The Swift Family Blog
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Idaho Falls Temple
Ever since the re-dedication we have been able to go to the Idaho Falls temple instead of the Rexburg temple. There are a few nice things about that. First, the drive seems so short. Second, right next to the temple is a awesome river walk. I have been taking the kids to do that on their scooters while Rebecca attends the temple, and then we switch and she takes them to a park while I attend. Here are some pictures of us doing scooters around the river. The stretch that we do is 2.3 miles long and so if we take our time we can usually get in two loops while Rebecca is in the temple.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Weekend Activities
Our weekend started off early on Thursday night with our ward's Pioneer Day Celebration. It seemed like everyone had a great time at this! Rebecca co-facilitated this, so it was probably a little more stressful for her.
They started it with a bike parade. Julia and Ethan did their bikes and Elliott and Agnes did their scooters. Since Christian broke his arm, I pulled him and Asher along in our new bike trailer. A very nice lady in our ward sold it to us for just $35!
They also had stilts, hand carts, a few pioneer games, and square dancing. Julia convinced me to do a square dance for her. I am not super in to dancing, but I wanted to be a good dad so I said okay. Then the dance started and it was one of those ones where you trade your partners so I didn't even get to dance with her. She had a blast doing it though.
The highlight of the night was the food. Rebecca picked up 300 pieces of fried chicken. There were also a ton of delicious jello salads, regular salads, rolls, baked beans, potato salads, and desserts. Everyone ate a ton, but there were still tons of left overs. We took home probably 25 pieces of chicken and our old home teachers sent us a big bowl of potato salad. I remember I never liked potato salad growing up, but it is one of those things where my taste buds have changed and I like it a lot now - especially the one that they gave us.
On Friday I took the kids fishing in the morning. We struck out this time and didn't catch anything. While we were gone our washing machine finally gave up. It had been having issues over the past couple of months, but we had always been able to find a way around it by changing some of the water use settings. On Friday though nothing worked. It is always unfortunate when the washer breaks because by default it is always the worst time. All of the children had worn through their clothes from the previous week and the laundry room is packed with dirty clothes. I spent the rest of the afternoon bringing it in to a repair shop. They said they wouldn't be able to check it out until August 2nd. So I looked around at a few stores to see if I could find a cheap, but reliable back up one. We were really frustrated with this washer though since we spent extra money to get a really good one and it broke down on us so quickly. The Maytag people on the phone weren't very helpful and it seems like their 10 year warranty doesn't really cover anything. Talking to people at the appliance shops, they said that they do not sell Maytags any more because they often have these types of small problems. This led to a long Friday and Saturday of washing clothes by hand in our bathtub.
Friday did end on a positive note though. We went to a movie in the park. They were playing Lego Batman! I love these type of community activities. We went a couple hours early and the children just played in the park. They were also handing out free freeze pops. The kids loved that they got to stay up until almost midnight.
On Saturday we had wanted to do a family bike ride, but plans have changed some ever since Christian broke his arm. Instead, we did a walk/scooter ride. We did some garage sale shopping and found some pretty good deals. We found some clothes for all of the children and a baby seat for a bike. I think we are all set now for the Haiwatha trail, as long as Christian gets the okay to ride his bike with his cast on. Then the walk. We were going to one about 5 minutes out of town, but then we noticed that we were lower on gas than we originally thought. So we ended up just doing one that we had done before and it was really nice. Everyone was just having a good time playing around and enjoying each other's company.
To cap the weekend off, Rebecca and I celebrated our 12 anniversary today! That is 1/3 of our lives that we have spent together. It has been wonderful.
They started it with a bike parade. Julia and Ethan did their bikes and Elliott and Agnes did their scooters. Since Christian broke his arm, I pulled him and Asher along in our new bike trailer. A very nice lady in our ward sold it to us for just $35!
They also had stilts, hand carts, a few pioneer games, and square dancing. Julia convinced me to do a square dance for her. I am not super in to dancing, but I wanted to be a good dad so I said okay. Then the dance started and it was one of those ones where you trade your partners so I didn't even get to dance with her. She had a blast doing it though.
