Merry Christmas to All

From Our House to Yours....

Merry Christmas

 

Santa Baby 2016

We had yet another wonderful experience getting our Santa Pictures done. We used FotoFly Santa and they blew us away with the amazing pics they got. IT took 20 minutes and the pictures were So amazing for the price... miles above a "mall" Santa. Even though Big A realized this wasn't the "real" Santa he was fine getting his picture taken with a "Helper".

My Little Pilgrims

 

One more year of the pilgrims...whew! I was so worried that my big boy would not be up for dressing up for a photo shoot this year. I had actually kind of resigned myself to the idea that I wouldn't get one this year. I tried to bring it up tactfully..."Hey guys we are going to do pilgrim pictures this weekend!" Big A was all "Mooooommmm, That is SO dorky, I can't let anyone see me like that!" "We are going to Gardner Village when they are closed, there wont be ANYONE around." Really Mom? Really?" and he gives me the raised eyebrow that he is working a lot lately. Then he says the golden phrase "I'll do it for $5!" Little a chimes in "I want $5 too!"

I am not proud to admit it but I am NOT above bribing my children. $10 in the piggy banks and I have one more year of AMAZING pics of A and A in full on Pilgrim mode!

 

Life After the Car Seat... Big A turned 8

Big A is now officially a 8 year old. He is officially out of the booster seat in the car... a big step. As I look over the pictures from this years birthday shoot I can't believe how much he has grown-up over the last year. At the photo shoot he had his own ideas for poses (some pretty awesome). He was kind of shy around the photographer (a first) and the warmed up as we went. Listening to him talk to the photographer about his life and likes again I was so struck by how very grown-up he has gotten.... How did this happen? It makes me tear up a bit (I know weepy mom mode!) whatching the "baby boy, little guy times fade into the past. He is such a bright, funny, kind, playful, thoughtful little guy. I am so blessed to be his Mom, watching him grow!

A thank you to FotoFly photography for once again giving me outstanding birthday shots of A!

Crazy Corn Maze... Be A-MAZED!!!

Halloween is one of my Favorite holidays (okay , okay...it probably is my favorite holiday!). I like to go full out and do lots of fun Halloween things with A and A. I mean Halloween is not embedded with present buying or family functions, no real pressure (like some other red and green holidays).It's all fun and games and I want to make the most of it.

As we started making our spooky plans the first thing both A and A mentioned they wanted to do wa the Crazy Corn Maze again. Last year we took them and weren't sure what to expect...they LOVED it! SO the Crazy Corn maze was back on the list!

We decided to mix it up a bit this year and start a bit later in the evening so it got dark about half-way though the maze. It was perfect! the kids got to be in the depth of the maze and get comfortable while it was still light and then got to enjoy the spookiness of finishing up in the dark...perfect!

The Crazy Corn maze is the perfect size...long enough to make it worth your wild but not so long that the kids (and you) get bored. The price is right the size is perfect and the fall fun is plentiful... what are you waiting for???

The CRAZY CORN MAZE

LOCATION
8800 South 4000 West  West Jordan, UT

Dates of maze: September 23-October 31.
Dates of haunt:Sept 23,24,30 then October 1-30. Haunt open Tuesday-Saturdays             

Hours of operation
Mon-Thu 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Fri 6:00pm - 11:30pm
Sat 12:00 noon - 11:30pm
Sun Closed
Last ticket sold one hour prior to closing.
 
Prices
Maze $7.50 ages 10+
Maze $4.50 child ages 5-9 (4 & under FREE)
Haunt $14.00 (Fast Pass add $5.00)
Combo (maze & haunt) $16.00 

 

Click HERE for a coupon!!!

Teamwork!

Fun Photo Ops!

FINISHED!!!

 

Utah's Top Halloween Attractions 2016

Halloween is my favorite Holiday. Don’t get me wrong… I lOVE Christmas and Thanksgiving and Easter and all the rest, but Halloween has a special spot in my heart. As the mom of two little monsters most of my favorite Halloween past times aren't appropriate... Super Scary Haunted Houses, Horror Movies, but I don't want to let that stop me from celebrating the holiday with some family friendly Halloween fun!

