Hogle Zoo

Last year when we tried to go to the zoo with Grandma Devereaux it rained buckets on us! This year we decided to go the Friday after they arrived, and the weather was perfect. Jacob was pretty excited to get to go see all the animals.

We took two strollers, so Grandma and I both had someone to push around. It was nice! Here are the boys at the entrance.

The first thing that we had to stop and check out was the big ball/globe right after the entrance. Jacob and Ephraim both loved putting their hands in the cool water and touching the ball.

I have a couple of cool pictures of the ball where you can even see me and Grandma Devereaux reflected in the water. It was pretty fun.

We had a great time at the zoo. We got to go to the bird show and have all kinds of birds fly over our heads. It was pretty fun. I took a really nice bald eagle picture that I will probably put up on the fourth of july. :o)

The boys enjoyed watching the animals. Jacob wanted to see the monkeys, and I got him to pose with the big gorilla.

We also enjoyed the elephants, zebras, and giraffes. We stopped in the middle of our trip and had a nice little picnic lunch that we brought with us. Then we had to go on the carousel, of course!

Jacob was a lucky boy. We had an extra ticket, so he got to go on the carousel twice. The first time he wanted to ride a zebra and I put Ephraim on the giraffe. Then for Jacob's second ride he chose a tiger. They both loved the carousel!

Ride 'em Ephraim!

There's my tiger!

I also got a pretty cute picture of the boys on the tiger statues. I had my long lens on so I was standing pretty far away, but the picture turned out nice. Aren't they cuties?

I tried to get both of the boys by the big elephant statue, but Jacob didn't want to go near there! Of course Ephraim has absolutely no fear, so we had him sit on the elephant. We did have to wait our turn because this noise-making, water-squirting guy is pretty popular!

I shouldn't imply that Jacob is not brave because he didn't want to get up close with the elephant statue. After all, he did put his head in the lion's mouth!

At the end of the zoo trip we took a ride on the train, which Jacob loved. He actually didn't want to get off!

Then we went and played at the playground at the zoo before going home. Both of the boys had a great time on the play equipment...


at least until Ephraim completely blew out his diaper. I had to go change him and leave his shorts off because they were yucky too. Then just as we were leaving the play area Jacob tripped and took a header towards a bench. It scared me something awful! Luckily he only got a bruise and a scrape on his face.

We all had fun at the zoo. Both of the boys were so exhausted that they fell asleep in the car on the way home. We let them sleep for a little bit in the car in the garage because they were so tired and we didn't want to wake them up!

The Devereaux Boys

We left Star Valley on Memorial day and headed home. We wanted to be sure that we made it home before Grandpa and Grandma Devereaux got to our house! They were coming for their annual summer visit and we were excited to get to spend time with them.

We managed to get home a little over an hour before Grandpa and Grandma Devereaux and Great-Grandpa Sabey arrived. We all unloaded a bit and then went out to dinner, since no one had been home all day.

The next day all got settled in and did some shopping. We needed to get groceries and the boys needed to get supplies for this year's projects. I sometimes don't even know all the things they get done until after Grandpa and Grandma Devereaux leave! Haha!

This year they worked on spray painting the underside of the carport and the south side of the house. They did great work and it looks really nice.

The Devereaux boys also worked on our sprinkler system. They worked on getting a spigot (and who knows what else) from our secondary water line set up in the back yard.

They also worked on putting a shade cover on our playset, adding sand to the sandbox, patching a hole in our driveway with cement, painting the numbers on the front of the house, putting towel hangers in the downstairs bathroom, and who knows what else!

Needless to say, they had projects up to here!

Of course, Jacob and Ephraim had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. Jacob and Grandma spent quite a bit of time in the sandbox, which is one of Jacob's favorite places.

They dug some tunnels, built mountains and had a great time. Jacob also enjoyed the road grader that Grandpa and Grandma brought that used to be his dad's. Ephraim played in the sandbox a bit too.

We also went on some walks. Here is Ephraim on one of our walks. He got into our address labels, so I put one on his forehead. That way if he got lost they would know hot to "Return to Sender".

We got to do some other fun things with Grandma, like go to the zoo and the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house... but there were so many pictures that those get their own post!

Memorial Day Weekend

After spending the day out with Thomas the Tank Engine, we made it to my parents house in Star Valley. My entire family arrived on Friday evening so we could all make it to my Grandpa Heiner's funeral. We haven't all been together since Christmastime last year, so it was good to be together.

