The Shamu Show...

I love the Shamu show. The handlers were fun and the killer whales were so fantastic. I'm so amazed at how they can teach these whales to do the things they do. It seems like they have funny personalities and understand that they are performing for an audience that loves them.

My favorite parts were when the audience got drenched and the whale came up on the stage by the audience with a huge smile acrossed his face. I also loved when the handler would jump from the whales nose. So AMAZING!!!

Jade was disappointed in the show because we did not get wet- despite sitting front and center on the 8th row. I was thrilled that we didn't get soaked. It was a bit chilly in the evening.

Marinetime San Diego

Before we headed out to Sea World, we took a walk downtown. It was fun to see the boats and get a little exercise- okay it felt like a lot of exercise.

We walked and walked and walked and carried Ivy. We thought it was only going to be a super short walk to get down to the boats, but we were wrong. And of course, as soon as we got down to the water, Ivy had to take a potty break. So Scott and Jade continued down to the boats. Ivy and I walked and walked and walked to find her a restroom.

We saw 14 dogs on our little walk. The girls counted- not me.

The walk back was really long too, but Scott and Jade started playing a game where they avoided cracks in the sidewalk. He is such a playful dad, and can turn a tough moment into a playful one.

Ivy and I walked slower behind them- actually I walked and Ivy was carried. Ivy got all "sweated out" which is her way of saying that she's worn out.

Jack in the Box

Our friend, Jason thinks that the tacos at Jack in the Box are the greatest. We're disagreeing. Although, they did have a bit more kick than Taco Bell or Taco Time. I'd spend the extra 30 cents for a "real" taco anytime.

Ivy left stating that she NEVER wants to go back to a Jack in the Box again. She only had one bite of her taco and it was handed to the front seat. After all, what can you expect from an eating establishment that "stuffed Jack and the Beanstock into a box"?

The next morning, Ivy needed a potty break and the Jack in the Box was the closest option. While we were there she reminded me she had said she would never go back. Once she saw a picture of Jack she settled down, since "they made Jack to go in the box, it isn't Jack from the beanstock". I guess if you are made to go into a box, there is nothing to feel bad about.

I Heart Faces- sunflare

It's been awhile since I have submitted an entry for I heart Faces. And, I'm not sure this entry shows enough of the faces, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Check out other sunny pictures at www.iheartfaces.com

Daddy Heaven...

Our family vacation is under way. We took off early-ish on Saturday morning and drove straight through to San Diego. En route, we had to stop when Scott saw a sign for Chaparral- the destination for riders. He immediately got off the freeway and headed in the direction of the store. It was in an off the beaten path location and our navigation actually had it wrong. But, Scott went by instinct and made it there without any wrong turns.

When we got there, I explained to the girls that they needed to be extra good in this store. This store is like "Daddy Heaven" I explained and if they could be good, Daddy really would feel like he was in heaven.

The girls didn't behave perfectly, but I think Daddy still felt pretty much like he was in heaven.

The store went on and on forever- with everything you could possibly imagine for ATV's or Motorcycles. There were more racks of clothes than I ever thought necessary for the sport- and so many cute kids riding outfits. There was an awesome selection of helmets, goggles, gloves, chest protectors and everything else you could imagine.

If we hadn't gotten there 20 minutes before closing, I think we could have done some damage in that store- despite the fact that it is NOT the cheapest place for equipment. If we ever pass tit again, during hours, I think Scott will go and try on a bunch of helmets and find the perfect one for him.

Coming home from a trip...

...what would be your worst nightmare? Would it be coming home to a burnt down home? A robbery? a drowned home?

Scott's parents came home from a week long trip to the latter. They walked in, from a wonderful trip to the coast, and were greeted by this. Janet grabbed her camera and started snapping away. Then the assessment of their personal belongings began. The printer had leaked black ink all over the desk and floor. The ceiling, obviously, had caved onto their table and their paint hung like a large drop of water waiting to gain enough weight to fall.

This took place the first of September. They won't be back in their house until mid DECEMBER!!! The extent of the damage was crushing. Fortunately, photos weren't ruined and mementos were, for the most part, safe. Some clippings and papers have a little wave to them now, but at least they still have them.

Once the remodel is done, I'll post new pictures.

Reflections Contest 2009

Last year Jade didn't enter the Reflections contest. Not because she chose not to, but because I didn't know when it was due to talk to her about it. This year, I found out the day before it was due. So, I went through the pictures she had taken and found this one. The theme this year was "Beauty is..." and I thought that this picture represented beauty in Jade's eyes. So I hurried and had it printed off so that she could at least enter the contest.



When I was talking to my mom about the contest, she mentioned the great picture that Jade drew at her house about a week ago. Jade got home from school and I asked her if she wanted to enter in a picture for the contest. She said she wanted to do the pumpkin picture. So, my mom ran and got a mat for it and I went and picked it up.

The night before it was due, Jade wrote about the beauty in each picture and submitted two entries- one in Photography and one in Visual Arts. She was excited to turn them in.

The hardest part about having Jade involved in contests, auditions or meets is having to prepare her for the let down of not winning. Sure, sometimes she will win or make the team, but not always. What is the best way to prepare your child for a let down without discouraging them from putting themselves out there and trying?

Girls on the top of the world

The girls loved being up on the top of the world. The smiles were non-stop. Even when they were cold, they were still having fun. We spent about a half an hour at the top of the world in the cold. Fortunately there was a warming hut and a bathroom at the top. Each girl found different ways to entertain themselves up on the top of the mountain.

They danced and did gymnastics because that is what they do. (We saw a guy with a yoga shirt doing handstands on the rock by the edge. Jade was not about to be outdone.)

Two cool girls...

