St. George Trip

June 4

Jon has been super stressed at work and super busy with his calling. We decided that we needed a vacation. A real one, where you can just relax and do nothing.

My family pretty much only goes on vacations to see family or goes with friends. Jon's family mostly did vacations with just their family. Both are great, but we wanted to find a balance somewhere in the middle. We've never had a vacation with just our family, so we thought it was about time.

We rented a little two bedroom condo in St. George and Jon took a week off work. (Initially, he was only going to take a few days, but as it became more stressful, he decided to take more time and we were thrilled!)


Day 1

Jon wanted to leave at like 4am to get there as soon as possible, but that seemed crazy to me :) We left a little before 7a.

When we got there we unloaded the car and went to get groceries at Walmart. After putting everything away and taking a short nap, we headed to the pool!

It was Enzo's first time. He didn't really like to be in the water that much and I was pretty unprepared to have him at the pool long. We didn't bring his carseat or stroller or pacifier! I ended up taking him back to the condo after 30 mins.  I laid him here to get the bath ready and by the time I came back he was out like a light! He never sleeps like this, so I know he was REALLY tired!

Day 2

In addition to lazy days, we decided while we were that close we wanted to head down to Zions National Park. It was pretty busy that day apparently. The parking lot was full but we managed to get close still.

Quick bathroom stop then headed to the shuttle.

We had planned to hike to all three Emerald Pools, but there was construction and to get to the two higher, we'd have to go to the next shuttle stop and hike further. This turned out to be a blessing, because it was pretty tiring for me to hike to the first pool. (I'm very out of shape!)

Jon and the older boys right before the trail starts.

Along the trail

This is as far as we could go.

I'm glad there was a little bit of climbing to keep the boys busy. It is also very nice and cool under this cliff and at some places misty.

At the top!

We told the boys after the hike we'd get ice cream at the lodge-yum! I enjoyed and ice cold Dr. Pepper instead

Trying to eat the cold thing as fast as he can so it stops dripping

Daddy pointing out a drip

These are the asians that were fascinated with our family. This guy in the yellow, circled us like a hawk a few times, just looking and grinning from ear to ear. I don't understand why. And whenever a new member of their group would come by they would talk in their language and the new person would look over at us with a big smile or half laugh and say something back to the other person. It was so odd to be such a spectacle.

Then we went up to the Weeping Rock stop. I decided that I didn't want to hike up there with Enzo. So Jon just took the older boys.

Weeping

Enzo and I waited at the shuttle stop and it was comfortable and peaceful to be in such a beautiful place.

Then we headed home, went to the pool for a little bit and came back to have a late dinner. The table was pretty tall compared to the chairs and I thought it was so funny that Max's head only came a little over the table.

Then we let the boys stay up til after 11:00p watching the Phineas and Ferb Movie on the Disney Channel.

Enzo likes to have his hands come together. Sometimes his fingers are even intertwined-its soooo cute! He als brings his hands together like this every time he is being fed.

I just adore him!

Day 3

We didn't have any plans this during the day, except hang out at the pool. We headed over there after sleeping in and having a slow morning. (Soo, nice!) When we first got there, no one else was there for 30 mins or so. It was wonderful!

Jon is so busy all the time its a rare treat when he gets to hang out with us during the day, especially to go swimming. I love when Jon gets to swim with the boys and see their skills. The boys also like to show off their skills and are more willing to get out of their comfort zone to impress Daddy :)

Zac swimming-I'm surprised how much he remembers and can still do from the swimming lessons we had a couple years ago.

Sooo cold! It was pretty windy the whole time we were in St. George

Not too happy

Soaking up some sun

Playing around

That evening we met up with our friends the Jewkes to have dinner. Jon's been using his road bike to exercise and relieve stress. His friend, Paul trains for triathlons, so we brought Jon's bike down and they went on a ride. The moms and kiddos hung out at their house.

Max all dress up as a cowboy.

Day 4

The other outing we decided would be fun is to go to Sand Hollow reservoir, and play on the beach for the day.

This is where Enzo hung out most of the day. The water was a little chilly at first, and he didn't like. But I did have to get him wet a few times to keep him cool enough.

Max LOVED making sand castles and playing in the sand.