The next morning we all got dressed and headed to Bedford for the funeral service. I got to take my boys to the church building that I went to when I was a little girl and watch them walk around, which was a bit nostalgic for me. We got to the church early because they were having a viewing before the service. Since we couldn't make it to the viewing the previous night, we went that morning.

It was good to see Grandma Allene and spend a moment talking to her. It was good to see Grandpa Heiner looking so peaceful, laid out in his beautiful ceder casket and to say goodbye to him. It was wonderful to hear Dad and his brothers practicing the songs they would sing later at the service. It was nice to see so many of my cousins, many of whom I haven't seen in years. It was moving to see the love we all shared for our grandfather, who was a truly great man.

While we were waiting for the service to begin, the kids played outside for a little while. Here is a picture of Jacob and Ephraim and their Heiner cousins.

Here are Autumn, Kaylee and Ashlee on the front steps.

Before the funeral began, I had the opportunity to be there for the family prayer and closing of the casket. It was a tender moment that I will never forget as my father, his brothers, and Grandma Allene said goodbye to Grandpa Heiner.

The funeral service was wonderful and heartfelt. We got to hear some really fun stories about my Grandpa's life and some of the things that he and his brothers did together. He definitely had a sense of humor! We also heard of his love for the gospel, and the kind of life that he chose to live. We were all laughing and crying and remiscing together. Then Dad and his brothers got up and sang "Did You Think to Pray" and "Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy". To their credit they managed to hold it together, even though the rest of us were crying by then.

When the service ended we went to the cemetery in Bedford for the graveside service. Afterwards we went to the luncheon back at the church. It was fun to be able to visit with some of my cousins and other relatives for a while before heading back to my parents house. The boys were pretty tired at that point:


That weekend we also had the opportunity to visit Grandma Heiner at her house on Sunday after church. I have fond memories of my grandparents house, and we took some pictures to remember what it was like. Here is their house from the street.

Here is a glimpse of the inside of the house.

And here are the infamous stairs that lead to the door in the ceiling, that we spent so much time playing on as children.

It was good to see Grandma and get to spend some time in their house again. It really got me thinking about my childhood and all the fun memories that I have. That evening some of us stayed up until 1 a.m. talking about things we remembered from our childhood, and it was a whole lot of fun. I am going to have to write down some of those stories because my childhood growing up on the farm is more interesting that I realized

Monday when my Dad met to talk with his brothers about Grandpa's estate, I was ecstatic to discover that they had found my baby pictures, which had somehow gone missing from my parent's album. So here is a picture of it Joe took for me.

I'm such a cutie, huh?

We took a lot of fun photos over the weekend. Here is one of Grandpa and Ephraim. For some reason Ephraim just likes his Grandpas. He would run over to Grandpa and climb up on his lap.


That's not the only thing Ephraim climbed up on. He found the old rocking chair and figured out how to get up on it. Isn't he cute?


Speaking of cute, here is Jacob using Andrew's iPod. He thought it was pretty cool to listen to music in the headphones. I wasn't in the room, but apparently Andrew told Jacob that he needed to ask his Daddy for an iPod.

No thanks! I am not ready for my three year old to turn into a teenager just yet!

One afternoon all the kids wanted to play outside, but most of the adults didn't. Somehow it ended up that Uncle Joe went outside and was playing tag with all the kids. I have some funny photos of them running around the yard, chasing Joe and being chased by him.

Here is a picture of the kids and Uncle Joe taking a break. (My sister-in-law Tiffany would not be happy I posted this picture because Ashley (far right) is doing such a goofy looking pose!)


We really did have a great time hanging out with everyone at my parents house. Joe even said it was probably the best time we have ever had hanging out with my entire family, which is quite a large group.

A few more photos... here is a photo of Ephraim checking out Grandma's laptop. Ephraim is just fascinated by computer technology. We have the hardest time keeping him away from the laptop and mouse!

This photo just cracks me up. Dylan (my brother Shon's youngest) was having a rough day. Just check out the look on his face... poor guy!

Our boys were so good the entire weekend at my parents house. They behaved themselves, shared the toys, and had a great time with their cousins. They slept in the car pretty well, too. They made good traveling companions, and we were proud of them!

Day out With Thomas

Jacob absolutely loves trains (as you could probably guess from the train birthday cake). For over a month we had been telling Jacob that he was going to get to take a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine just after his birthday. He was so excited to go with Grandma Heiner and all his cousins.

