The Hogle Zoo

On the Friday before school started, we went to the Hogle Zoo. It was a nice way to wrap up the summer before the school year begins for both our family and my Mom (who works at a university). My Mom kindly treated us to the zoo. I was impressed that we were able to see the entire zoo despite having to leave around 3 pm to get back in time for Dagan's Open House at school that evening. This photo was taken right before we took a break to have a picnic lunch:
The kids are with Grammy below. This is the third summer (in five years) that she has treated us to the Hogle Zoo and each time she has purchased a zoo souvenir t-shirt for Dagan. It worked out well that Morgan fit the one she bought Dagan as a baby and Logan fit the one she bought Dagan last time we were there. This time she bought Dagan the red one he is wearing here:
Dagan and Logan on an elephant statue that sprays water out of its' trunk:
Morgan was a bit out of sorts that day. He had just recovered from a 3-4 day illness. To make matters worse, he was stung by something on his little hand when I was carrying him. We felt so bad for him. It swelled a bit so Alan had to run to the First Aid station for some After-Bite while Grammy and I applied ice. He appeared to forget about it after that. His smiles were relatively few in number that day but we did manage to capture a couple of cute ones:
I love that at the Hogle Zoo you can see all of the animals and then at the end there is a big play area with things for the kids to climb on. Dagan and Logan in the play area there:
Morgan on a spider:
Logan peeking out from under a turtle shell in the play area:
Dagan coming out of a snake mouth:
And the big boys on a caterpillar:
We had so much fun and learned so much. Dagan and Logan's curiosity and excitement were fun to watch. Morgan's awe that all of the animals he's only seen in books were right in front of him was adorable. Thanks for the fun idea and treat Grammy!

Back to School and Soccer Games

Dagan is now a big first grader. Dagan has been so ready for school to start this year. It was like the night before Christmas. He was in bed plenty early but had a hard time falling asleep. He kept coming into me and asking questions like what if he forgets his teacher's name. I reassured him and started to get worried he wouldn't wake up in time. He was up as soon as I was though. What an inspiring example to have for an older brother--he gets up, makes his bed before I even ask, gets dressed and is down to the breakfast table well before we have to leave. Here he is in front of our house before school on the first day:
Dagan picked out Batman for his backpack and lunch box. The thing he talked most about in anticipation of the new school year was that as a first-grader he would get to eat lunch at school now. I actually went in to have lunch with him on the first day as parents are welcome to come. It was fun to share in the excitement of this new freedom for the kids. Below is Dagan at the door of his classroom at Harvest Elementary, Room 115. He's really happy with his teacher Mrs. Jorgensen. He's come home both days and listed exactly what she has told them to do for the next day. At the dinner table, he has really enjoyed having the spotlight to talk about what they did in class that day.
This is his desk:
Dagan was so happy to know that Braxton, one of his closest friends from his kindergarten class, is in Mrs. Jorgensen's class and seated right next to him!
Our other new adventure is Logan's soccer team that Alan is coaching. This is the first time Logan has played a team sport. We weren't sure what to expect but he really surprised me that he ran along and kept up with the ball. Here are pictures from his first game, jersey, shinguards and big smile. He was so happy to have Grammy there to watch and cheer him and his team on!
Logan (the one in the middle) running to the soccer ball:
Logan (next to the umbrella below) maybe devising a goal strategy with his teammates. Well, more like having a one-way conversation and chatting away to them about any random thing. Logan loves to talk no matter who the audience. My Mom loved that he had the ball between his feet with his arms resting on them. Glad she suggested a picture of it.
Logan is to the left of Alan in the photo below and seriously upset with him that he wasn't the one chosen to throw the ball in this time--hence the arms folded in front of him and a pout. Kind of cute/funny at four years old.
Then Logan got a bit tired and asked Alan if the game was almost over. He also was so cute after the game, stressing out that he wasn't the fastest runner on the field. As my Mom noted, he kept up with the ball really well. Now we just need to teach him what to do when he gets to it. There's still a season ahead to learn. Way to go Logan! We're proud of you for trying your best!

