Monticello so far

It has been so great to be back! And I have to admit, I think I could live here. Yeah, there is one grocery store, one stop light, and I think only one gas station, but there is a certain feeling to country life that I find I enjoy.Triton has found one of his favorite things is to run with the laundry around the clothes line. Have you ever noticed how clothes dried on the line smell better than those dried in the dryer?

I guess its just the smell of clean air that can't be duplicated.

Triton has also decided that its pretty funny to wear his shirt like this.

Putting not ripe yet apples in the bird bathThis picture cracks me up. Have you ever seen a child look more disgusted?

One of the best things about Monticello is that it is situated right against the Abajo or Blue Mountains. This is one of my favorite places called Dalton Springs. This is the Monticello, UT temple. It is the first of the smaller temples our church built. I am happy to say I was present at the dedication, actually inside the temple, and it is still noted as one of my favorite experiences. And then of course, there is our farm. Yes, I am a farmer's daughter. This is a shot from our place looking toward the mountain. Triton and I in the wheatBeing attacked in the wheat

Deciding I'd had enough and leaving him alone in the wheatAnd at last, he's happy.

Here is my brother Craig giving Triton his first taste of raw wheat. Which he willingly tried because uncle "diddy" which I think is supposed to be Craigy, gave it to him. Raw wheat is actually really great. This time it was particularly good becuase it was still in the chewy phase before it dries out.

Looking at eagles.Shooting prairie dogs

attempting to shoot prairie dogs

Triton's favorite thing is riding the tractor. Which because Craig can drive the tractor, has made him Triton's favorite person. And upon closer inspection,

Im pretty sure that Craig thinks Triton is pretty awesome too.

Of course, life wouldn't be complete without trying to get a group shot with the arm extended trick. Finally, I think we got it.

Summer Opposites

For the next two weeks, John will be in NYC for school...Yeah, I'm a little jealous but what can you do? Luckily, the remembrance of the humidity and heat of the east coast quickly killed all envy I was experiencing, and made me extremely grateful to be in homes with air conditioning. On a side note, the tall building to the right of the Empire State Building is where I used to work. Top floor of One Penn Plaza. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I have especially fond memories of the building swaying 15 feet in any direction with the wind gusts. And I'm not lying when I say, I miss it. I, on the other hand, will be in Monticello, Utah at my grandma's house. I don't think you can get more opposite than these two places. Featured in the picture above is the towns one and only stop light. Interestingly, I miss it here too. This is where I spent my summers while growing up. There is always a feeling of nostalgia whenever I go back. I'm excited for my boys to experience it too.

John Fell in Love with a Cow

This weekend something happened that I never dreamed would happen. John fell in love with a cow, and ever since, all I've heard about is how cute this baby cow was - to the point he's been consistently encouraging my mom to buy a baby cow as a pet. Unfortunately, said cow also fell in love with Bronze. Everything was going just fine until the cow wrapped its long tongue around Bronze's arm and put all the way up to Bronze's elbow in his mouth.After pulling the unhappy Bronze's arm out of its mouth, the cow immediately bit on to his shirt and started trying to get him that way.

Of course, John and I being the parents that we are, couldn't contain our laughter.

Then it was on to the pony rides. Triton was so excited, that is, until the pony started to move. Then he was a little scared. He cried for the first two minutes and then decided that it was pretty fun.

Bronze on the other hand loved every minute of it, and cried his eyes out when our turn was over. Triton is still on that tie kick. I must say, he picked this one out himself and even made sure it matched.

It Changes so Quickly

One minute the boys can't figure out what the other is supposed to do, but they need each other almost all the time, and now they have realized that having a brother is the best thing ever. Seriously, I don't know what inspired this, but they do it all time.At the end of it all, Bronze is so exhausted he falls asleep within seconds afterward.

independence

This is Triton's new way of getting dressed.The shirt doesn't matter, but he must have his tie and shark swimsuit.

Dinosaur Museum

I don't know where Triton got it exactly, but everything is "Dinosaur! Rawwwr!" or at least anything with scaly skin. Please disregard that every picture is pretty much of the back of his head, he couldn't stop staring at this dinosaurs everywhere.Triton, oh Triton, when did you decide to get so big?

Bronze, oh Bronze, when did you become so agile?

Here Triton goes, burying the dinosaurs in the sand

Bronze decided once and for all, that dinosaurs don't taste all that great. Strangely, Triton was not scared of any of the skeletons. Even those that seem to be in an open fanged mouth charge. But this little guy caused tears, hiding, and screaming. Until Mama came and showed it who was boss.