It turned out that nobody else really wanted to go or could fit it into their schedule. I knew it would break Jacob's heart not to go, so we decided to go anyway.

When we found out about Grandpa Heiner's funeral being the same weekend, we decided to go see Thomas in Heber City on our way to Star Valley. We got everything packed in the car and made it to the train station just 5 minutes before we were supposed to leave. Phew!

Jacob thought the train was pretty fun, can you tell?

The boys were all smiles for the entire ride. They loved seeing the signals and listening to the train's whistle. Joe and I weren't that entranced, but we had fun taking pictures of our little train-lovin' boys.

Here is Ephraim enjoying a little snack on board.

Both boys got little certificates for riding on Thomas, which they also thought was fun. Jacob was sad when the ride was over and he wanted to go again!

Here is Jacob after our ride standing by one of his favorite trains. He has been telling us that he wants a Spencer for quite a while. We told him that if he could be a good boy while we were in Star Valley for the funeral that we would see about getting him one.

Jacob and Ephraim checking out Murdoch (an engine Jacob does have).

This year there weren't as many train cars and trains for us to look at and climb onto. There was a train out on the track that was running, which the boys thought was pretty cool. There was also some interesting stuff going on in the shed nearby because we could not get Jacob to look at the camera!

Both of the boys were really great and had a good time on the train. We were glad that we went on Friday because it wasn't really crowded at all. We stopped for lunch and then got back on the road.

Jacob plays with his wooden train tracks and his trains all the time (often during quiet time in the afternoon). We keep them in my craft room so Ephraim can't get to them, otherwise the little railroad monster would keep messing up Jacob's tracks, which makes him very unhappy!

I am sure that sometime in the near future both my little boys will be playing trains together and having a great time!

One Little Monkey

Ephraim is our daredevil child. Jacob has always had a healthy sense of fear, which kept him from doing anything too dangerous. Ephraim has absolutely no fear. He will hurt himself, protest about it for a second and then go right back to what he was doing. What a silly!

In Ephraim's room there is a rocking chair. On a couple of occasions I found Ephraim on the chair and couldn't figure out how he got up there. Then one day I caught him in the act.

Step 1: Climb up on footrest.

Step 2: Leap from footrest towards chair.

Step 3: Tell Mommy, "Ha-ha! You didn't think I could do it!"

Step 4: Find something more dangerous to do!

That's our Ephraim!

Great Grandpa Heiner

A little over a year ago Grandpa and Grandma Heiner came with my parents to visit our family and see our newest addition. It had been over a year since I had seen my grandparents, so it was nice to have them at our house. We had a fun visit. Of course Ephraim got passed around so everyone could hold him.

Here is a picture of Ephraim and his Great-Grandpa. Isn't it sweet?

I don't remember anything really remarkable about that visit. Maybe if I had known that it would be one of the last times that I would see, talk to, and hug my Grandpa, perhaps I might have paid a little more attention and memorized each detail of his visit.

Saturday morning my Grandpa Heiner passed away.

His death was not unexpected. His cancer had returned, and we all knew the time was short. The past few months Grandpa had not been doing well. In a way, his death was a relief because now he would be free from the pains of this life. I am sad for my Grandma Allene because she is a widow once again, but I know that she has many friends and family to be there for her. I also knew that Grandpa Heiner would be reunited with my Grandma Marva Lou again, which I am sure was a joyful reunion.

It didn't hit me until Sunday that my Grandpa was truly not with us anymore. I won't get to see his smiling face; hear his deep, kind voice; tell him I love him or give him a big hug the next time we part. It makes me sad even though I know I will see him again someday.

Raising my own family the past few years had kept me busy, and I had not been able to see Grandpa Heiner very often, but I will miss him.

Grandpa was a kind, honest, dependable, hard-working, and friendly man. I loved visiting his house as a child! We always had fun at Grandpa and Grandma's house. I remember how Grandpa always had a smile ready for us and the way he used to carry butterscotch or rootbeer barrel candies in his pockets for his grandkids.

I remember the cupboard at the end of the hallway that was stocked with toys for us to play with and enjoy. I remember how fascinated I was with the staircase that went up to the huge door in the ceiling, granting access to the second floor. I remember singing songs and playing games on many occasions with my grandparents. I remember the yummy taste of the fresh fish Grandpa caught that he would share with us when we visited. I remember the taste of the cold, homemade rootbeer we drank out of teeny bottles that Grandpa kept just for the little ones on hot summer afternoons. I have so many memories of Grandpa's house. It was a magical place for me as a little girl, and I wanted to live there when I grew up.

