First Trip of the Summer

 And I'm sure you can guess where we went ...

Cedar City!

Greg called me one day from work and let me know he had a few unused days left of his paternity that were about so expire, so he loaded up his bike and headed south with us.

It was Memorial Weekend, so to take advantage of the extra day, we left on a Sunday right after church. It was Greg's first time traveling 4 hours with the Quincey Babe and like me, he couldn't believe how well she traveled. She has quickly become his favorite as well :).

Aunt Katy was home for the summer and had Monday (Memorial Day) off from work. She took the girls and we literally didn't see them all day. She had them all over town! At the park, painting nails, making snowcones, you name it. She is so much fun, and I'm glad she got to spend a whole day with them.

Oh the things Aunt Katy teaches Claire ...

Greg took full advantage of the Southern Utah mtn biking trails. The weather wasn't super hot, so he lucked out pretty well weather-wise. 

It's not until I moved away and don't see it every day that I realized how beautiful Cedar Canyon really is. I miss this view!

My cute Grandma held Quincey as often as she could. She loves babies and it was so sweet to watch her love on Quincey.

Sof has been begging me for 2 years now to take her fishing. I'm lazy and put it off until I got Aunt Katy to take her :). Her fishing dreams all came true and she was so happy!

We met Greg at the the little Cedar Mountain Biking course again with the girls after one of his rides. This was Sof's first time on her new bike and Claire was doing awesome on her bigger bike as well. The girls love sharing this hobby with Greg, and I love that he finally has two people in his life who will go with him :).

A video to show Claire doing a "hock a wheelie."

HOTTIE!

Greg raced us to the top of the street where I unloaded the girls bikes and followed them as they cruised down the hill back to Grandma's house.

My sister Jessica was in town with her kiddo's for their summer trip and we spent a fun day with them playing in the creek at the Canyon Park and getting yummy snow cones.

Cute Oakley loved meeting Quincey.

My mom agreed to watch our Girl's one night so Greg and I could go on a proper date to celebrate our 11th Anniversary. We went to the local Thai cuisine, then walked up and down Cedar Main. I have so many memories of that cute Main Street! When backing back up past the building that held my Grandpa's Western Store, we noticed people coming in and out. I stopped and told them who I was and they gratefully invited me into the building to see how they have renovated it, and all I can say is Wow! They have done a fantastic job! Before my Grandpa bought the building, it was a hotel. I had no idea that there was such beautiful architecture being hidden beneath tile ceilings and rows of shelves. I am so happy that new breath has been put back into that space. They are going to use it as an Event Center, and I think they will do very well! They are keeping the 2 upper floors and renovating the old hotel rooms into apartments for when the owners come to town, and they said they plan on turning the basement into an Arcade. After walking out, I told Greg that if money weren't an issue, I would love to do that very thing to an old building. Renovating old things is so much fun!

So beautiful! The chandelier was a new installment, as was the carpet, tile, and wainscoting. This is an addition my Grandpa added onto the store later.

Wednesday, We spent the day at Sand Hollow celebrating a birthday. Our girls were so excited to spend the day on the boat with their cousins, and Greg was excited to spent the day under a canopy with Quincey safely on the shore.

The girls rode down early with Grandma and Grandpa while I waited back at the house for Greg to finish a morning ride.

After 3 months, Aunt Jess was finally able to meet Quincey. She loved her!

By the time we got down to Sand Hollow, the girls were already living their best lives on the boat. 

Coming in for some lunch.

While Claire is having the time of her life on the beach ...

Sofia is napping in a tent after suffering from heat exhaustion. We have quickly learned this summer that she is extra prone to exhaustion in hot weather. She is learning the hard way the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated.

Quincey finally succumbed to a nap as well.

Enjoying free time while the kiddo's sleep.

Quincey never left the shore, and neither did Greg.

Meanwhile, I'm doing my very best not to get thrown off a tube with my 3 sisters.

Sof continued to be super low on energy, but we still carted her back to the Billing's house to eat dinner and cut the cake. As they were singing Happy Birthday, Greg calls me from the car to tell me Sofia was throwing up. Oh boy! The poor girl! Heat exhaustion is no fun, and Greg and I learned a lesson that day. It is fun to be with cousins, but it's also important to take care of our kids if they aren't feeling well. It had been a long, hot day, and all 3 kids were asleep by the time we got back to my parent's house that night.

Claire lives the dream on the pedestal toilet. She found Grandpa's construction mazagines and was soaking it all in.

I made it a point to stop and show Baby Quincey to my Aunt Lynette and Uncle Danny. They are both so special to me, and although it was 3 months later, I really wanted them to meet Quincey. They have both been there for me in different times in my life, and I am so happy to be able to show them my cute kiddo's and have them be included in their lives.

We made it back home Thursday evening just in time for dinner and to be greeted by a very enthusaistic Mr. Mittens. We had had a fun trip, but it sure was good to be home.

Let the Summer Fun begin!

Happy 11th Anniversary to us!

And how did we celebrate?

By yours truly waiting until the absolute last minute to try and find a baby-sitter on a long, holiday weekend, and after being sufficiently unsuccessful, we decided to load all 3 kids in the car and celebrate at the local Granny Annie's Diner. Yummy, right?

