Question. What Kind of Bear Is Best?

You know those questions kids ask that you have never really contemplated? The ones they expect you to know the answer to? I am just very thankful for the internet. I am ill prepared to answer most of them myself - I just recently discovered that Egypt is on the African continent (it looks like a different location on those Middle Eastern maps!) and that pickles are actually cucumbers (no pickle trees?). I am very disappointed in the quality of my education - or perhaps just my lack of curiosity.

Curiosity is something Chad has plenty of, and here's a few of his questions, along with the answers (just in case your kids ask them - you can look much smarter than I):

Why is the moon following us? Because it is so far away, our view of it changes very little while we drive. The distance makes it impossible for us to pass it. Make sense? Kind of?

How do phones work? I read all this http://communication.howstuffworks.com/telephone.htm (okay I skimmed it) and I still have no clue. Anyone want to simplify it for me?

What is the biggest number? Googolplex (1 followed by a googol of zeroes) - we love that word now, use it all the time. Apparently James knew this without having to look it up, I am now referring all questions to him. According to physicist Carl Sagan, it's impossible to write out all the zeroes since "doing so would require more space than the known universe occupies."

What is the largest bill? This is a shocker - the largest still being printed is $100! Now I understand why the robbers and kidnappers in the movies are always asking for $100 bills. There are a few $10,000 bills circulating and at one time there was a $100,000 bill used by banks, but no longer necessary.

If you have any Q & A's for me, send them my way. I could use a little prep. As for the answer to my blog title: black bear.

Redneck Stonehenge

Perhaps all the Utahns heard about this already? So funny ... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080804/ap_on_fe_st/odd_car_fence;_ylt=ApdBNhzvB3x103XDq0lYFAIazJV4

All's Fair...

Sam is four months old - and he rolled over for the first time yesterday. He is officially on the move. I have no idea what I will do with three mobile children! I better start working out now. So, I really don't know how I got this font underlined, or how I get it off! I'm not exactly a pro blogger.

August already? We have so much left to do, but we can check the Fair off our list. Chad looks forward to this occassion every year, probably because he has seen nothing better (aka Disneyland, Lagoon). Poor kid. Perhaps he is learning to enjoy the simpler things in life (atleast that's what I am going to tell myself so I don't feel so guilty).

Tiara Lady Wipeout

I know something must be wrong with me to get so much enjoyment from this clip, but I can't help it. It ranks up there with Michael wearing a woman's suit to The Office - I laughed that much.

Potty Forum

Aubrey has finally reached the point of no return (to diapers). I know some people feel the need to wait until the toddler wants to do it, but I'm pretty sure that would be a very long wait. So we started this week , and it's going pretty well. I thought perhaps I could share a few tips and if you have any for me, they would be greatly appreciated.

1. Potty training in pull-ups can be done, they just have to be changed immediately after an accident. Just this tip alone has cut out 90% of all my anxiety associated with potty training, not to mention how much we will save in property damage.

2. If your toddler hates the potty (just as mine did), it helps to have a basket with a few washable toys next to the toilet.

3. Not every child potty trains in the same way. I tried all my Chad tricks on Aubrey - I bought her toys and candy - she told me to take them back.

4. And for the greatest potty training trick of all: give them a bowl of warm water and water toys to play with. You know the warm water trick you play at sleepovers? Same idea. This worked wonders for Aubrey! Plus it entertains them while you wait.

So that's all I have. I will spare all of you pictures on this particular topic.

Utah

Thanks to all of our dear Utahns and their hospitality, we had a great trip! We wish we could have stayed a little longer, but I suppose it's best to leave when people still like you - you do still like us, right? Here are just a few highlights:

Chad drivin' the wagon at Wheeler Farm

Aubrey contemplating life at Wheeler Farm

Park City - Chad coming down a slide that pretty much drop kicks you. Very funny to watch, not sure why they kept going down it. Now If I could only figure out how to load a video...

Aubrey, Hayley, & Sam waiting for the fireworks to begin

Four little reasons the fireworks had not yet begun - Tyler, Zach, Justin, & Chad.

And then they did.

Denny's Grand Slam with the Huntingtons - good food, good people.

Thanks for the ride J.T.

A Head of Hair ... Gone (Mostly)

Sam had his first haircut! It felt wrong to cut his hair, when so many babies have nothing at all, but it was just too unruly and long. Even decked out in blue, he would get a few girl comments. People tend to assume babies with hair are girls, not sure why. So here's how it all went down, play by play.

So happy with a full head of hair!

Mid-haircut

Wash & Style

Finito!