Water. Dirty water.

I have been super busy. Dave has had 2 weeks off from school so we have been enjoying him as much as possible. I hate that he will be starting again, and so we will be father and husbandless for another 12 weeks...but it will be worth it in the end.

So 4 years ago today we closed on this house. From the very first time we drove past Saltaire and realized we were 15 minutes from the Great Salt Lake Beach, we have said that we wanted to go swimming in it. We have heard about all the salt. All the flies. Meh, we wanted to go and give it a whirl...but as life is, 4 years went by and nothing to show for it. So 2 weeks ago I said that was enough and we would be going for family home evening. I am the loser mom- I will admit- I lie to my kids from time to time. I have to. But It was worth it!

Nicole does not want to swim in lakes. The thought of fish swimming around in the water creeps her out- let alone all the other things swimming and living in there. So when I announced to the kids that we were going to the lake that night, Nicole told me- Nope. Not gonna do it! I told her- "Nicole! there is so much salt in that lake that NOTHING can live in it except for the brine shrimp! And they only keep those in the farms on the north shore. We are clear down here on the south shore!" I really just wanted her to have fun, and not be a party pooper... so she went with it and came. We were all in the water- the dog having the time of his life. (yes- he puked after from the little salt water he drank) and Nicole was laughing and playing with him. As I was walking back from the dang 1/2 mile out- just to get the water above my knees- I commented to Nicole- "I can't believe how many brine shrimp is in here- there are MILLIONS!" (Seriously- its all you could see in the water!) Nicole said- "what those red floaty things?" When I answered in the affirmative she just stopped. Glared at me, and said - "YOU SAID..." "I lied so you would come." She wanted to be mad at me. She did. She even tried. "So you just lied to me." "Yep." Nicole shrugged- and went along having the time of her life. See- Sometimes- I am smarter than I look!

This weekend Derrick and Kelli brought the family down and we had a fun day with them. We went to Seven Peaks and then to Ikea. IT was a fun day- But as a day goes with family, at one point Jordan was being a Dad hog, and Nicole was mad about it. She went to the towels and pouted for a bit- but being the loser mom that I am- I pounced on the first available opportunity to embarrass my 15 year old. I saw a boy who has been here a few times with his family. A buddy of her named Dallin. I saw him- called him over and told him- "Nicole is sad." Take her on a few slides!" She again- gave me the look of death- and he came over- We chatted with him for a few minutes, and he kept telling her to get up and go with him... Well she finally did- and crisis averted. Nicole Def Con 5 was pushed down to 1 and on the way home do you know what she said to me? Can you even imagine????? "Mom, Thanks for embarrassing me. I had tons of fun with Dallin." Yep- I am awesome.

We enjoyed Derrick and Kelli much. The kids asked when they can come again- Jordan and Kira probably wore Tannon and Myah ragged. Sorry. We hope to have a plate of meatballs again with you real soon. But if not, next year it is! Ok- the baby is waking. Oh did I mention she is 6 months old today???? Can you believe it? Ugh! Sweet little dolly growing too fast. So my million Great Salt Lake Pictures will have to be tomorrow. If you can stand the anticipation....