Back to the Heat

Things this week have slowed down to their normal summer drawl.  Last Sunday was spent completely at home, since Brandon was super sick (I think he caught what I had last weekend...), but I think that was good for the kiddos because every day for the past week and a half was spent out of the house.

It's nice to get back into our routine, however boring it may be!  Monday morning we had cub scouts, and we did the swimming badge.  It was so funny because Kylie was right in the thick of things and trying to do everything the boys were doing.  The best part is when we had a race and she jumped off the edge of the pool with everyone else.  She is such a good swimmer now!  We need to get her in some swim lessons so she doesn't need  her floatie anymore.

Besides one day that was cloudy and we could actually take a walk, we've been only going outside to swim, like normal.  Kylie is starting to get a little color and a few freckles!  On Saturday we had our friends over who moved out of the neighborhood last year.  We went swimming.  Surprised?  Kylie and Kennedy are so cute together and they look like little twinners!

Hayden has turned into a little puppy dog now that he can crawl around.  I have him following me around in circles as I do chores or start dinner.  He is already wanting to start helping and of course trying to do everything Kylie does.  He especially likes to try helping with the dishwasher.

Both Hayden and Kylie are growing up so quickly now.  Kylie lately has been all about showing affection and she just loves to give hugs and a million kisses.  It's the best thing when out of the blue she goes to Hayden and croons "So cute cutie pie".  I love it so much!  Of course there are still issues about sharing toys (especially new ones) and personal space, but watching them play together or just back to back is the best thing ever!

Naylor Reunion

Thursday was the day we were leaving back for St. George.  We had a packed car ride home, because Grandma Shari's side of the family, the Naylors, were having a reunion this weekend in St. George.  So we fit Grandpa Gary, Grandma Shari, Uncle McKay, Aunt Chantel, Aunt Kelsey, Kylie, Hayden and me all into their van for the trip down.  Kylie had lots of entertainers, and thankfully Hayden slept a lot of the way.

Once again we stopped in Beaver for a break for the kiddos - and they finally cooperated enough to take a picture together for Grandma Shari:

The kids were so happy to be home finally, and Hayden just bawled when he saw Brandon, I think because he missed him so much.  We took a few hours to unpack and settle back into our house (and by that I mean spread the toys over every inch of the carpet again), and then we met up with Brandon's family at their condo for dinner.  We had a nice evening visiting, and Grandpa Gary even gave Hayden his first taste of soda.

We then went home and gave the kids a bath.  I love how they are taking baths together now.  Sometimes they will play together, but more often than not they just play with their backs together doing their own thing.  This night, though, they were twinners and just kept sucking on washcloths together.

Friday we spent completely over at the condo with Brandon's family because of the reunion.  The kids just love all the grandparent time and didn't mind in the least - I was feeling sick, though, so I spent a lot of the time lazing about and trying not to throw up.  I did participate in the first activity of the day: The Amazing Race, and had fun until Hayden's hunger called me home.  Then, while he ate and we napped for a few hours the rest of the family went out for lunch.  Afterwards everyone went swimming and relaxed before dinner.

Dinner was yummy.  Kylie really wanted a bunch of cherries, but she never ate any of them.  In fact, besides two bites of cake I don't think she ate much at all.  Hayden was a good eater and loved the cherries, and also playing with everyone there.

Then they had a talent show where Kylie insisted on being part of everyone's talent so much that we had to remove her and go play on the playground.  She just loves being the center of attention.

Saturday was another day of the reunion, but we spent the morning at home because they were all out hiking.  This was good for me, since I was still feeling pretty sick, and also a nice breather for the kids.  The afternoon was spent swimming and relaxing again.  For dinner we met up at a park and everyone had fun playing on all the fun contraptions there.  Kylie especially had fun and just played constantly for the few hours we were there, pausing only to get a drink of water.  Hayden also had fun with the grandparents while Brandon and I played Survivor (we didn't survive).

Then we said our goodbyes because everyone was leaving tomorrow and we wouldn't see them again for another month!  We had such a fun time and just loved all the family time with everyone!

To The Aquarium!

On Monday Grandma Shari took us to the new aquarium in Draper.  Kylie is at a perfect age for the aquarium right now since she is learning her words and loves animals.  Right from the beginning she was very interested in all the animals and trying to find the fish or reptile in the case.  She really liked looking at the huge river fish and seeing them float on by right next to her face.

Kylie was all excited to try the rope bridge, so I waited in line for five minutes and when it was our turn she put one foot on and then looked down.  Oops... it really freaked her out to see the water underneath us and so she sat down and wouldn't move anymore.  Looks like we may want to wait a bit longer before she is ready for something like that!

