Robert's first Utah football game

These pictures really only document the fact that Robert was present at the Utah football game Saturday night. We couldn't find a babysitter. Turned out James and Kate could have used a babysitter as well. We arrived in the middle of the first quarter and left at half time. I know the Utes played Louisville and I know, because I checked Online before going to bed, that the Utes won. But I didn't see a single entire play. I think we'll try to find babysitters for the other two games we have tickets for. Any volunteers for babysitting? How about volunteers for James' and Kate's tickets? FYI: seats are second to last row in the bleachers.

Corn Maize

My mom and I took the kids to a corn maize last Saturday. I didn't get any pictures of the corn maize that James so expertly guided us through with the help of his map, but I did get some snaps of some of the fun activities that were included.

(This picture was taken on the way out. Very tired and hot kids.)

A sweet treat.

Love these pictures. Love the Fall. Ben, thanks for bringing home the delicious roadside stand nectarines.

Shana Tova (Happy New Year)

Noa Habibi and Shachar Shimoni (cousin to Steve North, a friend from New York) are traveling throughout the US. We hosted them during their two-day stop in SLC, which coincided with the Jewish New Year. To help make the high holiday special, we took them to dinner (making sure to include the traditional apples and honey) before accompanying them to synagogue at Temple Har Shalom in Park City. It was a lot of fun for Ben and me and they seemed to enjoy themselves as well.

Now Dad minds.

Remember this?
Now he's gone too far."Is there a problem?"

Hi Mom. I'm just helping myself to Kate's leftovers.

We've got a climber on our hands. One morning as I was helping Kate and James get ready for school, I neglected to keep track of Robert's whereabouts. Kate hadn't finished all of her cereal. Because Robert has been known to pull things within reach off of the table, I scooted her unfinished cereal bowl to the middle of the table, out of reach, while we scurried downstairs to get her dressed.

Upon return, I found Robert enjoying the remains of Kate's Golden Grahams. Floor to chair to table to cereal. I'm going to have to be more vigilant from now on. The little stinker.

Mutton bustin' video

Pictures didn't really do justice to the event. Here's a video I put together of how James broke his arm and Kate won a bike. We're so proud that they both had the courage to do it (and are even willing to do it again, except Mom won't let them). Way to go kids!

More of the Utah State Fair

This is the last installment of our State Fair posts. While we had fun during the activities shown in these pictures, these activities were not nearly as exciting as those of the previous two posts. Thank goodness.

(Check out the pictures from the previous two years, just to see how quickly our kids are growing up. 2008 and 2007)

Animals.

Waiting for a turn on the ponies.

Robert's first time on a pony.

Always a highlight for Kate.

James likes the pony ride too.

Cars that whip around on the sides. J&K laughed with every swing.

The 4-story slide. (Which James, unknowingly, did with a broken arm.)

Kate fed her princesses to a shark. Seriously, she's a strange one sometimes.

A happy boy.

It's so fun easy to get smiles out of this cute boy. And boy does he like food!

Mutton Bustin' Part II

We checked in with a paramedic at the state fair. He felt around the arm and had James make a tight fist and then said the bone was fine and he must have pulled a muscle. But, when he ate his cereal with his left hand this morning (36 hours later) and whimpered as I carefully helped him put his shirt on, I decided it was time for an x-ray of his arm.

After 3 hours in the E.R., my suspicion/fear was, unfortunately, confirmed. The doctor came in the room and said, "So, this is the mutton buster, huh?" He asked for the story, which he had obviously already heard from the nurse. After I finished, he said, "Well, it's good you came in. It's busted." A proximal humerus fracture. James and I listened as the doctor explained that a sling was the best treatment . . . kids bones heal quickly and well . . . can't splint this break . . . he should try not to use it much for a couple of weeks . . . don't let it get injured again . . . etc.

After the doctor left, I looked at James and said, "So sorry your arm is broken, Buddy." He looked at me and asked, as an emotional flood of tears, confusion, & fear set in, "Why is my bone broken?" In my head I was thinking, "Well, because your parents are stupid and lack judgment." (Ben is still hoping they will, and encouraging them to, participate again next year!) I tried explaining that his arm would get better. For him, though, the shock got worse when a nurse came in and put the sling on, bolstered with extra stabilizing support from a thick elastic bandage.

I'm so sorry, James!

In a waiting room for a few hours.
Gloves, stickers and new iPhone apps were a huge help.Plus, the hospital played Bolt and Cars on the t.v.

This is not a happy boy.

A sad moment for James and Mommy.

Mutton Bustin' at the Utah State Fair

James and Kate participated in the kids' mutton bustin' competition at the rodeo at the Utah State Fair on Friday night. The lure of the prize - "a two wheeled bike!" - had James talking about it non-stop all week. We even practiced on a toy rocking horse on Thursday night. Legs tight around the body. Hands tight around the neck. And, the secret to success, a mouth full of the sheep's neck wool.

Ages ranged from 3 to 7. Weight from 30 to 50 pounds. Kate and James are almost 4. Kate weighs 30 pounds, James 32. Clearly, they were two of the youngest, lightest, and bravest of the bunch.

James was second out of the shoot. James gave it a triumphal effort, but only managed to stay on a few strides out of the gate. Kate was the third participant. Her sheep ran out the the shoot and headed straight for the exit gate. Legs tight. Hands tightly gripped around the neck. And, a mouth full of wool. She was one with the mutton. They gave her a score of 89. (Whatever that means.) Bottom line, 11 more participants failed to stay on their sheep as long as Kate stayed on hers. She won!

Most kids, including James and Kate, were crying at the end of their mutton bustin' stint (which makes you wonder whose parents are crazy enough to let their kids participate). James and Kate landed hard and rolled on the ground. They both have smears of road rash across their backs. James pulled a muscle in his right arm enough that we wondered for an hour or so if it might be broken. It was quite an experience for all of us. Frankly, probably not one we'll repeat next year. But, fun to have done it once.

Check out our rodeo stars in all their glory below. (Video coming as soon as we figure out how to transfer it to the blog. Check back soon!)

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

We went to the Discovery Gateway children's museum on the afternoon of Labor Day. This was the first time I have been with Robert since he has been mobile. It was fun to watch him move from one activity to another. As with most kids, he seemed to enjoy playing with water the most. James and Kate are getting pretty good on the climbing wall. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all of us. (And, just for fun, at the bottom are a few pictures of James and Kate in the same place, three months older than Robert is now.)










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Not a balloon festival.

Antelope Island held its Third Annual Balloon (and Kite) Festival over Labor Day Weekend. We attempted to view the scene on Saturday night. Unfortunately, there was too much wind for the hot air balloons to fly. On the bright side, we did watch some kites fly (the Plan B added to the festival after two years of experience with wind and balloons not flying), and even fly one a bit when Andy and Jane arrived with a kite in hand. We also took a ride on a train and James and Kate played in the bounce houses with cousins Kellie and Gracie. The company was great. The event, not so great. Perhaps we'll try it again next year.