Nothing says Summer like BBQ's and Pirates...

We are reaching that point where it is almost time to say good-bye to summer! I frankly cannot believe it, this summer has flown by. Probably because we have been out doing so much and having a lot of fun, and not stuck inside a house with the AC blasting trying to escape the hottest heat of Tucson.

On Friday we went to an LFM closing BBQ. It was really great, and fun to see everyone that Todd has been going to class with for the last few months. It is nice to have a small break with Todd, and have him relatively stress free. We are really proud of him for all the hard work and the good job he has done this last semester. I have always admired Todd for his diligence and dedication, and the way he sets his mind to accomplish even the hardest of tasks. Only Todd can make going to MIT seem like a piece of cake.

On Saturday morning some good friends of ours woke us up and told us that some Pirates had invaded our playground the night before and buried treasure! The boys were really excited, and they loved digging for their "coins" and "jewels". We are so grateful that we live in the community that we live in here, and have already made some friendships that we know will last a lifetime.

We are on to the Wedding Extravaganza (as I have entitled it) this week in Utah and there will sure to be a large post coming of our exciting Utah trip. Good luck to Jon who is in the last week of Bachelorhood!

This is the SO (significant other) group of the LFM's 10's. They are a great group of ladies.

Some of Todd's classmates at the BBQ.

Todd teaching Thatcher how to play football. He is hoping to cash in on Thatcher's size...

Thatcher and some of his friends running around silly.

Digging for treasure.

A REAL coin!

The sandbox all dug up!

He was very dedicated to his pirate cause...

The cutest little pirates I have ever seen.

When Taggy sees Pirate
hats he says, "ARRRR" in his most ferocious voice. I was trying to teach Thatcher how to say,
"drink up me hearties yo ho!" but it didn't go over too well. I guess we will leave that one to Capn' Jack for now.

Bawling like a baby....

Okay so I am siting here bawling like a blubbering school girl. I just think these girls are too cute, and I am so happy that they won Gold and Silver. I don't know what it is about this Olympics, but I am crying EVERY NIGHT! I cry when Michael Phelps wins, and when I see his mom crying with pride in the stands. I bawled when Nastia Luikin hugged her Dad when she won the gold, I bawled when she and Shawn Johnson stood on the podium. I cry when I hear the anthem and see our flag. I cry at the human interest stories, and those blasted Johnson and Johnson commericals when the athlets thank their mothers. I am like a sobbing idiot! And no, I am not pregnant.

Rainy days...

So here are a few things we have been doing since it has been raining for a week...thankfully today the sun is out and it is BEAUTIFUL! I keep telling Todd that it is worth a few stormy, rainy days for the absolutely GORGEOUS days of late summer and fall of New England.

Yesterday we went to an indoor play area of a VERY posh mall in the area. I am talking Tiffany's, Pottery Barn, ect. It was fun to walk around and look at all the stores, window shopping of course. The boys liked the little play area, and it was nice to let them run off some steam after being in the house for a couple days because of the rain.

We also had to wait in line for 30 mintues at the bank to open up a new bank account. Waiting 30 minutes in line with two very active little boys is a recipe for DISASTER! Good thing Todd was there to entertain them! They sure love their Daddy!

Dream Dinners

Last night I organized a Relief Society trip to Dream Dinners. If you haven't heard about Dream Dinners, Super Suppers, Let's Dish, ect. it is an ingenious idea where you go and make meals that are delicious and stock in your freezer. I go and make a whole months worth of dinners, and that way I never have to ask "what is for dinner tonight?". It has saved us time, and money, which is always important on a student budget! We had a great group of girls go last night and we had a blast assembling all our meals for the month! If you haven't checked to see if you have one of these great little places near you, you should!

Swiming Lessons and Crafts

My friend Becky and the boys making a butterfly at the park today. Cambridge has some awesome free things for parents and kids to do during the day.

Taggy and me at the park, I am going to break him of the blasted binkie soon...but he was grumpy and so I gave it to him...

Thacher at the wonderful pool here at MIT. He is enrolled in "beginning beavers" (MIT's mascot is the beaver) He is doing really well and LOVES the water.

Dylan and Thatcher before swim lessons. They are best buddies.

Caught in the Rain...

On our way home from the library today we got caught in a HUGE thunderstorm. It was crazy/a little scary/hilarious. The boys and I were SOAKED and I cannot believe Taggy actually fell asleep! Poor little guy. As we were walking in the rain and I was pushing the stroller I couldn't help but think of the Pioneers on this day when we commemorate their arrival to the Salt Lake Valley. I only had to walk for 1 mile in the pouring rain with two kids crying and screaming. The rain was blinding and I could hardly open my eyes at times. As a mother I cannot imagine what those great pioneer women had to go through. I am grateful for and admire their sacrifice and faith, their diligence and dedication. As for us we are safe and warm and waiting our new stroller to come with a weather guard!

