A day at the Circus....

Tate has been bugging Mike and I about taking him to the Ringling Brothers and Barnium Bailey Circus since he saw the advertisement on the television. When I checked the prices, I was shocked at the cost and we tried to talk Tate out of it. Then I was offered some extra patient visits for the infusion company I work with.  It was ironic that the cost was close to exactly what I was paid for these nursing visits. I knew I had to take him to the Circus and I am so glad we took the opportunity to do it. It was a memory maker. This quote kept creeping in my mind when I was trying to discourage Tate from going. I had heard it from President Monson in Conference a few years ago.  Here is the quote:

I’ve shared with you previously an example of this philosophy. I believe it bears repeating. Many years ago, Arthur Gordon wrote in a national magazine, and I quote:

“When I was around thirteen and my brother ten, Father had promised to take us to the circus. But at lunchtime there was a phone call; some urgent business required his attention downtown. We braced ourselves for disappointment. Then we heard him say [into the phone], ‘No, I won’t be down. It’ll have to wait.’

“When he came back to the table, Mother smiled. ‘The circus keeps coming back, you know,’ [she said.]

“‘I know,’ said Father. ‘But childhood doesn’t.’” ²

This photo was after the stunts on wire with a motorcycle. His face says it all!

 The Circus would not be complete without popcorn!

 Love this smile....

We thought this man was crazy to get in the cage with all those lions and tigers....

The Splash Park.....

 A new splash park opened in our area and we purchased bikes for each family member this last year, so we have been riding our bikes to the splash pad.  On one of our adventures Dad and Dylan plotted a plan to get capture Tate and soak him in the water. Let the adventure begin.....

 They captured him and in the water he goes....

 Getting soaked.....

 And more soaked......

 Poor Tate.......

 But, he enjoyed every minute of it and is back to his silly self......

 Dylan got some water in his ears.....

Crazy maneuvers to get the water out....

Toothless Tate.............

 This silly guy has been losing his teeth. The places he loses his teeth at, and the story behind each tooth is hilarious and worth sharing.  This is the first tooth he lost at the pool. He lost it while swimming and he dove to the bottom of the pool to retrieve it. He then pulled funny faces to show off his new grin.

 Here is his cute smile now. He lost the second tooth this past week at school while eating pizza in the cafeteria. I hope it did not hit another child in the forehead or somewhere else. Tate told us the tooth went flying when he took the pizza out of his mouth after having a big bite of pizza. He claims he searched the cafeteria with a few friends and he was unsuccessful in finding the tooth. He wrote this sweet letter to the tooth fairy. Mike is keeping it in his book of treasures. And yes, the tooth fairy found him.

It says "Tutt fery sory but I lost my tuth can I still have som muny love Tate. " It is a treasure!

We went to the Ogden Temple with Grandpa and Grandma Green while the boys were off-track. It was a great experience and we answered many questions about the Temple that the boys had. We went to Brigham City after the Temple open house and enjoyed a delicious meal at Maddox. We also picked up some peaches and jams.

The Ogden Temple is getting re-dedicated after a complete make-over. It was beautiful and intricate. The boys were fascinated, especially by the fountain.

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The sun was really bright after coming out of the Temple.

It is such a beautiful Temple! Mike and I are planning an outing to go to the Temple after it is dedicated.

Labor Day.....

 For Labor Day we headed to Parowan. Mike stayed home and was able to study in silence. This year our family participated in the 5k Run/Walk in honor of my mom who is fighting breast cancer. The boys made these adorable shirts and everyone decked out in pink. We entered the boys in the walk and let them run. My mom and I started walking with them and then they took off. My sisters and sister-in-laws ran. My mom decided she would walk with me and the kids. We started the race and the boys started running we had not even walked 2 miles before these boys lapsed us and Tate was out in front with a good distance. I couldn't believe it since he does not run. He was working it though and I thought he would give out. My Dad and brother came and met my mom and I to give my mom some water and we told them to go to the finish line to watch for the kids.  When my dad arrived at the finish line, Tate was sitting on the curb at the finish line waiting for someone to come and get him. My dad was informed by a few citizens that Tate had won the walk/race. We were all shocked. Apparently, we have a runner in our family. We were all so proud of him and the Gentleman that came in second place gave him fifty dollars. Tate was so excited about the money he cared less about anything more.

 Here is the winner with his water and fifty dollar bill. He purchased a cool Lego set with the money.

 His name is listed under the 5K Walk as the winner. The 2nd place winner was the Gentleman who gave him the money. So classy....

 The kids enjoying the parade and waiting for candy....

 So fun to hang out with cousins. The boys love Labor Day in Parowan....

 We spent some fun days in the mountains this past summer. We love to go hiking and a few weeks ago we went to Big Cottonwood Canyon for a leisurely hike. I grabbed my camera and had some fun taking photos. I love photography. It is a fun little side hobby. We asked this couple along the hike to take a photo. After she started snapping photos Mike and I realized she was just a bit intoxicated. We had a pretty good laugh at some of the photos.

 Mike took the camera and captured some awesome photos. The hike was gorgeous and the sun was just setting. Love this photo, love these boys of mine more.....

 Dad and the boys. I really love this photo.

 Our handsome Bubba....

 These boys would live in the mountains if we would let them.....

 More rocks for Tate to climb on. He always manages to find the rocks. I think he will be a rock climber one day.....

 Boys being Boys. The magic of the arm farting..............

 But they are so handsome.......

 Dylan looks like he has been attacked by the worms. It is actually his rubber band bracelet that he won't  leave home without.

 Tate read us some information on clean water........

 The ducks were beautiful and so is being in the mountains...........

A little oasis in Utah..............