The highlight of the night was the food. Rebecca picked up 300 pieces of fried chicken. There were also a ton of delicious jello salads, regular salads, rolls, baked beans, potato salads, and desserts. Everyone ate a ton, but there were still tons of left overs. We took home probably 25 pieces of chicken and our old home teachers sent us a big bowl of potato salad. I remember I never liked potato salad growing up, but it is one of those things where my taste buds have changed and I like it a lot now - especially the one that they gave us.
On Friday I took the kids fishing in the morning. We struck out this time and didn't catch anything. While we were gone our washing machine finally gave up. It had been having issues over the past couple of months, but we had always been able to find a way around it by changing some of the water use settings. On Friday though nothing worked. It is always unfortunate when the washer breaks because by default it is always the worst time. All of the children had worn through their clothes from the previous week and the laundry room is packed with dirty clothes. I spent the rest of the afternoon bringing it in to a repair shop. They said they wouldn't be able to check it out until August 2nd. So I looked around at a few stores to see if I could find a cheap, but reliable back up one. We were really frustrated with this washer though since we spent extra money to get a really good one and it broke down on us so quickly. The Maytag people on the phone weren't very helpful and it seems like their 10 year warranty doesn't really cover anything. Talking to people at the appliance shops, they said that they do not sell Maytags any more because they often have these types of small problems. This led to a long Friday and Saturday of washing clothes by hand in our bathtub.
Friday did end on a positive note though. We went to a movie in the park. They were playing Lego Batman! I love these type of community activities. We went a couple hours early and the children just played in the park. They were also handing out free freeze pops. The kids loved that they got to stay up until almost midnight.
On Saturday we had wanted to do a family bike ride, but plans have changed some ever since Christian broke his arm. Instead, we did a walk/scooter ride. We did some garage sale shopping and found some pretty good deals. We found some clothes for all of the children and a baby seat for a bike. I think we are all set now for the Haiwatha trail, as long as Christian gets the okay to ride his bike with his cast on. Then the walk. We were going to one about 5 minutes out of town, but then we noticed that we were lower on gas than we originally thought. So we ended up just doing one that we had done before and it was really nice. Everyone was just having a good time playing around and enjoying each other's company.
To cap the weekend off, Rebecca and I celebrated our 12 anniversary today! That is 1/3 of our lives that we have spent together. It has been wonderful.
Rebecca's Birthday
This last Monday was Rebecca's birthday. We had a wonderful time celebrating it with her.
One of the highlights of birthdays in our house is getting to pick the food. Rebecca picked shashuka for breakfast, which is always super yummy. For lunch the kids did lunch in the park and Rebecca and I did make your own sandwiches. For dinner we had pulled pork green sauce enchiladas. Then for dessert we had a triple layer chocolate cake, which is kind of a cross between a cheesecake and a torte. Plus, one of her friends brought by a cinnamon roll bread from Panera's.
We started the day with a early morning hike. It has been super hot here, so getting in a hike early in the morning felt nice and cool. Later that morning we opened presents. The highlight was a newspaper that the children put together. They gave Rebecca a free copy for her birthday, but I had to pay 50 cents to be able to read it with her.
We then did the free lunch in the park which we have been doing a lot this summer. It's free and a great opportunity to play around at the park and get some energy out. In the afternoon we went swimming in the lake. This is the same man-made lake that we have been going fishing in. One side of it has been built into a shallower sandy beach.
Rebecca turned 36 this year, which means only 4 more years until 40! I don't know how she has managed it, but she still looks like she is 26 - me on the other hand look like I am 46. Pretty soon I think we will be getting the dad and daughter comments from strangers. It is amazing what she has done with the first 36 years of her life - had six children, served a mission, earned a Master's degree, established a home filled with the Spirit, is helping our children develop fun and happy memories, served in numerous different church callings, and on and on. She really is an inspiration to me. I am so grateful that I get to spend all of her years with her now.
