A Visit to the Zoo with Friends

Right after meeting our teachers, we headed to the zoo with our friends Charlee and Brooklyn. We met them in baby swim class years ago and try to make it to the zoo at least once a year with them.

We started out by seeing the elephants, the giraffes, the zebras, the rhinos and the otters.

Next, we took a break to ride the carousel. Then, we visited the polar bear, the brown bears, the seals and the walrus, the tiger and the leopard.

After that, we saw the lions, the wolf, the reptile house, and the alligators.

 Next, we rode the train and then went to visit the gorillas.

We wrapped up our day by watching the bird show. After that, it was raining pretty hard, so, we called it a day and headed to the parking lot. This wrapped up our summer perfectly and we are ready for school to start next week. Thanks to Charlee and Brooklyn for joining us. Same time next year?

Meeting Teachers

So, it's that time again (DRAT!!!) that Reagan and Cole have to head back to school. We went today to meet their teachers. Cole has Mrs. Bright. I don't know her well, but she definitely knew our kiddos. We walked in the room and she shouted "Cole and Reagan!!!!!" That's a good sign. I guess she has taught at this school for a while but was in other grades (I must not have been paying attention). In addition, she has a 1st grade daughter named Reagan. Yep, I'm sure we are going to like her. 

Cole was thrilled to have his friend Sammy in his class with him. Although we have other friends that aren't in our class, we will still see them at lunch and recess, etc. Cole is excited as this will be his first year with his own desk (in kindergarten, they sit at tables with other students). He has a hefty supply list that we will set out to fill over the weekend.

Reagan was lucky enough to get the teacher she wanted - Miss Ashby (er ... Mrs. Babcock as she was married this summer). She has taught 3rd grade for years and Reagan has heard that she is strict, but Reagan likes her and is ready for the challenge.

Unfortunately, Reagan's BFF Sophia is in the other 3rd grade class, so, the girls are sad, but - like Cole's friends - they will be together for lunch and recess. Reagan has a different kind of desk - one that opens as opposed to Cole's where you just have an open box to slide books into - and she arrived at her desk to find several school supplies already there. Of course, she also has quite a list of school supplies that we need to get by Monday. 

Wheehewww - we are excited to start Cole's first grade year and Reagan's third grade year. They are both so impatient for Monday to get here. Not me - I want to soak up every last day that I can have them all to myself :)

Youth Conference

We had Youth Conference in the middle of August. We had a theme of Ignite the Light Within. We wanted to have the youth ignite the light of their testimonies and not let anything dim them. We did a sort of "stay cation" this year and had a 2 day conference with the youth going home to sleep. We started off our first day with a message about igniting their light and we headed to Ogden to attend the Ogden Temple Open House. Although all but 1 of our YW had been through an Open House before, it had been some time for all of them. It was great to walk through the temple and to explain what each room was for and to have them feel the spirit there. Afterward, we had to get ice cream at the famous Farr's. Then, we found a park in Ogden and had a picnic lunch. There were only 2 picnic tables and 2 homeless people were at them. We asked if we could join them and share our lunch. The man knew SO much church history about Ogden and the church generally. He gave a great impromptu history lesson to the youth as we had lunch. Then, one of our leaders talked with the youth about igniting the light of Christ that is in them and being an example to others.

Next we traveled back to Salt Lake and we went to the Church History Museum where a man told us about the printer that printed the first run of the Book of Mormon. It was a powerful testimony. Then, we had a scavenger hunt around Temple Square and surrounding buildings. The youth were given 50 pictures of signs or statues or markings and they had to find each of them and prove that they had found it by taking a picture of the item with 2 from their team. Our YW team (which included Bishop and 1 YM) killed it!!!! They ran from item to item, they saw items WAY before us as leaders saw them and they got really excited about learning more about Temple Square.  The YM team ..... not so much.  They didn't find them all, they didn't include team members in their pics and they finished way after the deadline.  Go YW!!!!!  :)

After our scavenger hunt, we headed back to our neighborhood and played games outdoors and had dinner. We finished off the night with a fireside and s'mores by the fire. We had a leader talk about not letting your light get dimmed and we each wrote a habit or sin or thought on a paper that was dimming our light. Then, we threw it into the fire and watched it burn up. We wrapped it all up with testimony meeting.

