{Date Night}

This past week we ventured out of the house for our first date night since the Wes man was born!  

Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Reynolds for babysitting so we could enjoy this night out on the town! 

We were joined by Mike's office partner Richard and his fiance Caitlyn ...

Started out with dinner at Johnny Macs, of course!  This is our local favorite restaurant... we eat there all the time and never get sick of it! 

Mike and I each planned part of the date as a surprise.  My part was the Bellagio gardens (it was an awesome under the sea theme) and the chocolate fountain there!  We also happened to see the fountain show outside at dusk so that was pretty cool too! 

Mike's part of the date night was an "Countdown Live Escape" activity. You are locked in a room and have to solve certain clues to escape.  We probably would have gotten out had one of our locks jammed... Long story! It was a really fun activity!

It was a great night on the town! :)

{Father Son Campout}

One of the amazing things about kids (particularly your own) is that the smallest things can make your heart feel like it's going to burst with love!

I felt that way as I sent Mike and Calvin off on their first father/son campout with the ward just a few weekends ago. 

It's hard to process sometimes that I have a son who will (hopefully) enjoy doing these types of activities with his Dad and it's our responsibility to teach and nurture him.  What an incredible and simultaneously overwhelming feeling! 

Here's a photo of the duo at the outset of the trip.  Since they were driving up in the truck we faced Cal's car seat forward and he felt pretty cool.

I know it's kind of silly that this little moment meant so much to me, but it felt a little bit like a milestone being reached!

Mike was great and captured some pictures of the camp out to tell me all about it later - 

Apparently Calvin was super interested in playing with the bear trash can things.  This is typical Calvin - he is curious about the strangest things.  You could put him in a room full of toys and he will find his way to a hanger on the ground ... or he'll take one toy, turn it over and work on the batteries.  He's a little weirdo but we love him! 

Exploring the campsite

This is Cal and his friend Bradley from the ward.  They look like shady little hoodlums up to no good in the car together.  :)

This is a cool view of the campsite.

Mike said it was a little windy where they set up their tent, and so it kept collapsing on them.  This was freaking Cal out and he wouldn't go to sleep so they decided to call it a night and drove back home around 11 or so.  

Mike said as they were around the campfire talking there was a lull in the conversation during which Calvin loudly farted, paused, and then burst out laughing (I can neither confirm nor deny this happening in our house)... 

Boys.  They drive you to the brink of insanity and then bring you back with a well timed fart. 

Can't wait to see the boys go on more father son campouts in the future!

{Nursing Home Service}

This past week some of my piano students participated in a fun service project at Beehive Homes Assisted Living.  We planned this on "National Cheer up the Lonely Day" so that was a pretty cool thing for the kids to do!

They took their music they've been working on and shared a few songs with the residents.  

We also played a Musical Bingo game with them - the kids had to help the folks there figure out what musical terms were on the cards so it was a good teamwork activity (and music review at the same time - woo hoo!)

I even polished an old song I'd learned several years ago and performed it!  It's been a goal of mine to try to share  music a little more... it felt sooo good :)

I am grateful for music!  Without it life would Bflat. <---haha see what I did there? 

This is Florence, she shared her baton twirling skills with us.  We loved this lady! 

Dusting off my piano performing skills for the residents - playing "Tarantella"

Garry performing his piece

Kids and grandmas coming together for a lively game of Bingo!

All in all I'd say it was a success!

{Independence Day 2016}

"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

We were able to celebrate one of my favorite holidays with family and friends in Utah this year!  We have been pretty lucky in being able to be in Utah for the fourth the past few years - I really enjoy the traditions & most of them involve celebrating America with my family!

The festivities started with a girls night at Jana's... Em got to meet Wesley and she dyed my hair for me :) It was so fun to catch up with my bestie! 

Saturday we did a fun family lunch at the Oaks in Ogden Canyon.  Mike and I ate at this restaurant when we were dating ... I LOVE the ambiance - right by the peaceful Ogden River.  

Cal has lucked out with the BEST cousins!

 

This was the view - such a lovely place to eat!

Waiting for our food AND getting story time.  

Favorite!

This was Calvin's face after he tried a pickle... I feel ya dude!

The Wes-mesiter and I enjoying some R&R together.  Gosh I love him.  He's the sweetest and cuddliest little man!

Saturday night we went to the Boyle family reunion at the North Shore Aquatic Center.  This was the first time we got to meet Lola - Julie & Erik's little girl.  Only a month apart, it appears these cousins are going to be great friends!

Wesley did NOT like the water!

Calvin, however, loves it now!  He was like a little fish once he got used to it.  

Getting ready with two little boys is a lot of fun, especially when diapers sag so much that half their little butts hang out their pants!

Wesley is happy despite having to get his nails trimmed!

Sunday's main event was the blessing, which I already posted about.  But it was also nice to catch up with the family home evening group at Bob and Leota's as well.  

After family night we decided to do fireworks at Julie and Erik's house.  The kids had a blast - Cal wasn't super into them but watched a little bit!

Handstand contest!

Best sisters a girl could ask for!

Monday morning we went to a parade in Kaysville.  Calvin had a lot of fun there and his cousins all watched out for him!

Calvin also had a lot of fun meeting Grant and Marie's dogs! He really seems to love animals.

On our way home we stopped at Cove Fort and took a tour to break up the drive.  It was fun to see the fort- I love church history!  Seeing the way the pioneers had to live really makes me grateful for what we have today! 

As you can tell by the picture, Calvin was thrilled... 

He looks extra shady in that last one...

Anyway, it was a great reprieve from the Vegas heat and the daily grind!  We sure love our family and our country!  

Happy 4th of July!