Here's a list of the top 2016 Utah Halloween adventures that are fun for the whole family. I searched out all the info and want to share, save you some googling time! So here they are (in no particular order!)

Crazy Corn Maze

 Location: 8800 South 4000 West, West Jordan, UT 84088

Attractions: Pumpkin patch, Corn Maze, Haunted Corn Maze
Schedule: Maze Sept 24-Oct 31. Haunt Oct 2-Oct 30

Hours of operation
Mon-Thu 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Fri 6:00pm - 11:30pm
Sat 12:00 noon - 11:30pm
Sun Closed

Prices: Maze $7.50 ages 10+
Maze $4.50 child ages 5-9 (4 & under FREE)
Haunt $14.00 (No waiting in line VIP $18.50)
Combo (maze & haunt) $15.50  (VIP $20.00)

Website: http://www.utahmaze.com/visit.html

Cornbelly’s at Thanksgiving Point

Location: Thanksgiving Point
3003 North Thanksgiving Way
Lehi, UT 84043

Attractions: TONS! Corn Maze, Climbing Wall, Corn Cannons, Giant Slide, Pumpkin Patch, Cow Train, Insanity Point Haunts (Scarier Fun for the Adventurous!), Hayrides, Inflatable and much more!

Schedule: September 30 - Oct 29

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 4-9 pm
Friday-Saturday 10am - 11 pm
Sunday Closed

Prices: Attraction Passes Ranging from $11.95 - $24.95

Website: http://www.cornbellys.com/

Gardner Village Witchfest

Attractions: Witch Scavenger Hunt, Witch Displays, 6 Hags Witches adventure

Location: 1100 W. 7800 S., West Jordan, UT 84088

Schedule: Mon – Thur 11am – 7pm Fri & Sat 11am – 8pm, Sunday closed

Prices: Scavenger hunt and displays Free, 6hags $6 ages 1 and up includes all activities

Website: http://www.gardnervillage.com/witchfest-calendar-of-events

  Frightmares at Lagoon

Location: 375 North Lagoon Drive Farmington, Utah 84025

Attractions: All the rides of Lagoon PLUS 6 Haunted Houses ranging from a lootle scary to super scary!, 2 Trick or Treat walk thrus, 2 Stage shows and loads of roaming “entertainment.” Plus the park is COMPLETELY decorated for Halloween with tons of amazing photo op places!  

Hours of operation
Weekends September 16 – October 30  
Fri 5pm - 11pm
Sat 11am - 11pm
Sun 11am – 8pm
Prices: Adults $55.95 Children (Under 48”) $38.50 (Discount Tickets Available at Costco!)

Website: http://www.lagoonpark.com/what-to-do/frightmares/

 Pumpkin Point Farms

Attractions: Pumpkin Patch with 35 different varieties, Childrens Corn Maze and Tractor rides

 

Location: 11900 S 3600 W Riverton, UT 84065

Schedule: Tractor Rides (Mon, Fri & Sat 5pm-7pm)  

 

Prices: Pumpkins from $.50 - $12.00 Maze and tractor rides Free with pumpkin purchase

Website: http://pumpkinpointfarms.com/index.html

Black Island Farms

Attractions: Utah’s Largest Corn Maze, Animal Alley, Bonfires, Cow Train, Grain Shoot Slide, Straw Mountain, Pig Races, Corn Box, Bounce House, Pumpkin Patch, Farm Hayrides   

Location: 3178 S. 3000 W, Syracuse, UT 84075

Schedule: Sept 23 – Oct  31

Hours:

Mon-Thurs 4pm – 10pm

Fri 4pm – Midnight
Sat 10am – Midnight
Sun 11am – 5pm

Prices:

Corn Maze and Courtyard: Adults $11 Kids (Ages 12-2) $9

Nightmare Acres: Adults & Kids $16

Harvest Hayride: Adults $9 Kids $6

Website: http://www.blackislandfarms.com/

First Stop Kindergarten... Next Stop the World

 

I can’t believe this day has come. My little a, my “baby,” just started kindergarten.  

