Momma's Little Princess

Today the munchkins and I headed out to a Pumpkin Festival.  It was at a local community garden.  Kids were encouraged to dress in costume so mine did!  This was my first opportunity to photograph Kendall in her tutu.  She's going to be a fairy (aka a pink Tinkerbell to Riley's Captain Scallywag pirate costume).  She has a wand and my plan is to make some type of fairy headband.  She usually doesn't keep anything on her head so I don't know how well that will work out...Hopefully for at least one picture on Halloween night.

Here are some photos from our adventure today.

Everyone Has Kids in Utah...Even At the Zoo!

It was such a glorious day and with Andy out of town this week, we decided to spend the afternoon at the zoo.  I had heard on the news that they had a baby elephant just recently so I figured now is as good a time as any.  The bonus was that my Jax Zoo membership got us in for 50% off!  Score!

We got there and the first thing Riley saw was the playground, go figure.  I told him that would have to wait until the end.  We got to see so many animals.  They had some different animals than the Jax zoo, like penguins, tigers, snow leopards, horned sheep, orangutans, meerkats, red pandas, lynx, crocodiles, as well as number of smaller cats and reptiles.  I missed seeing the jaguars and otters.  Those are still my favorites from Jax.

Not only did the elephant have a baby, but the giraffe and the tiger too!  Very fertile area, huh?  Must be in the water...good thing for Andy that I've been drinking a lot of bottled water!  Ha!

Riley was thrilled that they had a cheetah exhibit.  The cheetah was out and on the prowl when we got there.  He was beside himself with excitement.  For those of you who don't understand, Riley pretends to be a cheetah about 95% of the time.  He hunts prey - usually a stuffed animal, Penton, or his sister, walks on all 4's, only wants to eat meat at dinner, you name it!  The kid is a trip!

We even took a picture of the tiger for Daddy and emailed it to him...Daddy's a big tiger fan.  Kendall had fun walking around the indoor exhibit that contained the meerkats, black swans, small cats, etc.  She could see most of them from her height and thought it was great.  The down side of her being out of her stroller was that she tried to kiss all of the animals through the glass - you know me the germ freak!  AAAHH!

Here are a few of our favorite pictures from today:

Brand new baby elephant...this one's for you Beth!

I love how you can see exactly how small the calf is compared it's momma!

There's my baby!

These guys were too cute.  The giraffe exhibit was pretty cool - you couldn't feed them like you can in Jax, but you can walk into their giraffe house and watch them eat.  Kendall loved being that close to them.

This is the baby giraffe.  It was solo so it's hard to compare it's size to another giraffe, but sooo cute!

It's Riley!

Riley was pretending to roar at the leopard and I told him he was lucky the glass was in between them or he'd have been a snack!  I know the picture is awful, but I took it to show just how close we were able to get to the leopard.  Such a beautiful animal.

Look!  One of the monkeys escaped!

Riley thought it was fun riding on the rhino.

All in all, we had a fantastic day together.  Can't wait to see what else Utah has to offer.  Riley thinks that "Utah is the best place to live ever because they have so many neat kid things."  So far, he's right!  As soon as I get my backpack for Kendall, we'll be heading to the mts. for some hiking.  He's been bugging to do that since we got here.  He did some hiking at Grandfather Mt. in NC and fell in love with it.  Thank goodness he likes it because otherwise he'd be miserable with all the hiking we plan to do while out here!

Fun at the Fair!

So being new to Utah, we have decided to try to get to as many different type of activities and enjoy all that this place has to offer.  We went to visit the Utah State Fair last weekend.  For our friends and family back in Pennsylvania, it reminded us of a cross between the York Fair and the Farm Show...


Here are some of the things the kids enjoyed:

Riley's favorite ride was going on the Bumper Cars with his Dad

He was even wearing his John Deer shirt...Shh!  Don't tell Pappy Hershock!

They had a kid's farm section...Kids got to pretend they were farmers.  

Riley got to milk the cow after feeding it some corn

Gassing up his tractor so he could move the bales of hay for the animals

Driving his tractor

Collecting some eggs to sell at Market

Future FFA members?  Probably not since we don't have a farm or livestock, but they look cute anyway!

Our little herd...

Kendall didn't want to sit on the pink "girlie" quad!  She kept going for the red dune buggy behind it!

First Date in Utah

Yes, we've been here just a few weeks and have been able to go out on a date!  Not just any date, but one where we got all dressed up and went to a wine tasting and dinner at one of the classiest places in Salt Lake City!  Our dear friends, the Wiegands, invited us to a fundraiser dinner for the Christopher and Dana Reeve  Foundation.  Cara's mom and Chris were step-siblings...so I guess that makes him Cara's step-uncle.  Chris's mom was in town for the event and I got to meet her too.  Pretty cool!