The girls were so excited. It was our first time there and they were happy to be included on the fun. We let them order whatever they wanted, which included chocolate milk.

The diner wasn't super busy, so that means that we received prompt service. Claire chugged her chocolate milk in 3 seconds flat, no joke, and our waiter brought another one, which she proceeded to chug in another 3 seconds flat. All was well, until Claire started coughing and saying that her tummy hurt. All of a sudden, she starts throwing up. Greg was the lucky sap sitting next to her and caught all of the throwup in his hand. It was gross. Luckily, it didn't get everywhere, but we did use all of the provided cloth napkins to clean it up. We finished as quickly as I could, and while I was herding the girls out to the car, Greg was leaving the largest tip of his life.

Oh, and when we got home, Claire threw up again, but announced soon after that she felt much better.

Have you ever heard of the milk challenge? Yeah, I'm pretty sure Claire should never chug milk that fast ever again. Her poor tummy, and poor us. 

It's an anniversary we won't soon forget and hope to never repeat. Ever.

Blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. Notice Claire's empty milk glass. Bless her heart.

And for old time's sake, 11 years ago ...

Oh how far we have come 💗.

Sofia's Last Day of 1st Grade

I can't believe it came, but it did. Welcome to the fastest school year of my life. Sofia finished 1st Grade with flying colors and developed so well in her reading and math skills. She is more than ready for 2nd Grade. She made the cutest friends, developed a love for art and dancing, and is quite the social butterfly. She is loved by all who know her and is a hot commodity when it comes to play dates. She has the cutest giggle and is losing teeth like crazy. I'm excited to have her home more this Summer.

The students made a poster about their accomplishments this year and had a parade around the field. It was fun to go and see all of the cute kids I've gotten to know this year, while helping out in Library each Thursday. They sure have a lot of fun together.

Sofia and her bestie, Jesse.

We sure love Mrs. Thomas! 

True to tradition, Greg stayed home and took Sof to school on the ebike. It's so fun watching them ride off together.

Crazy to see the difference! A little taller and a little more toothless. She sure is growing fast!

And for Sof's treat, she chose to go back to McDonald's for another round of ice cream. Worth it!

Claire's End of Year Singing Performance

If you know Claire, you know that emotion is not her strongest point. She has always been so serious. Maybe this is why I find so much Joy in watching her sing. She is so serious but so cute at the same time! I know she is up there doing her best and loving it, even if her face doesn't show it :). These little performances are my favorite, and I look forward them each and every time.

This time around, the theme was "Food." She had spent 5ish months learning different songs about food, and it was so cute! Mrs. Karen is the best!

I'm going to put these video's right here for my future self to enjoy. They are just too cute!

I'm the ones who endures her mood swings and fits to get her to singing class each week, yet she runs right to her Daddy after her performance. So fitting. And so cute. 

Blue Steel has nothing on Claire.

Claire has developed a love-hate relationship with Cherry Hill's mini golf course. She's not very good and gets frustrated easily. This is me sneaking up on her mid-fit. It's not all it's cracked up to be, based on her cute face. It was a perfect way to end a night all about Claire :).

Sofia's End of Year Dance Recital

Sofia's End of Year Dance Recital was so cute. The venues keep changing as her dance company grows, and this time it was held in the Centerpointe Theatre, which was perfect - I hope they keep it there. The theme this time around was "Toy Story" and Sof's class were the Slinky Dogs, which was adorable. She had such a fun dance group, with 3 of her best friends in it with her. They had so much fun and I loved watching them, knowing they were loving every second. 

Sof was so excited to have a little solo at the end.

Greg took Claire to the dress rehearsal the night before, and this was his view 🤣

Afterwards, there was a big dance party on stage while they gave each class time to leave individually. Sof was having the time of her life up there.

Claire's Last Day of Preschool

Tuesday's and Thursday afternoons had become my me-time. Preschool coming to an end was pretty bittersweet. Claire loved her teachers (even though she didn't act like it) and really grew so much socially this year, which was my major goal for her. She was such a good little helper in her class, and her teachers thought she was hilarious. There is a shortage of girls her age, so there were only about 3-4 girls to 10 boys, which was strange, but I'm learning that is the norm for her grade. She loved Ms. Krystal and Ms. Nikki and did so many fun things. But, it is good for her to be home with her sister's. We have some fun things planned this summer.

Look how much older she looks! I can't believe it.

Claire had a "field day" on her last day of Preschool. She was loving the foam pool! 

Ms. Nikki

Ms. Krystal

I let Claire pick where to go get our traditional end-of-school-year treat. She chose McDonald's, which was fitting because it's right next to her preschool. And the best part? THE PLAYGROUND WAS OPEN! Claire was an itty-bitty 2 year old the last time she played on a McDonald's playground, no thanks to COVID. Magical things are upon us people! 

Breakfast of Champions

Sof was nominated by her teacher to be awarded the very last Breakfast of Champions for the year. It was so fun to watch her go up to be recognized by her principal while eating cereal for breakfast :). Sof worked hard this year and learned so much. But, it helps too that she had an amazing teacher. She's sure going to miss Mrs. Thomas.

 

And I'm going to put this video right here because it's hilarious! Claire is a trooper.

Sof ended the day with crazy hair day at Dance.