Back to School

Makayla started the second grade yesterday. She was very excited and just a big nervous. We headed to school early to meet her teacher which put her at ease immediately. I just can't believe how grown up she's getting.

Allie was sad to see her sister leave, and she was lonely all day with only Mommy for company-I just wasn't who she wanted to play with.

Kayla had a great first day. She has lots of friends in her class. It looks like its going to be a fun-but busy-year!

My Man

I just have to brag a bit about my man. He is such a wonderful husband. He puts up with all my crazy plans and projects, and he even makes pancakes every Sunday after church. I am so grateful to have found him. We've had a wonderful 9 years together, and we're looking forward to eternity.

This morning Nate had his evaluation at work. It was very positive! In fact, at the end, they told him they really wish they had another 10 like him.

Yay! It is so nice to see them appreciating all his hard work.

What Happens When...

a 7 year old carries a necklace down the hall and it slides between the nightlight and the outlet?

Answer: A bright blue flash of light and then this.

The breaker was blown and thankfully Kayla didn't get zapped, but her necklace-which was from Grandma Garbett-had a piece blown off the end. She was distraught!

Needless to say we were late for church, but Daddy got everything fixed when we got home. It is so nice to have a hero in the family.

Stansbury Days

This is the first year we have been in town to celebrate Stansbury Days. It was really pretty fun. We'll have to make a point to stay around each year. We started the day with a short bike ride to watch the parade. It was really pretty short, but they threw candy so it was a success.
The band was even in the parade.

The girls loved watching with their friends.

We came home for a short time before heading to the lake for a picnic, to watch the cardboard boat race, and see all the booths.

We didn't stick around too long because we were melting, but we came back just before dark for the fireworks. The firemen were lighting them off less than 100 yards in front of us. They were literally right above our heads. We were pretty impressed with the amount of fireworks. They may not have been quite as big as Pocatello's were on the 4th, but they lasted a good 20 minutes. The girls were loving having them go off right above us. By the time we got home, we discovered Kayla breaks out in hives when rolling on crab grass. She had a pretty miserable night, but thankfully was all better by morning.

Tough Times

Wednesday, for our anniversary, we went to the ward BBQ. The sky was dark and dreary, looking like it was about to rain. Instead of rain, it just cooled down the temperature so we could enjoy a nice time outside. Not too long after arriving, Allie slipped while walking the fire pit with a bunch of kids. She gave herself a nice fat lip.
Then right as we were getting ready to head home, she got stung by a bee or wasp or something. Her finger just kept swelling-this picture really doesn't do it justice.

She was pretty miserable, but Kayla being the sweet big sister she is decided it was time to pass on these silky pajamas to her hurting little sister. That got quite a big smile for the injured girl.

Snow Bird

Our last stop with our passes was the tram at Snow Bird. Sadly I waited at the bottom, but everybody else had a great time. And the newlyweds I gave my $12 ticket to were pretty happy.

Allie on the ride up.
The view from the tram.The view from the platform on top.

Thanksgiving Point

After lunch we headed down to Thanksgiving Point to their Dinosaur Museum.
A little teaser of the museum yet to come.

A learning exhibit before we entered the dinosaur area.

There was even golfing.

Learning with Grandma.

Happy sisters.

Make your own dinosaur.

Papa and Grandma and the dinosaurs.

Playing in the irrigation center.

A dinosaur turtle.

Now that is JAWS. This dinosaur shark was 70 feet long compared to the great white which is "only" 20 feet in length. Seeing how I already suffer from an unfounded and irrational fear of sharks, let's just say I am very thankful these things no longer exist.

A mammoth.

Digging for fossils. While the girls were in here, a tour bus full of people came through, taking pictures of them.

Lion House

After the Aviary we went to lunch at the Lion House. It is so nice that this is one of the stops on the SLC Connect Pass.
Enjoying the flowers on Temple Square.

Tracy Aviary

We'd never been to the Tracy Aviary before. So Saturday morning it was our first stop. This vulture followed us as we walked around the cage.
Kayla found this vulture a little scary.

Watching the birds.

Feeding the swans.

Flamingos

Mommy, Allie, and Kayla waiting for the bird show to begin.

Allie got chosen to help with the bird show. She was so busy modeling for the camera that she was completely surprised when the bird jumped onto her arm. It scratched her with its claws, but thankfully she'll survive.

One of the more different birds in the bird show.

The bird show was probably better at the zoo, but we still had fun at the Aviary. It was a nice cool escape on a hot day.

The Living Planet Aquarium

As soon as we got out tickets at the Aquarium (where Nate was able to join us), the girls got to pet a snake.
So not my daughters.

Kayla measuring the fish-wondering what it would be like to catch one that big.

You've got to kiss a lot of frogs...

Allie driving the boat across the Great Salt Lake.

Jellyfish.

Checking out the animals.

I love Kayla's reaction to touching a stingray.

Allie playing in the new coral community

Kayla and Daddy exploring the touching station.

Looking at the new penguin exhibit. It is pretty amazing to watch how quickly and easily the penguins sail in and out of the water. This was way better than watching them stand in a bunch at the zoo.

Taking another turn at trying to touch the stingrays.

Kayla playing in the coral community.