Morgan's 2nd Birthday Parties!

Morgan's second birthday, July 23rd, fell on a day while we were on our camping trip. Nevertheless, I try to give my children little room in future years to look back and think they were gypped. (This is especially true for Dagan's birthday, December 26th.) So we brought the party supplies to the campsite. Fortunately, there is an Associated Foods store in Loa, nearby, where I was able to order a cake. Morgan already has his own interests--dinosaurs, sports and planes. We had a dinosaur-themed party for him on the 23rd with Alan's side of the family.
Here is the dinosaur cake we ordered:
And Morgan enjoying a piece:
Opening a present from one of his aunts:
His stash of gifts that relatives were so kind to think of and bring camping:
The following day was July 24th and that was the day that we got back from camping. We went out to lunch at The Mayan with Grammy (my Mom) to celebrate Morgan's birthday.
Alan and I aren't too crazy about the food there but the kids love the high diving show, jungle atmosphere and the Indians that come to your table. This is also where Dagan picked to eat out on the last day of school in June after kindergarten graduation. Kids put a lot more value on the entertainment than the food...then again how can you mess up something off of the kids menu?
After The Mayan, we re-created the birthday celebration back at our house with Grammy.
The leftover cake was noticeably smaller. Dagan and Logan insisted we put two candles on again so that they could blow them out again. Morgan hasn't quite mastered this skill yet.

Dagan and Logan above think we should have two birthday celebrations for all of our birthdays! Morgan is opening round #2 of presents in this photo:
I can't believe my baby is 2! My favorite thing that Morgan does right now is initiate kisses and hugs all the time. He's always coming up to me, throwing his arms around me and giving me a kiss. He even seems to be in tune with when Mommy could really use a hug and kiss the most. He loves to give Daddy loves too and won't lay down at night until Dagan, Logan and myself (Daddy's usually at work) give him a round of kisses at his crib. He is the most lovable, kissable, adorable baby! We love you Morgan and are so glad you are a special part of our family!
(Being two years old also means you miss out on a lot of things after you go to bed.) Later that same night Alan gave my Mom, Dagan, Logan and I a pretty decent fireworks show at the end of our driveway in celebration of July 24th, Utah's state holiday.
Dagan and Logan enjoying 1. the fireworks display and 2. being up way past bedtime:

