Fourth of July

Wow! I just realized that I didn't post anything in July of real concern or interest. So, here's how we spent the 4th:

Ready to start the day's festivities. We attended our first ever North Ogden Cherry Days (We are usually at a ranch in the Uintas during this.) We found that we are not missing much when we are usually camping over the fourth. And there's no way our family could get up in time for the parade. We are night people.
Grumpa Koch grilling us dinner.

Grumpa Koch, Doug, Ty, Xanna Koch(Grandma), Colby finishing their food.

"Duck" Doug. The name our kids call our friend Doug.

Gabe hanging out with me on the hammock at Colby's parents home.

Ty and Tristan, the two T's.

Ty takes Colby for a bike ride.

Ty and Tristan bonding, yet again.

Xavi, Braxton, Tristan, Mat, and Doug playing some Frisbee in the backyard.

Time for sparklers, before the high school's firework show begins.

Ty helping Tristan get a handle on his sparkler. He is my little pyro boy.

Typical male stance around our personal fireworks. Xavi and his dad Ty, Colby and Doug.

How Tristan enjoys the fireworks: up close and interested.

How Braxton and Gabe enjoy them: Forced by their dad to man up and stay outside, while they cover their ears and throw tantrums.

Teaching Xavi how to light them.

Xavier and his dad, Colby's only sibling, Tyson.

Tristan greets his future bride: 1-year old Mardi Peterson with her mom Christina.

Mike Peterson giving his future son-in-law some good advice.

Braxton, Tristan and Xavier chillaxin' in the hammock up in the barn.

Mike, Colby and Tristan spooning in the hammock. They were reenacting their school days' of silliness. Nothing dirty meant.

Colby and Mardi, she always calms down for him.

A day out with Rylee.

We got the opportunity to watch a friend's daughter this past Saturday. I would love to have her as my own. My boy's love her. Colby loves her. So, of course we were all excited to babysit her. She is a little younger than Gabe, and oh so cute. So, I decided to make a day of it. We all headed to McDonald's, a reward for the boys for cleaning up the playroom. They always have fun at McDonald's. Though, Colby and I hate eating there. So we stopped by Blimpie for some healthy sandwiches to take there. After lunch, I dropped Colby off at home to work, and put Tristan down for a nap. The rest of us were headed to Beus Park/Pond to feed the ducks, explore and play: Braxton, Gabe, Rylee and I. There were so many ducklings, we had a blast making sure they got an adequate amount of bread. Next we found a playground and taught Rylee how to go down the slide with Braxton and Gabe as a train, then just with Gabe and finally all by herself. A fact that she was very proud of at the end of the day. We finished exploring the trail around the pond and I told the kids of my memories of playing there as a child. Back in the car, we were all dying of thirst. I decided 7-Eleven could use a visit from us, so we grabbed some Slurpees. Back at home, it was time to play with toys, jump on the trampoline, and then tuck Gabe and Rylee in for a movie during quiet time. They ended up falling asleep together. After naps, Braxton and Rylee drove the power wheels truck around until it was too cold and raining a bit. Soon after, her family came to pick her up. The boys' were sad to see her go, as was she. We don't get to see enough of her, and can't wait for her next visit.