One of the highlights of birthdays in our house is getting to pick the food. Rebecca picked shashuka for breakfast, which is always super yummy. For lunch the kids did lunch in the park and Rebecca and I did make your own sandwiches. For dinner we had pulled pork green sauce enchiladas. Then for dessert we had a triple layer chocolate cake, which is kind of a cross between a cheesecake and a torte. Plus, one of her friends brought by a cinnamon roll bread from Panera's.
We started the day with a early morning hike. It has been super hot here, so getting in a hike early in the morning felt nice and cool. Later that morning we opened presents. The highlight was a newspaper that the children put together. They gave Rebecca a free copy for her birthday, but I had to pay 50 cents to be able to read it with her.
We then did the free lunch in the park which we have been doing a lot this summer. It's free and a great opportunity to play around at the park and get some energy out. In the afternoon we went swimming in the lake. This is the same man-made lake that we have been going fishing in. One side of it has been built into a shallower sandy beach.
Rebecca turned 36 this year, which means only 4 more years until 40! I don't know how she has managed it, but she still looks like she is 26 - me on the other hand look like I am 46. Pretty soon I think we will be getting the dad and daughter comments from strangers. It is amazing what she has done with the first 36 years of her life - had six children, served a mission, earned a Master's degree, established a home filled with the Spirit, is helping our children develop fun and happy memories, served in numerous different church callings, and on and on. She really is an inspiration to me. I am so grateful that I get to spend all of her years with her now.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Broken Arm
Christian broke his arm yesterday :( He and Ethan were wrestling around and Christian fell off the couch on to it. He screamed and said that it hurt really bad. I tried to feel it and check to see if I could notice any problems, but I could tell anything. He went to the couch and rested for a while. After resting he said it hurt a little, but it wasn't bad unless he tried to move it. We decided to wait until the next day to see how he was doing. He said he could go through the night that as long as he was laying down, not moving it he would be fine.
Today, when he woke up he said it was feeling a little better. He said there was a little pain, but he thought it was better than yesterday. Rebecca and I both thought that maybe it was just a sprain. But then we tried to see if he could turn it at all. Whenever we would touch his arm or try to help him turn it, he would wince in pain.
So we got him dressed and took him in to the urgent care. They did some x-rays and sure enough it was broke. Christian was super brave through it all even though he did experience a lot of pain when he had to position his arm just right for the x-rays. The doctor said that he would have to wear a splint for the next week and then they would put him in a cast for a few more weeks.
Although it was pretty painful, I think he also feels special for being the only one in the family who has broken a bone. Later we went to the park and it was sad to see him not playing on the toys. He also didn't get to do the scooters later that day. Hopefully, once he gets his cast on the doctor will allow him to do a lot more.
We did take him and all of the children to Cold Stone and he liked that a lot.
Ethan felt bad yesterday that he was involved with him falling off the couch. He knew it was an accident, but he could see how much pain Christian was in. Today he was all smiles though. He even jokingly told people he broke Christian's arm.
Today, when he woke up he said it was feeling a little better. He said there was a little pain, but he thought it was better than yesterday. Rebecca and I both thought that maybe it was just a sprain. But then we tried to see if he could turn it at all. Whenever we would touch his arm or try to help him turn it, he would wince in pain.
So we got him dressed and took him in to the urgent care. They did some x-rays and sure enough it was broke. Christian was super brave through it all even though he did experience a lot of pain when he had to position his arm just right for the x-rays. The doctor said that he would have to wear a splint for the next week and then they would put him in a cast for a few more weeks.
Although it was pretty painful, I think he also feels special for being the only one in the family who has broken a bone. Later we went to the park and it was sad to see him not playing on the toys. He also didn't get to do the scooters later that day. Hopefully, once he gets his cast on the doctor will allow him to do a lot more.
We did take him and all of the children to Cold Stone and he liked that a lot.
