What do the Daniels do in August?

Oh we've been busy...chop your head off, run around like a chicken, BUSY! So here's the round-up:

IOWA - We visited Eric's darling Iowa family who treated us like royalty and spoiled us rotten. We went to the Iowa State Fair, Eric came in 2nd place in the Adel Sweet Corn Festival Corn-Shucking Competition [he lost to his sis-in-law Brandy who shucked 18 ears of corn in 1 minute!!! Take that "America's Got Talent"] we went to the parade, rode 4-wheelers and golf carts, took our annual trip to the toy store, we bbq'd and swam and enjoyed great company. A terrific trip that we've been taking every year for the last five years or so. We look so forward to re-connecting with family and we sure appreciate all that they do to make us feel right at home.

This is the playhouse...that I want to move into.
Ethan got his golf cart driver's license - I'm still not sure about riding with him.

All-you-can-eat sweet corn - is anything better?

Grandma Mimi won 1st place at the Iowa State Fair for her Gypsy Wagon in miniature. Great surprise!!! We were so proud!

Learning the ropes at the Iowa State Fair - we call this "training" for their future summer jobs.

WE CELEBRATED A BIRTHDAY

a little boy turned 5 ... and we celebrated like crazy. Ethan - we love you. We think you are so funny and sweet and you have such a sensitive heart that makes me want to squeeze you. You are a great brother and such a happy kid. You are smart and you figure things out so quickly. You have an amazing memory and you are the high-energy, spirited kid that I like to think your Dad was when he was your age. You'll do great things and I can't wait to be there to cheer you on! Happy 5th Birthday Ethan!

Ethan got a "big kid" bike.

The traditional breakfast in bed. Ethan ordered eggs, bacon, sausage and steak. (we skipped the steak)

We spent the morning at Bounce U for a little bouncy fun!

No one was really sure about the firecracker candle...especially when the smoke alarms started going off! Ethan and Uncle Scott have close birthdays so we celebrated together!

WE TOOK A TRIP TO CALI!

We took off for a weekend and went to California. We hung out with some of our favorite people...Tony and Michelle (+kids), John & Kelley (+kid and they even had another baby while we were there - welcome to the world little Georgia!!), the always amazing Kraus family and we even got to spend a few minutes with some of my family that were there for my cousin Chris' mission farewell (HE'S GOING TO ROME!!!) We spent a day at the beach and took a day to go to Legoland. Our trips to Cali always seem to be rushed and so fast but we sure pack the fun in!

Rock band is a fun, albeit slightly embarassing game.

Who doesn't want to be friends with this guy?

This is the one ride that Ty got to go on...the rest of the time he pretty much hung out in the stroller. But he was such a good sport about it!

Good Thursday Morning!

Nothing says {good-morning-thursday-i'm-happy-that-you're-here} more than a BUBBLE BATH. It was meant for Ty [who found breakfast a little too exciting], but a bath full of bubbles is just too sparkly - and so there was a party - in my tub. I think I need a bigger bathtub.

A Letter to a Long Lost Friend

Dear Waistline,

Hi! Do you remember me? I vaguely remember you from about 5 years ago when we last parted during pregnancy #1. I remember how I could wear a belt around you and button the top button of my pants. Oh, those were good times, weren't they? I've missed you. I know I've put you through a lot lately - three babies in four years is hardly easy to ignore - but I know you can do it and I've been working very hard to find you. I search for you every morning at 5:30 and then I think about you many times during the day. Even though I try to ignore it, I have guilt that I let you go. Can't you please come back, even if it's just for a short time? I might find out that I like Oreo Cakesters more than I like you and if that's the case, so be it. We'll part ways once again and I'll feel better knowing that it was me and not you. So, if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to see you again and I'd love it even more if you stuck around for a while. I'll be waiting, but please don't expect me to be patient forever.

Your long, lost friend,
Me

Ty turned 1

Can't believe this little baby is already 1!!! Time has gone by so quickly this past year. He is such a happy baby - lots of fun and he always has a grin that looks like he is getting away with something. He is learning to hold his own with his brothers and we love his amazing dance moves - seriously he is talented!!! You've gotta see this kid's eyelashes - so long and his eyes are BRIGHT BLUE! His smile lights up and entire room. He will eat anything and everything that you put in front of him and he loves cupboards - opening and closing and fishing out whatever he can. He is a magnet to the stairs and knows that he isn't supposed to be going up and down yet - just a little mischief in him. Ty fits in perfectly with our family! I can't wait to see his future :) Love you Ty-ger!

