A fun day...

Today we (Wendy and I) were supposed to meet our friend Nicola at the zoo after her daughter got out of school. There turned out to be a rainy problem and it was still raining by the time we were going to meet her. We decided to meet at the mall instead to eat lunch and decide what we were going to do today instead. The kids really enjoyed going on the carousel at the mall.

By the time we were done at the mall the sky was looking pretty blue so we decided to take our chances at the zoo anyway. I am so glad we decided to go. The weather was perfect, no rain and not hot, and the zoo was very empty. I guess the rain scared off a lot of people so it was so nice not having to fight crowds just to walk around.

Kaylee always loves to read the map and she is getting really good and showing me right where we are in the zoo.

Lately Gabby has been walking around the house saying "Mom, I lost my friends." She has told me this WAY to many times to count. Don't worry, she found her friends...Now maybe they won't get lost again.
We went to the Discovery Land Theater and learned about animal senses. We were early to the show so the kids danced, ran around, and entertained us.

Thank you Wendy and Nicola for another MUCH needed break. And as always I couldn't pick which pictures I liked the best so I posted a ton...Enjoy!

Tag, You're it!

My friend Elaine tagged me quite a while ago on her blog but with the warm weather and then a cold I haven't been blogging much lately. Sorry I've been slacking but I am still here.

How to play this game of tag. Post these rules on your blog. List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Joys:
1- Paul, who is the most amazing Husband in the world!
2- Kaylee even if she is five with the attitude of a 15 year old.
3- Gabby - I mean really who couldn't love those adorable faces she makes (Especially the glare that could kill, it just makes me laugh)

Fears:
1- Something happening to Paul. I am especially scared when Paul leaves on the submarine that something might happen to it and it won't come back.
2- Something happening to Kaylee or Gabby. (I had a dream once that something happened and I had to check on them like 5 times that night just to reassure myself.)
3- This is really lame but I'm always afraid something is going to go wrong with my car even though there is nothing wrong with it. One time like 7-8 years ago I was running errands and my brakes went out and I couldn't stop...but amazingly I didn't hit anything and I got it stopped. Now anytime I hear anything in my car it makes my heart jump even if it's a wierd noise on the radio.

Goals:
1- To be a better mom.
2- To finish my degree. After I had kids I never finished college even though I'm pretty close.
3- To travel lots with my husband and kids.

Obsessions/Collections:
1- Ebay...I'm guilty on all levels here. I buy, I sell, I threaten my kids that I will sell their things if they aren't taken care of, and they take my very seriously. I am a seriously addicted ebayer.
2- Mickey Mouse. I'm not nearly as big of a Mickey Mouse collector as I used to be. I actually sold most of my collection on Ebay but I still collect some of my favorites and love Mickey.
3- I am currently obsessed with reading. Lately it has been Stephanie Meyer but now that I'm done reading The Host I think I am going to read Ender's Game again. I haven't read that book probably since jr. high and The Host has inspired me to want to read it again. Besides that...I have to wait until August to read the next Stephanie Meyer book.

Randoms/suprising fact about me:
1- I thought I would hate living outside of Utah...but now that I'm back in Utah I miss living in Washington. The drivers are much nicer, the air is much more breathable, it's really nice living near the water, and my family doesn't get sick nearly as often.
2- I hideout a lot. I am not very good at making new friends and I'm better at keeping to myself in my own little bubble. I really wish I was better at making new friends and talking to people I don't know.
3- I love to scrapbook and I have a huge scrapbook store on ebay but it has been months since I have actually sat down and done any scrapbooking. Wendy, we should get together and scrapbook.

You're It:
Tag..you're it...Nicola, Jess F., Wendy, Tiffany, and anyone else who just happens to read my blog that hasn't done it yet.

Rainbow Rosey Swishy Fishy or Princess Ballerina

Since Kaylee did so amazingly well at her graduation today Paul wanted to take her to get another fish. (If you don't know about our old fish Click Here). He wanted to get an aquarium, and promised that he would clean it and take care of it...the problem is that I've heard that before and I ended up cleaning and taking care of our last aquarium. So, we got Kaylee another Beta fish. She is still trying to decide a name. I think she has narrowed it down to either: Rainbow Rosey Swishy Fishy or Princess Ballerina.

Preschool Graduation

Today was Kaylee's preschool graduation. We thought she would be shy again or end up in tears when she got up in front of everyone. She shocked us and sang ALL the songs, participated in the graduation, and seamed to enjoy it. They wore cute little caps and gowns for the graduation.

Before we went to Kaylee's school we took Kaylee out to lunch for graduation. There is a "Kid's Cafe' " right next to her school, we have never been to it so we decided to go there. While we were waiting for our order the kids played in the play area. They ate their lunch super fast and went back to play again.

The graduates got to walk the red carpet up to the stage in the caps and gowns.

Warm enough to swim and play!

When I was little we always had a rule that we couldn't play outside in the water until it was 80 degrees or warmer. My kids pretty much have the same rule now even though I hated it when I was little. Today got up to at least 90. So, for the first time this summer the kids put on their swimsuits and went out to play with the next door neighbor's kids.

The Living Planet Aquarium

Today we went to the little aquarium with my family. The kids had SOOO much fun there. They zipped through the first of the fish pretty quick. We managed to get them to sit still enough to take a couple pictures and then they were off again. The first section had fish that you would find in Utah lakes and rivers, then we went to the section that had ocean fish, and coral reefs.


