The Great Salt Lake!

Somehow, it has already been almost 8 months since we moved to Salt Lake City.  For those of you who don't know, the Salt Lake is on the edge of the city and not too easily accessible or full of great things to do.  However, I have found it a little ridiculous that I tell everyone I live in a city named after a lake that I've never seen (besides from airplanes).  So, since both kids were boycotting their naps today, I  made an impulsive decision to drive an hour to Antelope Island, which is in the middle of the Great Salt Lake and is known for having tons of Antelopes hanging around.  

So, turns out the drive there isn't bad at all.  It's an hour to the end of Antelope Island, but you start on this road through the middle of the lake after only about 30 minutes of driving.  When I'd mentioned wanting to see the Salt Lake to people, both locals and transplants turned their nose up a bit and said it's not really worth it.  Well, guess what I realized--Utah folk (including us now) are so spoiled with nature that these views are just ALRIGHT.  And, to be honest, there are ridiculously beautiful mountain lakes, waterfalls, and canyons a shorter distance away.  BUT, I was pleasantly surprised with what I found on my little adventure with the kids.  The lake is beautiful from a distance.  I've heard it's pretty stinky and gross up close, but I've lived near much nastier bodies of water, so can't say I minded.   

What do you think?  Would you call these views average?

Guilt

It is so easy to get caught up in commercialism.  Everything advertised promises to make life easier, entertain the kids for hours, or, the one I tend to fall for--help make your kids smart.  I think every mom has a voice of guilt, no matter what path they choose--working away from home full time, working part time, or being home full time.  In my role as a stay-at-home mom, I often feel guilty and worry that I'm depriving my kids of all sorts of social interactions and exposure to the abundance of educational toys and such that would be present at a daycare or school.  But, then this happens:

A cardboard box.  A lesson on sharing, cooperation, teamwork, and building the imagination.  And, quality time for these brothers to hang out and bond without any other peers around to distract them.  Sometimes, we just have to slap ourselves in the face, stop feeling guilty, and enjoy the moment.  

55 and Sunny

I've switched into summer mode!  Andrew and I made our first batch of lemonade for the year after naps today and we spent the entire day outside!

We just had to grill on such a nice night, so we had rosemary shrimp scampi for dinner.  I have made this a few times and always double it and freeze half (before cooking).  Let me tell you, Matthew asked for 2nd's and 3rd's and 4th's and Andrew asked if he could get more shrimp before Matthew finishes it all!  These are the same kids that reject roasted chicken.  Crazies.

One of my favorite games!

Don't you just love when little ones choose to play the Nigh Nigh game?  

One of these kids is better at it than the other...

In other news--the weather has been WONDERFUL this week!  It's been sunny every day-as in, completely blue skies and the temps are inching up every day.  We were in the 50's today and will be in the 60's by the end of the week!  

Here's the boys scooping up the last bits of snow in our yard:

What we've been up to...

Well, I have apparently become a blog slacker.  Here's what we've been up to the past several weeks:

Playing in the backyard anytime the temp is above 30 and/or the sun comes out:

Going to the zoo about once a week:

Hanging out at the Children's Museum: 

And, of course, spending lots of quality unstructured time at home being goofy, making messes, eating crayons, and occasionally sitting still:

We are very ready for more outdoor time, fewer layers, and no more snow!  Come on spring!!  It hit 60 today and we got a taste of the good days ahead.