Cove Fort

 On our way home from St. George we stopped in Millard county at Cove Fort for a tour.  Built in 1867, Cove Fort was constructed as a safe stop for travelers, where they could find shelter, fresh water, and feed for livestock.  It was interesting. One thing I learned is that one way to stain their furniture they would paint it with ox blood and then use a feather to put designs on it.  The bed frame and the kitchen hutch were done that way.  I loved the kitchen!

Caleb didn't want to get up onto the wagon because it was a little shaky.  So...Rylee would wiggle back and forth to make it shake and Caleb would freak out.  Sibling love at it's finest.  Of course...Luke loved the dirt.

 I think that the kids were pretty bored.  I got bored myself :)  They found a ladybug and that entertained them for a little bit.

May Pictures

Rylee played way to hard one day.  We found her snoozing in Luke & Lexi's room.

 Cuties!!

 These two are trying to master the fork and the spoon.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I love that Luke's plate is a disaster and Lexi's food is all still in place.

 Sickies....all clean...snuggles...Bubble Guppies...puppy & kitty

 Rylee helped Casey mow the lawn one morning.

 This funky chicken had a little play at school.  He had the funkiest moves out of all of the chickens!!

 His presentation was fabulous.  I love the picture of the bees pollinating the flowers.  He LOVES to draw!

 Luke loves this racing car toy.  As long as I don't leave his sight, he will play & play & play & play with it.  Look at those curls!

 Lexi & her shoe obsession.  She had a hard time balancing in papa Don's shoes one night.

 Luke & his dirt obsession.  He freaking loves the stuff!

 Oh...and his water obsession.  Look at the cute smile!

 I had a migraine one night & Casey had to run an errand in Mantua.  He stopped on his way back to pick me some wild flowers.  How nice! 

Taylor & Rylee had their dance pictures taken.  Such pretty little ladies!!

 Each and every day Lexi wants hang with the girls.  It's adorable.  Her & Taylor were watching a little TV the other morning waiting for the other sleepy heads to wake up.

This boy is so creative!  We had the play-doh out one afternoon and he created Iron Man and The Hulk.

St George - Day 3

We had reserved day 3 for swimming.  Well...it was pouring rain!!  I ended up taking little Lexi to an instcare because she still refused to put any weight on her tiny leg.  After a very LONG wait, an x-ray revealed that there was no broken bone.  The Dr assumed it had just pulled really badly on her tendon and she was in a lot of pain.  They put it in a splint to try to help her bare some weight on it. 

 

After we had some lunch - we headed to the children's museum.  And guess what...Monday's are reserved to members only!!!  They did let us in though because we said we would make a donation.

 

The science room was one of the kids favorites.  Who wouldn't want to be put inside of a bubble?!

 Another fun room was the grocery store.  They were all so cute filling up their carts and counting money.  Lexi couldn't move around very much.  There was one room that had a boat in the middle that she liked though.  Caleb even got to dress up as a pirate and change a tire!!

Taylor & Rylee's favorite part was playing animal doctors.  They loved the dress up clothes and all of the medical tools.  Luke loved the truck on the farm and both babies liked placing the vegetables into the garden.

Oh my gosh!  These girls were singing sensations!  Let it Go was their song of choice of course.  They were so fun to watch.

I asked Casey at the beginning of our museum time if he had made a donation and he said that he hadn't yet.  So a while later I saw the gal that was working and gave her $20...come to find out, Casey had paid her $20 after I asked him.  For the hours of fun that the kids had, $40 was okay so spend I guess.

 

I love how much my kids love staying in hotels.  Yes...they are gross.  But the joy on their faces is priceless.  They love watching the Disney channel - love going swimming and loved eating breakfast there.  Luke loved the luggage cart.

 

St George - Day 2

Day two we loaded up and headed to Zion National park.  Caleb got a compass to help us out on our hikes.  Shelby & Malissa had a baby carrier that was amazing.  I want someone to carry me in one!  We couldn't have asked for better southern Utah hiking weather.  I think the high for the day was around 80 degrees.

We were limited to where we could go because SOMEBODY had to have a double stroller.  I have loved our stroller.  It doesn't fit through all doorways - which is obnoxious, but we've managed so far!  Our first stop was the lower Emerald pool.  It wasn't a terrible trek.  The kids did really good! Casey helped the girls, Caleb pretty much held his own, and I tackled the stroller.

