Lehman Cave

On Labor Day this year, we decided to take a road trip for the day, and spend some time doing what we love, instead of "laboring" in the yard or around the house like we sometimes do. As Clint and I talked about how much we wanted to go and see Lehman Cave, we knew that it would be a long drive, but I absolutely loved Clint's optimistic attitude of, "What is a bit of time in the car with the people that you love?"

That was it! With that thought we had everyone in the car by 7 a.m. and made the 3 and a half hour drive to the cave and made it there just in time to purchase the last set of tour tickets that was available for the time we wanted! It worked out perfectly.

We wandered around the visitor's center for a bit while waiting for our tour to begin - snapped a couple of photos, caught a praying mantis, and "tried" to help Kambriella go on the big girl potty;)

The inside of this cave was AMAZING! If you have ever been to Timpanogos, this one is WAY better! Our camera didn't do very good in the dark, so this is the only picture that you can really see any of the detail. Trust me when I say that one fine day, you should take the time to drive out there! You won't regret it!

After our tour was done, we drove down the hill to a quaint little picnic area where we ate our lunch that we packed, the kids were able to go exploring, and Kambriella found herself a little rock for a chair! To me, it looked soooo uncomfortable, but to her, it was the perfect spot to enjoy her sandwich! (She even tried to get Kierra to come and share the spot! Kierra was a good sport and tried, but just couldn't fit!)

On the way home, we stopped and got ice-cream and enjoyed the rest of a relaxing day that consisted of absolutely NO work on Labor Day! I love you all, thanks for the fun!

There's a snake in my boot!

Ok, not literally IN my boot, but pretty darn close! I have lived in Utah for about 19 years now and had never seen a snake around our home...EVER! But the other day when I was out mowing the lawn, this little critter came right out from under a tree and I almost stepped on him! It was a good thing that the lawn mower is loud cause I think I screamed like a little girl!!!;) Well, he scurried off in a hurry and I didn't see him again until that evening. It was about 7:00 at night when we were all back home together for the night when I remembered to tell Clint and the kids what I had found earlier that day. I told them I tried to catch it for them for a pet and they thought I was so cool...for a moment;) Then , they all wanted to see just where it was in the yard where I had spotted him, so we all went out and there he was!!! Sun bathing in our driveway!!! My thoughts suddenly turned to, "Oh no, I am going to have to have a snake for a pet..."

Dallin loved him and immediately decided to name him "Po" after the Kung Fu Panda. "It's the perfect name for him mom. He looks just like him with his black and white colors - AND he loves to jump!"













I think they all felt safe enough to get a closer look at him while he was in the bowl. Before that, the little ones wouldn't go near it!

Dallin loved to hold "Po" but would almost jump out of his skin every time he would make any sudden movements...

Then there was Carew being fearless and brave and not even thinking twice as "Po" started to coil his body around his fingers!

Then there was cute Gavin:) I thought this picture was cute because it literally shows just how close he would get to Po! (NOT!) You can't even see him in the picture because just as he would get brave enough to reach out and touch him, Po would be on his way out of there and all Gavin would get was the very tip of his tail!

Alas, here are the true colors of my thoughts on having a pet snake! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad that my children could finally see my side of things...I REALLY didn't want a snake for a pet!!! But, I must admit, it made for an entertaining evening with the kids;) - No really, they decided themselves that they didn't want Po to die so we had better send him back out on his own to go find his family AND some food!!! YAY!!!:)

Back to School!

As Gavin and Dallin were getting ready for the first day of school, we had a fun time over breakfast discussing just "how big" they were both getting! It was so sweet how Dallin instinctively took on the role of "protective big brother" when we started discussing how Gavin felt about finding his way around his new school and playground.
"I will be just like Kierra, " he told me, "...and I will take good care of Gavin! I will walk him to his class, and show him where to line up, and I will help him find his friends!"
I thought it was so cute how he cared so much about "taking care of Gavin." (I didn't have the heart to tell him that I would be there too - so I just let him think that we REALLY needed his help! After all, I need to embrace the times when brothers really want to look out for each other especially when their natural instincts are to wrestle, tease, or hear each other scream!;)














Gavin's teacher had an "I Spy" game for the children to do with their parents when we got there. I thought it was a fun way for them to get acquainted with their classroom and to feel comfortable about all of the new places they would be spending time. They had to "spy" their name throughout the classroom, the coat rack, the restrooms and water fountain, their teacher, and a new friend. They also had to decorate a "shoe box library" and find a treat! (Doughnuts and milk! Mmmm!!)

We also had to take a picture on the second day of school because it was the first day that I wouldn't get to take them to class!;( I ended up laughing most of the way home after I dropped them off because little Miss Kambriella cried out loud the whole way home, "OH NO!!! I miss my Gabin and Dowin!!! OH NO! OH NO!!!! I think she has become a little attached to the company of her brothers! Now I just need to let her see how much fun it will be to have mommy all to herself! ;)

Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

For our little family getaway this summer we went and stayed in our time share in Las Vegas. Part of the fun of going is just to "get away" and be lazy, do zero amounts of laundry, and spend lots of time doing "whatever - whenever." We did a lot of swimming in the pools and in the "lazy river" (hence we are fulfilling part of our laziness;) and of course loving the hikes like we do, we went to the Red Rock Canyon for some beautiful sights and some kid friendly hiking. It's great to see all of the magnificent creations of the world... and then to push pause just for a moment...

