A Dickens of a Good Time

 In the tradition of making new memories this year, I decided it would be fun to take the kids to the Dickens Festival. 

 We left 2011 behind and travelled back in time to jolly old England.

 Where we met Queen Victoria herself.

 And travelled in in a horse-drawn carriage winding our way down some cobbled streets lit with gas lamps.

 And enjoyed some chest nuts roasted over an open fire.

 They were yummy.

 Unfortunately the kids had to be reminded to say thank you.

 Morgan was so cute that I was forced to let him go free.

 Aidan and Morgan met Ebenezer Scrooge himself.  Lucky for them it came after he had been visited by three specters and had the Christmas Spirit with him.

 Scrooge gave Aidan and Morgan a gold Guinea

 Kelsey was busy wandering the markets.

 Aidan and Morgan met Mary Poppins. She gave them each some medicine with her magic spoon which she pull out of her equally magic carpet bag.

 We were fortunate to view a rendition of Oliver Twist.  One of Kelsey's classmates from school played the lead.  He did a great job.

 A kind citizen lent the kids some props for an authentic picture.

 Aidan is pretending to be old.

 Morgan wanted to give it a go too, and Aidan helped him cross the road.

 Ah yes, we found some lovely corsets and other delights in the market shops.

 One should be properly supported, don't you agree?

 Kelsey and I even found some cute skirts.  Very Fancy.

 We ended the night at the wooden toy store.  

Morgan's favorite toys were the spinning tops.  He literally played with them for about 40 minutes. They were handmade and beautiful so we got him one for one of his presents. One of the shop merchants (on the left) told us that spinnig tops with Morgan was the most fun he'd had all day.  Totally warmed my heart.

We had so much fun that we didn't even make it through all the streets and buildings.  The Dickins Festival is definitely on our list for next year.

Happy Christmas!

Kelsey's Party

 What do you do for a 13 year olds birthday party?

 Photo Scavenger Hunt at the mall of course!

 The theme was owls.  My sis made these awesome cake pops for Kelsey.

 After the hunt we sang happy birthday to Kelsey and had the cake pops and gave out treat bags.

SO glad we were at the mall-these girls were wild and crazy! 

 (I have the photos to prove it!)

Utah State Fair

 I haven't been to the Utah STate Fair since Kelsey was a baby.   I remember carting her around in the stroller.  In the years since I have wanted to take the kids to the fair but was always waiting on someone else to come with us.  For whatever reasons the fair always passed us by because schedules wouldn't be worked out.  As I have been single parenting for quite some time I decided that if it was to be it was up to me.  And so we went....

 And had a marvelous time riding the Ferris Wheel

Hello little people 

And walking on water (or trying to)

the kids looked like little hamsters

 rolling around in their balls of air

We saw all the livestock and animals

Cows, Goats, Pigs, Sheep, Rabbits ect..

And in the agricultural building there was a LOT of giant fruits and veggies.  

The kids got a look at a giant pumpkin- 950 pounds worth.

All in all we had a fantastic time.  And I learned a valuable lesson.  Take life by the reigns, go do the things you want to do with your family and wait for no one.  They are only little for such a little while.

Recent Happenings

 End of year concert for Kelsey.  She did fabulous as always.

 Dinner at Hires.  Seriously haven't been there in 20 years.  What was I waiting for?

 Morgan's last day of pre-school.  I was a little verklempt.

 Aidan's 4th semester culminating activity.  Maypole dance-my these kids can move!

 Picnic at the park between rain showers.

Oh, and did I mention the U2 concert?

Seriously great week.
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