BeUTAHful

These past couple of weeks, we have been taking full advantage of being outside with the cooler weather. We finally made it up to Alta to see the notorious Albion Basin wildflower display and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I had been hearing about these wildflowers ever since I moved to Utah almost 9 years ago (can you believe it has been that long?!), but have always missed them. When I saw someone post about them, I called up Kayla and we planned an outing that very day. The kids allowed us to drag them up halfway, but we did not make it all the way to the basin due to tired children and looming thunder clouds coming our way. However, we did still get to see a pretty breathtaking display of floral magnificence, chat with some pretty stellar hikers aged 0 to 90-years-old and get nice and dirty.

Kayla and I decided as we turned around, that we would do a sunrise hike the next week in order to make it to the basin, as well as just partake of that beauty again. We drove up at 5am, made it to the trailhead at 6am and the basin by 6:45am. Oh man. It was like a little hidden paradise! We even saw a moose literally cross the trail 500 feet ahead of us. Thankfully, the group coming up had stopped us to tell us about the two giant moose with giant antlers or we would have been right in their path. If you are ever in Utah in July, call me and I'll make the sacrifice to take you up to Alta to experience this little piece of magic in the mountains.

We are also just soaking up this cooler summer weather and going on hikes as much as we can! One Sunday morning, we made our way up to the Dual Creek trail (the one Luke got stung by a wasp on last year), and are happy to report that not wasp stings occurred. In fact, we even were greeted by numerous, large yellow butterfly throughout our hike! It was a great way to start a Sunday.

Nana made her annual trek across the midwest and spent a few days with us. The boys were in heaven having Obi and Boo stay with us, as well. Well, Luke was in heaven. Caleb wanted so badly to love it, but was not so sure about them if they ever moved. However, by the end of her visit, he was no long yelling at them anytime they moved and would just nervously giggle until they stopped them pet them. Luke had a rough day the day after they left and replied, "I just miss the dogs," when I asked why he was having a tough time. Guess that means we need to find a house so we can have a dog.

While she was here, we took her and the pups on a hike on the trail Luke dubs, "His best hiking trail!" Davis Creek Trail. It was beautiful views, lots of a trees and, of course, a creek that gave the dogs and the boys a good cool down. Caleb was so exhausted at the end that he had the head bob going on as he became dead weight on my back, followed by some pretty impressive koala status clinging when I removed the Ergo. Oh, how we love that babe.

We also happened to live right next to a main street for the Tour of Utah, which, come to find out, is a pretty big deal. We set up our blanket in a nice shady spot and were amazed at the police escort, team cars and, of course the speed and agility of the bikers. Those guys are absolutely nuts, but it was entertaining to watch.

The next weekend, Brad and papa came for a little getaway. Papa says he was escaping the Arizona heat, but only brought it with him. The week before and after his visit it was a gorgeous 80 degrees with lows dipping into the 60's. The two days he was here? Mid 90's and 70's at night. Sorry it was not the getaway you were hoping for. But, even though he was probably sleep deprived, we still made him have fun.

Saturday, we rented some paddle-boards and went up to Pineview Reservoir, again. A friend of mine had recommended this rental place, which was pretty affordable, and it was something I have been wanting to try, so we did it and it was such a nice few hours. We even convinced Luke to get on the paddle-board. He may have been clinging on like a wet cat and we may have had to bribe him snocones and we MAY have tricked him into deeper water, but, he got on, was so brave, and got that darn snocone. Caleb was more than willing to go, but failure mom over here got earplugs that were WAY too big for him and lake water was specifically mentioned as a big no-no with ear tubes. Sorry, babe. Next time.

That night, we ate at Redrock Brewery in Salt Lake where we all enjoyed a yummy meal. Sunday we went on a hike that was supposed to take us to a grotto, but didn't really. Nevertheless, the hike was still fun and we got to see a praying mantis, a lizard, a dog and some pretty cool climbing rocks.

Luke's best friend, Parker, convinced us to sign him up for soccer this fall, with the hopes that they would be on the same team so that Luke could encourage Parker to play since he gets a little shy with big groups. He's a boy after my own heart. Luke, however, thrives in big groups and has no fear. Sadly, they did not get on the same team, but Luke still wanted to play, thus brining us to Luke's first soccer game as a Orange Shepherd. He even scored a goal, for the other team, but we still cheered him like nobody's business because it was hotter than the sun and he was being such a trooper running, with the occasional break to sit and pick dandelions. He is pretty stoked about the shin guards.

 FINALLY got Caleb Speech Therapy and are so excited to see the progress he will make. It was a bit of a battle since, "We typically don't start those with Down Syndrome in speech until they are 3-years-old," but we stood our ground, bugged them like crazy and proved that he is ready for it now. He is stubborn as a mule, but we will get words out of him! He also thinks it is so hilarious to sneak up onto my chair and steal my breakfast...

Luke started earning robot parts to build a robot our paper to ultimately earn the movie Wall-e. He worked hard, was kind and made good choices and finally earned the movie. Boy. It did not disappoint. We have been living in Wall-e world 24/7 ever since he watched it. I asked him what he wants to be when he is big like daddy today. His response, "A robot." Dream big, little one.

Dallin started his coding classes, which means I am single-parenting it 3 days a week, including Saturdays. This means that we have been going on adventures on those days, specifically during the witching hour(s) from 4-6pm. People think I'm being a great mom taking my boys to all these places, but really, it is for my sanity.

We have gone to Chick-Fil-A, the Watts' house, the Davis County Fair and the Polynesian Cultural Festival. At the fair, Luke had fun climbing all over the giant pirate ships and Caleb had a grand ol' time making people laugh. They both loved the big, orange iguana and their footlong corndog. Yup. We split that bad boy. We attempted the petting zoo, but both boys were a little weary about petting a pig, a sheep and goat. In their defense, they were a little dirty.

Sundays are rough for Caleb because he misses his afternoon nap, which usually means bedtime is by 7:15pm. One Sunday, we put him down at 7pm, only to have him wake up at 9pm, ready to party. He played some Phase 10 with us, ate some PB&J and then passed out for the rest of the night. It was kind of fun just having mommy-daddy-Caleb time. It rarely happens!

One of the gifts we got Dallin for his birthday was a giftcard to an actual barber, trained by old school barbers. These guys knew their stuff and he got a gentleman's haircut with a hot lather shave on his neck and now I think we need to start budgeting for a monthly barber visit.

We are starting the house search again because we need a dog. Kidding. Kind of. But, really, keep us in your prayers that we find something that works for our little family, please! We love you all and hope you are all geared up for back to school. Can't believe Lukey-boy starts an actual preschool in a few weeks and then Kindergarten next year! We are all pretty excited and nervous.