JC Mickelson's & Nebo Loop

If you've ever been south of Provo, you've seen some interesting billboards for a Restaurant in Nephi called JC Mickelson's. One of them reads, 

"Nephi? 

It's worth it dear...eat some peanuts!

HUH!?! I found myself trying to figure out what this billboard was saying. Then I realized - oh someone might think it's a long drive so "eat some peanuts" to tide you over until you make it (because it's worth it). 

So we talked for the first while about someday going there to see what the restaurant was all about. One Saturday (we were actually north in Provo shopping), we just up and did it! On our way down we saw more billboards with words like "cabooses" and "boxcar" and started to hope they had a cool train. And - they did! The boys loved it!

We were worried that we had built up the restaurant so much in our minds and it wouldn't live up to our anticipation. But, we LOVED the food. And while the outside of the restaurant is nothing to get excited about, or the "updated" look, the trains were wonderful, the service was great, and we couldn't have had a more pleasant experience. 

 Even better, the day we just up and randomly decided to finally (driving from Provo), the Thompson's were there too! Ironic that some of our best friends ended up at the same restaurant, at the same time, in NEPHI, when we hadn't planned it. We've been sick off and on since we moved so we hadn't planned many official playdates. It was fun to randomly run into them :-)

Matt told us they took the scenic Nebo loop to get here. They actually set out to do that first and ended up in Nephi, deciding to check the restaurant out while they were in town. So, we decided to do the same thing, and took the scenic loop back home. It was a beautiful drive (and it dropped us out only about 2-3 minutes from our house)! We love living so close to such magnificent mountains.

Camp Koholowo

This weekend was the first "Father and Son 's" Campout with our new ward and stake. We looked forward to this campout every year. The boys love getting outdoors with their Dad, and I enjoy having the house all to myself overnight, excepting Ethan of course. Next year I'll get to send him too!

They went to Camp Koholowo, a campground in Santaquin Canyon. It was a cold evening. In all those blankets somewhere is a cute two-year-old. Guess I know how to keep him still now!

Cadence was excited to sleep in a tent, and disappointed to find out that they had cabins with bunks. So, Austin draped up the tarp above his bed so he'd feel like he was still sleeping in a tent. It satisfied his 4 year old dream.

They showed a movie in the evening, which they enjoyed watching together. Austin didn't have a very restful sleep though, worried about the boys falling off their beds, and not having much room sleeping with Kory.

Here's the tired two-year-old in the morning. Tired, but happy.

Good Morning, Cadence!

Here we are ringing the breakfast bell in the morning! I'd love one of these for our backyard! They also enjoyed tackling a ropes course (yes, both boys did it!), and seeing some wildlife! A great little overnight that is over all too soon. I debated about what to do with the evening and decided to do "nothing" and went to bed early to get some good sleep. Ethan decided to wake me up nice and early in the morning (which I didn't appreciate at the time) and we were off to enjoy some shopping! A successful campout!

Buraston Ponds

 Today we enjoyed Memorial Day by going to Buraston Ponds (which is technically south of here in Mona). We didn't have time to take the canoe, but it would've been the perfect spot! It was Ethan's first day in his swimsuit, though the water was so cold he didn't get in. Still, he had fun lounging on our blanket.

We went with the Thompson's. Austin hadn't been feeling very well so he didn't swim for more than a minute and didn't try the rope swing. It took some convincing from Matt but Elise and I finally roped in! It was freezing! I was done after saying I had experienced it!

 Austin got in some great bird watching pictures! Not sure what he found out about this little guy... (but in the picture he looks impaled, doesn't he?)

 Even Evan joined in the fun! The other boys were too cold to try it. Cadence complained the entire time about being there. He didn't like getting dirty. He didn't like the cold water. He just wanted to go home. Kory didn't say much of anything until, like usual, we were leaving. In the car on the way home he said "Mom, do that 'gain, 'nother day?" He always has such a placid look while taking things in, and when it's all over, he'll let you know what he really thought. I'm glad he had a good time!

We had a BBQ that night with the Roney's at our place. A yummy hummus platter, kabobs, and salad. Delicious and healthy! We spent the after dinner time enjoying the lawn and playing duck duck goose! It was a wonderful holiday break!

First Snow Day

 

I indulged Cadence's snow fancies this morning by decking the boys out in snow gear for some good old snow fun. We didn't end up making a snowman...my only regret. Last year we didn't get much snow, so Cadence has never really gotten to enjoy the snow like this. After 30 minutes, MAYBE an hour, they were done. "It's cold. It's wet.", he kept saying as he was warming up in the house. I don't think we'll be having another snow day for awhile, at least as long as it takes him to forget how uncomfortable he was coming back in. 

If only he could really shovel the sidwalk!

Cadence's Snow Angel

A BIG Snowball

Rethinking Halloween, or Are We?

This year was the same as most in the past have been. We did go to a small party for children our friend put on, which was really fun. But still no trick-or-treating, no real celebration of a holiday that doesn't really celebrate much anyway. I thought maybe the kids would enjoy a train ride, so we took them to the Stringtown Nightmare Express with the Thompson's. Austin & Matt were at a training for scouting, so it was fun for us to have something to do with the boys (though my pregnant brain had a ridiculous time trying to find the place - even though it's not hard).

