Cousins Outing

Watson got a special day out with Grandma and his cousins, Stratton and Paris. We all took a trip downtown, on Trax, to the Church's Children Art Museum. He loved sitting on the seat next to the big kids. He loved playing with the different parts of the children's exhibit. He loved running wild amongst the amazing works of art. Now he knows what its like to actually ride the "choo-choo" of the tracks we cross every day.

Summer of FUN!

Every summer is bittersweet. I guess that is the nature of sharing a kid with another family. Since Chandler is home less in the summertime we really try to make the most of our time together. Bees games are always on the list of "things we'd like to do."  This year we tried something a little different. I never knew sitting on a blanket beyond the outfield would be such a party! It was perfect--and the only way we'll attend the games again. There is lots of room to play catch, wrestle, roll down the hill, do baby yoga, and eat kettle corn.

Did you know they have a free kiddie train? And a little playground area? And tables for picnics? Yes, it was a perfect evening for our little family and we have happy boys to show for it. Even now Watson will request a "ba-ball game" for the evenings entertainment. We will be back.

Aminals, Aminals, Aminals--according to Watson

 

Watson and I took a little day trip of our own--to The Hogle Zoo. This was his first trip. I thought it would be a great way to kick off the summer for the two of us. Right now there are "dinosaurs" at the museum, as well as the animals. The dinosaurs move, make noise, and sometimes squirt water. Watson was fascinated with them all, except for T-rex. He wanted nothing to do with him. In fact, he wouldn't even look at the thing. He just kept his head turned and said, "done, done, done." So we moved along to see the tigers, gorillas, and giraffes.  He was most curious about the elephants. We were lucky to see so much of them as they were playing in the water and the stage area. He loved to watch the baby elephant follow the mommy and sit on the tire. The other animal he really loved to watch was the giraffe. We watched the baby chew hay and drink water. Ask Watson what a giraffe says and he'll show you!

We spent some good time at the playground area. He braved all of the slides, even the big snake. Of course we rode the choo-choo train. It could have been a little longer for his liking. We learned about the polar bear and brown bear. A special presentation was set up to help people get excited about the new exhibits being built. We spent some time with the gorillas and monkeys, and I lost Watson for a few minutes in the old monkey house. He is fearless, whether I'm around or not!                                

Watson loved every minute of the zoo! I'm excited to go back again and watch him rediscover something familiar.

Best Dad on the Planet

It is completely obvious to me that these two boys know they have THE BEST dad on the planet. We are so lucky!

High on the Mountain Top

We discovered last year that our family really likes to hike together. Chandler is a bit competitive when it comes to reaching our destination first. Watson is a great spectator from the top of the pack on Scott's back. And I'm loving my new trail running shoes because it means I can keep up with the boys. We took a little hike on a trail near our house. We had never explored it before and found a little lake mid hike. Chandler, Scott, and Watson chose to dip their heads in the cold stream. I chose to be an innocent spectator. This hike has led to a few others as it has become our Friday tradition. We are lucky to live so close to so many beautiful spots!

Just for Fun

Have you ever been to one of those rinky dink town fairs? You know, the kind with creaky rides and you can win a goldfish from getting a ping pong ball in a bowl? I don't know when I went to one last until recently. We took the boys to the South Jordan Days. They rode rides, ate Kettle Corn, and played games. It was kind of fun--for everyone. I loved to watch Chandler hold tight to Watson down the FUN SLIDE. True brotherly love:

Land of a Million Bike Dreams

We took a family "dream" vacation the first part of June. It was dream for Scott to get some good spin time with his good buddy, Bill. It was a "dream" trip for Chandler to get to hang with the Pierce boys, all four of them. And Watson was in absolute heaven with Lindsey and Zack and anyone and everyone who played with him and made him laugh.  Fortunately, it was my "dream" trip too because I got to hange out with Sadie and got in a lot of mom-talk and share cooking duties. Moab was fantastic this year! We stayed at this beautiful condo:

We woke up to this amazing view each day:



We spent each day biking, swimming, hiking, eating, and playing. This year we saw new scenery on our trip to Dead Horse Point. It was amazing. We also returned to a favorite waterfall and watched the boys bravely leap from the 10-15 foot cliffs. Watson, Sadie, and I safely stayed on the ground. The weather was perfect and I even got in a little run by myself. we look forward to continuing this tradition year after year with our besties, the Pierces.

Then and Now

Where has time gone? Remember this day?

Chandler had just finished 4th grade. I thought he was growing up so fast! Time continues on and he continues to grow too fast for my liking. However, I really have no control to stop it, I guess.  The end of 5th grade picture had to have Watson in it. Chandler lovingly puts up with Watson's complete adoration.

Chandler finished off his school year with a bang by earning another "Gold Mustang Award." That makes five golds in five years. He worked really hard on every project he had this year and seemed to love almost every minute of it. Slowly but surely he is beginning to trust who he is becoming and I'm loving my part in it all. What a great kid! We are so lucky to have him.