Batman VS Spiderman: Freddie's 4th birthday party!!

One of the highlights was that my mom came to visit! The kids were so happy to see her and it was fun sharing what we have been up to and though we had all been there many times...showing off our new neighborhood. 

Freddie told us early on, this year he wanted a Batman and Soiderman party. Here is the awesome invite. Colli and I work together in the idea and then he works his creative magic and always comes up with something amazing!! 

Masks making table 

Batman was well represented in our family. 

I love Freddie in the following pictures. He is just so happy surrounded by friends!!

We went across the street to the Capitol lawn where Mr. Bruce Wayne had a series of tests and obstacles for our little super heroes in training.  

^John and Cecil Schultz with Noah Ingley

The Ellis family

Happy Jayden and Kamree!

In the back in Amelia's family: brother Chris and his wife Becca and their three kids, Eli, Liam and Zola and Amelia's younger sister Hannah. I love them all so much and feel they are family already. 

He put the candles on himself (8 instead of 4!! 😂)  And blew them out one at a time. Smart boy. Love him so much. 

Great-grandpa Sherwood Smith was visiting his sister Wilma and they came to the party. It was the best ever and everyone loved them. The kids adore them both!!

Cousin time at the after party!!

Red butte gardens

Gardens have always been our favorite thing. They are unique to their area, peaceful, quiet, almost spiritual. The kids can run around and explore and we learn and play together, surrounded by nature. CS and I got engaged in the Selby Merie Botanical Gardens in Florida and it was perfect for us. We loved visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. We went a couple of times when Freddie was a baby and ended up getting a season pass after Hattie was born. We got to know many of the names of cacti and native AZ plants and saw lots of wildlife. So fun. The other week we were having a family date evening, driving around the University of Utah and parked in a canyon to hike a little bit. It was all very lovely and blustery and the colors on trees were changing (which Freddie has become so fascinated with). 

Then we stumbled upon the Red Butte Gardens, next to the Natural History Museum, and they were having a bulb sale with free entry to the gardens!!

We went in and looked around. It ended up being such a beautiful, fun time together!! Because it was late, there wasn't a ton of time to see everything, but we bought some bulbs and some cute nature journals for everyone that were on sale.. Then we headed to the children's garden. It was one of the most magical, playful experiences of my life. It was so beautiful and well-done. Plus it was a really cool atmosphere because there was a wedding going on a few gardens over and we could hear everything. So romantic and cool. 

We can't wait to go back!!

Pictures:

Salt Lake is an interesting place because it is a desert but it's a lush and colorful desert. There aren't many cacti; it's not covered in dirt and the buildings aren't all beige. It's our new home!!