Getting Close to Nature

Every summer, around the Utah Pioneer Day holiday (July 24th), my husband's side of the family ventures into the great outdoors for an annual camping trip. This year was no exception.
We load up our Costco shopping carts with "family sized" portions of graham crackers, Hershey's chocolate, marshmallows, hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments, melons, bottled water, and other camp site necessities before journeying into the wilderness.


OK, I have to admit... We aren't exactly rough-n-tough mountain campers. Not that we haven't before or don't enjoy a rugged tent camping trip, but we do love the comfort of my Father-in-Laws camping trailer. Five beds, microwave, stove, oven, freezer, refrigerator, running water, and a flushing toilet. I'll say it again, I'm not afraid of dirt under my fingernails or dust in my hair, but having those small luxuries when camping with kids is quite nice. (Especially for middle of the night potty time.)

Spending time with family by the lake in the middle of nowhere is such a great experience. Kyler loves exploring nature with his cousins. And I love campfire food ;]. But family time away from civilization has other benefits.
Research shows that contact with outdoors, whether it be a camping trip or a trip to the park, can help improve a child's physical activity, development, and overall well-being. This can include a sense of self and independence. Some research has shown that people that were exposed to nature as children are less likely to suffer from adolescent and adult anxiety and/or depression.



Kids are supposed to get rough, sustain some minor injuries, and just get dirty every once in awhile. And the the benefits that come from it are life-long.
Mother Nature: 1 , Video Games: 0
So whether it's the park down the road or the campsite in the mountains, tent and sleeping bags or trailer and toilets.... Get Outside!

Love & Los Locos,
Katie

Side by Side – Year by Year.

Four years ago today I married my best friend, Fernando. I am so lucky I am in love with my best friend. And so lucky he has survived 9 months of pregnancy hormones and 38 months of PMSing. He is definitely a keeper. Ha ha ha!
All jokes aside -
Mi Amor... we may not have a lot, but having each other is worth more than anything. Love you longer than forever! ♥


“It doesn't matter where you go in life, what you do ..... it's who you have beside you.”

“A successful married life requires falling in love many times, but always with the same person.”

“Our anniversary is a time to look back at the good times and a time to look ahead to live our dreams together.”

"I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."

♥♥♥

My advice for a lasting marriage - Just laugh. Most things are never as big of a deal as they first seem to be. So cherish the good times and laugh at the rest. Enjoy life :]

♥♥♥

A special surprise - Laser Hair Removal for me! Buh-Bye armpit hair! Hahaha!

Tonight we will be celebrating our 4 year wedding anniversary by having dinner in the gardens at the Tuscany Restaurant - right where we became husband and wife!

Love & Los Locos,
So In Love - Katie

June Favorites ♥

Although June in Utah was (sadly) wet and cold for nearly the entire month, I do have a few favorites from the first month of summer.
To start...

My Favorites: (In no specific order)
1. "Army Wives" - Army Wives is a drama series that premiered on Lifetime in 2007. It follows the lives of four women and one man each married to a soldier serving in the U.S. Army while they contend with long deployments, PTSD, and other heartaches while living on an army base.
At first I had a hard time really getting into the show, but after the first two episodes, the array of characters and the different story lines got me hooked. According to different reviews on Netflix, Army Wives is actually very accurate in it's portrayal of active military life.
Army Wives gets a big thumbs up from me -- What a nice break from reality T.V.!

2. "Dexter" - Oh. My. Gosh. I am obsessed with this show! A blood-spatter specialist for the Miami Metro Police that moonlights as a serial killer with a moral code -- He only kills other murderers.
Fernando and I have been hooked on this show since watching the very first episode on Netflix. Dexter has become a date-night favorite for us. It's not uncommon for us to watch 3 or 4 episodes in once night!

3. ChapStick Moisturizer - A must have for summer! 12 moisturizers, SPF 15. What more do I have to say? LOVE!

4. MAC Cream Colour Base - A multi-purpose cream that can be applied anywhere. I have a neautral shade to wear on my eye lids to conceal any veins or pink tones on the thin eye lid skin. My absolute favorite summer look is achieved with this product, a coat of mascara and a tinted moisturizer. Light, fresh, and clean.

5. Laurie's Buffalo Gourmet - All natural chips and salsas. Uh, yeah... YUM!!! Laurie's Buffalo Gourmet offers 6 different chip varieties and 4 different super delicious salsas. So far we have tried the Flavor Fusion Chipotle and White Corn Chips, Hand-Cut Thick and Hearty Toasted Corn Chips, Black Bean and Garlic Chips, Tomatillo and Fire Roasted Salsa, Fire Hot Salsa with Habanero Peppers, and Black Bean and Corn Salsa. All of the different combinations we have tried are just fabulous. The Chipotle Chips and Fire Hot Salsa are, as they sound, pretty dang spicy - But that's how I like it! Laurie's Buffalo Gourmet products are made locally here in Utah, but are sold in specialty stores throughout the U.S. Check out www.LauriesBuffaloGourmet.com to find a retailer near you!

And some of Kyler's favorites...

1. "Cugungers" - Translation: Cucumbers. Ky is such a good eater and his new favorite is sliced cucumbers. He likes all the skin peeled off and lime juice squeezed over the slices. Personally, I hate cucumber... But Kyler will never know that.

2. Utah's Hogle Zoo Zoorassic Park - Move over lions, tigers, and bears... Dinosaurs are at the zoo!!! What more could a 3 year old boy want? 10 different species of anamatronic and placed throughout the park that makes for a not-so-cute-and-cuddly zoo experience. The creatures are complete with meticulous detail, roars, and even some water squirting. While these new additions are exciting, take car with smaller kids -- The movement and sounds can frighten younger toddlers.

3. Discovery Gateway Children's Museum - Located at the Gateway Mall in downtown SLC, this 60,000 square foot hands-on play museum is a hit with the kids. We visited Discovery Gateway with my two cousins and their boys. There are over 8 different exhibits including a construction zone, a grocery store, a farm, a media zone, and many more - all for children to learn and interact with. Kyler's favorite exhibit was out on the terrace of the 3rd floor. Put your pilot and emergency worker skills to the test with a real (bolted to the ground) life-flight helicopter! Ky loved playing with the controls and buttons in the cock-pit. There's even speakers that project sounds of a real helicopter in flight!
Check out www.DiscoveryGateway.org for more information.


Those are just a few of my little family's favorite things from the month of June. Maybe a few of our favorites will make it to your favorites list!
Enjoy :]

Love & Los Locos,
Katie