May 30, 2013

St.George for Memorial Day Weekend

Last week Todd decided to take Saturday off since he had worked his "days off" earlier in the week. We suddenly realized that we now had 3 days off together (this has NEVER happened without one of us having to take PTO). Although my sweet family and friends had birthday plans for me we knew that we needed to take advantage of our time off and do something as a family. We also knew we needed to get outta SLC...things have been too much about work/others/obligations/ect and not enough about our little fam just being together. SO, we booked a hotel and headed down to St. George for 3 days. The drive down was great even though our brand new DVD players (that we bought b/c our car one is broken) were not working. I was most proud of Bodie man who was able to keep up with his potty training through the long drive and arrive with no accidents.
Once we arrived in St. George we were pleasantly surprised with our hotel (there weren't many options) and happy to see they had a great pool (the kids also loved the free cookie upon arrival, sofa bed that was their's, huge bathtub and free breakfast each morning). We spent the weekend swimming, lounging, laughing, hiking the narrows in Zions, hiking Snow canyon,Todd riding his motorcycle and just really enjoying each other. The kiddos made Todd and I laugh SO much all weekend and we LOVED just watching them play and do the funniest things. McKayla AMAZED us with her swimming skills...we really can't believe how much she has progressed and how comfortable she is in the water. I really feel like we bonded this weekend as a family and Todd and I as a couple. It showed me how important it is to take time for each other and to focus on our little family. We came back refreshed, happy and still laughing.

P.S. The kids and Todd made my birthday SO special while we were down there....I'll save that for my birthday post ;-)
Ready to hike Zions
Now that's a good dad
McKayla climbed this huge rock with Todd
Playing in the water in Zions


This kiddo was snacking the WHOLE trip :-)
Classic Kayla pose


Just a little tired ;-)

Stealing Dad and Mom's bed
Hiking Snow Canyon
Had to put arm floaties on Bodie b/c he decided to NOT be afraid of the water at all
Hiking a slot canyon (kids made it...mom didn't...at least they made Todd proud)


Get Bodie through the slot canyon

Mae it to the TOP
Todd's view when dirt biking



Swim time (first thing we did when we got there...after the free cookie from the front desk that is)
Ready for some fun in the sun


I saw him coming and couldn't stop laughing...this pic is classic :-)
Lion says "ROAR"
McKayla diving in the deep end


Jumping on in (she didn't even need us to catch her)
Sleepy time
Happy and Messy...that's our Bodie man
Birthday Cake

Races on the grass with our little neighbor (not pictured)
"No pictures mom"
Eating, again :-)

May 18, 2013

McKayla's 1st Dance Performance

McKayla had her first real dance performance this weekend (actually 3 of them). I honestly have literally dreamed about this moment since I found out we were having a girl. Watching her up on stage, seeing my little ballerina dancing and twirling. Friday night was her first night and my sister and her husband came to watch with me and Bodie. It was definitely chaotic the first night and we got more of an "entertainment moment" from McKayla's group rather than a dance. The music started early so they had to restart and then the poor girls all got bunched on one end of the stage...which caused one girl to push Kayla and she of course decided it'd be funny to push back...this happened several times until they got distracted by 2 girls who left the stage crying. My sister was seriously crying from laughing so hard! The moments when she did dance she did do a great job and she danced with ALL her heart. Her afternoon performance on Saturday did not have the chaos of Friday and she did such a great job (insert happy tears here)! Todd got to watch that one and he took us to Market Street Broiler for a special lunch after. Home for a quick nap and then we were back to watch McKayla's last performance. My parents came to this one along with Bodie and Todd. I helped out in the dressing room for this one so I got to walk Kayla's class down and watch from backstage. The girls did a wonderful job again and they had so much fun! All of a sudden in the middle of her dance I realized that I had the BIGGEST smile on my face. It was such a mix of emotion...I can't believe she's getting so big already and what a little lady she has become. I was/am incredibly proud of her for having no fear about going on stage and for putting her whole heart into her dances. I will NEVER forget these moments and I can't wait for more :-).
2nd one from the left
















We combined all the flowers she got into one big bouquet