Hogle Zoo

Mimi came to visit for a few days so we decided to take all of the girls and go to the Hogle zoo on Saturday.

Here they all are loaded in the jogging stroller.  Pushing that thing was a workout (not to mention the stuff you can't see cameras, purses, diaper bags hanging or shoved underneath).

My monkeys observing monkeys.

I wonder if they were all trying to hunch over like the gorilla?

The carrousel was a hit.  Ellie and Lila rode it twice and baby Izzy got so excited and was bouncing around--so cute.

Of course we had to ride the train on the way out.

I feel somewhat like a zoo connoisseur with all of our recent adventures with different zoos and all I can say is the company made this zoo worth the adventure.  I think the biggest disappointment for the girls was not getting a smashed penny for their books (the zoo removed them a couple of weeks ago and their were tears over this).

It has been nice being close to family.  The girls and I spent Labor Day weekend in Idaho cleaning the car and doing laundry (I felt like such a college student again).  We went on the boat for the last time this season and visited with grandparents and cousins.

Steve is making progress and we all keep praying he will get to set a defense date soon (the work won't be over then, but at least there will be light at the end of the tunnel).

'My Gym"

So before we moved to Layton, I did a little research into gyms.  Lila and I had been doing a mover and shakers class through parks and recs in Tucson so I wanted to find something we could do together.  Also Ellie had asked if she could do a gymnastics class when she saw them next door to her sports class.  So I found out "My Gym" was doing a two week free trial and was waving membership fees and reducing tuition rates so we tried it and the girls love it.  They each get a 1 hour class during the week and then there is an hour of free play each day they can both go to (we usually only got to one or two free plays a week).  They also offer unlimited classes a couple of times a year for a couple of months so when we first signed up the girls were going to two classes a week and doing two free plays so we have enjoyed the gym.  It has been a nice break from apartment life.  Here are a few pictures from our last free play experience.

Lila loves to do pull-ups.  She says "I'm exercising."  She really does pull-up, but doesn't hold it which is obvious from the waving picture.

Just hanging out.

Each week they rearrange the gym to provide different obstacles and this week they have this rope climb the girls like.

We had baby Izzy come into the ball pit with us for a little bit.

Every time we pull in to the parking lot the girls yell, "my gym" which I find ironic since it is called My Gym. :)

More Peas Please

Today was one of those days, where everything blows up in your face and you wonder why did I even get out of bed--oh that's right the two kids.  As I prepared dinner, fish sticks and a bag of steamed vegetables (I know real gourmet, but I'm living in an apartment and having a bad day), I was prepared for another battle regarding meals (really why don't kids just eat what you give them, it is not as if I'm trying to poison them).  Instead I was pleasantly surprised.  They enjoyed their fish sticks with some ranch dressing and enjoyed popping the peas out of their shells and eating them.  Lila's faces were incredible every time a pea would pop out and then she would say, "More peas, please."

Thanks for coming to my rescue, my princesses.

Ellie Starts Kindergarten

So one of the first things I did when we arrived was go to the school and register Ellie because I had been told school started on the 15th.  Well as it turns out the 15th was an orientation with a parent--like Kinder Roundup in Tucson, of which we attended 3.  Oh well, it was nice to take her to the school and meet the teacher with her.  I think it brought comfort to both of us.  She went in Wednesday morning to complete a test with her teacher and then really began school this afternoon (we are in pm kinder--which so far is nice).  Here are few pictures documenting the process:

Getting ready to walk to school for the orientation.  And yes she is wearing the same shirt she wore for the first day of school last year, but hey if it makes her comfortable then it works.

Working on some projects her teacher gave them.

Lila wanted to go to school with Ellie so badly and when we returned she wanted her name tag so I got the masking tape and a marker and made her her own name tag.  We also decided that eating donuts on the first day of school may be a new tradition for us.

Walking to school--just as I was getting ready to take this picture Lila tripped and scuffed her knees, but as long as her baby Elmo was okay she was okay.

In front of the school sign.

Looking at her name to see which color she should sit on.

Sitting on orange.

We met Ellie in the auditorium.  I thought we would be late, but we had just got settled onto a step and in came her class.  Both Ellie and Lila were excited to see each other and Lila shared her snack.

