Monday night after Zach got off work we drove up to Zach’s brother’s house to help him with some plans for an office built-in he is doing.  Sloan and Zach enjoyed the kiddie roller coaster while we measured up the space.  Sloan already adores her cousins.  

Tuesday we drove down to Orem to see the progress on the Alder Headquarters.  A lot of the furniture has shown up [now it just needs to go in the proper locations] and way finding and signage starts going up this week.  Progress is happening – it’s just coming slow.

On our way back we dropped by my brother’s warehouse to visit Blake and my dad.  Sadly, Blake was on a delivery and we barely missed him – so we played in his office instead.  We enjoyed our lunch with my dad before heading back home for Sloan’s afternoon nap.  

We also made our weekly visit to the splash pad.  After work is the prime time to go – there are considerably less people and Sloan can run the place as she sees fit.
We were a bit concerned about the little fellow behind Sloan in this picture [red shirt / blue swim trunks] – he didn’t move for a solid 20 minutes.  Good thing he was just taking a breather…

Thursday Sloan decided she was too cool for her afternoon nap, so we drove down to Fashion Place early to do some shopping.  We had plans to meet my design friends for dinner later, but hit up the shops to kill some time. We dined at Brio, at which Sloan only broke one plate (it was a bread plate…so it could have been worse).  I love spending time with these friends.  They are some of the sweetest and most creative people I know.  What I don’t love is this photo – but beggars can’t be choosers.  It’s tradition that we take a terrible group photo…Friday morning Sloan decided that she would try her hand at standing all by herself.  It almost gave me a coronary, but she thought she was so huge and grown up.  She’s a pretty rad chick.    Friday evening we had plans with family up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We decided to make the drive up to Silver Lake before our dinner, just the three of us, for a little hike.

We loved the views and the temperature was so refreshing.  75 degrees is my happy place, I’ve decided.  Sloan just loved hitching a ride with dad and taking everything in.
I am thinking I am going to make Friday day hikes a tradition – even if it’s just Sloan and I.  We’re going to call it Friday Light Hikes.  Almost as good as Friday Night Lights, but sans Tim Riggins.

Saturday we had the most relaxing day.  We slept in, read Sloan’s new favorite book 10 times…

…ran some errands, grabbed fish tacos at Lonestar……and made it back home in time for Zach and I to get ready for date night.

I must admit:  Date Night was hard for me at first.  The first few times leaving Sloan and having the babysitter put her down for bed absolutely crushed me.  But I’m so glad Zach pushed so hard for a weekly date night, because it has been so fun dating Zach again.  It has gotten easier, too.  Especially since we found a babysitter that I really like and trust.  We had the best dinner at Settebello and then caught a movie in Sugarhouse at the new remodeled theater.  It’s nice not having to drive up to Layton for the AMC with the recliners – now the former ghetto dolla theater has the reclining seats as well!

Sunday was very low key.  Church was interesting – Sloan has found her voice and has made it a personal vendetta of hers to sing LOWDER than each hymn in sacrament.  I secretly love it, though.

After church we relaxed at home and took a long scenic drive.  We drove up the Bountiful Temple and then around and up to Fruit Heights.  We had dinner at home, just the three of us, with a walk before putting Sloan down for bed.

Is it too early to be anticipating fall?  Not like I want to shoo summer away, but it is my favorite time of year.