Ethan felt bad yesterday that he was involved with him falling off the couch. He knew it was an accident, but he could see how much pain Christian was in. Today he was all smiles though. He even jokingly told people he broke Christian's arm.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
A Visit from the Porter Family
This past week the Porter family came to visit for a couple of days. It was so much fun to see them. The Porters were some of our good friends back in Oklahoma. Shane and I served as clerks in our church together early on when we lived in Oklahoma. Then, once he and Mary Ellen got married, Mary Ellen and Rebecca became good friends. Their oldest son, Andrew, was born one day before our Ethan. They left Oklahoma one year after we did and have been in Colorado ever since.
They arrived late Tuesday night, so we got to do things with them on all of Wednesday and then Thursday morning. On Wednesday we woke up to a nerf gun war between their children and ours that started while we were still sleeping. It is funny how children are often happy to jump in and play with each other even if they have never really met before. Then, after breakfast we did a hike by our house. It was really hot that day which made the hike harder than usual! It was fun to see their boys playing with ours as they explored the hills. The big thing was playing with the walkie talkies.
The hike took longer than we thought, so as soon as we got home we rushed off to lunch at the park. The children played on the toys there some, then we went to another park to play in a newly installed splash pad. That started off fun - me mainly playing with Agnes or sitting and talking with Rebecca - but then somehow the older children decided to make it their mission to get me or Shane wet. At first I wrestled with them, making sure they were the ones in the water instead of me. But with a 10 year old, two 9 year olds, an 8 year old, and a 7 year old all trying to get me, and lots of littler ones running around my feet, it wasn't long before I decided to run rather than fight. The older children grabbed shirts or hats or other water absorbing clothing and chased after me and they were fast. It made for a exhausting visit to the park, but I was able to stay mostly dry.
When we came home all of the children played with the scooters and bikes on our street. There were a number of falls and scrapes, but those boys just kept going higher and faster down the hill.
We ended the day with some hot dogs around the fire. There was a missionary couple who served in the Porters' ward in Colorado that live here in Pocatello. They joined us for dinner and also brought some ice cream!
The next day we kept things more casual. Just some playing around and talking at our house before lunch at the park again. Then the Porters left for a family reunion down in Utah.
It was great to see them and to reminisce about the Oklahoma days again.
They arrived late Tuesday night, so we got to do things with them on all of Wednesday and then Thursday morning. On Wednesday we woke up to a nerf gun war between their children and ours that started while we were still sleeping. It is funny how children are often happy to jump in and play with each other even if they have never really met before. Then, after breakfast we did a hike by our house. It was really hot that day which made the hike harder than usual! It was fun to see their boys playing with ours as they explored the hills. The big thing was playing with the walkie talkies.
The hike took longer than we thought, so as soon as we got home we rushed off to lunch at the park. The children played on the toys there some, then we went to another park to play in a newly installed splash pad. That started off fun - me mainly playing with Agnes or sitting and talking with Rebecca - but then somehow the older children decided to make it their mission to get me or Shane wet. At first I wrestled with them, making sure they were the ones in the water instead of me. But with a 10 year old, two 9 year olds, an 8 year old, and a 7 year old all trying to get me, and lots of littler ones running around my feet, it wasn't long before I decided to run rather than fight. The older children grabbed shirts or hats or other water absorbing clothing and chased after me and they were fast. It made for a exhausting visit to the park, but I was able to stay mostly dry.
When we came home all of the children played with the scooters and bikes on our street. There were a number of falls and scrapes, but those boys just kept going higher and faster down the hill.
We ended the day with some hot dogs around the fire. There was a missionary couple who served in the Porters' ward in Colorado that live here in Pocatello. They joined us for dinner and also brought some ice cream!
The next day we kept things more casual. Just some playing around and talking at our house before lunch at the park again. Then the Porters left for a family reunion down in Utah.
It was great to see them and to reminisce about the Oklahoma days again.
Daddy & Daughter Activity
Julia's activity day girls had a daddy and daughter activity this past week. All they told us was the place, the time, and to come prepared to get wet.
Julia and I were both pretty excited for it. There were probably about 15 girls and their dads there. Julia is now one of the older ones and it is fun seeing how she interacts with the other girls.
