Kali-alla-doodle-alla-day

This fall, my sister Stephanie went back to school to get her teaching certificate from Weber University. I volunteered to take her four year old daughter, Kali every other Tuesday. Her given name is Kalia (ka-lee-ah), she goes by Kali, but for some reason I began calling her Kali-alla-doodle-alla-day and it always made her giggle. We had so much fun together! Ashley loved having someone to play with during the day and we were able to do many special outings. 

One of Kali's favorite things to do was go to my neighbor's farm. She loved to pet the horses, chase and catch the chickens, feed the ducks and play with the dog. She was also brave enough to ride the zip line!

We went with Grandma Place to Gardner Village to see all the witches!

Three darling witches!

We met up with Heather and her kids, Melia and Evera at the Zoo!

All the monkeys at the zoo!

On our last time together before Christmas break, Kali sewed a heat pack for her mom for Christmas.

She cut the material

Sewed the edges.

Filled it with rice

and added some love!

Veritable Smorgasbord Orgasbord Orgasbord

If you don't recognize the title of this post, it is from the song the rat, Templeton, sings in Charlotte's Web while enjoying all the leftovers at the State Fair. This wonderful song was going through my mind the entire time we were at the Utah State Fair! 

Now usually I would not buy tickets to the State Fair because they are too expensive and we always go to the Davis County Fair so I see no need in going to the State one. However, this year, the state sponsored a summer reading program where you could read a bunch of books, fill out the form and send it in to get free tickets to the fair. I am always needing and incentive to get the girls to read so we did it, and it was well worth it! The girls earned, tickets, a ride and a lemonade at the fair! (all free to me!) The girls had a FANTASTIC time!!!!

Aubrey enjoying the HUGE bubble maker! I couldn't get them away from this discovery zone. We went in the middle of the day and it was pretty empty when we got there so the girls had the place to themselves, they were in heaven!!

We went all out and bought a turkey leg to share for dinner! It was GIGANTIC and yummy, we felt (and looked) like cave-women eating it!!!

Cave woman Aubrey eating her dinner!

On our way out, we passed the US Marine booth. They were having a contest of who can hold a chin-up the longest. If you could hold it for 10 seconds you got a sticker, 15 a water bottle, etc. up to one minute. To qualify for a marine a girl needs to hold a chin-up for one minute. NO BODY could do it. It was mostly teen and college kids trying. I've seen Aubrey in action at USA gymnastics and I knew she could do it. She bravely went up there and asked if she could try. Everyone started laughing and the marine said it was fine, but I could tell he was just appeasing her. The marine showed her how to hold one and helped her get up there. Then she pulled up and hung on! They smiled and then they were shocked! She hung on, and hung on. She beat everyone there! Pretty soon a crowd gathered around. I kept telling her "Come on Aubrey, you can do it!" Then everyone started chanting "Aubrey-Aubrey" it was so awesome!!!! She made it the WHOLE MINUTE!!!! She was the only one to win the Marine t-shirt (the grand prize!)

Aubrey and the Marine!

Aubrey and her marine t-shirt that says, "Pain is weakness leaving the body"

On our way out the girls each got a frozen banana dipped in chocolate and sprinkles! It was such a fun day! BEST REWARD FOR SUMMER READING EVER!!!!

Lake Powell August 2012-- Christmas in August!

For Christmas 2011, Kim and Wendy Powell gave all their kids an all expense paid trip to Lake Powell in August! Ahhh, it's so nice to not worry about the cost! I must say, this ended up being the best Lake Powell trip! We had so much fun. The best thing about going to Lake Powell is that you can never have the same trip twice because the Lake is always changing. We love going to Lake Powell. 

My little Ashley exploring on the beach.

I love all the scenic views of LP. This is a view of our houseboat and what we got to wake up to every morning.

Our little family went exploring on the waverunners. We love going out on the wave runners and finding little places on the wave runners will fit. We snuck back to a little tiny cove that had the most wonderful "narrows" and places to explore!

My girls exploring a cave we found.

Winding through our own private discovery!

Having fun swimming with the family.

Quin and Ky tried to teach Aubrey to surf. It didn't work out too well, but they were patient uncles and it made for some funny times.