Backpacking 2010

This was the third year in a row that Chris has gone backpacking with his brothers. I always feel I should post a few pictures he took, since it helps our blog look more interesting. So here's the double rainbow.

Mike taking a picture of Chris, taking a picture of Mike.

This year Chris tried sleeping in a hammock. My favorite part about this is that during the rainstorm, all the tents leaked and Chris, out in the open under a tarp, stayed the most dry!

Twiggy, the camp mascot, was still going strong for the third year!

This is such a typical picture. I really don't need to add any commentary! Another successful year!

Setting the Table

This is one of those random things I thought was funny and wanted to remember. Kenzie was setting the table for me, and I looked over and asked her to take her teddy back to her room. "No, Mom!" she exclaimed. "I just put something at each spot so we will know where to sit!" Kenzie had her special teddy bear, I had the stuffed cat Chris gave me when we were dating, Daddy had his water bottle, and Parker had a toy gorilla from his train set. It was quite perfect. (Never mind that we sit in the same seat each night!)

Strike a Pose

I've been meaning to sign Kenzie up for some sort of dance class for awhile now. Kenzie's a rather freeform dancer by nature, but two neighbor girls she knows will be in a ballet/tap/gymnastics class that starts next week, so I signed Kenzie up, too.

Here's how both kids interpret ballet. Notice Parker is growling, even. This should be fun!

Pack-Pack!

This little guy was feeling left out when McKenzie got her new backpack for school. Mommy is a sucker and felt bad for him.

This little guy is now very happy with his Buzz Lightyear pack-pack. (Mommy still has to break the news he's not going to school, too, though!)

Last Picnic of the Summer

Since afternoon Kindergarten starts next week for McKenzie, we went up to the U to visit Daddy during his lunch break yesterday. She was really entertained with the picnic basket and even picked what sandwiches we would bring.

Parker was just thrilled to have some pop and sit on his special blanket. Of course, he did eventually spill the pop on the special blanket, but that didn't surprise anyone. What was surprising, however, was that he was so thrilled with the picnic idea that he actually ate some food! It's so hard to get that kid to eat.

Done with the Checklist

The last thing on my Back-to-School checklist (now that the princess backpack has been purchased, of course) was haircuts. Now we're as ready as we can be for Kenzie to start elementary school.

I just wonder if the elementary school could possibly be ready for McKenzie!

"Can We Go Where It Doesn't Stink?"

Parker has asked me again and again, "Where cows?" I don't even know why he says that, but I figured I'd take the kids back to Wheeler Farm this morning to see some farm animals.Kenzie was excited, but then she caught a whiff and was quite offended! She didn't know why the animals had to stink.

Last time we went, we didn't check out any of the little buildings (Kenzie was too wary) but this time they explored a bit.

Here's McKenzie's new favorite thing - the outhouse! Right up a 5-year-old's alley...

Parker was pretty excited about the animals, but when he discovered the tractors, true bliss set in. He climbed on each one, yelled, "I driving!" and spun the wheels with gusto.

Kenzie was nice and let Parker have the driver seat each time.

She worked the gears, and they were a good team. I thought it was pretty cute.

The Big 3-0

Today Chris turned 30! He was able to take half the day off of work, so my in-laws watched the kids this afternoon and we got to go to the temple. Afterward, we all went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. (Kenzie still remembered last year and was eager for some more popcorn shrimp!)

I scanned the kid's menu and knew right away Parker, whose official title is World's Pickiest Eater, wouldn't eat any of it. So we ordered him a side of french fries. The kid couldn't have been more thrilled.

Here's the birthday boy in his bib. (Kenzie was jealous, so the server was nice and brought Kenzie a bib, too. Funny how in any other context a bib would have offended her!)

Parker loved the loud atmosphere of Joe's - the lights, the singing and dancing, the loud music... he was running around the table dancing with his french fries.

At first I was nice and didn't take any in-action shots of Grandma and Grandpa eating, but then I forgot to keep being nice.

After we recuperated from the feast, we had cake! (If you don't understand the cake, it is supposed to be the spaceship from Dr. Who. We're very nerdy.)

Kenzie was excited to have it be Daddy's birthday. She helped him blow out his candles, too.

The cake was much enjoyed by some messy kids, and then we headed home to open presents. Happy Birthday to Daddy!

7 Years!

Happy Anniversary to us!

The Things We Do to Entertain Them...

Barkers is a Happy Meal toy. It joined our family Saturday evening when we stopped at McDonald's on our way home from camping. McKenzie has not let this little plastic puppy out of her sight ever since. (With the exception, of course, of when she can't find it and we have to search frantically). For two days she has been begging me to throw Barkers (I do like the name, though) a birthday party. So, this afternoon we made cupcakes. I wonder if other families do these kinds of things, or if it's just too easy to convince me to make cupcakes?

Cascade Springs

A short stop on the way home from camping - Cascade Springs. A quick walk, which is great for little kids. Parker loved it more than Kenzie, actually. He stopped and admired each spring, and even called out, "Bye bye, wuh-fall!" as we drove off.

Me and my buddy. He kept looking for frogs, although we didn't spot any. We did see some trout, though, which was equally interesting to Parker.

Kenzie is growing up way too fast - look how old she looks! She starts Kindergarten in mere weeks now... so crazy.

All that water reminded Kenzie she needed to use the bathroom yet again, so we literally ran back up the trail with her. Always an adventure with these kids.

Mt. Timpanogos

Awhile back, a thought occurred to me: I hadn't packed an overnight bag for myself since packing to have Parker in the hospital. Sad, but true. So we went camping this weekend at Mt. Timpanogos campground.

It's really not too far away from us, which is a bonus with two impatient passengers in the backseat. Our campground had a pretty view of the mountain.

Daddy in his hammock. He needed a break, too.

I thought this was a cute picture. Parker actually smiled for some pictures because he was having such a great time! He ran around with Kenzie, "hunting for rocks, sticks, and leaves" according to her, and loved playing in the tent.

Adorable, aren't they?

Parker took this picture of the fire. He was very interested...

...but mostly because the fire meant his beloved "mo-mos" could be roasted!

The weather was actually really nice - we brought piles of coats and blankets and here Kenzie is at 8pm not even wearing a sweater!

She was more than ready for bed, which was cute. She was out in no time.

This little monkey, however, had a hard time sleeping in a new place. He also does not share the sleeping bag well. (And at one point he was up screaming, "Too fluffy!" and shoving the sleeping bag away. I'm still not even sure what the problem was on that one.) All in all, though, a fun trip and the kiddos definitely wore us out!