I have a sister...

... named BECKY who just started her food blog. She already has some great recipes which I will be copying when I decide to give up this horrid "eating healthy" thing that I wish I never even started. Check it....

http://www.satisfyingmysweettooth.blogspot.com/

John Mayer Got a Haircut!

Eric took me on a date. It was a Wednesday but I guess that because it is summer, Wednesday night dates are okay. Besides, it was awesome and he might have a hard time topping this one...we went to the John Mayer Concert! Eric scored some great 6th row tickets. I knew that I liked John Mayer but he sounds even better LIVE! He's pretty funny too and he is dating Jennifer Aniston which makes him even more appealing. Don't you think??? Now even though John was wearing CAPRI SWEATS (yes it was odd) and really funny high top sneakers and he had a lot of tattoos which I guess I've never really noticed, he is VERY HANDSOME and his new haircut was all the buzz (no pun intended) when he walked onstage. I would imagine that longerish, straggly hair would get extra sweaty and hot in 100 degree weather while rocking out onstage. Good call on the new 'do John. When you get back here to Phoenix (when it is a little cooler please), call me and I'll come to your show again. Can I bring Eric? He made your concert extra fun! Thanks Eric D.

Utah Rocks!

The boys and I drove up to Utah a couple of weeks ago to get out of the heat, to see family and to get out of the heat. Eric had a business trip to San Diego so I figured what the heck -take a little drive north. We had LOTS of fun in Hurricane with Val & family. We went to the new Washington Rec Center and swam at their great new pool, we shopped at Tai Pan and John was nice enough to watch the kids while Val and I went and saw The Sound of Music at Tuacahn. We knew all the words to all the songs and we knew that if Liesl and Gretyl broke a leg onstage and they needed some quick replacements, we could do it thanks to all of our childhood experience at Los Ayres Ballet Studio. Alas, it was not to be but we had oodles of fun anyway! So after a few days in Hurricane we headed north yet again and traveled to Grandpa Brian's in Panguitch (population 2000). Now I don't know if you have ever been to Panguitch, but they do things a little differenly around there. Nonetheless, it is a place where kids can run free and be one with nature and all that good stuff. There really is something special about small towns. For instance, we went to the grocery store while we were there. It's called Joe's Market and when we walked in you'll never guess who we met....Joe, the owner of Joe's Market. I don't know about you but I've never met Frye or Safeway or Albertson before. It was nice to know that the guy that owned the market really was at the market. (Joe did say that he probably should have named it Zion because he owes them for the next 40 years...too bad!) Grandpa Brian and his family own a restaurant in Panguitch called Foy's Country Corner Cafe and as a patron of that establishment, I can tell you that the house omelet is the tastiest omelet I have ever had. I was amazed at how many people walked into that restaurant and peaked their head into the kitchen to say hello to Brian's 90-year-old mother Mary (who is still the head cook - although it seems like they might be breaking some labor laws or something). There is just something special about a little place where "everybody knows your name. And their always glad you came." (SING IT!) So thanks Grandpa Brian for letting us invade your house and your restaurant and your town. We had such a great time and we hope you let us come back again soon!

Our little fishing trip was a HUGE success!

Ethan caught a fish!!!

All of the walking cousins!


The highlight of the parade - Darth Vader and Boba Fett. I'm so glad they didn't disappoint!
My nephew Tallen. I love this kid!

Sarah, Ali and Ethan - just hanging out.

My cousin Cole who came down to work in the cafe.

We mow lawns! Only $10 a lawn!

We drive cars!

This is my niece Ali - running through the sprinklers!

The two week birthday...

Because we were out of town on Drew's actual 3rd birthday and because when we got home we had his "Dinosaur Party" and then a party with Eric's family, his birthday was celebrated many times. So many, in fact, that by #3 - he knew exactly how to put his own candles in. After the third round of presents he happy yelled "THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!" At least he knew how lucky he is!

4th of JULY

Another favorite holiday...it always means good food, fireworks, flags, swimming and great friends! What's not to love???

New Phoenix Children's Museum

I love it when we discover a new activity (INDOORS) to do with the kids in the summer. A few weeks ago, my friend Becca and our kids all headed out to Phoenix to check out the new Phoenix Children's Museum. It was so much fun and our kids just loved it. They still have a few things to finish and there are more exhibits to come but we were greatly impressed. We'll be back!