The Little Mermaid with Little Victoria

I can't believe that Tor will be 10 this year. It's so crazy how time goes by so quickly! When I heard that Little Mermaid was playing at Tuacahn, I knew I wanted to go. I loved it in NYC and thought about how much Tor would love it. This inspired all the other summertime dates because I knew that if I took her on a date, the others would want one too! And who am I to deprive them of Aunt Kat time?
I picked her up around 11 and we headed south. The ride went quickly with the help of the portable DVD player and the air conditioning provided by mom's car. We got to the hotel (Sun Times Inn) and went swimming. I forgot sunscreen so we didn't swim too long and then we went shopping! We found two shirts, a pair of shorts a headband and some sunglasses all for $14. Then we went to dinner at Golden Corral where they had cotton candy AND a chocolate fountain. Tor was so excited for a buffet and then barely ate anything. Kids.
We headed over to Tuacahn and I was so excited! I can't believe I've never been to a show there, it was so beautiful! We got there early and drove into Snow Canyon park for a mile or so but then I felt guilty that I didn't pay the fee box so we turned around. Stupid fee box.
I love the red rocks in St. George. The surroundings of the theater are incomparable. We were able to move up about 5 rows because we traded seats with a mom/daughter who wanted to sit by the rest of their family. We did not complain! I cannot even say enough good about Tuacahn and the show. For a $30 adult ticket, ($23 kids) we were able to see a Broadway show. The biggest difference between NY and St.G was that the show in NY was more polished, which is a given since it has been set up and going for much longer. St.G also had the benefit of being outside and was able to utilize more of their surroundings, like a huge waterfall that flowed down onto the stage, and fireworks at the end! It was amazing. We both loved it.
We went back to the hotel and slept. Well, Tor slept. It was the worst mattress I have ever slept on, maybe slightly better than sleeping on the floor. I knew, though, going into it that it wasn't going to be the Marriott for $40 a night. So I can't complain.
We went to IHOP for breakfast and then drove home. It was a short trip but so very worth it! I loved spending time with the cute little bug, I sure love her!

On our way! Don't worry. I was parked.

She's so excited!






She thought she was so funny for doing this.






I love a theater that lets you eat shaved ice in your seats!

This is our tired picture. We both wanted to sleep more.

On the other side of the placemat there was this helmet that you were supposed to draw a design on. Tor is so creative and is always designing dresses for her dolls and drawing and stuff. Her helmet had these shooting stars, it was so cute!

We had to get a picture with our shades. We're friends.

Bear Lake - Mosquitoes = Paradise

Really. The mosquitoes almost ruin it. ALMOST. But as always, it was fabulous! We have been going to Bear Lake all my life and I look forward to it every year. We missed Laura and Mike this year and Erik and Kami could only stay a few hours, so we barely managed to have a good time. Here are the pictures!

Audrey's special day

I like my nieces and nephew. A lot. I recently started taking them on dates for their birthdays where we do whatever they want. Within reason. So it's summertime, you know, and I thought it would be fun to take them on a summertime date too. Because that's what summertime is all about! Summertime.

I'm taking Tor to see "The Little Mermaid" at Tuachan next week and Brayden will be accompanying me to my ward campout ("and we can do other things too, right?") so I had Audrey sleep over last week. I picked her up after lunch and we decided to go shopping first. We found an adorable pink swim suit with an attached tutu at Target and she loved it, but I knew that Ellie would want one too. Justification? Like I need one, I'm an aunt. But just for fun, here it is: I'm not taking her on a date since she's just so presh and little, so she needed a present.
We went to the Oquirrh Park Fitness Center to go swimming, and I was super glad that they have an indoor pool because I forgot the sunscreen; or "sumscream" as Audrey calls it.

I didn't get a picture when we were swimming.

We went over to my house and she watch Spongebob and ate goldfish while I showered and then Tracie got dropped off at my house. We picked up Cafe Rio for the big kids and stopped at "FicDonalds" to get A some chicken nuggets and a chocolate milk. After we ate dinner with Grandpa, we came back to my house and watched Re-punzel ("Brook-a-lin told me that he [Flint Ryder] is a real person and I said, yeah, he is a real person"). When my new roommate Kali asked her how old she was, she thought for a minute and completely seriously said, "ten."
Audrey slept really well, but I didn't. That girl was crazy! She was all over the place. Pretty sure she kicked me in the face at one point. When I woke up early in the morning, she was more on my side than on hers so I went over to her side. She woke up and said, "why did you switch?" I really wish I could remember more of the funny things she said because she's hilarious. My favorite was when she kept referring it to her "special day."

