Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Starting of Summer Stuff


Just some random stuff from the past week. Hiking the Y, Staying in Cabins, Hot Tubs, B.B.Q.'s, Biking, Four Square... your usual summer stuff.

You always end a hike to the Y with....
HOSPITAL CORN DOGS!
Scene from the back hatch.

Things got crowded in pipers car so we had to ride in the hatch...

THE COCKPIT: Piper, Mary Catherine, Dan, Amanda, & Jordass

THE ARMPIT


Biking in Draper Park with a boom box is such a dream... WARNING! Taking photos while biking usually results in: a lot of crashing and not that many good photos. Be careful out there kids... 

Sunday leisure biking makes people so happy.
Especially John.

Emily goes so fast you cant even snap a photo of her...
Steve and John 

Swerving Pencil Formations

Pure Joy

"WEEEEEE!" Said Steve
Cousin Love
 I think adults in my family don't like their picture taken... so here are some kid pics from family backyard time.

Growling Baby: INTIMIDATION





Viewfinders. Eye'll be seeing you around.


BONUS ROUND
Park videos... Draper is always stepping up its game when it comes to park fun.








Saturday, May 12, 2012

Mothers Day

     Hey friends. This weekend is Mothers Day. I hope everyone takes a moment of gratitude for the woman whose womb you came from. I'm not gonna lie I kind of think mothers day is stupid... Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my mom! Her name is Renee and she is one of a kind.  But I guess I just get really superficial vibes (mainly at church) when some bonehead gets up and starts talking about how motherhood is the most divine calling in the world and then continues on to describe ONE woman in particular, who epitomizes motherhood in all its glory who has every thing going for her. Ya know...raised eight kids attends the temple regularly, supports every activity their child is involved in... How she quit college and put her dreams on the side so her husband could have a career and she could raise the family... and just creates this image of a spiritual righteous nurturing woman who can do no wrong because she is so beloved... And you're sitting there scratching your head thinking... I don't know of any woman who fits that description... or if you're a mother you sink a little lower in your seat because you don't fit that description... I dunno its a superficial idea of motherhood and womanhood to me and If I were a mom I wouldn't appreciate it...   

     I guess I feel like my mom would be cringing right there next to me probably thinking: "Give me my friggin complimentary chocolate so I can go home get the real party started!" Haha k maybe not those words exactly but something along those lines. I think there are so many ways to be a mother and everyone's mother is so different that it just disagrees with me... I mean most people don't have that mother they just described a church... some people have really crazy moms who they don't get along with, other people don't have moms at all, or cant even have children... And some people DO have that practically perfect in every way type of mother... Each mother is a Blessing in our life because THEY gave us just that... A LIFE to live... All I'm saying is, even though nothing in this paragraph connects, I think we have a habit of routinely overpraising women to the point that it can come off as superficial. 

    With that, I just wanted to let everyone know that I celebrate motherhood, MY MOM, as she really is. I love my mom because she is Fantastic & Flawed. She is Incredible! And just like everyone of us she has highs and lows. My mom is the first to admit that she's not a perfect mom. IT'S BECAUSE SHE'S REAL! She is a great friend, she is funny, she is beautiful, She complains sometimes, she swears, she has her awkward moments, she makes mistakes an moves forward! She makes me and my brother lunch or breakfast almost every day... She love texting us and says really nice things and keeps texting even when we don't text her back. She has worked hard her entire life to make every day a good one for her kids. She's a groovy grandma and knows how to get down with the kids. She makes amazing cupcakes. Probably the best part of my mom is that She loves the Savior and his gospel and lives it her best, but is realistic about it. She never gives up, she just keeps moving forward. She puts her best foot forward one day at a time. Somedays she's saintly and delightful other days she's not... You've had those (when momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy) moments with your mom... aye currumba... Whether we're arguing or laughing our heads off she is mostly just a wonderful, happy, realistic, and incredible mom just doin her thing. It's refreshing! And that's what makes her the perfect mom for me! 



Happy Mothers Day! 
To my loving, singing, cigar smoking, 
laughing, classy, beautiful, mother. 
Whom I love.