Kindergarten!

My baby has started school! It still kind of boggles my mind a bit that I have a child old enough to go to school, but I do. Monkey was ecstatic to start kindergarten. He loved buying school supplies and visiting his classroom. He loves the school, the playground, and the school bus. He loves everything about school, which is a good thing. I just hope he's this excited once he gets to junior high and high school.

I wanted to start a tradition to help the kids be excited about going to school each year so I decided to throw a Back-to-School Bash the night before school started. The kids loved it. We had fun food, balloons, slap bracelets, fancy hats, and even goblets.

We also unveiled the theme for the school year: "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." ~ Thomas Edison (I was mostly going for a work hard type of theme.)

There were lots of smiles around the table, including this boy's.

Panda was particularly interested in the good ale.

The next morning this monkey was excited and couldn't wait to get on the bus.

I'll admit that I was a little apprehensive about Monkey riding the bus.

He wasn't nervous at all, only excited. 

So there you have it, my baby has officially had his first day of school.

Graduation! (Catching Up)

It took many years, but we finally made it. Mr. Tigger is officially a PA!

It was a pretty formal affair. First they had the cap and gown ceremony with the School of Medicine. Then they had another graduation with just the Physician Assistant (PA) students. All in all they had two graduation ceremonies and received two diplomas (their Master's degree and the Physician Assistant diploma). For me it meant quite a few hours sitting in a chair on two separate occasions, but it was worth it.

Mr. Tigger holding the first diploma at the School of Medicine graduation.

Mr. Tigger and his school buddy.

They held the PA graduation ceremony in a giant room inside Rice Eccles stadium, which was pretty cool. Mr. Tigger received his second diploma at this ceremony so we both got to have one, which is good because I'm pretty sure I earned it.

Rock Canyon (Catching Up)

The hike up Rock Canyon is amazing. Rock cliffs on each side tower over you, a rushing river follows alongside you, and trees and wildlife surround you. Most of my hikes up this canyon have been with rock climbing gear strapped to my back, so it was a little different to just hike up the trail without any specific climbing destination in mind.

Two little hikers ready to go.

This is where we ate lunch as we looked down the canyon.

This made me nervous, but Mr. Tigger thought it would be cool to sit on a rock in the middle of the river. I did not think that transporting my two little kiddos across the river was cool, but once they were on the rock and I had a tight grip on them it was okay.

Heading Home

Birthday Beach Bash! (Catching Up)

Monkey had his 5th birthday this year. You read that right, my baby is 5 years old. I'm not sure how that happened, but it has happened and there's nothing I can do about it.

I am so grateful for my little monkey. He is extremely sweet, funny, and smart. He gives me hugs and kisses for no reason except that he loves me and he is very helpful around the house. He is a great big brother...most of the time and is very excited for the new baby.

Monkey wanted to have a water-themed party this year so we cranked up the Beach Boys, set out the slip-n-slide and pools, and the kids had a blast.

Kids enjoying the water.

Monkey tearing it up on the slip-n-slide.

Panda tearing it up on the slip-n-slide after being slightly thrown by her daddy.

My nephew went a little too far after Mr. Tigger threw him down the slide.

Finally even Monkey agreed to be thrown down the slide, although he insisted on having the raft under him. He's a little bit of a cautious child.

Pizza and soda - it doesn't get much better.

I usually do a much more elaborate cake, but Monkey requested this very plain, but super chocolatey cake. At least it saved me a lot of time.

Opening the booty. Don't you love how the other kids are ready to pounce?

Happy Birthday Monkey!

Fireworks and Fun (Catching Up)

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays and this year was no exception. We had a ton of fun this year. We started with the parade which is usually not one of my favorite things, but this year it was a ton better. My nephew and his wife live along the parade route so we had a great spot in front of their apartment. Plus, we used their kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. Did I mention that it was overcast for two-thirds of the parade? Not having to sit in the blistering heat was a major plus.

