The Cedar Hills community parade this morning was perfect. Just long enough for J to wave a flag and fill a bag of candy, Jeremy to finish a dum-dum and sticky-up the stroller, Amanda to roll up her sleeves and catch some sun, and Bill to yawn and get bored.
Jeremy's favorite was watching J.
J’s favorite was the big red fire truck, the loud motorcycle sirens and the policemen giving high-fives from their bikes, the enormous amounts of candy thrown right at his feet, the horses, the huge pink balloon pig, and the TRUMPET player in the marching band!
Amanda's favorite was difficult to determine -- and she began to realize “that was mostly just advertising.”
My favorite was teaching J how to stand up and put his hand over his heart when the United States flag was presented.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
No More Bathroom Sink
Jeremy can no longer sit in the bathroom sink to watch mommy and daddy get ready for work in the morning. 
Check out how much he has grown! http://billandcarolstump.blogspot.com/2009/03/still-in-bathroom-sink.html and http://billandcarolstump.blogspot.com/2009/01/bathroom-sink.html?zx=af556653c5bfa00e
Check out how much he has grown! http://billandcarolstump.blogspot.com/2009/03/still-in-bathroom-sink.html and http://billandcarolstump.blogspot.com/2009/01/bathroom-sink.html?zx=af556653c5bfa00e
Dino Adventure
It seems that most adventures we attempt lately somehow relate to an episode of Curious George. J explained to Amanda, “We’re going to the dinosaur museum . . . like George . . . then he went to the doctor!” I vaguely recalled the episode where George climbed up the dinosaur exhibit and fell off, breaking his leg – and I quickly repeated the PBS disclaimer at the end of each episode: “George is a monkey and can do things that you can’t!”
It was a great adventure! J would have played all day if Jeremy and Amanda could have kept up. I was pleased at having found such great entertainment that I only heard “I miss Grandma Miess” twice today!
It was a great adventure! J would have played all day if Jeremy and Amanda could have kept up. I was pleased at having found such great entertainment that I only heard “I miss Grandma Miess” twice today!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Mommy's Moon
Some of you may know my fascination with the full moon. I love it when it’s not full, too. I remember back in our more romantic days when Bill affectionately called me Moon Goddess. Now, the family races to see who will find it first and Amanda shows off her knowledge of the phases. Several months ago J discovered that the moon can usually be found through the large windows in our family room. Nearly every night he looks to see if mommy’s moon is shining.
It’s been raining. We haven’t seen the moon in a while.
One night last week, a presumable stop-sign-runner caught our attention as two police cars stopped him outside our back windows. The bright red and blue flashing lights reflected beautifully as they flickered against the black sky. J ran to the window exclaiming,
Look, look! Come over look!
Yes J. Aren’t the flashing lights pretty?
No, no.
Yes, they are police lights. It’s OK. They are pretty.
NO, NOT THE POLICE LIGHTS! Look! It’s MOMMY’S MOON!
Sure enough. My moon peeked out of the clouds, and I smiled!
It’s been raining. We haven’t seen the moon in a while.
One night last week, a presumable stop-sign-runner caught our attention as two police cars stopped him outside our back windows. The bright red and blue flashing lights reflected beautifully as they flickered against the black sky. J ran to the window exclaiming,
Look, look! Come over look!
Yes J. Aren’t the flashing lights pretty?
No, no.
Yes, they are police lights. It’s OK. They are pretty.
NO, NOT THE POLICE LIGHTS! Look! It’s MOMMY’S MOON!
Sure enough. My moon peeked out of the clouds, and I smiled!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Oh, Shoot!
They tell me this is one of the perks of working for an ammo company -- free target practice -- on company time -- using company resources.
Top Five Things I Learned at the Spring Office Party
(5) There’s plenty of wide open space and no crowding whatsoever in the beautiful city of Morgan and the surrounding valley. And yet, the only new home building sites are right next to the shooting range!
(4) When sitting in a tree all night, in the middle of the jungle, in the middle of Africa, you must confirm the leopard is a male before you shoot – and you can’t determine from the size of the spots! Good luck this week Mark on your Dangerous Game TV shoot.
(3) .50 caliber bullets will take out more than a leg! Check out the size of the bullets in the bottom picture.
(2) It's amazing how quickly you can go through hundreds of bullets when using semi-automatic weapons and the bullets are free! It's amazing how long it takes to pick up hundreds of empty shells before you leave! Why didn't Emily Post clue me in to this noteworthy etiquette?
(1) I can shoot a handgun standing 20 feet in front of a target and still miss the entire board! I am harmless to an intruder.
Bonus: Clay discs are shot with a shotgun! How did I miss this one? I always thought Annie Oakley stomped all over Frank Butler shooting single bullets!
Bonus: When men are responsible for planning the party, you'll have a great adventure!
Top Five Things I Learned at the Spring Office Party
(5) There’s plenty of wide open space and no crowding whatsoever in the beautiful city of Morgan and the surrounding valley. And yet, the only new home building sites are right next to the shooting range!
(4) When sitting in a tree all night, in the middle of the jungle, in the middle of Africa, you must confirm the leopard is a male before you shoot – and you can’t determine from the size of the spots! Good luck this week Mark on your Dangerous Game TV shoot.
