Harvest Arts at Fountain Green Elementary

Justin's two drivers on a road. He created his using a yam, squash, carrots, zucchini, radishes, broccoli and red and yellow peppers.

Jordan created a kid reading a book at home by his lamp using squash, zucchini, carrots, red peppers, ginger and broccoli.

The Elementary School has a tradition of having the kids gather up food that has been grown and creating something fun out of it. It is not required, but they have a contest to see who can be the most creative. The kids have tons of fun because they get to play with their food. Jerime helped Justin and Jordan with their little projects cutting out the cardboard for their masterpieces. What talented kids I have!

Slacker Abby, Happy Birthday Micheal!

Sage hanging out underneath her play gym thingy. She looks impressed doesn't she. Little girl needs a new pair of shoes.....that always cheers me up!

Jordan showing off her new bed she got this weekend. We took out the big bunkbeds we had in there becuase it was crowing out her room and she needs some serious space for her dancing trophies.

Micheal getting ready to take on Jerime in Wii Table Tennis

Jackson's new big boy bed. He is not impressed with it at all. He will only get on it to turn the little cement mixer lamp on and off.

Justin tried several poses before settling on this one for me. He wanted to look so natural. He cracks me up.

Jackson found Jordan's hair accessory drawer. He is fascinated with the digital camera and asked me (in his non-talking way) to take his picture.

So I was recently informed by a long time friend that I am a slacker for not updating my blog. With summer coming to an end...it has been kind of boring lately and honestly I left my camera at the office. So last night I took the camera home and took updated pictures of everyone. Jerime was not impressed with my reason for wanting to take his picture. It was Micheal's birthday yesterday. He turned the ever exciting 13.We had already celebrated it with family on Sunday, so we decided to have pizza and play Micheal's new Wii game "Mario and Sonic at the Olympics" last night. It was a lot of fun. I took care of Sage and Jackson and laughed at Micheal, Justin, Jordan and Jerime pretending to run on a track. By the way, we found a new thing that Jackson will say: "yucky poo poo". He loves to say it and giggles whenever he does. We hope it leads to new adventures in the potty training department, but I am not holding my breath. Take care everyone!

The Ivory Family visits the Hogle Zoo

Jackson looks like he is about to be eaten.

Jordan on the carousel.

From left to right Jackson, Jerime, Justin and Micheal on the carousel.

Mary (Grandma) and Sage riding the carousel.

Coltin and Ron (Grandpa) getting ready for a scooter race.

Jackson totally fascinated with the little monkey.

So this past weekend, we took the family up to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City. Other than it being extremely hot, we all had a lot of fun. Jackson was really cute to watch as he saw all these cool animals for the first time in real life instead of a book. He had been preparing for a week, making all the animal sounds, so it was real cute to watch him. Coltin, Micheal and Justin were all a great help pushing Jackson around in his stroller while Jerime and I took care of Sage. I think all the kids favorite was the "ghost of the bayou" white alligator. They talked about it all night long. Sage didn't get much out of the experience and we spent most of the time trying to make sure she was cooled down. But all in all, we all agreed it was a lot of fun.

School Clothes Shopping

Well, Micheal, Justin, Jordan and I embarked on our annual school clothes shopping trip this past Saturday. It is a marathon day of shopping for school outfits, shoes, bookbags and pencils. I figure if I do it all in one day...then I won't have to do it again til Christmas time. After taking over an hour with Justin trying to find the right tennis shoes, I decided that I was an angel for my mother. I didn't have to have $80 Nikes or the runnning shoes with a computer chip in them that links with your ipod. I didn't have to the absolute best outfit with the latest trends in clothing. I didn't have to have the $50 backpack that only costs that much because it has a 1 inch Nike swoosh on the front of the backpack. I liked shopping at the Gap and Banana Republic, but I always went for the clearance items. I figure 10 shirts for $50 was better than one shirt for $50. So much more to wear. Jordan has also become picky about what clothes she will wear and/or buy. I kept suggesting items for her and she made this face at me like "you must have gone crazy mother, I would never be caught dead in that outfit." Let me remind you she is only 8. Micheal on the other hand was quite happy with buying three versions of the same shirt in different colors. He decided on white shoes and even pointed out that his shoes were only $30. (Maybe I could take the extra money he saved me and buy him a video game.) So for all you out there interested in my life... does anyone need a mortgage? Evidently I need to save money for the $110 shoes that have scientificly created bouncy things in them that make an 11 year old jump higher. And everyone knows that this will give him the edge he needs in playing basketball with his 15 year old brother.

Lamb Day

Micheal and his troop at the flag raising ceremony. Micheal is on the stairs on the right side, second from the top. Micheal raised the Air Force flag. You can see the line in the back for breakfast.

Jerime's Aunt Leola, holding Sage, and his Uncle Bob waiting for the parade to start.

Jerime, Jackson, Justin and Jordan collecting candy thrown at the parade.

Jordan watching the competition at the Mutton Bustin' event

Jordan and her friend Hailey waiting to ride the sheep.

The big day finally arrived. Lamb Day is the big town celebration and we go at least double our 1000 people town. I starts off with a breakfast and flag raising ceremony, then a parade, then festivities at the town park. As a family, we all gather in the shade of a tree and just visit with everyone from town and relatives who came for the occasion. Last year Jordan participated in the Mutton Bustin' event. Kids ages 5 to 8 ride a sheep just like the big guys ride a bull. The whole idea is to hang on for dear life. She had a blast last year and wanted badly to do it again. This was her last year and she did really good. Go to www.youtube.com/sweetscgrl to watch her mutton bustin'.

Lamb Day Play

In our little town of 1000 people, we have an annual celebration that has been going on for 76 years. It is called Lamb Day. It is to celebrate the heritage of raising sheep; which there is still a lot of in the area. They started last year putting on a play by the residents. This year's theme is The History of Dance. Jordan was asked to dance with a group representing the Charleston. She did such a good job. They had three performances and I had to record it to share with you. She starts out as the girl in the green top the second from the left. Go to www.youtube.com/sweetscgrl to see her dance.

Happy 60th birthday Dad!

One tuckered out little girl. Sage has grown so much so quickly.

Scott taking his turn with the sponge relay

Mandi and Faith. Looks like Faith found some water balloons.

Dad on the left, Jordan on the right and Jackson in the middle running (well, tripping) just for the heck of it.

We had a sponge relay. You had to get your sponge wet and race to the other side of the yard and fill up another bucket. It was so much fun to watch the adults running!

Jackson on the swim park.

It was love at first sight - My dad and Sage - Check out my dad's t-shirt. It says "Party like a rock star" How appropriate.

My dad turned 60 on Sunday. He flew into Utah for business, so we decided to help him celebrate with a birthday party. Scott, Mandi and their daughter Faith came along with my sister, Heather, Dan and their kids Caroline, Tacie, Garrett, Cooper and Macey. We had the party at my sister's house. It was so much fun. Heather had her huge inflatable swim park up and we played lots of games. Everyone was so tuckered out.