Back to School Already

Skye started school last Thursday.  Her school started year around this year and unlike most of the other parents in the area who were absolutely outraged, I was really looking forward to the year around schedule.  However, the first few weeks of summer break flew by so fast, I was starting to think maybe the short summer wouldn't be so good.  But then the last couple of weeks before school started, nearly every day I would tell myself, "Yeah, this is why I was happy for the short summer and year around!"  So in the end, school started just in time!  Here's Skye in her cute, colorful, new outfit the first day of school.  It was a little bright so she didn't give her best smile, but she's still cute!

I can't believe my little girl is already in first grade.  It had been so quiet around the house with her at school all day.  It's good in a way, but it's also sad to see how fast your kids grow up. 

 She was pretty exhausted when she finally got home from school that day.  It was a hot, long day!  But a nice, cool ice-cream bar helped to cheer her up.  Those first two days were a bit of a struggle, but hopefully she'll find her groove and get excited about school again!  Now, what are Jack and I supposed to do with all our spare time?!

Happy 30th to Me!

Last summer I decided I wanted to do something big for my 30th birthday--I mean you should do something big for your 30th birthday, right? As I thought about it, I decided I wanted a redo of my bridal pictures in a way.  I've always regretted not having a more professional photographer take them and our wedding pictures.  Some of them were good, some of them were okay and some were not good at all.  I also thought about how much I've changed since I got married so I didn't want to just wear my wedding dress (if I were getting married now, I would probably choose a different dress).  So I decided for my 30th birthday I wanted to buy a dress and have some good pictures taken in it.  At first, I started looking at modern formal dresses, but kept finding myself looking at medieval/lord of the rings style dresses because really, that's still who I am and I love those kinds of dresses!  So I found a place that makes dresses like that and narrowed it down to my favorite and the one that seemed the most, well, me, ordered it (custom made to my measurements), and found my photographer.  She is my neighbor/friend/relief society president and she is an amazing photographer!  We went to Memory Grove last week and had a great time!  So here I am as a medieval or elvish princess!  

These are just some of my very favorite shots.  What do you think?  Any favorites?

Isn't Amy a superb photographer?! I love her!

I love my dress!  I think I will end up taking it all over the place for pictures!  They may not be professional and nice like these ones, but it will still be fun!  I hope those of you who know me well have enjoyed them!

Busy Already

And summer has just begun!  Actually, all of these things are from May which was crazily busy, too.  We've only got six weeks of official summer until Skye starts school again (going to year around) so there's lots of fun to be had!

 This is This Is The Place.  That sounded funny!  We went with some friends and Skye and Brooklyn had a great time, especially panning for "gold!"

 They spent a long time there and had a lot of fun with it!

We also went to the dinosaur park last month.  I was unsure of how Jack would react to the "real" dinosaurs.  I wasn't sure if he'd love them or be scared of them.

As you can see from his expression here, he loved them! 

  

 He also loved throwing sand out of this fossil!

 Comparing foot or hand prints!

 We had an okay time at the zoo a couple of weeks ago.

It was neat seeing the lego sculptures they have on display, and Jack did really like watching the seals and sea lions swimming around, but that little guy is the most active, on-the-go kid EVER!!! So it is hard sometimes trying to enjoy things when one of us is constantly just chasing him around!

 But hey, we are active, on-the-go sort of people so I guess we'll have to get used to this summer!

Recent Adventures: Antelope Island

One of my favorite places to be is Antelope Island.  Maybe it's because it's sort of the epitome of the high desert we live in.  Maybe it's because it feels like home.  Probably it's both, along with many other things.  One thing is for sure--our kids LOVE being outside no matter where we are!

 And so do we!

 For some reason, Jack was obsessed with putting rocks in the buffalo's nose.  He desperately wanted them to stay there, but they always fell out.  He was not very happy about it or about being taken away from what he was doing!

 I LOVE these next two pictures of my kids!

What's Antelope Island if you don't see some buffalo while you're there? 

Recent Adventures: Temple Square

We love going to Temple Square in the spring to see the beautiful flowers.

 Skye had a great time taking her own pictures with her camera.

 And Jack had a ton of fun just running around and climbing on and off of this little platform.