the hills are alive with the sound of...children

Today we decided to spend the day hiking up City Creek Canyon. The entire path is paved which is perfect for us since Alyssa doesn't walk very far. We packed up the basket under the stroller with drinks and snacks and made an adventure out of the afternoon. We made it half way to the top, which is three miles. At that point we decided to take a break and get a bite to eat. Once they had a chance to rest I forced the kids to comply with my hobby of picture taking. I just cannot afford school pictures, and they never turn out anyway, so I make them put up with a photo shoot every fall. I may not be a fantastic photographer, but I think I do okay, and they don't give me the fake/terrible smiles they give the professionals. When they do get silly I can call it quits without losing a ton of money.I came away pleased, except that Alyssa fell asleep half way back down the canyon so I didn't get many shots of her. We saw a little bit of wildlife, but some critters I could have done without.

All in all we had a good time and got some much needed exercise too. I was impressed with the boys who walked the entire way, six miles round trip. I bet they sleep well tonight!

New haircut

This is one makeover that was not my idea. Last Thursday while I was at work Alyssa managed to get her hands on some scissors and gave herself a haircut. Of course she went right for the top and right in front, effectively taking out her bangs and all of the top layers on the left side. So much for pigtails and such. I spent a week trying to disguise it and denying the need for a serious haircut. Yesterday I finally gave in and took her for her first real haircut. The results were much better than I had hoped for, and she was pleased with all the attention they gave her. I was surprised she sat so still. What do you think?

Friday's quick quote

There is such a difference when you're dancing to music you really love,when there is this meeting of music and dancer that fuses into one.Those are the experiences we live for.
~ Aisha Ali

Friday's quick quote

Dance is a little insanity that does us all a lot of good.

-- Edward Demby

Friday's quick quote

"We should consider every day lost in which we have not danced at least once."

-Freidrich Nietzsche

State Fair

It has been a busy few days for us. Tonight we decided to take advantage of the discounted price at the state fair. I guess the rest of the state agreed with the idea because it was crowded. I ran into 3 of my cousins and their families, as well as a couple of co-workers. We had a good time. Colton was the lucky one of the night, every time he did the "spin the wheel for a prize" he would win a good prize, Rylan was rather put out by it. Alyssa started out loving the "Little Hands on the Farm" activity until we came to the plastic mooing cow. She was terrified of it, Erik had to hold her hand for a while because she kept trying to run and hide.

Colton informed me we couldn't stay and look at the pigs because they made him sick.

Alyssa was thrilled with the real animals, and laughed at the sheep who were being quite noisy, go figure. (yes, I know the picture is of a goat, the sheep wouldn't pose)

Rylan liked the race car.

Oktoberfest from Alyssa's point of view

This is what happens when you let a 3 year old hold the camera to keep her happy. She figures out how to turn it on and starts snapping pictures. Once again I am thankful for digital.

missing Toad

One year...that's how long it has been. Too long if you ask me. Too long for someone as young and vibrant as Toad to have been gone from our lives. But we cannot bring her back, and I would not bring her back to the pain and heartache of cancer. Here's to you Toad. To a wonderful person who touched many, and to a life well lived. May your memory inspire us all to be better and remember to live life to the fullest, and to appreciate each day we have to live.

Oktoberfest

Saturday we danced at Snowbird's Oktoberfest for the first time in many years. It was great fun despite the less than ideal staging conditions. They had us dancing on a hill, out away from the main venue, right in front of the beer line, which kept people walking right through us while we danced. We did have fun though, we just laughed as we gradually wandered down the hill. In case you were wondering, Rylan has become quite the photographer and takes pictures when we are both dancing. I'm just glad we have a digital camera so his experiments don't cost a fortune.

Friday's quick quote

Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.
-- Voltaire

Happy Birthday Madison!

It's not every day you get to celebrate a 1st birthday! Madison is my brothers little girl, my only neice(although I claim Erik's neices and nephews as my own). It was fun to celebrate with them. Madison is a real cutie.

Back in school and loving it!

How lucky can we get? Both of the boys are back in school and enjoying themselves. We have been blessed with Rylan getting a good teacher for the second year in a row. He had a teacher who was more than ready to retire for second grade, but had a fabulous teacher last year. We had our fingers crossed for another good teacher this year so that we would not suffer the same setbacks of second grade. So far he is very happy and continues the momentum from last year.

Colton started kindergarden and was very excited about it. It was Mom and Dad who had worries and reservations about it. Occasionally his prematurity comes back to show it's ugly head in various ways. Occassionaly he has "rages" when he reaches his limit with frustration, he also has a low tollerance for loud noises, and lots of stimulation. So far so good, none of these behaviors have appeared, but one day....
Colton too has been blessed with a fabulous teacher. This is a woman who obviously loves her job. At the pre-assesment when he did not know the answer her response was "that's okay we will learn it together" or "that was tricky, but it's my job to help you learn it". She greets them every morning with "Hi, I missed you". Wow! This is just the kind of person we needed.