Family Night at Liberty Land

One of my obsessions is doing tasks in chronological order. (This could explain why I'm stuck at Logan as a newborn in my scrapbooking endeavors.) So we've had an eventful couple of weeks but I want to go back to a month ago, August 2oth. It was two days after school started and we decided to have an end-of-summer/back-to-school celebration at Liberty Land in nearby Lehi, UT. We all had so much fun and a lot of laughs. I got some of the cutest pictures I have ever captured of my kids enjoying themselves. It was great that there was a variety of entertainment there with appeal to all ages. I loved this picture below of the three of them. If you click on the photo you can see up close their cute smiles. Morgan had such a good time on this ride.
The first thing we did there was go on the bumper boats. We laughed so hard! The guide put Alan in a boat with Morgan and then Dagan in one by himself. Then she put Logan and I in one with a water squirter on the front. (Alan and Dagan's boats didn't have them.) Logan and I had so much fun squirting at Alan. Poor Morgan was the innocent one who got soaked from being trapped with Alan, though we did try to avoid hitting him. What we didn't count on was Alan's skillful maneuvering capabilities. After about ten minutes of getting shot at, he gained composure and was unapologetic in bumping Logan and I under a waterfall. We ended up getting more wet than Alan by far and lacked the ability to steer ourselves out. Logan went nuts thinking I wasn't trying hard enough to get us out. But we seriously had the hardest laughs we possibly ever have had as a family. Here are Morgan and Alan unsuspectingly smiling before our strategic surprise attack.
We spent a lot of time on the race cars. With it being a school night, there weren't any lines in the almost four hours we spent there. We had our own personal guide and it was like we were movie stars that they closed the park special for (what an imagaination I have!). Our kids had immediate gratification as soon as they pointed to their next ride. The cars were a favorite we kept returning to. Dagan drove his own car (and did really well) and Alan and Logan were together in a car while I drove with Morgan.

The picture of Morgan below is one of the cutest I have of him ever! I love his "laughing smile"! He was smiling and happy the entire time we were at Liberty Land. (His standard for amusement/entertainment always has been fairly high.)
Morgan spotted the "choo-choo" right away. They all wanted to ride in the engine.
I love it when we find things they enjoy doing together as brothers. Look at all those adorable smiling faces!
Dagan always has been pretty fearless and I think Morgan will be the same way. Dagan climbed the rock wall below with ease (despite not having the appropriate footwear for the occasion) and rang the bell at the top. That's him in the green shirt at the top.
I had to zoom in and take a picture of him at the top then hurry up and view it to make sure he really was OK all the way up there. Sure seems to be! I can't believe how old he is sometimes. I think back to his tireless efforts to climb up on the furniture only six years ago!

It's OK Mom. I'm fine!
And then there was Logan's attempt. This actually was as high as Logan made it. He didn't even want to try so we told him we were so proud that he put the gear on and made it up two sets of grips (not sure what they are called). He likes his feet on firm ground like his Mom.
Logan asked us all night if we could play miniature golf. I thought for sure with all the rides he would lose interest after only a couple holes. He didn't !?! We played all 18 holes and both he and Dagan were enthusiastic the entire time. Alan and I had our own little competition with a prize. I won...a massage, which he's always been generous with anyways. Dagan and Logan talked about Liberty Land for a while after. It was definitely a favorite that we will return to next summer!

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: