We Went Camping Again

So, our second time camping was last weekend, while Kollin was in San Antonio, Texas for a karate seminar. We joined my whole family (except Kollin - of course - and Ben) at a campsite in Payson Canyon. I actually took pictures this time, so prepare yourself (for maybe too many?)!!









It took a while for Kayla to fall asleep, so once they were both asleep I took pictures. I love seeing them sleeping. Its so peaceful.



The Next Day...







The girls had SO much fun exploring. And anyone who has been up there knows that there are a lot of cows in the canyon. We saw several cows during our stay, and Kourtney always wanted to go after them.




Grandma Sue came up and joined us after teaching her Friday night class. She was a fun addition and a wonderful help!



Cute cousins!




Kourtney started this pose, I just followed her example. *smile*
Like mother, like daughter (anyone who knew me in high school will understand, ha)


Ring around the rosies...


So, along with cows, we saw 3 horse riders too. The riders were SO kind. They stopped and got off, to let every single one of the kids have a turn (that's a lot of kids! 6 of them rode.)


Kourtney LOVED every minute and was able to convince them to let her ride all three!




So funny to think that just last summer she wouldn't even get on a small pony. Now she was riding all by herself! Go Kourtney!!


Kayla was content to just stand and watch.


After horses, the kids went to explore with Uncle Dan and Aunt Maria.






Kayla played in the dirt for a while before she went to explore with her sister and cousins.





Aunt Maria took these pictures. So cute! Even with the dirt on her face *wink*




Devanie and Ainsley were nice enough to share their all natural sodas (thats right, naturally flavored soda. And, NO sugar!) with Kourtney!



We had a great time!

Face Painting!

Her first time! So pretty, so glittery, so fun!



I had no idea that the Chick Fil A off of 106 south has a kids eat free (after 5pm) special every Wednesday. I don't know if it is every location. I had never eaten there but Kollin had some time between school and karate so we met him down there for dinner. They had their kids eat free special, balloons and face painting! I didn't think Kourtney would sit still for it, but after watching several kids get their faces done, she was ready! So fun!

Fun Stephenson Family Reunion

For the Stephenson Family Reunion this year we split it up. One weekend we went rafting then a few weeks later we went up to the Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. We had a great time at both places. Thanks Mom/Grandma Sue!

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Camping in Idaho the night before the family reunion. Believe it or not, it was the girls first time camping! Pathetic? How about the fact that it was Kollin and my first time camping with each other too! Yikes! How did that happen? We both love camping, just.......never went. Sad, I know.





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The next day we headed over to our destination: Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. It was only a 15 minute drive so we got to see a bit of the town before checking it to the School House Inn.




The pools were naturally warm (hence the name, Lava Hot Springs), but it was cool to think that it was all done naturally...and some of them (there were several different ones) got HOT!

Aunt Maria provided a cool guitar pinata for the kids.





It was full of fun toys and yummy candy. Thanks Aunt Maria!



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River Rafting on Provo River through High Country Rafting. This was SO much fun! All 4 of us enjoyed it. We definitely wanna go again next summer!




It was a nice slow raft with a few rapid areas, but nothing too crazy. We all got splashed.






Uncle Dan helped Kourtney "hang out" in the water.




Aunt Maria and Momma got in too. It was FREEZING!

September Update

You know, it really is amazing how fast time goes by. I can't believe its already been another month since my last post. Lets see if I can fill you in on our changes in life...

Kollin is busy busy. He takes care of the girls in the morning while I'm at work, then leaves for school before noon, and then after school he goes to one of the two recreation centers that he teaches karate at.
He is doing very well in school. He (for the most part) enjoys his classes because it is a subject he is interested in, Criminal Justice. He's had some interesting teachers (a lot of retired police officers) that tell stories from their experiences. He has a few years left, but when he's done he'll be able to do something else that he loves. The actual career choice isn't determined yet, but he has a lot of different ideas that he's thinking of.
His karate school is doing well too! He teaches at two rec centers (Kearns and Copperview Rec Center), has nearly 30 students, and is even teaching a class in ASL for the Deaf! Its all still in the beginning stages but is really taking off. I'm very proud of him for taking action and following one of his dreams (two actually, since he is in school for the other one too!) and making it happen. His students had their first test a couple months ago and already the parents were coming up to me telling me (or rather, reminding me *wink*) how awesome he is, what a good teacher he is, and how good he is with kids. Keep up the good work babe!

(Having fun at the John Schmidt concert)

Because Kollin is in school and teaching karate, I have gone back to work to help out a bit. I work part time (20-30 hrs) as a caterer for Einstein Bagels. It really is a blessing from the Lord. It pays really well, has early enough hours so I can work and get back to my girls, and the bosses are great too. My work day usually starts around 4:30am and I work btwn 3 to 8 hours every day, except some Saturdays and all Sundays. I'm home before Kollin leaves for school so our girls always have a parent with them and we don't have to fork out the money for day care, whew! After work, I am welcomed home by my girls (and husband) all running up to give me big hugs and kisses. Then Kollin leaves and the girls and I do our things together. Right now the weather has been REALLY nice, the temperature really comfortable so we've been outside a lot more. We enjoy going to the library, the park, for walks and playing with friends and cousins. (However we haven't gotten to our cousins house as much as we used to, now that Mommy drives a lot for work. ) Kollin and I are also the Nursery leaders at church so all 4 of us are in Nursery together, for now (which works out because Kourtney wouldn't let us leave anyway, and Kayla will be 18months in a couple weeks, then she'll go to the younger nursery-yeah our nursery is huge).

Kourtney is almost THREE and is very excited for her birthday! She keeps telling people that she will be three and that a rainbow cake is coming over for her birthday. I can't believe how she has grown! She talks, A LOT and loves to tell you about her day and other things that are going on in her life. We have lots of conversations together that are usually one sided while the other person listens to her. She loves to ask you "whats that?", "why?", "where is the moon?", or demand that she do whatever you're doing and to do it by herself. She likes to try and be Mommy, loves playing with Kayla, cousins and friends and while it may not always seem like it (from the way she sits on Kayla, or they way they fight over toys, ha) she is VERY protective of Kayla.

(Kourtney has beautiful LONG blond straight hair)

And Kayla adores Kourtney. She wants to do whatever Kourtney is doing. She is VERY active, loves dancing, loves to eat, and loves to read and will get mad at you if you don't read the book that she has brought to you. She doesn't talk much, she yells instead, but we're working on that. She says "Upie" to be picked up, "More", "Please", "Thank you", Momma and Dadda. She knows where her eyes, nose, ears, mouth, tongue, cheek, hand, toes, feet, and legs are. She knows things, she just isn't talking or signing much. Its interesting to see how different the girls are. By this age Kourtney was talking and signing a lot, but Kayla is doing things now that Kourtney wouldn't at this age.

(Kayla has beautiful brown curls)

For nap time they sleep separate (otherwise, neither gets a decent nap), but at night they share a room. They have different beds, but they sleep together in Kourtney's twin bed. We'll usually hear them laughing together for a while after lights out, but eventually they crash and sleep all night together. I'm so glad they love each other and have so much fun together.

Its been a wild ride so far, but we're loving every minute of it!