Beating the Heat

Summer is a really hard time for us, because we want to be outside playing all the time, only there really isn't anywhere to go in this heat besides swimming.  And even that we can't do for too long because then we fry!  I am running out of things to do indoors!  We did manage to make it to a park for a little bit this week.  After the library we stopped at the school where the playground was still covered in the shade of the trees and played for a while.  After about 10 minutes both Kylie and Hayden's cheeks are red from the heat but that doesn't stop them!!

Indoors we usually resort to play doh, getting the tent out, playing in the garage, and turning everything into a jungle gym.

We did get to get out of the house one day and go play with some new friends down in Bloomington on Thursday.  Logan and Cache, who are just a bit younger than Kylie and Hayden, but they all had fun!

Kylie also finally jumped on the haircut bandwagon!  It took about a month (I got mine cut a month ago, then Brandon two weeks later, and Hayden last week) of warming up to it, though.  On Monday Brighton's mom borrowed our clippers and cut Brighton's hair outside, so Kylie was super into it, and afterwards she was dead set on a hair cut.  So I trimmed her bangs and gave her a little bob style.  It looks pretty cute, as long as her bangs lay in the right way... (Like NOT how they are in the second picture!)

Friday and Saturday were some big days.  We go crazy on the weekends when Brandon is able to play with us!  Friday we went out to dinner as a family and then to Fiesta Fun, where we played arcade games and let the kids run around like crazies.  Saturday we went to Costco, then decided to brave it and go see Inside Out as a family.  We also invited Uncle Jordan.  This was Kylie's second movie, and Hayden's first!!  They did fairly well.  Luckily it was a matinee so they were given a little more freedom.  They especially liked sitting on the stairs together and sharing popcorn.  Saturday evening we went swimming!  It was a treat because it was past their bedtime and Brandon came with us for once!!  Everything is more fun when daddy is around!!

Oh What Do We Do In The Summertime?

I think we all know what we do in the summertime.... we SWIM!!  Outside of our normal trip to the library and playing with Sophia the only other thing we did this week was swim.  And swim.  And swim again.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we went swimming and the kids are starting to get some color despite all the sunblock they wear.  Though they don't tan... they turn pink.  Hayden has started enjoying the hot tub, he thinks it is a little kiddie pool and just likes to float around.  He is swimming by himself now, kicking around and keeping his balance for the most part!

This week Hayden has started giving kisses.  I had a bandaid on and every time he saw it he would grab my hand and kiss it several times.  It is the cutest thing!!

Saturday was a big day.  That morning we had a birthday party for a friend of Kylie's.  And guess what?  Yup, it was a swim party!  Kylie had a blast with all the kids and had a hard time getting out of the pool  when it was time to go.

In the afternoon we decided to cut Hayden's hair.  It definitely needed a trim, but Brandon just went to town.  If I had known what he was going to do I would have told him to leave a little hair on top to style, but by then it was too late.  Hayden enjoyed it until he saw some hair come off, and then he got a little concerned.  I was going to trim Kylie's hair afterwards, but after watching Hayden she decided she didn't want a haircut.

Saturday night we had a surprise birthday party for one of Brandon's employee's that we were invited to.  There were other kids there that Kylie and Hayden played with, and thanks to two birthday parties in one day all Kylie ate that day was pizza and cake.  Probably the best day ever for her!

Sunday was Father's Day, and as it was also stake conference we had a nice leisurely day at home!  (We have yet to try taking the kids to a meeting where you sit for 2 hours straight...)  Jordan came over for dinner and Kylie decided she wanted to help peel potatoes.  Which was nice.  And nerve wracking.

Afterwards we got to Facetime with Grandpa Pete and Grandma Tess!  That was a lot of fun.  The kids love seeing their grandparents!

Family, Swimming, and Zion's!

What a fun and crazy week it has been!!

First, on Monday, we went to the Splash Pad in St. George and had a picnic dinner there with Brandon, who had to work late that night.  My kids love water and and had a super fun time.  They played so hard that they actually ate a good size dinner (which almost never happens!) and crashed as soon as we got home!

Tuesday we went up to Coral Canyon and played at the park up there.  We haven't been there in a while and Kylie and Hayden both had fun running around until it got way too hot.

Wednesday Kylie had a birthday party to go to for a friend, and it was a princess party!  So she got all dressed up as Anna from Frozen and when we went to the party all these little girls ran up to Kylie shouting "Princess Anna! Princess Anna! You are so cute!"  It was so funny.  But it was a bitter sweet moment for me because Kylie's friend was turning five, so all the girls are just a bit older than Kylie, and Kristelle (the birthday girls mom) said we could just drop Kylie off and pick her up afterwards.  So this was Kylie's first "Mommies Not Needed" party!!  It was exciting and made me sad at the same time.  Kylie is growing up!

Later Wednesday evening Grandma Shari came!! Along with Uncle Jordan!  Uncle Jordan was moving down here for the summer to work with Brandon, so they had some errands to go do that we tagged along with.  Kylie was so excited to see Grandma Shari again and it only took Hayden a few minutes to warm up to her.