In some ways I felt much more prepared for her to start than I did for Big A. I know her teacher (the same one Big A had) and LOVED her. I know that she will give little a an amazing kindergarten experience. I know the school now, and the ins and outs of the schedule. All those unknowns that kind of freaked me out when Big A started were not there anymore.

I now had the great sadness of losing my little buddy to contend with. We had the option of starting her this year or waiting until next year since she just turned 5 over the summer. She is the youngest kid in her class and that makes me nervous too. However if you know our little A you know that she is feisty and smart and outgoing and so ready to start school. Holding her back would have made me happy to have the extra year of our one on one time but it would not have been fair to her (as much as I REALLY wanted to!)

So off she went. Butterfly Backpack (she picked out), and a huge grin ready to take on school. I don’t worry about her being shy or not making friends, I worry about her taking over the school!

 

Let's Have a Parade...of Homes!

We once again embarked on the Salt Lake Parade of Homes with A and A in tow and once again we were so pleasantly surprised by their interest and excitement of touring the amazing houses. They were both in awe of the cute elements that were obviously made to make the house kid friendly but also at lots of little items. The TV that seemed to "magically" appear from the ceiling of a master bedroom was a big hit. Even the HUGE walk-in closets garnered squeals of excitement ("Someone could LIVE in this closet!" Little a exclaimed!) The biggest hit was a "hidden" reading nook that was tucked behind a secret bookshelf. I have to admit it was probably my favorite feature too!

I don't know if it's the grandeur of the homes, the shine of all the elegant décor or the overall "adult" atmosphere but whatever the reason A and A acted SO grown-up! They walked (didn't run!) and kept their hands to themselves, they visited with other house goers and politely waited their turn in the more crowded houses. It was so fun to watch my wild and crazy duo acting so proper!

It's funny that people think that kids wont like this kind of thing. Just because they are kids doesn't mean they wont be just as in awe of the amazing mansions of the Parade of Homes. The "Kid Caves" and Media Rooms are just as awesome to them as they are to you. So as you contemplate checking out the Parade of Homes consider taking your little ones along, their interest might surprise you.

As we spent a full day touring homes in sweltering heat, sudden micro-burst rain, and crazy pelting hail A and A whined and complained on the way home. "Can't we go to just one more house???" Big A whined.

A thanks to the Salt Lake Builders Association for providing us passes to the Salt Lake Parade of Homes,

All opinions are my own.

 

Salt Lake Parade of Homes DISCOUNT!!!

The Salt Lake Parade of Homes is almost here! A& A are so excited about going again this year! (Check out our fun last year…  HGTV Kids )


Salt Lake Parade of Homes 2016
July 29 - August 13, 2016
Monday - Saturday 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Closed Sundays

The Salk Lake Home Builders Association is giving my readers a FANTASTIC deal! $3 off tickets! Use coupon code adventures when you check out and save $3 on each ticket you buy!

Buy Tickets Here!

 ***Remember use adventures as your coupon code and get your $16 tickets for just $13!!!

Check back soon for a look at our Parade of Homes 2016 Adventures!

Our (Not So) Little A Turns 5!

Sometimes I just can’t get over the fact that my “baby” girl is growing up so fast. She is 5… FIVE… Half way to 10!!!  I am sure I’ll always feel like this. I mean we have so much growing up still to come, Tween, Teen… I don’t even want to think about that! Hitting 5 is hard enough!

Our little a is such a big girl now. She knows her numbers, Adds, Subtracts.. Letters, reads a bit. She LOVES Puzzles and Baseball, Swimming, and pretend Cooking. She is so smart but she loves some crazy shows “Zig and Sharko” and “Oggy and the Cockroaches” are her faves! She still loves Frozen and Zootopia. She is fearless, she’ll climb anything and her favorite ride is “Tower of Terror”!

She had a fun Birthday full or Family, Friends and Festivities! She got to Party with Chuck E. Cheese and enjoyed MULTIPLE birthday cakes! 

 

  She is a Silly, Crazy, Fierce, Funny, Playful, Zany, Sweet, Sassy, Fearless, Smart, Lovable,
Little Girl.... and now she is 5!