~The Zoo & Jungle Jim's~

This year we didn't have much planned, but we wanted to make sure we did something fun with the kids. We pondered on things to do all week long. After discussing ideas between us and then with Rylee, we decided to take the kids to Utah's Hogle Zoo and then to Jungle Jim's. We got online to purchase our tickets and to show her where we were going. She was so excited she could barely fall asleep. We got up Saturday morning, got ready, and headed to Salt Lake City. Rylee kept asking if we were getting closer.

It was a pretty hot day, but not too bad and the zoo has misters all over the place, so that was nice. The kids loved the animals. This was Dax's first visit to the zoo. Rylee really like seeing the monkeys, elephants, and girraffe's. She especially wanted to see the wolves, but we didn't get too.

We rode the carousel, which both kids loved, had a giant slushy, and even got to see the baby elephant Zuri. Dax enjoyed seeing the animals and just running around wild and free. But his favorite part was on the way out when he got to play with the huge spinning ball on water. He splashed in it and put some in his hair to cool himself off. He was loving it. There was three guys and a girl from India that were taking pictures of him doing it. I wasn't sure if I should get offended or feel complimented. Afterall, they are strangers.

It definitely turned out to be a fun day at the zoo.

After the zoo, we headed to Jungle Jim's playland. Rylee was extra excited for this stop. Both kids loved the rides. They rode the spin carts, which made all of us a little dizzy, they rode the jets, the jeep safari ride, the boats, trains and motorcycle, and they LOVED every one of them. In between rides we played games and played in the play area with slides. I think that Rylee's favorite ride was the jets because she could fly them high and she also liked the jeep safari ride. Dax's favorite ride was the little jeep safari, he loved it.

The kids had a blast and were completely exhausted. All I can say is that the ride home was very peaceful for Mommy & Daddy.

A Balloon Release...

On August 31, 2010, we went and bought a big pink balloon to release for Melody Fugate's angel birthday. She would have been turning 5 years old on that day. I do not know her mom, Jania, personally but met her online after having her do some fun editing to a few of my photos. She does photography, which I have always enjoyed myself. She also does some really neat editing to photos, which she started after losing Melody at only 4 months old. Melody was her inspiration. When I received an invitation to release a pink balloon on August 31st to celebrate Melody's birthday and just put Melody's name on it with the city and state it was from, I thought it would be something fun and special to do with Rylee. I think its special that they celebrate her birthday each year, rather than the day she passed away.

I like to teach Rylee ways to also care about others and I thought this would be something to show her that.

Happy 5th Angel Birthday Melody Celestial Fugate from Aurora, UT....

Sister~Brother

Now that Dax is getting older, it is so cute watching him and Rylee play together. I know he is still a little too young to do a lot of things, but when they both try to play together, it just makes me smile from ear to ear. Dax gets so excited when he gets to do things with his big sister. If she is climbing a big rock, then he is right there behind trying to climb it too. They ride bikes together, play hide-n-seek together, and chase each other around the house. And even though at times Rylee seems very annoyed with Dax, like when he takes things from her, rips her drawing or changes her cartoon, she would protect him to the end. If anyone comes up to him, she hurries over and lets them know that he is her baby brother and his name is Dax. She is so proud of him and loves him so much. She is such a good big sister and is always trying to teach him new things and giving him hugs and kisses when he is sad.

I saw this poem and it reminded me of how Rylee is sometimes with Dax.

My brother is a nuisance.

My brother is a pain.

If it was up to me,

I'd leave him outside in the rain.

But don't you tease my brother

or be mean to him at all,

'cause I'll stick up for this little guy

'cause he thinks I'm 10 feet tall.

~Patsy Gaut

Grandma & Grandpa Schaugaard's Birthday...

For grandma and grandpa Schaugaard's birthdays, they wanted to get together and go on a nice long 4-wheeler ride. Since their birthdays are only days apart, they figured we could get them both celebrated at the same time.

Deloy, Marilyn, Rick, Judi, Brett, Rylee, Dax and myself all loaded the bikes and the Rhino up and headed up the West Mountain. We unloaded at the bottom and went all the way up through Fillmore Canyon on the bikes. Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Deloy were in the Rhino. There were a few places where the road got pretty rough. It was still a regular dirt road, but hadn't been grated enough so there was still a lot of rocks in the ground.

We made several stops for drinks and snacks and to have lunch. The kids could run around and explore each time we stopped so they loved it. Especially since Dax is like a little Curious George. It was really pretty up there and I love the calm relaxing feeling you get in mountains.

We found a really pretty spot where there was a bridge and then a trail that led to where someone had made a chair out of a tree stump. Rylee thought that was pretty neat.

We all had a great time together and a really nice ride.

Happy Birthday Grandpa & Grandma Schaugaard....We Love You!!!