The next day (which I didn't attend), the group had a speaker who talked with them about doing things to keep your light bright and sharing it with others. Then, they had a picnic at a park and hiked up Timpanogos Cave. 

What a great theme for a conference and what an opportunity to take the youth to the temple open house. Usually, we leave town for Youth Conference and usually it is right after girls' camp, so, I didn't go the last two years. But, since we stayed in town, I could go for the first day. Thanks to Kathy and Dick for watching our kiddos during much of Friday and for Steve taking the rest of the day off to be with Reagan and Cole. I appreciate all the help they give me so that I can serve in my calling. Thanks also to all those who helped with Youth Conference and for the youth coming and learning and feeling. It was a great success!!!

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

It's been a few years since we have visited the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum. We had a day-long playdate with Reagan's friend Sophia, so we decided to visit the museum again. It is as great as ever. We had a great time in the beehive which has a complex pneumatic air system. The children have a great time making balls move all around the beehive. We also played a wooden xylophone. 

There is a little house with a kitchen and a living room and a sitting room. Reagan immediately took to organizing the fridge. She retrieved all the food boxes, cans and jars from the rest of the house and then she started putting them into the fridge. 

Cole loved the rock climbing as well as the water area. He also loved speaking through the plastic tubes to the people on the other side of the museum.

Reagan and Sophia enjoyed playing in the little store. All of the children were trying to be the cashier so that they could work the cash register. When there was a lull, I suggested to Reagan that she go and play as the cashier. She did it, but then said "I really don't want to be the cashier" and she returned to her action of choice - putting away the boxes, cans and jars of groceries. She made sure they were lined up perfectly on the correct shelf. Well, with the mess that the other children were making, it was a good thing Reagan was there to put everything back ;)

Next, we went outside to where the Life Flight helicopter was. There was also a control tower and a little children's hospital. 

 We had a great time playing with the newscast set. Reagan and Sophia were news anchors and saw themselves on the tv monitor. Then, we moved to the Bob the Builder Exhibit, which wasn't here the last time we visited.

We wrapped up our time in the creative building area. Our first trip to this museum, we found the Magformer area (magnets in different shapes and colors). We fell in love with them then and have bought many, many sets since that time. The last thing we did before we left was to visit the museum gift shop (of course). All in all, it was a great day! We're so glad that there are museums like this in Salt Lake that we have fun with our friends.

Gymnastics - Level 4!!!!!!

Time again for Reagan to move up a level in gymnastics! She is doing great. Her skills at the uneven bars are improving.

She is getting better at the beam.

Her floor exercises are coming right along and her vault is becoming more and more precise. We are so proud of Reagan and the way she works hard to learn her skills. I especially love how slowly but surely this gym teaches each element and skill. Keep up the great work Reagan!!!

The best part of gymnastics is we get to do it with our friends. Reagan and Jenna have been in dance or gymnastics together for about 5 years. Cole and Jett (the little brothers) love to play during that hour and cute Kelsey is one of my best friends. Cole usually has some of the best toys and electronics at gymnastics, so, he has made several other friends.

Mirror Lake

Cole had such a great time fishing with Steve that we wanted to give Reagan a chance to fish as well. We decided to head up to Mirror Lake in the Uinta Mountains. We drove up and it was chilly - which was a welcome change from down in the valley. We walked part way around the lake and set our chairs down. We had brought a picnic lunch, so, we ate and then got started on the fishing!

