Jack's First Fish

When I was little, I loved going fishing with my Dad. It was such a special time to be together in nature and part of "roughing it." Looking back, it probably wasn't that fun for my Dad because between the three kids, someone's line was always breaking or catching tweeds and needing to be rescued. He might have liked to have cast his own lines but he spent his time setting up our poles and de-snagging us and then complimented us on being such great fishermen since we always ended up catching more fish than he did. This weekend Jack and I bought fishing poles and a license and went out with my Dad fishing at Flaming Gorge. I realized that I have no idea how to set up my own pole nor which lures to use in different situations. There I was a ten-year old kid again letting my Dad set up my pole and coach me on where to cast. Jack had a blast for a few casts but then tired out since we didn't catch anything. We went out twice on the lake but didn't catch anything, so we decided to take jack up to a little children's catch and release pond.


Jack did better but didn't like to sit down and wait for the "Bobbie" to wiggle and sink under the water (meaning that a fish had bit)

His excitement when the fish came out of the water totally made up for all the waiting time. He had the biggest grin on his face. He was a little nervous and didn't want to touch it. He squeeled, "Look the fishie's doing a wiggley dance!" After that, he immediately wanted to catch another and was willing to sit and wait (for another 5 minutes before his attention was distratcted again)

Jack told Grandma, "My Fish was THIS BIG" See, I knew he would make a good fisherman.

While Jack was off being distracted, Charlie found the pole and caught some nice tweeds.

(That's a twig/weed) :)

Charlie LOVED the fishing pole and tried to figure out how to use the crank and everything- what a cutie! He just doesn't realize he's still a baby- he think's he's a big kid.

What a special weekend. I guess I'll have to pay more attention and learn from my Dad how to set up poles and un-snag snags so that I'll be ready to be a good fishing mama for my two boys who are bound to out fish me one day too.

Charlie's big owwie

A few weeks ago, Charlie was watching me get ready for church. I thought Id do something special and actually do my hair. So I turned on the curling iron. As Charlie is fascinated with all things that have have buttons or cords, he crawled over and pulled on it. It landed right on his hand. He didn't pull his hand back but let it sit there until I realized what had happened and reached down to pull it off. He cried a little, but I immediatly put it in cold water and he stopped crying. It blistered up and turned dark. Charlie was such a trooper. We had to cover it for a week or two and he never acted like it hurt or even picked at the bandages. At day care they say Charlie is Evil Canival because he dares to do anything and climbs up everything.

(these pictuires were taken after a few days and after a bath had softened it up- I think it looked worse in person and Im afraid it may leave a permanent scar...) Baby skin is so amazing though. He healed so fast and seemed to have no pain.

From womb to walking- a history of Charlie

I never post videos because they take so long to upload, but I decided to try a few short ones:

I miss Laura- This one's for Laura and Chelsea! Charlie's in the belly if you didn't notice...

Charlie loves popsicles almost as much as Jack loved "pocos" (No I don't have a tatoo)

Charlie is learning how to walk- Isn't he a cutie patootie? And no, I'm not biased at all :)

Independence Day Celebrations

Cowboy Jack
Watching the rodeo and the 8 and under kids roping goats

Jack and Charlie at the Flaming Gorge Dam

Jack hiding under the "long neck"

At the Dinosaur Museum

Walking in the Centerville Parade

Charlie riding his bike with his friend Olivia

Charlie is learning to walk

We have had a fabulous 4th of July weekend. It started out Friday with a splash party in our backyard with some fun friends we haven't seen in a long time. We got out the slip n slide we bought yesterday and at first jack was nervous, but by the end he had it all figured out. We had dinner with family on my Mom's patio. Her garden is amazing this year. I'll writre a whole post about gardens I think. Friday night we went to the concert in the park and watched fireworks with our friends Pumkin and Jon and Sammy. The boys did great and Charlie even liked the fireworks, he clapped his hands.

Saturday morning we were going to run the 5K but got asked at the last minute to walk in the Centerville parade with Rogers theatre. Jack liked throwing candy at people and of course the popsickle at the end. The things we do for a popsickle. That afternoon we went and saw the movie UP. I thought it was OK but not near as good as Incredibles, Nemo or Chicken Little. Then we had a barbeque at Adam's Dad's house and lit off sparklers and Nick made homemade fireworks. (Adam and I ran for cover before those came out). We got home just in time to watch fireworks out our bedroom window. That's the best spot I think.

Sunday, we went to Dane and Stacy's baby blessing and then drove up to Flaming Gorge. On Monday we took the boat out and after we got it in the water, it wouldn't start. We took it back to the cabin and Adam jiggled a wire and it started right up. So we took it back to the lake (about 15 miles) and we put it back in the water and it didn't start again. We decided that we just weren't meant to go boating today and went to the beach instead. We played in our blow up rafts and built sandy mud castles. The water is so high this year that our picnick table was partially submerged... It was funny, too bad I didn't take a picture. We drove out to the Dam, ate at the cute lodge and then went to the friendly neighborhood rodeo. We watched the kids ride baby bulls and rope goats and baby goats. Jack asked if tomorrow he could dress like a cowboy and ride some horses.

Tuesday we drove to the dam, took the tour, fed the fish and then drove to Vernal and went to Dinosaurland! What a crazy weekend. It was one of those family vacations that kids talk about later visiting all of these historical sites and educational trips. I feel like I have to expose my children to everything I can and give them all these great experiences. I guess I forget that my boys are 3 and 11 months and that I have absolutely no memories from when I was 3... so they will not likely remember any of this fun. I guess that's why we take so many pictures.