Malinda lives in Logan where you can find a slower-paced way of life and new scenery, that you feel like you're in a different state. We love to escape to visit Malinda and the boys, and when we're brave, we take the kids out on day trips.

Logan has an adorable little zoo that takes about 20 minutes to circle the entire loop, which is perfect timing with 5 babies/toddlers at your heels. ;)

our two babies just chillin'

feeding the ducks

Look at these funny crows - they stayed in this same position for the full 5 minutes we were watching them. Now that's a mad staring contest if I've ever seen one.

The sweet side of kids being sick is that we get to cuddle inside all day and stay in our jammies. Or in this case, Max got to stay in one of my shirts as the laundry was piling up. :)

spinning in mommy's office chair...just one of the many exciting activities we enjoy during sick days

Sydney and I have a song we sing together every night before bed. It's a silly made up song about rain, wind, thunder...and other bits and pieces we add to each night. She loves all kinds of weather. She stands under a downpour, dances in the wind, and scoops up hail to munch as a snack. 

"There was a little girl

Her name was Sydney Lane

She loved to dance outside in the rain..."

We're so lucky to live in Utah with these wonderful summer storms. And I'm so glad I have her by my side to help me remember how lucky we are for ALL the seasons....she's already begging for snow. :)

We got to take a last-minute visit to beautiful Solitude this weekend. There’s something about mountain air and a couple of lazy days full of play that gives you such a refreshing perk.

My big standing 1-year-old! He’s taken THREE steps so far. Pretty soon I won’t be able to plop him in a spot and snap away while he stays put. I’ll miss these days…

I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomach. Kind of nervous and excited all at the same time. My first kiddo is going to preschool for the first time! 

this is her staring off into nowhere-land (kind of looking past the camera in a daze). She likes to do that whenever I ask her to pose.

and then ALWAYS comes the silly faces

She was so excited this morning, and ran right into her classroom (it's in a cute lady's basement a couple streets over). But when I waved goodbye (big mistake), her lips began to quiver and tears welled up in her eyes. That's when I bolted (mostly because I didn't want the teacher seeing ME cry!). I didn't think I'd get emotional (I mean, it's only preschool for 2 hrs twice a week, right?) but it suddenly hit me that this is the beginning of my baby becoming a kid.

her sweet teacher