Moab

Our family decided we better get around to a family vacation this year. It's been full of fun and playing and lots of youth activities, but it's always good to get away together. We decided to head to Moab to visit Charlotte, Marty's younger sister, and enjoy some of the sites. We drove down on Friday, August 20th. It was fun to visit with their family and let them go out for a little date while their 6 month old, Kade, was already down for the night.
On Saturday, we decided to visit Arches National Park. We chose a few short hikes since we have two little hikers that like to hike instead of ride in backpacks. We also learned that these girls think Camelbak's are the best thing. They may or may not be getting these for an upcoming birthday or Christmas gift. Shhh, don't tell!
Eliza loves to feel big no matter what we are doing.
Here's a picture that includes Charlotte and Kade. Jordan was out enjoying the Elk Hunt.
The girls found a resting spot on these rocks.
I don't remember all the spots we stopped at, but I'm sure Marty would. I believe we stopped at four places. I didn't realize that Arches was so BIG! You could spend days there.
The girls enjoyed this spot because of the sand.
This was my favorite stopping spot, Double Arch. I love that the hike wasn't long at all and you could go right up by the arch.
It was incredible!
Eliza enjoyed hiking this rock.
Marty and Brooklyn went up to the top.
I wasn't sure I wanted to try it with Eliza, but it didn't look to hard so I decided to go up. Eliza cried the whole way up. It was a bit scary so I'm sure she was scared to death that she might fall.
Brooklyn loves to hike. I need to take her more often!
It's just so beautiful!
All done for the day and ready to go home for naps.
Sunday we relaxed. Marty remembered what "normal" Sundays were like. We enjoyed the cooler weather outside. It was the night a huge storm went through Salt Lake and knocked down power lines. We didn't have anything, but wind. We played and played outside and had the best time. We tried to get a picture of Eliza with the cool clouds and got this picture. It looks as if she is coming straight from heaven.
Highlight of the evening: We were about ready to go inside and go to bed so I took off Eliza's dress, but left her onesie one. Brooklyn walks over and looks at Eliza and takes off her skirt. There she is standing in her shirt and underwear. Everyone started laughing. She likes to do everything exactly like Eliza so we all joked about how we should follow too. :)
On Monday, we drove a little out of Moab to visit Newspaper Rock. Marty thought Brooklyn would enjoy seeing the petroglyphs, but she wasn't too interested and wanted to leave right after we got there. We stayed for about 20 minutes and we thought it was pretty interesting. These are at least 2000 years old. Amazing!
The girls enjoyed posing for pictures and playing with rocks.
They have fields and fields of sunflowers on the way to Newspaper Rock. I thought it would make for an awesome picture spot for Bridals. Well, we weren't brides, but we stopped for the photo op.
I love this panoramic shot!
Next we drove into Monticello to see the LDS Temple. It's a smaller temple and it was closed for the day, but we were able to walk around the temple grounds. Eliza was ornery and hungry so we didn't stay too long.
Brooklyn enjoyed the visit though.
Then we decided to get some food at the local grocery store and eat lunch at the park. They have a huge park that the kid's enjoyed. Brooklyn learned the fun of hanging and swinging on bars. Eliza had to try too!
Brooklyn wanted a picture of her new monkey skill.
I was feeling nostalgic because I used to love the bars at Elementary school so I thought it might be fun to do what I used to do. Nope! It wasn't quite the same, but Marty made me hold still for a picture. I actually flipped around on the bar so I was dizzy and my hands hurt.
Highlight of the day: Brooklyn peeing behind a tree at the park because she "had to go" and we couldn't find the bathrooms. Come to find out, they were only a short drive away. We could have walked there.
Later that night, we visited our friends, Jim and Pat, from our bike team that live in Moab. We had a good visit, but Brooklyn picked a fight with a cactus in their backyard and lost! She was so hysterical about it that she ended up falling asleep on their couch. She's all better now, but she was traumatized by it. She keeps drawing pictures of it and when I ask what she drew she says "it's that thing with the pokies".
On Tuesday, we drove home. Moab is beautiful!

