The Beach, The Beach, The Beach!

We cannot get enough of the beach!  I guess if you live far away from a beach it is much more magical when you do get to play and soak up the sun!

I am glad I remembered the sunscreen.

Some liked to be buried in the sand.

Some did not.

And some did not have a choice what was done to them after they were buried.

Sunset on the North Sea

I have been dying to go see the sunset on the beach and we finally made it Thursday night.  Spencer had to get some work done so we put Brandt to bed and me and the boys went to the beach.  It was really fun and the boys loved all of the colors in the sunset.  The conversation was great!  We talked about dogs, creeping bugs, kissing girls, and Zach said he is going to marry me when he grows up.  Then Spencer the Younger reminded him that I was already married to dad.  :)  At least he loves me, right!

The boys have loved being here at the Kijkduinpark.  They are getting really good at riding their bikes, swimming, and they have loved just hanging around.  We are staying for another week because Spencer has more work to do at the contractor.  Spencer the Younger will miss his first week of second grade but that is okay, right?  We asked him to choose between going home to go to school or staying for another week.  It didn't take him long to decide. :)  Also Zachary is starting Kindergarten but his starts a week after everyone else so he will be right on time.

This trip has been really nice because it is actually a vacation for at least me and the boys.  Most places we go it is rush rush to see everything but this one is relaxing and do whatever we want.  I am glad we are staying an extra week!

Today we had a terrific day!  We woke up late, got Spencer off to work, played at a park, ate lunch, and after Brandt woke up from a nap we were off to the beach!  We stayed for three hours and enjoyed every minute of it.

We are staying at a resort right on the beach in The Hague, Netherlands.  But to be honest I have never really enjoyed the beach.  I'm not too big of a fan of the water, the sand gets everywhere, and worst of all I have to put on a bathing suit.  But today I just didn't care how I looked and I was bound and determined to have a good day with my boys.  We played in the sand and in the water and never once did I get stress out.  I will post some pictures when we get back.

Also this morning Spencer the Younger came running down saying there was a fox by the patio.  He said the fox was digging because he was trying to catch a mouse.  By the time we looked out the window he was gone.  But a few minutes later he came back.  I scared him because I got so excited so he was only around for a minute.  Spencer the Younger thought that was so cool.

Cactus vs. Chives

Tonight for dinner we are having baked potatoes, corn, and salad. So I asked Zachary to go into the backyard and cut me some of the long green spiky things. Well, he was upstairs and I called to him asking him what he was doing. He yelled down a bit distraught asking for Spencer help. Next thing I know he brought me down a bowl full of cut up cactus. I guess those are green spiky things outside on his balcony....but I don't think they will taste good on a baked potato.

Gotta love kids and the crazy things they do. :)

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

It was great timing to be in Utah for the Open House of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We enjoyed taking the boys there and talking about eternal families inside the temple. They liked the baptismal font with the oxen.

A visit to Rex Lee's farm

In my parents ward in Malad is a guy named Rex Lee. When he heard my parents had a grandson Rex Lee he came over to meet him while we were there in Malad. Rex was a bit shy at first but warmed up pretty fast. We visited his farm and the kids loved it!

They loved gathering eggs. They also loved seeing the horses, sheep, and chickens.

He even let them walk like cattle on their way to get branded.

Here is Spencer getting branded.

The boys and Spencer hiked all the way to the top of hill. It is beautiful country.

Spending time with Grandma and Grandpa Workman

Brandt loved exploring and getting into everything.

Grandpa Workman let the kids make their own puzzles. They had a great time and so did grandpa.

Here is Zachary's. He loves Zebras!

Here is Rex with Grandpa. Gotta love the safety glasses!

Here is boot lane in Malad Idaho. It was fun to see all the old boots.

Spencer and Seth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVaZbQs33ak

Here is a funny video shot at the Shumway Family Reunion of Spencer and Seth playing basketball. Show your stuff boys!

Swimming with Cousins and Friends!

The boys loved swimming in Utah with cousins and friends. The last few summers in Germany were cool so we didn't get to swim much. The boys really enjoyed the water.

Sad Farewells

We had to say goodbye to our dear friends the Stoebers. They moved back to the States while we visited family and friends in Utah. Zachary went to German Kindergarten with Johannes. We loved every minute we spent with them. Zachary was sad we didn't get another trip to Ramba Zamba (really fun indoor play place) with Johannes.

Farewell Stoebers, we hope to meet up in Utah when we return!

Daddy Home from Ukraine

Spencer always brings the kids gifts back from his trips. This time it was shirts. We all love it when daddy comes home!

Now for the tree stumps!

A few months ago I took out a Rose of Sharon bush but never got the stump out. Then early this spring when Oma and Opa Shumway were here, Spencer and Opa cut down one tree. So that was stump number two. Then after the missionaries and Brother Davis pulled out the pear tree some of the stump was still there so stump number three needed to come out. I got the stump for the Rose of Sharon out but the others were a much larger and harder. Brother Davis came over to help me cut up the pear tree so I could get rid of it and he saw that I was trying to get the stump out. He took pity on me and helped me finish getting it out. While I was digging it out trying to do it by myself my neighbor walked by and said in her best English. "That work is for husband." I agreed with a smile but said he is gone for two weeks. I think she thought I was crazy. :) Then the next day I started on the next stump. As I started digging the stump got bigger and I gave up. Then my other neighbor, an older Chinese man, came over and in his best English said "You need this" and gave me a pick. But I still didn't feel qualified for the job so I called my neighbor Suzzy to see if her husband had a chain or any other ideas. Well that evening they came over eager to help me. So John and Christopher came with a hatchet and used the pick.

They did it! Stump number three was out! I am so grateful for ward members especially when Spencer is gone! It felt so good to get these things done. I am not the one usually receiving the service. It was very humbling to ask for help and to have people it the ward be willing to help so quickly. Thanks again for all who helped me! Now I need to go buy another fruit tree and get it planted. Oh the joys of owning a home. :)