Jaren, Savannah, Kaylee, and Gabby

Tiffany (Marla's roommate) helping Gabby at the stingray pool
There was a coral play area that was pretty cool. The kids sat for a picture here but I can't say that they sat still. It's amazing that they are all facing toward the camera.
My dad was trying to avoid my camera. It's funny that I caught him and that it looks like he's smiling because he was trying to be shy. Hee hee hee...I gotcha dad!
Israel and Gabby had fun at the aquarium too. I guess Israel though Gabby was pretty light and Gabby thought it was a blast.
Gabby kept saying "Ahoy, Captain" while she pretended to steer.

Kaylee thought it was fun to touch the stingray, starfish, horseshoe crab, sea cucumber, etc.

They had a "boat" in the Utah lakes section that took you on a "tour" of the Great Salt Lake. When it starts up it has a rumble feel and the kids LOVED it. After we were done looking at everything they wanted to go back to the boat.

According to Kaylee and Savannah this is what would happen if they were on a real boat when it starts to go. It was so funny to see them pretending on this boat.

After the aquarium Marla, Tiffany, Kaylee, Gabby, and I all headed back to my house (and eveyone else went there own seperate ways) and Gabby zonked out! She was so exhausted. I am very happy to say though that after we got back we washed Marla's car and my car while Gabby was asleep, and Kaylee had fun watering the lawn. Gabby woke up right after we finished drying them. Believe it or not...My car really is white, not brown from all the dirt that was on it.

Stephanie Meyer Book Signing

My lil sis Brenda and her sis-in-law Catherine
(Catherine took a pic of me there...I'll see if I can get it and put it up here.)

Yesterday my little sis, Brenda, called me and said that she had an extra ticket to a book signing event with Stephanie Meyer...She figured I just finished the Twilight series and loved it so I would probably like to go with her and her sis-in-law. I convinced my little sis, Marla, and her roommate, Tiffany, to come babysit for me and I went to the book event. I decided I'm a bit pathetic when it comes to the Twilight books...I went on line and read all the outtakes from the books, looked at pictures, read midnight sun, etc. But, I'm not NEARLY as pathetic as some of the people who were there. Some people camped OVERNIGHT to get a good seat even though they had a ticket, once they were inside they took pictures of themselves standing at the microphone like they were speaking at the event, they dressed up, screamed any time they thought they saw Stephanie (even if it wasn't), etc. I got to the event about 20 minutes before it started (thanks Brenda for saving me a seat) and took a few pictures from where we sat. I feel a lot better that I don't get to carried away with books.

Anyway, not only did Brenda call and invite me to an event that has been sold out since it went on sale, but she also handed me a copy of The Host and said "Don't worry about paying me back, Happy Birthday." Thanks Brenda for a wonderful b-day gift, and thanks for inviting me to go.

Stephanie didn't talk about the twilight series much. She did say that Breaking Dawn is the last book in Bella's story, but she may go back and write the books from other character perspectives. She answered a lot of questions about The Host, and life in general as a mother and writer. Going to this event and listening to her talk about things only makes me enjoy her books much more. She is an amazing person as well as an amazing writer.

Page 123 Tag

My friend had this on her blog and tagged anyone who reads her blog. I guess since I regularly read her blog then it includes me.

The first is called Page 123

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

The nearest book to me is "Eclipse" by Stephanie Meyer from the Twighlight series. Here's what the next 3 sentences say:

Jacob Wasn't Smiling. His dark eyes were critical of my reaction. "It's a little bit more powerful than that. More absolute."

Now I'm supposed to tag 5 people so here it goes...I tag Wendy, Janeene, Maria, Tiffany, Jess F., and Tanya.

Here is a totally seperate side note but I'm so happy about it I had to comment...My next door neighbors have MOVED!!! The last couple days they have been packing up trailors and taking it away. I have been having the biggest celebration that they are moving. I have NEVER had neighbors as aweful as them and I'm sure no one will be able to top them.

Zion National Park

Here's a shocker!!! Paul got Friday, Saturday and Sunday off this weekend! This is the 3rd weekend in a row that he has had off. Paul REALLY wanted to camping this weekend but my sister borrowed our tent, and all the camping spots at Zion National Park were completely full. He did find a cabin at Zions that was available. So, Friday afternoon after picking Kaylee up from school we headed to Zion National Park.


Kaylee and Gabby thought it was so fun staying at this cabin.

First thing this morning we hurried and ate breakfast and started our day of exploring and hiking. Overall, the girls did really well hiking. I had to remind them several times not to walk on the edge of the cliff, but honestly I was stressed even when they were on the complete opposite side of the trail from the dropoff. Our first hike was to the emerald pools since it was right outside the cabin we stayed at.
Some very nice hikers offered to take our picture as a family along the trail.
After a while Kaylee was really tired from walking (Gabby got Paul to carry her on his shoulders) and kept saying "I think this would be a good place to sit for a picture" just so she could sit and rest for a minute.
The girls (and Paul's) favorite thing was the water...whether it was a river, waterfall, dripping from rocks...if it was water they thought it was great and that it SHOULD be played in. While the kids were playing in the water I snapped a few more shots of the scenery.

At weeping rock Kaylee thought it was funny to take a shower in the dripping water.

Cove Fort

On our way home the girls were sick of being in the car and ready either to go to bed or get out for a few minutes. We decided to stop at Cove Fort and take a little tour of the fort. I have been there tons of times but Paul had never been. As the missionaries were giving us the tour the girls wanted the tour to speed up and kept saying "I want to go to the next room now."

It was fun to get out and get away from our regular every weekend stuff. Especially since Paul doesn't get many weekends off. Hopefully since we made the kids hike from 9:00 to 3:45 they will sleep REALLY well tonight.