Turning 32...

So, I had my 32nd birthday on Monday... Wow! I can't believe I am 32- that used to seem so old. But, I have heard that you are only as old as you feel, and I really only feel 26 so I guess I am 26. Mo is definitely still 28. We had such a fun day- we went to breakfast, to the clearfield aquatic center for Jackson's swim lesson and to swim after, and to SLC to eat at the Blue Iguana and shop and play in the fountains at the Gateway. I couldn't think of anything to wish for when I blew out the candles on my cake so I guess that life must be pretty good. Mo and my boys bring me so much happiness- I am thankful for them everyday. My goals for this year are to run the Top of Utah again, to start taking guitar lessons, to ski enough days to make my season pass worth buying, to have another baby(or at least be pregnant), and to read the BOM again.

Island Park 2009

One of the vacations that I went on most growing up was up to my grandpa Harts cabin in Island Park. We always had so much fun playing in the creek, trying to cross the log without falling off, going to see the fish in Big Springs, canoeing in Big Springs down to Mack's Inn, fishing, going to see Old Faithful and to get fudge sicles at the lodge, and spending time shopping around in West Yellowstone. I have so many great memories of time spent at the cabin and this weekend Mo and I took our boys there to spend the fourth of July. Things at the cabin haven't changed since the time I was a little girl... there is still an outhouse or as Jackson calls it the poophouse, there is still no running water which means no shower, the beds are as old and uncomfortable as ever, there is always mice to be caught, and it is still a great place for families to spend time enjoying one anothers company. We had a great weekend... on Thursday we took Jackson for his first canoe ride down the Big Springs- he was the captain of the pirates part of the ride and an indian brave the other part... on Friday we went to Yellowstone park to see some Buffalo (like on Dances with Wolves as Jackson will tell you) and to see Old Faithful and some of the other Geysers on the loop. We took our bikes and rode the trail out to the morning glory pool which used to be beautiful and blue but now has an orange edge from all of the things that people have thrown in to it over the years(which makes me sad). And after our bike ride the trip to Old Faithful wouldn't have been complete without fudge sicles from the lodge. After the park we headed to West Yellowstone where Jackson bought a bow and arrow and a rifle set and he and Mo played cowboys and indians at the park while me and Benton played in the sand. Jackson has such a great imagination and he loved playing with his dad. Then it was Pizza at Pete's Pizza Place which is such great pizza that we never miss eating there every time we go to West Yellowstone. Saturday was probably my favorite day- we rode our bikes to Big Springs to see the fish and to feed them which there were some fish but Jackson really loved all of the Seagulls. At one point they all flew off and then they all came back and we told Jackson that they were putting on a show which he thought was so funny. After showering in our new found free shower (the shower at the RV park at the Sawtelle resort) we headed up to West Yellowstone for some shopping, dinner, a concert, and fireworks. Jackson and Benton loved hanging out at the park playing. I have to laugh because for some reason people were taking pictures of my boys- some random drunk woman thought that Benton was so cute and so she took a picture of him and a crowd of asians spent about 20 minutes watching Jackson play on the teeter totter with Mo and took pictures of him. They thought he was so cute and Jackson was in the mood for the attention and so he was hamming it up. The band playing at the park (Blue Jack) was great and everyone had fun listening to them and dancing especially my dad. Jackson has some pretty funny break dance moves and we have no idea where he got them from... maybe Mo teaches him while I am at work =). Benton had fun playing with his grandma and aunt Sha and walking around with his blanket on his head. He was so tired but a little trooper. We left the concert just in time for the firework show. Jackson had prime seating on top of my dads envoy and he loved it and although Benton was so tired he liked watching the fireworks too. It was a great night and a great weekend.

If only we could find a boat...

After Mo and I got back from Lake Powell we agreed that it would be a really good idea to get a boat for our family. The problem is that we are having such a hard time finding a good boat for a good price- the market for used boats is crazy. We are watching KSL like hawks- I probably check for boats every 20 minutes all day long. Because we don't have a boat of our own we are thankful for our friends the Davies who invited us to go with them. Last night we went to Willard Bay and had a really fun time. It was Benton's first time on a boat. He really didn't like his life jacket and he didn't like sitting in anyones arms(like always). But, he liked standing up in the boat and he loved swimming in the water. Willard Bay is not the cleanest of places but at least the water is warm. Jackson had so much fun- we had to buy him a new life jacket so that Benton could use his old one and he loved it. He loved being in the boat and holding the flag, and he had a lot of fun in the tube with his dad and friend Kate. He loved making the hand gestures thumb up to go faster and thumb down to go slower. I can't think of a better family fun activity than boating and I hope that we can find a boat soon because this summer is quickly disapearing.

