4th of July weekend

This weekend was perfect (as perfect can get in a human world). After work on Friday night we went to my mom's for Two Jacks cheese sticks and pizza with ranch. Then we returned home to do yard work. Before we went to bed we went to Yummy's Custard stand. (SO GOOD)

Saturday morning we met my parents and crammed all our camp gear and a car seat into their car. Together we made a caravan with TL Finch family and headed for Bryce canyon. Half way there we stopped at Big Rock candy mountain for lunch, rock candy for the kids and a wrong turn down memory lane. Any one know the Big rock candy mountain song (besides the choirs)? Turns out it is a song about a hobo looking for a land full of whiskey and cigarette trees.

We made camp at Bryce Canyon Pines and had small camp fire to cook out hot dogs.

We went into the National park to take a few pictures and get Max his Patch (we collect them from every National Park Max goes to)

Everyone slept well - even on the cold hard ground. We woke up to a sunny 4th of July. I made scones for breakfast and we packed up camp. We spent the morning driving around Bryce canyon and taking pictures. We arrived at Tyler and Lindsey's early that afternoon. Lindsey mad us some really great food, Pizza for lunch and Awesome stir fry for dinner. Tyler added his wonderful oyster sauce chicken to make the meal number one on my list.

Monday morning was Tyler's birthday. Lindsey mad us French toast, so yummy. We all went to the Cedar City parade to watch our own Kennedy dance her way down main street. She is so cute and talented. We met back at Tyler and Lindsey's for a Costa Vita lunch. These two know how to work the coupon system. they fed 10 of us full meals for under $35. The kids watched Princess and the frog then Max took a really great nap.
Mom made a candy bar cake to top us all off.
It was really the perfect weekend.
Once we got back home we met our friends for a BBQ and little firework show.
I want to live this weekend over and over.

Look what I have

These beautiful Lilly's are blooming in my back yard! I took some starts from my mom and dad this spring and I have been worried they wouldn't take or the dog would trample/dig/eat them.
They made it through and they are beautiful!

Maple Mountain

Saturday morning, at 5am, Curtis met up with his friends Brad and Sean from our ward.
They started what would be a 9 hour hike up to the top of Maple Mountain.

At the top they signed a registry, adding their name to the list of those who have concord the trail.

He had a great time and got to see a lot of wild life.

I'm so proud of him. Way to go Curtis!

Papa and Max

Some things will always be in style.
Good solid things like honesty, and trust and caring about people.
It’s qualities like these that keep me aware of who I am.
And what I can give to life.
It’s qualities like these, Papa, that you’ve taught me to value,
through your influence, your example, and your love.
It has made me love you very much,
And has made me very proud to have you for my Papa.

Zoo day

Last Monday, Curtis took off work so we could all go to the zoo together. I had a great time introducing Max to the animals at the zoo. He was most excited about the elephants.

I suggest going early to the zoo if you want to see the tigers active. They seem to sleep most of the day. We arrived around 9:30 and the tigers had just come out of the indoor habitat. The three cubs came right down to the water to play with their favorite toy.

Max's room has been decorated in zoo animals and we read a lot of books about them but this was the first time he has been old enough to grasp that these are living creatures.

If the zoo wasn't great enough, he got to have his favorite lunch too.
It was such a fun day. I'm really glad Curtis took us to the zoo.

3 Years

It has been three years since Curtis and I got married. That can't be right. I feel like we have been married much longer than 3 years.
For our annaversary, Curtis took me to a wonderful restaurant, La Dolche Vita, then we went to a movie of my choice. Of course I chose the most girlish love story available...A-Team.

Any one looking for a great movie? This is it. I was sad when the show ended. I was ready for another 2 hours of entertainment. I can't wait for the next A-Team movie.
Thanks for a great date Curtis. I love you.

Capital Reef

Curtis and Max went to Capital Reef Last weekend for the Stevens reunion. They ended up staying in a suite above the general store.

Max got to play with Isaac for three days so that insured a happy boy. Curtis took Max swimming, hiking, out to ice cream and out to parks. I don't think he missed me at all.

Max fell asleep on one of the hikes.

I'm so happy to have my boys back.