She really liked the penguins.  Sadly none of them dove into the water, but she still enjoyed watching them waddle around on the rocks.

After a little jellyfish exhibit was a small play area that of course Kylie was all over.

In the next room were some ducks which Kylie loved watching, and then the otters, who were mostly sleeping unfortunately.

The last room was a huge tank with sharks and turtles and such.  The tunnel inside the tank was pretty fun to sit at look at things in, but Kylie didn't really like it for some reason.

The outer room was a little auditorium which Kylie enjoyed better - mostly because she could run up and down the steps with all the other kids.

They have it set up where you have to go through the gift shop to exit the aquarium - which is good for sales and horrible for parents - and we got the kids a few things.  Shari got Hayden this little frog and Kylie a penguin set.  And of course all Kylie wanted once we left was Hayden's frog.  She even freaked out when Hayden would play with it.  Looks like she is going to get a hard lesson in sharing!

After that we went to lunch at the Thanksgiving Point Deli where we got to visit Aunt Kelsey where she works!  Kylie actually ate most of her meal this time, and as per the norm Hayden made and extraordinary mess.

That evening we got to go visit Great Grandpa Knudsen.  It was so good to see him, and it was the first time we had seen him since Aunt Chantel's wedding!  Kylie played shy and wouldn't even go in his room to say hello, but over all it was nice visit.

The rest of our vacation was spent playing at Grandma and Grandpa Knudsen's and in their backyard.  Tuesday was actually very cold and stormy, so we didn't go out much that day.  Luckily, though, Grandma Shari and Kylie went and fed the ducks that morning before it got too cold, so Kylie did get some outside time.  Here are some pictures Grandma Shari took:

Wednesday it warmed back up again.  The kids just love being outside so much!  Kylie would take her meals out and sit on the picnic table to eat, and I even set Hayden's chair right at the open door so he could eat his lunch and watch Kylie play outside at the same time.  Grandma Shari had cub scout day camp Wednesday morning, but when she got home Kylie just wouldn't leave her alone!

This past week has been so fun for us and good for the kids!  They got to play outside so much and have tons of grandparent time which they have absolutely loved and needed!

A Weekend With Grandma and Grandpa Hansen

Friday morning we seem to have already hit a groove: wake up, eat breakfast, and go outside and play!  We are truly loving the weather up here and are taking advantage of it while we can.

That afternoon we went to Grandma Tess' work and then went to her house for the evening.  Grandma Tess had some new clothes for Kylie - so we all know what she did!  Kylie stripped immediately and put the new dress on.  It was too big, but that never stops her.

With only a pause to eat a yummy stir fry dinner, the rest of the time was spent... outside!  Grandma and Grandpa Hansen have a playground right outside their back door that they share with all the neighborhood kids so Kylie just had the time of her life playing with Grandma Tess and all the other kids.  And of course Hayden enjoys being outside as well!  Grandpa Pete came and joined us and took tons of amazing photos.  My kids are so happy when they play hard!

Saturday morning was kind of cold, but that didn't stop us from being outside.  We went over to play at the school playground that morning where there were lots of slides to go on.

That afternoon we went swimming at the Provo Rec Center.  It was a lot of fun, but I think Kylie was tired because she was rather moody most of the time.  (Perhaps falling asleep on the way there didn't help...)  After swimming Kylie played on the rock wall and even the indoor play area for a bit while Hayden took a nap.

Back at Grandma's we spent the rest of the evening outside.  They had a little neighborhood BBQ that night and Kylie had her fill of watermelon and Cheetos.  Both of the kids were super messy after that meal, and it made it ten times harder to clean them up since we were outside.

Sunday was Father's Day and I can tell you that Brandon  had the best Father's Day- sleeping in, not worrying about kids or crying or diapers.  He was missing us and we Facetimed all the time.  But the Grandpa's sure loved having their grandkids with them today!

We went to church with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete and over all the kiddos were decent.  It sure takes a lot to distract two kids throughout an entire meeting.  Afterwards Kylie had fun in nursery and drew her daddy a fun picture.

After church guess what we did?  Okay, it doesn't take much to guess we spent the rest of the afternoon outside again.  Luckily I brought a change of clothes for Kylie, because she had taken up throwing sand on herself for the fun of it.  Grandpa Pete came out again and took some more awesome pics.

We had a super fun weekend with Grandma Tess and Grandpa Pete.  So grateful to everyone for the rides to and fro to everyone's homes and for all the help involved with Kylie and Hayden!!