A great date!

Weston and I like getting to do things as a couple, of course, but sometimes we set up a babysitter and we don't quite know what we are going to do.  This time I actually had a really fun idea!

We went mountain biking and it was awesome!  (Thank you Stanzie for putting the kiddos down for us!)

We went up Powerline Pass, and I actually didn't notice any power lines intruding upon the scenery.  :)  Last year, Weston went up Powerline Pass about this time of the year, in preparation for his caribou hunt, and he had to ride through a lot of snow!  No snow this year.  We have really loved the amazing weather up here this summer.

 

Hiking and Fishing!

We have gotten out on a few hikes this summer, but this one was the best so far.  We went July 12th and it was such a beautiful weekend! 

William is practicing tearing up the slopes, perhaps we have a little skier in the making.  Haha, Uncle Terrance would be so proud.

But William's favorite activity, is throwing rocks in the water. 

 

 

 

 

William also loves blowing dandelions.

 

...But sometimes he gets the seeds up his nose. :D

 

 

And one of my favorite things about our adventures was that Lily Anne fell asleep

 

Friday on the hike............................................AND Saturday at the lake!

 

this is an unsolicited endorsement of the Kelty Kids Carrier!

 

William also loved fishing on Saturday (7-13-2013)  Happy 26 months William! And hooray for the first fishing trip of your life!  We didn't catch anything, but we saw a lot of fish jumping, didn't get eaten by many mosquitos (which is basically a huge miracle!) and enjoyed one of the most beautiful days I've experienced in the Great Land!

 

 

 

...Does it get any cuter than this?!?!  xoxoxox

 

 

 

 

Probably not,

 

But it was pretty funny when William said "I go see fishies, mommy!"

 

and so we took his little pants off and away he went, to see the fishies.

 

 

 

Both sides of this coin are cute and funny

Sometimes, my kids look like this:

(Do you love the way Lily Anne looks a tinge nervous sitting this close to William? 

Maybe below explains why...)

Sometimes they look like this:

 

William does the funniest things with Lily Anne

Today when Lily Anne would say anything, like "ba ba", William kept saying "Don't say, 'ba ba' baby!"  then she would say "ma ma mah" and he'd say "Don't say 'ma ma mah' baby!" he was a very good imitator and its so hard not to laugh!

And yesterday, the kids were a bit slap-happy from not enough naps on a usual Sunday and coming home past bedtime from a family event.  Weston and I were just talking when we noticed William laughing hysterically punctuated by Lily Anne yelling short, loud, yells--then we were all laughing :)

So Blessed!

Thank goodness for small, medium, and large blessings.  This one's huge!  We got an Apartment!

Let me explain what makes this so amazing.

I don't get online to look for apartments that often, it was still a little bit early to find them for mid august, which is when we want to start renting.  However, I decided to check, and I found a PERFECT unit just 2 hours after it was posted.  I hesitated to contact J (person selling their contract) because it was very early Monday morning in Utah, but I decided to risk a text. We had a viewing set up for Tuesday that Kristen was going to help me out with, but then J texted me that she was fitting someone in Monday and she knew I wanted it, and since I contacted her so fast she wanted to give me an opportunity to view it.  Liz happened to be available literally at last minute notice to go see it--and it looked great.  Another favorite tid-bit is that it is available the EXACT day we get into Utah, so no paying rent on days we wont need and no being homeless!

some of my favorite features:

First, it's super close to two of my best buds.  Kirst and Liz! (and Peter and Kristen when they get back from their internship :)

 

...they also double as awesome babysitters.

Second, it has a dishwasher, washer and a dryer!  

Third, we will be on the top floor of a duplex.  There are too many perks about this to list.

Fourth, it has a cooling system.  After enjoying the temperate summers in Anchorage, I can't take the heat!

Fifth, we have access to a pool and a hot tub.  Can't go wrong there!

We are so excited to spend our last 8-12 months in Utah here!

Music

We love music over here.  Weston has been playing his keyboard more this summer, and I've even picked up my cello again. William and Lily Anne also love music.  William frequently requests "The Wheels on the Bus", "Clean up", or "ABC's", but his new favorite is "Good Time" by Owl City!

After he broke out into "Good time" song in the middle of lunch, we had a dance party!

Balls bounce, and so does Lily Anne!

Lily Anne loves balls!  Big or little, hard or soft, plain or colorful.  Watch how excited she is about her new ball in this video!

Lily Anne and Bob

You only have to watch a few second of either of these to get the idea.  Lily Anne and Bob feel similar about eating!