Sword fighter Sam

Dave and Sam were tickling and chasing each other when Dave came home from work. Sam found some cardboard off a hanger that he was using as an "airplane sword." Dave chased Sam into our bedroom for more tickle torture, when I heard Sam yell out, "HEY DAD, YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?" I had to peek my head in to see if Sam really said what I thought he said. I found Dave on the floor laughing, and he said, "Yes, Sam did just say that." I don't know where he comes up with these things.

a REAL man

Dave finally got his very own welder(In September). He was supposed to get it for Fathers' Day, but it has taken him a long time to finally decide exactly which welder would be the absolute perfect one. Dave said, "I got a new house, I got a new truck, I even got a new baby, but those things didn't make me nearly as excited as the welder!" (Luke, he didn't really mean that part about the baby, I promise.)

Dave had to reinforce his running boards. Inspector Sam is making sure Dad still knows what he's doing.

A new welder and a new truck. Does life get any better?

Future welder.

I can't wait until he gets big enough to work with Grandpa Reed and learn the realities of life.

Little Helper

Sam loves to help his Dad. He will follow Dave around the whole time he is mowing the lawn. As my Grandma Frampton used to say, "I only hope he will be as willing when he is able." I just love to see my boys working together.

Notice how good our grass looks. I didn't think it would make it after it snowed on it the week after we hydroseeded last fall. Dave has done a great job fertilizing it and getting rid of the weeks. Our plants are also starting to get some flowers. Next year we should look as good as Temple Square.

Fall 4-wheeler Fun

On Friday afternoon, Dave and I escaped for a little while for a 4-wheeler ride. Our friend Randy had been wanting to go riding with us all summer, so we thought this might be our last chance. We went on a trail up Sheep Creek. The ride up was so beautiful as we went through the golden Quakey leaves fluttering down. We knew a storm was coming, and we could see rain streaming down in places all around us. We seemed to be in one of the only dry spots. However, as we started back down the mountain, we ran into the rain. The rain was pounding us from above and the mud was spraying up from below. Somehow, I managed to collect the most mud. Dave loved the mud the most, and he had to go on a few off trail detours just to spend as much time in the mud as possible. When we got back down to the truck the sun began to come out a bit and the most beautiful double rainbow appeared. What an adventure!

Lukey-Loo

Notice Sam's eye peeking through the top of the highchair. He never misses a chance to be in the spotlight.

Luke loves to be out on the grass. This picture is from a beautiful day at Salem Pond.

Luke really LOVES to suck his toes.

It seems like most of this blog centers around Sam, so I thought Luke deserved his own post. While Luke may not have as many funny things to say as Sam, he still keeps us smiling. Luke is such a happy little guy. Grandma Nancy said he has such a big smile he just might turn inside out. Grandpa Reed calls Luke "Toughy" and is so proud of how "thick" he is. He says Luke is a gentle giant, just like his Daddy. I do think that Luke is well on his way to being a little Dave.

Luke is getting to be a very good steamroller. He can roll to wherever he wants to go. He just gets mad if he gets stuck under furniture or in a corner. He is still working on getting his top fang teeth and he loves to chew and bite, especially on my fingers or his toes. He loves his bedtime tub the most. He splashes and giggles, especially if Sam is there to splash with him. Luke loves to watch Sam. Sam is a very good brother and he often says, "I like my bebe Wukey-woo."

Luke started eating some cereal, and he loves it. I don't have to work to get him to open his mouth at all. As soon as he sees the spoon, he opens wide and tries to get the spoon. He still isn't quite sure how to swallow it all, but he is getting better. I don't think getting him to eat will ever be much of a problem.

Cowboy Sam

We went to the barn with Aunt Wiz and Grandpa Robert to ride the horses. Sam loves Missy the most just becuase she is Lizzy's horse. He spent most of his time riding Tug, with Grandpa Robert leading, since Tug is a little more Sam's speed. Sam did get to ride with Liz for a bit and he loved clicking his tongue to make Missy trot. I got to be Luke's ride as we followed along on foot with Luke in the Snuggly. He was just happy to be along for the ride. Pretty soon my two boys will be living Grandpa Reed's dream as two little boys sitting on a fence down in the fields. They are growing up too fast already.

Park City Vacation

We spent this last weekend up in Park City. I got sucked into a telemarketer offer for a free night at the Canyons if we went on a "little tour". Of course Dave and I agreed that we would just say NO and finish as quickly as possible. Well, 3 hours later we finally said our last NO! They make it all sound so tempting.

It was well worth it though. The weather was perfect, and the leaves were all the beautiful Fall colors. Sam and Luke loved going swimming, then we ordered Indian food to be delivered while we watched the presidential debate. I know, we are really party animals. Sam and Dave went swimming again Saturday morning, then we headed over to Park City to ride the Alpine Slide. We ended up getting unlimited day passes for everything, so we spent the day. Dave and I took turns riding with Sam and staying with Luke, so Sam definately had the best part of the deal. Luke was very happy too. He is just happy to be outside. Besides the alpine slide, they had a new Mountain Roller Coaster that we all loved. The sleds easily fit 2 people, and Sam was a great co-pilot. We rode the sled up the mountain, and then it was a downhill rollercoaster. I laughed and screamed the whole time. I think Sam thought I was crazy. Some turns seemed like we were going to fly right off the mountain and land back on I-80. The views were amazing! Plus, we went through tunnels of Fall leaves and the colors seemed to change as the light changed throughout the day. Unbelievably beautiful. Sam and Dave decided on our drive home that it was a "PERFECT DAY". I agree.

SAM-ISMS

While riding the elevator with Dave:

hotel guest: Hi there little guy.

Sam: I am NOT a little guy.

Dave: Sorry, we have a new baby, so he is not the little guy anymore. He is a big guy.

Hotel guest: Oh, well what is your name big guy.

Sam: I am Sam. Sam the man.

Okay, so I have to admit here that we did have a little accident on our perfect day. I took Sam up the chair lift to ride the Alpine slide. By some crazy freak of nature, we tripped as we were trying to get off the chair lift and both ended up face flat on the ground. I can't explain what happened, and I think I need to watch the instant replay someday when I get to heaven. Mostly I'm pretty sure the problem is that I am a klutz and ski lifts seem to hate me. We both have some scrapes and bruises. Sam cried and I wanted to, but we both survived and it provided and experience for more funny Sam comments.

Later, Dave took Sam up the lift (I was banned for the rest of the day.) On the way up Sam told Dave, "Mom, she is not a good driver. Are you a good driver Dad?" Dave reassured Sam that he was a very good driver. Then Sam said, "Because Mom had a bad accident and I cried. But then we went down the slide and it made me happy." At least the story ends on a happy note.