We love camping

Both Ian and I were born to camp. Our parents before us, and their parents before them (I'm assuming this about Ian's grandparents) and on through the generations, believed camping was a great family pastime.  So naturally, we decided going camping for the 4th of July with a three year old, a one year old, and a six month pregnant lady for four nights would be a good idea...and it was!!!!

It was glorious. We went to Trial lake (in the Mirror lake area) and spent five days away from the 100+ degree heat of the Salt Lake valley. People commented about how impressed they were that I was camping while so obviously pregnant....but I submit that I will take four nights on a leaky air mattress over that awful heat any day!!... Even though three of the four nights had rain.  The first night, the kids were cold, since they don't stay in their sleeping bags very well, so Ian and Mara went to Kamas and picked up some extra blankets. We were warm from then on :) 

On the second night, the rains fell softly, but they were still wet. Even seasoned campers like us can forget to tuck the ground cover under the edge of the tent, and we ended up with a river running through the middle of our tent in the morning.  It just got caught between the tent and the tarp, and had no where to go but inside.  

So we dried it, tucked the tarp under, and stayed perfect dry for the amazing thunder and lightning storms the next two nights.  Have you ever been in a tent while lightning was shooting across the sky? It makes the tent glow....absolutely beautiful!!

The basic daily routine went like this: we woke up between 7 and 9 everyday- fantastic, with the sun streaming into the tent- and it got later every morning! After breakfast, We went to the lake to throw rocks and get our feet a bit wet. 

We played for an hour or so and headed back to the camp to make lunch. 

Did I mention how peaceful and scenic it was? 

Lunch was delicious, and quickly devoured by our little animals. On a side note, we had a real live woodland creature munching on our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during Levi's nap one day. We were having "quiet time" and were visited by a cute little chipmunk!! He just hopped up on the table, nibbled the peanut butter, and scampered up a tree :) Wish we had our cameras for that one!

Levi took his daily nap willingly, but wore significantly less than normal. It was stuffy inside that tent!!

Mara enjoyed quiet time, if only for the extra treats she enjoyed while Levi napped. 

After nap time, we headed back to the lake.  Daddy skipped rocks, 

The kids sailed their boat in the little cove that we built for them out of rocks,

And we singlehandedly filled the lake with the amount of rocks we threw in. 

But the kids were in heaven with all of the outdoors and freedom.  

After the lake, we made dinner and the kids played together.  It was really cool to look over and see them playing together- sometimes with directions from us, 

Sometimes with games of their own,

And sometimes, Mara's idea of a good game...

quickly morphed into something else entirely!

Dinner was amazing. Every. Single. Night. 

On the second evening, before we made this awesome area for their boat, the kids were wading in the water. Levi went a bit too far, lost his balance and went face first into the water. It scared me SO bad! Ian says he was only in the water for a second or two before I "momma bear" ran over to him and yanked him out, but I swear it was longer than that by the time I got off my rock and ran into the water.  We were both wet-Levi completely soaked- and cold (I think we decided the water was about 60 degrees), and since it was after dinner, the temps were getting chilly, so Ian got the car and drove us back to camp. 

The last afternoon, we went in the water on purpose. 

Ian and Mara watched the minnows (Mara likes minnows, but not mean-o's, she informed us),

But Levi didn't last long in the water. Either it was too cold or he could still remember his "dead man float" from a few days before. He played on the rocks, including pretending to sleep, 

but refused to give me a decent smile.  

Eventually he couldn't help himself :)

We saw our fair share of bugs and worms, 

And it amazes me how little we are bothered by them after sharing our homes for a few days...

We all ended up with one or two bites, but the winner was Mara with 34 bites at the end of it all!!

Eventually, all good things must come to an end. We played at the lake one last time, and began the trip home.  Levi slept but Mara was high on all the attention over the previous couple days and insisted we play a game. I spy and 20 questions came in handy, although she wasn't very good at the latter. She could come up with good ones, but when she was guessing it went like this...

...

Ian: is it an insect?

Me: yes

Ian: does it fly?

Me: yes

Mara: is it a dragon?

...hilarious, every time!!

Needless to say, camping was a success- we love spending time together!!

