Saturday, March 30, 2024

Saturday Spring Break Fun

 We went out to eat lunch today at Warren's in South Jordan. It was nice.  

But, there were other fun things this rainy. Saturday in Spring.

An EZ roller toy to ( assemble and) share. It's green and even lightweight grown ups can give it a try!


Logan bought some magnets at the Thanksgiving Point gift shop. Hematite. They are lots of fun. 



And these blue inflatable camping couches were fun, too. Well, it WAS all fun and games-- until somebody got hurt. So, those went away. 




Egg decorating was accomplished early in the day, too! This egg spinner is really fun. Only one at a time, but less stinky than vinegar and dye tablets. Less messy than spilling and tipping cups of dye, too.


The long and roomy insulated unfinished basement was the perfect place to practice riding the easy roller. My job was to be the time keeper for taking turns. And sometimes referee.







Friday, March 29, 2024

Spring Break in Herriman

 After Mike and I ate lunch with Mom at Our House, we headed up to Nick and Kaylee's house on Wednesday, March 27. Their kids were home from school all week for their Spring Break. They have been doing a swim camp at a private pool/lessons in in South Jordan. Thursday was their last day, so we went along to watch. Walking in to the backyard pool house was a glasses-fogging experience! Warm and very humid. The student/teacher ratio is 2 to 1, the kids make really good progress and have a lot of fun.

Rachel is doing her warm-up with swim fins and a kickboard, and Jane is working on learning to flutter kick with straight legs. (above)




After swim camp, Mike and I took the four kids to Scheel's sporting goods store in Draper to 1) go on a bear hunt, and 2) Ride their indoor ferris wheel. It was such a rainy day!


It was so hard to get a photo of all four in front of the big stuffed bear! Silly kids were trying to look at its butt.



We DID ride the ferris wheel.


And we rode the escalators. Oops, my photos got out of order! Walk, then Swimming , then Scheels on Thursday. We played with squeaky chicken and pig toys, observed all the stuffed game animals throughout the store, AND Logan got to try his hand at a shooting arcade and did a pretty good job for a first time experience shooting something that big.


Emily is an observer for this swim session, but will probably join in the fun soon enough.

At home, there is an art gallery on the living room wall.

Mike and I walked on Thursday morning about 3 miles. Can you tell it was windy?

Friday, we tended for a bit in the morning so Nick and Kaylee could attend a temple session. After lunch, we met Kaylee's sister-in-law, Robin and girls at Thanksgiving Point and we spent time in their  Children's Discovery place.
It was busy, crowded, but a lot of fun. There was tons inside to do, and some fun things outside as well.

An auger is dumping rubber chips on Logan.

This spinning toy was all the rage for the five girls. They were very strong to be able to withstand the centrifugal forces attempting to hurl them off!


There was plenty of sunshine. Mike walked the parking lots and got all his steps in. Mike and Robin ate sitting on the bench, Kaylee is standing by them blocking the sun from her face with a kid's jacket.


The indoor things were varied and fun. It included a reptile show and the opportunity to pet a snake.



And back at home, we play games, we do gymnastics on the living room floor, create obstacle courses, we play with toys and do arts and crafts, we eat lots of yummy foods that Kaylee feeds us, all three meals a day.


And we try on on Big sister's high heeled shoes!


And read or play on Tablets and watch TV. 









Sunday, March 24, 2024

The Redeemer Concert at Tuacahn

 


After I had a rest, shower and dinner on Saturday AFTERNOON after Hiking in Leeds MORNING, Cindy Williams and I drove to Ivins to see "The Redeemer," with violinist  Jenny Oakes Baker and conductor Kurt Bestor. It was a beautiful nighttime, open-air concert, celebrating the life of Jesus. Perfect way to usher in Holy Week, this week before Easter. It was quite long-- a little over two hours. And it was cool. Very VERY cool and windy and thunder-y. It did not rain, thankfully. We brought blankets, scarves ( good thing, since I forgot my coat!) and umbrellas.  Kurt Bestor conducted a full orchestra and chorus, with Ms Baker as featured violin soloist. There were vocal and cello soloists, too. All were so very talented. 

There are about 6 concert performances of this special presentation. Most have already been performed nationally utilizing local talent for orchestra and choral groups -- in Nashville, New York, Salt Lake City, Phoenix. Tuacahn was sold out. Next week, Cindy's daughter Lisa Williams Tanner will be playing in the orchestra at the Bethesda, Maryland final concert.

So glad we were able to enjoy some great musical talent together!

https://www.tuacahn.org/concert/the-redeemer-2024/


Saturday, March 23, 2024

March Hike in Leeds area

 Yant Flat was the name of this hike. I think we drove longer than we actually hiked! Only 2.7 miles according to my Google Fit app.

Pretty day, pretty area, some pretty neat ladies to hike with. There were just 6 of us. 

Lots of sand, scrubby trees, wildflowers, rocks. 

Pine valley mountain is peeking above  the trail here. Not much snow is left.


These are the kid of "trees" that Berenice loved to paint!

Jessica, our leader. From our vista point up here, we could see the new Red Cliffs Temple. 


I LOVED the pattern of the sandstone! It looks like a beehive. Only bigger. 

Sand and rocks and trees, as well as some purple mountains majesty.





Colorful rocks. Looks like Sinai.


Just enjoying the views and sunshine.




Ooh, I think I'd like to paint this!