Weekends are full of so many options. Options that always present a struggle. With two working parents, our house and yard show some wear and tear by the end of the week. Our weekends could be filled with cleaning, organizing or getting projects done. We could make our house and yard look perfect. Or we can spend time playing with the girls escaping the mundane.

When our girls are grown, what are they going to look back and remember the most? They aren't going to remember the weekends we cleaned the basement or winterized the yard. So we are trying hard to make sure they have special memories of the time that we spend together- as a family.

The girls were being very "cool" while they walked to the tram carrying their cans of food.

Snowbird Tram- Customer Appreciation Day

Snowbird Ski Resort does a fantastic Customer Appreciation event. The first two weekends of this November, you could donate a can of food and receive a free tram pass.

So we took the opportunity and seized the day. We had a relaxing morning of pancakes and reading. We slowly got ready for the day and headed up for the cold. By cold, I mean 34 degrees cold.

Jade and Ivy were lucky and they got to be up at the front of the tram. The poor woman behind us was struggling with a fear of heights, so my kind husband pointed out whenever we were over a significant drop off. My girls didn't get nervous, but she did. It's amazing how high the tram is, you are looking down on the chairlifts and they look so little. But it was beautiful. Unfortunately there wasn't much snow. I can't imagine them really being able to open for Thanksgiving.

Scott and Josh went 4-wheeling along the road to Provo. Jade was looking so adorable by the sign that I had to capture it.

We got some fun pictures of the family with the beautiful view behind us.

Love this kids jewelry line...

Check out Rebekah Green's eco-friendly jewelry line. I love how simple and beautiful they are. My favorites are the little girl line. Here are some of my favs. Wouldn't those be so adorable on little ears? Maybe for Jade's birthday I'll let her get her ears pierced. Maybe :)

Santaquin's Family Tree Restaurant

I'm wishing now I would have taken a picture of this little restaurant on Main Street in Santaquin. I've been searching the web for a picture of this restaurant but have had no luck. Just a number of reviews and listings of its location and phone number.

Anyway, after a great day at the Sand Dunes, the group wanted to go to dinner in Santaquin. If you have never driven through Santaquin, you aren't missing much, it's a very small town. Now, after having eaten at the Family Tree, I recommend you make a stop there for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or if you just need a snack- their scones are a meal by themselves and VERY delicious.

Everyone raved about their meals and plates were all but licked clean. The servings are huge!

Many enjoyed the manager's grandmother's fresh baked Chocolate Cake. The rest of us indulged on their fresh caramel popcorn balls.

The atmosphere is just what you would expect at a little family run business. Old family pictures hanging on all of the walls, a banquet room in the back with long tables and pictures of brides and graduating classes as decoration. The restaurant was full of happy people filling their bellies with homemade rolls and roast beef.

When we got home, I told my mom that we stopped and ate in Santaquin. She immediately said, "At the Family Tree?" Apparently, she and my dad stop there anytime they are in Santaquin. (Why would they be in Santaquin? When my dad was a football coach at Lehi, they would travel to Santaquin for games. Lehi and Santaquin are no longer the same sized schools).

Go give it a try...

77 W Main St

Santaquin, UT 84655-7083

(801) 754-3499

The Rock Picture

The tradition of the Little Sahara four wheeling trips is a picture out by the Rock. Here's the picture of the group that went out to the rock.

While we were out at the rock, Jade and Scott went for a climb to find snake skins. They didn't have any luck but had fun climbing together.

Saturday November 7th at the Dunes

As you know, Scott goes to the Sand Dunes at Little Sahara, UT about 15 times a year. We used to go to the riding together when we were a carefree couple, without kids. But, now that we are a family of 4, I don't like to take the time away from the girls and I'm a bit frightened of getting hurt and leaving them without a mom, so I don't go with him. Saturday November 7th, was the first time I've been back to Little Sahara, since Jade was 4 months old. I loved our outing with our girls and loved getting to enjoy the great big dunes of Delta.

We went with the Johnson family and 3 of their friends. It was fun creating a circle of cars and trailers, setting up a canopy, lighting a fire and cooking on a grill. The kids had a blast riding around the camp on the little four-wheeler and playing in the sand. Plus the weather was amazing. Scott commented that we could go the next 20 years on November 7th and never have as good of weather as we did. It was short sleeve weather most of the day. As the sun started to set, the sweatshirts came out, but that was it. No need for hot cocoa, thermals or jackets. The only downside of the great weather were the crowds. There were people nearly every where you looked. Because there were so many people, we saw an ambulance and a helicopter. Which means the sign entering Little Sahara shows zero days since the last injury.

As soon as we got there, we did an easy ride to the left of Sand Mountain. We took it slow and kept the caravan of about 10 quads together. The worst thing that happened was a broken flag from being kicked on a dismount. Everyone was able to get where we needed and everyone had a great time.

After the first ride, we gathered and ate and ate and ate.

With full bellies and kids full of sand, 5 of us decided to ride out to the infamous rock. The remaining riders stayed at camp and did some training rides on the smaller dunes. The ride out to the rock was beautiful. The sun was just setting on our way back and the shadows of the dunes was absolutely breath taking. It reminded me of some rides we used to do as a couple. The guys got to shoot some of the tall hills and speed around some of the bowls. And Jade got to roll down some of the monster hills. Her shoes were full of sand and so were her pockets, but she was in heaven.

After a great day at the dunes, I'm looking forward to next spring when we can take the girls down again and enjoy Sand Mountain and the Rock.

Give me your best shot--

This is one of my favorite pictures of Ivy from this week. It was a beautiful and cold day in the sun.

Be sure and check out the other pictures at Lolli's Give Me Your Best Shot for the week.