Head

While playing in the toy room, I all of a sudden hear a blood curdling scream. When I got halfway there, I was met by William, who was bleeding from his forehead. Gabbi wasn't shortly behind him apologetic. She said that it was an accident, but that they were playing golf and she was swinging the club backward in preparation to hit the ball and she had no idea that William was behind her. She clocked him hard enough that it started to bleed and wouldn't stop. I loaded all the kids in the van and headed to the instacare. 

When we got there, Christy was working. She grabbed some crayons and coloring pages for Gabbi and Owen to occupy them while I was in the room with William. When the doctor finally came in he checked it out and said that it wasn't deep enough to cause too much damage, but that they'd have it cleaned out and would superglue the wound. I wasn't sure about the superglue. It doesn't sound like the best form of care, but I'm not a doctor and I went with what they suggested. Lucky for William, Christy got to help him get cleaned up and even assisted on the gluing process.

All in all, he did a pretty good job sitting still and being a good patient. When he was done, Christy gave him two tokens and even a few treats. We walked to the toy machine, and he picked two prizes. We thanked Christy for all her help and we headed home.

Birthday trip

Just like Gabbi, Owen also utilized his birthday gift with a trip to Lagoon with Papa. He had a hard time choosing whether or not to go because if he went, he'd go months before his actual birthday. We talked to him about all his options, and he decided to take the trip with Papa. Along with Lagoon, he also got his sleepover. So after dinner, Papa came and picked him up and before leaving I asked Papa to send me some pics of their fun. He told me yes, and they headed out.

Today I got a few messages from Dad. He told me they had a great night and a special Nana and Papa breakfast before going to the park. He also said that they were having a lot of fun so far even though they haven't been going on to many of the big rides. This didn't surprise me at all. Owen is not one for the crazy rides, but the rides he does like, they went on multiple times. One of the pictures he sent was a picture with Owen and Pikachu with the dictation to ask Owen what it meant when he got home. From the pictures that he did send, it looked like they were having a great time.

When Owen got home, I asked him about the picture. He told me that Papa was trying to talk him into riding Blast off or Reentry. He had to think about it and where sitting on a bench just outside the line for the ride. A couple sitting next to them overheard Papa talking to Owen. The couple told Owen that if he would go on the ride, they would give him their Pikachu stuffed animal that they had won while playing a game. Owen said he thought about it for a good amount of time and then decided to go on the ride. The couple gave him the stuffed animal and then left. He said that after they left, they sat there for a little while longer, trying to convince himself to actually get in line. Sadly he never did, but he still got Pikachu, although he felt bad about it.

Chaplain Picnic

The cohorts (group before Ben and Ben's group) that Ben goes to school with thought that it would be fun periodically to get together as families so we could get to know each other better. Today was one of those days. Since the men still had school, even though it was Pioneer day, they wanted to do something fun once they were done with classes. So they planned a picnic at a park on the north side of Spanish Fork. It was a pretty big park and had a sidewalk path surrounding it, perfect for bike riding. The kids heard that and were excited at the thought of getting to ride their bikes. When it was time, we loaded the bikes in the back of the truck and made our way to the park.

When we got there only one family was there. They were getting things set up and waiting for all the items that everyone signed up to bring. We brought drinks, while other brought sides, desserts, and the main dish of pizza. Since it wasn't there yet, the kids ran off to play at the park. Once the pizza got there, we called them back so we could have prayer and eat. The pizza came from a place I hadn't heard of, but it was so good. The crust was the best part. When the kids were done, they ran off to play and ride their bikes while the adults visited so we could get to know each other better. 

The kids were having so much fun. They went around the sidewalk path over and over. They probably would have stayed for another hour or so, but Ben had class in the morning, and it was time to clean up and head home.

Pioneer Day parade

Ben had class today, which surprised me considering it was Pioneer Day, but the kids and I were invited to go to the Pioneer Day Parade with Annie. He may not have been able to go, but we were. We stayed the night last night at Mom and Dad's and woke this morning ready to go to the parade. We met Annie at the blankets she had set up and was surprised to see that Tiffany and her extended family were just a few blankets down. It was a fun surprise. We had a great spot too. It was in the shade and our back were to a building blocking the sun. I have never had better seats, which meant we could actually enjoy the parade.

When the parade started, we all stood up as the police cars, fire trucks, and an American flag as it went by. It wasn't as grand as "The Major" but it was enough to quiet the crowd as it passed. To my surprise they even had an Army Marching Band. This one was a first, but as the flag went by they were playing a variety of patriotic songs. After it passed, the noise of the cheering crowd as groups, and floats walked down the street. This parade it much more entertaining than Cherry Days. They actually have real floats, not just school groups walking behind trucks. Don't get me wrong, they have those too, but the floats in this parade are amazing. Mom and Dad's stake even submitted a float. When it passed us, we screamed and cheered at all the hard work. It looked great and I can only imagine how many hours it took to assemble.

