A Pirate stole all my loot...

Figuratively speaking that is. Sure the pirate was also a waiter, and the other pirate a token seller. But, I tell you that Pirate Island Pizza swindles your coins right out of your pocket... argh. At least it was fun. My favorite part? When my cute little nephew Gavin showed us all how SkeeBall should be played. He showed those pirates. Oh, another favorite.. watching Nora play my favorite arcade game: Ms. PacMan. :)

Las Vegas Dance Off..

No, not that kind of dance.. Come on people.

Yay for dinner at Heather's. The food is always great, and the company even better. Have you seen Heather's glazed pumpkin cookies? They belong in vegas they are so sinfully good. And the lasagna.. yum yum. Back to the dancing part, which I know you are all waiting for...

After stuffing our face we decided to work a bit of it off via Dance Revolution baby. I, of course, was terrible. I have to say that Karen has mad skills, and Isaiah has some crazy moves. All in all a very good time. My kids love her house, as do I. Nora was in heaven with her two best buds, and puppies to coddle. Jarom had a good time time trying to escape being captured by the camera by three cute girls.  Z loved the food, he must be my kid. 

Big Thanks to Heather for hosting such a fun day. The visits are never long enough, and I can't wait to do it all again. 

Ice Cream Suck

Take two. I am sure you recall last years post about the ice cream truck. Well I have fallen victim yet again to its charming song. Not as often this year since we haven't been home a lot. But somehow, some way it finds me.. Nothing like sponge bob, spiderman, and bugs bunny shaped ice cream. Talk about brownie points for favorite Aunt Waynsh.. only costing me $12. 

Grant Force.. G-Force.. get it?

GraKareGaRee, and SeAmy(coined by Grant) came to visit! Jarom loves loves Gavin my cute little nephew, so much it's adorable. The first night they were in town we decided to hit up G-Force in 3D. The movie sucked, but the company was awesome. Here is a little pic of the crew imitating special agent guinea pigs.. (Yes I paid to see a movie with talking hamsters and moles, what of it?) SeAmy decided to sit it out, and relax after a long day they spent in Zion. 

Look up in the Sky..

....it's a bird, it's a plane.

No, it is rain. It is true. The last day in Brianhead we headed up on the Sky Tram to have a picnic at 11,000 feet above sea level, and got rained out.

The view was amazing, the weather freezing, and the adventure worth it all. While up at the top we saw a huge herd of sheep, and it's huge treats it left behind. It was hard to find a good spot of grass that wasn't used as a dumping point by these cute sheep. So we hiked back to the picnic table we found at the beginning of our trek, and enjoyed a picnic in the rain.

Its the Breaks, yo.

Cedar Breaks that is. Day two of our little escape we headed up to Cedar Breaks National Monument. My kids are official Junior Rangers. For those who have not done it, most National Parks/monuments/etc. offer this free little program. If you haven't done it with your kids, give it a try. My kids thought the Ranger pins, and swearing in were pretty neat. I couldn't help but laugh almost the whole way through Z's swearing in. This kid cracks me up. I wish I had recorded it. The boy has a talent for filler words. I am petty sure Z, and the Ranger are not sure what he swore too that day. Funny how personalities shine in moments like these. Jarom was all smiles, yet serious. Nora was timid, and quite. And Z, he just wanted to wear the hat. 

The top pic is one of Alpine Pond. An easy family hike in the breaks. I could not believe how many bees there were throughout the hike. They were HUGE bees, and I will admit that I was lying to my kids when I told them over and over that they were not scary... erg. 

We also got a visitor that night! Grandpa Kenn. :) Dad was driving back from Mesquite and was nice enough to make a detour our way. My kids were so excited, and couldn't believe grandpa came to Brianhead! 

Brianhead to clear the Head...

In my Environmental Psychology courses we talked a lot about how being in nature can help restore mental health. I strongly believe this is true, and I needed some of this natural healing. I am pretty sure my brain has melted, or I have beginning stages of Alzheimer's. Either way, my brain has been on vacation so I figured I would join in the fun. Not to mention it is friggin HOT. Yes people, St George is not my favorite in the dead of summer. It's all awesome sauce until crayons melt in your car, or your credit cards warp in your wallet. Oh wait.. my favorite is when your nice cold fresh soda is watered down muck within minutes. Yuck. So off to Brianhead we went. 