We also decided to rent a wave runner. Jon has never been on one and he has sooo been missing out. Zac was a little apprehensive at first, but he grew to love it! It was sooo much fun. I got to ride it to the shore to meet the the boys.

Playing in the sand with Daddy

Jon showing boys what a sifter is for. It came in their sand toys.

We also rented a tube to take the boys around. They were pretty nervous, but enjoyed it a little. It didn't work too well since we weren't able to go with them on the tube and help them feel comfortable. One of us needed to stay on the shore with the baby. And unbeknownst to us, there is suppose to be a "witness" on the water craft to watch for the person being towed. The Ranger had to come and talk to us about that. Luckily, he only gave us a warning. Next time, we'll have to bring some friends!

The sand castle they made with Daddy. See Zac's hair sticking up in the front from riding the wave runner.

After his bath

I thought I had a picture like this of Zac, but I can't find it.

And let me just say this stuff has been great!!! I was pretty concerned about protecting Enzo from getting sun burnt with all this time out in the sun and around the reflective water.With my previous babies, I've used the regular water babies or babies copper tone, but they never work well. I did some research and still didn't know what to get. I saw this at babies r us. It was one of the recommended ones. Its easy to put on and it works great! He doesn't look like he's gotten any sun!  Yay! :)

Day 5

Jon has been wanting to take the boys to the batting cages since they started t-ball, but he just hasn't had the time. We noticed a family fun center down there and was excited to take the boys. Me and Enzo slept in for quite bit, while Jon took the boys to do all these fun things. And you could get a wristband and nearly everything was included! What a great deal!


Race cars

The batting cages-Zac said he didn't get any hits.

Mini golf!

Day 6

We packed up, cleaned up and headed out. But not without a stop at the St. George temple. It was so pretty, and busy! Since it was a Saturday, it was fun to see all the brides and a family waiting for the bride and groom to come out :)

Playing with the camera while walking around the temple.

Then we headed home. It was a fantastic trip! The condo was just right for us and comfortable too. Zac, Max and I would LOVE to do it again!

Enzo and Max's Bear

June 2

While I was packing up the boys, Max set up his bear, Fuzzy, so Enzo could look at him. I thought it was funny. Enzo doesn't know quite what to think.

Enzo Loves His Fingers

May 30

At this point I'd been working to keep Enzo's hands out of his mouth. I would keep giving him his binky. He started to spit it out in favor of his hands. He doesn't seem to have a favorite hand or even favorite digit. But he just loves to have them in his mouth. I pretty much gave up on being vigilant about it.

Today, a month later, he still LOVES his hands!!! He'll still take his binky often, but prefers to explore those fingers and maybe his tongue too. Some nights, no matter how tightly I wrap him he manages to get one arm out.

Its also funny to watch him. He'll be looking and focusing on you but slowly his hand will migrate to his mouth. I will also cover his hands and he'll slobber all over his hands and whatever is covering them.

Looks, like that was exhausting

Memorial Day 2012

May 28

This last fall our ward had a family history class that I started going to and really enjoyed. I started to think more about our family history and wonder where to start because much of the first 100 years or so have been completed on both sides of my family.

My mom is technically adopted, and we don't know much about her genetic line. I know a little about my great grandparents' generation on that side, but nothing more. As I was on newfamilysearch.org I found a death certificate for my great grandma who, I'd heard, committed suicide. The certificate confirmed that and how, where and when. It also included where she was buried-in American Fork. I've lived in Utah all this time, but have never been out there! We decided to go this year. It was great to "meet" her for the first time. And we brought some flowers to leave too.

We also found the grave stone for her parents and other relatives.

It was amazing to see so many grave stones for children under 1-5 years old, from the 1800s. Sad. But it felt so good to remember our ancestors and connect with them a little bit.

Max's Preschool Program

May 23

This year was Max's first year in Preschool. They did a cute little program sang us some songs and showed us a little bit of what they do each day they go to class.

This is his friend Spike.

Group hug

Max with his first school teacher

My Three Sons: At Two Months

Back when Max was two months I dressed him in an outfit and remembered a picture I took of Zac about the same age. So I took one identical to see how similar they looked.  I kept the onesie, but gave the shorts away and replaced the bouncer seat. Its not as close to the same but you can see. They look like brothers, but definitely also look different individually.