Ferris Wheels and Fun

A couple of weeks ago Marina and I took the girls and a neighbor boy to Taylorsville Dayzz, sort of a "state fair" for the city of Taylorsville.  They bring in rides and food, have competitions, a petting zoo, an outdoor exhibition area for vendors and artisans that want to sell and promote their stuff, a concert for the adults and fireworks.  We've gone before but the girls were a little too small to ride on the rides.

This year however Mirna rode on everything they had for the little children.  We even all rode the ferris wheel together.  (I will say that though I enjoy ferris wheels, this one was not as fun during the loading stage, as the seats would swing back and forth as they moved the ride slowly backwards to load the people on and off).

Mirna had a blast though.  Gabby even rode two rides with her sister.  We had a good time riding the carousel together as well, though for some reason, Mirna chose to ride on the fancy bench they had on the ride, as opposed to one of the animals.

We had fun watching a dace troupe, do everything from little girls standing on stage trying to follow their teacher on the ground in pink tutu's to adults clogging and doing various line dances.  Mirna told me she wanted a pink tutu like the little girls had.  Gabby had fun on my shoulder, I was moving to the rhythm of the music that the adults were line dancing to and, when I went to put her down she wanted back up again to watch the ladies dancing.  It makes me wonder if these little girls will end up in dance in the future.

We had a good time, and it was fun to see the girls try new things.  We kept laughing because Mirna always had such a serious face when she was riding the rides.  I think it's amazing what things you can see about a child's personality, based on what they want to see and do.It makes you wonder what the future brings, and how those little personalities and characters will develop.

Hope to enjoy this weekend with my grandparents.  I'll be posting from Wyoming!

~Fraise

5 Years *^^*

Hard to believe it's been five years already since we got married.  Also hard to believe it will be our last "Harry Potter" anniversary too.  Every year since we were married a Harry Potter movie or book release has fallen on or around our anniversary.  The year Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (book 7) was released, (and our second anniversary) we spent the entire day hanging out at Borders and Barnes and Noble getting our books, and then listed to the audio book together almost all night.  That was really fun to do together too.

This year since Harry Potter came out on the 15th we decided to wait an see it on our anniversary, since this was the last year we would be able to do continue this tradition.

We had a good time at the movie.  I wish they could have included some more of the details from the book, but I know I was lucky they kept what they did. My husband says he's gong to get us both halves of the Harry Potter 7 movie for Christmas this year.  Amazing that it's finally over.

We continued another tradition too, in that we went to Takashi, the same sushi restaurant that we go to every year as well.  That started the little "stay-cation" honey moon of a few says that we had after we were married since we had to wait until my husband's finals were done to go on our real honey moon three weeks later.

 

It's our favorite sushi and the one I took my husband too while we were dating, that go him to love and appreciate sushi.  It's a place we've taken numerous family and friends to and one that our cousins and his wife, Sachiko go to whenever they can make it up to Salt Lake to get away.

It was so yummy and we had a good time reminiscing about past years when we've gone and the change of decor for the seasons as well as some of the various chalk paintings we've seen on the Specials menu on the wall.  I think this restaurant will always hold a special place in our hearts.

I'm happy and blessed to have found the man I have.  It's been a rocky five years and I know neither one of us has had a stress-free time, but we're continually pressing forward, hand in hand.

I'm only too proud to look back at the terrain we've covered together, and to see our hard work paying off in all aspects of our marriage.  It makes me excited to see what we can accomplish together in the next five years.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

~Fraise

Happy Independence Day!

 
We decided to keep it low key this year since we have to go to bed so early usually and we had Mirna and Gabby over, who are scared of the big fireworks.  So it was quiet but nice family party consisting of us, my brother, parents, father-in-law, and Marina's family.

Unfortunately due to the fact that my father-in-law's grill died, we were unable to barbeque, but the chicken still turned out nicely in the oven and we were able to make a salad from the garden.  It was nice to just enjoy a meal together and to talk and spend time together.

The girls got their own table, with chairs their size and plate to match their chairs.  I think it was especially relaxing for Marina since she really didn't have to do anything except feed her kids. (They brought their own macaroni since she didn't think the girls would eat what the adults were eating).

It was also fun to introduce the girls to sparklers.  They were a little scared at first, but we had a lot of fun after we showed them how neat they were.

I think my mom had a lot of fun interacting with the girls too.  I think it would be fun to start doing a family night all together, once a month.

So while the men talked about freedoms we enjoy in this country, we girls had tea parties, and read books and went on a walk around the backyard. 

In all the freedoms I was most thankful for was the freedom to spend time with my family, no matter that we are different.  I hope you had a fun 4th and that you were able to enjoy the company of your loved ones.

~Fraise

Horsey, horsey, on your way.....

We got to take the girls to feed horses for the first time on Tuesday.  Some one has a pasture whose fence lines the the corner of the park near their house.  We decided to go look at the horses and when she saw me feed some grass to the horse Mirna of course wanted to try.

At first she would hold it out long enough for the horse to smell it but if he got his mouth any closer, she would squeal and drop the grass.

It took me having her hold the grass with me and show her that the horse wasn't trying to her her by allowing the hose to nibble the grass from my fingers and touch my hand with his lips.  After I explained that she had to hold the grass steady so that the horse could take it from her she was so excited to try again and a gain.  She kept insisting that I procure more grass for her to feed the horse.

Each time she successfully fed the horse a handful of grass, she would say, "Sisi, I did!" and then give me a hug.

I tried to do the same thing with Gabby but even when she was holding the grass with me she would still jerk her hand away when the horse's mouth got close.  Marina ended up feeding the other horse in the pasture while Gabby looked on, wandering between us.

Oh well, I suppose even though for the most part Gabby, who is the more fearless of the two, still has her own reservations.

Well, I hope that you find something today to give you a smile!

~Fraise

Sprinklers!!!!!

Ever let go and allow yourself to become a little kid again?  Ever just let yourself run through the sprinklers fully clothed because a 3 year-old asked you to?  I had almost forgotten how much fun it was to run through the sprinklers and get wet just for the pleasure of it all, especially when it's hot.

Tuesday we ran through the sprinklers for the second time in Mirna's life.  We had a lot of fun.  Last week when we tried it she was too scared to hardly even get wet until I held her hand and ran through with her.  After that she was willing to approach a sprinkler and even dance in the water.  This time we had the run of the entire back lawn.  It was a blast.  Mirna has overcome her fear of the sprinklers getting her wet!

It was nice to indulge in a little bit of the exuberant behavior of a small child and take pleasure in the simple act of getting wet to cool down. ☺

~Fraise