My husband and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary.  We have two children together ages six and a half and three.  I have two children from a previous marriage ages thirteen and eleven.  My husband also has two children from a previous marriage ages twenty-one and seventeen.  My husband and I have just a few months difference in our ages.  He just got and early start on his family and I got a late start on mine. 

     Recently our oldest reached two major milestones in his life.  He graduated and started his first job in his new career.  He also moved in with his long-time girlfriend.  Suddenly, I am in the role of mother-in-law.  I admit I was not ready for this.  I am still trying to potty train my three-year old.  How do I fit into this new role?  Do I give advice or keep my mouth shut?  How do you know if you’re helping or offending?  I don’t want to be a bad mother-in-law.  I suppose the only thing I can do is try to relax and proceed with caution and a sense of humor.

     A few weeks ago I posted some pictures taken by my oldest son on a day hike in Bell Canyon.  Today, I am featuring more pictures of Bell Canyon but these were taken by my daughter.  Above is a picture of Bell Canyon Reservoir.

 Here are a couple of shots taken of a stream that feeds the reservoir.

     I think I’ve got a budding photographer on my hands.  She’s got a great eye and an appreciation for nature’s beauty.  (Again, I have earned my Mother’s Bragging Rights by being thrown up on, spending sleepless nights worrying about sick babies, and patiently cutting the crusts off of every sandwich for 13 years now.)  If you are considering this hike you may want to check out this link for more detailed information.  Thanks for stopping by.

     The other day my daughter was helping me fix dinner.  She was tossing the salad while I set the table.  We both finished what we were doing and I told her to go wash up while I brought the food to the table.  I was just about to grab the salad to bring it to the table when I noticed that she had tossed a few pieces of lettuce out of the bowl.  Instead of putting them back in the bowl, I decided to pop them in my mouth.  As soon as I popped the lettuce in my mouth I realized that it wasn’t lettuce.  I had popped my daughter’s chewed up spearmint gum in my mouth.  I spit it in the garbage and immediately asked my daughter why she had left her chewed up gum on the counter (I thought my rule regarding gum was pretty easy to remember, “If gum isn’t in your mouth, it needs to be in the garbage”). Turns out she took it out to pop a few pieces of lettuce in her mouth too.  Well, all I could do is laugh and threaten to not buy gum again (EVER) if it is not properly disposed of.

     Not too long ago, my Dad took my oldest son on a day hike.  This is a view of Sandy from the Bell Canyon trail.  If you had a telescope, you could probably pick out our house.

     The trail leads you to Lower Bell Canyon Reservoir.  It’s stocked with Cutthroat Trout but it is catch and release only.  My dad and son often go fishing together but not on this day.  My son just wanted to hike and practice his new-found love, photography. 

     I was a little worried about sending my son with my camera but it came back in one piece and I was really surprised at what great pictures he had taken (since I have paid my dues with stretch marks, sleepless nights, etc., I reserve the right to be a proud mom).  I suppose I should stop moping about my oldest growing up.  True I am losing my shy, sweet little boy who was always by my side but I am gaining an interesting, quick-witted, and still sweet (most of the time) young man.

     Today, I am giving you a two for one post, family life and Inspiration .  This summer we visited This is The Place Heritage Park.  While we were at the park I took about a million pictures of the kids and few pictures of some of the floors because I needed some inspiration for our family room,  (If you remember we pulled up the carpet in our family room and were left with ugly concrete floors click here).  This is the Place Heritage Park is a living history museum so it is a lot of fun for adults and kids.  The kids can pan for gold (above), plow the fields (below),

stamp leather at the Saddlery (below),

or hang out while your little brothers ride ponies.

     Okay, back to the floors.  Since we first moved in four years ago I have wanted to change out the light beige carpet. We have considered a lot of options; new kid-friendly carpet, cork, bamboo, and wood.  My husband and I decided wood would be a good choice but what kind?  I love teak, cherry wood, chestnut, maple, and hickory.  Handy Hubby is the kind of guy who doesn’t know what he likes until he sees it. 

      I pointed this floor out to him while we were touring one of the pioneer homes in the park.  Yea, he liked it.

     Thumbs up for this one too.  I know they are old and scruffy and probably not everyone’s idea of what a good floor should be but we love them and think they would be perfect for our home since we live in a cottage style house and Handy Hubby loves rustic and I love modern farmhouse.  So, which one are we going to choose?  Both.  We are going to combine the best of both floors for our new family room floor.