In the wild -

I FINALLY unloaded the pictures of our Yellowstone trip. I will spare you the 10,000 pictures of the smiling goofy boys (they are SO cute though!) and go with a wildlife theme for today. If I were only cooler and knew how to do big pictures on here, you'd really enjoy them - pretty decent wildlife photos if I say so myself! We had the rare opportunity to get several great shots of a couple of grizzly bears and other assorted critters. Enjoy nature at it's finest.

Young grizzly

Wolf or coyote? We can't decide. The coloring was very much like a coyote but he was so big and moved like a wolf.

We were VERY glad this big grizzly boy was far away up on the hill!

Ok, and one of the kids in Idaho Falls on the way there. I can't resist! They are too cute!

Ok, I'm a nerd but I get such joy out of nature I can't help but share it!

Good News!

Good news, it looks like Evan might actually survive to see his 4th birthday! It wasn't looking like he was going to make it there for a couple of days.

We're having some jealousy issues around our house with my Turkey. He has two modes - big stinker or incessant cryer, ever since Caleb was born. He's feeling a little displaced. I can understand that. It's hard to give up that 'youngest child' status. So between his two moods, we get some pretty interesting happenings. He cried the other day for **6** hours because I wouldn't drop everything and go buy him a Zhu Zhu Pet. Really? You want a dumb little rat-looking thing that turns in circles until the batteries run out? I did not give in. But I think I was punished more than he was. We are also dealing with monsters in his bed. They are in his bed so he says he has to sleep with me. Too bad sleep to Evan means hours of constant feet kicking. I just can't do it - he'll have to learn to snuggle with the monsters.

Then the other 'big happening'. In his big stinker mode, Evan decided to smear yogurt all over my car. My beautiful, black car. Now for those of you that weren't aware, yogurt will eat through the paint finish on your car. Now you know. Now I know. I tried EVERYTHING to get it off with no luck but thanks to the cool guys at Wolford's Auto Body, Evan will live to be at least 4. They were able to sand it out in all but a few places where the yogurt actually ate through the clear coat. In other related food/car incidents, Evan decided to help "clean" the tires on the trailer. When he couldn't find the tire foam, he settled for the non-stick cooking spray. One can of Pam later, we have shiny trailer tires and the dogs think Evan is tasty tire treat god.

All in all, Evan keeps us all laughing and while I could do without the mood extremes, I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's my buddy, the best snuggler/Spongebob buddy watcher in the world, and I just melt when he tells me he loves me. He is so sweet (when he wants to be) and I love him. I can't imagine life without him.

I think I say this once every year...

I'm going to attempt it AGAIN - this whole blogging thing. Kellie, I am hereby ordering you to make sure I post once a week with mundane facts from the Sharp family life. No, really. I am. Because someone out there might care. If you are this person, I will try to deliver. I guess I've been recommitted because I actually found someone I lost by stumbling onto their blog. Ok in reality, I stalked them and finally was rewarded. No matter, the result is the same. I was so happy to feel some connection to them again after so many years. Which brought me back to my blog and my original intent with this - to stay connected to those around me. So here goes. I even changed my blog background to pink. It will annoy me enough that I will have to come back and change it soon so that guarantees at least one more post for my faithful reader(s).

It's summer and it has been crazy around here but a good kind of crazy. I've been off of work for maternity leave and I've quite enjoyed myself. We've been to Bear Lake a lot, went hiking, played a LOT of softball, not nearly enough fishing, and even got a vacation in. Caleb is a very good sport and has been great about all our adventures. I couldn't ask for a better baby! He is smiling all the time now and laughing at his brothers. Life is perfect.

But all good things must come to an end... ok, it's not ENDING exactly but I do have to go back to work next week. I hope I remember how to code. I have discovered I like not working. Who knew? I didn't think I would. Unfortunately, until a meteorite takes aim at 7762 Saddleback Drive or the market comes up by A LOT, I will need to work to ensure that we can pay for our lovely 'vacation' home in Eagle Mountain. Anyone want a house in Eagle Mountain???

But in the meantime, I think we'll squeeze in one more trip to the lake. The kids love it and I enjoy a good day on the sand. Rich and I are also going to Jackson sans children. It should be a good time. We'll also do one more summer softball tourney and this time, I hope to escape injury (a story I don't really want to tell - I nearly ended up with fewer teeth and a broken jaw). Then I guess it's back to 'normal' life. Oh well. Here's some pics of the new addition as my blog has failed to mention his existence up to this point. :)

I think he's the cutest baby EVER (but I may be a bit biased...)!