We also cheered and screamed when Ben Lomond High school came down the street. They had their dance groups, sports teams, cheerleaders, and their band. We were cheering so loudly for their bagpipe band which Jeff was happily marching with them. I love hearing the bagpipes. It brings back so many great memories of high school. It was always something that I could be proud of as a "Scot." When they passed the rest of the parade seemed kind of dull, but still good. The kids had fun gathering what little candy was thrown as well as visiting with Grandma and their cousins. 

When the parade was over, we said goodbye to everyone we sat with and near and made our way to the van. We ran into the Barnes family and talked with them for a few minutes. They were actually in the parade, dressed as pioneers. They were sitting down resting and I don't blame them. I remember what it was like to march in a parade in stuffy itchy clothes. Once at the van, we grabbed some lunch and headed home. We still had stuff to do.

Dinosaur Museum

Since the kids and I haven't spent much time at home since we moved to Provo, Ben wanted to do something as a family. He found some recommendations of fun things for families to do and planned an entire afternoon. When he told the kids we were going to a Museum, I don't think they gave him the reaction he wanted or expected. Well, maybe he did expect them to not be excited to go to a museum. When we pulled into the parking lot, the boys finally gave a reaction that I'm sure he appreciated. They were excited to see that we were going to a Dinosaur Museum.

This particular museum was put together to display some of the artifacts, bones, etc. that students from the school had excavated over many years. Some of which were actually found in Utah. It turns out that there are many museums found on BYU's campus that display items from students in all sorts of subject and topics. 

When walking in the door, the kids signed the registry and then we made our way around the museum. We found all sorts of dinosaurs, some of which the kids had never seen before. They also got to see some pretty cool fossils as well as a student cleaning some off that would soon be added to the museum. They bays stayed there and watched for a good amount of time. They were in a trance watching the pain stacking strokes to reveal what was buried in the mud and sand. 

It didn't take us very long to go through the entire museum, but the kids seemed to have a good time and when we were done, we went and got a treat. 

Pioneer day fireworks

It's harder and harder getting our family to come and enjoy the fireworks at Weber State. Every year the group puts out the same number of blankets and every year it seems hard to fill it. This year I invited both Shantelle and Christy to join us since we had so much empty space. Thankfully the group was okay with this as well. We go up later and later each year as well. I have to admit, I'm okay with that. It's not fun to sit in the heat and sun while waiting for the show to start.

Around 7:30 we loaded some extra blankets in the van and headed to Weber State. Jeff and his kids and myself and our kids were the only ones from our family going. We parked in the Dentist's office parking lot just down from campus and walked to our usual spot. When we got there, some of the group was already there, but again there weren't many. Once we sat down, I sent a message to the girls and they both said they were shortly behind us. 

When they got there, the kids jumped up to give them hugs and they started to play and entertain themselves with the other kids that were there. They boys were playing some kind of Star Wars action game while the girls giggles and played some card games. When that very special song started, we had the kids sit down because the show was about to starts.

When the canyons went off the kids knew that the fireworks were next and got in the best spot they could to watch the show. As soon as the first one was shot into the air the kids cheered and then were swept away watching the blasts of colors and shapes. As always it did not disappoint. I didn't want it to end. I could watch fireworks go on forever. They are mesmerizing to watch, but like all good things, they too much come to an end. When it did, we gathered our things, helped grabbed the group blankets and then made our way back to the van. 

Birthday trip

Dad bought a season pass to Lagoon and told all the kids that if they wanted to go, he was game. Gabbi was the first of our kids that took him up on that offer. She stayed the night at their place and he made her a pancake and egg breakfast. When they were done they headed to the park. I assume they had fun because I didn't hear one word from them until they were on they got home. Dad said she had so much fun that it had worn her out and she had fallen asleep on the way home.

4th of July

After a little while of resting at home, we gathered ourselves and out assigned food items and went to Nelson and Deann's. We were getting together for our traditional 4th of July celebration. This year it was actually on the 4th of July. When we got there, Nelson already had the fire ready for cooking. The kids ran off to play and I helped Deann bring out the food for dinner. When everything was ready, we had a prayer and enjoyed our 4th of July BBQ. 

When we were done eating, the kids went in the yard to ride bikes while we visited or played cornhole. Nelson was running the field. All those that wanted to play, took turns trying their best to win. Nelson was the big winner, winning almost every game he played. It was fun to watch him, and Ben compete with each other. It was so much fun cheering everyone on when it was their turn to play.

As it began to get darker, Nelson and the men started to pull out the fireworks and got things ready to go. They even brought all the chairs to the driveway so we would have a place. Deann surprised the kids with some glow sticks, and they were so excited about it. Who knew something so simple could bring so much fun to a child. They were swinging them, twirling around with them, etc. While they were playing with those, the neighbors started shooting off their fireworks, so Nelson joined in. It was fireworks all around. 

It was a good show when all was said and done. We helped clean up and then went home.