Moving Day[s]

I wish I would have taken more pictures throughout the process, but I guess my hands were busy with other things like packing boxes, moving boxes, fixing quick meals, etc.  We are so grateful to our friends who supported us both physically and emotionally through the process.  I wish I would have taken pictures of them during the process too--we had friends help back boxes and lots of support loading the Uhaul. THANK YOU!  

Even though it was draining we still managed to have some fun during the process: Steve setup an elaborate fort with all of the boxes for the girls to play in and they played in it for days while we continued to pack and organize; The girls enjoyed being sprayed with the hose while Steve was cleaning outside;  We went to dinner at a nice restaurant which the girls thought was such a fun adventure;  And of course the big truck (Uhaul) was exciting.

We surprised Stephen with a pre-graduation gift.  He has wanted a toaster oven since the day we got married, but I didn't think we had the counter space for it so when we went shopping for houses in Layton Steve jested that his number one requirement was space for a toaster oven.  Well he is staying in our Bishop's guest house and I thought he could really use the toaster oven there so we bought him the top-of-the-line and he is enjoying it.

The truck.  Ellie begged to ride in the truck during our trek North, but there was never a good time for her to be in there for an extended period of time so she had to settle for little rides in the drive-way.

The fun begins.  As we began loading we thought this truck is huge, but don't you worry we filled it to the brim and even left a few things behind (these items were on the bubble any way--things I wasn't for sure I wanted to keep).

I bought these cute Phineas and Ferb white boards for the girls to write on during the trip, but Lila found a different surface--her face.

The crew who made the move possible by driving the truck and towing the Datsun which ended up being 60 feet in length.  THANK YOU!!


We had to call Roadside assistance once due to a flat tire, but thankfully Dad noticed it while leaving the parking lot of the hotel in Mesquite.  The Datsun got a little dented by the engine and transmission Steve loaded on the sides.  The construction in Utah was unbelievably bumpy and busy which caused one of the straps to actually tear through, but thankfully nothing fell off in the middle of the street.  I think they both earned a truck driving hat for this adventure. :)

Unloading the Datsun and storage boxes at Nate's office where he is letting us store our stuff--THANK YOU!

The girls and I are getting settled into our apartment.  Ellie in her wisdom said, "This is like home.  It has our couch, TV, and beds.  Yeah, it's like home."  Now that we are close to family we are also enjoying moments like this with cousin Izzy and Aunt Nessa.

We look forward to seeing more of the family again this weekend.  

Side note:  The closing on our home was delayed due to the buyers loan not being completed.  We hope this will happen on Friday.  Here's to the adventures of moving!

Latest Things that Made Me Smile

I was on the phone long distance, again, setting up something for our move.  I noticed Lila's diaper needed to be changed and since she has been going #2 on the potty I knew it would be just a wet diaper so I asked Ellie to change her diaper.  I managed to snap this photo while still on the phone.  I think Ellie may have a new responsibility soon. :)

Please tell me why she gets up at 5:30 am if she crashes like this by 11.  I've tried everything.  She is like a rooster--5:30 every day.

I love that my girls love produce.  Lila will eat a tomato like an apple and Ellie loves to eat spinach leaves.

There's No Place Like Home

Ellie said that on the way home from errands the other day and I don't think she could ever realize all the implications that statement has on our lives right now.  It has been wonderful to be home from our trip.  The girls have loved playing with each other and their toys (the ones that are not in boxes anyways).

Here they are playing on Ellie's bed.  They love playing on and under the bed.  Notice Lila's attire.  She has been sleeping in a toddler bed since we have returned.  The transition was flawless, but she does like to layer on a few more clothes after waking up in the morning. :)

Here they are making a mud cake.  There was a huge rainstorm last night that made the sand box a perfect mud mixture for them to enjoy today.

Could it get any better?

