Summer O Fun

We don't have any big vacations planned this summer, but we have been enjoying a serious stay-cation since about May, maybe April. Instead of spending a lot of money on one week of going somewhere exotic, we've been spending a little money to explore treasures within reach. And so far, it's been the perfect non-stop adventure. With a little work in between, of course.

We went camping at Lava Point in June with the Boones and the Bradys! Check out this view...


Mmmmmm, dutch oven chili and chocolate cobbler. I may or may not have added a little too much cream soda. It may or may not have been hot chocolate pudding. You can tell from the gleam in my eye here that I was about to go crazy with it. I just love cream soda.


Happy little camper nugget. Pretty much all of the kids were constantly in motion, collecting bugs and caterpillars. All of their little chairs around the campfire were adorable.


Good friends, good times!


Also on that trip we ended by picking fresh cherries in Hurricane. Deee-lish!



The 4th of July this year was a blast! Bryson's sister Hillary and her husband Spencer just moved to Washington and we got have a BBQ with their family and the Quarnbergs. We were so excited to celebrate with Jim who just got home from Iraq! All the kids had fun running through the water and watching fireworks.

The kids started a face painting business on us! Hillary had brought paints and was painting little flags and stars on all our kids' faces and before we knew it, other kids were gathering and Ella was collecting fistfuls of dollar bills from kids who had pre-paid. Oh geez, that girl.


Festive little kiddos waiting for fireworks...


Last weekend, we headed to Bryce Canyon for the half marathon and a little weekend getaway. I was so excited to find out that the Hoyts were going to be in Orderville that weekend so we could get our party on!
Love love love Bryce Canyon. Seriously, it looks like the scenery is ripped from the pages of National Geographic.



The half marathon was a turning point for getting back in shape. I got 1:56:04 and was so happy to be getting back to normal again! It was the perfect race conditions too. I got a good night's sleep, didn't have to make any pit stops, had gorgeous weather--nothing to hold me back! St. George, I'm ready for you.

I think.


Nana, snuggle bug is 6 months old. Here's a picture for ya! Sorry, we never remember to take photos of her.


This pic of Avery just made us laugh. She's such a silly little sassafrass.


Bryson diverted the creek on Mossy Cave hike. We'll have to see what ecological changes he caused next time we're in the area...hmmm...


And we finally went to Sand Hollow! What a treat! I can't believe we'd never been. Thanks Hoyt family!


The girls had a blast catching fish...or watching Tim catch fish...


Row, row, row your boat, Hayden.


Ahhhhhhhh, relaxing!



The countdown to 3 years old finally came! Avery turned 3 on Monday and got breakfast in bed and a gazillion versions of happy birthday sung to her throughout the day. Then we threw a fun little water shindig with friends!



S'mores cupcakes are my new obsession. Apparently, they are the perfect treat for weddings, baptisms, and birthdays! These melted like no other in the hot sunshine, but I guess it's OK since they are S'MORES after all!


Spoiled much?!?!?


Avery got two new tutus for her birthday, lucky girl! Well funny enough, Ella can fit in Avery's 3T/4T size just fine. So they both wore a new tutu to church today! Good thing Avery is so good at sharing :) I hope Ella is just as good, I really like her new blue necklace!


Here's to keeping up with blogging so I don't have to mega post again. Phew, I think I need a nap!

Ironman

Just for the record, this was cool. I'd like one of these on my bucket list, please. Yes there is that small holdup that I don't know how to swim or bike, but I think I've got a 6-hour marathon in the bag.

Little Graduate

This little one has walked the walk. She might be a little unclear on the numbers 6, 8, and 9, but they let her get her diploma anyway. In their super cute presentation, they sang a song about numbers and each child held up a number when they sang theirs. Well, Ella had 6. And well, Ella held up 9. Oops.

Kindergarten here we come!

A Tisket A Tasket

Maybe it's time to let Ella in on a few little holiday secrets. She asked me this year if the Easter bunny was a person dressed up as a bunny that sneaks into people's houses or a real bunny trained to shop at the store. And bunnies don't lay eggs anyway.

Stop growing up and thinking logically; that is no fun, Ella.

This morning, a trail of plastic eggs led from the girls room, down the stairs, and straight to their baskets. We had to hurry and check out the goods so we could make it to church on time.

