I just need to pause in life to give this girl a shout out. Navy is my right hand gal! She literally fixes problems before they ever get to me. She handles business with Dash and Pippi all of the time. She is the peacemaker in our family. She is at anyone’s side if they are sad. She is constantly writing and delivering handmade notes that say nice things to everyone. She is awesome! She makes my life so much easier every single day. And when we got to Bella’s house, Bella said, “YAY Navy is here! I finally have the best helper around!” I told Bella to take a number — she is mine!!!
Honestly, Navy goes under the radar quite a bit, because she is just 96% good.
The other 4% is also under the radar…but in that case, it is her teasing…which is not so good.
But I love every ounce of that 96%…every little stinking ounce!
I love me a road trip. I know Micah does too, because he joins all of our road trips when he can! And quite frankly, after so many in their lives, I think my kids do too. One of my favorite road trips is to Utah. We have our stops (and keep adding more and more), it isn’t too long, and it is so pretty north of St. George. I also think this is a favorite road trip, because it usually means we are getting the heck out of dodge for 2-4 weeks!
My favorite thing to do is leave when it is still dark outside. I transfer sleeping kids to the car, and get them comfy…and they usually sleep until Vegas. I have always been a major fan of driving in silence while I watch the sunrise minute by minute. Then as they wake up, we have some fun/ watch a movie/ play games until St. George…where we then head into Pizza Factory for the most delicious lunch of salad and bread sticks.
Then the fun begins…
Beyond Cedar City, we took random roads to discover gems.
Gems: hidden things we wouldn’t normally run in to…but find by going off the beaten path.
We found the most random peacock farm, where my kids collected as many feathers as they could find.
I always make my kids get out on the prettiest dirt roads and walk….sometimes for picture purposes…but this time for “time out” purposes.
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OUR ULTIMATE GEM…
We found thermal baths in Meadow Utah!!!
(One of my all-time favorite pictures!)
The water was crystal clear…and between the three baths, the water was warm, warmer and hot.
The kids were having the best time — and it was only us!
It was awesome.
Pippi kept swimming down 10 feet and showing off by bringing up sand from the bottom. At the next bath, Micah was talking about how deep it seemed. Scout took the challenge, and Micah was blown away that he could get that deep — he thought it was between 20-25 feet.
Navy was a rock star, and jumped in and out of the pools with a bag tied around her burned foot. We eventually ditched the bag, and just cleaned it out really good afterwards.
Talk about a GEM!
When we got to Mona, we obviously stopped at the rope swings.
Micah found this GEM a few years back…and now they are a must!
Before our final pull in to Provo, we stopped at the lavender fields…and then to “The Big Red Barn” for yummy homemade ice cream. When we were leaving, I couldn’t find Dash anywhere. Navy informed me that my little GEM finder had found himself a gem.
Yep…a ripe cherry tree is a legitimate gem!
We made our final stop in Midway to visit the man in the purple shirt.
(I advised him to chuck that shirt immediately after we departed!)
My dad who hasn’t been feeling that great seemed to be doing really well!
YAY!!!
It has only been a few weeks, but there has been some major improving on h is end…and to that…he may have been the best GEM of the day!
Pippi has a slight obsession with Nonnie.
Lately, she has been telling her, “Nonnie…I will miss you when you die.” She has also tried to exercise with her, to keep her healthy (which Nonnie always declines!).
So today’s journal from Pippi was pretty classic:
Nonnie Needs Exercise
“Since Nonnie might die, I want her to exercise. I don’t want her to die. I ask her to exercise with me, but she keeps not doing it. it makes me feel bad.”
We are all hoping this puts a little guilt into Nonnie.
But the best obsession moment of the day, was when Pippi went to get dressed, and came out with the front of her shirt tucked into her skirt. I was dying, because Nonnie does this every time she wears a skirt! I asked who she has seen tuck??? She said, “Nonnie of course!”
How stinking cute!
Navy and Scout got the job of emptying the trashes today. Navy came in really frustrated and reenacted Scout during the job. She fell to the ground, and in an accent said, “I am hurt…please bring the trashes to me.” Then she laid down as all of the work was done for her.
I looked over at Scout, and all of us started laughing at what an idiot he is!
I told Navy that if the British/Australian refugee couldn’t work, he would learn the meaning of Lukawuk AND our new-found RUKAWUK…because his offense fell under both categories!!
(Lazy Kids Are Working Kids and Rude Kids Are Working Kids)
Tonight’s Family Night consisted of challenges. We did a bit of charades, standing with out hands, two human somersaults, and a Pyramid that collapsed on Scout. In an effort to get a Pyramid picture (Scout wouldn’t go back on the bottom), they just piled on Daddy instead.
What was supposed to be an amazing sea glass walk with Doey, ended up being the lamest day ever because Dash left my keyless entry key somewhere. Luckily Doey had her car, and drove all over kingdom come to find it right back at our house on the kitchen counter.
I apologized to Doey and the kids for the lame adventure…but apparently they all had a great time while Pippi and I sat in the sweltering heat on the other side of the never-walked walk.
Navy spent 20 minutes creating this masterpiece of bows all over my head. Meanwhile, Pippi begged and pleaded for her turn with my hair.
Pippi finally got her turn…and literally came up with the exact same masterpiece.
Navy and I winked at each other, and gave Pippi the win.
Doey was in town, so naturally Pippi’s journal entry was about Doey.
“Doey is my best friend. I love her a lot even though she barely plays with me….”
Doey,
If you guys are best friends, I suggest you play with her a bit more!
Every few Sundays, I tell the kids I want to take their picture before they get out of their Sunday clothes. This Sinday, Scout said, “WHY!!! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS WANT TO TAKE OUR PICTURES?” I answered, because I gave you good genes, and I want to remember you when you were less obnoxious this Sunday, than you will be next Sunday!
So glad I took them…because these might be some of my favorite pictures yet…
And the funniest part is…Scout is always the best when I take pictures!
Then we went to see Great Grandma, and got one of my favorite pictures with her to date!
While at sushi, I told the kids that whoever would take a bite of wasabi, would earn Yogurtland.
I had two takers.
Both ate it, both’s eyes got huge, both got Yogurtland.
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