We had a beautiful view across the lake from our chosen spot, but we've never seen the lake so crowded. There were tons of people and animals. Oh well, we were pretty secluded in our little spot. We could see and hear people, but no one was right next to us. We didn't have much luck and Steve decided to move to another spot. Well, he chose a beauty because with the first cast, Cole had a fish. It took a little while longer, but Reagan eventually caught a fish as well. We didn't have the luck that Cole did at Lake Blanche, but we had a good day and each of the children caught some fish.

Steve and I have come up here so many times during our time together and Steve has spent time here his whole life. It is so beautiful and feels like another world from the valley even though it is only an hour drive. I'm so glad that we have been able to share this with Reagan and Cole several times during their lives, but especially today. 

Karma

We were driving somewhere the first week in July and Reagan and Cole were talking about a girl they know who purposely hurts her brother and then hugs him and asks (in a very concerned but fake voice) whether he is ok. She then takes care of him and helps him to feel better even though she was the one that caused his pain in the first place. Reagan said that one time the brother actually did get hurt on his own and that the sister was actually, truly concerned about him. I commented "Just that one time?" Reagan said "Yes."

Cole then pipes in and says "It's karma. When you do something bad to someone, something bad will happen to you."

"How do you know about karma?" I asked.  He replied "From Johnny Test".

Johnny Test is a cartoon he watches about a boy who has genius sisters who are scientists and who try to conduct experiments on him sometimes.

All I could do was laugh. I never thought he would learn about karma from a cartoon.
I also never thought he would get what it meant and apply it in the right context. Maybe cartoons aren't so bad?????

July Decor

July is a fun month for decor around our house with all the red, white and blue. We added a few things this year and moved a few things around.

Thanks again to my sis who helps me figure out where things should go and then climbs up on a huge ladder in my kitchen to actually place them in the perfect spot. xoxoxo

Sometimes ... You've Just Gotta

One Friday, as we were getting ready for summer school, Cole exclaimed "Oh - I'm wearing orange shorts. I'm going to get my orange bracelet that I made." He ran downstairs and then returned and we got in the car to head to school. Since it was a Friday, Reagan had summer school, but Cole did not, so, we hit the gym. As we were taking the elevator downstairs to the Kids' Club (we have to take the elevator with his razor scooter), I looked over and saw him with about 10 bracelets on his arm. I asked what that was all about and he said "Sometimes you've just gotta show them."

I've said it before - I'll say it again .... He cracks me up.

Happy Pioneer Day!!!!

Here in Utah, Pioneer Day (the 24th of July) is a HUGE deal. There are festivals, parades and celebrations all across the state. It is the anniversary of the day that the pioneers first came into this valley. Every year, our ward has a 24th of July Pancake Breakfast. The firetruck comes and leads the primary children in a parade around the church next to the park (the children all decorate their bikes with red, white and blue). Then, they have water balloons and the firemen spray their hose into the air and the children get completely soaked. Sometimes, also, they play games that pioneer children played.

Well, this year, two of Steve's brothers and his sister and her husband were going on a hike. I think at first, it was going to be a father/son thing, but then it just changed to be anyone who could come ;) So, Cole and Steve joined them to hike to Lake Blanche. Reagan and I represented the family at the ward party and we invited one of her friends from school who lives in our neighborhood, but hasn't met very many people from the neighborhood.

Cole and Steve hiked up to Lake Blanche (the trailhead is up Big Cottonwood Canyon) and it took them 2 hrs and 15 minutes to get there. They fished and had a great time. After a bit, they hiked up to the second lake and all in all, Cole caught over 40 fish!!!! Apparently he and Aunt Robin were in the lead on the hike in. He told me that they sang songs and laughed all the way up. Uncle Mark, Uncle David and Uncle Doug helped him with his fishing line and taught him the ins and outs of fishing. They talked and had lunch and took pics. Cole even found a baby bat sitting in the crevice of a rock.

Cole and Steve were the last to leave and it took them 2 1/2 hours to hike back down. They were tired - really tired, but they had a great time. I'm so grateful for everyone who helped make it a great day for Cole.