The next stop was weeping rock.  It is a very short hike, but VERY steep.  I'm probably an idiot for taking the stroller up there because if I would have lost my grip - it would've been bye bye babies.  Because of my weak and questionable ankles, Casey managed the stroller on the way down the trail.  On the way down Lexi's luck was sticking out the side of the stroller and got stuck on a part of a bridge.  It got bent pretty good!  It was so sad.  She isn't a crier - and she was so upset!  The kids found a fat lizard and a big butterfly at the bottom of the trail & had fun looking at and watching them.

The final destination was the river walk.  Caleb was done before we even started.  He was tired of hiking.  He made it to the end though.  Such a tough guy! 

Luke loved being able to get out of the stroller and dig his hands in the sand.  He is my dirt kid. He freaking loves it.  Taylor & Rylee loved getting their feet in the water.  Caleb was happy to be able and sit and rest his feet.  This is the point where we realized that Lexi wouldn't stand up.  She wouldn't put any weight on her leg at all.  It wasn't swollen...but she would NOT stand on it.  Saddest thing ever!

A few random pictures.  Brad & Mona...aka a couple of bookends...at our little picnic. Brad & Casey, Casey & the kids wandering around weeping rock.  When I would push the stroller up the hill, Caleb would push my butt.  One time he said, "Come on mom! We can do it!"  Caleb and his fat lizard at weeping rock.  The big boys waiting for the shuttle bus after we had lunch.

Casey stopped at this little dive place to get himself a drink after we left Zions.  I hopped out of the car to take some pictures of the pretty flowers.  See that lizard.  I jumped a freaking mile into the air & totally yelled the mother of all swear words.  I'm glad the kids were asleep in the van.  His sudden presence and scurry scared the crap out of me.  Jerk.

I need a t-shirt made for me that explains my family.  I received so many comments on this little adventure.  There was a lot of whispers too.  "Are they twins?"  "Are they twins too?!"  "You get to skip the gym today!"  "Were you on fertility?"  "Did you see that family?"  "You are crazy!  This is a big hike."  "Good for you!"  We did learn that in Ohio every year there is a twin festival or convention or something.  That might be something fun to do when everyone is a bit older :) 

St George - Day1

Last month we went to St George for a few days.  We met Brad & Mona there and Shelby, Malissa & MaKayla.  On the ride down we had SEVERAL "Are we there yet" moments.  At one point Caleb heavily sighed and said, "We are NEVER going to get to George Washington!!"  We only had to stop twice on the way down.  The first stop was a fuel fill up, potty break and lunch and the second stop was a false alarm potty break.  Better safe than sorry though!!  After our false alarm stop Rylee said, "Are there going to be bathrooms in Curious George?"

 

There was a really nice splash pad in the middle of St George.  After checking into our hotel and going to dinner, we decided the kids needed to get their wiggles out.  Lexi didn't want to get to close to the water.  She's a cautious girl.  Caleb, Taylor, Rylee and Luke were all in though.

 I love this picture.  It wasn't staged, they were all just walking down the little river. 

 They all loved this little area.  They water would shut off and you wouldn't know where it would pop up next.  They kids would FREAK out if Luke or Lex were in the middle somewhere when the water turned off.  They were afraid that the spot they were standing was for sure going to be the spot where water was coming out next.  They were all drenched and had a blast.

Mother's Day

Mother's day 2015 has already came & went!  We met with Casey's family the Saturday before and we were supposed to have a picnic, but the weather was NOT cooperating.  I was able to get us into the conference room at Crystal Inn and we were able to eat and visit.  Most everyone was able to do that...not me though.  Luke was NOT having it.  He was being pistol Pete that afternoon and was having a hard time calming down.
 

Casey & The kids got me some fancy sandals, a planter for outside, a solar light and some gardening tools.  We went to my mom's house for hamburgers on Mother's day evening.  It was nice to have some decent weather and watch the kids play outside.

 I'm not sure whey these 5 cuties picked me for their mother....they must want a close up look of what CRAZY looks like.  They are all so sweet and I can't imagine my life without them!