Utah week 1

I can't believe how fast this first week in Utah went. We got here Monday evening and have had fun swimming and visiting with family. One night Jared was saying his prayers and said "he was thankful for cousins, especially David." (he is 9 and Jared loves to play with him) And getting in some nice cuddles.

Note: We love basements! Our kids have been sleeping so well. Their naps are awesome and they fall asleep much quicker at night and sleep later in the morning. It's been great!

Every night before we put Jared and Lydia to bed we ask them what they want to do the next morning and each time they say go swimming.  So we have gone swimming 5 mornings in a row.  That is a new record for us. I get up and exercise, (I have gone running three times and its been great no early morning seminary for Mark!!) then we eat something small then head to the pool.  The pool is heated by hot springs and so relaxing.  Lydia and Jared both love it. Last year Jared was so timid and had to be right by Mark or I. Now he just "swims" all over the place with his floaties and noodle. Lydia has always loved the pool and this week decided she was ready for the diving board. Mark jumps in with her and each time she says "again! again!" It's been a great way to start our mornings.

We went and checked out the new children's museum at Thanksgiving Point. It's called "the Museum of Natural Curiosity. It opened about 2 weeks ago and it really fun.  They have an awesome water room and a cool climbing jungle gym that is huge! Jared and Lydia loved the large building blocks and this cute little garden area.  We will have to go back again.

 "The temple."  Super fun to climb up and slide down and there are these rope canopy things to walk/climb up.

 Water and Weather room. There were so many fun water stations. Jared and Lydia (especially Lydia) thought it was great.

 Jared in the "tornado"

Large Building Blocks. 

 Wind Tunnels.

The Garden: Jared loved this little play area. He said it was his favorite thing.  After he played awhile I noticed it was for kids 3 and under so we had to leave but he loved planting his garden. Lydia loved pushing the wheelbarrow around and "feeding" the bunnies.  Dropping the vegetables through a hole on the cut out rabbits.

 We didn't make it to the outside exhibits. But there is  little splash/mist place and a nice garden so we will check it our next time. We were talking about what they liked on the way home and there were lots but then both kids had to tell us about something that frustrated them.  When we are climbing the temple Lydia waited in line nicely to ride the airplane and right when it was her turn these 3 little girl rushed up and took the plane seat.  After that she kept saying "Plane, mean ladies!" it was funny (and sad) because it was little like 2 year olds not grown ups.  Jared was frustrated because he worked hard to plant his garden and a little girl came along and started pulling up his vegetables. Fortunately the good time outweighed those two annoying times.

We also got to visit with our good friend Hannah who is married to Mark's childhood best friend Justin (Blank) Justin has been in Afghanistan for the State Department this past year and Hannah has been here in Utah with their 3 kids.  Hannah came up and we went swimming and spent an afternoon together. We love Hannah and had so much fun catching up with her.  Justin is coming home for a visit in 2 weeks so we will meet up again. Perfect timing.

We also drove over to the Draper temple for a picnic. Neither Mark or I had been there so we decided to go check it out.  We walked around and ate lunch and read stories there.  Jared and Lydia loved having story time outside. And they loved rolling down this huge hill there. It was a nice outing. We will have to do story time outside more often when the weather is nice. I am thinking we will do it once a week since there are so many near here.  I wish the gates were open on Sundays because it seem sleek such a nice after church activity but they seem to always be closed if the temple is.  I think that is one of the things I would like the most if we ever lived in Utah. Easy temple access. Not just to attend but to go and enjoy the grounds with our kids.  

 Jared loved "hiding" in these bushes.

 He was also much more cooperative to have his picture taken. 

 Picnic and story time. 

The HILL.  This picture doesn't show how big/steep it is.  It was fun. 

Mark and I also went over to the Jordan River temple to do a session. Sue kindly watched Jared and Lydia for us. She is leaving on Monday for California so we are glad we could go before she left. When we lived here in 2005 - 2006 (West Jordan) we went to the Jordan River temple each week so it is a special one for us. We had not been back since then so that was nice.

We also did some work. Mark helped his Mom pull lots of weeds and sprayed the ground to get rid of others. Jared and Lydia helped by walking around the yard and pointing out dandelions for her to spray.  And we washed our car and did laundry. Jared and Lydia thought spraying the car and getting it all soapy was pretty great. Lydia liked it eve more that she got to do it in her "jammies!" Each morning when I go to get her dressed she always asks to stay in them longer. It's cute how she says it.

We will see what next week has in store!