(3) .50 caliber bullets will take out more than a leg! Check out the size of the bullets in the bottom picture.
(2) It's amazing how quickly you can go through hundreds of bullets when using semi-automatic weapons and the bullets are free! It's amazing how long it takes to pick up hundreds of empty shells before you leave! Why didn't Emily Post clue me in to this noteworthy etiquette?
(1) I can shoot a handgun standing 20 feet in front of a target and still miss the entire board! I am harmless to an intruder.
Bonus: Clay discs are shot with a shotgun! How did I miss this one? I always thought Annie Oakley stomped all over Frank Butler shooting single bullets!
Bonus: When men are responsible for planning the party, you'll have a great adventure!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Flopped Over
Jeremy generally goes to bed without a fuss, and usually welcomes bedtime. But the past couple of weeks he's been quite stubborn about it. He's determined to not be put to bed. Luckily, he's not mobile enough to do anything about it, and I expect it really irritates him that he can only lay on his back and cry himself to sleep. Until tonight. Once again he was determined to not be put to bed. But this time he did something about it. He sat up! Then flopped over and fell asleep!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Oquirrh Mountain Temple
Today we toured the newly finished Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We were especially excited for J to see the inside. When we toured the Draper temple a few months ago, we left him home thinking he was too young to enjoy it. But, he recently discovered the beautiful Timpanogos Temple on the way to Grandma's and now we rarely drive anywhere without him asking where's the temple? His favorite was the baptismal font. Mine and Amanda's favorite was the celestrial room chandelier. Bill's favorite was the landscaping. Check out this link to the media pictures. http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57353/Media-tour-Oquirrh-Mountain-Utah-Temple.html.
Bill's Yard in Bloom
It just doesn't seem right for me to call it "our" yard. Bill is the genius behind this creation and it's starting to look really pretty! 
Garden Critter
I bet Bill pulls a dozen of these off the hosta each weekend. Tuesday he filled a quart bag. We tried the eco-friendly rememdy beer, but the rain just washed it away. J will be broken hearted if he ever finds out we're trying to get rid of them!
Shroom Weather
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Look At My Face
Sunday evening J must have sneaked M&Ms out of the trail mix. He was bouncing off the walls!
J, settle down.
Still bouncing.
J, please settle down.
Oblivious.
J, settle down. It’s time for bed
No response.
J, settle down. Come here so I can put your pajamas on you.
Nothing.
I grabbed his chin and pulled it toward me, commanding:
LOOK -- AT -- MY -- FACE !
That caught his attention.
With firm, steady voice I instructed:
YOU HAVE GOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY.
Tuesday evening I was having a delightful conversation with Bill’s sister Bev. J tried to get my attention.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
Still talking, I reached for Jeremy fussing in the high chair.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
The phone rang. J tugged on my jacket.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
J pulled on my arm.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
Still talking, I returned to the table, struggling with Jeremy as he reached for everything in sight.
J climbed up the chair, sat on the table, grabbed my chin and pulled it toward him, commanding:
LOOK -- AT -- MY -- FACE !
He caught my attention.
With firm, steady voice he instructed:
YOU HAVE GOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY.
I wish I was a better example!
J, settle down.
Still bouncing.
J, please settle down.
Oblivious.
J, settle down. It’s time for bed
No response.
J, settle down. Come here so I can put your pajamas on you.
Nothing.
I grabbed his chin and pulled it toward me, commanding:
LOOK -- AT -- MY -- FACE !
That caught his attention.
With firm, steady voice I instructed:
YOU HAVE GOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY.
Tuesday evening I was having a delightful conversation with Bill’s sister Bev. J tried to get my attention.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
Still talking, I reached for Jeremy fussing in the high chair.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
The phone rang. J tugged on my jacket.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
J pulled on my arm.
Mommy, mommy, blah blah blah.
Still talking, I returned to the table, struggling with Jeremy as he reached for everything in sight.
J climbed up the chair, sat on the table, grabbed my chin and pulled it toward him, commanding:
LOOK -- AT -- MY -- FACE !
He caught my attention.
With firm, steady voice he instructed:
YOU HAVE GOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY.
I wish I was a better example!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Girls Camp
A few highlights . . . hiking, the lake, the challenge course.
I love this! President Hinckley was truly inspired to create Heber Valley Camp. It provides many opportunities that we have not had at previous ward and stake camps. As I understand, President Hinckly received input that the young women were not attending girls camp because they didn't like to rough it. His response: then we'll create a place that isn't so rough. Thus inspired the creation of the 8,000 acre camp. What a lesson for me! My first thoughts tend to be that the kids need to suck it up, quit their whining, and stop being such wimps. But, now I understand that it is more important to just get them out in nature to experience what is means to Be still, and know that I am God Psalms 46:10.
Also, I'm amazed at the wonderful service missionaries that made it so easy for us to enjoy camping. Our church seems to have created opportunity for an abundant resource -- our aging baby boomers -- to serve, share, and develop the coming generation. I'm not really aware of any other organization that does this on such a large scale.
Take a look at the post on my personal progress blog http://www.ldsywpersonalprogress.blogspot.com/ to see another fabulous experience we had.
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