Camping in Lava Ranch

We had been wanting to go camping all summer long. But with Colby's deadline schedule and crazy work hours, it has made it impossible. We finally snuck away for one night the 1st of August. My mom's side of the family owns some property in Lava Ranch, Idaho. (Near Lava Hot Springs, for those who don't know.) We invited a bunch of people to go with us. In the end Colby's parents, brother Ty, nephew Xavier and our good friend Doug were available to go along on our adventure. We headed out Saturday evening after all were finished with work. Again, Tristan whined the whole drive. We have never had such a terrible traveler, I am beginning to wonder if he gets car sick. Luckily none of us needed to set up tents when we got there. We had permission from two of my aunts to use their camping trailers. All equipped with bathrooms. Woot! We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for dinner. And had good chats around the fire. It was a warm night, I don't know that many of us slept in our sleeping bags. Ty decided to sleep in the bed of their truck, while the rest of us enjoyed mattresses. Although, I heard that Braxton ended up on the floor in front of a bathroom door in the other trailer. I guess Xavi hogged the bed they were supposed to share. He didn't seem to mind though, he was just so excited to be camping. My father-in-law cooked up a swell breakfast of pancakes, while we munched on not-ripe-enough cantaloupe. The kids played, while some of us took naps. Braxton and Xavi practiced with bow and arrows. While Gabe was on the swing and Tristan in the sandbox. There was an incident of Xavi leading Braxton and Gabe off into the forest, but luckily after a 15-20 minute search by Colby and Ty they were found. (I was freaking out, one of the longest stretches of minutes as of yet. It's a steep bit of forest, next to a water source on the mountain.) We then traveled into Lava Hot Springs for some swimming. Colby, Ty and I stayed with the boys at the big swimming pool with great water slides, while their parents journeyed off to soak in the hot springs. Back at camp, we had a quick dinner and packed up camp. All of us wanted to stay more nights, but work awaited most the next day. This has inspired us all that we need to do this more often. And, Colby and I love that our kids are such great campers.

Tristan after playing in the dirt around the campfire.

Gabe just waking up and posing for me on his upper bunk.

Tristan still asleep on his lower bunk, scrunched in the corner for some odd reason.

Snuggling with a still sleeping dad.

Stick boys: Xavier and Gabe.

Uncle Ty hiding in his cave of sleeping bags in the bed of his truck.

Colby emerging from the trailer, ready for some breakfast.

Braxton and Xavi couldn't bear to part from their Nintendo DS for one day. (I tried to stop the socks with sandals incident, but to no avail.)

Ty chillaxin' in the sun.

Tristan kicking back with a snack.

Tristan being a big boy, dragging a stick, and Grumpa Koch watching from behind.

Hogle Zoo

Last Thursday we went to the Hogle Zoo with my sister and her kids.

(Braxton, Jed, Gabe, Taryn, Tristan, Wyatt, Shaila, some random kid.)

We both have Dinosaur Park passes and found that, with those, the first Thursday of every month is free at the zoo. So off we went. I had never taken my kids to this particular zoo, and hadn't been there myself since before I was married. We ate are packed lunches right after entering the park. We have a buddy system in place with all of our kids, established on our trip to San Francisco. So, our kids know who to pair up with and hold hands when we say "buddy-up!". It's great, since 2 of her kids are older then mine. It's a huge help, and the pairs of kids have all become closer because of it. Wyatt is Gabe's buddy, Taryn is Tristan's, and Jed and Braxton have always been birthday buddies (1 day apart). Then Shaila can choose either Tyra or I. The tamarins were so cute.

(Tristan and I admiring the baby tamarins.)

One of them had twin babies with her. It must have been spring in the zoo in the past month, because there were a lot of new babies. A snow leopard was born on Gabe's birthday in June, there was a week old giraffe, and the elephant was due any day. According to the website there were more, but that's all that I saw. We found this fun drinking fountain.

(Tristan, Jed, Jed, Taryn waiting for the show to start.)

And attended a fun bird show, although who knows if anyone there could hear a thing said all due to Tristan's constant tantrum throwing and screaming. (Yes, Sarah and Kelly, that was my youngest making all the racket.)

(Wyatt watching the show.)

(Braxton measuring up to the apes.)

Pausing for pictures. I did find that we need to have a family home evening about sexual harassment. My boys' were being very inappropriate all day long. To my horror, Braxton stepped away from this gorilla statue saying that we was hugging it's boobs. Then he smacked Taryn on the butt. At the bird show, Gabe unknowingly, was doing obscene things to young Taryn's chest. I felt so embarrassed the whole day. Just goes to show that I am definitely the only girl in my house. We hang out with mostly guys in our home, and I only have boys. So, unfortunately it gets lewd and crude at my home. I guess I am the only one who can fix that. I better get on it before they are teenagers and know better.

It was a fun day, although very hot and we had many a meltdown with the kids. But, from these pictures, we will only remember the good stuff.