We had a good time with our friends but it didn't change my mind about Halloween - in fact, I think it solidified our regular thoughts on the holiday. Cadence said he wouldn't want to go back on train because he didn't like getting jumped out at (even though thankfully no one jumped right at him). Every time he saw Halloween decorations he said "I don't like Halloween". It wasn't until AFTER Halloween that he was hoping for the holiday again, only because he learned you usually get candy. He also liked the pumpkins (but not scary jack-o-lanterns). 

  He does love to dress up, so I took the pains to find some cheap dress-up clothes (because this is the time they're on sale) and he took turns all week (and still most days) being Woody, Thomas, a Knight, etc. The truth is, anything redeeming or fun about Halloween can be done any day... so that's what we've been doing and we don't feel like we're missing out at all.

Welcome Little Levi

We had a new nephew born in September. Unfortunately, he was born when all of us were sick, so we didn't make it up to Logan to see him until he was almost two weeks old. He is such an adorable baby and we're so happy for Taylor & Jon.

 We're also grateful for any excuse the family takes to come out and visit! We had Kelsey with us one week (she helped me paint the bedroom), Keaton with us the next week (who helped Austin with his projects), and went up to visit everyone during the last session of General Conference. We're looking forward to having the family visit this week.

John & Lynda Smith's grandchildren: Cadence, Kory, Levi, Sadi, & Cael

Shane, Cadence, & Kory - wearing the Armor of God

\

Handsome Smith Boys and The Favorite Aunt

The Smith boys are growing up! I haven't taken new pictures of either of them since last December, so we ventured out for a photo shoot during the fall leaf change - General Conference weekend. Aunt Maria was a big help, and we got some good photos of her with and without the boys (the ones w/o aren't included). I'm really pleased with how they turned out, just wish I could've gotten some pregnancy photos of me... maybe soon? (though I realized the reason I don't ever have many is because of how awkward I feel taking pregnancy photos..). Then again, the ones after the baby is born are so much better :)

Little Daredevil

Kory has been a little daredevil lately.  He's gaining a lot of new skills such as climbing and jumping (without the trampoline) and tries feverishly to keep up with his older brother. Poor little guy has gotten a lot of bruisers lately because of it.

"Mom, don't take a picture of me!"

 The black eye came on a morning while I was curling my hair. He tried to get off the toliet (after climbing up to watch me), and while he was on his belly (horizontally), he slid forward instead of back and his eye met the cabinet door sticking out! Poor guy!

 

 The busted lip happened while he was playing on Cadence's bed. His mouth somehow hit the wood and his tooth and his lip didn't agree with each other. 

  People are always asking me where his bumps and bruises come from. Truth is, I don't always remember (they are frequent enough..). Part of his struggle is that he is small for his age, so he has to get extra creative to do what his brother does. Still, I'm impressed with how physically skilled he has become. He's a determined little boy and if you don't let him do something potentially daring, you'll hear even more screaming then what may happen with the bumps and bruises that follow. It's pretty funny going to the playground. I think he gives several other mom's heart attacks as he successfully climbs ladders that have rungs as tall as he is! Other time, mom's think I have a genius baby because their 12 month old can't do what Kory is doing! Then they find out he's 6 months older, and just small... :) Still, he is my little genius! He definitely keeps me running (I tell everyone that's why I'm think - I have two little boys to chase after)!

Baron Family Reunion '12

We had a great time running up to Idaho for a short reunion and visit. The boys LOVE hotels because they get to go swimming. They are both such fish (though I must say hotel pools are exhausting for moms with kids who can't swim)

.

Check out little Ethan! I'm glad summer is over so I don't have to buy a new suit.

The boys get Daddy time!

Just love the hair!

We brought some yard games and others did as well. Austin and I had a great time playing ladderball. I won (with a serious amount of luck).

 

 

 

And the family... (we were glad so many came)

Grandma loving on Kory - who was SO exhausted!

Cadence re-meeting his Great-Grandmother

Mom's new haircut - love it!

We got some good group shots and enjoyed catching up with everyone. It's the first time we've done one and I was grateful I could experience it with my parents! I was especially grateful to see Grandma. It's been almost a year! I've tried to catch her, even by phone, and it's been hard. It was fun see her just after her birthday!
With such a quick trip, we didn't really get to do much else. Dad really wanted to go to Maddox in Brigham City to eat. Everyone thought it was a po-dunk hole-in-the-road. Turns out, it has a nice formal sitting area (and a lodge you can stay at right next door) and a NINETY-minute wait. What a bummer! So we missed that this time but I think now Dad has convinced us and it's on our list of places to eat in December.
We also didn't get to do any of the touristy sites in Idaho. I was hoping to take Cadence to see Craters of the Moon, because he's been so interested in volcanos. We also missed the Brigham City Temple Open House. So, now we have a fun list of things to do next time. We just hope the trip can be a little longer!