Summer Swim Lessons

McKayla started summer swim lessons this past weekend (kindu kicking myself for not enrolling Bodie after seeing his enthusiam for the water in St. George, but they're all full now). We did group lessons this time which I think is good and bad...she gets a little bored waiting, but I think it's good for teaching her patience. After her lesson her teacher also came to talk to me and told me that he told the director she should be moved up a level (insert proud momma moment). He said she has really good intuition and he thinks she'll do much better and progress faster if she gets more of a challenge. McKayla was a little nervous about having a boy teacher, but she ended up really liking him and I think it gave her some variety she hasn't had yet. I'm excited to watch her learn new things and we are all excited for the outdoor pool trips we plan to do after swim lessons this summer (we actually took the kids to the outdoor pool this week and they had such a fun time...especially going down the waterslide with Todd).

Lollipops are a MUST HAVE to get through  the lessons)

Snowbird Family Night

Friday night was family night at Snowbird so we headed up to meet Todd and play on all the summer stuff. The kids had an absolute blast and it was really fun to meet more of Todd's co-workers. The kids tried a couple new things (the trampolines and alpine slide) and played on an old favorite (bounce house/slide) before we sat down to a nice dinner with Todd. The weather was great and it was fun to have some family time before Todd headed back into work.

This week so far...

We are ABSOLUTELY loving the long summer nights around here. We've already had multiple BBQs, friend visits, park time and bike time. I do need to get the kids to bed a wee bit earlier (it's SO hard when it stay light out so late, but 10:30pm bedtime makes for grumpy babes the next two days), but we are taking FULL advantage of this time of year and plan to do so ALL summer long. Oh how I LOOOOOVE summer!!

The Big 32

My family and friends made this birthday a special one for me (as always ;-) ). My girlfriends took me to dinner last week at a fun new taco place which ended up being super yummy. It was really nice to sit and relax with them...and final catch up...it'd been too long. We were in St. George for my actual bday so I got to spend the whole day with Todd and the kids. They woke me up with hugs, kisses and cards (best way EVER to wake up). McKayla also brought me some money and told me to go shopping (you don't have to tell me twice :-) ). She also asked me if she could call me "Birthday Girl" all day and then she really did; which prompted birthday wishes from many strangers we encountered during the day :-). We enjoyed hiking in Zions and lunch at a cute place called Oscars. When Todd asked where I wanted to go for dinner I really couldn't think of anything that would be better than sitting by the pool, ordering pizza and hanging out casual style. We also had cake left over from the night before so Todd and the kids snuck it out of the room and then brought it back to me with a sparkler in it while singing "happy birthday". The day honestly couldn't have been any better...it was just perfect.
This past weekend we celebrated with my family by BBQing at my parents. It was casual, special and perfect again. My boss also took me to a cute little cafe (Eva's Cafe) for lunch and it was super delish (stop by if you're in downtown SLC). I can't thank everyone enough...celebrations like these make me remember how incredibly lucky I am to have the family and friends that I do....there is no better gift :-).

Such good gift opening helpers

Fun new purse

Such a yummy place...definitely go there if you live in Utah ;-)

Dessert with the girls

Biggest slice of cake ever!

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 :-)