St. George

Over President's Day weekend Ryan and I loaded up the car and drove the kiddos down to Southern Utah to visit with Ryan's parent's at their time-share in St. George. The timing of this trip couldn't have been better. How nice to get away for a few days and enjoy some sunshine in February!

This was the boys first time seeing a real PALM TREE! They were pretty excited to point them our as we drove into town. (I think we even saw a few Joshua trees!?!)

I hadn't planned on swimming on this trip but brought our suits just in case. Lucky for us the resort had a hot tub AND a heated pool right out of the door from our room!

The boys were happy about the "park" too. :) I sure didn't seem like February at all!

I had won a photo contest the week earlier for the "Lazy One" p.j outlet and was able to outfit me and the boys with matching Manatee Jammies for the trip! Too cute, I know. ;)

On Sunday we went and toured the temple grounds of the St. George Temple. (The first temple completed in Utah!) We also stopped at the visitor center there where we got to see the movie "Johnny Lingo".

Of course we took a picture of the boys at the temple.

It is a lovely temple. The bright white is really something against the red rock behind it.

On Monday we headed off to Snow Canyon for a 2 mile hike. This is where our hike began.

It looks so different there from anywhere I've really been before.

(notice the arch behind the boys!)

Josh is looking out of his imaginary binoculars like Jared. :)

Group shot of all the guys at the end of our hike before heading back to the car. After the hike we headed to the petrified sand dunes where we climbed all over them... and the camera battery died.

Do you see the elephant?! I do!

Tuesda'sy hike was in Zion's National Park. Can I just say WOW! Ryan and I had never been before and it was pretty amazing. We didn't quite know what we were getting into, but April and Gary were really good sports to come along the adventure with us!

Like the day before it was a gorgeous hike, but this time it was only a 1 mile hike... AND mostly rocky stairs up the side of a mountain with huge cliffs every where! Ahhh!

To get to this cave we all had to walk along a board walk attached to the side of the mountain hanging over nothing but thin air and a bunch of sharp rocks way down below.

After all of our hiking we made it to the top of this arch structure. Pretty amazing!

Well, fortunately we made it! The view was amazing and no one fell off. (Phew!)

It was a great trip and we loved spending 5 whole days together just our family.

A Festive February

Our February was a bit of a whirlwind with what seemed like 101 things to do. Somehow we still found time to enjoy all that makes this month sweet... love, kindness, but especially CANDY!

The entire 1st grade dressed up in their "Sunday Best" on Valentine's Day and learned all about manners. It was my turn to be in charge of the class party and I so enjoyed seeing Jared escorting the girls in his class. He pulled out chairs and even filled up plates of goodies forthe little girls, before serving himself. So cute!

Best Family Night Treat of the Year: Valentine Sugar Cookies! Yum! Decorating your own is the way to go. Joshy chose no sprinkles or frosting, Jared took as much as he could get!

It wouldn't be valentine's day at our house without...CUPCAKES! I actually made these for a friend (but made sure to have enough for my boys too!)

These little beauties were for my Young Women (I did enjoy looking at them at home for a few days though before delivering them on Valentine's Day. They were also a nice decoration at the 1st grade party!)

The tags say "You are LOVED. see John 3:16". I hope each of my girl's never forget that!

My little Valentine! I love this one of Danny Boy.

Besides school parties, Y.W's, a Scout Blue and Gold banquet and being on the decorating committee for the Stake adult Valentine's Dance there was also Visiting Teaching. (Phew... I felt like I could hardly keep up with everything!) I was excited for a chance to put to use my new found skill of making cake in a mug in the microwave! Yum! I enjoyed that.

This year I have been trying to use up more of my craft supplies instead of buying more. (I did that with the flowers above). I found these frames for $1.00 a piece and decorated them all with things I already had, and I printed the pictures off of my computer. I *heart* these kiddos!

Okay, to manage the stress there was more than one night that ended in a yummy cup of chocolate cake! Check out the "Skor" cake there on the right with chocolate, caramel, cool whip and toffee chips. Y-U-M!

For the Blue and Gold banquet the scouts were invited to make cakes for centerpieces. Danny and I had a lot of fun mixing up a cake. Unfortunately that cake completely crumbled. So after pulling out all of my hair (and sending the kids to bed) I made a NEW cake and put the frosting on. Then after school I let Danny do more decorating.

It turned out great and he was really happy with it.

It was a very SWEET month with more than one batch of caupcakes (these ones for a baby shower) and more than one happy memory. I'm glad we survived it all, but I'm especially glad that it's almost over! (Who knew such a short month could be so LONG!!)