Vintage Cutie

This sweet bathrobe once beloged to my older sisters when they were little girls.
Now Naomi is enjoying being "warm and cozy" 30 years later!

It looked like spilt milk

He tried to drink his milk without the sippy lid on. In the dark. Whoops.

Bike and Trike

I finally bought Naomi a bike yesterday! She has LOVED it. We have taken many rides so far and went for a really long ride this afternoon, probably about 1/2 a mile. She is getting so good, I am so proud:)

She does funny things, but totally normal. She gets scared going down our very gentle sloping driveway, because she goes fast and she's worried she won't be able to stop. We took that part slow today and she realized she can do it! She brakes altogether too often, but she's being cautious, I like that. She can get going by herself, doesn't need a push and understands that I mean business that there is no bike without the helmet.

She is proud of herself and chatters to me about everything she sees while she rides. She stops a lot to smell the roses. Literally. I love being reminded about the small things. A three year old's perspective is very different from mine and I am enjoying her running commentary about everything she is seeing and experiencing. She stopped to pick and blow dandelion puffs about 10 times, and as many flowers and leaves and random berries.

James also scored a new set of wheels. A cherry red tricycle! He is also very much in love. He likes to stand just behind the pedals and shuffle along. Today he was actually sitting and scooting with his feet. He will place his feet on the petals and let me push a little bit. Naomi learned how to ride a tricycle last summer, I expect it will be a while before he has the pedaling down.

Here's some cute photos of these two cute kids enjoying their new modes of transportation.

Isn't he just the cutest thing?

That's our home in the background, she on the intimidating driveway.

Love this boy.

Dress

My friend Kelly and I made dresses for our girls the other day. I wanted to make a new "pillowcase" dress for Naomi, but something more wearable for fall. We went to JoAnn's and found some very cool houndstooth fabric. Kelly made one for Vivian in red and Naomi's is purple. Paired with bobby socks, a short or long sleeved shirt underneath and mary janes, this is a great fall outfit. I also like it as is.

Naomi thinks cocking her head to one side is a really cute pose for pictures. Where did she learn that?

Also, we decided that maybe adding some pockets would spice it up a bit.

Last Days of Summer

Bear Lake is almost always cold. But that doesn't seem to stop us. We had a great weekend over Labor Day with my Mom and Dad and Erica, Dave and boys.

Friday was lovely and we braved the chill on Monday for the beach anyway. Blue lipped children and sweatshirts, but still fun.

My 64 year old dad was all skills knee boarding and wake boarding! I skied but no pictures to prove it. I did wear a wet suit this time, it makes me feel kind of silly. But I swallowed my pride and zipped it up. I wanted to ski without the Bear Lake hypothermia effect. The water (for once) was perfect.

Hope

Thanks Nie for posting this. I needed this today.

This line touched me:

No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today,

because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ,

we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book

of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations.

Preschool for Naomi

Playing in the house at preschool

Preschool Orientation Day

Naomi started preschool at the Sports Academy a few weeks ago, this was her second week.

She has really loved it so far. I get to carpool with my sister in law Erica. Dawson is Naomi's age and they are in the same class. Fun for them and convenient for the mommies!

This little preschool really is great. I was a little apprehensive with the scheduling throughout the day there. It seemed almost too busy, too many planned activities. But now as they have settled into the swing of things, it is great.

Preschool is two days a week for three hours (nice and long, I know!). The third hour is alternately swimming and tumbling. Naomi adores this aspect of school. Some of the kids don't but my little wild one is actually complaining that she doesn't get to be "swimming" out in the water enough. They have to take turns, strict no-drowning rule.

I am an aide on one of the days at her school. That means that I am there the whole time, helping with one of the centers or areas of preschool that day. In exchange for this I get a family membership to the Sports Academy and a discount on preschool tuition. It has been fun to be there and see her "in action" and I'm really enjoying having somewhere to work out. Especially as it gets colder and going outside is less appealing.

So, here's to a great school year for Naomi, more exercise for me and James can just stay as cute and funny as he already is.

It's embarrassing when

...you lose your child at Sam's Club.

I was with my mom and we both thought the other had her. Naomi disappeared while my mom was in line and I was getting treats at the snack bar.