I included the link to La Caille because words can't do it justice.  The place is absolutely beautiful.  Animals roaming the property like peacocks, rabbits, a variety of other birds, cats, etc.   A photographers dream settting!  

You're probably wondering how we found a reliable babysitter in such a short period of time...Well, once again, the Wiegands to the rescue!  Cara arranged for a friend of hers from work to watch our kids as well as her nephew.  The best part is that the kids loved her and she's willing to babysit for us again!  Yay!

New Hair Do...

So I was in desperate need of getting my locks cut and colored...I was WAY overdue and being that I'm in a new town, I had no clue where to go.  For those of you without natural curly hair, you do not have the struggles of breaking in a new stylist with every move...So this time, I turned to the internet for guidance.  I was exploring a curly hair website and found rave reviews for a girl located in Salt Lake City...What luck!  

This girl definitely knew her stuff!  I was so impressed.  I have had to retrain myself from everything I had ever been taught about curly hair!  I have officially jumped on the no-poo bandwagon...It's amazing how many shampoos contain sulfates which is the worst thing for anyone's hair, but especially curly hair!  She taught me how to wash, apply product and style my hair...who would have thought that there were very specific steps to be followed?  The amazing thing is, I can reproduce it!  It really works!  She cut my hair while dry - each individual curl by hand!  Then she colored my hair with a different technique.  Instead of your typical highlights, she used large chunks of my hair and hand painted each curl with dark and light colors!  No wonder I was there for 3 1/2 hours!  She was worth every penny I spent.  Thankfully Andy agreed!

Kendall's Favorite Breakfast

Okay, so most of you know me as a fairly health conscious person, so please know that I don't allow my kids to eat this type of breakfast on a regular basis, but Kendall (and Riley) have discovered they LOVE to eat powdered donuts!  I couldn't help but snap these shots of her...Hope you enjoy them as much as she enjoyed her meal.

       

     Yum!  These are good!

       Making a pig of herself!

Donut #4!

                Donut #5!

       What do you mean no more?

      But I can have more tomorrow!

First Day of School

Today is the day.  The one I was looking forward to as well as dreading for the past 5 years.  Riley started kindergarten.  Last night the "Back to School" fairy visited our home.  The fairy brought Riley a coloring book, crayons, a camo folder for his school papers, a box of pencils,  and the book "The Best Teacher Ever" by Mercer Mayer.  To make sure Riley knew it was from her, she left some fairy dust from her wings all over the table and his loot!  I have started this tradition so that no matter where we live and no matter how many schools the kids go to, the fairy will always visit them...I know it's corny to have a "Back to School" fairy, but I want to make something consistent for them in their lives since their environment most likely will not be.

When Riley got up this morning, he came running into my room to tell me that the yummy smell of the cinnamon bread in the oven woke him.  He was so excited about the fact that I made it for him, he didn't even notice the fairy had visited!

Thank goodness my wonderful friend Kevin was able to help me out this morning...He graciously offered to watch Kendall for me so I could take Riley to school today.  The parents were supposed to help the kids with a few activities.  We measured their height, hands and feet, made a graph of how everyone gets to and from school, got pictures taken, painted their hand and made a print, created their name tag, and got them started on a self portrait.  I can't imagine how that would have gone if I had Kendall along...She's still working on her eye teeth and can be wild card when it comes to her behavior.

When it was time for me to go, Riley got a little sad.  I was afraid he might cry so I tried to make him laugh...I told him that I had to go because if I didn't, I wouldn't get home before I'd have to come right back and get him...Kindergarten is from 9-11:40 Mon-Thurs and 9-11 on Fridays.  He's used to being in school for 4 hours a day!

I have him convinced that tomorrow would be a great day to take the bus - to and from school.  This will also give me some extra time while he's gone.  He'll get picked up at 8:30 and arrive home around noon on most days.  Once we move into our new home, he will walk to school.  It's a very short walk and one he will be able to do solo.

When I picked him up today he was so excited to tell me about his day and all that they did!  Whew!  I wasn't sure what to expect since this is a new place, new school and he hasn't made any friends that live near us yet.  Both of us made it through today without any tears...which is what I expected.  Next year may be a completely different story with him being gone all day...

Every year we are going to take a picture holding the sign with the grade level, school, and location.

Riley with his loot and fairy dust!

We borrowed this idea from our good friends in Jax...Riley was the only one to take his teacher a present today...Hope she doesn't think we're brown nosers!  

Kendall giving her big brother a good bye kiss!

Go West....