My Birthday

I meant to post about my birthday before we left on a family vacation, but I ran out of time. So first I must backtrack a bit before I post about our trip.
My birthday was on Sunday, August 15th. It was a day surrounded by special days for others. On Friday night, we went to the Jordan River Temple to be a part of an endowment session for two members of our ward. It was awesome to be at the temple with them as well a few others from our ward. Saturday afternoon, we were able to spend some time with the same family in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple as they were sealed together, along with their almost one year old son, for eternity! I love attending sealings and I'm entering the age where I don't get to go to as many anymore since my family and friends are mostly married. I love all the things I learn there!
Saturday evening we were invited to a BBQ celebration for this same family, but since my birthday fell on a Sunday, we decided to go out to dinner to celebrate my birthday instead. The girls stayed with grandma and grandpa and we went downtown to have dinner at The Roof. We had a little time to kill before our reservation so we took a tour of the roof on the Conference Center. Wow, that place looks so different from when I last saw it 10 years ago.
So back to The Roof. We decided to go there after signing up for the buy 1 get one free coupon you get during your birthday month. Overall, it was yummy, but there is absolutely no way I would pay for that full price! Just sayin'. And I believe I ate my weight in dessert and left that place completely full. to. the. brim!
Sunday was a day of church and luckily Marty only had two meetings and came home around 2:30. That was a present in and of itself!
We went to dinner at my dad's house at 5 pm. It was delicious and it was nice to not have to make dinner. At 7 pm, we had the family that lives in the valley over for cheesecake or root beer floats. It was fun to finally have a big enough house to hold everyone and I enjoyed visiting with everyone.
I had a few birthday surprises from an sweet visiting teacher and a couple of neighbors. It's always sweet to be thought of by others on your birthday. So thank you!
The Monday and Tuesday that followed, Marty was officiating at a wedding so we spent Monday night at the rehearsal dinner and Tuesday at the wedding. It was an honor to attend the wedding (though I'm not sure if I was really invited). :) Wedding's are such fun events so it was great to attend!
My birthday presents (for my memory's sake): I received mostly money which is great for an "adult" like me so I can pick what I want! I bought some new pants, pajamas, an IPOD dock, and the Hunger Games series. I have a little left to spend at a later time.It was a great birthday weekend!

A few additions

My friend Mindy not only is a great photographer, but also has a great eye for decorating (they must relate somehow). She has a blog called Our Humble Abode where she blogs about all the projects she does around her home. I love to see the magic she can perform in a room, but it also makes me wish I had even a fraction of her ability, motivation and creativity. I'm not saying I lack any decorating talent, but I don't have the motivation most of the time or the funds needed to do what I would like and I am lacking in some of the creativity.
With that being said, I have made a few little improvements around my home. Make sure you look at what I have done before you look at Mindy's blog. :)
Hi, Mindy, since I know your read my blog. :) This wasn't meant to be a shout out to you, but it looks like I just did it! I wish I could hire you to decorate my home, but I know I can't afford you! :) :)

I love vinyl! I honestly didn't know vinyl existed some seven years ago. When we were first married and bought our home, I was decorating things and actually traced a computer font of a saying onto a board and painted it. It's the board I have in my front room. Man, I wish I would have understood vinyl back then because that was a pain to do and it doesn't look anywhere as good as vinyl!
I won a gift certificate off Bargain Divas several months back to Heartfelt Wall Hangings and I finally cashed it in. Marty made us a toy box years ago and I've been wanting to decorate it up a little so I finally did.
Most people probably wouldn't want this saying in their home, but it makes me smile whenever I do laundry!
I've been eying these pillows from IKEA for at least a year. Well, I splurged a little and finally got them for my basement. I love them and they are so soft!
Yep folks, that's it for now. No designer blog in my future, but I love my few additions.

Avocados

Avocados are one of my most favorite things! I don't have them nearly as often as I could, but whenever I eat an avocado in any way, it tastes absolutely delightful!
Marty loves avocados as well and so our avocado love has been passed down to our girls. Most people are a little shocked when they see Brooklyn eat an avocado since it's really not a kid-type food, but she loves it! Eliza is proving to be the same way.
These pictures are a couple of months old, but here is Brooklyn "cleaning" out the avocados. We used most of the avocado to make some guacamole, but she wouldn't let any go to waste.
Yum!
Brooklyn could drink the Guacamole we make at our house. She piles her chip high with the stuff and then goes back for more. She doesn't care for restaurant guacamole as much, but still eats more than her share.
Still not letting any go to waste! Man, I wish I had some avocados right now. I'm hungry!

Skating

Last Monday, we went to my niece, Caitie's, 10th birthday party. It was held at Classic Skating. I'm not much of a skater, but I thought Marty and the girls would have a good time and they did!
The little skates for Brooklyn were so cute!
Marty and Brooklyn took off on their first spin.
It was more like sliding for Brooklyn, but she got better the more she practiced.
They had a great time!
Of course, Eliza got a little jealous so she had to have a turn too. I have no idea how you can possibly skate with a toddler in your arms.
Then I saw someone pushing a stroller while they skated. Luckily enough, I had a stroller in our truck so voila! It worked out great! And we even shared with another little cousin. Everyone was happy!
But that wasn't enough for Eliza. She HAD to try those skates.
And take a spin herself. What fun!
Later, they tried out the razor scooters and really enjoyed those too!