Hogle Zoo

We've been wanting to check out the Hogle Zoo for sometime, and were so glad that we finally did. There was a darling little baby elephant, the giraffes got just feet away from us, and the massive male tiger was on the prowl. Plus, Robbie finally mastered the carousel (no, seriously, we have spent the last 4 years buying tickets only to pull a crying child off the ride).

I thought this was so funny. We were surrounded by exotic animals of the world, and Ty was most fascinated by the squirrel in the tree. Go figure.

Pumpkin Patch

It's our second year in a row, and I am just as pleased. The pumpkin patch in Paradise, Utah is fabulous! Any pumpkin, any size, $2. Robbie had been begging for a white one, and Ty gravitated only to those he could carry himself (so his is like the size of a grapefruit) but it was a blast. We went with Rob's parents and sister Haley & her family. I so love fall!!!

Horsies

They're obsessed! We seem to be surrounded by horses, and with that comes the responsibility to feed them, right? It's so cute; the kids save their wilted carrots or wild apples that we pick from a nearby orchard and regularly make trips to feed our neighboring horsies. Just this morning we went for a little four-wheeler ride and happened upon four horses in an alfalfa field behind our house. You got it--15 minutes of picking and feeding. The craziest part is the kids have no fear--at all! Ty and Robbie both boss 'em around and get mad if they bite or nudge. So funny to watch!

Well, when my friend Aimee told me how cheep the pony rides were at Thanksgiving Point, I knew it was time for a trip. $3.50 and the kids were in heaven (we even went back for a second ride). Robbie had to wear his "cowboy ring"--the nail rings they make in Nauvoo--and then it was giddy-up from then on! Ty's been so proud of himself that he tells everyone he's a cowboy.

Answers to Prayers

Robbie's job everyday is to venture to the mailboxes and get our mail. Well, a few days ago, our key wasn't in it's usual spot in the junk drawer. The three of us (Robbie, Ty, and I) began our search but were unsuccessful.

"Wait, Mom," Robbie said, "I have an idea! Let's ask Heavenly Father where it is! He'll help us find it!"

"Great idea, Robbie," I said before we all knelt down in their bedroom.
When we were done, I looked up to find Robbie's eyes full of faith. Before us was the boys' hamper; I immediatly dug in, grabbing Ty's shorts first thing--the keys were hanging from its pocket.

We said a prayer of thanks . . . I lingered a little longer, thanking God for teaching my children that He does listen and answer their prayers.


Not a week later (tonight, actually) I was putting the boys to sleep. Robbie was very concerned about a scab on his leg. I brushed it off, saying he was fine and quietly snuggled next to Ty. Minutes passed and Robbie must have thought I was gone, so he quickly whispered another darling prayer:
"Heavenly Father, please bless that my scab won't hurt me anymore . . ."
Thirty seconds later, he was asleep.

The Big 4!

And there he is! He got a custom-made BYU football uniform (with his name and number, 7--just for Rob, on the back). He wouldn't wear the jersey, but was in this all day (a little confused, though about where the shoulder pads go!). He has no desire to be a quarterback or reciever--no, he wants to tackle people . . . hard.

On Saturday we had a little party for him. Cupcakes, a pinata, slip 'n' slide fun . . . it was perfect!

And now, for the official interview:

*Disclaimer--these things often change by the day or hour, but I just had to put them down for the record.*

Favorite Color: Green and blue

Best Friend: Caden and Cole

Favorite food: Beans and avacado sandwiches

Favorite Drink: Water

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate

Favorite Sport: Football, "I don't like baseball anymore."

Favorite Movie: Berenstein Bears

Favorite TV show: Super Readers (Super Why!)

Favorite Animal: Lion

Favorite Toy: My football helmet and "light saver."

What do you want to be when you grow up: "A tummy fixer. When someone's tummy hurts, I want to get them water and make them feel better. Or else a guy who goes into the forest and makes sure all the animals are okay."

Robbie weights 38.6 lbs (75%) and is 41 1/2" tall (75%). He is like his mom in that he loves people! He loves to play and socialize. He is gentle-natured and tender like his daddy, but competative and aggressive. He is a very obedient little boy, very aware of right and wrong. He is a protector of all, especially Ty and anyone whose feelings might be hurt. He is delightful and wonderful and we love him to peices. Happy Birthday, Robbie!

Surgery Day

After years of pain, Rob finally decided to go under the knife and get his knee fixed. The funniest part is how apathetic he was at first. He's been doing orthopedic rotations for most of the year, it seems, and kept telling me to just come get him in an hour--"This one's no big deal!"

Ha! Hours later, I went to the recovery room to find him completely GREEN! He dry-heaved the whole way home and was sick for the rest of the day. His actual knee hasn't been hurting him at all (and he's taken NO pain medications for fear of more nausea), but the anesthesia was terrible, as are the blisters that are forming from tubing and the brace that rub his leg. Still, he came home from two months of out-rotations on Saturday, had the surgery Monday, and was back to work on Wednesday. He's an animal, that one.

Slip 'n' Slide

I love the slip 'n' slide, but especially since we hook up the warm water to it! Aunt Aricka, Uncle Johnny, and his girlfriend Chelsie all came up for a little wet action a few weeks ago--what a blast! The boys' favorite part was being launched on their backs and backward--crazy! My favorite part, as the designated camera lady, was seeing how every slide ended up in an awkward pose. Hilarious! Robbie
Chelsie

Aricka

Ty

Johnny