Lucky

Aaron made this... I am the lucky one. 

Cecret Lake Hike

Jeff was away this weekend and we went out to explore a new hike. This one was to Cecret Lake up by Alta. Apparently this was the last weekend the road would be open ahead of ski season. This hike did not disappoint. It was stunningly gorgeous. There were great paths to walk, things to climb on, a half frozen lake to throw rocks on and into, and great pictures to be had. We will have to take Jeff here when it reopens after ski season. 

Day 1 in SLC

We dove straight into SLC on our first day. The kids were up early despite being up late the evening before with our flight and everything so I got them moving. Jeff went to work and we hit the hills. I think this route is called The Living Room. It's up by the Natural History Museum. We went on this trail when we visited back in December, but it was super muddy then. Now it was parched and dry and we were able to have a nice walk. 

At the top. 

Preschool Mother's Day

Amidst the crazy of moving, Aaron's preschool class put on a nice Mother's Day program. It was very sweet, complete with kid made muffins for us. Was certainly a nice break from the hectic move and to get away from that chaos. Love this sweet little dude.

We moved out of the house on Mother's Day. A bit rough. We will miss this house. 

Aaron's spring break

Aaron was on spring break this week. It was a chill week and we had some fun together while the kids were in school and Jeff was in Utah. This day we took a bike ride to the park for a picnic lunch. And then on to ice cream. When I was growing up, that is one thing I remember - bike rides to get ice cream. And when you are hauling 40+ pounds of kid plus 20 pounds of trailer in hilly terrain, ice cream is definitely warranted! And Aaron certainly did not mind!

Duke gardens

The kids and I spent the day at Duke today enjoying the gardens, playing some soccer, climbing some trees and watching a women's basketball game. Jeff was still away on his work trip but that didn't stop us from enjoying his alma mater. Emily's friend came with us as well. 

Some monkeys in a tree

Our tree. Jeff and I had a tree while we were in college that we carved in the gardens. We have been unable to locate that tree and the carving through we do acknowledge that 17+ years of tree growth would likely cover it up. Our old one said JB+KB inside a heart. And now we have a new one. 

Beach boys

Tonight was a bucket list event for me. The kids and I went to see the Beach Boys in concert!! Jeff would have joined us but he was out of town for work. I know the Beach Boys are 'old school' music, but my kids thankfully know their songs and rock out to them because it's just great music! And it takes us back to our San Diego days not too long ago. 

We started off with dinner at Fosters and brought some over to the concert for Ross' friend who hooked us up with the tickets. 

Our seats were AMAZING! We were just left of center about 10 rows back. It was absolutely incredible and the kids enjoyed it as well. It was amazing to hear the songs that made up the soundtrack of my childhood car trips. I think there were 2 of the original Beach Boys in this tour. They started playing around 7:30 and played a good 3 hours. Needless to say, the kids were wiped out afterwards. And they had school the next day. :-) But it was totally worth it. 

Pullen Park Christmas celebration

The kids and I went over to Pullen Park for their annual (our first time) Christmas celebration days. They had a train ride, visits with Santa, crafts, reindeer food making, games, and all kinds of winter Christmas fun for the kids. We started off with a talk with Santa. And you can see the kids didn't cry at the sight of Santa. Aaron was very much like Ralphie on "Christmas Story" because he had to tell him that he wanted a "double blaster popper gun" (it shoots foam balls - but hey, you can still "shoot your eye out!"). We rode the train, went sledding, rode the carousel, played games, played on the playground, and had a good time getting in the holiday spirit. 

More Duke basketball games

Jeff had to return to Salt Lake City, but the kids and I still made sure to have some fun together. Jeff and I had gone to the Duke Men's basketball game the evening prior and our tickets were good for free entrance to the women's game the following day so we capitalized on that. And I think this was the game that Duke defeated the then #2 team in the country, South Carolina. We went back to another women's game a week later though I don't recall the opponent. But I do recall that Duke won. As a former basketball player, it's fun to watch a live college game. And the kids enjoy it and especially in Cameron. While it may not be as crazy as a men's game with the fan antics, there is still an element of that and the experience it is to be in Cameron. It's really small compared to nearly any other basketball arena. Televised games make it look so huge when in reality it's very cozy. 

Happy hour

Aaron, Jeff, and I sometimes go to happy hour near Kyle and Emily's climbing class. Jeff was away and Aaron asked if we could have happy hour. While we didn't go to the happy hour bar, we had our own at home, root beer and all for Aaron. 

Being 4

It's pretty rad being 4. You can climb up the fire pole at the children's museum.

You can have sushi lunch with Mommy (all Aaron's choice). 

You can go ice skating during the summer.

Boxes are loads of fun. 

Aaron time

With school out for all 3 kids at the same time (quite a feat in this school system with how they have us set up), we have a bit of a summer! Jeff had a work trip to Chicago so Kyle and Emily went along to spend some time with Grandma in Wisconsin. That left Aaron and myself back in North Carolina to have some fun together. 

One of the days we went over to Marbles. We hadn't been there in quite a long time so it was fun to return. 

Aaron's favorite room is probably still the piggy room. We waited a long time to get this slow motion video of the balls falling on Aaron. 

Another day, we headed east for the beach. We hadn't been to the beach (on the Atlantic) since our San Diego friends had visited us last August. We had a great time hanging out, playing in the sand, making a sand castle and sand angels and jumping waves. And of course topping the day off with some ice cream. Within minutes of pulling out of our parking spot there, Aaron was asleep for the entire 2 hour ride home. 

Another day we had silly hair day. Aaron really wanted purple hair. So he had some purple hair along with blue and pink. He was thrilled. Having dark hair, it didn't so much show up on my hair. 

We hit the bowling alley with our silly hair. 

Kyle's monkeys (not the real Miko) were tucked into his bed while he was away. 

We had a silly string battle day which was silly fun. 

For Father's Day, we made red macaroni in honor of my dad. Jeff was able to celebrate the day with Kyle and Emily and his dad while in Chicago. 

And we had ice cream night. 

We had a lot of fun together and certainly missed Kyle, Emily & Jeff.