It was incredible. Now, my sanity and soda was not the only reason for this little voyage.

I wanted to have one last get away with my kids for the summer. Sometimes I look at them and can't believe how big they are. It is incredible how much they change, everyday. Every now and then I just want to stop time, make memories, and capture each moment with them. I also feel that with melted brain, I have been a melted Mom. Hitting Boiling point over the dumbest things, and letting my temper fly off the handle. Needless to say they needed a cool down too.

Here are a couple pics from the first night. Swimming, board games, and Pizza in a little cabin condo. So much fun.

Zions Elk Ranch and Almond Joy

I think it is time I stop slacking and actually add some substance to my posts. It is like a Mounds candy bar. Pics are great and all, but you miss some of the good stuff. Like almonds in an Almond Joy. They are delicious. I eat a handful (of almonds, not almond joy's) almost every day, but ever since our voyage to Zions Elk Ranch.. my appetite for these crunchy delights has dwindled. Why? Well Jarom, my ever so observant child, noticed that one of the elks had been abundantly blessed in the downtown area. Yes, ya'll in the privates. 

Jarom "Mom, check out this Buffalo's nuts... ha.. they are more like almonds." 

I laugh, observe, and then concur that indeed they are shaped like perfect giant almonds. I am sure you are wondering where is the evidence. "Pictures!!" you say. Well next to this little buffalo was a sign that stated that animals do Ram if you get to close. I am pretty sure this buffalo could sense the violation, and I was not about to chance getting Rammed. 

Now, on to more important things, like crowds. Isn't it funny how when you fall in love with a place, Zions let's say, you begin to dislike the crowds that it brings? Tell me if I am wrong, but it's like all these visitors took your favorite parking spot. Man it was busy. So busy, that we actually left without going on a hike. I think I am a Zions snob. I just want it to be less crowded like it is in off season... Okay enough, I am sure I am sounding nuts..

Harry Potter People

I will admit it right now. I love Harry Potter, I do. I know it's trendy, I know it's all over the place, but I don't care. I read the books, and I love it. 

That being said, I was more than excited for the movie to come out. Here is the super rad, funny, and awesome group of peeps I went with. We originally planned to get all dressed up as a joke. Luckily only my two boys got into it and had their robes on, and ties. I am sooo glad I didn't show up as Hagrid to find all of these chums dressed like Muggles. Thanks Melissa, Jenae, and Michelle for not dressing up. Oh, I mean for going with me! It was uber fun.

Riders on the Storm..

When some see heavy clouds they seek shelter. Me, I think it makes for a perfect time to enjoy the relief from the heat. Sometimes though, those heavy clouds bring wind, and rain. Makes for quite the adventure. 

Pirate Island Pizza..

This restaurant is perfect for days when it is over 110 outside. It is nice and cool, and almost damp inside like a pirate's cave. Not to mention the food is great. The kids are featured about with their best pirate faces. PS. My favorite part? Waiting for the kids to redeem their tickets. Love love it.. especially when they take a loooong time. The best.

All Camped Out..

To try and keep my kids entertained this summer I enrolled them in a variety of camps. This weeks was "Around the World".  Cute, right? I think it is great to try and expose my kids to other cultures. Well apparently in my haste to make sure my kids were constantly stimulated, I forgot to let them just be kids. I didn't get any cute pics of this weeks camp, because they hardly went! they wanted to sleep in, stay up late, and hang out at Grandmas playing. Apparently I forgot to let them just be kids. So, cute camp, but camped out kids. Shout out to DixieLand Summer Camps.. They do a great job. they did the Cooking Camp Nora went to featured in another post. That is all for now.. I too am camped out.. 

Movies keep us Cool...

Summer movies.. we love them! Nice air conditioned theaters are sometimes the only way too keep cool, and be entertained. Well this summer there have been some awesome movies! I am sure there are a few I have forgotten. Nora's favorite this summer: Ice Age 3. Isaiah's pick:Night at the Musuem, which we saw again today. Jarom:Land of the Lost. Mine:Star Trek... Tomorrow we see the much anticipated Harry Potter.. yay Summer Movies, and popcorn.

My hands are Green...

Kaia wanted to tye dye, and so did I.

So we did.. here it is.

Word to the wise.. wear gloves if you are not desiring "Hulk hands" for 3 days.