The Circle of Life

Hank doesn't like to cuddle with me anymore. Actually I don't think he's ever been real fond of me hugging and kissing him. Lately, I've been feeling like Hank is pulling away from me, becoming more independent, you know growing up, and I hate it. Every once and awhile he will pull a stunt like secretly placing this sunflower on my pillow to show he loves me. I really wanted to spend some one on one time with Hank before school started, so I planned a little date night.

My mom had the genius idea to take the kids to the Lion King at the Capitol Theater over 6 months ago when the tickets first went on sale. Hank and I have been studying the movie for weeks in preparation. Max has also enjoyed the movie but we decided he was a bit too young to sit through a long production.

Sarah suggested eating at the Mayan before the show, and I think the kids would've been content ending the night after that experience. They were primed and ready for the dramatic arts early on in the evening as you can see from this picture.

Hank couldn't take his eyes off the divers at the restaurant. It is pretty amazing what they do there. I realize The Mayan has been around for years and I may be one of the select few who just had their first experience there, but I was very impressed.

Sarah and Lucy

Isabel and Kate

Hank loves his chips and my mom loves looking gorgeous!

After our feast we made a mad dash to downtown Salt Lake

I don't care how big of a hurry we are in, there is always time for a picture.
I've decided I want to freeze Hank at 5 years old. It is the most adorable age ever! He was literally on the edge of his seat the entire show, and completely blown away by the costumes and the music. Everything is so magical and exciting when you are 5 years old.
The show was wonderful, however Hank zonked out right around the time "Can you feel the love tonight" started. He likes the hyenas and Scar much more.

Poor kid, passed out! It might have been my favorite part of the show because he snuggled up to me for 45 minutes. Carrying his 40 pound body in heels wasn't an easy task!

Let's just say we had a pretty interesting jaunt back to the car. I wasn't aware that a huge concert featuring Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube was happening near the parking garage we were headed to. I flagged down a colorful concert goer to take our picture and he did a mighty fine job! Hank had his first experience peeing in a parking garage as well. All in all, a fantastic night with some of my favorite people. Thanks mama for making this happen and thanks Hank for giving me a special night with my favorite 5 year old ever!

Good Times

The past week of summer has kept us busy with tons of fantastic time spent with family. I love to entertain and was able to host a barbecue for Rick and Chelsea when they came to town.

Rick and Chelsea

Scott, Jeri, Kunz, and Lynn

Randy and Rick closely watched the grill

Karen and Griff

The hostess with the mostess and Mino

Dys and Max--sporting his new Oregon Beavers jersey

Colby and Hank were too busy playing to socialize but I managed a quick photo of them.

Max provided the entertainment. Only Mino could make blowing out a candle entertaining. Good choice with the Beaver jersey Rick! Look at those teeth!

Max broke out with a strange rash all over his face, neck and legs. The doc said it was an allergic reaction to something. He didn't seem too bothered by it.

The good times continued with a visit to the dueling piano show in Salt Lake. Jeri and Scott entertained the kids so the adults could act like kids. Sing it Randy!

I think the boys developed a bit of a crush on "Sheryl Crow". She was one of the artists performing and hooked me up with a little Alicia Keys " No one, no one, no one, can get in the way of what I'm feeling!"

Jeri and Scott hosted a fabulous BBQ on Sunday night and we enjoyed lots of dutch oven creations. Come back soon Ricky! We miss you.

Randy and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this weekend and did it up in style. My kids had a brush with croup so we were unsure if our plans would actually happen. Thankfully they started feeling better and Jeri offered her babysitting services.

Our standard anniversary get-away included 18 holes of golf, luxurious hotel accommodations (Hotel Park City), gourmet food (Zoom), and live music (Bryon Friedman). I love Park City. Happy Anniversary Randy! I absolutely adore everything about you. I may have only been 19 when we got married but I was wise beyond my years because I chose you! Here's to many more years of good times. I love you.

Pam

The kids just completed a month long survival swim class and although it was nearly an hour commute every day for a 20 minute lesson, it was 100% worth it because of this amazing teacher. I really wish Pam could come to my house and nanny my children. I was relieved to have the lessons finally over, but we will miss our daily Pam fix.