Then we went and had a BBQ at Mr. Tigger's parent's house with the cousins. After that we went swimming and had another BBQ. Then we had fireworks. It was raining when we started our fireworks, but by the end the rain had stopped and it was a perfect night.

The older cousins got Panda's face ready for the parade, complete with fireworks on her cheek.

My kids loved watching the parade with all their cousins. It was definitely a party atmosphere.

Can you see the excitement? He's almost floating.

We also had a lot of fun swimming. I even got into the pool with my huge belly. Panda loved going down the slide. She wanted to do it again and again and again. You have to click on this picture so you can see her face, it's hilarious.

Monkey practicing before actually going under the water.

Getting ready for the fireworks. We had to sit in my mom's garage due to the rain.

Favorite part of the fireworks: sparklers!

Remember when you looked at fireworks like this?

Bridal Veil Falls (Catching Up)

I have hiked to Bridal Veil Falls before and have liked it a lot better. Let me just say that you should never, ever go there on 4th of July weekend. It was like going to Disneyland or 7 Peaks or somewhere else really, really crowded.

The falls themselves are always breathtaking - which is why so many people want to see them.

We climbed up to the base of the first fall to supposedly get away from the crowds, there were still a ton of ignorant retards up there.

That smile is literally pasted on my face. I was actually pretty pissed by this point. Panda's smile is real though.

I love Bridal Veil Falls and suggest you hike there sometime, just not on 4th of July weekend. In fact, you should probably go during the middle of a school week.

Goodbye Dear Friend (Catching Up)

We've been friends since I was 16 and have been through a lot together. We went on dates, various road trips, and went to college. In addition she was there for me when I graduated from college, got married, and had my first and second child. But our friendship was bound to end, I just didn't know it would be like this.

Mr. Tigger got into a minor fender-bender. The girl's giant SUV didn't even get a scratch, but her trailer hitch took out my beautiful little car.

The cost to fix it was more than the car was worth so it was officially totaled. That happens when your car is 17 years old. (She was in great condition though, especially the interior.)

The kids and I waved and very sadly said goodbye.

Stewart Falls (Catching Up)

This summer we went on one of the most beautiful hikes that I've ever been on. If you haven't hiked to Stewart Falls, I suggest that you put it on your to-do list. It's not an overly strenuous hike (my 2 year old can do it), most of it is in the shade, the hike itself is breathtaking, and the destination is memorable.

This is near the start of the hike. The trail is great, you're in the shade, and it smells like the mountains. (I love the smell of real pine trees.)

Hydration is critical.

Our lunch spot.

Stewart Falls - We're pretty high up here so you can't tell how big the falls really are. They keep going down quite a bit and they look a ton bigger in person.

An ice cave at the base of the falls.

Panda enjoyed throwing snowballs in July...wouldn't you?

We even made a snowman.

I think they were a little tuckered out after such a big hike.

Summer Fun (Catching Up)

July and August were extremely busy, so busy that I couldn't be bothered to post. So now I'm going to try and make up for it. Here are some of the minor, but fun things we did this summer (major things will be getting their own posts - stay tuned).

Monkey and Panda had tons of fun in the water during the heat.

Monkey had swimming lessons. He's going to need those if he inherited my inability to tread water.

Monkey and Panda have started to learn to play together a lot better. This is a huge blessing.

Kids had fun at the splash park.

I thought it was too shallow to swim in, but they tried it anyway.

Panda loves to climb, which can be quite scary at times, but she just loves being queen of the mountain. At least she hasn't started pushing others off yet.

I got older - so old that I needed help blowing out my own birthday candles. Maybe next year I'll get that oxygen tank I've been asking for. You get those at 30 right?

Gotta love backyard camping.

Monkey thought backyard camping was the best thing since sliced bread, although I think it had a lot to do with the movie Mr. Tigger let him watch while in the tent.

A teddy bear picnic at Grandma Bunnie's - just one of those typical summer activities that my mom likes to throw.

Monkey started soccer and Mr. Tigger and I were crazy and signed up to be his coaches.

Swinging!

Did I mention that I love summer?