Little Miss Kambriella a.k.a. "Princess of the Rock." We had the kids wear their swimming suits just in case we got lucky and found any streams or waterfalls on our hike...

Unfortunately, we didn't find any streams or waterfalls...BUT we found a trickle where during certain seasons there is a waterfall. And because there was no waterfall, we were lucky enough to see what was behind where the waterfall should be!!! This awesome little cove!!!

It was the perfect little shaded spot for some exploring, some play time, and of course - a little snack;)

Want some crackers and cheese Mom? How 'bout some fruit leather?

And here we have the "Princess of the Rock" showing her daddy her beautiful toe nail polish job done by her mommy during one of our most favorite "lazy time" activities ;) Too cute!!! Love it!!!

Our Millcreek Hike

This little hike was one of our favorites of the summer! We started out on a little dirt path that wound its way down to the mountains, back and forth through a little river, where we ended up at a beautiful little secret cove with a pool to swim in and a little waterfall. It was so beautiful and such a perfectly nice day for a very cold dip in the water.
On the way there, we saw more petroglyphs at this rock...

Here is the river we waded through. There was a point where the water came in from two different sources. The first half was very warm, the second half, umm...not so much;)

Isn't it beautiful? Carew is the one in the picture trying to take it all in...

And of course a hike with our family just wouldn't be a hike without Kambriella hitching a ride with daddy along the way...:)

Here is Caden, Ella, and Kambriella all playing in the little pool once we reached the end of the hike.

I just had to make my way over to the waterfall where I could let Kambriella reach her hands in and feel the water...the actual feat of getting her over there was pretty tricky, we did it though! - Very slowly with her on my shoulders- through the freezing cold water!!!

Kevin and Clint led the way for anyone who wanted to go climb up on top and jump off the edge down into the water. Kevin, Clint, Kierra, Carew, and I were the only ones who were feeling crazy enough at the moment...I was proud of them for being brave enough (even though once again I have been found guilty of screaming like a little girl the whole way down ;)

It doesn't seem that high right now, but when you are standing up top and not quite sure of what's below you, it looks VERY intimidating!!! The higher edge off to the right was where Kevin showed everyone how it was really done ;)...

This was such a fun afternoon with Clint's family once again. Laura said she was proud of us for doing all of these "crazy "things with them! I told her, "Ya, you better be careful which crazy things you ask us to do because we just might do them!"

After we hiked back we stopped and got milkshakes and went back to the condo for a picnic lunch and more swimming. THIS was a FABULOUS summer day!!! Thanks Kevin and Laura!!!

THIS is Weird!!!

I knew that this day was coming. It's officially been "back to school" time for the entire month of August, but as much as I have known that I needed to face it I haven't quite wanted to admit that one more summer is gone and that all of my kids are one year older, which in return makes me one year older too! How can time speed by so quickly? Try as I might I just can't figure out how to make it stand still! So, I just keep on trying to "enjoy the journey" and "count the moments that take my breath away." I love keeping this blog for that particular reason too! I can hold on to these memories and moments that "tug on my heartstrings" forever!

I took Kierra and Carew to the middle school the week before school started so that they could get into their lockers and so that Carew could learn how to find his way around the school. It was SO WEIRD walking around with them! Just to think, "I have TWO kids in middle school now!" I waited until there was no one around and then snapped a shot of them getting into their lockers. (I think they were a little embarrassed to let me, but I promised them they would thank me one day!) Just thinking of them both walking the crowded halls and hoping that I have taught them enough and that they are confident enough to do good and stand up for what is right made my heart race. They are good kids with fun personalities, a good head on their shoulders, and faith to carry them far! Thanks for letting me "push pause" on another moment that was just tugging on my heartstrings! I love you both and good luck on another exciting year and the next chapter in our book of life! Love you Love you!!!

The Canyonlands

I just LOVE this picture and HAD to start this post with it! After all, this is pretty much the reason that we were able to go on this fun trip with all of Clint's family in the first place! Chad visiting from Japan was a great reason to go and have some fun together and THAT we did!
Clint, Laura, Chad... we love you guys!!!













Here we are at Newspaper Rock seeing some of the neat petroglyphs.

Here we are at the cave of "200 hands." There was such an amazing feeling there. It was so neat to see the history that had been recorded by people from so long ago.

Hello up there Carew!!!

Just resting in the shade during a VERY hot hike to the cave!

Doesn't Kambriella make a cute "Aunt Jemima?" ;)

More "good Papa" shoulder rides for the tired little feet!

And of course, Caden and Kambriella at the best part of the hike - getting to the end and sharing a yummy treat!!! Mmmm!!! Thanks Caden!!!