Box Elder County Fair

If you've never been to the Box Elder County Fair you probably don't know what a BIG deal it is around here. It is the thing that EVERYONE looks forward to around here. I guess it is because we live in a rural community. Growing up I didn't even know that Davis County had a fair! Almost every kid around here has something they are putting in the fair whether it is an animal, a cake, a dress, a lego sculpture, a painting, you name it, it goes in the fair. I love going to see all of the exhibits and the creativity that goes into it. The fair is a whole week event and marks the last week of summer. In Box Elder school district they actually hold off starting school until it is over. It is THAT big of a deal. 

We have really come to love it and enjoy being part of the community (even if we do kind of feel out of place without our cowboy boots and wranglers.) This year Haken and Shad entered paintings into the fair. Shad has entered a painting every year since we have lived here and every year he gets the "Judge's choice" award in the Semi-professional category. This year he decided he wanted to put his painting into the Professional category (since he has sold a few paintings this year) and see what happens. Well, he ended up with 1st place in the Professional category, which isn't as good as Judge's choice or the Sweepstakes award but I think it is still great. He complains that it wasn't that big of a deal because it was only out of 2 paintings in his category since the others got judges choice and sweepstakes. Although, the guy in charge said that if he was the judge he would have picked his instead for the sweepstakes. Haken got a participation ribbon, but I think he should have placed. His little acrylic painting was pretty good for his age. I don't think he knows the difference though, a ribbon is a ribbon to a 5-yr-old.

Shad's painting of the Brigham temple and tabernacle

Haken's painting titled "powerline"

He copied this painting and I thought he did a pretty good job for a 5-yr-old and the limited acrylic paints he had available to him.

On Wednesday night we go to the parade that goes down Tremont street. It isn't a huge parade (and Shad isn't a huge fan), it mainly consisting of lots of tractors, emergency vehicles, high school bands, horses, and advertisements for every place around here. However, people line the streets with chairs and blankets 3 days in advance to make sure that they can get a place. We prefer just to walk there 10 minutes before and always find a front row seat anyway. This year Haken was freaked out about the noise. I think he had his ears covered the whole time. Not sure what his deal is with that lately. There was a semi truck driver that I wanted to kill though. He was stopped right in front of us for a while and kept honking his super loud train-like horn over and over. It was so loud that he had all three of our kids screaming and crying at one point. Really bugged about that one. I think Haken put up with the noise because he got TONS and TONS of candy. That is all the kids really care about anyway right? We like the parade to refill our candy reward jar every year. I think the candy from last year was getting pretty hard.

This is how we get him to smile lately...

Then sometime during the week we head to the fair to check out the animals and exhibits, eat some food, and ride the rides (if Grandma is with us). I think Haken really liked seeing all of the animals and exhibits this year. He made sure we didn't miss anything. 

Standing by the cows.

My sweetheart Jack

This was Jack's reaction to the sheep sticking it's head through
the bars and talking to him. He wasn't a fan of sheep at all.
He is even cute when he is terrified. Love him!

However, Haken liked the sheep.

Petting the bunny

Jack and aunt Jenni

This time Grandma came with us so the boys got to go on rides. This was the boy's favorite part, but you wouldn't know it from some of the pictures. Jack cried when he had to get off a ride. Not sure why they have creeped out faces as they ride the rides. The night we went was perfect! Because it was a Thursday night, there was hardly anyone there waiting in line. The boys got extra long rides because no one was there.

Riding the train. Can you tell how excited they are?!

Jack rode this one all by himself because
Haken wanted to go on something else.

Oh their faces just kill me!

Our July in pictures

If I had a post for every time I thought about updating my blog this last month, I would have a LOT of posts for the month of July.

Life with three kids is different, fun, and crazy all at the same time. I told Shad that I don't think I will ever feel like I am ahead again. I swear I am always behind and there are always things that need to be done. Gone are the days (for a while anyway) where I can just sit and read or work on my own projects. It is just enough to keep up with feedings, diaper changes, and kids running all over the place. Those rare moments when everyone is napping and the house is quiet I have taken naps instead of catching up on other things. So, although my body wakes up more rested, the mess is still there. Somehow I had hoped that when I woke up it would all be put back in its place.

* However, one day I did wake up to a clean house thanks to Haken who cleaned while I was asleep. Love that kid!

After saying all of that. I have to say that I LOVE being a mommy of these three kiddos!