The lyrics from the song "Go West" by the Village People best describes the past few weeks for us.  It's been awhile since my last post because so much has happened in a short period of time.  I spent half a week in Utah with Andy on a house hunting trip where we decided that building (yes, this is our 3rd for those of you keeping track) was the best option for us.  We chose our lot and most of the options during that trip.  We were fortunate enough to find us a temporary apt. that allowed a dog within the elementary school boundary of where our house will be built.  The move in date was scheduled for Aug. 22.

After I got back to Jax from picking up the munchkins at my parents house where they were during this trip, we got an offer on the house.  God's timing is always perfect.   We had the movers and packing crew lined up for the week of the 17th and a flight booked for me and kids to Pennsylvania where we visited with friends and family while the moving truck as well as Andy and Penton were all driving out west.  

The kids and I stayed with my mother-in-law for 5 days while we visited with everyone.  My brother & parents were also in town because my grandfather's cancer had taken a turn for the worse.  My grandfather's spirit lifted when he saw his great grandbabies.  I just wish he could have seen my niece as well.  

Andy will argue that he had the worst deal of our moving adventure.  He drove his pickup truck with our person items and his co-pilot, Penton for 3 days.  I on the other hand had to manage the packers, movers, two kids, a dog and then fly myself and the kids w/ a suitcase, two car seats, a diaper bag, a backpack and a stroller!  The flight to BWI was easy b/c it was less than 2 hrs.  The flight to SLC was a nightmare!  By the time Kendall finally fell asleep, Riley decided he had to go to the bathroom and refused to go alone.  Well, as you can imagine, Kendall woke up and remained awake for the next 4 hrs of the 5 hr. flight...I dodged a few ugly stares, but what is a mom to do, the poor kid was up at 5:45am for a 9am flight!

We all arrived safe and sound in Utah and got ourselves into our new apt.  A few minor glitches, but nothing to complain about.  Finally getting our satellite hooked up this weekend (I hope)!  I didn't realize how much I depended on the news to keep me informed...I hadn't realized Ted Kennedy had died until my friend Chris sent me a text message about it!

Unpacking with a VERY active 13 month old has been interesting.  Our apt is very nice, but is 1/2 the sq. footage of our home in Jax.  We have two storage units nearby housing the rest of our stuff that doesn't fit in the apt, but trying to keep Kendall from moving things from room to room has proven ineffective!  I get something out of a box and in moments it's gone and I can't find it!  Oh well, it can't go far in small quarters!

Riley is set to start school on Thurs. the 3rd.  We met his teacher and she's really nice.  He's in the morning class which will hopefully allow me some time to get things done while he's gone - groceries, errands, etc.  I will drive him to school in the morning, but I think I'll let him have the experience of riding the bus home since it will only be kindergarteners.  (for all my Florida friends, kdg is 2 hrs. 40 min M-Th and 2 hrs. on Fri.)  From our new home, he will be able to walk to school, which he is very excited about.  

Here are some pictures of the past few weeks I thought some of you might enjoy seeing.  Sorry for the long blog...just wanted to catch everyone up

Riley and Kendall at the Dinosaur Museum in Utah:

Kendall's first trip to Pine View Dairy:

Look how big that dog is Mom!

Riley and his good friend Silly Jilly:

Riley visiting with his buddy Myles:

Riley and Jameson deciding which jump will produce the biggest splash:

Riley and Sammy playing together:

Kelsey the cheetah catcher:

Kyle and Kendall:

Jody finally getting to meet Kendall in person:

Riley and Uncle Matt pondering the many questions of life:

This picture was taken for Meredith since she and I both love this place and we were wishing she was with us:

Big Girl Slide

Here is Kendall, the daredevil that she is, attempting a new trick on a slide at a local swing set...

Slide Update

Well, I'm happy to report that today Miss Kendall has figured out how to do the slide the correct way and is having lots of fun.  She now sits and slides down it all by herself - like the big girl she is!

I'm A Big Kid Now

Well, we are quickly approaching Kendall's first birthday and she's hit all kinds of milestones...She's got a mouth full of teeth - 8 to be exact with #s 9 & 10 on their way.  She's been walking since the second week of June by herself and now she's practically running.  She goes under the water in the pool without me having to blow in her face - she is conditioned to know what's going to happen when I count to three.  She uses sign language to tell you when she's finished eating and working on learning new signs every day.  She loves to eat - pretty much everything and anything.  No peanut allergies in our house!  She's even taste tested the dog's food and went back for seconds.  We affectionately call her "Swiper" (from Dora the Explorer) because she is always looking for things that do not belong to her and taking off with them.  This is how she got so good at running!

Well, her latest and greatest is to climb up our indoor 3 step slide and stand on the top by herself...she use to sit down right away when she got to the top, but in true youngest child fashion, she's demonstrating her lack of fear by standing on top of the slide!

Watch and enjoy!