Our Annual Family Camping Trip

Each year in July we go camping with the Howard side of the family in the Thousand Lakes area of south-central Utah. I never would have considered camping a vacation but once we get past the packing and preparation part we are able to enjoy a week without the busyness of everyday life. This summer I noticed how easily the hard work and craziness in getting ready to leave (for both NY and then camping) are quickly forgotten and replaced with our children's excitement over the anticipation of family vacations and lots of memories. We made it SEVEN nights camping this year...in a tent!
One thing that has made camping much more appealing to me is the small fleet of four-wheelers that Alan's family owns. Since our boys were little they have enjoyed Daddy giving them rides on the trails. Morgan couldn't articulate what he wanted but after his first ride this summer with Alan, he would point to a four-wheeler and say broom..broom..like the sound a car makes. He'd have been content to spend his entire vacation on an ATV. I think it's so neat that the kids' 10-yr.-old cousin Brittney has her smaller-sized version. She was such a cutie giving Logan rides around camp.
This is the only opportunity Alan has to go fishing each summer and by the end, that's just fine with him. Sometimes there are plenty of fish for each person to catch. Other times the kids tire quickly of fishing and start throwing rocks in the fishing area and exploring the banks. Alan tries to keep it fun while teaching Dagan and Logan some patience. Their little faces light right up when they get a bite and are able to reel in their very own fish. Here is Logan waiting: I brought along some pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed and showed the kids how to make a bird feeder which they hung from trees they selected. Dagan and Alan had some one-on-one time throwing the football and playing a little baseball.
This is the second year that Alan, the kids and I went hiking at nearby Capitol Reef. It's both beautiful and unique.
We kept our hikes VERY short this year as the weather did not look too promising throughout the day. Alan and the boys at the end of one of our hikes:
We were so proud of the kids. They did really well. (Not even Logan complained that his legs were tired.) We picked something just right to build their confidence and enjoyment in hiking. Here I am with my boys:
Alan and I also took the kids on a mountain biking trail at Fish Lake for the second year in a row. Last year we did an easy trail and this year we challenged ourselves with a moderate trail (BIG difference). Dagan did FABULOUS, especially considering his is not a mountain bike:
Funny, funny story that I want to post before I forget it. The first part of the trail was a relatively steep climb. Logan as of July had still refused to learn to ride a bike so he was in the trailer with Morgan, which Alan attached to his own bike. Alan had to get off his bike and walk up and it was still really strenuous with the kids' trailer. Dagan and I were ahead, of course, and all we could hear was Logan complaining. First it was, "Dad I'm hot". Then "Dad, I'm getting thirsty." It was when we heard, "Dad I'm really tired. I'm trying to sleep in here and you're hitting a lot of bumps," that Alan proceeded to take Logan out of the trailer, explaining that if he was walking up it, Logan could lessen the weight by walking himself. Thank goodness we were close to the top because Logan cried and carried on the whole rest of the way, devastated that he had to walk too. I'm sure Logan learned a few lessons from this experience. Happy to be back in the trailer, not a single complaint was heard from him on the way back down. We had some snacks at the summit of Pelican Point, which gives an incredible view of Fish Lake.
Also at Fish Lake, we attend church. The service is two hours and since virtually everyone there is camping you are welcome to wear casual clothes. Below are Alan and the kids at the lodge after our church meetings:

Batter's Up!

Dagan's last t-ball game was July 15th, in the week between our New York vacation and camping trip. Alan has coached all of Dagan's sports teams since he was 3 yrs. old. This time he was the assistant coach seeing that we were gone for 3 of the 8 games. It was a really good experience for both of them. Here Dagan is warming up before the game. That's his throw in the picture below:
Here he is at shortstop ready to catch:
At bat:
What a hit!
And he slides into home! Way to go Dagan! We are so proud of you!

A Picnic Barbecue

The best part of visiting NY is being able to spend time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc. It's unbelievable how fast the kids all grow in a year. My Dad (Grandpa Don) and stepmom (Gramma Gretchen) had a picnic barbecue at their house one afternoon. They have a fun yard for the kids to run around in. This is our family in front of one of their pretty flower beds.
They had a little pool for the kids to swim in. Below are Dagan, Logan, Morgan and their cousin Charles (who looks like he may have just submersed himself without intending too). It was predictable NY weather--hot and very humid, so the pool was very refreshing for them.
Morgan wasn't too sure of Grandpa Don's dog--he's a bit larger than our 13 lb. dog! Morgan made many attempts to befriend him cautiously.
My Dad is a "hobbyist" if there is such a word. This makes him both fun and memorable to the kids. He flies model planes, does train layouts and recently purchased this little helicopter shown below. Dagan and Logan thought it was one of the neatest things they had ever seen.
Here they are as junior train conductors in the basement, amused by Grandpa Don's Lionel trains. We've sent a couple of things in this layout for Christmases and it's fun to see how we've contributed from Utah.
We went out for pizza with Tara's other brother, Justin's, family. Peyton, who is 3 yrs. and the same size as Logan who is almost 5 yrs., is the leader in the picture below. They kids did some really cute poses on their own just playing with each other and having fun.
I was able to get together with one of my close friends from high school right before we left town. I remember Katie as having one of the most cute, kind and sweetest personalities of anyone I have ever met--which hasn't changed a bit! It was fun to reminisce and catch up.