franz's first trip to bear lake.

Bear Lake this year was awesome with a baby in tow. I've learned that you've got to be flexible while traveling with a baby, and to be ready to throw all your plans out the window at any given second, which we did a few times when we drove around the lake, trying to get him to take a nap (he didn't), forgoing taking pictures on the beach as a family, because it was just too much work (although we did a couple of me and Franz on my phone), and skipping out on a local play because of an early bedtime.

But most parts were down right fun, like hanging out on the beach (where Franz napped on me for an hour or so) and showing him the water and sand and boats, leaving him with grandma Jill while Zac and I took a wave runner out on the lake, pushing Franz in the porch swing for a while (where he almost fell asleep), and playing Phase 10 with everyone late at night while the kids slept. I am really liking going places with this little boy. He makes things more hectic, but much more enjoyable.

Bear Lake was good this year, and I think Franz enjoyed it, as well. 

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franz's first vacation: our trip to st. george.

We took a few days over the weekend after our anniversary and drove down to St. George for a little vacation with my family. The first full day we were down there, we all drove up to Sand Hollow reservoir and spent the afternoon playing on the beach. Have you ever seen a beach with red sand? It was so pretty up against the blue water! We watched my niece and nephews play in the water and let Franz dip his feet in! He was amazed, I think. 

The next day, we woke up early and headed to the Farmers' Market. Note to self: the Farmers' Market at Ancestor Square is not stroller friendly. We say in the grass and watched some old guy sing and play his guitar while we ate some bread we got from one of the booths.

After that, we walked a few blocks over to 25 Main for some real breakfast and shared a smoothie while Franz took a nap, and then crossed the street to a toy store and bought Franz the only shiny thing we could find (he's really into things that shine--watches, my wedding ring, necklaces), a Mickey Mouse toy with glittery gloves, shorts, and shoes.

For lunch, we met my family back over at 25 Main and I had a cupcake for dessert. I would make a trip down to St. George for their cupcakes alone. My favorite! I took some funny pictures of Franz and Zac, and found out that Franz is apparently a wizard.

That night, we threw a surprise birthday party for my dad. The theme? Pink and girly. Props to Emily for thinking that one up. :) We played Minute to Win It games, ate KFC, and had birthday cupcakes! 

We stayed a couple more days, and somewhere in there, we took Franz swimming for the very first time (he LOVED it), went on a long drive all over St. George and surrounding areas while Franz napped in his car seat, hung out on the bed a few times as a family making Franz crack up, got frozen yogurt, and found a really good pizza place for lunch called Riggatti's. 

We were sad to leave and go back to normal life where Zac's gone most of the time and there are no 25 Main cupcakes. It was such a fun trip! And we survived it with a baby who's not a very good sleeper! I'm already looking forward to our next vacation, whenever that will be.

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out of town.

all of us at park city last year.

We'll be out of town for a few days. We're headed up to the snowy mountains, and staying a few nights in Park City with Zac's family. We plan on eating lots and lots of jelly bellies (for me) and peanut M&M's (for Zac) on the drive up. It's been snowing all day today, and we're excited to be in the fresh snow up there (they expect 1-3 inches today!). Stay warm and safe, and listen to Christmas music all weekend long for me (because it's on the radio now, yay!).

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our bear lake weekend.

We're baaaaack! A few times a year, we go to the lake house up at Bear Lake with Zac's family. My very first time was two winters ago, when Zac and I were engaged. There, we sat in the hot tub and talked, and decided to go make snow angels in our wet swim suits. That is the thing I remember best about my first time at Bear Lake.

This past weekend was spent on the lake two days in a row, boating, wave running, and wake boarding (it was the very first time I tried it, and my dainty little arms weren't strong enough to pull the rest of my body up, so no, I didn't officially wake board). My favorite was riding (and driving!) the wave runners with Zac.

When we weren't in the water, we were either eating (Cafe Sabor is highly recommended--so much Mexican!), watching the 2012 London Olympics, or out getting chocolate raspberry shakes from LeBeau's. A city that revolves around their raspberry plants is a city for us!

And it just so happens that the next time we get the lake house is on Thanksgiving this year. I'm kind of hoping that raspberries will replace all cranberries at the dinner table that night...

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the other night in manti.

Last weekend, Zac and I drove an hour and a half south, and met my family in Manti. During the summer months in Manti, a play called The Mormon Miracle Pageant is put on by the locals about Joseph Smith, and the restoration of the Gospel, performed on the hillside right below the beautiful Manti temple.

My family usually arrives in Manti in the daytime so we can spend time eating dinner, taking walks, looking at the local museums and craft fair, and scouting out our spots for the pageant. This year was no different. Once we set up camp (and put our bags in the motel rooms), we ventured out.

While at the craft fair, I bought the most darling sweater for my future, unborn child. Zac and I also bought some root beer candies and lemon drops to eat at the pageant, because we're good thinkers. We also celebrated Daniel's 24th birthday there, which explains the BBQ and steaks: his birthday meal of choice.

I'm always surprised at how many people come to these pageants. And not only that, but also how many protestors there are. This year, a protestor brought his piano to play.

I was only awake for about half of the pageant, which made me feel kind of bad. But when you're lying on a blanket next to your lover in the cold dark night, it's kind of the perfect time to fall asleep. So, sadly, I don't remember much about the pageant. But luckily I've seen it many times before.

All the while, Rachel was sick, and ended up going to the hospital where they found out she had some kind of disease in her pancreas. No fun.

The next morning, we packed up our bags, had breakfast at camp, and drove the hour and a half home to out apartment. It was really good to get away with my family. And I plan on watching the entire show next year.

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