To China and Back...

Gpa and Gma Anderton recently went on a humanitarian (dental) trip to China! They have been to several countries in South America to dental work, but I think this is definitely the furthest they've been! They are always so thoughtful and bring back a little something for everyone from their adventure....children and grandchildren included. That means 14 adults and I think around 25 kids?? I don't know how she keeps it all together! 

Jet got these sweet jammies....he and grandpa make such handsome Chinamen!

 This picture is a fail....other than you can kinda see the cute chinese slippers Emri received. She also got some sparkly hair clips. Emri was SO SO excited to hear about their adventure, she's been watching Mulan a lot lately and was hoping Grandma and Grandpa got to meet "crazy Mooshoo." She was thrilled when they showed her some pictures of a dragon statue...it was Mooshoo indeed :)

I sure hope one day Brett and I can travel and use our skills to help others the way his parents have. They have definitely set a wonderful example of service to us and have helped so many people! Brett would LOVE to go back to Tonga one day (where he served his LDS mission) and do dental work there.

....but with as many beautiful beaches as there are, 

I might be tempted to call in sick!

Warriors Over the Wasatch

We "half-way" attended our first air show as a family (first for all of us all around) over Memorial weekend. Hill Air Force Base is conveniently located just around the corner from us and they put on "Warriors Over the Wasatch" each year. It's free admission, but we opted to watch from the road just outside base, to avoid the crowds inside.

 You may think she's very patriotic and emotional at a very young age....actually, the wind was blowing in a storm and it was dang cold....and those sensitive little eyes just watered away!

A couple of my favorites from "part 1" of our day...the "Wings of Blue" parachute team, one carried an American Flag...

 ...the others all appeared to be on fire :)

 "The Red Eagles," such cool planes...loved their stunts!

 After 2 hours, some cool planes, a LOT OF WIND, COLD, and the start of RAIN, we bailed! All the action was postponed, till a time we didn't know. We were a little disappointed to not have seen the Thunderbirds fly.... afterall, they have been causing quite a ruckus over our house the past few days as they practice their program!

We got home and Jet and I settled in for an afternoon nap. There was a fly-by which made me sit straight up in bed....SO LOUD.... we assumed it was letting all know the show was back on! After Jet woke up we ventured to the neighborhood park and watched the rest of the entertainment. 

Finally at "Part 2" of the air show!

Jet flying...waiting for Jets to fly.

 Can't get enough of that squish-face in Dad's beanie!

 Emri ran around like a wild-woman and practiced her "tumbling" on the grass.

Even after seeing these beauties flying over our house routinely, and many times in the last couple days I still couldn't get enough! They are amazing machines, and the pilots.....SO TALENTED!

I mean, honestly....when you look at this picture below, how does the theme song from Top Gun NOT go through your head?!

 I just pictured Maverik and Ice Man doin' their thing up there! haha!

 This guy popped a wheelie as he was cruisin' along.... no big deal.

 Then, all 6 of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, together.

 A low, fly-by...

I think next year I'd like to brave the crowds and be right next to the runway, in all the action. Brett's uncle Rod goes each year and got some AMAZING pics!

 There they are....the Warriors, flying over the Wasatch. Yep people, that's fresh snow on those peaks! Welcome to Utah, May 26! Gotta Love it (today's high...4 days later...was 82*.   :) 

I'm so grateful on this Memorial Weekend to remember those who went before us, and especially those in the military who have fought and those currently fighting for my freedom. 

 We were able to visit the Morgan Cemetery and take flowers to Grandpa Anderton's grave. He was one of those men I am honored to have known for a time. He served as a bomber pilot in WWII. So grateful for his service!

Jet sitting at cousin, Isaac's grave. The kids always enjoy taking flowers and toys for him.

Our Garden Experiment

In the past, my gardening experience has been only in pots...cherry tomatoes and basil (2 summer must-haves) and they were fruitful! In the house we are renting there's a pretty little designated garden spot that we've been anxious to plant. 

