Weekend at the Zermatt

As the Memorial Day weekend was approaching we thought about going to the cabin in Moab...It sounded appealing to take the 4-wheelers and spend the weekend away in the mountains. After trying to convince my parents to come with us (they really do make it more fun. Plus, not only do they cook, clean and watch after the kids...but my Dad knows all the 'hidden' trails in Moab.) We couldn't convince them to make the trip over from Vegas....so we decided to make alternate plans.

My friend Rachel had told me about this deal that the Zermatt Resort in Midway has. We called and found out about it, made reservations and left Saturday mid-morning. It was nice to only have to drive a little over an hour (and of course make a quick stop at the Park City Outlets on the way through). We were even more glad coming home that we only had an hour drive!

I love Heber. I miss Heber. Every time I go there I become a bit nostalgic and reminisce about the 'good ole days.' I loved growing up in Heber, and wish ( a lot more lately) that my parents still lived there. We were especially wishing they were still there this past weekend (to take the kids so we could enjoy the delicious buffet without Myka throwing everything, arching her back to be taken out of her chair, and squealing her famous high-pitched scream.)

What a beautiful time of year to be staying in Midway. It was green and lush. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and spent almost the entire weekend in the great outdoors. We took the kids on a long bike ride through Midway (where we stumbled upon the most quaint little housing development. We both fell in love. We have talked a lot lately about raising our kids in Heber/Midway......Although, the winters there are so brutal!) I wonder what it would be like to live there being married and having a family? My Heber memories are of growing up, so it would be interesting to live there with kids (and somewhat of an adult). Every time we go to Heber we always drive by my old house, and it's fun to see the changes the new owner has made. She has completely remodeled the outside, and I am waiting for the day when we get to see the changes she has made on the inside! Everything about the Heber Valley seems to have changed so much, yet so much of it is still the same....It's always fun to run into old acquaintances while we're there (Which always happens)!

The kids ready for our long bike ride.

Me and the kids after our ride.

Myka's cute pigtails....which she wouldn't leave in. (No surprise there).

The pool was freezing cold, but Carsen still wanted to swim forever. The resort had a little putting green where Carsen and Chad were able to brush up on their golfing skills (all the while Myka and I perfected our napping skills!) The carousel was a huge hit with both Myka and Carsen, and I was the biggest fan of the Brunch Buffet where I think I single-handedly ate my weight in crab legs and shrimp! (YUM!) Chad kept driving by the golf course wishing he could be out there golfing....but knowing that wouldn't go over too well with the little wife! (We decided next time we do this we are leaving the kids behind. Then he can golf all he wants.)

Chad and the kids in the hot tub.

Carsen was [of course] riding the "Buck" on the carousel.

Myka wasn't sure what she thought about the carousel. At times she would be smiling, and then she would have a frightened look on her face.

The nights weren't too fun. Myka is usually a wonderful sleeper--but that's because she's tucked away in her own room with her own bed. It was tricky to get her to fall asleep in her pack-and-play. We all had to sit there in the dark and not make a sound...and of course that didn't work well with a 3-year-old. Needless to say, we were ready to be home in our own beds!

Of course, a trip to Heber wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Dairy Keen. (Although, I was disappointed to find out they no longer carry yogurt shakes....I felt that if I was getting yogurt at least I was being a tiny bit smart in my eating.) Oh well, the ice cream tasted delicious and the french fries were even better!

It was great to be back in the Heber Valley and surrounded by such beauty! I love Heber! Who knows....maybe someday we will call it home (again). For now....it can be our little get-away.

Playing Nice

The older Myka gets, the more she and Carsen 'play.' Carsen tends to be a bit of a bossy older brother. (However, he is also very sweet with her. The other day I heard him say to her, "Are you okay sweetheart" when she had fallen down.) But when he's being bossy, he will tell Myka not to eat the dirt and scold her for doing so. (Let's be honest, she eats dirt and bark....I can't stop her and I figure it can't hurt her too much. She'll learn.) Because she is not walking yet (she has taken 6 consecutive steps....and everyday she walks more and more...so I am hoping it is just a matter of days) everything is right at eye level...so it goes straight to the mouth. In the meantime, she has worn through several pairs of pants.

The other day the sun was shining and it was hot (not today...the rain is here for now). I put the kids in their swimsuits so they could run (or crawl) through the sprinklers. Myka wasn't too excited about the cold water, but Carsen was ecstatic! After playing for a bit they shared a Popsicle, which was mostly consumed by Carsen with Myka squealing for more licks.

