A little pre-fall adventure

Here in our household, Fall (ie, cooler weather, changing autumn leaves, our anniversary, Halloween) is one of our favorite times of the year. We look forward to a nice drive up the canyon to see the leaves changing color. We anxiously await the day we can put out the pumpkins, witches and other spooky decor, which usually happens sometime in September. We look forward to our annual family Halloween party equipped with the most delicious soups served in bread bowls, donuts and cider, and all kinds of yummy goodies. Here are few pictures of an evening trip to Gardner Village, which is one place that always reminds me of fall. (We were hoping to see a few pumpkins out, but didn't have much luck...)

First day of first

Wow, how time flies... How is my little girl in first grade? Tay is so thrilled to be back in school, especially because she gets to be there all day AND have lunch with her friends everyday. Me on the other hand, it was another sad day for mommy. I know, I know, many of you laugh when I tell you that I've shed a few tears at the start of each school year, but I can't help it. Another milestone has come and gone. And it makes me a little melancholy...

Regardless, I'm sure I'll find plenty to do with my free time... work out, sleep, clean, shop, scrapbook, blog, etc, etc...

Now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure I could get used to this.

She loves her new teacher and being back at school...

Two dollar Tuesday

Taylor's last day of summer before school started happened to fall on $2 Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point, so we headed over there for the afternoon. We spent the first half of the afternoon at the farms, seeing and feeding all the "stinky animals" (according to Taylor), going on a hay ride, and of course visiting the gift shop, which is a must "see" (or rather "buy") for Taylor. We then went to the Dinosaur Museum and wow, did she love that! I don't think she realized how big dinosaurs were, so she was in awe the second we walked in the door. I think digging in the sand for fossils was the favorite part of her afternoon. As we left, I felt a little sad that the long, relaxing days of summer were gone and that we were headed into another year of schedule, schedule, schedule (which by the way, I have tried to keep low key this time around...). On a side note, I have to say that I have SO enjoyed this summer with my little girl. At times it has been go, go, go, but I have loved every minute of it. We have had the best adventures together and I am so grateful to be her mom.

Here are a few pictures...

Here comes the Sun (da, da, da, da)

We spent a ton of time at the pool this summer, especially in July and August. Taylor had 4 weeks of swimming lessons and you'd think that I'd remember to bring the camera at least one of those days. Nope. Couldn't quite seem to make that happen. Regardless, my daughter is part human, part fish. I think she enjoys being in water more than on land. She did so well the first week of swimming they moved her up with the 9 and 10 year olds, swimming in the lanes!

We also got together with my good friend Camille and her daughter Isa, one of Tay's favorite friends. We spent the day at Seven Peaks in Provo. Lots of good weather (minus a quick rain storm), Dippin' Dots, and fun. Thanks Susie and Cami for making it happen!

Another Summer fav

Earlier this year, I bought an annual pass to the Living Planet Aquarium, and it has been a bi-monthy favorite for Taylor. I love that we can stop there for a half hour on our way home from running errands, dance, etc. She's still a little afraid of the giant lobster, but can't get enough of sting ray touch-tank. Here's a few pictures from one of our many excursions there...

Taylor's good friend, Coral (pre-school buddy)

The annual Lagoon Sweatfest

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Lagoon this summer. We try to take Taylor at least once a year and she loves it. Each year she gets more and more daring to try new rides, and this year she loved the Bat and the Tidal Wave (which makes Justyn sick every time!) I would prefer to go during Frighmares in October, because it is much cooler, but somehow we managed to go on one of the hottest days this summer. Ugh. Other than the weather, it still looked like Frightmares to me... scary people walking around everywhere! What is the deal with daisy duke shorts on women that SHOULD NOT be wearing daisy duke shorts?! The people watching was at its best! I think that was more entertaining than the rides...

What was I thinking?

In July 2010, I ran the Freedom half marathon with some of my siblings and althought I was somewhat trained for the event, it proved it be the worst race I've been in! I think it was the 7:30 mile for the first 3 miles down Emigration that later killed me. I am usually a slow poke runner, pacing myself around a 10 minute mile, so I think I shot myself in the foot by not paying attention to my pace. Or maybe it was the puking? Or diarrhea at miles 7 and 9? lol. Needless to say, I finished the race, slept in the car while my family ate at the Original House of Pancakes, and have since taken a brief hiatus from running long distances. So...what was I thinking when two days later, we decided to hike to the Timpanogos caves? I couldn't keep up with anyone because my hammies and quads were burning, so I am grateful I had Tay by my side as an excuse! All in all, we had a great time in the caves and the hike was beautiful.

A few pictures...

Those are some tan legs for mid-summer...

Rommel

Mike and Karlee
Christy Tay having some fun while waiting (and waiting and waiting..) for me to finish
Our Timp hike