This Easter Sunday was brought to you by Disney's Tangled.

I can't keep from kissing this little Easter chick's cheeks.

Blessed Baby

This month has been a whirlwind of company and fun times. With my mom and my dad in town, we blessed Hazel on April 10 and celebrated with a Cafe Rio party at the clubhouse after church. Pretty much that was the best day ever. When I walked into sacrament meeting and saw all my favorite friends, old and new, in one place, it was the best feeling ever. We had a fun time getting all the food together and joking around that we were buying out Costco for all the limes, garlic, and cilantro that made that day happen!

Hazel was in the best mood when she got up that morning. She was smiley and giggly and so happy, just as though she knew that day was just for her. She even giggled while Bryson was giving her blessing prayer. And of course when Bry held her up nice and high afterwards (Simba-style) she gave the congregation her winning grin.

Notes for future gatherings:
I have no desire to ever own a catering business.
If you leave Ella alone for 5 minutes, expect to come back to a line of 5-year-olds (and adults) organized into a line waiting to hold the baby. And Ella telling you when your turn is up.
The blessing dress heirloom is still going strong. That dress was worn by me, Kristen, Becca, Ella, Avery, and Hazie.
Group photos are always a gamble, aren't they?

Notes

I decided this week that Jumpin Jacks is cheaper than physical therapy. And about as effective since every time we are around authority figures Ella pretends she is a baby and makes goo-goo sounds. It's awesome, let me tell ya, reassuring the physical therapist that no, we really don't need to stop by speech therapy on our way out. So we are doing most of the exercises at home and just checking in with PT.


Avery has some strange habits. Dress up phase is in full swing, which you already know if you've seen us in public. And when dress up day is done, dress up night begins...
How many things can Aves fit in this bed? It's truly a game of balance and precision.

Hazel's new tricks include straight legs, where she pushes up into a standing position while being supported. She is not a huge fan of tummy time, but she's pretty good at it. At our last appointment the dr. said she had really good head control for a 2-month-old.

Also on my mind lately is what it would have been like to be a fly on the wall of the marketing meeting that decided that Skinny Cow would be a brilliant company name.

Captain Day in Green

Thursday was Ella's captain day at preschool. Being captain is the bomb diggity. You get to tap everyone with a magic wand before they can leave rug time. You get to say, "You may eat" when it's snack time. You bring the snack, whatever you want. You get to sit in the front on a special chair. You get to feed the fish, Goldie. And your whole family gets to come to preschool to play for the day. It's pretty much the best day ever.

Since the college is on spring break next week, we were the last school day before St. Patrick's Day. We brought these fun chocolate-dipped pretzel shamrocks and green grapes for the treat. All right chillens, you may eat!

Little Funnies

I am going to keep better track of the stats on this little one. Time is slipping quickly away and she is already two months old.

Hazel is sleeping through the night (which means 9/10 to 5, since I get up around then) almost every night. Sometimes she still gets up once. This is so freaking awesome I could cry.

She is growing out of her newborn clothes :( I bought a few new little tiny clothes for her since she was smaller than everyone else and it makes me a little sad to already be folding them up for the attic.

Hazel has a smile that fills up her whole face and which she has absolutely no control over. It takes her by storm and then passes in a burst of happy explosiveness. I love it. Rock it, girl.

Random weirdness: Hazel has hardly had any formula. The first two times we gave it to her she got so constipated that we just ditched it altogether. And really, there's no need for formula if she's sleeping...please refer above.

Every time Hazel throws a hand into the air to stretch, Ella and Avery tell me, "Mom, Hazel has a kes-chun!"

Yesterday Ella was tattling on Avery for about 10 minutes. Apparently, Avery was touching Hazel. We were going back and forth telling Ella not to tell us useless information.
Bryson (to Ella): "Hey. Ella. Let's just drop it."
Avery (surprising us, since she was NOT the one we were going back and forth with): "What?! No!"
Bryson: "Yes, let's just drop it."
Avery: "NO."
Bryson: "Avery AND Ella, enough. Drop it."
Avery (really upset now): "No, mommy told us we are not supposed to drop Hazel."

Pretty much everything Hazel does sends the girls into hysterics. Like the other day Ella pointed to her hiccuping and in a fit of laughter told me, "Mom, look, Hazel is hiccing up!"