Big Bear

DAY ONE

My Dad is 60 years old! What?! So we headed to Big Bear again...looks like it's turning into an annual thing, yeah! My siblings and I put together a custom scrapbook for his present. We put together 60 things we love about him or some of our favorite memories of him. So once we all arrived in Big Bear and got settled we made him a tie dye cake. The hippie in him loved it! Then he opened his book and we all took turns reading to him the pages we wrote. When we planned this out we thought it would be very tender and special...we didn't count on the chaos of 5 toddlers. It was a nightmare. I'd like to tell you it was controlled chaos but that would be a lie. I think my Dad like the book and it was a great way to start the trip. I thought I would include a couple of my pages from the book so you get an idea of what the sixty consisted of. Love you, Dad!

DAY TWO:

We started day two with a little craft. Per my Dad's request we all tie dyed a shirt. It was a lot funner than I thought it was going to be and it was interesting how the shirts were like our personalities on display. Sara's VERY clean, tidy, and organized with an exact pattern. Megan's was lousy goosey, with fun, crazy patterns. Dad's was super abstract. And Casey's was as plain as humanly possible with a single purple (Go Cats) stripe down the side. It was really fun watching Kylie's imagination and creativity come out. 

The rest of the day was spent relaxing at the house, going for walks and hikes and a small trip into town. Kylie got feathers in her hair and she was so excited. My favorite thing about these trips to Big Bear is the relaxed down time my family gets to spend together. Though our trips to San Diego are always fun, they are usually very busy and very fast. We don't get a lot of time just to be together. It's nice to get away from it all and just enjoy each other. 

DAY THREE: 

Day three was a very busy day! We started with Jen giving Jenna her first haircut! Yes, she's totally almost two and getting her first haircut.

Then we went bowling at the Big Red Barn. Just like last year it was an absolute blast. We got a lane just for the kids and kept the bumpers up and they had a so much fun. I bowled a pretty damn good game as well, if I do say so myself. Jenna was so funny, every times the pins got knocked down she would yell, "Uh oh" and put her hands on her cheeks. It was hilarious. 

Oh, no! 

Then we headed to the lake and had a picnic lunch followed by family pictures in our tie dye shirts. It was  so beautiful out and it was lovely sitting by the lake.

When we got home Sara and I attempted to do a photo shoot with Cooper and Jenna for their birthday party invitations. Some turned out okay but most were a disaster. Attempting to get two almost two year olds to look at the camera and smile was a nightmare. So without further adieu, I give you the hot mess that is the photo shoot...

Kissing cousins!

Chloe got very jealous so we did a couple shots of her. she was much more cooperative then J and Coopie Coop. 

Unfortunately, I got something in my eye while we were on our photo shoot. It was so painful!!! So I spent the rest of the night with a eye mask on. Like I was a pirate or something. I looked a fool, but it at least cut the pain down a little bit. It also made it harder to see our fantastic talent show we had that night. Jenna was in heaven watching all the songs and dancing. Kylie was so proud of her violin playing, she was darling. So was Shiloh who did flips off Jen's lap...the cutest! Rivaled only by Chloe's twirling. 

We headed home the next day, refreshed, rested, and full of great memories. Happy birthday, Dad! 

Wordless Wednesday

September

I'm kind-of liking the all in one random shots throughout the month that I didn't feel like doing individual posts for. I realize it's lazy...but as I am very busy and very important, I'm totally comfortable and accepting of my laziness. Hope you can be too...

Jenna's favorite way to wear her sunglasses is upside down. I think it's because they don't slide down her face but it cracks me.  She's insistent that she wears sunglasses, though more often than not they are upside down and on her forehead, so hysterical. My cousin Ashley came to St. George again and of course we did our traditional trip to TJ Maxx. They had the most fabulous faux fur coats and it was all I could do not to purchase immediately. But I didn't, and my budget is thanking me. My mom came into town as well and it was so incredible to get a little time with her. It feels like quality time with her has been few and far between and we had a lot of fun.

Swiss Days & Park City

Casey, Jenna, and I did our first 5k together. Actually it was mine and Jenna's first 5k ever! It was the Santa Clara Swiss Days. It was a rough go there for a bit. Jenna wanted to push the stroller which slowed us down to the point of getting so far behind that the runners made their loop and and were running back before we made it half way. She eventually ended up and the stroller and we turned around. I would say we ended walking about half the course. Though it didn't go quite as planned, we still had a good time and I totally want to do it again. Plus as a little bonus, Casey bought her a new toy at the booths after the 5k while I was on my way north. She so has him wrapped around his little finger.

After the 5k, Casey took over watching Jenna while I went to Park City with my girls, Liisa Frei, Lisa Mitchell, Kay Berry, and Sheryl Kitchen. We drove up and I dropped them all off at the LDS Conference Center for the Women's Conference and I went and met up with Angie Gove, Michelle Taylor & Lisa Echols for dinner. It was a win-win situation; not only did I not have to go to Women's Conference, but I got to have dinner with my best friend and her sisters to boot.

Then I went and picked the girls back up and we headed to Park City. It was such a good time and the perfect little get away. I had to fly home Sunday night so I could get home for Monday. But even just 24 hours away was so rejuvenating. 

We happened upon a street fair and parade in Park City. It was full of silliness and fun! 

Love these women! 

The leaves were just starting to turn and it was absolutely stunning. 

Weber State, Weber State, Great, Great, Great

We headed up to Ogden this weekend for Weber State's football game. Nothing like a beautiful Ogden afternoon and a little time the Dallimores! Jenna was thoroughly enjoying the nachos and the football. Casey's heart grew three sizes that day watching Jenna yell, "Go Cats" and tell him "Again" every time a play ended. 

Wordless Wednesday

Zion's National Park

My mom, and my Aunt Evelyn and her friend came to town to see The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn and while they are here we did a little excursion to Zion's. I cannot get enough of this place. There really is something about the raw, natural beauty there that I find very grounding and peaceful. We had a great day together and I'm really glad we all got time with my mom and my aunt. 

Because I'm new, (and as I have previously stated; very busy and very important) I totally forgot a diaper. And as Jenna drinks more water than everyone else on the trip combined, she hard the largest, heaviest diaper I have every seen by the time we were done. So because it's just how silly Casey and I are, we stopped at one of the rock and gem shops on the way down so that we could weigh said diaper... 1 pound 1 ounce. Are you kidding me? 

Gymnastics

Jenna and I have started taking a mom and tot gymnastics class. We are only a couple of weeks in, but she's a natural. She's little hesitant on the bars but she loves the obstacle course and most especially the trampoline. So fun watching her get more confident and enjoying the sport. What a lucky mom I am.