Our Weekend

On Friday we babysat my nephew Connor while his mama was out of town. And by we I do mean all 3 of my kids and me--they each entertained him in his/her own way and it was very helpful. Here Livs and Connor explored Cares' Pet Vet kit:

This evening we met up with my parents and Heidi for dinner at Cafe Rio and a short hike in Little Cottonwood up to Lisa Falls:

I hate that my flash went off for this shot but the kids smiles were all pretty cute...

My big kids and Joseph ventured off way up the craggy side of the falls, leaving Livs and me to hang out down below

My baby showed me the art of tossing rocks into the river
My family finally returned to us, got soaked in the waterfall one last time and snuggled up next to their dry mommy:

Liberty Park

More playtime before Heid and her kids head back home to MN. We met up at Liberty Park, first at the splash pad. Livs and Max weren't too interested in the water but loved the playground. Cares and Bentley jumped right in the water and then came to check out the little kids' snacks:

Then over to the seven canyons and rivers play area which was just too much fun--and all the kiddos loved it:

Max and Bentley were the boat masters, sending them downstream from different spots

and Cares was a great little boat catcher. I love how many times these guys played that game--up and down again and again.

Even tiny Sadie loved it in the cool water and climbed in and out of the small streams.

We planned on meeting Heidi at 10 this morning but we had another late night with LeBaron cousins and didn't get children to bed until well after 9:00 last night. Somehow, this morning, all 3 of my kids managed to sleep in past 9:00 am, which has never happened before! It felt amazing, but meant we were running much later than we had planned. By the time we got over to the canyons and streams today it was well-packed with moms and kids. We still found our own zone to play in but I'd love to get there with more room to float toys around.

Maybe we'll have to head back if we get bored before school starts...

Still No School

...but this morning we finalized registration for Caroline's ballet class and bought her first official pair of canvas ballet shoes. I get to sew the elastics down for her and everything (only my mom may appreciate the reverence I have for such a ritual...)

...this afternoon we ordered new backpacks for my 2 grade school kids from Lands End and final uniform pieces for Cares (Beans is still outfitted from last year, thank goodness).

...and we enjoyed a final lunch date with all 5 Horsley cousins as they begin school next week (of course my sister and I will be having more of these year-round :)

Summer is officially nearing its end, but we hope to make the most of our last weeks of freedom.

Silver Lake

Trying to soak up family time with John and Krista before they move to California.
Silver Lake was as lovely as ever, the temps amazingly cool for an August evening, and the little "hike" perfect for small kids and pregnant mamas.

If you head up that way, just be sure to bring shoes that can get muddy (the trail was still quite wet with run-off) and lots of bug spray. The mosquitoes were rampant--thank you Cutter for saving us last night.

Busy Again

I must be feeling better because we have had a whirlwind week.

Monday: Dentist appointment for Caroline and her first cavity (first cavity for any of my kids actually). She was super nervous for any shots but she sailed through. We lunched at my sister's house, I put Livs down for her nap, left my big kids playing with cousins and went to see my OB. Routine stuff but I now have an ultrasound scheduled in less than 2 weeks—very exciting.

Tuesday: BYU day with both of my sisters, my mom and all our kids. This outing has become an August tradition including a little art at the museum, shopping for blue and white gear at the bookstore, and lunch in Provo—usually Los Hermanos. We are such a huge group but have a lot of fun together.


Wednesday: My own dentist appointment in the morning followed by a trip to Costco with all 3 kiddos (I am eager for school and my time there with just my Livs). We came home and got to work on our house--organizing, cleaning and finally facing piles of papers and cluttered messes that I simply couldn't deal with the past few months.

Thursday: A day to stay home and get some laundry and more projects done around our house.

Friday: Water play date—again with both sisters and all our kiddos. The children had a blast together in the wading pool and on the slip'n'slide and with the good old fashioned garden hose. Classic summer fun.

(pics from Cec...it's true I felt too lazy watching everyone from the shady grass to take any myself :)

LP in Pictures

Heading out from the marina to Gunsight Canyon early in the morning

a shaded cousin Max and Bentley on the speed boat

One of many sea-doo rides

and one of many post-swim snuggles

family style tube ride (which Livs did not like)

curly-haired girl on the way to Rainbow Bridge

Hangin' on the houseboat...

literally at times

Olivia adored the water and jumped and swam and played in it as much as we'd let her

the whole crew getting ready to head out for a cliff jumping adventure

Family jump!

the ever entertaining sandbar near our houseboat, just a short swim away

cousin time on the couch

our whole LP crew

Riding the houseboat back in to the dock after a week of play.
Our trip seemed to fly right by! Everything about Lake Powell makes it such a great escape--the stunning landscape, the balmy water, the swimming and cliff jumping and tubing, the delicious food and yummy snacks, grown-up game time, cousins playing all around and hours on end to nap, read, and lay in the sun... we love it there.