This is the Place Heritage Park

We finally had a free weekend to spend as a family with no plans of being out of town. We have always wanted to take the kids to "Heritage Park" and it was cooler weather for August so we decided to go for it. This family pic was taken after 6 hours at the park and no nap - look at Madison I think she is done.


Beautiful Day!!!

Flying on an eagle - nice face Carter.

We visited several "pioneer" homes and each had an activity to teach or do.

There is a first and last time for everything - It was a great experience to have the kids see how clothes and items were cleaned before machines.

Playing around with the toys.

Madison and Carter listening to the explianation of sheering.

Each person had an optional 3 activities per entrance fee. The kids of course choose to ride the horses for one of their activities.

Love Jaiden's face - that is a real smile, she is laughing because her horse is trying to leave or go the wrong way.

I was nervous because they didn't have any ropes or seat belts around the kids and these were horses farther off the ground than a simple pony. Madison held on great.

The worker gave Carter her hat and told him to be a cowboy.

Petting Zoo - mom and dads favorite :)

Madison loved this baby goat.

She was concerned and kept pointing to a bigger black goat telling him to go to his mommy.

She finally forcefully (atleast not by the neck) pushed the baby goat towards the "mommy."

Madison still trying to direct the goat to its "mommy."

See there is your mommy - no you need to stay by your mommy.

Jaiden bugging her dad - looks like a hug but she is raelly harassing him.

Carter loving the bunnies.

Oink, oink, oink.

REAL blacksmiths - Carter thought this was Awsome.

We watched them produce a flower out of a nail. Amazing.

Making marbles out of clay.

Searching for "indian" beads to make bracelets.

Carter was proud of his walking stick.

Indian village

All the kids received arrow head necklaces.

Smashing corn into flour.

SMILE

Try again this time with your eyes open

NOPE.

Arrow head necklace - COOL

Stop everything I see a bee.

Mountain man showing how to melt metal and make bullets

This is a facial I see often - love you sweets.

Shoot out at the top of main street at the bank - robbers never win.

Madison of course was scared for her life and started screaming.

Making leather decor

School time games

Face Painting

Tug of war

Carter was holding on so tight the other side started to pull him even though he was on the ground. Fun to watch.

Egg Toss

WINNERS

Sack Races

WINNER

Madison wanted to try

Jump, jump, jump

Go girl go.

Not sure what that finger is doing but she makes that face with open mouth when she doesn't like what someone is doing - I will keep trying to capture on film

Long Day - "I tired, time sleep"

Heading out of the park

Making the exit out down main street.

Educational and fun - highly recommend.

Glad Nana and Pa could come along.

Thanks Jason ...

Jason shared the Thriller video with our kids in memory of Michael Jackson. Now they won't sleep through the night. - Thanks Jason.

Jason also spent some quality time with the kids watching Storm Chasers. Now the kids are extremely frightened of wind and storms - Thanks Jason.

Just yesterday it was extremely windy and Carter was screaming and crying by the time he got in the house from school. He was totally freakin' out because he saw shingles coming off our roof and thought our roof was going fly off. Of course Jason's response later that evening was - "why don't I give you a video camera and you can chase the twister kid" and "Why don't you guys go get your skates on and I will give you a jacket or blanket and you can use it as a sail and see how fast you can go" - teasing, teasing, all the time. I feel bad for his sisters having to grow up with him.

We love you daddy!!!!!

Potty Training?

How do you know it is time to potty train? When you 2.5 year old keeps taking her diaper off and going potty on the toilet. Or crossing her legs to hold her "peepee" while having a diaper on.

We keep finding Madison walking around the house without a diaper - just bare buns staring at you. Not to mention they are white and the rest of her is extremely tan. We also keep finding dry diapers in the bathrooms.

A week ago she even went "poop" in the toilet. Carter was with her and I am not sure who was more excited Madison or Carter. It was really cute to see her big brother so excited for her.

Well I finally broke down and bought training panties for her. The next morning the first thing she asked for was panties. She went potty on the toilet then we put on the panties. About an hour later she came to me and said, "I need potty." I told her to go and she ran down the hall. Carter and I followed and she went peepy and poop. She kept saying, "no peepy panties, run down leg and get on floor." Yep that's right.

It has been four days and only 2 accidents (in the bathroom - waited to long and couldn't get on toilet quick enough)

When home she is very independent and doesn't tell me when she needs to go potty she just heads into the bathroom herself. Least to say our toilet paper costs are going to equal out not buying diapers.

Another positive is she didn't decide to wear panties on Halloween like her older sister. (Jaiden)

We will see how the rest of the week goes.

Carter Comments ...

Jason had to go over to the stake center to fill the font for Jaiden's baptism. Carter wanted to go with and as Jason was starting the water Carter asked, "Is the Prophet OK with us doing this?"

After discussing a story about Jesus and the cross Carter said, "Jesus struggled."

After a rain storm I heard Carter talking outside saying, "here's a worm, look here's a another worm" when he came inside I asked who he was saying that to and he said, "the birdies -- I was pointing out the worms to the birds"

Carter asked Jason, "If I get really tan will I still be a white person?"

Jason and Carter were driving and saw some lost ducks in the road and Carter's response was, "Oh so sad lost ducks, oooohhhhh so sad -- can we run them over?"

Carter's First Day of School

Carter had his first day of school at the "big school" (kindergarten). He did great. He woke up this morning and said he was happy to go to school. That was a surprise because just a day ago he was throwing a fit saying he wasn't going. We worked on his homework and it made him excited for school. Grace and Cameron picked him up and we all walked down to the school. He was a goof ball at the school while taking pictures, as you can see. He lined up when the bell rang and was smiling and waiving bye. It was sad to see him go but I was happy for him to start this next chapter of life. Madison cried when we left and started walking home. She is going to miss her "brodder".

Give it up

How do you know when it is time to give up your favorite seat???? When your legs get distorted when hanging out the bottom and your head goes past the top. Madison you are too big for the high chair! But she likes it on the floor with the tray to watch her shows while snacking.