Santa Clause is Coming to Town!

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/gTByZ-s26nfZodX0YwfMghQ

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY LILY!

Lily has been talking about her birthday for the last 364 days. We were all SO GLAD when it finally came. She really wanted a birthday party so we invited a few of her best friends. Mom and Dad Mecham and Shonnee were here for one of Dad's conferences so they helped make the cake and get the presents ready. Anyways, it was such a fun Princess, Tinker Bell, Flower Power party!

HALLOWEEN!

Lily's preschool had a Halloween party. So fun! She loves her preschool!

Halloween night we went to the ward party. Lots of good food and tons and tons of candy made it a perfect Halloween night.

Dixie State Homecoming

October

Staheli Family Farm
Lily has been talking about going to a pumpkin patch since she read about Clifford the Red dog going to one. So, for Fall break we headed over to Staheli Family Farm:

150th Anniversary Pioneer Trek

We didn't actually go on the trek but we were there when the "pioneers" came in from the 1.5 week trek. There was a huge parade to welcome them back. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about the pioneers who rolled into the valley 150 years ago. They did not have the comfort that these modern-day pioneers had. They rolled into desert and bareness. I can't imagine what that must have been like. But also how great it must have been to realize that they had arrived and wouldn't have to walk anymore. Anyways, a few picture from this neat day:

Catching Up...

The last couple of months have been crazy! I lost our summer vacation pictures (we went to Northern UT to visit our families) and just found them so there are waaay more pictures coming.

Anyways, school started for Dan in August. The same week that school started Dan quit his job and I started a new one. I work at a gas station as the cashier. I work Wednesday and Thursday in the evenings and Friday, Saturday and Sundays for 10 hours each. So basically our life is chaotic all of the time.

Also Lily started preschool (she is growing up so fast) twice a week so we always have places to go! You can see what she's been up to at brightbusybees.blogspot.com.

So we are still alive...watch for more pictures!

Happy Birthday to Dan!

Dan turned 34...wow! Almost mid-thirties!!

For his birthday Dan got an ipad (a necessity for school), a door hanger made with love by Lily, and a really cool candy bar poster. For those of you who don't know, Dan is addicted to candy. Earlier I had taken the girls shopping for all the candy bars. I got them a little treat. When we got home Dan complained that I never got him treats anymore. Ha! That made the present even better.

Thanks for all the hard you are doing in school! We are proud of you! Happy Birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa Mecham come to Visit

One thing that is cool about living in St. George is that my dad has conferences here three times a year. This time round my mom hitched a ride with him so she could hang with the kidlets for a bit (oh and Dan and I too).

This visit was pretty relaxed. We didn't do a lot but veg. It was heavenly! This picture is cute for two reasons: Grandma and Grandpa enjoying Kara. Kara's adorable little pig tails. This was the first attempt. Glad her hair is finally getting long enough!

Grandma and Grandpa got to stay in an awesome hotel. We got to enjoy their pool. Afterwards Grandpa raided the junk food section in the hotel pantry and we all got sick on ice cream. It was AWESOME!

Thanks for coming to visit Grandma and Grandpa!

Marathon at Sand Hollow

Daniel, Kait, and Bentley came to our neck of the woods to run in a triathalon (how is this spelled?).

I have to admit that I was completely impressed that my little bro would run in something like that! It was a pretty exciting day.

After the race we went out to eat. Bentley was so stinkin' cute! She loved Lily who loved her back. Bentley kept hugging her. Best buds already!

Jenny's Canyon

We went with some awesome pals to Snow Canyon on a mini hike. It was gorgeous inside Jenny's Canyon!

Kara loved playing in the sandy dirt.

There were little caves everywhere to climb in. It freaked Lily out a bit. Her friend not so much. She is an absolute monkey!

Lily and her friend at the sand dunes.

Finger Painting

We have such cute kids!

Not So Ghostly Ghost Town

Dan had to study all day and the library was closed so we kicked ourselves out of the house and headed on an adventure. Right outside of Zion's National Park is a "ghost town" that is perfect for little kids!


Notice how Lily has Kara around the neck. That is the only way she could make her hold still.

Lily getting water the hard way.

Lily enjoying herself in jail. (Notice the saloon in the background. Ha ha)

There were roosters and llamas and donkeys and mini horses. The gift shop had carrots for sale to feed the animals. Lily loved feeding the donkey even though she was worried about her hand being eaten off. The most hilarious thing was that Kara freaked out every time Lily fed a carrot. I've never seen her get scared like that.

Lily's new boyfriend. He was a bit freaky. Kara thought so too.

Grandma and Grandpa Mecham Come to Visit

Love Lock Gate

I found this gate while I was walking one day. It's a gate where people can profess their love, engagement, triumph, friendship, or whatever you want.

This is my favorite lock. It's got a huge ring hanging around it. This couple got engaged in front of the the Love Lock Gate.
_________________________________________

We woke up to an overcast morning. It was actually cool outside! So we went on a quick trip to the Dixie Rock to hike around. It was great fun!
_______________________________

We got to go to The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn! It was absolutely amazing! It has been so long since I have had a cultural experience and I was in heaven. There was a pre-show performance outside the main theater. Afterwards Lily had a great time performing her own dance on the stage.

Of course I was the crab...

Lily was SO excited to see The Little Mermaid! She was intent through the whole play. She had never seen anything like it!

Afterwards we waited in line

And Lily got to meet Eric and Ariel! She was over the top excited and she said that was her the best part of the whole play. Next time we won't spend money on the play...we'll just show up at the end so she can get her picture! Just kidding. She loved it all and meeting the characters was just the icing on the cake.