Visitors to the Yard

Where we live, we have a lot of wildlife friends :)  We have 6-12 deer in our yard each night. I've joked before that Reagan and Cole have seen deer much more than they have seen dogs. We have a den of fox that live on the other side of our creek, we have had porcupine, raccoon, squirrels, and lots and lots of deer.

Well, lately, we've had one deer with two, twin babies. They have little white spots on their back and they are growing fast. I had to snap a pic of all three of them. They are here every day lately. They try to get the peaches off of our tree in the front and they just wander around, lay and play in our back yard. I love that we are so close to nature and that we have wildlife in our yard - it just makes it pretty hard to plant flowers or grow a garden :)

He Cracks Me Up!

I posted about this on Facebook, but I wanted to include it here as well. 

I'm watching Cole at soccer practice last week and the coach has them doing a drill where they are in 2 teams. The coach throws the ball into the field and one player from each team has to run into the field and they battle each other until one scores. The coach blows the whistle, Cole darts into the field and quickly disposes of his competitor. He scores and runs back to the high fives of his teammates. As he meets them, he says "Money in the bank, my friend, money in the bank!".

He cracks me up.

Draper Days

Draper Days is an annual tradition for us. We usually hit the entertainment and booths on Friday night, maybe the parade on Saturday morning and the bouncy bounce and booths and concert Saturday night with fireworks completing the festival. Well, having just returned from girls' camp Friday afternoon, I just wanted to be clean and cool the rest of Friday. I couldn't imagine going back out in the heat when I had just spent four days in it :)  Saturday, we slept in (something else I couldn't do at camp) and we went about our day. We were thrilled just to all be together. We went to Costco and relaxed and watched a movie. By Saturday after dinner, Steve and I were feeling guilty that we hadn't taken Reagan and Cole to Draper Days. So, we packed up a blanket and headed over there. The concert for Saturday night was the Little River Band. They were pretty good and we relaxed while we listened. We actually ran into some Petersen family and chatted with them for a while. We also were right by the playground so, Reagan and Cole were able to play while we watched them.

Then, the fireworks started. It was only about 10 minutes and they stopped. We figured there was some sort of complication and that they would start again, but we didn't know when. We waited about 15 minutes and then decided to head home. Well, no sooner were we in the car and driving when the fireworks started again. We pulled into a parking lot and let Reagan and Cole get up on top of the car and we watched until the finale. Yeah - what a great night!

Stake Girl's Camp

This year, it was time for Stake Girls' Camp again. We headed up to our stake property on the way to Price. Our theme this year was C.O.M.E. which stood for Courage to Obey the Master with Exactness. We had a soldier theme and everything was camouflage. Each ward was given a Book of Mormon hero (we had Helaman) and a value (we had Faith). We only had six girls from our ward, but we had a great time!

We thought we were "all that" to have one of the dads of our girls take our trailer up with the stake the day before we left. That way, all our gear would be up there when we arrived and all we would need to do was take the food that needed to be in coolers and the girls. Well, our plan was thwarted when we learned the night before we left that the water at the property had bacteria in it. So, we needed to plan on not using the water there. Great - our trailer was already up there  ... drat! We scrambled to get coolers and to find other wards that had room in their trailers to haul our water up there. Yep - there's always some snafu, right?

