Slip Slidin' in the Rain

This recent summer day we visited Grandma and Grandpa's house up in Cedar Hills. They have a wonderful large backyard that, as I was growing up, was my playground and adventure land. Although through the years it has slowly been developed and built around, it is still a magical place that invites all who visit, out onto its green lawns and its bush hidden coves. Today, Jackson wanted to slip and slide. Unfortunately for him only Daddy was willing to join in the fun. The rest of us were content just watching.

Jocelyn with her Grandma

Jackson scoping out the terrain

Just as the slide got going, the clouds rolled in and the drops started coming down. If you look closely you can see the beginning of the rain in the picture above.

Here is what it looked like just seconds later. It was one of those awesome summer showers where the sun shines through the downpour, making the drops look like diamonds cascading to the ground.

The rain didn't discourage Jackson or Michael at all!

You can see that it is still just barely raining here but they are having a blast!

Jackson wouldn't run and plop on his tummy to slide, he would run halfway down, stop, carefully lay on his tummy, and scoot on down. We got to the point where we would just just give him a push after he got on his tummy, but that was as slidin' as he would get. Here is an exceptionally good slide (or push ;0) ).
In this one, Michael surprised Jack by sliding in behind him as he was running down. Got a good splash out of it too!

Toward the end of our play, a beautiful rainbow appeared and topped off a wonderful day.

I have to acknowledge Hillary (my sister), Bubbles (my childhood cat), and Stewart, (my family's dog) for contributing to our fun day. Thanks Hillary for taking some great pictures, Bubbles for putting up with Jackson, and Stewart for being such a good sport!

Love you!

Fourth of July

Every year we go to the Provo Freedom Festival Balloon Fest. We have to wake up very early and drive down to the field behind Provo Hospital where they blow up and launch 20+ hot air balloons and play cat and mouse over and around the field. This year we had the pleasure of having my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Vick visiting with us, and they got to come and experience it with us for the first time. We got there around 7 am just as they were filling the last balloons and we watched as they lifted off into the sky. Jackson and Jocelyn both loved the bright vibrant colors and the loud whooshing the heaters made as they inflated the balloons. We don't have a double stroller, but the kids didn't mind sharing. We just put the back all the way down and they sat in tandem. It was so cute because Jack would turn around and check on Jocelyn every now and then to make sure she was okay.

Jocelyn with Mommy

After the watching the balloons take off from the field, we ate under the trees nearby at a breakfast picnic that the Kiwanis Club hosts every year. It's for fundraising/charity, and I have to say it's pretty good. They serve hot ham and pancakes, bananas, yogurt, and milk or juice. Yum!

You can tell Jack was hungry.

Jocelyn was too!
Aunt Barbara (left) and my Mom (right) are sisters if you can't tell!

Jackson's favorite lookout spot, Grandpa!

After breakfast we just mill around until the balloons catch a breeze and come soaring back over the field.

Jocelyn hung out on the grass while we watched the balloons make their way back. She is in this curious stage where any small thing commands her attention, and the grass was the interesting thing here.

On the way back to the car, Jackson spotted a tractor... in the middle of the hospital parking lot of all places! Obviously, Jack wanted to see it. This John Deere was getting a lot of attention, not just from Jackson, but from a few other little boys and their families too!

After our early morning excursions, a siesta was in order and we all had a much needed nap. A casual BBQ at Grandmas followed by firecrackers in the cul de sac wrapped up the day. All in all, we had a great Fourth of July this year, probably the best. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for hosting the festivities and to Aunt Barbara and Uncle Vick for visiting and spending some quality time. Love you all!

Driving Cars

Jackson loves to drive his cars around recently. He will sit on the stairs for hours at a time and pretend that his cars are crashing into each other, getting stuck in the carpet, sliding down the ramp, all of those wonderfully imaginative things that little boys do. Today, while I was doing some dishes, Jack decided to add a new element to his play. Here is what it looked like.

He LOVES his tractors! (Grampa has a riding lawn mower and Jackson is enthralled with it)

This all took place close to nap time as you can tell so he was tired.

But he got excited that I was interested and he added some cars so that I could play.

Jackson is such a sweetie, and he has so much love to give! I'm glad I am around to be Mommy to my wonderful boy.

Jocelyn was snoozing on the floor (close to nap time) during all of this so she isn't in here, but she is such a good sport with all of Jackson's antics.