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Just a note to let you know that I changed the settings on my blog so that anyone can post a comment. Some of you may have had problems. I hope this doesn't persuade you against travelling around the world with me.

THIS IS A CALL TO ALL STAY AT HOME MOMS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM!

My friend Lara turned me onto The Amazing Race last season. I know, it's been running for 10 seasons and I finally got around to checking it out. My sister Robin also watches it. Last season I would TiVo the show and the kids and I would watch it sometime during the week. Tristan really got into it, I think not only because of the "race" element, but also because he's into geography.

All summer the kids have been asking when The Amazing Race would be back on TV. Yesterday morning the kids and I finally sat down to watch the season premiere. Bless her heart, Jolie was still rooting for "the hippies" and asking about "Ray and Yolanda" even though they're no longer on the show.

So here's what I've been thinking about ever since I watched it... I've convinced myself that a pair of stay at home moms could win the thing hands down. What other occupation could better prepare a person for a race around the world? The physical demands, the mental anquish, the sleep deprivation, the whining and demands of the other contestants... I've decided I want to hook up with another mom and test out my theory. The only problem is that I can't get as far as Albertson's without getting three phone calls asking when I'm going to be home, so I don't think I'll be travelling around the world anytime soon.

But hey, I'm a resourceful and persistent girl! I'M PUTTING A CALL OUT TO ANY AVAILABLE STAY AT HOME MOMS who would like to be my partner in The Amazing Race. Please, please, post a comment to this blog. Also, please indicate how you feel about eating frog eyes, carrying heavy concrete bricks, climbing stone walls, and whether you are proficient at reading maps.

More importantly, IF THERE ARE ANY AVAILABLE GRANDPARENTS, SISTERS, FRIENDS OR STRANGERS who would be willing to watch my three kids and feed my husband for several weeks, CALL ME, SEND ME A LETTER, EMAIL ME, POST A COMMENT... whatever is most convenient for you. I can't promise that they'll thank you for your tireless efforts or partake of your nutritious homecooked meals without complaint, but you'll be doing mankind and the scientific community (OK,and me) a great service.

COME ON, I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Grandpa & Grandma

Wayne and Susan are visiting from Virginia. I picked them up late last night while everyone else was sleeping. The kids have spent the day becoming re-acquainted with their grandparents. This morning Gavin looked very puzzled when he came downstairs and saw Wayne sitting on the couch, even though we've been talking about their visit for days. As you can see from the photos, it didn't take him long to warm up.

Swinging

Who knew that such a simple thing could be so much fun? We love to climb the cottonwood trees, feed carrots to the horses and play on the rope swing. This also happens to be my favorite place to take pictures of the kids.

Beeees!

We spent Labor Day at the Salt Lake Bees game. We went with mom, Jerry and Lisa and we all hit our favorite Greek restaurant afterward. Tristan was very much into watching the game, as were the adults, but Jolie and Gavin, I'm afraid, were not. The first and foremost item on ALL of the kids' agenda was the ballpark FOOD. We gave them each 5 bucks to spend on concessions, and what a treat that was! Jolie chose shaved ice, Tristan cotton candy, and Gavin (with a little help from me) chose kettle corn. They were also thrilled to meet Bumble Bee, the team mascot. We were able to get his autograph at the end of the game and Tristan's ended up on his forehead! He was certain to make sure it didn't wash off because he wanted to show it to all of his buddies at school today.

The Beginning of the End

It's Labor Day weekend, so I guess we can begin saying goodbye to summer. It's still plenty hot around here (in the 90's), but I've noticed a bit of a chill in the morning. That usually means the beginning of the end. Before we know it, there will be snow on the ground.

In honor of the end of summer, I asked everyone to tell me their three favorite memories of the Summer of 2006:

Tristan:
1. Boogie boarding in Corona del Mar (Newport trip)
2. Lagoon (amusement park)
3. Cherry Hill (water park)

Jolie:
1. Gavin's birthday party
2. Cherry Hill (but not the big scarry water slide that she SCREAMED all the way down)
3. Swim Lessons

Gavin:
1. "Lazy River" (Cherry Hill)
2. "Water Doggies" (he loved watching the sea otters in Monterey)
3. "Nemo Suit" (he loved wearing his bathing suit, whether on the Slip n Slide, in the swimming pool, or at the beach)

Me:
1. Playing with the kids and watching them dig for sand crabs for HOURS at Diver's cove (Newport trip)
2. Hearing Gavin giggle (in the stroller) as we ran through the sprinklers during Arts in the Park
3. Boogie boarding for the first time in 10 years
4. Watching Jolie dance in her summer ballet recital

Dan:

Dan must not have received the memo that it was summer because he says all he can remember about it is:

1. Working
2. Working
3. Working