Family Hikes and Time up the Canyon

I absolutely LOVE the seasons in Utah. Especially fall. I love being in nature and want my children to grow up appreciating all of God's creations and having a love of the outdoors. More than the first half of the summer was filled with activities (Mary Poppins, etc.) that didn't allow for a lot of outdoor family time. So the end of summer and beginning of fall, I tried really hard to get up the canyon as often as I could! We spent some time with Boose Boose at Silver Lake, did lots of picnicking in beautiful areas up AF canyon, and went on a hike up Cecrete Lake. That hike was quite the adventure. I now know not to hike on Labor Day! We had to park down by Alta Ski resort, then stand in a line for 45 minutes to shuttle us up to the hiking trail. Reese had fallen asleep in the car on the way there so she was Miss grumpy-pants and as soon as we started hiking decided to scream and scream the whole way up there. Finally after 30 minutes of straight crying/screaming, we got to the part of the trail that was all big rocks and she decided to have fun climbing on all the "sparkly" rocks. Good times!

Cecrete Lake:

The girls have loved being out in nature and I am glad I got a canyon season pass because I plan to make full use of it next spring and summer! I'm not sure about camping with all 4 of our little girls, but for sure picnics and exploring will be happening ;).

Baby #4 is a BOY, I mean GIRL!!! Our Crazy Gender Adventure :)

Well, at our 16 week appointment, our OB was very kind to do a ultrasound for me (he doesn't do them for most patients unless there is a reason he needs to). We were told we were having a BOY!!! I was so excited to do a surprise for Cade because he understood I wouldn't be able to find out until 20 weeks. So the girls and I went a bought blue balloons and put them in a big rubber maid box and in the bottom was a sign that said, "It's a boy!"

I wish Blogger would allow me to post videos because it was completely epic and amazing. I told him that Emma had a "surprise" in the box for him, so he walked over to it, opened it and the balloons flew out. Nothing registered until he saw the sign and shouted, "STOP IT! STOP IT! Are you serious? Are you serious?" He didn't know I was recording and his genuine excitement was so perfect to get on video tape. So of course I texted that video to all of my family and we showed Cades' family when we drove to Arizona the next day. We posted the video on social media and the likes and comments just came rolling in! It was perfect. And I had to get some pictures with the girls and their blue balloons :).

But then…
we had our 20 week ultrasound. At the very end the ultrasound tech said, "are you ready?" She then typed out "IT'S A GIRL!!!" What??!! Are you serious? She had no idea we were already told something different. But sure thing…it is definitely another little girl! We are so happy that we are having a healthy baby. It was hard to be told one thing and then being told the opposite after we already had our hearts and minds set on the first. However, we are grateful for every spirit that comes into our family and know this little girl will be a huge blessing to our family!

New School Year! Reese- Preschool. Emma- Starting K Twice

Reese started her first year of preschool at Learning Dynamics. We absolutely loved this school when Emma went there and even though the drive is not convenient AT ALL we still felt like Reese could really benefit from going to this school and from Mrs. Johnson. So far she has LOVED going to preschool and hasn't had a hard time going at all. Reese always looks forward to going and loves being a big girl like Emma :).

 Emma was so excited to start school this year! Her teacher at Manila Elementary was Mrs. Crockett. She started at Manila and at the end of September, she switched schools. (Love this first picture where she can't stand NOT doing the "Elsa hand" in every picture taken of her).

Emma got into Lincoln Academy in Pleasant Grove. It's a charter school just up the street from our house and we are very excited! Because that means that all of our children (hopefully that is the case) will be able to get in now. It is a great school, with great teachers who focus more on academics and smaller class sizes which are easier to teach. When I told her we would be switching schools, she said, "that will be fun!" She was so excited to meet a new teacher and new friends. I love that about her- she loves life and new experiences.