These sweet moments have helped me realize that "There is no place like home", but that is because of the spirit of love and comfort and peace that home brings and we can make that wherever we go.  I have really been emotional about this move, but lately something has clicked and I have finally found the peace I have needed.  I have felt the Lord's hand guiding me as we make decisions and work things out.  I know of His love and trust in His care.  Here's to clicking our red shoes (if only it were that easy) and heading home. :)

La Vida Loca

It all started 6 weeks ago when Steve was offered a position with a small engineering consultant firm, Moore Good Ideas in Layton, UT.  Steve was excited about the position and the thought of moving closer to family was enticing . . . but the thought of leaving this beautiful place we have called home for 7 years and dear friends made it difficult to fully accept the idea of a move.  Well I called my Dad, the realtor, and dug in.  I started moving furniture, storing pieces we didn't need, boxing unnecessary items, storing toys etc.  All while Steve worked frantically on his dissertation or "Dad's book" as Ellie calls it.  Thanks to a couple of close friends who helped me with the heavy beds and pushed me on when I was tired, the house was ready to go on the market within a couple of weeks.  The house went live on the MLS June 30th and we had somebody come look at the house that day.

Steve and I one evening each admitted that we could imagine ourselves living in this home for the rest of our lives . . . We will miss this sweet home (especially after all the upgrades we did).

The girls were pretty patient with me as I told them that most of their toys had been put away and they had to keep the house clean, but it was starting to take its toll on us so we decided to start our trip to Idaho that night instead of the next day.  I miscalculated the drive to Panguitch and forgot that we would lose an hour so we pulled in to my Uncle Grant's motel, The Purple Sage, at 4 am.  Lila dutifully woke-up at 6 am Arizona time so we were back on the road after only 3 hours of sleep.  We safely made it to Idaho where Steve locked himself in my parents' office and continued writing while the rest of us enjoyed some 4th of July festivities over the weekend.

I think Zoe enjoyed her trip much more this time.  She would run around in the grass, chase birds and mice.  My Dad even caught her rolling around on a dead fish down by the river--she got a bath after that, but after her bath she got a ride on the boat which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Relaxing in the hammock was something the girls loved doing with Grandpa and Daddy when he took a break from his "book".

Flying kites.

Ellie loved playing "spy" with the telescope.  She noticed the neighbors sprinklers were on, observed geese, deer, and other wildlife in the area.

We love the parade on the 4th!

We were notified on the 4th by our realtor in Tucson that we had already received two offers on our home after only 5 days on the market.  Tuesday, July 5, my Dad, Steve, and myself got up early drove down to Layton and looked at homes with our realtor there.  We got a feel for the area and scoped out Steve's place of employment.  We also met Steve's parents in South Salt Lake for a quick visit and then we dropped Steve off at the airport so he could head back to school and keep working on his dissertation.  Meanwhile I began working on figuring out the offers on our home, searching for a rental in Layton, dealing with some rental property stuff--I felt like I was on the phone long distance with people all the time trying to figure something or another out (it truly was one of those times "when it rains, it pours").  However, I did find some time to teach my brother and sister a new game and enjoy the following activities with my family.

The girls and I went for several long tube rides.

Jakey let Izzy drive while pulling us.

The girls would talk my ears off while we were riding and then they would relax--I thought Lila might actually fall asleep there.

Ellie even went swimming in the river after being bribed with $3 (she tried to negotiate $6 with Jakey and Mimi).

Fishing was a highlight with Jakey and Grandpa.  Lila tells everyone that her fish was so big, HUGE while holding her hands far apart.  The fish starting flopping while they were touching it and we had to grab the girls to stop them from backing away from the fish into the river.


We left Thursday, July 14, to head back to Tucson.  Mimi was kind enough to make the journey with me and the girls so we stopped in Layton to drop Mimi's car off and the kittens for Aunt Nessa (which Lila loved hauling around like little babies awing and oohing the whole time, it was so cute).  I went by an apartment complex following a lead on a place to live and spent 45 minutes filling out a 20 page application--really? for an apartment? CRAZY!  We picked up Cafe Rio and then hit the road again with a quick pull-off to say hi to Jakey.  We stayed the night in Panguitch again and then finished our journey on Friday.  We got home to find we had a hitch-hiker.

This bug is centered at the top of the grill like a hood ornament--the picture doesn't do it justice--cracks us up.

Mimi flew home yesterday and we continue to make progress on the sell of our home with inspections and such.  Steve's defense date has been pushed to August so we are trying to finalize a move date that works . . . which is more difficult than it should be when you consider closing date for our house, Steve's defense date, Ellie's date for starting school, availability of family to help with the move and the fact that it may be me and the girls by ourselves for a while in Layton.  Thus is life and soon, hopefully very soon Steve will have his Phd and we can begin the next chapter in our lives.