McCord Moments

In an effort to sync the pictures from my android to picassa web albums to blogger it became necessary (probably not but I couldn't figure out another way) to create a new blog with my gmail address instead of my hotmail address. This probably makes sense to some of you who perhaps have the same issues?




Anyway, follow our family at:



http://www.mccordmoments.blogspot.com

NEW BLOG

In an effort to sync the pictures from my android to picassa web albums to blogger it became necessary (probably not but I couldn't figure out another way) to create a new blog with my gmail address instead of my hotmail address.  This probably makes sense to some of you who perhaps have the same issues?

Anyway, follow our family at:

http://www.mccordmoments.blogspot.com

Mailbox

Original mailbox from 1971

My New England style mailbox, built by Kjell.  Shrubbery to come.

After months of checking out mailboxes in Utah, I found very few traditional style mailbox posts and practically no red mailboxes.  Since I did not want a vinyl mailbox post or rock shrine, Kjell ended up building me this mailbox post based off pictures of ones in my parents' neighborhood in Connecticut, including the brace and cap out of wood from the Sims' old deck.  I spraypainted a basic metal mailbox the color of our front door.  At first it was fire engine red but a little stain toned down the color a bit.  A variety of flowering shrubbery will finish off the project...in the spring.

Pumpkinland

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On Monday afternoon we had Pumpkinland almost completely to ourselves.  We ran around the corn maze (Marcus' favorite), visited the animals (Marcus LOVED the bunnies), jumped in the bouncehouse, played on the swingset and humored mommy by posing for pics.

"Maybe I should have napped when I had the chance instead of jumping on my bed."

"Stop clowning around so I can take your picure!"

General Conference Weekend

Uncle Bjorn and Marcus at Sundance

Uncle Bjorn came down from BYU Idaho for Conference Weekend.  We haven't seen him since before his mission, so it was a real treat to have him visit.  He spent a lot of time playing with the boys, which was a much-needed break for mom and dad.  Bjorn especially bonded with Holden who did not fail to say crazy things (Bjorn will have to refresh my memory).  Holden wanted Bjorn to build him a lego pyramid, which he did.  Kjell made ris grot for his brothers after Prieshood Session on Saturday night and Swedish pancakes on Sunday morning for Joshua, Bjorn, and Alena.

Sleepy Daddy

"Why isn't he listening?

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This is a sight often seen...Kjell decided it needed to be documented.

Hiking at Sundance between sessions on Sunday.  Port slept in the backpack most of the way, Wether was passed around to ride on shoulders, Holden was scared of every dog we saw, and Marcus collected fall leaves.  Picture taken by Alena. 

Bridal Veil Falls Conference Weekend

Uncle Joshua and Port hiking to Bridal Veil Falls on Saturday between sessions.

Haute Couture for Holden

It's always a treat to see what outfit Holden has chosen for himself each day.  We actually went out in public in this fun ensemble (at Holden's insistance I might add.)  Another favorite of Holden's is a red sweatshirt with a dalmation on the front that he somehow finds to wear on the hottest days.

Tubing the Provo River

Filling the "RetroRocket".  Holden's tube was attached to my raft.

It was a chilly Labor Day this year, but that didn't stop us from our yearly tradition of floating down the Provo River.  The river was higher than usual so it didn't take us long to reach Vivian Park just in time for a choo-choo train to ramble by as we stood next to the track.  The boys had a great time.  Later that evening we had a barbeque in the backyard.

Wether braved the rapids in the little blue boat attached to Kjell's raft.  Cuteness personified.

Uncle Joshua and Alena.  Joshua and Marcus were river buddies.

Our group.

Berries

Holden picking a raspberry with Michael and David Sims

Holden, Thomas, Emma, Marcus

While picking berries Emma sang me a song in French and Marcus sang me a song in Chinese.

Kjell was a little ways off picking blackberries.  He was able to keep Port entertained with a steady diet of blackberries.

He likes them.

11 wipes later...all clean.  And to answer your question, no this baby rarely stops smiling.

We joined up with the Sims family for an evening of berry picking in Payson.  Kjell and Port picked blackberries, while Marcus, Holden and I filled our bowls (and bellies) with raspberries.  Wether is noticeably absent from the photos because he found a slide and sandbox he relentlessly pointed to and cried until I gave in and let him go play...even though the play area was in someone else's yard.  Kjell entertained Port by feeding him blackberries and I entertained Wether by letting him trespass....sigh.  After enjoying nature's sweet fruit and a glorious late summer evening we stopped at Carl's Jr. on the way home to eat burgers and fries and climb on the massive indoor playground.  It's a great tradition.

Thinking Inside the Box

The kids all wanted a turn to climb inside the box that Holden found.  The other morning I went in Holden's room to wake him up only to find him in the box with a blanket over the top.  He jumped out and yelled "roar". 

15 Minutes of Fame

Cover of Utah Valley Magazine

Whoever gets the most votes on Facebook gets a prize (gift certificate to a restaurant)

Can you guess who I look like?

To read the article click here:

http://uvmag.com/septoct11/26.html

Come On Irene



Mom's surveying the damage from Hurricane Irene.  She's breathing a sigh of relief that the dead tree in the background (that my dad has been wanting to cut down) did not fall on the house!  The house and boat made it through unscathed, although the same cannot be said for the stone walls.





The beach and tennis courts at Wilson Point are submerged.



More Oregon Pics

Thanks for the pictures Ruby!

Kjell and Tryg with their heads in a giant tube.  Per and Julie looking on.

Holden playing in the giant tube.

Uncle Desmond and Aunt Emma Kate playing with Port.

2 Family-sized tents outside of the house.

Kjell and Olivia crabbing at low-tide with Holden observing.

Port napped in his carseat while we crabbed.  He he is just waking up.

Per and Kjell crabbing with several little boys helping out.

Looking good Kjell!

Cousin Heidi in her backpack.

THese 3 kept good company for the crabs.

Look!  It's a crab!

Wether (2), Ansel (5), Marcus (6), Kurt (7), and Holden (4)

The T.V. wasn't on much but when it was....

Kjell spent quite a bit of his vacation with his catch.  First he caught the crabs, them cooked them, then got the meat out, then searched for the perfect crabcake recipe, then shopped for ingredients,and finally cooked the crabcakes.  Good thing they were delicious!

WW asleep with Shrek.  When he didn't want to sleep he'd say "No want to" and when we didn't listen he'd say "No thanks."  That usually worked.

Grandpa Larry with baby Port.  Port enjoyed macaroni and cheese.

Grandma Ruby rocked Port to sleep while we packed up the car.

Just the day after we departed, Bjorn returned from his mission to Denver, Colorado.  We were sad to miss him.  Here is Tryg welcoming Bjorn at the airport.

Feeling crabby?

Port turned 7 months while we were in Oregon.  He's practicing sitting up.