Arabian Nights

Last week we had the privilege to drive down to St. George and stay for the week with my entire family.  It was so much fun and I wish we were still there.  I know that people don't love it because of the atrocious heat, but come on, it's hot anywhere you go in Utah in the summer, right?

We headed down on a Friday afternoon after we picked up a soaking wet Payton from her field day (I guess the Firemen decided to make an appearance and spray all the Challenger kids!).  We there around  9,  just in time for bed!  The next day we went to some little water park that is by the temple and then just lounged at the pool, where Payton stayed for like 8 hours, and after every meal, she just wanted to go back!  We told her that she would turn into a mermaid, and were pretty sure by the end of this trip, we started seeing scales on her legs.  

Sunday we had planned on going to Sand Hollow aka "the red sand lake".  We spent the entire afternoon all the way into the evening there.  Payton built a lake with the sand, Lucas tried out the water.  It was a rough at first, but we kind of just make him sit there until he stopped crying (is that cruel?).  

Monday we took our trip to Zion.  One of my most favorite places! First, we hiked up Weeping Rock to see if we could maybe meet up with my dad, who decided that he wanted to run the East Rim Trail (which is like 12 miles).  Payton kept saying, why does the rock just cry?  Why is it always so sad?  And then of course, she just stood underneath the drops of water....after lunch we headed on another hike to the Emerald Pools.  They were doing some construction work on the trail, so we weren't able to go very far.  That night, Payton and I left Shawn and Lucas and went to see Aladdin at Tuachan!  I must say, I am always impressed with the plays they put on. I think I have gone to see one, sometimes 2, every summer for like 10 years.  They never disappoint.  They had a magic carpet and live camels.  Does it get any better than that?  Yes it does!  It was cute, Payton is a little more than obsessed with couples kissing, and when Jasmine and Aladdin kissed the first time, she just looked up at me and smiled.  I couldn't help but laugh.  When my sister asked her what her favorite part was she said, I loved the whole thing!  And I said, I'm pretty sure you loved the kissing part the best!  She blushed and said, NO!!!  

Tuesday, everyone in my family decided to go home, but we wanted to stay an extra day.  So we went to Zion once again.  We drove through the huge dark and scary tunnel that was created in 1930.  We then made our way to the Riverside Walk.  Payton spotted 6 lizards, 3 squirrels, a hawk, and some tiny little yellow and black finches.  At the end of this hike, we went and dipped our feet in the river.  For some of us, it was more than our feet...  

Our journey was so awesome and we can't wait to go back!

Playing in the red rock water park.

Lucas loved this swinging action!

See, he got over it... 

Weeping Rock

Camille, Pay and me about to watch Aladdin!  

Riverside Walk

He tried to climb that rock, but managed to fall in instead :)

The kiddies and their dad (yeah, he is THAT awesome!)

Pay Pay Louise

Has made quite the accomplishments in the last 9 months.  When Payton first started Kindergarten at Challenger, she was the first kid in her class to came home with the "Golden Key."  Now to some of you, this may not seem like it's a big deal, but it is HUGE!  I mean, literally.  Which means, that she knows all her vowel families and passed off her little readers (you know, "the cat in the hat sat on the rat") Which is pretty amazing if you ask me. 

Every morning the kids would be timed for 10 minutes to see who could get 50 irregular words, and whoever got them first, got a pencil by the end of the day.  I'm pretty sure by the end of the year, Payton collected 45 pencils.  She is very smart, and very competitive.  She has a love for art, science and animals.  She can add and subtract high numbers. 

A month before school ended, they did some IOWA testing, which is your basic standardized testing.  Payton scored so well that Challenger offered her a scholarship for next year!  Unfortunately, there will be a new path to her academic life. 

Not only has Challenger taught her how to read, write, and treat others with respect, but they have taught her to sing, dance and memorize lines for the programs the kids put on for the parents. Payton is an awesome little person.  I tell Shawn at least once a week that we have the best kids (yes, I am bragging)!!!

Payton and Shawn the day Challenger awarded her the Scholarship.

The "Two-Scoops, Please" that Payton entered in the Art Fair

If you can't read this certificate, it is the Scholarship.

From an astronaut to a magician to an artist, Payton has now decided she wants to model when she grows up....so these next few pics showcase her modeling skills (she also picked out her (my) clothes, jewelry, makeup and hairstyle.)

Being the good big sis that she is and telling Lucas NO for yelling a bit too loud!

Pretty little brown-eyed girl.

Even though my shirt is a dress on her, her feet almost fit into my boots!

Payton wanted to arrange my makeup, like so, and take a picture herself :)

Beauty and Bon Iver

Last Tuesday Shawn and I took a night alone and went to see Bon Iver.  If you don't know them, you are missing out.  There are like 12 people in this band, playing tuba's and baby saxophones.  Violins and trumpets.  It was at Red Butte Gardens, which is always really fun.  We had our dinner, sat on the grass, enjoyed the rays, The Staves, and of course, Justin Vernon.  He has a sexy tone to his voice, and I could listen to him all day!

Just Beautiful!

Birthday Zoo

I can't even believe it has already gone by, but Lucas turned one about 2 weeks ago!  He is so all over the place and it sometimes drives me insane.  Mom, I'm going to get into EVERYTHING!!!  And even though I have mahhhh moments, Lucas is so much fun!  He mimics a lot of what we say and do, he points to the monkey's in the book when we ask where they are, or where the light on the ceiling is, he is getting ready to walk, loves to make Payton laugh, eats, and is the best sleeper ever.  He gives hugs and it has to be the sweetest!  I love my baby, and at times I wish he was only 3 months old, but I would not trade where we are for anything in the world!

The day of Lucas' birthday, we thought about going to the zoo.  We weren't sure whether or not we would make it because Payton had come over with a fever that morning.  Around 1pm she was bouncing off the wall, so I was pretty sure it was time to head out.  What a nice day.  The sun wasn't beating down upon us, we saw a bird show, watched the rhino's roll around in the mud, (ps...they are huge!) and enjoyed the cutest little black footed kitten on the planet!

The next day we had a joint party planned for Cooper and Lucas (since they are only 2 days apart).  Aside from the inclement weather, we had a fabulous time inside!  The boys opened all their presents, ate their super messy chocolate cake, (which was more amusing than I imagined) and were totally worn out by the time it was time to go.  It was a great party and we can't wait to do it next year!  Happy First Birthday boys!  Your mommies love you!

Bronze Rhino

Um...have you ever seen anything more magnificent?  The colors were amazing!  This peacock was such a show off and I soaked up every moment.

Shawn has always mentioned she was a 'monkey child'

Cooper was like shoving the cake into his mouth, while Lucas just apathetically joined in :)