She got Max to float, unassisted which is quite a feat considering he wouldn't even get his face wet before we started!

He loved this game! I love seeing him jump into the water with confidence.

Max came quite a long way from day one in the pool. He started off screaming "I don't like you, I want my mom" and ended saying "I love Pam, I love swimming lessons, I love water."

And then there is Mr. Hank-man. He quickly became a little fish! He even started learning the freestyle stroke as well as the back stroke. It won't be long before he is swimming circles around me.

He got to try out flippers his last day. He was cruising from one end of the pool to the next in no time at all.

He can now jump off the diving board and swim to the side all by himself, which was his main motivation to begin with. I had a perma grin during each lesson. It never gets old watching your kids accomplish things. I am one proud mama! Thanks Pam!

What do we do now swimming lessons are over? Play spider-man of course!

Oh my kids!

The past few weeks have consisted mainly of driving back and forth to Orem every day for swimming lessons (no worries, I will dedicate an entire post to Pam the swim instructor). Thank goodness for the DVD player in my car. Hank had the genius idea to get a 3D movie (or free d as Hank says) and of course you can't watch a 3D movie without glasses!

My days are almost always spent with my other 4 children. I am so lucky to get to see my nieces and nephews so often. Colby and Hank can't get enough of each other and Dyson is becoming a great little babysitter.

Isabel and Hank are also pretty inseparable.


It's a good thing Lucy, Izzy, Colby, and Dyson all get along. They love hanging out with their favorite aunt and I love having them around. Don't go back to school, o.k. guys?

Now, if I could just get this little nephew out of his mom's sights for 5 seconds, I'd steal him too! As much as I hate Sarah going back to work, it means I have the occasional opportunity to have Jack-man all to myself! I think I might be a titch baby hungry...you think?

Here is a preview of the kids swimming lessons...Max in goggles, need I say more?

Recomendations

My heart began to race yesterday as I was paying my bills and noticed August had begun. I have had one of the most enjoyable summers to date and I am not ready for it to end. Here are a few recommendations if you want to finish your summer off with a bang.

#1 Dunk Tank
A summer classic that was a hit with the kids!

Colby

Lucy

Hank (I was a bit slow with the camera, but he got dunked as well)

Drowned RATS!

Max was too little for the dunk tank and utterly pissed off!

#2 Foam Party
Now I realize this one is hard to recreate unless you are lucky enough to live in a city as awesome as Lehi but with a little help from the Fire Department, you too could be part of this craziness!

I lost my kids the second the foam began.

Hank resurfaced after a few minutes looking like this!

Isabel wasn't a fan, although she put a toe in!

Max wasn't a fan either, he was begging for a nap at this point.

#3 Despicable Me

This movie is a MUST this summer. It's so good we saw it twice! Steve Carell is hilarious.

My man Pharrell did the original score for this flick, another reason I loved it.

# 4 Lindon Pool

This pool quickly became our go-to pool of the summer. It never feels too crowded and it has a great mix of baby attractions and things for the older kids to do. They don't care if you bring your own food either, major plus. My kids are becoming little fish this summer, thanks to their amazing swimming teacher Pam. I plan on visiting the pool as often as I can before Labor Day.

#5 The Copper Onion

This little gem is located in the heart of Salt Lake City and came highly recommended by my Uncle Phil. Randy and I had a fantastic night out on the town, thanks to this hip little restaurant. Thanks Phil!

#6 Date night at the Thanksgiving Point Ice Cream Parlor

Isabel and Hank found it to be quite romantic!

#7 Golfing With The Ladies

I have really made it my mission to recruit my sisters, my mom, and my grandma as golfing buddies this summer. My soon to be 80 year old grandma hits a perfect shot every time! Sarah has really made an effort to come out on Thursday nights. Kate even sacrificed her flawless attendance at school to golf with me.

Of course my ladies night golf adventures wouldn't be possible without the most supportive husband on the planet. He even surprised me with a new golf outfit the other day. I really need to figure out how to have my ladies night golf dates as well as a golf night with the men in my life (Randy, Dad, Grandpa).

There you have it...now go out and do something fun today!