Why Does Summer Have to End?

It's September 21 and maybe, just maybe, we are getting back into a schedule. Despite our best efforts, summer did in fact come to an end and we had to conform to societal rules and go back to school. Here's what three of the four of us looked like. Parker started school at a different time so he has still evaded the camera. Don't worry, we'll get him! Hannah started Grade 4 with Mr. Howg. Matt started high school and Sara started middle school. Where has time gone?

Utah... Could it Really be Zion?

Felt like it for us last week! While Dave, Parker and Matt were at Helaman's Encampment, Sara, Hannah and I and our good friends Amy, Dean and Owen, went on a road trip to Salt Lake City. One word - incredibly awesome!!!! Whoops, that was two! We had such a great time together! The weather was great, the company was greater and the activities in Utah were fantastic.We could not go to SLC and not hit Temple Square. It was so beautiful!!! I would like a gardening lesson from the staff there!
One of our best "treasures" we found were Morph Suits. We had been eyeing these online for quite some time. So, when we discovered a store called Zurchers that sold them, we had to buy them. Look for them in future Stewart Family adventures.... This is Sara and Hannah in front of the Conference Center. We certainly got a few looks!
Dean and Owen hadn't been to Temple Square since they were quite little so it was so great to take them there!

We went to the "This is the Place" monument. There is a whole village of pioneer homes and shops to explore. We saw a bank robbery, had a pony ride, panned for gold, saw a printing press, ate in a saloon and learned the "Deseret Alphabet" in a little school house. Halloween there sounds really cool. Maybe a good fall trip...someday.

We met up with some friends of Amy's from their physio days in Pocatello! As soon as we met up with them, we didn't leave them! Emma, Sophie and Lilly were lovely and the kids all got along so well! They were excellent tour guides and hosts. Thanks girls! We look forward to a future visit with you! Perhaps in Canada....

We rented a house right by Utah State University, which was cheaper than a hotel - and so awesome to have so much room! We arrived on July 4th. Hence the flag on the front lawn!

We went to a Real Salt Lake MLS soccer game that night. Wow! The fans were amazing and the game was great! They played the New England Revolution. RSL got a red card in the first 3 minutes which meant they had to play a man down the entire game. It was intense but they played hard and the final score was 3-3! Amazing fireworks in the stadium after and all across the valley as we drove home on the freeway. All for Amy's birthday! (Which was that day!)

It was hot and beautiful there! So, we went to a neighbourhood pool with our new friends and swam for hours!

What prompted this trip in the first place was the fact that there was an American Idol Concert being held on July 6. We were huge American Idol fans and it seemed like too good of a thing to pass up. So, with the motto "Carpe diem" going through my head, we bought tickets and planned the trip. The concert was amazing and over 2 hours long. We loved it and had to keep pinching ourselves to see if it was a dream or not.

So, is it Zion? Quite possibly. :)

Road Runners

Sara and Hannah have been part of the Lakeview Running Club

for the past few months. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we went to school extra early and ran the predetermined distance - through ice, snow, rain and sometimes

sunshine! The school club had approximately 190 members this year. They have an amazing teacher

who organizes the kids every year to help them achieve their goal of running a marathon over the course of 12 weeks. Their final mile was last saturday. They ran so well! What an amazing accomplishment! They got to have Nana,

Kim, Patrick, Leah and Dillon

there as well to cheer them on! Before the Final Mile, there was a 5Km Family Run. Sara and Mom entered that. Sara ran it in under 25 minutes. Serious Stewart genes....She placed first in her age category! Good job girls! We are proud of you both. Your hard work has really paid off.