7 years later with 2 kids in tow...

Before Mo and I got married and had kids we used to have lots of outdoor adventures. One of the things that we did was to hike to the top of Mount Timpanogas. We haven't been back since until Friday when we decided to take our kids on a hike up to the cave. So, with the kids in their packs on our backs we headed up what Mo told me was an easy quarter mile hike- wrong! A very steep 1 1/2 miles would have been correct. Although it was a tough climb the cave was totally worth it. I went once when I was a kid but I didn't remember how cool it was. Jackson really liked it too, and Benton was better than I thought he would be. As long as we were on the move he was okay- because he is walking now(just started this week) he doesn't want to be in anyones arms for very long. Jackson had lots of questions for the park ranger... Does batman live in here? Are there skeleton bones? What are those rocks called? Is this another cave? The park ranger was really nice and he let Jackson help him turn on the lights by blowing like he was blowing candles on a cake. When we got to the part in the cave where he turned off all of the lights and there was no light- none- not even a little, he made a joke about if we wanted the lights to come back on we should raise our hands. When he turned the lights on Jackson was standing there so cute holding his little hand up as high and straight as he could raise it. It was a really fun day and even though our outdoor adventures are different I am so thankful that we have our boys to share them with.

Lake Powell 2009

Mo and I just got back from our second annual Beckstrom Lake Powell trip. It was so much fun and I am so glad that we got to go again this year (thanks April, mom, and dad for watching our kids). The weather was not great but good enough to go out in the boat every morning until early afternoon when it got windy. We played hard, stayed up late, and ate some fabulous food. It was a totally relaxing much needed vacation.

Benton turns 1!

I am so busy today getting ready to go to Lake Powell but I cannot let one more day go by without posting about Benton turning 1. I can't believe he is already 1. The time has passed so quickly. He is such a special boy and I am so thankful that I am blessed to be able to raise him as my son. He is so friendly and happy and he loves to play. He also loves trying to keep up with Jackson. He isn't walking by himself yet but he walks all around the furniture and he can stand alone without having to hold onto anything. At 1 here are some of the things he loves... He loves toothbrushes. He is always crawling to the toothbrush drawer to play. He also loves the toothpaste if someone forgets to put the lid back on. He loves swinging on the swingset in his baby swing and going down the slide. He loves the water and taking baths and showers. He loves to play chase with Jackson or anything with Jackson. He also loves to be upside down. He loves playing outside...It makes him so sad when Jackson goes outside to play and he can't go. He loves cars and trucks and he even makes little noises when he pushes them around. He loves books. He also still really loves good food (of course he does if he is my son). We celebrated his birthday with a big party on Sunday. All of our family and the Listers came. We grilled hamburgers, had cake and ice cream, and then Benton opened his presents. He really enjoyed opening his presents and he got a lot of really cute things. I am so thankful for great family and friends that we could celebrate with. Benton we love you. Happy Birthday.

Easter 2009

Our easter festivities began on Saturday with the Easter Eggstreme down at Thanksgiving Point. We went with our friends the Dutsons and Jackson had a lot of fun. He collected a whole basketful of eggs, went on a wagon ride, rode a pony, fed the animals, got his face painted with a dinosaur, and ate lots of treats. Benton had a good nap in his stroller and loved the muffin he had when he woke up. Unfortunately the weather wasn't great... maybe next year. After Thanksgiving point we went to Cabella's where we had lunch. Jackson always has fun at Cabella's feeding the fish, and shooting the guns. And I love to go to Cabella's to sample the delicious fudge. Saturday night we colored Easter Eggs and got ready for the Easter bunny to come visit which he did on Sunday. Jackson was really excited about the basket of candy that was just for him. He especially loved getting gum. Gum is still his treat of choice. Because I was still sick we didn't get a chance to take the boys to church in their new Easter suits instead we all went to the doctor to see if I had strep throat. At my moms Jackson had another Easter basket waiting along with a special new pet his little Darth Beta. He was really excited to get a pet fish. He has been asking for a puppy or kitty but I think that a fish is a much better option for now. Of course my mom fixed a great meal like always and my dad put together his annual big people Easter Egg Hunt. Mo won the prize... a dinner at the timbermine... which I hope to be included in. Easter could have been better for me but I hope that Jackson had fun which I am sure he did.