2012 Summerfest parade

The first thing you should know about this parade last weekend is that it was FREEZING and super WINDY. It's one of the few parades around these parts that is held in the evening, and that is normally one of our favorite things, but it made for some cold boys.

The boys hung out in our little shelter thing waiting for the parade to start.  Some of them were not very excited about the weather.  (Chandler, Daniel, Anson, Preston, Jacob, and Joshua)

They perked right up when the Mountain View Bruin wanted a picture with them.  They are our rival school, but we were pretty nice since the bruin was friendly with the boys.  Take note, Orem Tiger!

Chandler ran right out into the street to break a board with one of the local karate places.

Jared with a FREE Pepsi he got from one of the grocery store floats.

Ashton loved getting the candy.  One of my favorite things about this picture is our cute friend, Savanna dancing to one of the marching bands.

Only in Utah county will you see a float like this.  Yep, that's Elizabeth Smart on the side.  :)

Stewart Falls Hike 2010

On Saturday, we decided to hike up to Stewart Falls between soccer games. The leaves up in the canyon above Sundance are just starting to turn colors and the views were amazing. Unfortunately, the battery on my regular camera died while we were hiking, so the pictures here are iPhone-taken. Oh well, you can still see the awesome colored leaves.
Chandler got hot on the hike down from the falls, so he took his shirt off and tied it around his torso. Of course, Preston wanted to do the same. Jared thought they looked a little like rednecks, so we had to stop and take a picture.

At one point on the way down, Preston was complaining and asking to be carried. I, naturally, refused (hello, he's 5!), but being ever the softy, Jared carried him for awhile. Oh ya, and did I mention he was already carrying Ashton on his back (asleep)? What a nice dad my boys have.

Jared, Ashton and Preston playing in the water at the Falls. We brought lunch from Subway up with us and had a picnic when we got there. For some reason, my boys have never been to
Subway before and now they think it's the best restaurant ever! (We don't get out much, obviously).

Jared and the beautiful leaves.

Family picture taken by some random hiker just before heading down the trail. Jared's phone was accidentally taking video, so this picture is actually a screen shot of the video that was taken. Gotta love the iPhone. The boys enjoyed getting really dirty, throwing rocks and playing in the water. The hike was a little long for them, but they did great. People would snicker as they passed us and the boys were saying things like, "This is the worst hike ever!" and "I'm never doing this again--EVER!" If you ask them now, though, they say it was fun, so I'm sure we'll do it again next year!

Memorial day 2010

May 31, 2010

Of course, I'm way behind again, but here it is anyway...

On Memorial Day, we (Jared) wanted to take the boys fishing in Midway. Due to school and other things, we didn't get to stay over, but just drove up early in the morning. Chandler and Preston got new fishing poles for their 'end-of-the-school-year' presents this year and were anxious to try them out.

Chandler fishing

Preston fishing. He actually had a lot more fun playing with the worms that sitting still holding his pole. I know, you're shocked about that, aren't you?

Jared demonstrating his boy scout, knot-tying skills. Judging by the number of 'bobbers' that ended up in the pond, he may need to practice more. :)

After fishing, we went home, let Ashton have a nap, and then went on a bike ride to Bridal Veil Falls with my family. This is a pretty long ride for little ones; especially since we had to start from our house and not from my parents' house where everyone else started.

Preston and Ashton enjoyed a nice nap in the bike trailer on the way.

My Dad at the 'rest stop' we had to take on the way up.

Jared and Chandler cooling off and rehydrating before finishing the ride.

The whole family! We made it! I was so proud of Chandler for making it the whole way. (15 miles round trip!) His bike only has one gear and he must have looked pretty funny on the way down trying to keep up with his pedals. He had the cadence of Lance Armstrong and then some.

After the ride, we had a barbeque at my parents' house.

Three cute cousins chilling out on top of the mail box.

Christmas 2009

Here comes the required Christmas post. This year we spent Christmas Eve with the Hemmert side of our family. We saw The Princess and the Frog mid morning and then spent the afternoon cooking and preparing for the feast. It was well worth the wait. Yum! After dinner it was program time. After the nightmare that occurred last year during the 'nativity recreation' aka Hemmert boy mayhem, I was surprised that Joyce wanted to attempt it again, but I definitely underestimated her. She was all for it again this year. However, they did try to shorten it by 'paraphrasing' Luke 2 instead of reading it.

Chandler, one of the handsome shepherds.

Preston, another studly shepherd. Yes, he has that look of mischief in his eyes.

Fortunately, we were just spectators of the show. Ashton, however, being the youngest baby had the "starring" role. Yes, that one!

