Changes...

It has happened...I've run out of photo space on this blog...and because we can not afford even an extra $2.50 a month for extra storage space, I've started a new family blog, http://ssmccuen.blogspot.com/

 

I have a hard time with change, even little changes...like changing my blog address.

As I've set up this new blog I've had pangs of sadness at leaving our old blog. I know it's just an address, but still, I started that blog right after Stephen and I got married and there are so many fond memories recorded there. I am super sappy, I know. I remember when I finished my first journal, I cried. Mostly because I had come to view that journal almost as a friend, kind of like Ginny in Harry Potter...

Anyway, with a pang of sadness, I close this chapter and open a new one.

Happy 4th of July!

I love 4th of July. When I was younger it usually meant a visit to Grandma Hepworth in Salt Lake City, playing with cousins, eating yummy food, and doing and watching fireworks. Or it found us in some obscure place in the middle of America, on the side of the road lighting off fireworks. You see, my dad never likes to be home on his birthday, which was yesterday, July 3rd, he would rather be driving somewhere with his family. So the 4th of July either found us at my grandparents house or on our way across the country. It worked out well because the state of California doesn't allow you to set off your own fireworks and my brothers are pyros so setting off fireworks is pretty much their favorite things to do.

So anyway, we never really had a "normal" 4th of July. You know the parade, huge family BBQ and night time fireworks display. 

But since Stephen and I got married, we pretty much have stayed around home, with the exception of last year when we went to Idaho. This year was no different. This morning we went to the Provo Freedom Festival where there are tons of different fun things to do, eat and, look at. We walked around, looking at the different booths with items for sale, a free kids craft area, an entertainment area, and different foods for sale. I'm actually excited to go again next year because Will will have so much more fun with the kids craft area. It was so hot so we didn't stay too long but it was so fun and we'll definitely be going back next year.

 Family Picture, Will was so distracted that we couldn't get him to look at the camera.

 Our yummy Gyro and "Texas Punch". The punch was nice and cold on a really hot day.

Will really liked the "Texas Punch" too.

By the end of the afternoon Will looked like this.

On the way back to the car we stopped at this cool printing museum that has a working Gutenberg printing press. Stephen and I thought it was cool, Will, however, was done with a capitol D.

 

 We all came home after the Freedom Festival and crashed. And after a nap we had a BBQ with our friend, Liesl, whose husband was working all day, and her son, Oliver. We had burgers, hotdogs, some yummy rolls that Liesl made, and fruit. 

We also played in the kiddy pool and laughed a lot.

Will had a great time playing in the water and not wearing any clothes.

 Oliver also had a great time playing in the water.

 Will loved drinking from his own cup, he's only allowed to do it by himself when we're outside and he's not wearing any clothes.

Because we had two tired boys we didn't stay up for any fireworks, maybe next year. 

My Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. 

I'm not really sure how old he is but I'm pretty sure he doesn't remember either.

I remember when he turned 45, I tried to put 45 candles on his peach cobbler and I set the peach cobbler on fire.

My dad doesn't really like cake, he likes peach cobbler instead. I don't blame him, my grandma's peach cobbler is really yummy.

My dad looks a little scary when you first meet him, but as soon as he smiles he's not scary anymore.

I am the only one of his 6 children to have his blue eyes.

My dad really wants to teach his daughters to be tough and self reliant. 

I remember when I was 12, he took my sister and I backpacking in the Sierra Nevadas. I'm sure we complained a lot about backpacking and about catching our own dinner, but he didn't seem to mind. That is still one of my favorite memories of my dad.

My dad and I have very similar temperaments and as a teenager, I was surprised more then once when he knew exactly how I was feeling. 

I call my dad sir. I'm not sure why but as far back as I remember, I've called him that.

 My dad calls me, little girl. I hope he does forever.

My mother is the social flower of the relationship. My dad doesn't talk much but when he does, you best take care to listen because he usually has something insightful or extremely interesting to say.

 My dad knows a lot about a lot of things. I don't think I've ever asked him a question about something that he hasn't read about or done.

My dad loves to read. He reads all kinds of things. From gardening books to religious books, he reads them all, but his favorite are fantasy/science fiction. I got my love of reading from him.

My dad loves his family way more than anything else. He works hard at a job he doesn't really like so he can take care of his family. 

Last month when I was really sick and couldn't be alone, he drove 12 hours here and 12 hours back just to bring my sister so Stephen could go to school and Will and I wouldn't be alone.

He has also driven all through the night when my sister and I were in labor, just to get my mom here so she could be here for the delivery of our babies.

He loves his grandchildren. I wish we lived closer so we could see them more, hopefully one day.

Will looks almost like a carbon copy of my dad when he was young. I hope Will grows up to be as good of a man as my dad is.

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing dad. I only hope that I can be as amazing of a parent to my children.

I love you, Sir!

Happy Birthday!