We were on our own this week. Daddy had Orientation Week for his last year of school, so we sent him off early Monday morning and were anxiously waiting for him to get home Friday night. We missed him a lot, but we tried to make the best of our week without him.
Gwen has decided to ditch her high chair and sit with the big kids for meals. This does not work at all because she doesn't stay in her chair, but we are working on it.
Mommy spent Monday getting chores and laundry done while the kids just kind of did their own thing all day. Tessa had fun trying out all of her new birthday presents. That night we went to Ma and Pa's house for dinner and to visit David and Vanessa who were up visiting from Bakersfield.
Tuesday morning was Tessa's last Tiny Tots gymnastics class. She is so excited to start Kindergym in 2 weeks and move into the big gym!
Tuesday afternoon we took advantage of $2 Tuesday's at Thanksgiving Point. We spent a lovely afternoon in the Garden's. The kids had fun getting wet at the splash pad and we loved seeing all the beautiful flowers.
Gwen hates being strapped down in her stroller and refused to smile for a picture.
Tessa found some bear tracks!
Looking for fish.
They loved exploring through the children's garden.
Poor Gwen had to watch Adam and Tessa play in the splash pad. There were a ton of kids and I was afraid she would get bulldozed.
We found several fun hills to roll down.
Halfway through walking around the Garden's, one of my flip flops broke and was unwearable. So, I got to walk around barefoot most of the afternoon. Part of me felt like a kid again and part of me felt very irresponsible.
Before we left, we had a dance party on the stage by the big waterfalls and grabbed a quick treat before heading home. That evening we did some back to school shopping and Adam and Tess both picked out their backpacks for school.
Wednesday we met up with Ma, Ares, David, Katy, Andrew and some of our Wanlass cousins for a fun picnic up at South Fork. We had fun playing baseball, frisbee and playing in the river.
Ma played Pooh Sticks with all the kids.
Tessa and Gwen were not fans of the very cold water!
Tessa showing off her wet bum.
Wednesday evening we got some car repairs done, so we played at a park while we waited for our car.
Thursday we had an adventure to Ikea on our way up to Aunt Lisa's baby shower. It was fun to go spend some time with our Nielson family up at Aunt Jan's house.
Friday was Tessa's big day. We had fun making cupcakes for her party.
Saturday we spent the afternoon in Salt Lake. We had so much fun walking around all the church sites and Temple Square. My family visited Temple Square every year when I was a kid and I want my kids to grow up appreciating it, and being familiar with it and the rich heritage that it holds.
Our first stop was the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The kids loved the elevator ride to the top floor to see the temple. We learned Gwen is afraid of heights cause she wouldn't go near the window seat.
That's the closest she would get...
We walked around the Church Office Building and the Church Administraion Office Building. Adam and Tessa tried to figure out which office belongs to President Monson.
I knew Gwen would never make it through a tour, so we just walked around the Beehive house and Lion House.
We stopped at the Lion House for treat.
Throwing some pennies in a fountain and making a wish.
We had some wonderful discussions about the Pioneers and the sacrifices that they made for the Lord.
At the Tabernacle
The only way we could keep Gwen in her stroller was to let her play with a cup of water. And by play, I mean dumping it all over herself.
Daddy and Adam checking out Jerusalem.
It's always too crowded at Christmas time to see "the Jesus statue" as my kids call it, so they were glad to get to see it this time!
Adam and Tessa were so excited to see where they have General Conference!
We had a fun time at the Church History Museum. I need to go back without kids so I can read everything in the new Scout Exhibit. Adam and Tessa took a minute to write down a good turn they have done recently. I told Eric seeing all the scouting stuff made me excited for Adam to be in scouts next year. He said, "Yeah, but you'll still cry when you take him". And, he's right.
Adam and Gwen liked learning some Mexican dances.
Tessa and Gwen fished from Nephi's boat.
Adam built his own temple.
It was a fun afternoon and we look forward to going back again soon!
Week 11 done and gone...only a week and a half left before school starts. Yikes!
