Oscar Stew

We still have more to post about our summer, but it’s time to take an update break again. Don’t worry, we’ve laid down all 13 chapters of pics and memories from our Tour de Utah…but that doesn’t mean the party ended when we came home! While our life is always like a party (that can be good or bad), consider this an after-party post about getting back into the swing of things…  

Whatcha doin’ Ellie? Are you exfoliating your T-zone?

Looks like the tape is starting to itch. Aaah…AAaahh…AAAHH…

Oh I get it! That device you’re wearing is a new invention: The SneezeStopper 3000!

“Side effects may include drooling while on camera. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice monkey-like tendencies…”

Another new thing Ellie has tried out is brushing her teeth. Apparently she wanted to survey the toothbrush selection before being forced to settle on the one we bought for her!

What’s that Drew? You say you don’t use this toothbrush to brush your teeth anymore? What do you use it for?!

Grandpa & Grandma J spent a few days at our place while on their trek east to attend Uncle Dan’s white coat ceremony. All the men got to work right away on making an insulated utility room in the basement. Drew is very proud that this tape measure doesn’t pull down his shorts:

Drew’s holding the wall up, but is it straight? I think he can feel it in his shoulders!

Brinley approves of her 1st grade desk, and is ready to be assessed. Hiiiiiiyah!!!

See that angry look on Drew’s face? He had to suffer through quite a vicious hazing before becoming a Bobcat. Poor kid…

Grandpa & Grandma J went to Missouri to see Dan receive his white doctor’s coat, but they weren’t the only ones to see it live: 

Someday you two will be telling the story about how you were watching a live video on the internet to your grandkids, and they’re just going to laugh and laugh! Way to go Uncle Doctor Dan!

Oh blessed day! The first day of scourge…I mean skooge has finally arrived!

It had rained the night before, but that didn’t stop Brinley from helping the greater good by cleaning off the slide…with her butt.

No big deal! Brinley’s too ecstatic about being at school again to worry about her soggy seat.

Rowan is excited too, but only because she got to wear a backpack!

Ellie…was not thrilled.

Rowan insists that she wear pajamas, brush her teeth and say her prayers before naptime. I’m not going argue with that! Afterward it was time to crack open her backpack and discover the surprise inside! A lunch just like the big kids have!

Are a handful of raisins for a cheese cube a fair trade? The negotiations continue…

Looks like Eleanor is going to remain deep in thought about this transaction…very deep!

Like a flash of lightning a silent third party has showed up and wanted his fair share. It doesn’t look like he’s interested in what everyone else’s opinions are either!

Ew. Cheddar is a cannibal!

Hey Rowan, do you think Cheddar might be interested in your whole wheat PBJ too?

Roastie and Eleanoo got to enjoy the new play area at the zoo where the old yuck-tastic duck pond used to be. This is Ellie’s interpretation of the Riverdance:

Rowan really is quite proud that she has a lunchbox like the bigs do. And unlike her little sis, she believes in a fair share for everyone.

So Ellie, how good is that unconditional love sandwich?

Don’t you think you ought to share too? Sorry Ellie, that doesn’t work. I’m still here!

Hello, old foe. It’s good to see you…at the zoo.

Wait, is that Hammy?!

The rodent that laid waste to the backyard garden before I was even born? Say it ain’t so!

And Mommy just said hello to him like they were BFFs!!!

You two need to keep the perspective that Hammy lives at the zoo. While there may be an abundance of grub available to him, it’s only a matter of time until WHACK! Hammy = Snow leopard poop. (insert evil chuckle here)

That’s great Mommy, but what do we do about this crazy lookin’ dude over here?!

Hey Rowan! Was your lunch made with all-natural organic Flubber? Because you’re starting to float!

Here’s something else that’s all-natural and organic: Kids and caramel popcorn. Its Friday movie night!

We’re settled into our seats and the snacks are tasty. What sort of flick did we choose? Romantic comedy? Action? Documentary?

According to Rowan, it’s a horror movie! Who knew that Megamind was so terrifying?!

This is it. We’ve reached the end. The light at the end of the tunnel is shining on us like a spotlight. Hey Drew, how does it feel?

It feels fast!

For our last hurrah on the Tour de Utah we sped out to Sand Hollow Reservoir and got right to work doing no work at all. Rowan’s ear-piercing excitement seems to be overwhelming her Papa!

Hey Johnson #10, whaddyathinkyerdoin?!

Ah, nice! Grandpa has given you a learner’s permit for boat driving! Hold ‘er steady now!

Forget the part about steady; this bumpy stuff is way more fun!

Ok, maybe it’s fun for some people but not for others. C’mon Ellie, just admit you’re jealous!

Watch out for the tsunami!

“…Welcome aboard Big Wake Airlines, the most refreshing airline in the world.” 

Captain! We’ve lost another passenger!

See what happens when we don’t go fast enough? Brinley starts waving her arm around like some kind of beauty queen with her eyes closed and Drew shows off those big buckers. Hit the gas Grandpa!

Ah, that’s more like it. Keep those kids thinking that they’re holding on for dear life!

Uh-oh, looks like the tube is going under…those kids are holding on for dear life!

Time for Grandma and Roastie to show how it’s done. Faster faster faster! They’re just skipping across the water now!

Eventually holding your face into all that wind and water gets tiring. Or maybe they were going for a more aerodynamic approach!

Eleanor’s radar was pinging; her turn to have some fun was soon to come…

Alright you sea monkeys, let’s go beach ourselves and enjoy some shore leave!

Brinley said “Naaaaaaaaa.”

But Eleanor said “Aaaaah,” and enjoyed a mud bath at the spa.

You know how it goes…One girl starts a trend, and then it just spirals out of control!

See, all three boys…er…girls are playing in the red sand.

One of the benefits to playing in sand of such a bold color is that it’s easy to see, which makes washing it off easier. Hey Rowan, you got a little shmootz on your shnoz!

It is quite nice to watch our non-swimmer children boldly venture out into the deep with complete confidence in their life jackets:

See? Not a concern at all. Ok, well Rowan can’t touch the bottom anymore, but it’s not like they’re going to be attacked by scary sea monsters, right?

Looks like I spoke to soon. Hey Drew-ness monster! What’s with the water bottle?

Sister Rowan says that we are now being inducted into a secret combination. Huh?! What does this have to do with the water bottle?

I think I’m starting to put this puzzle together. The leader of the gang is Grandma, and these three are secretly conspiring a plan of death and destruction!

Oh boy, I can see what’s going on here…

Hey Drew, I don’t know if that’s the greatest…too late.

The secret’s out: you kids are gonna get it!

Hmm…It doesn’t seem that “getting it” is a punishment!

Grandma probably feels differently about that. Give it to her Binnie!

Hurry and retreat before Grandma can splash you back! I think Drew is going to miss the bus…

I think I’ve seen this before. Is it smotherly sister love, or is Rowan trying to shove sand in Eleanor’s mouth?

Brinley! Don’t look now, but you’re sinking into a whirlpool!!! Ok, who pushed the handle? 

The USS Eleanor apparently has no respect for wake-less zones…

That’s ok, because Daddy needs a lot of wake in order to do “tricks”.

What’s the matter Ryan? Did the wake get too big for you? (This is Ryan’s I-just-swallowed-3-gallons-of-lake-water smile)

Sweet ‘stache Ro-dog! She’ll be shaving soon.

Here fishy fishy…Too bad they won’t jump out of the water and onto the dock like they did on Sesame Street. That would scare them to death!