After looking for her through about 1/2 the store, by all the princess stuff, swing sets, tricycles/scooters, couches, books and movies, I went back to the check stand with a worried look and the cashier offered to call a "Code Adam".

So... the supervisor came jogging over, asked me for a description (brown, curly pig tails, reddish-orange dress, yellow flip flops) and called out over the intercom to "all associates" that there was a Code Adam.

While she was occupied doing this I gazed at the store entrance and my mind started racing that someone could have just taken her home with them! I started to panic.

I took off down the aisles again searching more frantically. There were workers looking too, talking to each other and making jokes. I was feeling kinda sick.

I rounded a corner and a lady with a blond pony tail told me suddenly with a smile that they found her. I leaned to look past her and could see Naomi running towards the front of the store.

The blond pony tail lady chuckled that they found her with the big stuffed animals, she was taking a ride on a dinosaur.

I thanked her, and raced after Naomi, embarrassed that I was one of those parents who loses their children in the store. Bleh.

I picked up Naomi and quietly told her that she needs to stay right by Mommy at the store, that she could get lost or hurt. I swear everyone waiting in the check out lines was watching me. Thinking, "who loses their child?"

Embarrassed but relieved we left the store, together and happy.

Logan Farmers Market!

We stopped in at the Farmers Market today and made it out with one blue cotton candy, a Hip Mama's Lemonade, peach flavored, and a pillowcase dress for Naomi, yellow polka dots. Yellow is the new pink at our house.
I love farmers markets. There were some delicious looking peaches and apricots. The fresh produce selection was surprising good. The peppers looked the best.
There were endless booths of handmade jewelry, crafts, wood workings, dresses, baby hair bows (lots of those...), soaps, pedicures, etc.
And there was fresh salsa, bread, baked goodies, it's turning into a great little weekend market.
I've blogged before about how I love Farmers Markets, but I think I love Logan's the best.
(I'll add a picture of Naomi in her dress later)

We went to the Temple open house too

Yep, just like every other family in Utah, we visited and walked through the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. We did this a while ago, obviously, since it only went through the end of July.

But, I'm playing catch up.

Naomi looked adorable, she loves that dress. I know the feeling. When you have a piece of clothing that just makes you feel good, or like a princess.

The temple was very beautiful. There was a more modern feel to it compared to other temples I've been in. Not so much as actually "modern" style, just a little fresher, cleaner lined design.

There were windows everywhere and the Celestial room was perfect. There was a star shaped chandelier. If I lived closer I would love to attend a session there.

We went with Jeff, Linda and Luke and we all stopped in at , of course, The Cheesecake Factory for lunch. It was a very nice way to spend the day.

I'm looking forward to the dedication tomorrow!

Lake Powell

I'm finally blogging about Lake Powell. It was a month ago.
It was fantastic, and beautiful and hot.
Just Naomi and I went down, Zach and James stayed home. Zach was one week from the bar exam and I couldn't manage two tiny ones by myself down there. Linda (and Jeff and Heidi:) took care of my baby while Zach studied as hard as he could. Me and Naomi? We played!
Holly and Michael went with their kids and my mom and dad of course and Natalie too. Paul stayed home and worked hard, poor kid.
We spend a week out on the lake, I skied- slalom of course, for the first time this summer. I learned how to wake skate. Much more fun than wake boarding! No boots!
Naomi knee boarded again, she doesn't remember doing it last year. She was great, although I don't think she really loved it. My niece Alyssa (9) wake boarded this year!
We cliff jumped, got sunburned, but used lots of sunscreen too! We drank our weight in water, juice, gatorade and soda, and ate really well. Had sticky campfire marshmallows while my Dad told the story of Old Ephraim. I got blisters digging holes for the anchors, rode Holly and Michael's wave runners, knee boarded, and stood up on the board (that takes skills, only those of you who have done that know what I'm talking about).
It was a fun, relaxing, exhausting and beautiful vacation.


Cousins


Campfire Time


Natalie with most of the kids on her lap!


Sandcastles with Jonathan


Sisters Holly and Natalie

Watching High School Musical.....

Naomi and Annie "cliff jumping"

Naomi's only nap

Kneeboarding!

At the Marina, ready to go