Weekend Away

I had planned to do the triathlon in Las Vegas over the weekend of the 3rd. I found out in the middle of September that they were canceling it. I was so bummed because I had been training for so long and was looking forward to a weekend away. I decided to find the next triathlon I could and register for it. So I am now going to do the Turkey Tri in Orem on the 7th of Nov. But since I already had reservations at the Loew in Henderson and Kristie was willing to go regardless of the cancelation. We did. It was so much fun. Ryan was so great to stay home with the kids, especially since I was weaning Natalie. Kristie and I enjoyed laying by the pool. I really could have been in Maui for all I knew. It was a beautiful resort. We got to go to the movies and out to eat, no kids. We slept in and painted our toes. It could have been longer but was a way fun weekend. Thanks Kristie! And from what Ryan told me the kids did great. Which was a huge relief to me, (that way I can do this again. ;-).
My pizza at the Cheesecake Factory. Just how I like it, thin crust very little sauce fresh basil and fresh tomatoes. I wish we'd realized we had a fridge, I'd have taken home my leftovers.
That's Lake Las Vegas in the back ground. We were supposed to do our swim there. It was pretty.
See what I mean Maui, Henderson no huge difference. At least if you don't leave the pool.

September Highlights

Football. Definitely one highlight in the Wagstaff home. This is Natalie at her first Utah game. She seemed to enjoy it. Unlike Nathan she likes to hear the crowd cheer. Many times she joined right in.

Nathan pays slightly more attention to the game so far this year. He still loves to come mostly for the nachos and to ride the "train". But he is a good kid and now that he has his own seat it is nice to bring him along.
Natalie getting tired. She was so happy even though it was really late and she was obviously quite tired.
Another highlight in our life this September was going to Lake Powell. Yes always a highlight but even more so since we now have a houseboat for a week every year. Yes we finally did it. We are part owners in a houseboat and it was so much fun. We can't wait until next year.
Natalie all ready for church. We rode into Page on Sunday to go to church. It was so nice.
Nathan is drawing "Rainbow Bridge". It is still hanging on my refrigerator.
This is our houseboat. The tube is a friend of ours. They let us borrow it.
Natalie didn't ever get in the lake this trip. Instead we would fill this tub with lake water and let her play in it. It kept her cool and she loved not having to wear a life jacket.
Dinner at "Joes" on a Friday night with the band playing. Yes another highlight.
Nathan's second session of soccer started in September. He really loves it. He is getting lots better. Getting in there and taking the ball away and then down the field. He is quite fast and eager to learn. His coach brings this "bench" for them to sit on when they aren't playing. It is so cute.
Ryan may hate for me to say this but he looks like a natural.
Nathan continues to go to preschool and you can tell by the look on his face he loves it.
Ryan played softball at the end of August and September. Here is Natalie with a game ball. She and Nathan loved going to watch their dad play.

And I'm sure there was more to September but that is all I captured digitally. Stay tuned more coming soon....

The Rest of August

So I feel like one big slacker. I am going to catch up on a few posts. Not including too much detail or I'll never catch up.

Nathan started his second year of preschool this past August. He really likes his teacher and is learning a lot.
Natalie just gets cutter and cutter every day.
Here is Nathan enjoying Mac and Cheese at Chili's. Mac and Cheese has become his all time favorite when eating out at a restaurant.
Natalie enjoying the bread at Iggy's.
We went up to WY one weekend so Ryan could build this rock wall for my parents.
Natalie in the car ready to go to ID.
I thought I'd take a couple pictures of the landscaping Ryan did up around the pond at the entrance to the subdivision up there.
This is also a picture of the back of my grandparents home there in Afton.
On the way home we stopped to see friends who had been up in ID for the weekend. Misty gave all the kids kites. They loved it.
Nathan flying his kite all by himself. Never mind that earlier the string hadn't been tied to the reel and his kite flew away. Ryan rescued it. Thanks Misty for the kite. So fun for the kids.
Natalie and Ashley's cabin. She loved the sesame street toy.
For our primary activity in August we went to the Jordan River Temple. Here I got a picture of Nathan wishing his mom wasn't watching so he could play in the water too.
Jordan River Temple. It was such a fun activity for the kids to see and touch the temple. We had a picnic and we all learned a lot.
Natalie enjoying the August summer evenings.

Bees Game

Knowing we weren't going to see fireworks for the 24th we decided to go to the Bee's game on the 23rd since they were showing fireworks after the game and we have been wanting to go to a game anyway. I'm pretty sure we chose the hottest day of the year. When we got in our car at 11:00 the temperature was still 98 degrees. It was hot but a lot of fun. Especially since the Powells came with us. Nathan and Emma got t-shirts and had so much fun together. Natalie enjoyed the fireworks. She missed them on the 4th because she was already in bed. She seemed to like them though. All in all a great way to spend the 23rd. Thanks Powells!

A Family Affair

We have wanted to go up to Afton for some time now. But have not been able to because my parents have literally come down to SLC every weekend for the last couple months. This particular Saturday they came down for my cousins reception. But before we went to that we all went out to eat and since we were only missing half of our cousins, we decided we'd better get a picture. Little Austyn is in this picture at one week old. My brother and sister-in law have the other five cousins in Virginia. We miss you Paul and Sarah. Natalie and Isabelle are only two and a half weeks apart. Such cute little girls.
Jacqueline was making her dad a but nervous holding Natalie the way she did. But Natalie loved the attention.
We had the tastiest cupcakes and such a lovely ice cream bar with fresh berries. So good. It was hot but not unbearable. They had american flags on all the neighbors lawns on the way to the reception. Brandon had to report for duty that morning. Our prayers are with you Brandon, be safe.
Such a beautiful couple. I don't think anyone would be able to guess you pulled it all together in 3 weeks!
This is my beautiful sister Christy.
And Emily holding Natalie, carefully placing the cupcake wrapper on her head for a crown. Natalie was unusually tolerant of being held by everyone this night. It was a great break for me. Natalie really is a happy baby but she likes having mom hold her.

Demolition Derby

We were a bit worried about the derby selling out so we went over to the county building to buy our tickets the day before. Afterwards we stopped at the park and Nathan got to play. Natalie got in the swing and really liked it, after a minute anyway.
While waiting to get in to the derby, we found ourselves in line with our friends the Gilberts. This snow cone was courtesy of the Gilberts. And Nathan loved every bit of it!

This is pretty much the look on Nathan's face for most of the derby. And yet he absolutely loves the demolition derby. For weeks following the event every sign we saw he asked if it was for another demolition derby.

Ryan smuggled us in some pizza.

Natalie was such a good sport. She made it until 10:00 or so. We missed the final heat but I fell like I was there with Nathan's narration. We are so lucky to live in such a great city. We are seriously a block from this park. We get to drive our golf car over here for so many fun activities.