Operation Egg Drop

Chase had an Egg drop project for school.  He thought about the best way to do it.  One thought was to stick in a jar of peanut butter, he saw it on Shake It Up, but I thought that could get way too messy.  The next idea was a parachute.  Parachute number one didn't fair too well.  We tried using a plastic garbage bag tied to a gift bag, but the bag didn't catch enough air and the gift bag was too heavy.  Next we cut out a big circle from a trash bag.  We put the egg inside of a plastic easter egg lined with cotton balls, and put the egg into a paper lunch sack lined with light weight cloth diapers.  We tied it all together and it was ready for launch.
Chase was so excited when the janitor called his name and threw his parachute into the air.
 

It floated gently down and landed with a soft thud.  Chase was so happy it had worked so well.

After opening the bag and tearing the tape off of the plastic egg he found that his egg was still intact.  The project was a success!

After we said goodbye to Chase I took Laina and Aria over to the park for a little play time.  Laina charged right up the stairs and climbed all the way to the top of the tallest slide.  I yelled at Aria to go with her, but Laina didn't even balk about the height and just launched herself down the slide.

 Of course I panicked a bit seeing her up there so high all by herself, but when I saw the pure joy on her face when she came down I quickly got over it.  They had fun climbing up and sliding down every slide the park had to offer.

By the end their hair was standing on end from all of the static electricity generated by those plastic slides.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the girls had a perfectly beautiful time together.  I can't wait for more days like these.

It's a Beautiful Day

This winter has been a pretty mild one.  This past week we have been having some pretty wonderful weather.  Temperatures in the 60s make for perfect days to play outside.  The other day I took the girls out to swing and play on the playground.  Laina LOVES swinging.

 I love the look of pure bliss on her face as the sun shines down to warm her sweet little self.

 Aria is getting a little more adventurous and likes to try new things.

 I love being outdoors with the kids.  There is nothing like a little sunshine to chase those winter blues away!

Payson Lakes

On Friday our friends, the Petersons, invited us to go with them to Payson Lakes for some canoeing and fishing.  We borrowed some canoes from a mutual friend and headed down to Payson.  I've never been to Payson Lakes, there are so many things I've never seen in Utah, and it was so pretty.  The fall colors were spectacular on the ride up the canyon.  It was a bit chilly but we brought lots of layers so we would be warm.  Mike took the kids out on the lake and spent most of the time fishing with them.  They caught a few fish, Mike cleaned them, and brought them home with us.  I don't like fish, but he actually cooked them up the next night and they were quite tasty.

Laina and I hung out on the beach and took a little walk with Aria, and Abrie along the trail that circles the lake.

We ate a picnic dinner and warmed up some water for some much needed hot chocolate.  We were going to try doing s'mores, but by that time were were all ready to go home.  It was a fun little trip, but next time we'll have to remember to go a couple of weeks earlier so we don't end up so cold.  

You Want to go Outside?

Every time anyone goes outside Laina dashes for the door and tries to get out.  She will stand at the window and watch the kids when they are playing outside, trying to get their attention so someone will come and get her.  Sometimes she even brings me her shoes in hopes that I will take her outside to play.  The other day we had some free time so I took her outside to roam around the backyard.  She made a beeline for the playset.

  She loves the playset and can't get enough of the swings.

 She has started to try climbing the steps, but they are so steep and it freaks me out every time I catch her on them.

She also likes to hunt for stray golf balls and loves it when the kids leave their clubs lying around.

    Inevitably she ends up in the dirt and rocks.  What is it that babies loves so much about dirt?  I could just sit there and watch her all day.  She is so curious and is so happy to just be outside enjoying what's around her.  It's so much fun seeing the world through baby eyes.

Hiking up Grove Creek Canyon

Mike took the scouts on a little hike up and down the canyons in Pleasant Grove. He thought the kids would love to hike up and see the waterfall he saw on the way down from the scout campout. It was the perfect little hike for the kids. Aria was able to walk the entire time and we just carried Laina. It's all uphill to the waterfall, but it wasn't too bad. The kids loved throwing rocks in the river and enjoyed the mist coming off of the waterfall.Mike let Laina dip her toes in the river, but it was pretty cold. A beautiful little spot only about ten minutes away from our house. Who knew? The view on the way back down. A picture that melts my heart. Can I just freeze them right now so they'll never get older? Love these kids of mine.

Climb Rocking

On Labor day we decided to go on a little adventure with Matt and Sara's family. While I was feeding Laina that morning Aria came in to inform me that we were going "Climb Rocking". She is so funny.

We packed a lunch and headed out to Spanish Fork Canyon where they have some fun rock climbing. Matt blazed the trail and set up a course for everyone to climb.

Chase was gung ho to see how far he could go. He cracked me up every time I saw him wearing this harness. I yodeled whenever he came near. From his expression you can see how much he enjoyed this.

Here's Mike going for a climb. He was really impressed with Michela because she made it all of the way to the top and Mike said it had been tough getting up there himself.

After everyone climbed the kids, Matt and Mike all hiked around the back of the cliff. Matt set up a rappelling rope at the top. I have to admit I was a bit nervous watching my children walk off the top of the cliff. Yikes! Mike thinks it was about 90 feet tall.

Here is Mike backing down over the edge.

He loved coming down after the initial shock of fear at the top.

Hunter was the first kid to go down. He was so determined and tried really hard not to show any fear. I was so proud of him because he usually doesn't want to try anything that is too scary or difficult.

Michela had a blast. Funny how she totally complained that morning when I told her what we were going to do. Here she is coming down.

And of course she had to show off and try some tricks.

Aria played in the dirt and ran around with her cousins Daynen and Bronson. She was perfectly happy climbing over the rocks and getting dirty.

Laina and I pretty much camped out in the chair under the shade of a tree. She wasn't too happy about being there but she calmed down once I fed her. She took a good nap while I held her and watched my dare devil family. Next time hopefully I'll be able to join in. I just need to start exercising again so I'm not so wimpy.