I realize that I will not always be behind and things will get easier. I actually think I am getting pretty good at ignoring the things that aren't so important and focusing on the most important thing at that moment. I haven't been nearly as stressed about keeping a schedule and making sure Gracie is doing exactly what I want her to do at that moment. Luckily she is an easy baby and does what I want her to do most of the time.

So, instead of going back in time and making a separate post for everything we have done this month I'm going to give you a little snapshot and hope to do better this next month. I think afternoons when Haken is at kindergarten and the babies are sleeping will need to be my designated blogging time...or napping time, whichever is most needed at the time.

Here is our July:

Our family came and spent the 4th at our house. Gracie met Grandma and Grandpa G.G.

Jack played outside a LOT, despite the 100 degree weather.

Shad built a sandbox. The boys already love it, as do the neighborhood cats 

(we now have a cover in place by necessity..grrr).

The kids and I went to Willard Bay with some friends on a very hot 103 degree day.

Gracie's cord fell off and she had her first real bath. She slept through most of it.

My cousin came home from his mission so we visited family down south. My brother and sis-in-law also came into town and met their new niece. Gracie went to church for the first time. Isn't she pretty?!

Shad got an iphone (the biggest event of the month for him) and took lots of pictures.

Shad took Haken to an Ogden Raptors baseball game.

We went on our annual Alturas Lake trip with our friends. 

We stopped at the lava tube caves on the way up and attended church in Stanley, ID on Sunday

Gracie turned one month old!

Shad finally sold the scooter!

We went to the ward ice cream social

Popsicles

Gracie's blessing day

Gracie was given a name and a blessing by her daddy at church today. He said some great things especially about the great heritage of women that she comes from and the meaning of her name. I am always impressed by the composure that Shad has as he blesses our children. I am always falling apart on the bench. I think it is because I feel so blessed to have my worthy husband who is able to hold the priesthood and bless my children. I don't remember every little thing he says, but I remember the spirit that I feel as he gives each blessing. Every time it is another testimony to me that the gospel is true and the priesthood is real. 

Here are a few pictures from the day. I took these ones of Gracie as we were running out the door and didn't get any of anyone else, except for my grandma holding her afterwards. It was super crazy having all of Shad's family coming into town from Arizona to stay with us for the weekend. Enjoying their company was worth 100 pictures. Sometimes you just have to live in the moment. I am just glad that I have a few pictures to help me remember how completely perfect she looked. I may be biased, but I pretty much think she is the most beautiful baby in the world.

The dress she is wearing was my blessing dress when I was a baby. My mom made it for me. I replaced the fraying ribbons, added a few beads from my wedding dress, made a new slip, replaced the elastic in the sleeves, and made a few tucks to make it fit her (I was 2 1/2 months old when I was blessed, so it was quite big). I also made her a lace flower headband to match. My mom made a handkerchief bonnet that she will be able to use on her wedding day. The bracelet was given to me by my dear friend Ashley, and the ring on her finger (tied on by a ribbon on her wrist) was a 14k gold ring I wore on my blessing day. The afghan in the background was Shad's mother's who passed away right after we were married. All of our children have used it on their blessing day. 

Shad always talks about how it is "just" a blessing and not a saving ordinance. Although I know that is true, the day my children are blessed are some of my favorite days. It is a celebration of another one of God's children who made it here on this earth that I get to keep forever. I am grateful for each one of them and for a righteous husband who honors his priesthood.

Family Weekend

The weekend Gracie was blessed we had a jam packed family weekend. Half of Shad's family lives down in Arizona now. We were so lucky to have them all drive 12 hours with kids, spend 2 days with us, and turn right back around and drive the 12 hours back. I think they must really love us because it is not an easy drive, especially with kids. These are the only pictures I got, I was kind of busy making sure the baby was fed and the kids were all happy and under control.

Friday night we stayed the night with my parents so that we would be closer to the Baumgarten family (Shad's mom's family) reunion in Utah county.

Can you tell these boys love books with their grandma?

Cousins Sydney and Kloey with their new baby cousin Gracie

Great Grandma Baumgarten and Gracie at the reunion

The Anderson/Baumgarten clan relaxing in the natural hot spring in Saratoga Springs. 

Cousins Lilly and Gracie- about 2 months apart

It was a fun and busy weekend. We all got back to our house late Saturday night and had to be up for 9:00 church the next day. We managed to pack 3 families at our house with the help of my friend's trailer in the driveway (such a life saver). I love that our families always make the effort to come and see us. We love hosting and sharing our house with those we love, even if it is crazy and crowded. Good thing we really like each other!