Discovering Liberty

Believe it or not, I have gone my whole parenting life without taking my kids to Liberty Park. My sister, D'Ann, recently moved within walking distance and has told me again and again to take my kids there. But alas, it took Brandon's dad asking us to meet him there last Saturday to actually do it. What a fun little place, full of free stuff to keep many a kid entertained. Having been told ahead of time of the many water features, we wisely dressed the kids in their swimsuits for our little outing. They have this cute mini-version of the canyons, rivers, and lakes of the Salt Lake Valley. I think my kids could have played in this thing all day.



The only thing exciting enough to draw these kids away from the water, was the small cluster of rickety old rides nearby. Grandpa Larry was so kind as to buy the kids each a few tickets for the rides. This is the only picture I managed to snap of the ride fun. Right after this ride, Brandon and I decided to brave the Ferris Wheel with McKenna. Mathew was a big fat chicken and opted for riding the planes again. Had I known how sick I was going to get, I would've opted for watching Mathew instead of taking a trip on the Ferris Wheel. About 10 seconds into the ride, I broke out into the cold sweats, then came the black spots. I thought for sure I was destined to experience my very first ride vomit. Luckily, through a series of deep breaths and long blinks, I was able to tame the nausea and leave the ride untainted. I don't know what was up with that, I NEVER get sick on rides. This new getting sick on rides business better not interfere with my future Nationwide Roller Coaster Trip. It is my life's ambition to ride every note-worthy roller coaster in the US, even if I can't afford it until I'm 80. Oh yes...it will happen. Anyway, I felt much better after treating myself to one of the best fresh corn dogs I've ever eaten. Though I am still a little embarrassed about getting sick in the first place. I've always made fun of people like that. I guess I can't use that one for my self-validation anymore.

That night we enjoyed the company of my parents while we watched the BYU game and ate french bread pizza. Honestly, food is just too good to go through life being skinny. And I've made the decision that if I have to give up stuff like fresh corn dogs and french bread pizza to have a rockin' hard body....I think I'll stick with being a nice, soft, squishy mommy.

Labor Day was pretty uneventful. We had originally planned to have a tinfoil-dinner cookout up Millcreek Canyon with my family, but I'm afraid the idea of going to the canyons got washed away with the day's rain. Yet my parents were not to be completely deterred. They (with the help of my nephews) dug an impressive fire pit in their backyard and we enjoyed the delicious tinfoil-dinners in the comfort of a warm, dry house. Soon after the s'mores, McKenna came running into the house crying, with blood pouring down her chin. Apparently she had an "I-wasn't-thinking" moment, and walked right in the path of my nephew on the swing. She got hit good in the mouth and had quite the impressive fat lip. Sadly, I wasn't playing the unusually cruel mother who forces her to pose for pictures showing off her battle wounds; so I have no photographic evidence. I was planning on doing the photo shoot when she got home from school the next day, but the fat lip had already disappeared - oh well.

The rest of the week has been just as exciting as the last two. I thought since none of us were sporting any major illnesses, we might make it out of the house. But other than a couple trips to the gym, the grocery store, and my weekly lunch with D'Ann; we've just been cooped up enjoying our regularly scheduled TV watching, computer and reading time, and housework. I wouldn't hold your breath for anything beyond that for awhile.