Memorial Day Weekend 2019

As I was sifting through my pictures from Memorial Day, I realized that other than a picture of a random grave, I don't have any that are really related to the holiday.   At first I felt a little bad and wished I would have taken more pictures of my grandparents.  But then when I thought about it, I realized that they wouldn't mind.  Memorial day was always such a big deal to both sets of grandparents.  I'd like to think that it would make them happy to see us all there - remembering the family that came before us, and celebrating the family that is still here. 

My price for getting a picture with good smiles...

Is always the promise of a silly shot.

And one smile with one silly

Tim and Taylor standing guard

The best biker gang!

And we ended the night with a little pie in the face

We finished the weekend by going to Lagoon for our first trip of the season.  Man we have loved Lagoon with our little family.  When I was a teenager hanging out at grungy Lagoon, I would have never imagined that it would be a great family friendly activity.   Luke and Ruby are so fun to watch - and even more fun to take on rides together.  Both kids have turned into such daredevils - Luke and Ruby rode Colossus and Luke drug either me or Tim on every other scary ride in the park, including Canibal.  He was so proud of his bravery and still loves telling big kids which rides he rode. 

We started off on some of our favorites...

Then moved on to the scarier rides.

While the big boys went on Canibal, Ruby and I rode some of our favorites

Tim loves the train!

Luke and Tim found this unicorn pig for Ruby, she was in heaven. 

And really, could she be any cuter?

After spending several hours on rides, the kids were ready to explore Pioneer Village.  We spent a lot of time wandering through the old buildings and museums - I love that they think the historical sites are so much fun.  The kids especially loved the telephone museum - that was a new one for us.

The peacocks are one of the best parts of Pioneer Village

Ruby can never resist one last "bear hug". 

Jive - 2019 - Show Me Your Colors

Ruby was born a dancing queen and has always loved to move and groove.  Two years ago she took ballet, last year clogging, and this year we registered her for basic dance classes at Jive studio.  She started at Jive in the fall and has really liked her class and her teachers.  In January we began receiving emails and details about the spring concert and I was honestly a little overwhelmed.  They do five concerts in two days and the fee for the concert costs and costumes was pretty pricey.  I honestly considered just having her quit the month before the concert and just calling that good, but she was so excited about the concert and her costume that I decided we better stick with it.  After a lot of anticipation, the weekend of the concerts finally arrived and Ruby could hardly wait for her moment on the big stage.  I really hadn't known what to expect, but ended up completely loving the show.  Ruby and I sat through the full thing four times and both were a little sad when it all came to an end.  The dances were fun and more importantly, the dancers all looked like they were having so much fun.  We spent a lot of time on hair and makeup and did our best to fit in with all of the dancers and "dance moms".  We learned a few tips and tricks and by the time it was all over we felt like part of the crowd.  Ruby is already excited to dance in next year's show. 

When I signed Ruby up for dance I honestly thought it would just be a place holder until she could play sports or do something else.  I have always had a preconceived notion of what a dancer looks like and I didn't want Ruby to ever feel like she didn't fit in.  Turns out though that I was totally wrong.  I watched girls of all shapes and sizes express so much with movement and had the realization that all anyone needs to have a "dancer's body" is a body, and a love of dance.  Ruby dances with her whole heart and gives it her best every time.  Before the dress rehearsal she told me she was a little nervous, but once she got out on the stage, she found her spot, watched the teacher, and was a joy to watch. 

As with everything she does, Ruby was so supported and felt so loved by the family and friends that came to watch.  We spread it out and had Tim and Luke, Grandpa and Grandma and Dylan and Katelyn each come to different shows so she almost always had someone in the audience cheering for her.  Having Katelynn bring flowers was so special her and gave her a perfect fairy tale ending.

Field Trippen

Luke's first grade class had the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake Children's Museum, and Tim was lucky enough to tag along.  His teacher, Mrs. Clark had asked if one of us could help chaperone.  When we first talked to Luke about one of us going, he said that he didn't want either of us to come because he worried that the other would feel left out - seriously the sweetest kid.  When we told him that I had to work and couldn't go, he decided that it would be great to have his dad along.  Tim said that it was so fun to watch Luke and his friends - the three boys, Luke, Sonny and Dylan had the best time together.  Luke had the best stories about all of the activities and how fun it was to ride the bus all the way to Salt Lake City.  So glad he got to have this fun experience.

The three amigos

Giddy Up Cowboy

Luke's favorite was building, then racing his own car,

They said the helicopter was awesome!

Ruby, Tim and her preschool went visit a pioneer village for their last field trip of the year.  Her preschool has gone on several field trips this year and I think this was one of her very favorites.  All of the guides were dressed up and spoke and acted in character which made it especially fun.