The downsides: 

1. Too many trees around! Half of the garden is shaded pretty much the whole day. 

2. The "soil" is totally CLAY...not sure if anything will grow (like I said, it's an experiment).

3. We have a chain-link fence...and on the other side are 2 ferocious, non-stop barking/growling Rottweilers when we're up there...Gardening will not be a "peaceful, early morning getaway for me" as it should be. :(

We planted seeds of pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini squash, yellow summer squash, & peas. Emri was so excited to help! Also, we planted a few starter plants of green pepers and jalepeno peppers, and within 2 days the leaves were gone from them and only a stem remains! WHAT HAPPENED?!

We did pot some plants this year as well....I'm hoping that since we can control the soil and sunshine we will get something to grow. In pots we have sweet basil, early girl tomatoes, sun-sugar tomatoes (the little orange salad ones), and cilantro.

 Jet played with rocks and was completely content while we planted!

 Wish our garden luck!!

Jet @ 15 Months

My baby is not looking like much of a baby these days :(

 He enjoys doing manly things....

 Climbing in and on everything he can...

 Tormenting his older sister...

 "helping"...

 And making messes faster than I can clean them up!

At 15 Months, Jet:

• was sick most of last month with a runny nose and cough. Hopefully we can be healthy for the next little while....so looking forward to summer!
• I think I jinxed myself last month by saying he was sleeping so great, and then had some rough sleeping patches last month due to sickness, but is getting better again. 
• Starting to say a couple words: dada (referring to brett) but still won't call me momma :(, nana (banana), muh (more), nuh with a head shake (no) 
• loves to slide and swing at the park
• is transitioned to one nap/day...and we are both more than ready for 7:30 bedtime when it's here!
• tries to self-feed with a fork....we're at that really messy phase of eating and i HATE that there's carpet under our dining table.
• no new teeth....i'm wondering if there's any more up there?!
• can go from sitting to standing without assistance from us or furniture, but still not interesting in walking.
• LOVES seeing the jets fly over our house from H.A.F.B. As soon as we hear the engines roar, he's looking and pointing to the sky!
• He is quite the tease and leaves Emri in tears at least once a day. He pulls clumps of her hair out, swats her face, tackles her, head-butts her....and each of us. He's just a rowdy boy!
• He still has a strong personality/attitude....and I think that's the best way to describe him! He wants what he wants, when he wants it!! He definitely tests our patience daily, but I wouldn't have him any other way!

Mother's Day

Me and the 2 reasons I got to celebrate Mother's Day! They are such blessings in my life!

I told Brett I just wanted a day off (which is what I always ask for) for Mother's Day and his is what I was spoiled with this year! We hadn't invested in a double stroller yet and since we've been training for a relay race Brett thought this would be great for the longer runs when I can't hop on the treadmill inside and watch the kids at the same time. That....and I think he was a little embarrassed by how I would make our single stroller into a "ghetto-double" by throwing Emri on top in an awkward position! This was a great surprise :)

 I also got the "day off" that I asked for and spent the day before Mother's Day in Park City with my mom. We shopped the outlets for a few hours....longer than planned and had to skip lunch altogether (which I'm still craving my fave--Baja Cantina) so I might need to make another trip up there soon just for food! Brett kept the kids all day and I came home to a yummy meal and treats prepared by them. So grateful to be part of this family that takes such good care of me!

This year I thought a lot about not only being a mother now myself and celebrating my own mom, but those who long to be mothers....and though may not have children themselves how much of an impact they are in the lives of children around them. My kids are blessed with several women like this in their lives. People who nurture, love, and care for them like their own.

Also, those who might not get to spend Mother's Day with their own mom's each year, my heart hurts for you. Just being away for several years was hard not to be there in person to give a hug to the mother's in my life. I know several people who read my blog may not have that opportunity for several years to come but I hope you know I was thinking of you and hope that you were able to have a happy moment that day by having sweet memories of your own mom's in your heart.

Also, there are so so many women in my life that I have looked up to as "motherly" figures and still do as I'm trying to figure this all out with my own kids. I've had amazing young women leaders, best-friend's moms, grandmothers, sister-in-laws, a mother-in-law and good friends who now are amazing mothers that have really helped mold me as a person and a mother, and though I still have A LOT to learn I'm grateful everyday for the example and love they've shown me in my life. Thank you to all the women I know, "mothers" or not, you are amazing and I'm grateful you are part of my life in one way or another.