Back-To-School Fashion Show

 A Stewart family tradition growing up was... every year before school started and we were done

back-to-shopping...we would lay out all of our clothes and my parents wanted a "Fashion Show".  So I was so excited after were all done school clothes shopping for Alayna and getting Benson some fall clothes - to do a fashion show..its tradition...Anyways, Coby claimed that his family never did anything like it...so here it is Stewart family tradition lives on!  Light up the Runway, the Back-to-School Fashion show is beginning!!

 My kiddos do have some pretty impressive "poses"

We had so much fun...and I can't believe Alayna enjoyed shopping as much as she did...for anyone who knows her personality this is a bit of a contradiction.  She picked out some clothes, I picked out some clothes, and we compromised on some more and all of it was on sale!!...its going to be a good year.  I can't believe I am sending Alayna off to Kindergarten in two weeks!!! She is so excited...I am a bit hesistant, Benson and I will miss her during the day.

Richmond

I have to throw in this random picture - because...the other day I was so tired and I needed a nap (I never take a nap and neither does Alayna).  So after Benson was asleep for the afternoon, I left Alayna to her own devices (TV) and went to go lay down.  I fell soundly asleep and remember Alayna bothering me a couple of times about this and that and telling her to just leave me alone for a few more minutes.  Anyways, she did...and I slept great, when Benson woke up and I woke up - Alayna was nowhere to be found.  YIKES!!  We finally found her - sound asleep under my bed - apparently I wasn't the only one who needed a nap.

A couple of weeks ago, Coby had Saturday off - so we headed to Richmond to do some Back-To-School shopping and sight-seeing.  The mall we went to must be pretty new, it was beautiful.  

The kids loved all the fountains and the trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, and hanging baskets of flowers were immaculate.

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that it was a Christmas in July celebration.  We were super excited to see that Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Gingerbread man were vacationing in VA.

Even Frosty would come out for a few minutes at a tie - to wave hello before ducking in somewhere cool to keep from melting.

We did a Canal Cruise and learned some really neat things about the transportation used in the 1700s (Canals).  Our tour guide was an Authentic Colonial Era Captain named, "Cotton".

Our boat

A Unique crossing of transportation spanning four centuries - Canals (18th), Trains (19th), Cars - highway(20th), and Airplanes in the sky (21st)...generally speaking.



We enjoyed our witty tour guide and his vast knowledge of colonial times.

BYU Adventures!

 This is my last post from our Utah vacation...sigh - we had so much fun!  We went down to BYU one day for lunch at the BYU Creamery (yum!).  Alayna was so excited for blue ice cream, Benson just for ice cream...my Almond Joy ice cream was to die for!

 Most of the Crew :)

 The kids loved getting up close to all the big animals at the Bean Museum.  We loved spending time with our cousins and getting spoiled by Grandma, Grandpa, and everyone else.

 The Bean Museum was extra exciting today because Preston's good friend Charlotte is a graduate student at BYU and has worked at the Bean Museum forever...so she has access to all the cool stuff behind the closed doors.  The kids loved petting the animals, trying on turtle shells, and comparing their feet to elephant's hooves.

 The secret room with all the live amphibians was super cool!  We made friends with the tortoise and the kids all got to take turns feeding him kale.

 Snake petting :)

 The squirmy iguana!

 We were just enjoying all the creatures...when Charlotte whips out the tarantula, WTH?!!  My breath started to quicken, I started to sweat - and then Tifani holds it - yipes!

 Grandpa holds it!!

 Even Alayna holds it!!!!!!  She was told to be extra careful and not drop him, but it was all I could do not to stand on a chair, I just knew someone was going to drop it and it would go scittering after me.  Anyways Alayna has me one-upped...she has done something that I will never do! Maybe I would for a million dollars :)

Thanks Charlotte for making the day extra fun!!

Packed Full of Fun!

 We had another day packed full of fun!! It started with the Cedar Hills Parade, which did not disappoint.  Grandpa went early and got us excellent seats, in the shade, close to the beginning of the parade route.

 The kids were expert candy collectors and there was tons of candy to be had...they were all so excited!

 But just as excited for the popcorn. :)

 After the parade we headed downtown to the Farmer's Market and then on to the Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway.  It was really neat, but the highlight for the kids was the splash pad.

The Hogle Zoo!

 Grandma was so excited to get all the grandkids to the zoo...we all had so much fun.  You can't go to the Hogle Zoo without getting your head chomped by the lion.

 Little birdies all in the nest...this many kids together and all you hear is, "Mom, I'm hungry!!"

Indulging with some ice cream!  We seriously had so much fun and loved all the fun, new, exhibits at the zoo!

Birthday Rides!

 Grandpa and Kali indulged all the grandkids in as many scooter/motorcycle rides as they wanted.

 They just kept going around the block and going and going...

We were all real surprised that Madeline couldn't get enough of Grandpa's motorcycle. She was really scared to try, but once she did - she had more rides than anyone!!

 Kali gave scooter rides until her scooter died - best Aunt ever!!

Alayna was so excited to show Grandpa Perry her new birthday Perry the Platypus pajamas!!