A week in review, part 2

Okay.  So.... here is the second week that I totally didn't blog about.  Thanks for being patient with me and my laziness.  I will "try" to do better.  Because it sucks getting this far behind!

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009:

We took the boys to the indoor pool.  It was fun.  I actually felt like getting in.  Braxton usually LOVES the slide, but was being hesitant this time for some reason.  After he saw Ben go down (by himself, too!) he decided to give it a shot.

After that, all they wanted to do was the slide!

(Sorry, this pic is yellow - we forgot to use the flash.  And the other pics didn't turn out as good as this one.  So, there ya go!)

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009:

Had the R.S. call today and ask me if they could come over around 7:30.  I said sure.  Decided I should "get ready" for the day - afterall it was almost 6 o'clock!  That's how my days have been going lately!

Had David take a few pics of the belly :)  In these pics I'm 34 weeks and 2 days.

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009:

David found out that there was an Native American dedication going on today at This is the Place, Heritage Park today.

We decided to take the boys and go.

Here is Braxton and I on the train ride up to the new Indian Village at the park.  Braxton was being teased by two older Indians we were sitting by.  Braxton yelled out, "It says 'watch head' right there."  (There was a sign on the inside of the train) so one of the Indians said, "I have to watch your head the whole way up there?"  Braxton started laughing and said, "yeah!"  Then they just kept teasing and playing with him.  It was fun!

David and Ben on the train!  We kind of got separated on the way up.  It was such a beautiful day!

This is part of their dance.  Braxton loved it!  He loved the Indians dancing AND the drummers.

Look who we saw!  Elder M. Russell Ballard :)

He spoke for just a few minutes.  He's so cute.  David said, maybe after we could hang around and shake his hand.  Yipee!  I've never shaken an Apostles hand before.  Even though I'm related to one!

But we got even luckier.  We were able to get a picture with him, too.  The Indian standing next to me wanted one as well, and we figured since we were there for the Indian Village, we should have him in the picture too.

The boys wanted to ride the mini-train.  I got "stuck" riding with them because David wanted to take pics!  Um, yes, there were other moms on the train.  However, they were all with babies.  I felt so silly!

We then went and looked at some of the Indian buildings.  This is a sweat-lodge.  This is where young men around 12 years of age learn to become medicine men.  They go in this lodge and build a fire near the entrance.  It gets really hot and they stay in there for hours!  From what I understand it has something also to do with getting in touch with Mother Earth and when they exit out, it kind of represents a "rebirth".

This "hogan" is a building representing the mother's womb.  The top of the building is in a circle like ... my belly!  There are 9 posts representing the 9 months of pregnancy.  When you enter into the hogan, you are to walk in a clockwise position.  The men stay on 1/2 of the hogan and the women on the other.  But, you still have to be on their side entering or exiting the home.

There is a home also representing the males as well.  It has a pointy roof.  I will let your imagination wander and figure that one out for yourself :)

They did say though, that when a couple gets married.  The man brings his saddle in and they get married by his saddle.  The mother-in-law (Bride's mom) is covered by a blanket and doesn't see the ceremony.  She and the groom are to never speak .... again!    However, if the husband were to ever return home and the saddle is outside of the door - that basically means, "I'm through, we're done ... here is your saddle!"  And that is ALL he gets.  She keeps everything else inside their home because it is a matriarchal society.  

*****

After Heritage Park, we went back home and got Ayla (she'd had a sleep-over the night before) and we headed down to Orem for a picnic.  It was fun!

David and the boys down by the river. 

We took a frisbee and soccer ball.  I of course had to play some SOCCER!  I started sprinting as fast as I possibly could trying to outrun David!  I think I must have looked pretty dang funny out there with my belly.  But, it was so much fun!!!  Surprisingly it wasn't too hard to run, either.  Pretty good, I'd say for 8 1/2 months pregnant!

I told him we had to get a pic of him with the ball under his shirt.  I know he's not looking at the camera, but, the others were blurry -- so....

I know I say this all the time ... but I really am in love with this guy!  He is so much fun to be married to!

Packing things up getting ready to head back home.

THE END!