Bountiful Baskets

So, I have been a non-existent blogger of late. I have no excuse. But, here is what I have been doing every other Saturday morning. My sister let me know about a produce co-op called Bountiful Baskets. I am in love with this now. We love produce in our home, but I hate paying for it when it goes bad in two days. Well, now I don't have to. I pay $15 for a laundry basket full of produce. They buy it direct from the farmers, and it is restaurant quality. I never know what I am going to get, it's like Christmas. It's also a great way to introduce my family to new fruits and veggies. You also have the option of adding on different things each time. Take for instance their 9-grain bread. We love it. It's "Great Harvest" quality without the cost. The slices are a bit smaller but it tastes awesome. And you get 5 loaves in a bag. So you keep one out, and freeze the rest. We need to buy it every two weeks because of how good it is. They always have the 9-grain bread, but often they offer different breads as well. Sometimes you can add on special packs, or whole cases of certain fruits or veggies.


So here's the run down:
First-time fee $3 ( Obviously you only have to pay this once.)
Regular Basket of Misc. Fruits and Vegetables $15
Online handling fee $1.50

Optional add-ons:
5 loaves of 9-grain bread $10
5 loaves of other breads $10
Specialty packs $7.50
Fruit/veggie cases featured that week $10


Here is what I have received since I have started Bountiful Baskets:

Saturday, July 11, 2009

1 head iceberg lettuce

1 cantaloupe

1 large bunch of broccoli

1 bag of potatoes

1 bag of carrots

5 small white onions

1 bunch of bananas

5 tomatoes

6 apricots

6 nectarines

14 plums

3 bags rainier cherries

5 loaves 9-grain bread

So my cost was $29.50: $15 basket, $3 first-time fee, $1.5 online handling, $10 for bread

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Italian Specialty Pack: $7.50
1 eggplant
2 red onions
1 yellow onion
3 garlic
1 8oz. container of mushrooms
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 bunch fresh rosemary
1 bunch fresh basil

Basket: $15.00
2 cantaloupe
1 bunch cauliflower
1 bunch celery
7 bananas
1 bunch asparagus
1 10 oz. strawberries
4 large tomatoes
4 peaches
10 gala apples
1 acorn squash
1 head of cabbage
1 bag green grapes

5 loaves 9-grain bread $10.00
5 loaves olive oil rounds $10.00
Online handling fee $1.50

Total: $44


Saturday, August 8, 2009



Basket: $15.00
11 bananas
10 large peaches
12 small pears
2 pints grape tomatoes
2 boxes of strawberries
1 box blueberries
2 head romaine lettuce
1 small bunch of broccoli
1 bunch of spinach
1 bunch green onions
1 bag of celery

Tropical Specialty Pack: $7.50
1 pineapple
1 coconut
3 mangoes
4 kiwi
5 small limes
1 bunch green (different variety) bananas

5 loaves 9-grain bread $10
Online handling fee $1.50

Total: $34

Valassis pulling all Red Plum inserts from Utah newspapers!

I just got this email from my Pinching Your Pennies newsletter:


Grocery coupons found in newspaper inserts have become an important money saving tool for Utah consumers. Many Utah families are surviving these tough economic times because of increased coupon use. In August, Utah consumers will lose half of these coupons when Red Plum coupon insert distribution is discontinued in the Utah market. Valassis Communications, publisher of the Red Plum coupon insert, has opted to distribute the coupons by mail. The problem for Utah consumers is that the direct mailing will be targeted areas only. There are many coupon users who do not live in these targeted areas and will not be receiving the coupons. These mailings will also be limited to one insert per household. Many coupon shoppers currently purchase more than one Sunday newspaper to obtain more than one copy of the money saving coupon inserts. This provides Utah consumers with increased purchasing power and an effective way to combat the economic stress.

Join us in telling Valassis Communications http://www.dontcutmycoupons.com/

Spread the word about this stroy! Get your friends and family involved. Forward the above link, blog about it, post it on your Facebook profile, Tweet it, whatever it takes to get the word out. We can make a difference and keep our coupons. Consumer influence has worked in other coupon markets. Let Valassis know that we don't want them to cut our coupons! On http://www.dontcutmycoupons.com/ , you can contact companies that advertise with Valassis and let them know that you are not happy about this change. Pinching Your Pennies has made a list of advertisers to make it easier for everyone to express their opinion.

Visit us at www.dontcutmycoupons.com and make your voice heard!