Park City

We decided one Saturday to head up to Park City to check things out before the weather got colder.  It was a beautiful drive on the way up.  The first stop was the Olympic Training facility where the Winter Olympics were held in 2002.  We sat on the hillside for a little while and watched the ski jumpers soar off the jumps into the pool below.  Not sure I could ever do it, but it was fun to watch and cheer them on.

 Some of the homes close to the downtown area reminded me of homes you would find close to coast somewhere.  They were so cute and quaint.  I think someday Bryan and I would love to go up and check out all the shops without all the kids without us.  We are excellent window shoppers!

 They has one of the best Moose stores I have been too.  Look at all the fun PJ's!!!  I might have to revisit this store someday and stock up.

 Crazy girls....I don't know where they get this....any ideas??

 Probably the kids favorite part of the day was taking a ride on the Alpine Slides.  They were a little nervous going up on the ski lift, but all of them did great.  The views from the lift were amazing, I could have stayed up there all afternoon.  Next time I we want to try the Alpine coaster, it looks like so much fun.  Note to self....be prepared to go really slow if you are behind Cambree, she was very cautious on the slides.  I think it had a lot to do with the fact that she wasn't strong enough to release the brake completely be herself.  We were planning on her riding with me, but when we got to the top we realized she was too tall to ride with someone.  I was proud of her for being brave and riding alone.  Brody rode with Emery, Landry with Bryan, the rest of us rode alone.  It was a lot of fun and I'm sure we head back up there next summer/fall.

 Of course we ended our day touring Park City at the candy store.  I had to have a caramel apple of course. Love the time we had to spend together there, can't wait to go back....when the snow melts!

Sunday Trip

Sundays can be kind of a hard day sometimes.  I love going to church, but when we get home I feel a little homesick.  We miss our visits with family, so we try to find things to do that will help create some new memories.  We took a little drive up the Provo Canyon one night and decided to take a walk up to Bridal Veil Falls.  I really wanted Bry to have a chance to see it and enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having.  The dogs came with it and I think they loved it too, especially the water.  The trees are just starting to change on the mountains and it is beautiful.  I find myself fascinated by all the colors and beauty all over Utah right now.  

Lazy Sunday

Kelci turns 11!!

Kelci had a pretty quiet birthday this year.  She has made a few friends, but we just couldn't pull it all together.  We were spending most of her birthday waiting for Bryan to get home so we could celebrate somewhere, but he was taking awhile to get home.  So we went ahead and did some present opening and she especially loved her ripstick!  We ended up going to the mall for a little dinner and than driving home admiring the beautiful sunset.  I know it wasn't the birthday of her dreams, but I know she felt loved especially from all the phone calls from family and friends....thanks for taking the time!

A couple nights later we did take her out to Texas Roadhouse, this is actually a big deal.  Most of the time we don't go to sit down places with all the kids, because let's face it....it's expensive. All of the kids loved the restaurant and they sang to Kelci while having her sit on a Saddle!!  Happy Birthday Kelci Kelc......we love you and your giddy laugh and contagious smile!

Soccer Time!!

Soccer has officially begun this year, the only difference is we only have one kid playing.  Emery is focusing on swimming and Kelci decided to pass on it.  Brody is a fun little soccer player to watch, it takes him about a game to figure out how to be a little more aggressive and once he is he gives it his all.  I love that he also has good sportsmanship.  His team was so cute, they couldn't decide on a name so they were the Green ninjas one week, the green dragons another, even the green bulldogs came up.  

School Days Ahead!

I was kind of sad to see the summer come to an end, we really did have a fun time.  The last couple of weeks were slow and quiet and the kids were happy to have it that way.  But like all good things, they must come to an end at some point.  They are my friends and I love spending time with them, no matter what these are the people that give me a lot of purpose right now.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, well ok, a lot of the time I feel overwhelmed and I find myself searching for motivation to keep plucking along.  I know I'm not a perfect mom....not even sure what that means....but I love my role as a mommy.  With a new school year comes new challenges, new schedules, new goals, and sometimes those are the things I need to keep me on track.  

Emery is now in 7th grade at Pleasant Grove Junior High....holy cow.  How did that happen....eight teachers, a locker, indoor/2 story school, let's face it, it's happening.  But she is awesome and is tackling the challenge of finding her way like I knew she would.  I admire her endurance!

Kelci, believe it or not, is in 6th grade....despite what most folks around here think.  They are usually surprised when I tell them her grade.  Bless her heart, every time she stands on the stool in the bathroom, she  says, "I wish I could be taller."  But we love her just like she is.  She is my second mommy, always looking out for everyone.  I love that she loves to be a kid!  School is not her favorite thing and it's no secret, but she she does well and is looking forward to being the "Big Kid" at the elementary school.

Cambree will be in the 2nd grade this year.  She always reminds me that she would like to go back to preschool again because that was the best....school at home!  Her anxiety has decreased a lot this year and I'm grateful for that.  She loves to learn and is loving the piano right now.  Hopefully we can get another musical instrument introduced soon.  I don't think there has been a day that she has forgotten to give me a hug and a kiss before she leaves for school, I love that about her!

Brody is starting kindergarten and he is like a sponge right now.  Taking in everything, although in true Brody fashion he likes to add his two cents about how everything should work....will see how that works out for him.  He loves that he can ride a two-wheel bike now make baskets in the basketball hoop outside.  I was a little teary to see him head off to school....I will miss him during the day.