Crayons

Our kids, like any kids, love to color. And we had a full ziplock baggie of about a million half inch pieces of crayons...which would get opened daily and promptly dumped out and spread around the room. This consistently drove Ian crazy. So today, I cut 'em into quarter inch pieces, melted them, and voila!!

Now we'll have a full ziplock baggie of circle crayons!!

You're welcome Ian!!

Green beans

We were eating dinner when Mara noticed the little beans in her green beans.

Mara: there's a little pea inside!!
Me: yes, there are tiny beans. Eat the whole thing!!
Mara: I love green beans- they're my favorite treat!!

I had to confirm that she meant treat, and she assures me that they are. Makes me smile :) keep that perspective little one!!

Oops!!

I forgot!! In February, we celebrated 5 years together!! With Grace's help (and her roommate) we were able to spend a night at the local Marriott ALONE!! Our first night without kids in three and a half years!!!! It was so amazing we forgot to take pictures :) but trust me, it was so worth it!!

Last one!!

February began with hope of some warmth, sunshine, and better breathing air.

Also, my kids are obsessed with balloons.  Even this picture set Levi off on a "B" babble.  

As she gets older and more exciting, Mara has begun to try fun acrobatic moves.  Levi is determined to be just like her.  Always.  In everything she does.  Its quite hilarious.

Levi turned 18 months mid-February and has begun the mischievous stage of the terrible twos. Everything from eating lipgloss with a "my little ponies" comb, to brushing the kitty (or trying to brush my hair with that nasty kitty brush), to trying to delay bedtime by bringing the pillows to the front room.  He also fell off the bathroom counter this morning.....but thats another story.  (I just hope he learned his lesson!)

February also had a few firsts.

 Ian's work gave him Jazz tickets so Ian and I went to our first Jazz game, with decent seats.  We weren't even in the lower bowl (the second to bottom row in the top bowl though), but I'll tell you this much, neither of us enjoyed it enough to spend as much as those tickets were worth!! I'm so glad I married someone NOT obsessed with sports! 

Mara used a vending machine for the first time and LOVED it.  She just kept pushing the buttons and hoping for more.  

As the kids get older and begin to play together a bit more, I am thoroughly enjoying their troublemaking antics.

They asked me if I could get them breakfast.  Mara: Special K red berries.  Levi: Mini-marshmallows.  

They go on shopping trips together.  

They repurpose furniture.

One day I heard Levi wake up from his nap and then he went silent.  This is what I found.

I tell you, these kids.  Spending so much time inside makes them quite inventive and self-entertaining!

 Of course, Mara still needs her snow walks occasionally.

Only one trip for Ian in February!!  But one day he was taking forever getting home so I asked what    was taking so long...

Sometimes you just have to be patient!

March, although only 8 days in, has been entertaining already!

It began with a breakfast experiment- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with cream cheese syrup.  Amazing! Seriously! You need to try these!!

We had a friend come over for a few days and the kids enjoyed imagining with him. 

Rocket ship! To the moon!

Mara tried her hand at Mr. Potato Head....She's a bit mixed up, but she likes it! (also has been wearing her Belle dress all week...That girl is hooked!)

Ian had said he wanted to let Mara's bangs grow, so I haven't been cutting them... But a few nights ago, I couldn't take the shaggy dog look anymore!  So I just trimmed a thinner layer.  Sorry Mara, can't let 'em go quite yet!

So there you have it! A fully, completely, up to date blog!! Hooray!

Catch-Up Continued

In January we continued to have fun with family in town.  Grace likes sweets...so I couldn't help but encourage the sugar overload, even if it didn't help with the "new year weight loss" ideas I had.  We made red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and cream puffs (among other things).  They were all soooo good!!

Mara got a little thirsty and turned vampire on us, but she's back to normal now :) 

The red velvet cupcakes were especially for Daniel and Ashley's return since they are her favorite cake...though we are not Alabamian nor do we make it as good as grandma(granny?)....but, she still smiled and licked her lips :)  

While they were here, the kids had dance parties and had a blast hanging out together.  

During another trip they exercised together.  I tell you, these kids know how to bond :)

The first part of the year brought an awesome snowfall.  Levi was napping so I decided to shovel the driveway while Mara romped happily in the snow. 

It was pretty deep and she eventually ended up in a ball of tears when she fell down in waist deep snow, lost her glove, and realized how cold she was.