Thursday morning came and Kylie didn't even let me know that she had woken up - she just went straight downstairs to Grandma Shari and wanted to play.  We had a fun-filled day - or rather they had a fun-filled day as I got to spend the morning at the dentist having my tooth fixed.  The rest of the day was kinda lazy and just playing around.

Friday we had some errands to run in the morning and then did some walks and lots of bubble blowing in the afternoon.  Kylie got tons of bubbles from her Un-Birthday Party and the kids have been obsessed ever since.  Also, when Grandma Shari had been taking the kids on walks she had been holding Hayden's hand almost the entire time.  I thought that was the funniest thing because usually on walks I let them run around and explore, and Hayden usually fights me when I need to hold his hand.  But he would willingly hold Grandma Shari's hand whenever!

Friday night Grandpa Gary got into town!  Everyone was happy to see him and after dinner we all went swimming.

After everyone was getting ready for bed later that night, about 9.30, I realized that the cat was missing.  Panic!!  The only time he could have gotten out was early that morning when we were bringing groceries inside.  Brandon and I scoured the neighborhood for him until 11 with no luck, and then I went to bed while Brandon and Grandpa Gary stayed up until 1 broadening their search and printing out "Lost Cat" signs.  We were so sad that our little kitty was out and about (probably on a huge adventure) and were worried that we would never see him again.  I woke up at 5.30 that night to change Hayden's diaper, and then I just felt the prompting to go check the door.  I opened the front door and there was our cat!  He ran inside and everywhere he went he left huge piles of dirt.  So at 5.30 in the morning Brandon and I washed the cat.  For five minutes he had red dirt washing off of him!  He was crazy dirty!  But we were so glad we had our little kitty back!  Also he is never going outside again :)

Saturday was a big day - we were going to Zion's!  We all loaded up in the motor home and started the drive!  Hayden got a chance to try out a bigger carseat (he just barely meets the qualifications to sit in one), and Kylie enjoyed the freedom of a seat belt!

Up in Zion's we rode the shuttle to the Weeping Rock trail and hiked it.  It is a very short trail (only about 1/2 mile round-trip) and easy for the kids to do.  Their attention span wasn't very good though - especially Hayden's - so this was the only hike we did.  It was kinda steep on the way down, so Hayden held Grandma Shari's and Brandon's hands, but when he holds two people's hands he thinks he doesn't have to walk anymore.  So he was literally dragging his feet and enjoying it!

There was a small stream at the bottom of the trail that we let the kids play in for a while.  I think that was their favorite part!

Afterwards we rode the shuttle clear to the top of the canyon and back down!  Lots of sitting for being in a national park ;)  Just the kids age!

Then we went and had a picnic lunch (the kids didn't eat much) before going home.  That afternoon we all crashed and took a long nap.  Well, all except Kylie.  She just had quiet time.  Grandma Shari and Grandpa Gary left at that time as well, to start their new adventures as empty nesters!  We loved having them visit and I want to thank them for everything they do for us, every time they visit!!  Can't wait for Snowbird in July when we will be able to see family again!

Something big that happened at the end of this week: Kylie has decided that she doesn't want to wear diapers to bed anymore!!  I have been meaning to make this move with her earlier, but I have just been waiting to buy a plastic sheet for her bed before we did.  But now Kylie has made the decision herself and the past few nights she has been great!  I did finally manage to get the sheet, which we will be putting on the bed because we all know that accidents do happen.  But I am so excited for her!!  Kylie is completely potty trained!!!

Happy Un-Birthday!!

What a busy week we have had!  On Monday we made banana bread and as you know, Kylie loves to help me bake.  Well this week Hayden demanded to help too and as soon as I put him on his chair he started peeling bananas like he knew exactly what to do!  It was cute.  And messy.  Very messy.

Then he fell asleep at lunch like he has been doing more and more.  Kylie got super excited and ran and grabbed the phone to take a picture of him sleeping.

The rest of the week is kind of a blur.  We did lots of crafts and some swimming and playing with Sophia.  Hayden likes to hold out his arms and ask "Go?" now, meaning "where did it go?"  I seriously love him talking but now I have two littles continually squawking "Mom! Mom! MOM!" and it sometimes gets on my nerves.

Saturday was our big day!  It was the day of Kylie's birthday party!!  It was her first friends party and yes, I know it is a month early, but it was the best time to have it because of family vacations and holidays.  Another reason was that my friend, Angela (Sophia's mom), had her baby due at the end of June.  And wouldn't you know it!  She went into labor Saturday morning and Sophia got a new baby brother that afternoon!  Haha so she wasn't able to come after all!  But oh well.

We had a super fun time!  It was a swim party so I didn't have to think of any activities and after swimming we had some snacks, playing with balloons, decorate your own cupcake, and presents!  I wish I took pictures of the decorations I did, because I spent all week making them, but I forgot!

Overall Kylie's Un-Birthday party was a big success and she enjoyed spending the time with her friends.  Now in a month she will have her family party and more fun!