~Adventures in Utah 2009: Day 3~

Wednesday's adventures took us to one of my favorite places in Provo canyon, Bridal Veil Falls.

Nick and I took our engagement photos there, and I remember driving up to hike and play in the waterfall during my childhood Utah summer vacations. I wanted to give my babies the same experience of driving through the canyon, hiking around in the mountains and playing in the cold glacier run-off. They were thrilled, though you'd never know with those scowls.

We thought it would be fun to bring a friend along, so I called up my best friend from college, Alli. She and her sweet little girl, Kathryn, joined us on our adventure. Kathryn was a trooper and walked all the way to the waterfall all by herself!

Once we actually made it to the waterfall Lyssa found the raging river to be much more exciting. With a wet, rainy spring the mountains and the canyons have stayed nice and green all the way into July, but the rivers are very fast and very full.

The freezing cold water didn't stop Alec from his expedition. He was a man on a mission to do what he loves best in large bodies of water: Throw rocks... now if only I could get him to stop throwing rocks at people...
Kathryn wasn't so keen on the freezing cold water. She gave it a try a few times, but decided it just wasn't for her... not to mention she was getting a little sleepy.

It took Lyssa a little getting used to, but eventually she forging her way across the cold wet rocks too! She didn't want Alec to leave her behind.

Beautiful waterfall, happy Grandma, sleepy babies.

On the way back we let Kathryn take a ride in the jogging stroller so Alec could walk with me... until he decided that was no fun. Then I carried him on my shoulders until he decided that was no fun either. Grandma graciously offered to carry him for 50 steps to give his little legs a rest. What an amazingly strong Grandma, eh?

I love this picture. I love how happy everyone looks, even though Alec is probably picking his nose.

Thanks for taking us on another fun adventure, Grandma!

And thanks for coming along, Alli and Kathryn!

It sure was beautiful.

~Adventures in Utah 2009: Day 2~

Tuesday was cake day... as in I baked a cake all day long for my dad's birthday celebration. Meanwhile the babies swam in the backyard kiddy pool...

played with model race cars...

and sipped pretend tea with some of the coolest uncle's the world has ever known.

After hours of work, the masterpiece was completed and our celebration began!

Grandpa Steve blew out the blueberries since the candles were no where to be found.

Everyone crowded around the table for this masterpiece.

And Lyssa cried for more cake...

These two were silly and inseparable, drunk with their chocolate overdose...

Wanting to take a rest after that chocolate overload, Grandpa Steve settled down with Lyssa and a nice book. I love this picture. There is a picture very similar to this one somewhere in existence, only I kept my swimsuit on and my face was still covered in chocolate.

That evening we were all serenaded by my dearest brother, Robert. He even let Alec help him play a bit. I love listening to him play. It makes me so happy. I'm trying to convince him to make a lullaby CD for the babies... or maybe just me. I could totally fall asleep to the sound of his peaceful voice and strumming guitar.

What a delicious, lovely day...

~Adventures in Utah 2009: Day 1~

Our Adventures in Utah began Monday morning with a trip to the Monte L. Bean museum (literally full of "stuffed" animals) on BYU Campus. Alec was more than thrilled to see the Y on the mountain and proclaim his love for all things BYU. He also informed us that he will someday play football at BYU. He also listed off everyone he knows who went to BYU, including our friend Greg Welch. What a memory on that little man! Anyway, back to the animals...

Have you ever seen a goose kissing a moose? (down by the bay where the watermelons grow?)

Then we were off to visit the Provo Temple grounds.

Both the babies were a little grumpy, hot, and feeling sick, but I still got Alec to sing "I love to see the Temple" with me... at least a shortened version of the song.

Look at that blue sky...

Walking around the temple with Grandma Shannon. It truly was a H-O-T one! We stopped at every water fountain. Besides the occasional whine it was so peaceful.

Alec asked if we could go inside... a perfect segue into explaining to him in the simplest terms possible the purpose of the temple. It was beautiful and even though we were sweating like crazy and I was carrying a hot and heavy baby on my hip I could feel the spirit.

Then the little prince head butted me on the way back to the car. In all fairness he was pretty sick with a low grade fever, so what right do I have to complain... I probably shouldn't have had him out and about in the first place! Oh well.

