End of Summer Fun

 Serra playing a new game with toy cookies!

 Standing on a rock outside the movie theater.  We went most Tuesday mornings with some friends to see a different kid/family movie each week.

Playing in the water outside the theater. 

The kids with their movie friends- they're some new friends that we now hang out with regularly! 

Thanksgiving Point had $2 Tuesdays- we went to Farm Country.

 Thanksgiving Point- Farm Country!

Thanksgiving Point- Farm Country!

Thanksgiving Point- Farm Country- the kids get 1 free pony ride!

Thanksgiving Point- Farm Country- Alex on his pony.

Ian and I went to the State Fair- there was a hotrod show outside and I couldn't help but pose with one! 

Inside the State Fair there were a bunch of booths and the library had this photoprop set up... again, couldn't resist! 

Later outside we saw them giving rides on a monster truck and for the third time... couldn't resist!  We rode in the back in those red seats as it went over hills and cars and around in figure 8s for 5 minutes!

We managed to go camping one time this summer- the last time we went I was about 7 months pregnant with Alex, so it had been a while! 

Our annual membership to the Living Planet Aquarium expired, but we manged to make it to shark week right before- this is Serra in a MegaShark's jaw! 

Alex in the MegaShark's mouth! 

We went back to Thanksgiving Point for $2 Tuesdays, but this time we went to the Dinosaur Museum- they have a sand and water digging area to find dinosaurs or build a dinosaur colony.  This is Alex's favorite part!

Thanksgiving Point- Dinosaur Museum- Serra is not as big of a fan- she's never liked to get her hands dirty. 

Thanksgiving Point- Dinosaur Museum- There is also an area to excavate- they have little brushes for them to dig for fossils. 

We changed Alex's crib to a toddler bed and he couldn't be more excited!

Serra and Alex vacuuming- they love to help clean up, just not when they are the ones who've made a mess.

I finished my first mud run- Runner Cross. 

And then I finished the toughest mud run- Tough Mudder.

Old Navy Style Council

 I signed up through Crowdtap.com a while ago- it's a survey and sampling site.  I've been taking all kinds of surveys and having simple hosting parties with things like small laundry samples, Madagascar 3 party game supplies, and private links to pre-screenings of comedians.  But for the first time I was chosen for a big sample party- and a SWEET one!  I had to choose 3 friends to go to Old Navy with me to try on their new line of cardigans, skirts and scarves for fall.  Then we got to choose one of each of those items to take home FOR FREE!  I took my sister- Paige, one of my neighbors- Becky, and a more recent friend through a mutual acquaintance [her hubby is my chiropractor!]- Mandy.

We had lots of fun pulling things off the racks to try on- these are our original try on piles!

 

Trying on our first selections- the only hit was Becky with her brown skirt, blue cardigan and purple scarf!

 

 This was one of my favorite moments- Paige and I went to try on our second outfits and came out wearing almost the EXACT SAME THING!  Guess that's sisters for ya!

And here we are with our final selections to take home for free- posing with the mannequins up front [the store manager thought we should pose with mannequins that were dressed similar, but these were the only ones with heads so I stuck with them!]

It was a fun night- it's always great to get so many free things, but it was also a lot of women acting like girls and giggling.  :)  Thanks for a memorable night- and a great first sample party, Crowdtap!

9 Year Anniversary

We got a room at the Anniversary Inn, a themed hotel suite.  I chose one of their English countryside carriage rooms- the bed is a carriage!  It was fun- especially since it was the first time we were alone together without the kids since before having Serra!  Thanks to my cousin and his family for watching the kids overnight for us.  :)

Blickenstaff's

Oh my goodness!  I've never heard of this store- Ian and I were on a date and decided to wander The Gateway shopping center in Salt Lake when we came across this store: Blickenstaff's.  Pretty much anything that totes games draws Ian's attention, so we went in.  It was amazing!  It was fun to look at all the toys- they even had a conveyor belt above our heads with different toys and games hanging down that would wrap them around the store!  There was also a candy section, but avoided it.  ;)  Ian said it best when he said, "I'll be stopping here every time I come to the Gateway now!"  I just thought it was a good idea we didn't have the kids with us...

First Day of School

Serra is really excited to be going to kindergarten.  She did very well in preschool, so we're all excited to see her excel in a new environment.  I thought I would be emotional seeing her go off on her first day, but I was nothing but excited- for her, for me, for Alex.  Alex misses her, but he loves the time with Mommy!

Five Years

The last five years have been a roller-coaster ride.  And we are so thankful for the reason: Serra!  She loved her My Little Pony party [and so did her friends].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It was a sleepover party for 2 of her friends- the first time she's had more than 1 friend sleep over at once!  And we had colored pancakes for breakfast, which was a hit!]

 

 

She also got a gift card for ToysRUs from Grandma and LOVED walking the store trying to choose what to buy [she finally settled on a Lego set and a Tinkerbell watch]!

 

We spoiled her further by introducing her to Chuck E. Cheese!

 

 

 

 

 [Alex did NOT like the mascot... in fact he was terried and trying to climb up my legs to get away from him!]

 

 

 

Serra has brought so much happiness to our lives that it's easy to forget the stress, tears and hard work that comes with it!  I can't believe what a smart and beautiful young girl she is becoming- even though she reminds me of it every day.  While I hope that the next 5 years are not so dramatic, I'll take whatever we get just to have her in our lives!  We love you, Serra, and hope you had a great birthday!!!