God's Country

We had a most remarkable time exploring Yellowstone National Park as a family. This was a summer trip two years in the planning, and the anticipation was well justified. It was amazing to see such variety in landscapes and wildlife and to learn about the geothermal activity of the geysers, hot springs, pools, mud pots, and fumaroles. Truly God is a master artist with His handiwork sprawled across the "canvas" of Wyoming. Our photographs could never do the area justice (even so, we still snapped nearly 500 pictures). Here is a minuscule sampling of our experience:

The Geyser Basins

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Hayden & Lamar Valleys

West Thumb

Fishing Bridge

This post authored by Amber

Brevin is Seven?

*A high volume of traffic has been directed to this post via Pinterest and Tip Junkie related to the pirate party ideas.  I have since done another pirate party for Brevin's younger brother, and there are some much improved concepts if you care to look at them from this link.* 

Whoa! When did that happen? I still feel like I'm trying to figure out why anyone would trust me enough to send me home from the hospital with my first baby. Well, despite my inexperience and inadequacies as a mother, Brevin has turned out alright, I'd have to say. While he is all boy, he has a very tender and sensitive side to him that is very refreshing. He has many interests and is proving to be quite adept when it comes to working with computers. I am also glad to see that he is comfortable in new environments and is willing to try new things.

He's grown (physically) right under my nose. All of a sudden we realized it was time for a larger bike for Brevin, and so his gift from Dad and Mom was a brand new bike (and a bike lock to go with it).

A Pirate's Life for Me

The Friend Party

I know, I know. This party theme is probably done more than any other (just do a search on Google for "pirate parties" and you'll see what I mean), but it is what Brevin decided on, and it turned out to be wonderfully easy to plan and execute due to the mass of information available on the Internet.

The Party Details

This was an idea I found online for the invitations that I loved. The party information was printed on an authentic-looking treasure map, the map edges were burned, and it was rolled and placed into an empty IBC root beer bottle for delivery. This seemed to get everyone all excited (parents and children included), and our children were thrilled that I forced them to drink all the root beer.

Rather than buy party favor bags, I sent lunch sacks through my printer with a warning to the buccaneers that they best be guarding their booty, which included an eye patch, bandanna, plastic gold coins, limited candy, a pencil, and a pirate book of codes. I printed a list of pirate phrases and their definitions to go on the inside of each of the code books. That was a fun touch.










Of course, the detail I pay most particular attention to is the cake. With loads of images from the Internet to reference, I finally decided on this design. It was nice because the most time consuming and difficult task (assembling the sails), could be done well ahead of time. I used the basket weave frosting tip to create the look of wooden planks. That turned out to be a very simple frosting method.




The Games

We first played a game similar to hot potato, but passed a skull around to the music from the Disney ride "Pirates of the Caribbean." That was followed by a treasure hunt which lead to the cake and party favors. We went outside to dig in the sandbox for gold, and finally, we played a water game where teams tried to bail water from "their ships" as well as throw water into their opposing team's pool. The losers had to "walk the plank" which simply meant they got to go on the slip-n-slide first. It ultimately turned into a huge water fight by party's end. That was the expectation, and the kids loved it. So did I. It was a really fun party!

Out to Eat

We originally planned to eat at Pirate Island Pizza, a new restaurant in Provo. It wasn't ready for it's scheduled opening in Spring, so we'll go when it does open to the public. Instead, Brevin chose Red Robin, and our family had a fantastic evening.

A Sabbath Birthday

Oddly enough, everyone's birthday,except Garrett's, fell on a Sunday this year. So we had all the above mentioned activities take place on Saturday, while Sunday kicked off with Brevin's breakfast of choice: red heart-shaped pancakes (I can cook other breakfast items besides colored, shaped pancakes, but that is what the boys always seem to go for). That evening, we had family over for a little party and we watched Brevin's year in review video.

With the culmination of Brevin's birthday, we wrapped up the birthday season of 2009. Now what am I to do in place of planning and looking forward to parties? Hmm...maybe I can finish that ward cookbook I promised to compile some months ago!