:When it's Summertime and the weather is fine..."

There is LOTS to do in the Summer in Boston! We have been keeping VERY busy lately with daily outings to some of the many fun things to do in the city.

Our ward has a Summer Outing group that goes somewhere fun every Wednesday. We have done Tie Dying, gone to this really fun local park with a playground, sandpit and splash pad, and to Walden Pond.

Thursdays we go with our new friends Becky and her kids Dylan (who is 4) and Avery (who is 6 months) to the Library for story time and then pick out new Library books to read for the summer reading program. Thatcher loves coloring in his little book so that he can get a prize from the Librarian when we go. After Library time we walk to McDonald's for lunch. Thatcher and Dylan get along really well. Dylan lives upstairs from us and Dylan's Dad, Doug, is Todd's TA. We see them often and they are really fun friends.

Yesterday we went with the LFM SO group to a famous spot in the Boston Commons, the Frog Pond. It is a huge 6 inch deep wading pool that was packed with kids and parents. In the Winter it is a ice rink, so we are for sure going to have to go back and try it out. The boys love water and it was a nice relief from the heat and humidity we have been having lately.

It is great to have so much to do, and to enjoy all the fun Summer activities while they last.

The Splash pad at Dana Park

Thatcher didn't waste any time, he jumped right in.



Taggy on the other hand was a little put off by the cold sprinklers.

The only picture I got at Walden Pond. Thoreau would turn in his grave if he saw all this nonsense at his peaceful, tranquil, pond.

Thatcher and Taggy running into the Frog Pond. They were

ready for some relief from the heat!

Our little froggy in the Frog Pond.

Trying to immerse himself in water.

The moms of the SO group.

Brotherly love.

Knock Knock...

The boys are going through a phase of LOVING knock knock jokes. It is so cute and funny. The way Taggy says "knock knock" cracks us up!

Memories

I saw this "tag" game on a old friend's blog. You don't have to join in, but I thought it sounded like fun.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Hot Summer Days

What is better than sharing an otter pop on a hot, humid, Boston summer day?

4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone! We had a great holiday weekend visiting my parents and David in Rhode Island. It was a much needed getaway, and we enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the suburbs and a small town 4th. On the 4th we all went to WALL-E which was just okay. The boys did absolutely great, it was the movie that was a downer I thought. Pixar, you need to step it up my friends. First Ratatoowee and now this nonsense with very liberal undertones? Where have all the Toy Stories and Incredibles' gone? Anyway, after WALL-E we packed up and went to a park for the Fireworks show. We met several of the ward members there and had a picnic dinner and watched the AWESOME Firework show. There must have been 30 minutes of Fireworks and the boys did really good. Taggy was okay as long as my Dad was holding his ears, he didn't like the noise, and Thatcher was amazed for about 5 minutes and then asked "when are we going home". All around it was a fun weekend! We are very grateful for this beautiful country where we have the freedoms we enjoy.

The boys with their "Happy 4th of July" t-shirts.

Thatcher being silly.

Dave is too cool for the 4th of July.

Grandpa and Taggy with Taggy's "magic glasses"!

Grandma and Grandpa striking a Independence Day Pose!

This little video is Taggy showing us what the Fireworks were going to go "BOOM"!


Thatcher and Daddy watching the fireworks, with Todd wearing the infamous "magic glasses"!

Success! Two tired happy boys.

Best Buddies, Best Enemies...Best Brothers

Thatcher and Tagg have gotten to the point where they have a serious love/hate relationship. They are either fighting, wrestling, stealing toys from one another or on the other hand hugging, giggling, and now are in cahoots teaming up against me and getting into mischief. I will break up a fight, where both boys are SCREAMING at the top of their lungs, send Thatcher to his room for hitting Tagg and immediately after he stops crying, Taggy will run back into the room to find Thatcher. It is frustrating and very adorable at the same time.


This morning while I was getting ready I heard both of them run into the back room giggling and whispering. When I went in, I found that Thatcher had stolen the camera and was taking a photo shoot. From that time on whenever my back was turned one would try to steal the camera, and when I would turn around or grab the camera from one of them, the other would giggle. Enough to drive me insane. Thank heavens I don't have twins.

After discovering that Tagg didn't like the bubbles pointed at him, Thatcher chased him around with the bubble machine laughing.
Poor Tagg, don't worry, he can hold his own with Thatcher.

Last night when I checked on the boys they were sleeping like this...

Taggy can now climb out of his crib (the dreaded day for parents with toddlers) and all he wants to do it climb into bed with Thatcher. At nap time yesterday I 'caught' Thatcher laying next to Tagg in bed reading to him. When I walked in they covered their heads with the blanket laughing. I love these boys!