Jubilee of Trees: Rylee's First Concert

The Jubilee of Trees started this week. This is always a great event to start the holiday season. It is full of Christmas trees, music, and fun activities. This year's charity concert was Colin Raye on Saturday night. If you don't know this about me I am a huge fan of his. Whenever he comes close to St George I try my hardest to attend. This year's event is no different, except that all monies raised goes to the NICU at Dixie Regional Medical Center. This is another place that holds a special place in our hearts. Grandma JeanAnn also came down and she had an extra ticket.

Yeah, My First Concert.

Rylee came along as Grandma's date. She had a good time other than having to wait in line forever (general admission seating), loud music (Mom's music), and late hours (lasted until 10:30). I asked her if she wanted to go to another concert. She replied not for awhile, a long while.

Ryder's NICU Poster...Graduate of 2007

He was lucky enough to be selected for his year. The 28 days he was there they had approx 30 babies in the NICU.

NICU Display

Ryder was one of the first babies to use the "Cadilac Bed" in our NICU.

Oh, Christmas Tree...Dad's Tree

Dave again this year helped design and make decorations for the Foundation's Tree. Three designers did a really good job.

Two more days for this awesome event.

I am grateful for two ears to hear the music I love. The great people who give of their time and money to attend these events. The wonderful medical professionals we have here in Southern Utah and their willingness to serve and love their patients.

2011 Adoption Celebration

This years celebration was at Vernon Worthen Park with all the adoption agencies in the county participating. The crowd wasn't very large and they were hoping to break a record with people being touched by adoption all in one place at the same time. They did have fun activities, food, and fun with new friends.

Handprints of all attendees being touched by adoption.

The girls had to make a print for Dad and they improvised.

Reganne's rainbow hand.

Yummy treats for a cool morning.

Doughnuts, hot chocolate, and soda.

Rock Climbing... Rylee wanted to give it a try.

Go Rylee, Go higher.

Up she goes with Reganne cheering her on.

It was fun morning with a special purpose. We are so thankful to be part of this group and knowing that this all because a special lady gave us the greatest gift of becoming parents to two awesome girls.

What did you say?

It has been a couple of weeks full of funny conversations and Dave & I asking "What did you say?

Look Mom, I'm a doctor. What did you say?

This was actually a flower hair clip that he clipped to his hair.

Reganne, what did you have for lunch?
I had chicken, nuggets, fries, and seaweed.
Seaweed??
Rylee, what did you have for lunch?
I had chicken nuggets, fries, and Kiwi.
Reganne did you try the Kiwi?
I licked it.
Did you eat it?
No, I licked it.
Did you like it?
It was ok.
Why didn't you eat it?
Because, I licked it instead.

Grandma can we have fish legs for lunch?
Ryder fish don't have legs.
Yes, they did we ate them.
When?
At Chuck a Rama.
We did?
Yes!
We ate shrimp.

I am sure there have been many more, but these are the latest. Kids say the craziest things.

Saturday Exploring: Zion National Park

Ryder was the only one excited about going hiking at Zion. Dave worried about the weather, Reganne & Rylee worried that it would be to cold, and I worried that I mixed the dates up and it wasn't a free day. Much to everyone's surprise the day turned out nice and you only needed a jacket. We also discovered that the kids have never been here. The last time we came was in 1994 on our first trip to Southern Utah.

Our first stop was at the park museam to look at displays and watch a quick movie about the park. Then we were off to explore. The falls colors were bursting around us.

Museum

The only one excited was Ryder.

We tried to find an easy hike for everyone. Emerald Pools was supposed to be the best one. It was perfect for us and about 100 other people.

This was perfect stop for a fall picture and collecting leaves.

Water Falls at the Emerald Pool

You can even walk under it.

Reganne was all for it, Ryder wasn't sure, and Rylee said no way she wasn't getting wet.

The Pool

Come on Ryder it's ok.

He was walking with his pants hiked up not to get wet. However, the water was coming from above not below. People around us were chuckling at him.

Another picture perfect spot. Smiles all around now. Could be we were headed dow the trail.

Mom's turn for a picture.

Wow!

Double Wow!

Time to stop exploring and eat lunch. We stopped at Wildcat Willie's very expensive and not very good.

The trip was successful they all fell asleep on the way home.

Were can we explore next month........

Saturday Exploring: Ghost Town of Grafton

This was Dave's weekend off and we were without plans or activities. It was Free National Park Day what better time to explore our neck of the woods. The weather promised to be cool with a 20% chance of rain. We set off with jackets.

First stop was the Ghost Town of Grafton.

Check out this house. Yuck there is a dead bird in one of the rooms.

Let me see!!!

Are there really ghosts?

The church / schoolhouse

Like Little House on the Prairie

What next??

The cemetary

What are the mounds?

A quick stop to the cemetary and checking out the names & dates on a few tombstones. Ryder asked why they planted flowers on the mounds. We tried to explain. However, his response was. So you die, they bury you, and plant flowers in you.

Time to get back in the monster truck and check out more things.

Soccer End of Season Party

The perfect way to send a crazy season is to have a party. Everything seems better when you party at the end. Thanks to AYSO Board (Craig Nebeker) for having the vision. There were smiles and squeals of delight when spotting someone from their teams. We had a good crowd for swimming, pizza, cookies, and prizes.

Pizza

Prizes

Swimming

More swimming

and even more.

This is the perfect way to end on a high note.l

The Pink Pirates

We must have a team picture before everyone left for the season.

Brooklyn, Nicole, Katie, Angel, Reganne, Kaylee, and Coach Heidi

Missing...Shelby & Coach Emily

How goofy can we be?