 Day 1 had a focus of Emotional and Mental Strength. We got up there (our camp was already set up by our YW's wonderful dad) and we got settled. We delivered our secret sister gifts to another ward and we made "Pick Me Up" jars. Each YW had a little bucket and each other YW and leader would put little notes or treats in there - designed to pick up the spirits of that girl. It was a super cute idea - it could be a favorite scripture or quote, a note thanking them for something they did that day or a little treat. Love those! We also had a great activity about following the spirit. The girls had to wear blindfolds and follow one another's voices through an obstacle course. It was great. We also went to the zip line, which was a favorite of the girls'. We also performed a humanitarian project. One of the Stake YW leaders has a daughter serving a mission in the Philippines. Her daughter asked her to please send her a little trinket or something she could give to the girls and women she is teaching. So, our Stake YW leaders thought we, as a camp, could make necklaces and bracelets with "faith" "love" and "hope" charms on them. Each of the girls wrote a personal testimony to attach to the jewelry and we made enough to send to each of the 11 female missionaries serving from our stake so that they could give them to the girls and women that they are teaching. That night, we had a fireside where a lady in our stake spoke. She had become addicted to drugs and alcohol and almost lost everything. She talked to the girls about being emotionally and mentally strong and about watching for all types of addictions in our lives - Facebook, email, working out, dieting, etc. Then, we had a night hike where we watched the sun go down and sang songs at the top of a mountain.

Day 2 had a focus of Physical Strength. We went on a long hike and learned about first aid. We then returned to the zip line and the girls decided to ride the zip line upside down - gulp. Then, we hit the archery area and learned to shoot arrows. Finally, we had to practice our skit. That night was skit night and we had a great time. All of the wards performed such different, but entertaining skits. At our fireside that night, we had a speaker who was a YW who had joined the church against the preferences of her family. She talked about being strong and following your own gut.

Day 3 had a focus of Spiritual Strength. We made a craft which was a wooden board with a picture of our ward on it and the theme of the camp. They took our pic on day 1 and I guess they had it printed up. They had told us not to smile, so, we looked like some serious soldiers :) We each made one and modge podged it. They turned out great! That day was also Bishop's night. Our bishop showed up mid-afternoon, so, we took him back to the archery area and showed him around the camp. We had a great dinner and then we had a fireside. We first had flag and then our Stake YW leader was speaking to us. Then, a helicopter came up over the pavilion we were in - it circled above us a couple of times. Then, it went over to a clearing and lowered to the ground. Next, it rose back up, circled over us a couple of times more and flew away as a soldier came running through the bushes. He was our speaker for the night. He was an attorney who had come from seriously humble and even scary circumstances to find the church amid serving in Vietnam. He eventually married and had a beautiful family, attended BYU law school (Yeah!) and started his own firm. Bonus - he brought letters from the parents to each of the YW. The skinny on the helicopter was that our ward camp director's husband has a friend with a helicopter. They flew up and made it seem like they were "delivering" our speaker for the night. In fact, the stake leaders were worried that if the weather turned, the helicopter wouldn't be able to come and we wouldn't have a speaker. So, the helicopter just flew to a clearing and "almost" landed. Our speaker was waiting in the wings and then came through the trees to the pavilion. Our camp director's husband is the same one who flew an airplane over our camp 2 years ago and dropped streamers in the value colors down on the girls our last night. They are such an awesome family - we love them! After our fireside, we had our testimony meeting. Of course, this is the best part of camp. We surrounded the campfire as the girls each bore their testimonies and it was great. Our little first year said that she would never forget this camp as long as she lived. One of our other girls said in our "scripture time", she felt a strong impression that she should get her patriarchal blessing. Another said that she had been struggling and feeling lonely but that she appreciated bonding with the girls at camp and knew that she had increased friendships. It was great.

Day 4 we got up, packed up and headed home. When we arrived home, Reagan and Cole had made posters for me along with a handwritten note from Reagan.

It was great to be with the girls but I missed Steve, Reagan and Cole so very much. We didn't have cell service except when we were at the archery tower. So, I was only able to call home once during the four days at camp. Unfortunately, Reagan got sick while I was away and Steve had to take care of her all night. My sis Amber came up to help for a few days and Rachel's husband Andrew needed a place to stay while I was gone, so, Steve had a house full. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to serve in the YW and for the chance to go to camp with them. I was SO glad to get home to my family and to have a shower, but camp is great to get to know the girls better and to be with them 24/7. I would say camp was a success!