Some of the shepherds, wise men, and an angel.

Joyce even got the little boys to perform a bell ringing performance. Daniel Hemmert has started piano lessons this year, and so he performed (awesomely) one of his songs for the program. When he was done, Chandler said he wanted to play a song. Everyone looked at me wondering what he was going to do. I had no idea. This kid has not ever had a lesson in his life. We don't even have a piano. I had flashed of him suddenly coming out with some huge Beethoven symphony or something, but it was about 5-6 notes long, and he couldn't have been prouder. Love that kid.

Christmas morning mess. Dad helping the boys with their Lego projects. What is Santa thinking bringing toys with so many pieces? Yes, Preston is glowing. I also love Ashton staring up at Jared. Priceless.
For some reason, I didn't take any pictures at our get together Christmas day with the Tucker side of our family other than this gem of my niece, Hailey, with Ashton. We had a yummy brunch and a rousing game of Malarky with my parents and Natalie. Lots of fun was had by all. We also took some family pictures for our "New Years" card, but I don't want to spoil it until you open yours in the mail!

Farm country

Last Friday we dropped everything and decided to take the kids to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point for one last hurrah before school starts.

Jared getting cozy with a goat.  Should I be jealous?

Chandler loves going on the pony ride there.  He looks a little nervous, but really he loves it.  By the way, I noticed that Chandler is wearing the same shirt as the previous post.  He really does have other clothes.  For some reason, he seems to like that one.  :)

Preston, on the other hand, was nervous.  Too nervous to ride, in fact.  Being scared is really out of character for Preston, but I never knew a mom who would frown on too much caution.

Chandler on a fake sheep.

They have a little play country jail there.  Let's hope this isn't a sign of things to come for Preston.

Summer Fun

It's been far too long since I've posted, so forgive me the long update.  We've been really busy this summer and so it's all getting rolled in together to one picture-intensive post.  Who knew summer could be so busy?  I thought it was supposed to be the time where everyone laid around, watched the Price is Right and sold lemonade?  I guess not.

One of our favorite things to do is to go to the Bean Museum at BYU.  We used to go about once a month, but it had been several months before this trip.  Preston, obviously, can't read the 'Please do NOT touch' signs.  I was too busy getting the camera ready to stop him.  I'm sure he's not the first kid to pet this zebra.
Chandler touched a snake.  He was actually pretty nervous about it.  Preston was not nervous at all-- typical.
Grandpa Wynn took all of the 'local' grandsons who are potty-trained camping over night at Deer Creek campground.  (Jared and Dan came too--yes, they are potty-trained).  Little Daniel looks like he's ready to hit the sack in this picture.

Jacob and Chandler enjoying the campfire.

Dan readying the fire.

Wynn enjoying some camp snacks.

While the bigger boys were camping, I took Preston to Kangaroo Zoo in Pleasant Grove.  They have tons of inflatable jumpers, toys and slides to play on.  Preston was in heaven, but would have had more fun with other kids to play with.  Sadly, this is the best picture I could get.  There was so much to see, he wouldn't look at the camera or hold still long enough to get a non-blurry picture.
A couple of weeks ago, we took the lift to the top of the Sundance Ski resort.  There are several hikes up there and amazing views.  We just walked around a little and then headed back down.

Preston and I at the top.

One guess how Chandler felt about getting off the lift...he wanted to get back on IMMEDIATELY!

Someone decided to give Preston a chocolate candy bar on our drive back down the canyon.  Yes, it is even in his hair.  He sure is cute, though.

The rest of our 4th weekend.

So our 4th of July weekend actually included more than just the 5K.  After the race, and a shower (trust me, I needed it) we headed down to Provo for the big parade.  The last 5 years we have been lucky enough to sit with our great friends, the Shallenbergers, on their bleachers.  Parking is still a problem, but finding good parade seats is not a problem anymore.  Thanks a million Shallenbergers!

Jared, our boys, and both Steve Shallenbergers.

Jared and Dave Shallenberger.

Chandler holding Rob's daughter, Lana Rose.  Isn't she gorgeous?  I think Chandler has a crush already.  I double and triple checked my camera.  I can't believe we didn't get a picture with Rob and Tonya!  Sorry guys!  At least we got their cute baby.

Jared being the "pyro" in our neighborhood.

My cute boys enjoying the fireworks at home.  From this picture, you'd never think they fight!

The next day we finished off the do-it-yourself fireworks at Jared's parents house with the Hansens, who were in town for the holiday weekend.   It was a great weekend.  We can see the Stadium of Fire Fireworks from our back yard so we watched those from home and saved ourselves a wad of cash!