So basically it was a ton of water games. I didn't want to get my camera wet, so I just have a before and after picture. But we played a balloon toss with soapy hands, flung the balloons with towels seeing who could get the farthest (btw, it was me and Julia), played baseball with one of those super absorbent water balls, played dodge ball, and just threw the balloons at each other.
I gave Julia a warning ahead of time that if she gets me wet, then I would get her really wet. Well she got me once really good right in the pants - bad enough that a few of the other fathers commented on it. But I had the last laugh. Here she is before and after. I was pretty much dry by the time we went home.
I loved having that personal time with Julia. As she gets older it seems like I need that time more and more to really learn about her, what she likes and dislikes, what she thinks about, and what makes her happy. When she was young all those things were just tied to me and Rebecca, but now she really is her own person. I also liked seeing how the other fathers interacted with their daughters. There are a lot of great examples all around me. And the leaders who put it on are great and I can really tell that they care a lot about all of the girls. They are kind and patient with them, but most of all want them to be happy and have fun. I really appreciate that.
Julia and I were both pretty excited for it. There were probably about 15 girls and their dads there. Julia is now one of the older ones and it is fun seeing how she interacts with the other girls.
So basically it was a ton of water games. I didn't want to get my camera wet, so I just have a before and after picture. But we played a balloon toss with soapy hands, flung the balloons with towels seeing who could get the farthest (btw, it was me and Julia), played baseball with one of those super absorbent water balls, played dodge ball, and just threw the balloons at each other.
I gave Julia a warning ahead of time that if she gets me wet, then I would get her really wet. Well she got me once really good right in the pants - bad enough that a few of the other fathers commented on it. But I had the last laugh. Here she is before and after. I was pretty much dry by the time we went home.
I loved having that personal time with Julia. As she gets older it seems like I need that time more and more to really learn about her, what she likes and dislikes, what she thinks about, and what makes her happy. When she was young all those things were just tied to me and Rebecca, but now she really is her own person. I also liked seeing how the other fathers interacted with their daughters. There are a lot of great examples all around me. And the leaders who put it on are great and I can really tell that they care a lot about all of the girls. They are kind and patient with them, but most of all want them to be happy and have fun. I really appreciate that.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Ross Park Cliffs
Yesterday we did a couple casual hikes/walks.
After that we went over to campus for another short hike up to the columns on Red Hill. This one isn't paved and it is steeper, but it is still pretty short - half a mile or less to the top. The top offers great closer views of the Pocatello valley. Julia kept commenting how everything looked like a miniature village with the houses and cars and people moving around.
The first was to the cliffs at Ross Park. Pocatello has a lot of lava rocks and cliffs all around it. I am not really sure about the geological history of them. There are also a lot of boulders all over that were deposited by the Bonneville flood. At Ross Park there is about a half a mile paved trail that goes right along the base of cliffs that are maybe 20 to 30 feet tall. In several spots they are all set up for more experienced rock climbing, but all along the base there are plenty of rocks and cracks that are perfect for children to scramble on. We had a great time exploring these some.
We were able to get a few slow motion jumps in.
After that we went over to campus for another short hike up to the columns on Red Hill. This one isn't paved and it is steeper, but it is still pretty short - half a mile or less to the top. The top offers great closer views of the Pocatello valley. Julia kept commenting how everything looked like a miniature village with the houses and cars and people moving around.
We finished off the day with a visit to Pizza Pie Cafe. All of the children earned free meals from the library summer reading program and Rebecca and I both had $3 off coupons. So all you can eat for the whole family for less than $10 was great. Julia was a big pasta lover this time eating there having several bowls. Ethan went for peaches and then the dessert pizza, then back and forth a few times to get things from the salad bar. Christian was being a little weird and liked trying combination foods - like crasins with pepperoni, and ham and cheese cubes with goldfish. Elliott was having stomach problems and so he wasn't eating much, but he did get one slice in, a handful of pepperoni, and every once in a while he would try one of Christian's combinations. Agnes ate whatever we put in front of her and seemed to love it all.
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