Shut the Door!

Lots of friends, good weather--not too hot, lots of time outdoors. Nicholas has taken to announcing every rule he has learned: Rule 1 -- Tell me where you're going.
Nick: Can I go to Necie's?
Me: Yes.
Nick: I'm going to Necie's now.
Me: Okay.
Nick: Okay. I'm going to Necie's. You said I could, right?
Me: Right, you can go.
Nick: I can go?
Me: Yes! Yes! Go! Go!

Rule 2 -- Shut the door when you come in or go out.
Nick: I'm going to Necie's.
Me: Thanks for telling me.
Nick: I'm shutting the door when I go out.
Me: Thanks for following the rules.
Nick: Bye, Mom. I'm going to shut the door.
Me: Thank you.
Nick: Okay. Did you say I could go to Necie's?
Me: Yes! Yes! Go! Go!

I can yell at them to shut the door on the way in, but on the way out they're long gone... And so I get up one more time and shut the door! A few weeks ago, trying to be positive, I said to my mother-in-law... "I guess I shouldn't complain, I'll miss the messy bathrooms and sticky floor when they're gone." She just looked at me and said, "No you won't." What a relief. There will be so much else to miss--little voices, little hands, big imaginations--I'm glad I get to at least enjoy a clean house.

I just shouted, "Shut the Door!" again.

But with all the coming and going, you know there is lots of fun to be had. For the last two weeks we've had the water slide up and running!







My third Echo Triathlon. I went to the lake to practice a week before and instead of feeling confident, felt absolute dread. But after my pool swim the day before I actually got excited. I had fun -- made it to the second buoy in the lake before I lost my composure (darn idling boat fumes!) and enjoyed the bike and endured the run. I didn't beat my time, but I did finish and that's always a good feeling.


That night 3 of my best friends from high school (we went on to be college roommates) came over with their families. Kids are getting older -- they're now the ages we were when we first became best friends. Two are Juniors in high school. 5 more are in Jr. High. We have 18 kids between us. All of us have had a taste of the sweetness of life and the sorrow. I was sad I didn't think of getting a photo of the four of us all together.

Marty headed out Monday morning for his Scout 50 miler. I'll post a picture when we download them from the camera he took. They hiked over 6 miles the first day and 5 miles the second both with his 25 pound pack. The third day was 17 miles (without packs) to the highest point in Utah -- King's Peak. The following day they hiked 11 more miles to get home. He said the best part was summiting King's Peak and his wool socks. The best part of being home is showering, sleeping on a pillow and real food.

Monday afternoon we took the Chris, Nick and friends to play in the fountains at The Gateway.



We went to Thanksgiving Point with Gram and friends on Wednesday -- the most beautiful gardens in Utah.





There's a frog in the middle of this lake. From close up you see only the algae growing. But it's covered with lily pads and beautiful pink, purple and white flowers growing on them.

Last night we went up the canyon and roasted hot dogs and salmon kebobs and had a picnic with Gram and Jo Ellen. Only a 15 minute drive up the canyon to picnic tables, fire pits, a stream and cool weather.