This post authored by Amber

A Reunion Of Sorts

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Logan for a most enjoyable lunch date with former high school classmates. Now I remember why I liked these chicks so much!

(And for the record, I am not nearly that close in height to Wendy. Nor do I tower over Julie and Kellie, as it would appear in the picture. I was just joking and went up on my tiptoes just as the photo was snapped.)

On the way out of Logan, I made a quick stop at the cemetery so the boys could get a picture at my mother's grave. It was a long way to travel in one day, but it was worth it. I had a marvelous time!

This post authored by Amber

Growing Pains

Garrett has managed to master some additional skills, and his new found independence makes things a bit more interesting at our home, to say the least.

On more than one occasion, we have had an unintentional tug of war with his spoon, resulting in baby food splatterings on the wall, me, and the floor.

And now that he is walking, he is also climbing stairs, falling off said stairs, climbing to the top bunk bed, climbing on furniture, well...you get the idea.

Here is footage taken on July 3rd of his early stages of walking (he's much more "sure footed" now):

This post authored by Amber

Chasing Butterflies

Who knew bug collecting could be such a fun hobby that the whole family could get involved with? Well, my niece, Rachael, for one. She sparked an interest in my boys that was furthered at the family reunion by spending time with the Dunfords, who all happen to be bug enthusiasts. With the acquiring of bug vacuums, butterfly nets, and kill jars, it appeared as though we were set. We were given a tip for a location that was perfect for catching insects (thanks Tilly), and so we took a jaunt to Provo canyon in search of swallowtail butterflies. We easily captured four or five within ten minutes of unloading from the van. This presented a problem, though, as we had no way to display our specimen. On our way home, we had to stop at the Bean Museum to purchase an insect display box and pins. We then spent the evening catching dragonflies to add to the collection. I never realized how much I would enjoy having a freezer full of bugs!

Spencer with his first swallowtail:

Brevin with his first cabbage white:

This post authored by Amber

Thornhill Family Reunion

It's been nearly ten years since we got this whole "clan" together, but from the time we stepped onto Little Creek Ranch in Paragonah, Utah, there was a secure sense of familial familiarity (whew, say that five times fast). Sure, it was nice to have name tags for the sake of remembering first cousins once removed, but were all friends on Facebook, now, so that will make it easier for next time.

Cheryl did a wonderful job orchestrating the details that went into housing, feeding, and entertaining nearly ninety people. We had a variety show (what an incredibly varied and talented group of people!), water balloon launches, horseback riding, playground playing, board games, a melodrama performance to honor my Aunt Fran and Uncle Gary's 50th wedding anniversary, a grab bag, slide show videos, a sock hop, and games and relay races, too. Don't worry. There was ample time to visit and become reacquainted.

Brevin and Spencer loved every minute of it, and they will forever have fond memories of Paragonah...as will Jason and I.

This post authored by Amber

The Rockets Red Glare

For a greater portion of the holiday, I was working to complete a video slide show for our Thornhill family reunion. I did, however, put the project on hold to enjoy a barbecue dinner with family. Greg and Tilly graciously invited us to their home for the meal. We then headed south and threw out our chairs and blankets amid the masses at Fox field to enjoy the fireworks display (enhanced by light of our own glow sticks).

This post authored by Amber

Our Flag Was Still There

Perhaps it's a little worse for wear, but this flag was raised in a somber, reverent manner as "Taps" was played on the trumpet followed by "The Star Spangled Banner." It was an intimate gathering of family members, and we paid tribute to those dear to us who served their country valiantly. I'm not surprised there were so many from my extended family who had served in the armed forces; patriotism runs deep in our veins. Ragged, though it may be, this flag is our present day Title of Liberty. May it forever "wave o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!"


This post authored by Amber

Up, Up, and Away!

It has been some time since we've participated in the Freedom Festival's Balloon Launch. I think because it requires such an early waking, it is hard to motivate yourself to commit to the festivity. Once you're there, you are so glad you rolled out of bed, slapped on a hat, and dragged three children along to be fascinated by man's colorful, fanciful attempts at flight.

This post authored by Amber