Arrival

We're finally in our house! Yeah, we've been here for like the last two weeks, but seriously, you think I actually had a moment to stop and take a few pictures. . . no way! Its been crazy unpacking and getting used to the new neighborhood. Actually, I got to know the neighborhood really well this morning because Triton ran away and got lost. But that is another story for another time - its a good one, trust me. Anyway, we're in our new place and we LOVE it! Its amazing how quickly a place can feel like home. As soon as the couches were moved in, Triton and Bronze went bazerk; I think because they were so happy to have their couches back. At least that is what I like to pretend is the reason.

Here is our rambler. We planted those small bushes in front a few days ago (gotta start somewhere) and we have really fallen for those yellow leaved evergreen bushes. Supposedly, the winters are so harsh up here that you have to pick what you plant carefully, if you want it to survive that is. Here are the two bestest buddies anywhere. Bronze rocks it in his retro Guess jacket and Rolling Stones t-shirtTriton is the sippy cup thiefWho also shows evidence of being the cookie thief as well. Here is the master bedroom. Very bright, and more spacious than these pictures give credit forcomplete with the master bathBoys bedroomGuest bedroom - for all the people who've promised to come and visit. Kitchen Living/Family RoomThis is probably my most favorite room of all! This will one day soon be my very own Library and Piano room! John has dubbed this "Lauren's Room". Then we have a basement, but its not finished, except for the studs,and it will make for a really interesting project in the future.

Our life just wouldn't be complete with out my parents and brothers being around. Im happy to say that Triton & Bronze just love their Meme! Especially since she really horse's around with them.

Confessions

I have a strange confession that I don't know if many people will appriciate. I Love Being Back on Campus at BYU. I dont think I ever appriciate my days there, as I'm sure that most students never do, where ever they are. But this time around, something has changed. I've been taking a French class this spring term, and there is such a vitality and enthusiasm that courses through that campus. John would occasionally come on campus with me and work on his laptop while I was in class, he said the same thing. So, I guess it must finally be said, we are true BYU fans now.

Squaw Peak

Somehow we ended up at Squaw Peak for our Sunday exploration. Now generally Squaw Peak is known for being "the place" for some serious parking action, but I must say, there is more to be had from this place than simply some "Action."

1) a place to encounter some very animated people of questionable backgrounds

2) pretty grass - which I might add is still green at this time of year

3) a narrow trail atop a very steep hillside

4) Me & my little-boy-clad-self

5) and a view of Utah Valley quite unlike any I'd ever seen before.

So, there you have it - A few reasons what else can be had at Squaw Peak besides you-know-what. After this outting, I made Cowboy CookiesBronze & Triton got baths and then ran around in their diapers. John and I watched Lord of the Rings III.

Weekend Madness

For the past few weeks, we've been heading up Provo Canyon every Sunday afternoon. We love these excursions and Im hoping they become a permenant thing in our new life here. My friend Anne and I have started jogging in the canyon. I can't think of a better place to run now that I've started doing this.

Here is John and my brother Matthew somewhere up by Vivian Park. I can't say exactly where, only that John and I discovered this new place last year and we just went from there. Triton is an awesome hiker. He makes sure that I am okay, but then loves to run ahead and be with his dad too. And of course, I carry Beags on most of these trips - when I say he's a Mama's Boy, I mean it. Here was a quick attempt at a family photo - obviously, it wasn't happening. We found a stream and could not keep Bronze out of it. Triton decided after a mere 1 second in the water that it was way too cold and was best having rocks thrown in it. Supervising the laddies I like this picture, but can't say exactly why. Seriously, a perfect Sunday afternoon.

Today it rained all day, and then it cleared up for a while. This is what it looked like outside - Beautiful!

This was probably the best shot though with the clouds encasing the mountains.

Today, we decided to go to Sundance.

And somehow, we ended up at the start of the Mt. Timp hike.

Triton & Bronze were so excited to be out in the woods.

And I was too

even if I was clad in basketball shorts and flipflops.

My handsome boys in a picturesque setting

Then we started walking up this trail - note, the key word is up- and walking, and walking . . . Bronze wanted to get down, but that just wasn't going to happen this time, we know what happens when Bronze see's streams

As I said before, Triton is becoming quite the hiker and did the whole 2.5 mile trip by himself! John and I were so proud

Finally we made it to a waterfall, which I am assuming was Stewart Falls, but I could be wrong.
This was the view coming back, I dont even know the words to quite describe this picture, all of mine fall short. All I can say is simply, God is Good.