Tired T-Ball & Yard Sale Mania

Myka and Mommy being good little spectators.

For Carsen's Friday night t-ball game he had an out-of-town audience......Pa and Gigi were there along with Kye, Kelly and the kiddies. Everyone traveled many hours to come and watch Carsen in action. The picked a bad game to attend. (obviously they did not drive all the way here just to watch t-ball...but Carsen thinks so).

For starters, Carsen is a napper. I have no idea where he gets this from:) He still takes a nap everyday...and as far as I'm concerned still loves it! (He's a non-stop little man, so a nap is necessary to refresh him). Well, since Kye was in town with Katelin and KC they didn't want to have a dull moment. Kye is the world's #1 uncle, so he came and picked up Carsen and took all the kids to the Lehi pool. (Along with Pa's help.) After swimming and playing all day Carsen went to his t-ball game, without a nap. I have never seen him look so lethargic (especially playing t-ball). Usually he is the one running after every ball, and so enthused about batting. Not at this game. He was exhausted, and wanted to leave before the game was over.

This just solidified (yet again) that napping is necessary. (Not that I would change a thing anyways!)

JUNK FOR SALE!

My friends Marcy, Natalie, Kristen and I pooled all our "treasures" together and set up a neighborhood Yard Sale. It consumed our entire Saturday morning and we had quite the display of items. We had a fairly decent turn-out (considering we were competing with a huge yard sale over in Daybreak...which we didn't know about). I had done a bit of 'spring cleaning' and wanted to get rid of some no longer-being-used items...but wasn't really feeling in the 'giving spirit.' (selfish, I know).

The best part of the event for me was eating the delicious sugar cookies Kristen had for sale! (I think she made more money selling the cookies than I did selling all my junk! It's amazing that someone will buy a cookie for 50 cents [no questions asked]...but they bargain with me over a $5 color television! Seriously people!) All in all, it was a fun event, and I was able to get rid of some junk! (I mean treasures!)

Carsen loved the yard sale, because he was able to hang with his "idol" Cooper. Cooper set up a little candy sale, and he probably made more than me too! (I think Carsen was his best customer.)

First Check-Up

Carsen had his first dentist appointment with Dr. Hanzon. He was so good and did exactly what they told him (I think he was fearful!) He was perplexed as to why he had to wear a "bib" and kept describing to me after the appointment all about the vacuum they put in his mouth!

The dentist told him how great his little teeth look, and said they are cavity free! Carsen was most excited about the Power Rangers toothbrush and Spongebob Square Pants toothpaste. He wanted to use the mouthwash as soon as we got home (which he couldn't)...and he begged to use it the next morning and afternoon.

Let's hope those little teethies stay cavity free!

Work'n Men

Warm weather means projects. Although, it seems like they never end with us. Chad decided to build a shed in the backyard under the deck. He whipped it out one Saturday with the help of 'Carsen the Builder.' I am proud to say I participated in the project by painting a small amount of trim around the door!

I'm Back.

I've been slacking on my blog...but I am back, and needed something fresh. I have new things to post, but I have family in town, a neighborhood yard sale to de-junk for, and a RS lesson to prepare for. Sunday evening I plan on updating my blog with all the exciting happenings....till then, you will just have to enjoy my new look....

About Us...

1. Where did you meet? Chad and I met at Ricks College my freshman year. Oh, who am I kidding; my first semester. We had a Book of Mormon class together (I know, can you get more typical Mormon than that?) The first time we ever 'officially' met was one afternoon I was headed to my cousin Jill’s apartment and passed Chad and his friend Jordan playing football in the courtyard. He came over and said, “Hey, you’re in my Book of Mormon class.” I said, “I am?” Then I quickly covered for myself (didn’t want to make him feel bad that I hadn't noticed him) and quickly said, “I would’ve remembered you.” We chatted a bit and said we’d see each other in class the following week. Come to find out he had forgotten my name by Monday morning, and had to look off my scriptures to help remind him....

Chad's side of the story is that he noticed me in Book of Mormon class because I was always late and I would strut in. (please) The class was at 10:00 and it was his first class of the day (so of course he was on time)....some of us had to come from across campus because we've been in class since 8 a.m.

2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met? I thought, “Very nice..." I remember thinking he was tall (in comparison to me) and he looked buff and tough.

3. Do you remember what he was wearing? Jeans I'm sure….All I remember is that he had a ball cap on. He had me with the hat!