~Grandma Shannon Babysits~

Grandma Shannon is known for letting my babies do things I would never let them do. Last night was no exception to the rule. While I was out and about picking up Nick from the airport to take him on a hot date in Salt Lake, the babies were busy doing things like this...

I think this one is up there with the time she let 9 month old Alec play with tiny magnets and paper clips... or the time she gave Lyssa pennies to play with when she was 7 months old... both times when my babies liked to put every thing in their mouth. Thanks for watching the babies, Mom! My date was fabulous! I'm about a week behind on this blogging machine, but I just had to add this in once I discovered these photos. More on our adventures later....

~Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder~

Last Saturday Lyssa and Alec woke up screaming around 4:30, waking their sleeping grandma in the basement below. After a half hour we were all awake and not going back to bed any time soon so we loaded up the car to head out on our journey. I had about 5 hours of sleep and felt exhausted and queasy as it was so I decided to drive, hopefully keeping myself from throwing up. With two thumbs up, hugs and kisses for Nick, and a hearty wave goodbye, we were on our way!

Parking myself behind the steering wheel keep me from getting sick, but it didn't help Lyssa. She woke up throwing up twice, had explosive poopy diapers all over her carseat, a sore throat and a fever. Poor baby. Alec didn't feel great, and had some nasty out of control diapers of his own, but seemed content to simply watch movies and eat snacks all day... the first day anyway. After a crazy evening in a hotel, a fun time swimming in the pool, and an uncomfortable night trying to sleep with Alec's feet in my back we were off on day two! More diaper explosions, a little more throw up, and babies with fevers made or an interesting ride, but we made it! I owe it all to the lady who spent two days turning around to pass out snacks, change out DVDs, give drinks, and listen to me grip about truckers thinking they own the road. Oh how I love my mother.

We were warmly greeted by Grandpa Steve and my brothers, who quickly unloaded my van and whisked away my babies to play in the backyard. My dad took me over to my Grandma Marion's home around the corner, where we used to live before our move to Iowa. I walked around with tears in my eyes admiring the gardens, the flowers, and the sweet little house where my family began. It's been well taken care of and looks beautiful inside and out. That little house will always hold a special place in my heart. What a wonderful way to come home...

~Independence Day~

A photo essay of our day... and a little food for thought.

I sat watching fireworks on a green grassy field next to a baseball field, playground, and the fabulous all american family friendly neighborhood surrounded by corn fields (where I dream of someday owning a home). I looked around at all the happy families and kids playing with glow sticks and sparklers. I couldn't help but reflect on how very blessed we are to live in this amazing country, where freedom still rings true and the futures of my happy babies are brightly filled with hope and endless possibilities. How very lucky we are...

~Summertime Fruit~

Juicy flavorful summertime cantaloupe...

We haven't yet..

met a fruit...

we didn't love.

Oh, how I love summertime...

not to mention all the fabulous fresh produce.

Maybe I could move to the land of endless summer....maybe.

~Magic Potion from Dry Ice~

Despite the July heat a frozen package adorned my front porch. The contents not only gave our palates a little pleasure, but the cooling agent also gave us hours of entertainment. It's amazing how much fun you can have with hot water and a little dry ice.

We thought it looked like magic potion. Alec thought it was absolutely fantastic!

Lyssa was amazed watching the magic "smoke" move around when you blow on it.

Sweet Lyssa... you can see the wonder and excitement in her big beautiful eyes.

Grandma and Daddy were there to seal the deal, making it a fascinating and magical experience.

Thanks Pinecone Research for all the fun...

not to mention the $3 checks that I occasionally receive in the mail for trying out your stuff.

~Toy Store Treasures~

When Grandma Shannon comes to town you know there will be a trip to the toy store. And with a trip to the toy store you know Grandma will be bringing toys back to the house. We just didn't know how COOL this toys was going to be!

Being expected to share such a cool toy right away was a little difficult at first...

..but with 130 pieces we learned there was more than enough to share.

Magnetized train cars and a train station were very distracting.

Lyssa and Grandma Shannon were the ones excited about opening and setting up the tracks.

Eventually we had a fabulous train track set up, providing hours and hours of sharing side by side entertainment. Really the adults wanted to play with it as much as the kids... It's just that fun!

Thank you Grandma Shannon and Grandpa Steve for our train set!

It's sure to provide hours and hours (and likely years and years) of entertainment.