Bear Lake

On the Friday of Jon's vacation, we went to Bear Lake. Here's a view of it from the car. We left around 10 in the morning and it took about 2 hours to get there. Aidan was so funny on the way, because soon after we left he just started really jabbering, and then a minute later he was asleep. Aidan wasn't sure about the feel of the sand when we first got there, so he played it safe on our beach blanket.
It was a gorgeous day and we had so much fun just sitting on the beach and letting the kids play with sand toys.

We went in the water, which was a little cold at first (check out Alex shivering), but it was still fun.

Aidan even warmed up to the idea of walking on the sand and by the end of the afternoon became independent, walking into the water by himself.

I was trying to protect Aidan's head from getting sunburned by putting a little hat on him, but he would only wear it for about a minute before he pulled it off.

Alex had a fun time building a sand castle, and a fun time knocking it down (Aidan helped with the latter).

This is a picture of Aidan thinking it was funny when I told him NOT to eat the sand. He completely disregarded my advice.

Alex and Jon made it out quite a ways.

This is Aidan being brave and going into the water by himself.

My cute boys:

Alex also collected several small sea shells.

This was probably the most relaxing day of Jon's vacay - we were able to just sit and relax and enjoy the beach. And, of course, enjoy some shakes on the way home. :)

The Treehouse Museum

Last Thursday we went to the Treehouse Museum in Ogden as part of our family fun. It was the first time we had gone there. It was sorta like the Children's Museum in Salt Lake, but cheaper! The kids had a great time. I think this little dalmation almost looks real. It was real enough for Aidan, who gave it a little snuggle.
Here are all 3 of my cute boys!

Alex enjoyed some art time.

I love this look of concentration on his face as he painted.

Aidan had fun just walking around, being free.

I thought this wall-sized piano thing was cool, but it would've been cooler if it actually made music.

Aidan played with the little baby for a minute - it's hard to tell, but he was pretty much hitting it in the chest with the ear checker.

Here's Alex in their version of the Oval Office. Too bad Obama's head got cut off - sorry!

Aidan started getting kinda done by the end. But this pic was just too funny not to post. He's usually such a happy baby. It's hard to tell, but we even gave him a little knight figure to hold in his hand, but it didn't make things better.

Don't worry - we took him downstairs to ride on a pretend cow and made sure he was in a good mood before we left. Doesn't he look cute in the little hat?Alex is also a little cowboy at heart - it was his idea to put the scarf on. I love our family fun days.

End of Summer Fun

Jon had last week off - which also happened to be Alex's last week of summer before school started. We tried to do something fun every day and enjoy a "stay-cation". Tuesday, Radio Disney had a free thing down at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake, so we went to that. There was a reptile show - which is really not my thing, but Alex and Jon enjoyed it.Aidan got a balloon - so he thought that was fun. There were also complimentary creamies, which he really enjoyed.

There was a huge python there - all the kids are holding it. It really kinda grosses me out, but whatever. :)
This is Alex petting the super long snake - if you look closely you can see the snake's head near the trainer. Yuck!
Aidan went right up to the turtle to pet it - he knows no fear when it comes to animals!They also had a blow-up water slide that was a lot of fun for Alex.After the Gallivan Center, we headed to Thanksgiving Point to enjoy $2 Tuesday - quite a deal from the normal prices! This is us by the Italian Gardens.

And this is us in the Secret Garden - which happens to be where Jon proposed to me! This is the first time Jon has been back since the proposal. How things have changed! Now we've got 2 little munchkins!
I just love our little monkey!
Apparently, he thought the door to the secret garden should be closed - keeping it a secret. The flowers were just gorgeous!Me and my sweet tiger (with a cameo by Aidan on the left side).
We've kinda got the same smile in this pic.There were also impressive waterfalls there.
After the gardens, we got a cheap dinner at Del Taco - 3 tacos for .99 cents on Tuesdays. Then we hit the Dinosaur Museum (also part of $2 Dollar Tuesday at Thanksgiving Point). This is some sort of static electricity ball - unfortunately, you can't really see the stuff in the ball. Aidan REALLY enjoyed playing with the computer - since he doesn't get to at home. :)
They have this huge shark at the end - I think it's kinda yucky, too.

We had a great, fun-filled, busy day!

Alex's first day of school

Today was a pretty exciting day - Alex started first grade today! Even though he told us this morning that he didn't want to go and we couldn't make him, I know he was really excited to "be a big boy". I could tell he was excited because he readily (and quickly!) got dressed, brushed his teeth, and did his hair.

Where's Alex? He's pretty well camouflaged in our roses. Dad took this cute shot on our way to school.

This is Alex's teacher, Mrs. Wood. She sent Alex a post card last week to tell him she was excited to meet him. That meant a lot to Alex. I couldn't get too many specifics out of Alex about today, but they did make fruit loop necklaces when the got to school, and he was very excited that he gets 2 recesses!

I didn't cry when I took Alex to school, but I was a little sad to not have my little friend around. I'm so proud of my little 1st grader!