4. Where was the first time you kissed this person? We actually went quite a while without kissing. We went for a walk one evening in the exciting town of Rexburg (after about a month of dating) and he said something to the effect that I will never kiss him. How can I let a comment like that go by. Of course he received a kiss. What’s funny is where we had our first kiss was really close to where we had our first apartment.
5. How did he ask you out? (Heee…Heee….) I actually asked him. A bunch of my roommates and others were headed to Yellowstone the coming Saturday. After Book of Mormon one day (this would be the week after we met for the first time) I told him a bunch of us were headed to Yellowstone and asked if he wanted to come. It was a great first date! (We almost got attacked by Buffalo, freezing, snowing and cold, and he also learned I was 18.) I remember his response, “I have an 18-year-old sister!")
6. Where did you go for your first date? Yellowstone. He had to get back because he had another date that night....with twins. (No, he didn't take both of them). He didn't rub it in, but somehow it came up.

7. How long did you know this person before you became a couple? Hmmm….maybe a month. Then we had “the talk” where we said we should date other people. That never happened.

8. Has this person ever proposed to you? Yes. March 10, 2001. We went to Jackson Hole for the day with our good friends (remember this Jordan and Keri). It was freezing cold and there was still snow on the ground. I think I was being a bit ‘difficult’. Jordan and Keri ‘had to go somewhere’ so Chad and I were alone in a park on some swings….It was the perfect setting, and of course he said all the appropriate pre-proposal things and then asked the big question. Jordan and Keri showed up a bit later with flowers. When he asked my Dad for permission my Dad said to him, "I hope you know she's a spoiled little shi!." (It's okay. It didn't scare him away. We laugh about it now.)

9. Do you and this person have kids together? Yes. Carsen=3, Myka=1 With each new day I am feeling more and more content to be done!

10. Have you ever broken the law together? Depends. Does sitting in somebody else's seat at Jazz games count as breaking the law? When we were in college we would come to Utah all the time to go to Jazz games. We would buy the cheap tickets and then sit down low....we would get kicked out time and again. I HATED it...but Chad was insistent we do it.

11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person? First time I saw him! Solidified it even more on our first date!

12. Do you get along with this person ex's? Ex’s. I’m the only girl he's ever kissed. There are no girls in the past! (Yea right.)

13. What's the most expensive thing this person has given you? Mandy, I have to agree with you on this one and say Kids. They are quite expensive…but of course they are worth it.

14. What is the one thing this person does that gets on your nerves? Well now...let's see....He doesn’t put the dishes in the dishwasher, or does put them in the dishwasher and loads the pans in there too.

15. What is the one thing you do that gets on his nerves? I'm sure there's quite a few things, but to pick out just one would probably be when I sigh. (I’m a sigh-er). When I get frustrated I do the ‘ole sigh.

16. Where do you see each other in 15 years from now? Who really knows. We never imagined we’d be where we are at this point in life. Hopefully we’re living somewhere relatively warm and closer to family…Honestly, I love where we are right now in life and wouldn't want to change a thing!

Okay everyone out there reading this....It's your turn to reflect on the past! I can't wait to read all about it....Now get going!

She's a Girl.

(This is Myka's new face...She breathes in through her nose and scrunches up her face....She will do it on command. I'm not sure what she's doing??)

Besides the high-pitched scream, Myka truly is a little girl. She loves baby dolls, stuffed animals, and hyperventilates at the sight of anything that resembles either one. (Alive or stuffed). She received this little doll for her birthday, and loves it to pieces..She is constantly kissing and hugging her baby doll.

Batter Up.

Carsen started T-Ball on Monday. I think there were more parents on the field than kids. It was cute, but chaotic. There were kids running after the ball they had just hit, or running to the sidelines to high-five their parents. That's a group of three-year-olds for ya!

I think Carsen was most excited about the new shirt. They are the JAXX. (I wonder if the double 'x's stands for XXL? Why don't they make kids shirts their size? It was, and still is huge! I have washed and dried it..but it's still down to his knees). He also wore the hat for 2-days straight. Oh, and of course he wore the shirt as well....To bed too.

I will take more pictures next time. I had the fun task of trying to hold Myka, which is next to impossible. Hopefully these games will warm up a bit so she can play on the grass.

Baby Kanyon

Congrats to my brother Kye and his wife Kelly on the arrival of their babe-a-licious little boy Kanyon! (Look at those long legs and arms! He's their child, that's for sure!) I can't wait to hold him, and hopefully he doesn't get too big before I make it to Arizona!! (He'll probably be taller than I am by the time he's 3-years-old!) Love you guys!