Beach Trip

Matthew and I took the kids for a real quick beach trip a couple weekends ago. Matthew isn't the biggest beach person (he loves the mountains) so it was a pretty big deal that he suggested the trip.

The kids loved the ocean! I. ran straight for the water and basically refused to leave for the rest of the day. I ended up sitting with her most of the time so the tide couldn't carry her out to sea. She kept going further and further into the ocean. The girl knows no fear! X. and K. took a little longer to warm up to the water but by the end of the day they loved it. X. would walk up to where the water was coming in, scream and run back for the fort he was building. But X. loved being carried out to deeper water for wave jumping.
Ka. spent most of her time searching for seashells but when it was time to go back she pitched a fit of holy proportions. I think we will have to make more trips out to the beach.

The next day we went to the aquarium! I love watching turtles swim. I think they are so interesting and I can stand and watch freshwater or sea turtles swim for a long time. I also loved the jellyfish exhibit. Jellyfish are so cool! It is amazing how dangerous they are when they look so harmless. (Can you tell I once thought about being a marine biologist?) X. fell in love with sharks while at the aquaruim. Ever since we have been home X. main topic of conversation has been sharks. He found some books on them and is quickly becoming an expert.

Aspen Grove

The Tice clan had a family reunion in Aspen Grove UT at the end of June. The scenery was gorgeous, the company interesting and the activities plentiful!! We had an amazing time. I can recommend the camp at Aspen Grove to anyone. Of course, we were exhausted when came back home (it has nothing to do with airport delays :) )

This is the reunion shirt one of my sister-in-laws designed. She is SO talented!

The is the view! Beautiful, right?!!This is the river outside of the pottery building. I thought it was so pretty. I never let the kids come down here though because I was afraid one of them would fall in!

There was a picture of people walking on the bridge in our cabin. M. thought it was a great pic and wanted to recreate it. I think he did a great job!


This is K. doing a sack race at the 'Aspen Follies'


You can't have a Tice get together without the guys playing some sort of role-playing game...unfortunately they waited until we were suppose to check out to start playing the game!

X. position of choice at he dining hall. I still do not understand why laying on the floor and drinking his cup is such a comfort to X. but it is!

M. striking a pose on the ropes course!! He was much braver than I, I wouldn't even try the course!

All the Tice siblings.

The camp broke the kids into age groups with counselors. I. was in the 'Romper' group. She had a blast! She didn't care at all that her parents weren't with her!

Weekend Hikers

We have been trying to do more outdoor walks/hikes with the kids. On Memorial Day we went to Jordan Lake on a hike to a viewing spot for bald eagles. Last weekend we went on another hike in Umstead State Park. So far we haven't seen any animals (sorry no bald eagles!) but we have gotten some good pictures of some bugs. We have also gotten to talk about plenty of plants and trees, how they grow, how to tell how old they are etc etc. Enjoy the pics!

Favorite Activities

Kids love to play in Mom and Dad's room. I think this is just a basic fact of childhood. In any case it is true of my kids. Anytime the door opens to Mom and Dad's room, there is a mad scamper of feet racing to the room! They climb on top of the bed and play possum. Sometimes it is cute...other times exasperating!

Updates!

Well...life flies by! School is over for the year! K. and I. are both a year older! M. has been on multiple campouts with the scouts this summer already. X. has been successfully potty trained. I have lost about 20 lbs. It has been busy!

X-- Isn't he proud of himself?

We took the kids to Jordan Lake for Memorial Day for a little hike.

Ivie's Birthday cake!

Quirkiness

A little while ago one of my sister-in-laws blogged about some of her quirks. I never responded (sorry K) but I thought I'd share one of my kids quirks.

My kids love to drink milk and only milk when they have sore throats! Milk is supposed to make a sore throat worse not better but no matter what Xavien and Ivie will drink cup after cup of the stuff when they aren't feeling well. Seriously one week we went through 5 gallons of milk! Ivie spent most of this morning coughing so after I got her to drink her yogurt smoothie (long story) I gave her a cup of milk. She took a sip, looked right up at me and said "Thank you!" and then proceeded to gulp the cup down.

At least I know they are getting all the calcium they need!

Dr. Seuss and Snow day

We have snow once again! In March!! I have to say I am pretty disgusted! The weather was in the 70s Friday and Sunday night we are getting snow. I have no problem with snow (except people don't know how to drive in it here....me included) but I would like the weather to pick something and stick with it. Mother Nature is being very fickle! To make matters worse everyone in our household is in varying stages of a cold...going out to play the snow is not such a good idea.

Today is Dr. Seuss's birthday. Kanayla's class at school had a big celebration planned so we have had our own celebration at home today. I discovered we have more than 7 Dr. Seuss books, which we have read each one today. Kanayla even memorized a section of Green Eggs and Ham. Then we watched the movie, "Horton, Hears a Who!" Last I printed out coloring pages and our home is decorated like a Dr.Seuss book. It's been fun!

It has been nice to have Kanayla home from school today. She helped me plan and organize tonights FHE and Xavien loves having his big sister around to tease and torment (in other words play with.) I hope all of the rest of you are having great Monday's too.