We were bored for UEA weekend and decided to go to the zoo. The only problem was - so did everyone else. It was quite crowded but who cares, the kids weren't sitting in front of a screen of some sort, and I wasn't walking around my house feeling guilty that I wasn't cleaning it.

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End of summer "to do "list has an official dent

Lovin' it in Logan!

So toady we spent the day in Logan, UT.
My crazy sister-in-law decided to turn into an ironwoman.
We drove into town to watch her do this.......

and this......
(yes, that freak in the headphones is her)

Clayton's sister, Cherice, ran the "Top of Utah" Marathon today. We went to the finish line to cheer her on. She was so totally totally amazing!! She ran the WHOLE way and came in only 5 min after her goal time of 4hrs 15min. Also, as it turns out, she came in 11th in her category of over 200 women!!! Did you hear me people?!?! 11th!!!

Clayton's cousin, Ryan and his wife Bethany, also ran the race and we got to see them come into the finish line too!

I think everyone of these crazy people are totally amazing! To run that far seem totally impossible to me. I would be thrilled to run 1 mile without stopping.

Anyway, since we had driven 2 hours to get to Logan, we figured we might as well make a day of it. As I was researching what to do in Logan, I found a little Chilean restaurant. Clayton was, of course, game to try it. And it did not disapoint. After we filled our bellies full of empenadas and completos and mostaza, and good ole' American soda, we went to check out the Logan Temple.

After that was done, we found this really fun park that has a small zoo and playground. The zoo only asks for a small donation of $1 for entry (so this was totally up our ally). It was actually quite cute for being basically free.

When we were done with the zoo, the kids played at the playground for a while. At the end of the day we stopped at Gossner's cheese factory for some squeeky cheese and an ice cream cone. All in all, it was a totally fun day.

Most of all, I was so proud of Cherice.

The Cuteness of Brandon

Brandon is just too cute these days!
Here's why.

1. He has the cutest run. He kindof does this high knee sort of run. And if you are lucky enough to have him runnung toward you - his whole face jiggles.

2. Whenever he is getting dressed, he slaps his belly a few times when his shirt comes off.

3. When he is waving bye-bye, he raises his hand all the way above his head and waves with his fingers.

4. He sticks his little finger up his little nose.

5. When prompted by his siblings, he makes this face with his teeth showing and his nose all wrinkled up.

6. If he wants your attention, he taps you with his finger. If you think you can ignore this - think again! The intensity of the poking grows until you can't stand the jabbing anymore.

7. He can ride on the wiggle car!! (it really is sooo cute)

8. He holds the Wii nunchuck by the cord and drags it around the house like it's a pet.

9. We taught him the sign for "more" and he does it all the time. (cute little hands)

10. He flies down the stairs on his belly, feet first, faster than any of us can run down them.

11. He is starting to mimic words - SOO CUTE!

12. When the other kids are playing video games, he picks up any random controller and thinks he is playing right along with them.

13. During family prayer, he covers his eyes with this hands on the couch just like the other kids.

Brandon is now 20 months old. I can't believe it. I can't believe how old all my kids are. Why does time have to go so fast? On one hand, I love watching them grow. I want them to get older and experience new things that come with growing up. But on the other hand, that means they aren't going to need me forever..... ANYWAY - some of these things are sometimes annoying also, but usually the cuteness wins over. LOVE THIS BABY!!!

Phillipps family reunion

After much agonizing over what to do and where to go, the day finally came to go camping at Lodgepole. It was so great to see all our relatives that live far away and get to know them more. We even had one night when all 8 siblings were there. (I am still mad at them for not getting a picture!) The kids just love love love camping. The fire provided kid entertainment for the whole time (literally). The older cousins had a few rip-roaring games of Risk going. Clayton and Curt cut down an entire tree since the forest had been scoured clean of firewood. (it is against our religion to buy firewood) We hiked a little bit, but mostly we cooked and ate and cooked some more. This was the trip to get sick on scones. After the last batch of dough had risen, some of the uncles had resorted to wrapping anything and everything they could find in dough and frying it. They were frying string cheese, bananas, brownies, candy bars, peanut butter &jelly, butter - and probably more things that I wasn't around to see.

Even though camping is a lot of work and a lot of planning, it was a lot of fun. The real fun for me was being with family, and laughing till it hurts around the fire until all hours of the night. The only thing missing was Grandma and Grandpa (but we are really glad you are where you are) (did that come out rude? I didn't mean it like that - we love you and miss you).

Glitter Toes!!

Our friend was having a glitter toes party, so I decided Molly and I should get our toes done. I think mother/daughter things are always so fun. I only get to have one daughter, so we are going to have fun together. At least for as long as she will let me!