L-3 Work Party

Dan's work put on a party for it's employees and their families last Saturday, Aug. 28. They rented out "This is the Place" park up in Salt Lake City. There were tons of people there. I think one of the workers there estimated 6,000. The pictures don't capture just how windy it was that day, either. I think I still have dirt in my eyes.



We didn't get there until lunch time, due to Andrew's soccer game, so the first thing we did was eat. They had pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, pasta shrimp salad, baked beans, watermelon, and cookies or brownies. The kids didn't like the meal much, but Dan and I both thought it was great. The brownies were especially awesome.

The only thing Jorgen wanted to do was ride the train. So we took several trips on the big train that runs around the park.

This was at the Brigham Young house. Bethany got to try to make the toy dance. Then they had people find a partner and do a little dancing.

While waiting in line for another train ride, the kids got to try out this stick game. I don't think they ever hit one of the blocks. It kept them entertained while we waited.

Stamping leather:

Cool game at the woodworking shop:

Tinsmith:

Coloring activity at one of the pioneer homes:

Carding wool:

Attending "school"

Major meltdown:

Panning for gold:

The boys rode on the small train while Bethany made an arrowhead necklace:

Each attendee had a gray wristband with three boxes. One for lunch, two for snacks. They had ice cream, popsicles, and popcorn at each snack station. Towards the end, when they were closing up, they let us have all the snacks we wanted. So we each had several more. It helped us cool off after a hot and windy day. Yum yum.

I was just taking their picture and Andrew leans over and starts licking his ice cream sandwich, which was melting in the wrapper on the grass. It was pretty funny.

The pigs even got the leftover watermelon from lunch. They were in hog heaven. At least, this one particular hog that was "hogging" it all to himself.

Train playground. We played here to end the day, until Jorgen and two other kids started fighting over who got to drive. I am the mean mom who made my kid take turns, no other mom seemed to care. So we left.

I think this is a statue of Brigham Young and Joseph Smith.

I thought it was one of the most enjoyable work parties we've been to (if you forget all the tantrums and meltdowns from each kid). All-in-all a good day.

Soccer Round 2

Andrew wanted to try another year of soccer, so here we go again with games every Saturday. And this year we add in practices once a week just to keep mom busy enough. Andrew is in the Under 8 boys team, which means 6 and 7 year olds. Some of the kids on his team are almost 8. Andrew is definitely the shortest. This other kid on his team is a whole head taller. It's a whole new team, with all new kids that we don't know. But they seem like good kids and a good team. They even won their first game 5-1. And we made it through the entire game without any tears! HUGE improvement from last year. A good coach and an enthusiastic team will - I hope - help Andrew to have a good year and get more comfortable with the game. I'm hoping to get some better shots next game - Jorgen stole my camera.

County Fair

Last Saturday, Aug 21, we went to the County Fair. There was something for everyone to do.

Giraffe balloon:

Monkey climbing tree balloon #1 (it popped and was replaced by balloon #2 which also popped)

Sword balloon: It also popped

Waiting for the tiger show to start:

This is not my kid, but there is a cute kangaroo in the pouch.

So, while the boys went on the baby boats, Bethany wanted to try a bigger ride. She chose this one (below). I, being the good mom, went with her. She giggled for the first few seconds, then when it started going upside down she started screaming, "I want to get OFF!!!!" It was pretty hilarious. And stomach churning. I think if we had eaten dinner before the ride, we would have hurled all over each other. She didn't want to go on any more rides after that one.

I wasn't sure what to do with the lighting in the barn. Dark inside, with bright sunlight on the edges. So the pony ride picutres are dark, sorry.

You can't leave the Fair without a bag of cotton candy. Sticky goodness.