Some Days You're Up, Some Days You're Down

Something seems a little fishy

Visiting the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef

Touching the sting rays

Father/Daughter portrait

You can never jump quite enough

The gift shop was as fun as the actual exhibit

Grandpa Nor

Leoni

Octopus Attack

Maybe he'll learn to always sleep with one eye open

Ukelele Lady

Last summer, Leoni loved the "little guitar." Now she knows it is really called a ukelele. Whatever it is called, she knows it is just her size.

I love when she sings along.

Happy Birthday, Jasper

Happy Birthday, Jasper!

Our friend Jasper celebrated his 4th birthday while we were in town, so we were able to go to his dinosaur party. His mom planned a very fun party for little ones, complete with decorating their own treat container, a hunt for dinosaur eggs & baby dinosaurs, games, painting t-shirts, pictures with a big dinosaur, and yummy treats. She is so creative. I hope that when I have parties for my kids, they will turn out even half as fun as what she plans.

Leoni helping her baby dinosaurs "hatch"

Jasper showing Leoni his cars

On the Road Again

We headed back to Las Vegas. Since Burke REALLY hates the carseat (read-screams the whole time, and no, doesn't fall asleep) we made several stops along the way. Even though I have driven between Las Vegas & UT countless times during my time away at school, I never actually stopped at Cove Fort. It is the historical location of a fort founded in 1867 as a way station between Fillmore, UT & Beaver, UT. The weather was perfect, and we were able to take a tour through the buildings with the missionaries there. The couple that took us happen to be from my parents' stake in Las Vegas.

Leoni trying out a covered wagon

Burke briefly sitting with Leoni

We also needed some sustenance, so we stopped at Smashburger. Leoni loved the fry sauce (no, I don't mean ketchup) so much, she even dipped her mustard/ketchup covered burger bun in it.

Ruby Slippers

After a long day, there is no place like home.

Old Friends

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange to be seventy...
-Simon & Garfunkel

Swimming, swimming in my swimming hole

Cousins

Leoni and Burke got to spend time in UT with cousins.

Off to see the...relatives

On the way to UT, we had to make a few stops for Burke to eat (and have a break from crying). He doesn't really like the carseat--AT ALL. One of our stops, that is becoming a tradition, is at Rowley's Red Barn in Santaquin, UT. They have delicious shakes as well as fresh fruit for sale. It was very windy, but we were able to stretch our legs and enjoy some tasty treats.

Jumping

Leoni loves to jump, so she had a great time at Skyzone.
Now we just need to find someone in Qatar to open a franchise here.

Shop 'Til You Drop

Tracy came to town, so we decided to go see the new City Center in Las Vegas. Besides having several new hotels, there is also an upscale mall.

Leoni exhausted after all the luxury shopping

Not too tired for gelato
The guy working there was sure that she needed a more "kid friendly" flavor than chocolate. He kept saying, "It is really rich." I assured him it was fine, but he gave her several tastes of other flavors, but she insisted she just wanted chocolate. When she was nearly finished, she "accidentally" knocked her bowl on the floor. They gave her a full new bowl. Sneaky girl. Of course, Mom took that opportunity to sample some of it.

In Las Vegas, it is fine to come to the mall in just your bikini & a cover-up.

Ballet outfit

The ballet outfit has quickly become a favorite.
I especially like the 1920's-esque wearing of the matching headband.

Nothing like ice cream to bring a smile to your face...

...and Grandpa Nor who allows you to eat it anytime of day.

Brought to you by Anderson Dairy

Leaving on a Jet Plane

After many warm weeks, we headed to the USA for the last four weeks of the summer.

Notice the lovely waiting area behind the glass. This is in Abu Dhabi, and we were not allowed to enter this area until the last 45 minutes of our 4.5 hour layover. We were all perched on the metal bars near the ground lining the hallway to the gate.

Just waiting

After the long travel (and Burke's first trip)

Riding with Dad on the moving walkway

Finally in the US where there was help waiting to carry little ones

Faces

Leoni was the queen of interesting faces. While Burke doesn't have quite as many funny looks, he still gives us some good ones to chuckle at.

Feeding Bear (part II)

Remember how helpful Leoni was in making sure Baby Bear was fed here?

She is still making sure he is fed, but he is not doing solids anymore.

This is the only photo I have managed to get because she is a little camera shy.