Summer Reading

At the library here, they had a summer reading program for the kids. If they read ten books every week they would get a prize, and there was also a different activity every week. We did things like make a bug house (every time we see something creepy crawly Eli wants to put it in his bug house), see a fire truck and get sprayed by the fire hose. There were some that we missed as well. They put on a puppet show by professional puppeteers, but it was the only one on a Wednesday, so when we arrived at the usual time on Thursday we found out that we missed it.

To end the summer reading program, there was a big swim party at the Washington Rec Center. The kids got in free and adults got in for a dollar. At first Eli was a little intimidated by all of the people there, but he soon found great joy in going down the kiddie slide over and over and over....

There was also a really big slide/tube there. Cameron took Eli down it once and he didn't seem too scared, but when we asked if he wanted to go down it again he said, "No! No! NOOOOOOOOO!"

Brianna really enjoyed the bouncers (I'm not really sure what they are actually called). She sat in them for about half an hour. Bouncing up and down... splashing in the water... turning herself in circles... and wildly giggling the whole time.

Happy 4th! Oh wait...

So... I'm a little behind in posting, but here goes. For the fourth of July we went to Cameron's parents house for a fun filled weekend. First on the agenda was a trip to the zoo.

Grammy Teena and Brianna at the zoo

Please note the very large snake.

After seeing these, Eli said, "When Eli was little, I used to play with Elephants!"

Resting! Aunt Holly, Eli, Uncle Brayden and cousin Avery

Eli really liked to see the "Big Kitties!"

And Brianna liked the zoo too.

When we left, we asked Eli what his favorite animal was and he said, "The train!"

Grandpa Juicy had a surprise for Eli when he arrived. A pool! And Avery brought her jump house, so we spent a good amount of time playing in the yard.

To celebrate the fourth, we went to the stadium of fire! It was amazing! We watched Carrie Underwood perform, saw the most amazing fireworks I've ever seen and heard several other amazing performers. But the star of the show was Avery with her cool dance moves.

Eli with Uncle Brayden. He thought his glasses were pretty cool, but was kind of afraid of the fireworks.

Brianna was enthralled by the fireworks. I thought she would scream with all the noise, but she didn't. She just stared in wonder!

We experimented with Brianna's curls a little!

Her very first time sitting in a Bumbo!

What fourth of July would be complete without a few sparklers?

Avery was a little better at it than Eli.

The Grand Canyon

Recently my mom and sister, Sarah came to visit. I showed them around St. George some, but we were a little limited as to what we could do since most days were over 100° F (It was June after all). We went on one hike to see the Petroglyphs (I'd show pictures, but Cameron didn't come and took his camera with him to work). We also watched Tarzan at the Tuacahn. That was AMAZING. My favorite was the acrobats on wires acting like apes.

The crowning point to our adventures was going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. My brother, Brent, came for that as well. For any who haven't been there, the North Rim is much colder than the South Rim. It was cool enough that we needed jackets in the evening and also sometimes during the day.

Eli with Aunt Sarah

Brianna enjoying the hike with mom.

Eli scaring mom by getting too close to the edge.

All of us (except Cameron, he's taking the picture) a little wrapped up because of the rain.

 Uncle Brent keeping Eli from getting too close to the edge. Much to Eli's dismay.

This is how Brianna kept from getting wet.

We had the privilege of being there during a thunderstorm. Most of us went to hide in the car (after all, our hair was standing on end when we were too close to the rim) but Cameron and Eli decided to hide under a rock until it passed over. This allowed Cameron to get some BEAUTIFUL shots of the canyon. If you'd like to see those, check out his Flickr site. Not all of the pictures are from this trip, but all the ones that have rain, overcast skies, rainbows, etc. are.

The Further Adventures of the Dynamic Duo

Eli and Cameron love to go out on adventures together. Hiking, camping, fishing, you name it! Some of their adventures are less than thrilling to me, the mom. But they are having tons of fun!

This is on a hike together. About three days after I bought this hat, they lost it in the cliffs. But when grandma came she bought Eli another one just like it.

This is the cave that the Gila Monster went into.

These two pictures are of a camping trip they took together. Eli came back very excited to tell me that he got to sleep in the SUV

This one was a little bit creepy for me. Not that I dislike snakes, I don't. And not that I'm afraid of snakes, I'm not. But when I see a WILD snake wrapped around the neck of my TWO year old... Well, I'm sure you understand.

Eli found a desert tortoise!

And a chuckwalla.

 Ok, so this one isn't really an adventure. We were out on the deck eating chocolate chip cookies together, and I think he looks cute with chocolate all over his face.

Mom, I need my own post!

After all, look at how cute I am!

I'm learning so many new things! I can roll onto my side from my back, and onto my back from my belly. I can scoot around in circles on the floor, and I like to show off my dimples with my cute smiles and giggles. It's not my fault dad hasn't caught it on camera yet!

 I really like to sit outside with you on our deck. Especially on days when it isn't too hot.

Sometimes, when it is really hot, I like to just sit around in my diaper. Don't you just love all of my cute baby fat?

Ok, mom. We can have one picture with big brother in it too. After all it is kind of funny. He does make me laugh a lot even though he can be a bit overzealous with his hugs. I'm sure one day, when I'm older, we'll be good friends!

Cameron Tried to Kill Me!

Since Cameron's parents were here last Sunday, Cameron and I decided to go out on the four wheelers together. This was the first time that we had gone out together since we got them and I was excited to go. Little did I know what was in store...

Remember, this is our back yard:

Not too intimidating, right? Wrong! Cameron proceeded to take me up and down the steepest hills he could find! There were times, going up, I thought the four-wheeler was going to flip over backwards on top of me! Once, going down, I started to veer to the right. I tried to correct it, but it didn't work and, panicking, I started to bail off the side while putting my brakes on at the same time. I ended up halfway down the hill and halfway off the four wheeler. Cameron had to walk back up the hill to take my four wheeler the rest of the way down!

So, when Cameron asked, "Do you want to hike too, or would you just like to ride the four wheelers?" I thought to myself, "Oh, hiking is safe. Both feet on the ground." So I replied, "I want to hike too." Well, do you see those cliffs in the background? That's where he wanted to "hike." Straight up the side of those. Some of the highlights:

• Me clinging to the side of a cliff, unable to move out of fear. Cameron has to pull me up.
• Several repetitions of "I can't do it! I don't want to die!" With the exasperated reply, "You won't die."
• Climbing over a gaping chasm.
• Thinking to myself, "I can go through natural childbirth, but I can't climb a cliff?"

I have to admit, though, there were some pretty awesome views from the top. And it was nice to find out I could do something that I didn't think I could do. Not to mention finding out Cameron has much more confidence in me than I have in myself. Overall was it fun? Yes! But it was also VERY scary!

Yes, I know I'm a wuss.

Thank you for...

Recently Eli has been saying prayers mostly by himself. He gets the "Thank you" part, but needs help with the "Bless" part. Here are some of the things he has said thank you for in his prayers.

Soap

Lightning McQueen

Mommy

Daddy

Shrek

Brianna

Cars Movie

Chairs

Grammy Teena

Grandpa Juicy

Kitchens

SUVs

Fences

Lizards

Food

Apple Juice

Pizza

I'll add to this list as needed.