Utah Trip- Game Day!

Game day in Provo is a special thing but it is a little more difficult when the game isn't until 8:15 pm!!!  Brent and I lived in the Provo area for nearly 6 years but we both didn't know much about the history.  Out to remedy the problem we downloaded a podcast tour of downtown Provo. 

After 3 stops we were so bored we gave up.  Dear Provo, get some more interesting history... thanks.

Anyway, we did get a picture outside the new Provo Temple which is still be worked on. 

Across the street from the official downtown, we stumbled upon a bouncy house and food festival.  Harper was in heaven.

London was slightly interested.

No one had arrived yet, which meant Harper had the entire place to herself. 

Eventually some friends did show up.

We ate in the food festival but to be honest it wasn't very good.  The vendors were WAY WAY under prepared so you would wait 15-20 minutes for one small bite of food... not worth it.  I eventually gave up and let Brent eat while I played with the kids.

After a fun morning in the sun, someone was tired.  She passed out cold.

Harper slept to long to come to the cougar walk, but that didn't mean London had to miss out on the fun.  You can see her excitement building right?

This is one of the few times where London gets mom and dad time all to herself, but it looks like she'd rather be sleeping.

I walked London back to the hotel and helped my mom settle for the night alone with the girls.  (okay, my mom was fine.  I was the one who worries about how they'll do without me.  They are always there when I get back so I suppose I could relax a little.)  When I arrived at the game my dad and Brent were heavily entrenched in football speak.

The first 5 minutes and last quarter were thrilling.  The rest was a constant beating from the other team.  During one of my several bathroom/walking breaks I lost my id and credit card.  This is not the first, second or third time it has happened so I no longer stress I just get it taken care of.  After retracing my steps to no avail I texted the lost and found.  They said to check in about twenty minutes.  I took my final walking break and the lost and found had both my id and credit card... Only at BYU.  After that I didn't bother going back to my seat.  I just stood in the walk way and watched the most amazing hail mary win I'd ever seen, because I am a BYU fan I've actually witnessed quite a few.

It was so glorious the fans rushed the field after

This is kinda my favorite guy in the world.  I would seriously have him around all the time if I could. Even when we "disagree" I get bummed if he leaves to cool off.  You might think I have mild attachment issue... I might agree with you.  I am just glad he feels the same.

When we arrived at the hotel all pumped up at 1:00 am Harper was wide awake and happy to greet us... Thanks Grandma.  We made sure to stop several times on the way home to give Harper and London some free time. Harper is officially a fan of the play place.

It is a great tradition to go to a football game and I can't wait until Harper and London are old enough to enjoy the game with us!

Utah Trip

Every year Brent and I like to head up and attend a BYU game.  This year was no exception.  We were joined by my Mom, Dad and sister (Kalen).  We arrived late Wednesday so the adventure began Thursday with a trip to campus.  

We ate in the cougar-eat. As we were leaving we discovered a big festival in the common area.  They had a ton of games set up such as the quaterback challenge, free pizza, trampoline dunking contest and a free shirts for everyone!  The games were fun but we don't have any pictures which is to bad because Brent tried the trampoline dunking and it didn't go well...

We did catch this one picture on our way out of the  MOA. 

That night we headed to a place called Provo Canyon. It had an arcade, a ropes course, toddler town, laser tag, bowling, and a ton of other stuff.

I think my parents were skeptical if this place could be fun but after a few games they saw the light.

Harper love the arcade games and aunt Kalen was more than willing to play along. 

Kalen, Brent and I tried out the ropes course which was 30-50 feet off the ground.  It was a little freaky but so so much fun!

Friday morning we went into the Canyon.

My mom and dad had never hiked to Bridal Veil falls, which is great because it is the easiest hike in the world.  Harper loves playing with dad.

After the falls we killed some time at the park until Kalen finished classes. 

Harper adored talking and being with Grandma and Grandpa.

Sometimes it is nice travelling places you are so familiar with. It makes the process much more relaxing.  The BYU game deserves its own post so expect that next!

Trunk or Treat

I was in charge of our wards Trunk or Treat this year.  I had gone last year and it was pretty lack luster.  So I had to make sure that no one felt that way this year!  I added a ton more seating, more food, more activities and some activities for the kids. It really came together nicely!

Especially when you get an adorable Snow White!

And Bumblebee!

\

Harper had a really good time.  She kept bouncing from friend to friend playing. I'll admit I lost her a couple time because their were close to 300 people there!

Her tounge is currently my favorite thing!

Brent took the girls home while I cleaned up.  Ovbiously, Harper did well and made sure to hide her loot in the safest place she knew.... The OvEN!

So proud of her accomplishment.  

Harper asked to go trick or treating for the next three days.  Luckily, I was able to accommodate her request only days later!

Who else thinks we need more pictures of Brent?  I do!  Trunk or treat was a huge success and honestly not that stressful to put together. 