 Ian took a few more business trips in January.

During one of the flights he was able to get a picture of the nasty inversion that kept us all in stuffy heads and drippy noses for the better part of the month.

Staying inside wasn't always fun, but we made the most of it. 

 Levi discovered the best way to watch Sesame Street.

Mara spent much of the time teasing her brother.  Here she put the step stools (which he needed to climb onto the couch) on the back of the couch, intensifying his distress. 

On one day she begged and begged to go outside.  She put all her jewelry on and then retrieved her boots from the garage and told me she was ready.  How could I say no!?  So I let her walk around on the 4x4 deck until she got cold.  It was a perfect solution and totally satisfied her.

January ended with another good snow storm and the kids and I played while Ian shoveled.  The snow piles were awesomely high and the kids made the pictures of it much more exciting.  

And just before going inside we made snow angels.  Just about the only thing I like to do in the snow.  I blame my brothers' many, many, whitewashes for solidifying my dislike of truly playing in the snow :) I guess with young kids, I'm going to have to get over it, at least for a little while, and January gave me plenty of opportunity!

Wow!

So I just realized we have about 4 months of catch up to do...I apologize if this causes your brain to explode, but I'm going to inundate you with pictures instead of just telling you what happened.  If its worth it, I'll add in a story, but as you know, a picture is worth a thousand words!

 Sorry, we've been a bit lazy with updating.  Its exhausting to have as much fun as we do.

Halloween was awesome!! Mara was a cute cow for the second year (at her insistence) and Levi made an adorable lion- if I do say so myself :)

Next comes November

 Ian took a business trip, and out of sheer boredom at the lack of me and the kids, tends to take pictures of his beautiful surroundings.  

There is never any boredom here at home.  Mara spent November making me laugh.  Especially when she got stuck in her pj's, haha, still gets me!

Ian's parents came to visit and we all enjoyed that! Here, the kids enjoyed the ducks at Gardner Village.  I enjoyed the sweet shop....yum!

Levi liked November because it comes right before December, and that means Christmas!!!  

Also, He bit his tongue.  That was scary for mom.  Now I'm in the "my kid bit their tongue" club!!

 The final November hoorah was to Temple Square with the Pierce parents to see the lights.  Fun (and shivering) was had by all.

They were gorgeous!!

On to December

 It was a busy month! The kids helped with the housework,

 And the visitors began on my birthday!! (Funny story, no pictures of that, but I promise it happened!) Levi and Lilly had a blast together, and he also enjoyed having Uncle Daniel to hang out with.

With all the visitors, we also had lots of treats.  Mara liked that :)

 Levi was funny, as always.  Dressing himself up as a cross-dressing safari guide, playing guitar while waiting for cookies, learning how to eat without a restrictive tray, and of course, showing off his curls.

 With all the visitors, we still managed to go to the Discovery Gateway with our friends- tons of fun!

When Ian was home, he taught the kids how to make an awesome fort.

 Unfortunately, he was gone a lot towards the end of the year.  100+ days gone in 2012.

 While he was gone he missed this tender moment- Levi imitated us at prayer time.  So cute!

But when he was home, he definitely made the most of it.

He also used his time to make this sweet rocking horse for Levi for Christmas.  Its a family favorite.

 Christmas was awesome, but not quite well pictured.  The kids loved the lights, insisting that we "drive special" to look at them.  The presents were enjoyed, and the new kids nativity was carried around, played with, and the lamb even took a quick trip to Alabama with Daniel and Ashley, haha.  Mara liked to line them up in such a neat symmetrical way that I decided it should be documented. Grace spent the whole break here since she was at BYU this year.  (Not sure how she avoided the pictures...) And of course, when reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, we had our own Mary and Joseph.  Super cute.  Even though Joseph seems to have a sparkly girdle....eh, no matter :)

And this little cutie finished off the year by getting a haircut- her first real cut since she was 5 months old.  I've been keeping her bangs in check, but thats it!  She donated her 10 inches to locks of love, and thought it was just about the best thing.  I agreed, until I realized how unruly her hair is.  It wants to curl, but not fully- it just flips funny in the back....so if I don't style it, she looks wild.  Thats ok.  I like wild :)

And that was 2012!!