The Dinosaur Museum

On Wednesday, a friend of mine from church invited Paton and I to the Dinosaur Museum. But before I left, I took a few pictures of Greg on a backhoe/front loader thing. It was neat watching him work with such a huge piece of machinery!

Before we looked at the dinosaur sculptures, we stopped to feed the fish. Actually, I don't think the fish got any of the fish food because the ducks ate it all. But that wasn't a bad thing since it's easier for Paton to enjoy the ducks.

Paton was so excited to have his friends around that he ran wherever he went. No walking at all. Just running. And he really didn't take an interest in the dinosaurs. He was just so excited to be with his friends.

This tree sculpture has stairs leading to a slide inside, but after just a few steps Paton didn't want anything to do with it. Much more fun playing in the sand.

It was a really fun morning, and the weather was perfect for an outing!

Opening Game of 2011

Today was our South Carolina Gamecocks opening game, but before I get to that I have to share something that I experienced for the first time today. Ever since I put my hummingbird feeder up, I've seen plenty of hummingbird behavior. I've learned that they are territorial and will protect their source of food quite vociferously. But never in my life have I seen one just sit and preen. I was so enamored by this that I just stood by the sliding door and watched...and took a few pictures.

This is our traditional shot on the first game day of the season. Oh...and the Gamecocks won against East Carolina (56-37).

Paton had a clumsy day and earned his very first band-aid worthy "owie."

Here are Paton and Daddy enjoying a pre-game wrestling match.

 
Our opening game spread...complete with Gamecock plates and napkins (courtesy of my in-laws).

A football spread must come with chicken wings and nacho cheese dip.

And Cokes inside game-appropriate paraphernalia.

I love it when Paton picks up a book on his own and reads.

This is one of his favorites as he can name most of the shapes in this book.

Frisbee Fridays

In an effort to get to know more people in our valley, Greg started Ultimate Frisbee Fridays. Every Friday night in September (there are five of them) we've reserved the local park for a game or two of ultimate and made sure to plaster the valley with advertisement flyers. Greg started the night off with a short instructional time (last night's was how to throw the disc) and then the rest of the evening was for playing the game. This benefitted beginners who've never played, and the more experienced players coached them along. What a success the night was! Several came from our own church, and then several came from the community who I had never met before. They were very excited that there was something athletic for adults. I'm so excited to see how this month plays out!

On a hot summer day

On a hot summer day there is nothing better than water. Yesterday was such a day.

Without any leading from me, he discovered the joy of putting one's head in the stream of water.

And then the sign of entering childhood--drinking from the hose!

Fixing the chimney

Greg and Dom are spending the day today fixing the chimney. We're not sure what exactly the issue is, so the guys are fixing every problem possible. Water leaks in through the fireplace but only after days and days of rain.

While the guys were on the roof, Paton and I picked some of the last of the raspberries in our backyard. It was getting hot early, so we didn't stay out long.

U of U

Greg and I were able to take our friend Christine to the University of Utah and help her move into her dorm! Since it was in the morning, we brought Paton along. He enjoyed checking out the bed for appropriate sponginess. 

This is only the beginning of Christine's stuff.

Paton probably didn't feel Momma put the clothes in the closet correctly, so he was inspecting my progress.

Greg and Christine did all of the lifting. Even if I could have helped, Paton kept me busy enough running all over the dorm halls.

Thankfully, they were able to get one of those rolly cart things to speed the moving up a bit.

Again, Paton is helping Christine unload. We really had a good time, and I found myself envying Christine as she started out on this new adventure of life called college. My own college career was wonderful, and I wouldn't have minded doing it again....except for the tests...I could do without them.