Home Improvement Project: Closet

Do you ever get an idea on how to fix something in your home and then spend the next two days making it a reality? I do!  All the time, it is one of my most annoying traits according to Brent. On Saturday, Brent and I were done with the frustration that is our closet.  It isn't huge, so Brent had to keep his work clothes in the guest room closet.  I was over it which gave me the idea to change it up.

Here is the before... YiKeS!!!!

 Harper loves to rearrange the shoes for us, so they are ALL OVER.

 There is little hope our shoes will ever look better no matter how we rearrange anything.

 Brent gets annoyed with my idea because he inevitably has to do some/most of the heavy lifting.  This job was no exception.

Harper was willing to help, as always.

My job was to keep the work that Harper does from being totally counter-productive.

 Patching up holes!  Harper saw Brent doing this and just HAD to take a turn...

The finished product.  We moved the top shelf down and added a bar to double our hanging capacity.

 Then we added shelving behind then door for pants and other misc. items.

 Look at all that space!  Brent's work clothes, regular clothes and my clothes with room to spare!

 Suits take up sooo much room!

 Pants storage!  Please note: I am not a neat freak and these shelves will never look this nice again, and I am perfectly aware they are not magazine ready in this picture.

 The bin at the top is our swim bucket.

 The one thing we don't have is a great place for my dresses, but by putting them at the end they can either hang over the shelf or fall on top of it.  

After a bright idea, $85.00 and more time than expected, we now have a closet that stores my clothes, Brent's clothes and everything else we need it too. 

I wonder when my next brilliant idea will come!

P.S.  I wrote this months ago and my next bright idea did come... NEW BEDROOM SET!!!  Expect a post to 

Bucket List

I am 28 years old and I actually feel like I have accomplished quite a bit in my life, so far.  Since I have had kids, however, I have felt less driven and a little lost.  Brent, being the amazing husband that he is, suggested sitting down and creating a bucket list to help us stay focused on our goals and dreams.  One for places to go and one for accomplishments.  Right now it is on our fridge but it should probably be somewhere a little more permanent. So I now present

The Brent and Mallory Bucket List 

Version I

(Please note: These lists do not include things we have
already done, just what we still hope to do)

         Places

1. Antartica
2. Petra, Jordan
3. Amazon River
4. China
5. Spain and Portugal
6. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
7. South Africa
8. Bagan, Myanmar
9. Easter Island
10. Machu Picchu
11. Egypt
12. Scotland
13. Fiji
14. Plitvice National Park, Croatia
15. Alaska
16. New York City, NY
17. Caribbean
18. Iceland (rural loactions)
19. New Orleans, LA
20. Yosemite National Park
21. Redwood Forest in CA
22. Moscow, Russia
23. India
24. Venice, Italy
25. Istanbul, Turkey
26. Chicago, IL
27. Israel
28. Yellowstone National Park
29. Germany
30. Hawaii
31. New Zealand
32. Paris, France
33. Harry Potter World

        Accomplishments

1. Donate Blood
2. Zip Lining
3. Write a Book (The Wee Wonk and the Bear)
4. Hike the Nakasendo Trail in Japan
5. Sky Dive
6. Go on a Cruise
7. Masters
8. Publish a Photo
9. Buy a $100 pair of Jeans
10. Drive from Coast to Coast
11. (Just don't worry about this one)
12. Go on a Backpacking trip
13. Ride Jet Skis
14. See the Northern Lights
15. Stay in a Tree House Hotel
16. Go on a Spontaneous Vacation
17. Spend a full day in a spa
18. Go Sailing
19. Stay in a Hotel over the water
20. Swim with Sharks
21. Ride a Camel
22. Go on a Safari
23. Eat a $250 meal
24. See a Wild Bear
25. Surprise Brent with a vacation
26. Go to an NFL and NBA Game
27. Get a Henna Tattoo
28. Learn to Surf
29. Meet an indigenous tribe
30. Have a progressive dinner
31. Go to the the Olympics
32. Learn to play the piano
33. Go to all Seven Continents

Oregon Trip: Fourth of July

Fourth of July in Oregon.  The weather is perfect, the scenery is perfect and a large group of anxious kids is perfect.  Harper had no idea what was going to happen, but she wanted a front row seat.

 It was the entire Forsberg Clan and the Steffy's were also able to make an appearance.

 I was trying to get London to sleep, so I didn't really see the show.  Each child received a firework and were able to help light it when it was their turn.

 After the show it was sparkler time!  Harper wasn't quite sure.

 Do you see the line of kids waiting to play with some fire?  No fear here!

 Once London was asleep I got some time to play. 

 She wasn't super sure what to do with it.

 But with a little guidance I think Harper enjoyed the experience.

Fourth of July is fun but it makes me wish it got darker earlier.  By the time everything was finished it was well past 10 pm which means bedtime was a total bust!