Grandpa always had time to listen to us, and he loved to tease his grandkids. I am sad that my children will never get to know what a wonderful man he was. I guess it is up to me to tell them about him and show them the type of person he was by trying each day to be a little more like him.

I love you Grandpa. I will miss you. I look forward to seeing you again.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

This week we got to celebrate Jacob's third birthday. I can hardly believe that my little boy is already three years old!

Jacob was looking forward to his birthday so much this year. The week before he kept asking me, "Is it my birthday yet?" or "Is it my birthday today?". It was fun to see him get all excited for the party, the presents, and the cake!

When he got up in the morning he found the living room full of balloons, which made him even more excited for the fun yet to come.


Jacob has a playgroup that he goes to every Wednesday. Since his birthday was on Wednesday this year, all the kids came over to our house for a little party. We got everything ready for the kids to play outside, even though it was a bit windy that morning. Jacob could hardly wait for his friends to show up so they could play in his sandbox, blow bubbles, and have cupcakes!

The sandbox was a big hit even though it was a bit cool outside. They all still had a great time. Here is Alyssa, Brooklyn, Jacob, Stephen and Kyle playing in the sand.


We also had a great time playing on the swings. We had to let the kids take turns so everyone could get a turn!

Swings are especially fun if you don't have to do any of the work! I got a good workout giving everyone pushes on the swing.

I also got out the sidewalk chalk for an additional activity, and the kids loved it! As you can tell this birthday party was a bit messy, but the kids really enjoyed it. Hopefully the parents didn't mind either!

Jacob, Kyle and Alyssa

We also took Ephraim's car ramp outside for the kids to play with, and several of them had fun playing with the cars on the ramp.

After a while Jacob asked if we could play with the bubble wands, so we got them out. Jacob's friends all got to take a bubble wand home with them. Several of the kids were pretty good at using the bubbles, but we also ended up with several empty bubble wands!

Jacob likes using the bubble wand.

Soon it was almost time for everyone to go home. So we all had some yummy cupcakes. Here are all Jacob's guests just before the cupcakes were served.

Brooklyn, Kyle, Jacob, and Alyssa

Stephen, Caleb and Jaynie

I think the cupcakes turned out pretty well. At least Jacob seemed to approve!

Jacob also got to open some fun presents at his party. He got some fun toys and games that he has been having fun playing with. Ephraim was such a good boy for me that morning... he slept during the entire party!

After Jacob's birthday party we went to Orem and had lunch with Joe. We got a pizza at Costco and ate it outside his office on the balcony. Jacob and Ephraim both thought that was pretty cool.

Then we came home and had nap time/quiet time. Jacob got to watch a movie while I did some work. Then in the evening when Joe came home we had our own little family party. Jacob got to open presents from us and Grandpa and Grandma Devereaux. He had so much fun!

Jacob loved the books, puzzles, and clothes that Grandpa and Grandma gave him. Jacob kept wanting to read the books or work on the puzzle instead of continuing to open the rest of his presents!

Ephraim absolutely loved this bubble cup and wand that Jacob got. Check out the look on his face! He just kept walking around with it, going "Oooh!".


Finally at the end Jacob opened the presents that Mommy and Daddy got for him. We got him a turntable for his trains and a trainset that has a Thomas the Tank Engine and a water tower.

Jacob was so excited. He kept saying "I've wanted this water tower for a long time!". He was making Joe and me laugh so hard! Of course we had to open the boxes and get out the Thomas and water tower for Jacob to look at.

Then came the cake! Jacob helped me decorate the cake the day before his birthday, and I think it turned out pretty cute!

Ephraim assured me that he liked the cake a whole bunch.

That evening we had to go downstairs and play with Jacob's trains for a little while before he went to bed. He is having so much fun with his trains! We are going to "A Day out with Thomas" at the end of the month and he is going to absolutely love it!

The next afternoon Grandma Heiner came to visit for Jacob's birthday. She brought him a really fun toy for his sandbox. Check out what Grandpa and Grandma Heiner gave Jacob:

Pretty cool, huh?

We had a great time with Grandma Heiner here to visit. Joe and I got to go on many long bike rides, and the boys got to spend time with Grandma.

I think Jacob had a pretty great birthday!