In the morning we had to drop Lucy (our family dog) off at the groomers. Lucy HATES the groomers. I don't know what they do to her there, but she is definitely a-scared. So, I wasn't very surprised when Audrey yelled, "Lucy pooped!" because she had. All over the front seat. At least it was solid and cleaned up easy. She talked about that a lot. Then we went to Lowe's and picked out some flowers for my front garden. She was so cute pointing out all the pretty ones and saying, "oh! This is boo-a-ful!" She loved the pink and purple ones the most. We came home and she helped me plant them.

She picked this one out.

She loved to dig the holes but hated getting the dirt on her hands.

It was a lot more fun doing it with her than by myself. There is still more work to do, but I'm excited about the progress.

before

after


After we went to the park and played on the swings, we got ready and left to meet April and the other kids at a splash pad in Herriman for a picnic.

She loved my sunglasses until they trapped hair that kept itching her nose.

Audrey fell asleep, which was good, because we went to bed too late. She was a bit ornery when she woke up but became happy enough after some time in the water. It was fun to see the kids play and little Ellie hammed it up and entertained everyone.



I love this girl. I love her sassy-pants ways and the hilarious things she says. I love it when she snuggles and gives me her big giant hugs. I love it when she told me "you were right, huh Aunt Kat. But sometimes Audrey is right too." Being Aunt Kat is the best job ever!

Once upon a time. . . .

This one time I took some pictures of two precious little girls at Temple Square. That day they were also celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I went into the building to charge my camera battery before the girls got there and was wondering why there were so many people dressed up. . . . the hosts who greet people in the lobby and others who work there were invited to dress in era clothing and hats and such. I couldn't help myself, I had to take some pictures.



They were having a huge banquet in the lobby where many many important people would be celebrating the history. It was probably the most exquisite layout I have ever seen in real life.





Two other things I observed on this spectacular day at Temple Square:
This couple sat there forever all lost in their own little world. This is usually behavior that is more typical of younger couples, but I'm pretty sure they were middle aged. I just thought it was funny. It was just really random to me.
I noticed this girls dress and thought it was so original and cute and when I complimented her on it, she told me she made it!! Who makes their own wedding dress? Awesome. I really like it.

PS: these are the beautiful little ladies I took pictures of. Easiest kid shoot EVER.

Remember when I used to update my blog?

I do too. Those were fun times, right? I think that the great evil facebook has often taken over my blogging, but I should rage against the machine and just quit it. I really do have a love/hate relationship with the fb. I hate that I feel like I have to check it all the time. That I can't post unless it's super clever. I hate that it takes so much time. But I love staying in touch with friends and family that I probably wouldn't as much without it. Like Laura and Tracie. I never talk to them unless it's on facebook. Anyway. I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Guess what! It's summer time! I just finished a two week, two class course for my ESL endorsement through Weber State. It's a one year program and I'll have 18 credits at the end. The best part is that the district is paying for it. Can't pass up such a great deal! It wasn't useless, most of the information was really good and interesting, but sometimes it was just presented in such a boring way! Now, though, it's done and I can chill in my hammock.

Speaking of the hammock, I plan on spending a lot of time in it this summer. I need to invest in some mosquito repellant and a sunshade umbrella before I spend too much time, but it is probably the best thing I have bought for myself in a looong time.

Other plans for the summer include:

• sleeping
• watching CSI
• work on projects
  
• read
• plan the next school year (just a little, don't worry)

For the final item, I will explain. You know how my little rollerblading goal-setter hasn't moved in a few months? It's because I have pretty much maintained, give or take 3 or 4 pounds. I went through a two month period where I would lose the 3-4 pounds throughout the week and then mess it all up over the weekend and then do it all over again. Two months, people! Apparently it takes a lot to teach me a lesson. I was ready for the tri and it was a lot of fun and I'm excited to do it again next year, but since then I haven't been working as diligently. Luckily, I haven't messed everything up and can just pick up where I've left off.
So, I'm using this gift of time that the summer allows me to work really hard and hit the gym biggest-loser style. Well, almost. I don't want to hate summer. So I have plans. And I'm excited to see that little lady skate farther to the right. I'll keep you posted, and you'll keep me accountable.

PS I don't know why I'm seeing a baseball player on the beach instead of my roller-blading chick. . . . tried to change it, hope it's a glitch?