Lava Trip

Last year we attempted a trip with our friends that live in  Idaho to Lave Hot Springs. They fell ill with a flu while we were there and had to cut the trip short.

This year, we thought we would try for a redo. We stayed at Smith's Trout Haven. Best campground ever. It is perfect for the kids to run around on the grass. There are a few playgrounds and even a fishing pond. Saturday we went to the big outdoor pool in Lava. It is kind of pricey but the kids had fun. Sunday we decided to go tubing down the Portneuf River. It was SO SO fun. We could have gone over and over but only rented the tube for an hour so we only made it down 2 times. We were all laughing so hard and got soaked but loved every second of it. We sure have some brave kids. It was a great mini vacation. If you are looking for a place to go that is not too far, I would highly recommend going to Lava!

Kindergarten!

Kinlee started her first day of kindergarten last week on August 2nd. I thought I would cry but surprisingly I didn't. She was a little nervous waiting in line to go in, but then got a big grin on her face as she walked through the doors. I love her school so far and think Kinlee will make new friends very easily. Her teacher said she is very bright and well beyond where she needs to be entering kindergarten. Here's to a fun year!

House Stuff

Here is the story...

Over 8 years ago, Derk and I saved and built our first house. We lived there just over 7 years before we decided it was time for change.

We started looking and this is what we found...

A beautiful house in Herriman. At the time it was SO exciting. The thought of having a huge yard in this beautiful neighborhood and what we felt was a definately a step up from where we were living. On March 15, 2011 we closed on our second home.

It was not long after (maybe a few months) that had passed and I felt deep down we had made a mistake. We have put about 10,000 into the house. New carpet, New granite Counters and 500 worth of cabinetry in the Laundry room. Also a 500 deductible to fix a shower that was moldy and had to be ripped out and replaced. Not to mention some other costs...
Lately it had really been bugging me more and more the things I CANNOT change.

• The fact that my kids have NOBODY to play with other than each other. This just eats away at me. The street is like a ghosttown. We go out and its so quiet. I miss the days of our old house where we would sit in the front yard and spend way too long outside after dark talking and visiting with everyone while the kids played. I miss it so much. Everyone keeps telling me we will meet people when Kinlee starts Kindergarten but that doesn't change the fact that there is still nobody next door to play with.  
• The drive. Not much more to say about that. It sucks. Everywhere I go is twice the distance it used to be. If you know me, I am a busybody. I don't stay home much.
• The yard!!! What were we thinking? .33 acres. LOTS of weed pulling, very time consuming, HUGE water bills in the summer in the mid 200's. I think a quarter acre would be more than enough.

So... Long story... We decided if we could list our house and make back the money we put down on it as well as the money we put into it, why not... As of yesterday our house is on the market. We have had 3 showings (someone already wants it but is not pre-approved for a loan yet) and we have 2 more people coming through tomorrow. I know it will sell fast. Moving sucks. It is stressful, but I feel that in the end this will all be so worth it.

We have a lot reserved in South Jordan. The subdivision is called Jordan Heights Phase 2 (will have bigger lots than phase 1). It sits on the north side of 11400 s and the west side of 4000 w. We absolutely love the location and its proximity to Bangerter. The lot is held for 60 days while our house sells, but if for any reason we change our mind (yah right) or find something else, we can get our earnest money back. Its a big step in the right direction for us.

Here is the house we will build. We will also be adding the bonus room which increases the square footage by another 400-500 sf. This is the rambler we have been looking for :) Will have this eleveation but some hardiboard accents...

http://www.henrywalkerhomes.com/metro-series/prague

St. Geezy

This year for our family vacation, we planned a little weekend getaway with some friends from our old neighborhood. We stayed at a beautiful HUGE house in St. George (actually in Washington). It was right by the old golf course and was a former parade of homes house. The owners use it as a vacation rental. It had a wonderful pool and everything you could want. It was so much fun to get away for a few days,. The girls had a blast. We already can't wait for next year. There were 11 adults and like 12 or 13 kids.
On the drive down we stopped in Scipio which is North of Beaver. There is a cute little petting zoo that is free. Brightyn got nipped by a zebra and our friends little boy got nipped by an ostrich. lol. Kinda funny.

He got pissed after I picked him up.

The girls are such animal lovers.

The House we stayed in...

This bedroom was amazing! and the bathroom, even more...

This was our room :)

Main Street Splashpad


This kept Brightyn busy at The Pizza Factory

Here comes Miss Kindergarten

Kinlee is officially DONE with preschool. She will start Kindergarten the end of August. Her school is year round which kinda sucks, but we lucked out with D track (my first choice). Kinlee absolutely loved her teacher Miss Kim and learned SO much. She is more than ready to move on. Little Brightyn will follow in her footsteps and start at Miss Kims this fall! They both can't wait.