pageant-ing for now, until Miss Utah again next year!

Miss Rocky Mountain

I look like a gremlin standing next to Hannah in this picture.

Papa Bruce and Hannah

Minute to Win it!

Staci and I like to plan activities that make our family look like fools. So this years activity at the reunion was Minute to Win It. We adapted it to fit our family. So we divided into two teams. Each team took a turn drawing a challenge out of the cup. Then they chose which member was going to do it. You have one minute to complete your task. Everyone on your team had to do at least one challenge. It was hilarious to watch us attempt these foolish tasks. Surprisingly, pretty much everyone had success (even mom). The winning team got Subway gift cards. Who won? Winning is not important. I will not be sharing that information at this time. I got a lot on camera, but it died before the game was through.

Scott so perfectly balancing those M&Ms

I had the Dizzy Mummy. I had to spin around to unwind a roll of toilet paper.

Mom moving cotton balls with her nose.

This one was my favorite and I wish I could have done it. She had to strap pedometers to her legs and arms. The challenge was to get 500 steps between all of them in one minute. I was so tempted to post the video but I was afraid Staci would fight me if I did.

Jason had to move a balloon a certain distance into a garbage can only using a spray bottle.

Logan had to put 6 pieces of pasta onto this spaghetti stick without using his hands.

Here is a video of me doing the dizzy mummy. I'm not sure if it uploaded right though, so it may not work.

Independence Week!

I recently spent a week vacationing with the family. The Mathews Reunion was again held in Heber City at the church camp. And this year, Grandma outdid herself and took us for a train ride on the Heber Creeper before heading to camp. She even got everyone train conductor hats and scarves! It was pretty awesome to have all 30+ of us matching on the train. After the train ride, we headed to camp where we enjoyed home movies, viking spiel, and a treacherous ropes course. Logan headed back to Logan after the reunion to finish up some work and Jack and I jumped in with my mom and went to Gunnison for the rest of the weekend. I enjoyed playing with Adam and Will and attending Alice's birthday dinner. Then on Tuesday, Logan picked up Scott at the airport and they met us in Gunnison late that night. Slowly, the rest of the Pickett family trickled in and on Thursday, we all headed to Maple Grove for more camping. We got back Friday night just in time for the Gunnison Independence Festivities which included fireworks and a dinner at the park. We even heard Neil Diamond himself (almost) perform. Go Gunnison! The next day we did all the regular 4th activities; the parade, park, eating and napping. That evening we played Minute to Win it (more posts to come on that). Finally on Sunday, it was time to head back to reality- wa wa :( and back home we went.

Our week was full of so many fabulous things including:

Grandma and Grandpa Mathews on the Heber Creeper. All Aboard!

Jack wasn't loving the hat.

So we made his into a do-rag instead

The most terrifying zip line ever. I was totally peer pressured into it. Wait, I thought this was a church activity!

Grandmas Alice's fun swing.

An awesome cape made by Aunt Diana

Lots of napping and camping.

Matching family t-shirts made by yours truly.

And matching a bandana for people who refuse to wear t-shirts

Jack's first real injury which was accidentally inflicted by his dad. The first of many to come. Poor little head.

Logan trying to be friends with Jack again.

Logan climbing the face of the infamous "Big Rock"

Hiking!

The grandkids.

Crazy Old "Bill Jones" and his ideas

A sneaky and delightful squirrel who got into our trash.

A sister piano duet! Just like old days.

Fireworks!

The parade. I used Jack as a decoy so I could round up bags of candy without looking greedy.

We may have overdone it with activities. Jack was exhausted in the end.

Dilly bars. Nothing better than a dilly bar.

Swimming in ice cold water.

The Backhoe!

Backhoe rides with Grandpa.