Utah Trip 2012 - Day 5

Elend and Olivia (Savannah's namesake) are two of my favorite people.

Their house is a safe haven. A relaxing spot. A family retreat.

Not only do they have a guest area bigger than my house - they are just the most cheerful, relaxed people on the planet. And they have 10 children.

Meet Eli. Or the back of Eli's head. It says "Hi! I'm Eli" One of his big sister's wrote that in Sharpie. Olivia was thrilled. At this point she has scrubbed it 5 times. LOL.

1 baby or 10 babies - she still looks beautiful and still loves on them babies like never before.

Last year the kids did fireworks and were hoping the kids saved some for them. They were in luck. This was the first activity they did.

I love this shot. They are all running around like tribal Indians.

They just kept coming...

Table for 12 seats 1

Oldest and youngest....cute shot. Sarah is off to college and is the sweetest girl. xo Sarah!

The babies - Louis and Eli

This picture makes me miss you Olivia! Please be my neighbor.

Since Madam S has been born Mr. LeBaron has been working looooong hours. Pressure of so many mouths to feed? :) This trip was a nice chance for bonding.

The first few days William was love hate with these pups.

This picture makes me feel as though I can never, not ever, complain about nursing again.

ever again.

The first 36 hours was a lovely, slow, relaxing time. Lucas was wracked with fever again and basically horizontal. After a trip to the local Dr. and some medicine later, he was back in the game and having a blast. 

To be continued....

A little bit of sunshine

She's a little bit of sunshine,
She's a smile to light our days,

She steals our hearts and
keeps them with her warm endearing ways,

She's our precious little daughter,
With a sweetness from above

Who will fill our years with laughter
and our lives with lots of love.

Utah Trip 2012 - Day 4

I can't believe it's almost time to leave. The trip has passed in a blur of meals, diapers, holding babies, putting kids to bed, and quickly exchanging 2 words with my best friend in between.

We need more time.

But in the mean time here's what transpired today:

I wish I had a side by side of last year. My how things have changed.

Last year Will was just as crazy about the water - but his exuberance kinda scared Jack.

Who already didn't like baths to begin with. But not this year. You two played really well.

And Mr. W - it's a good thing your godmother loves you so much because you splashed her a TON.

Oh Jack. How I love you. Your unofficial middle name is Danger. And while you are one of the calmest, sweetest little boys - you seriously know Danger. Exhibit A - climbing on the changing table.

We put it off an extra day so everyone could go. Go where??? The South Davis Rec Center aka the coolest indoor place to go in Salt Lake. They have rock climbing, ice skiing, indoor soccer, an incredible fitness center, steam rooms, but most of all.......an indoor mini water park. It is always the highlight of our trip.

I know I've said it already, but Jack.....we love you.

You are so imaginative and playful. Flashlights and belts (that you pretend are water hoses) are your BFF this trip.

Jo decided to take us to Liberty Park.

It's a really beautiful park with a little section with rides.

One of the first things you guys did were the swings. I thought it was a great idea.

Until I witnessed what I thought was going to be your last minutes on earth. That sucker swing you around at such a velocity that it made me seriously second guess the strength of them there chains.

John only went to keep you kids company. Luckily for him, you Charlotte screamed like a....er....little girl and begged to get off. John was super happy.

jack was super happy to ride the little cars

ooooh. this picture makes my mother and photographer heart sing.

Although a tad ghetto - the merry go round was still merry. 

At one end of the park there is a little water feature. It's basically a man made system of streams. This particular day it wasn't flowing as it should and it was a little.....stagnant. That didn't stop my kids!!

After the creepy stream we played on the playset and then hiked back to the car. The little boys were exhausted (yay!) and we had a lovely evening learning about Jeremy's favorite show Gator Boys. Luke is hooked!

Utah Trip 2012 - Day 3

With two children sick (now Charlotte was down) John's face about sums up how we felt. Stressed. But we just decided to roll with it and still have a good time.

Johanna took us to the Salt Lake Children's Museum. Awesome place. I love this "tree" they have indoors.

 By this point Charlotte is wracked with fever. I made her stay in the stroller which she didn't protest. Madam S did a lovely job just hanging out in the other stroller. You are so wonderful and sweet Miss S. Thanks for waving to the camera.

 They had a really neat exhibit with balls you stuck in tubes. The tubes then suctioned them up a complex system of piping and dumped them out again. Wills was busy for about 37 minutes just watching this happen. I love toddlers.

And the huge xylophone made from wooden things was super cool.

 Luke scampered off to the upstairs area by himself (it pays to be 9) and found these cool magnetic building shapes.

Jo and Jack having what looks to be a realistic play experience. :)

 Also in the upstair area Luke found the PVC pipe building area. The pipes have magnets on the sides and the wall is magnetic as well. The object is the build a path for the ping pong balls. He and Willsie loved this.

We had to leave due to nap time and Charlotte progressively feeling worse. Wills conked on the way out. But the boys loved it so much I had plans for after nap time.......

We came back. And we found a helicopter. Wills face cracks me up. He is scared by it but doesn't want to get out.

Here we are! 

Next we found a cyclone machine. You create an airplane or ball of paper and throw it in the bottom part. And the fan blows in such a way that it makes it spiral upward and out of the top. Pure fun.

Yet another building area.

The left shot looks like a bathroom shot. Muuhahahhaaa. Wills had a great time creating the ball paths with Lucas.

I love this shot. I love how Lucas always goes out of his way to make sure William has a good time. Luke you are the BEST big brother.