Bryce's employer, Alpine, was kind enough to give us four tickets to watch the Utah Jazz. They played the Oklahoma Thunder. Its been over a year since we have been to a game, so I was looking forward to it. Not only were they good seats, but I also enjoy watching Kevin Durrant, Paul Milsap and Gordon Hayward play. 
We were trying to decide whether to get a sitter or take the kids with us. We ended up taking the kids down with us. I don't know if that was the best decision, but it still turned out pretty fun. We took the boys to Crown Burger for dinner and parking. I almost saw a fight between two men in the line in front of me. One was young and the other was in his late 70's-early 80's. They were arguing over who was in line first. The grandpa gave the younger guy an elbow and said, "Does this bother you? Am I too close to you." It was great.
It was a fun time to watch the Jazz play. We thought for sure they would get beat, but they ended pulling off a great win. It was a very entertaining game to watch. Clayton got tired and moody on and off through out the game, but he lasted the whole time! Cooper thought it was so boring and he didn't know what to do with himself. Guess we'll leave the kids home next time!
It was a fun time to watch the Jazz play. We thought for sure they would get beat, but they ended pulling off a great win. It was a very entertaining game to watch. Clayton got tired and moody on and off through out the game, but he lasted the whole time! Cooper thought it was so boring and he didn't know what to do with himself. Guess we'll leave the kids home next time!
The bigger pool was kind of cold, so Clayton and I hung out in the hot tub most of the time. Dad was a good sport and played with Cooper in the cold pool the whole time. Cooper loves to swim and he is getting better and better at it. He loves his goggles and they help him feel more comfortable in the water.
Clayton enjoyed walking around the inside of the h0t tub. He liked it when we turned on the jets because then he could try to pick up the bubbles. He would sit with me for a few minutes and then go over to our towels and take a bite of his apple. He did this the whole time. As of lately, he is really into apples
He was bound and determined to keep his shamrock stickers on his forehead and hand!!
The boys had a fun time looking at all the different kinds of fish and "water creatures". The aquarium has really advertised their two newest additions, the otters. But, the otters were sound asleep when we got there. Cooper enjoyed watching the jellyfish float effortlessly throught the water. 
He also loved the bright, tropical aquariums. He was able to reach down in a shallow lagoon and pet a stingray. He thought they felt slimy. The boys also got to touch a garder snake and watch a ginormous sea turtle surf through the water. 
My favorite part of the museum was the penguins. We could see them swim under the water or walk up on the rocks. It was fascinating to watch them fly through the water at high speeds and then jump on the shore with ease. They are really interesting birds to watch. I love how they push their chests out when they walk. 
We spent about an hour and a half at the aquarium. Clayton started getting bored and complaining about being hungry, so we headed to the nearest McDonalds where the boys inhaled their Happy Meals and then played for a few minutes.
The next part of the evening was the most exciting for me. It was something I was looking forward to all week long! I was envisioning it everyday until we finally arrived at....Sonny Bryan's Texas BBQ!!!! It was all I hoped for......a delicious, slow cooked, bbq smothered, brisket sandwich, steaming hot fried okra dipped in homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh hot rolls, and to top it all off just right....a big, ice cold, glass of Dr. Pepper! OH, I was in Heaven!
All in all, it was a great day and its always fun to take these opportunities to spend time with our kids one on one. Too often I think we neglect those special chances to be together as a family unit. Time flies by too quickly and so I am trying to make the best of these times! Love my husband and boys!
We decided to go on a hike with our friends, Nate and Julie and their two kids. They moved into the house across the street from us about a year ago. It has been nice to get to know them this past year. In fact, their daughter, Jordi, and Cooper have become very good friends. Everyday after school, they meet outside to play and climb trees
Anyway, we hiked up Waterfall Canyon, located in Layton. We were told that it was a pretty easy hike and only 2 miles up to the "falls". The first part of the hike has lots of switchbacks and it was just fine sand and dirt. It was a pretty steady climb, but the kids were out in front of us and having a great time. Clayton walked when he could, and spent most of his time on Bryce's shoulders. 
When you get up on the top of the first hillside, you start getting into the trees and shade. It was very pretty and the river ran right next to the trail. The kids threw rocks in the river and Clayton even dipped his hands in the cold water. 
After a while, the trail started getting a little muddy. Then it turned into full ice. The trails were covered in snow and mostly ice. I think the kids could maneuver on the ice pretty well, but the adults were slippin' and slidin'! We kept going for quite a while and thought we definitely had to be getting close to the falls. 
Well, it turns out that we weren't even half way to the falls. After we had hiked (if you can call it hiking) for over an hour, we decided we better turn around. The trail was getting steeper and there was more and more ice. We should have known when we passed a lady coming down the trail that had chains on her hiking shoes.
It ended up being a lot of fun. The kids had a great time and it was nice to be up and exercising and getting some fresh air. We hiked for about 2 hours total. Hopefully, in a couple of more weeks, the snow and ice will be melted and we can try making it up to the falls. Clayton kept saying, "Waterfall, waterfall"....too bad he never got to see the waterfalls. He enjoyed riding on dad's back and sliding down the trail like he was skiing!
Cooper was out in front with Jordi and Tyler the entire time. They crawled up the hillside to look in some caves. He also enjoyed hopping from rock to rock in the river. He thought it was exciting to slide down the ice trails. Its nice to be able to take the boys and do some fun, healthy, outdoor activities!
For the closing song, he chose, "Families Can Be Together Forever", one of his most favorite songs. As we sang, I had to fight back the tears as I felt an overwhelming feeling of love for my family. This was one of my childhood favorites as well. When we finished the song, Cooper said, "When I hear that song, it makes me feel like I want to cry because I am so happy." I tried to explain to Cooper that he is feeling the Spirit or the Holy Ghost. This has happened to him multiple times and he always explains it the same way. After our family prayer, we had a group hug (Cooper and Clayton love group hugs) and then Clayton kept cuddling up to Cooper on the couch.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful boys in my home and family. Cooper is so receptive and so sweet. He is such a good example to all of us and especially his little brother. I am thankful for families and for the temple. 