Zion the beautiful

Somehow we managed to make it through almost a year in St. George without making the trip to Zion National Park. Last week our friends the Dansies called us up and told us that Saturday was free day at the park (apparently that was the annual National Park Day and all National Parks offer free passes to celebrate). We couldn't pass up the free offer so we made the trip. We had a little caravan going with the Dansies. The drive up was beautiful, and so was the park. We didn't do a hard-core hike, because babies and husbands were involved. So we took a stroller trail, which was pleasant.


Along the way something happened to Noah's eye and it was bloodshot and watery and swollen. You can get a better look in our family photo.


But besides looking kind of hideous, he was in good spirits. Especially when we let him play in the muddy river. Then we got some smiles out of him. Maybe the muddy river had some healing powers because after rubbing it all over himself and letting it sit for the ride home, his eye was good as new.



Zion is a beautiful place and if anyone comes to visit St. George, we will take you! And if you are lucky we will push you in a stroller the whole time like the babies so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

Snow Canyon vs Cedar City

We drove up to Cedar City for the high school football game. Noah enjoyed his time there even with his runny nose (zoom in to the last picture for a closer look) and his dirty diaper. After we left, I realized I forgot to pack diapers (I am still getting used to the whole mother thing), and naturally, as soon as we got to the game, Noah filled his diaper to the brim. So we left the game in search of fresh diapers, I ended up forgetting my wallet, so all I had was a check (which is apparently no good without a driver's license) and $1.06 in change. We found a Walmart with a 1$ diaper kit machine in the bathroom, and then Noah was as good as new. The second half of the game was good, especially because SC won and there were the fireworks. Here are some pictures of Noah watching the game with Daddy.

Touchdown!

Goodbye Summer, officially

According to google, today is the first day of autumn. I never used to care much for autumn. Summer was my favorite, and I loved spring because it led up to summer. And then there was winter, cold bleak winter, and autumn was only really a warning that horrible winter was coming. But I have had a change of heart. Good things happen in the fall, like our marriage, Noah's birth, Thanksgiving, and tv show premieres.

I don't have any fall pictures yet so here are some summer leftovers. This is the only way to spend St. George summers (in the water, or else in the house). These are from a trip to the park downtown.

This is really a beautiful park, with real red rock, a little wading stream, and a splash pad.


All the other kids would do what normal people would do, run around and avoid being sprayed in the face. Noah would crawl up to the geyser and stick his face in it. He's crazy.

watching the big kids
(we love the Kingtons and Felsteads!)

Noah's New Ride

While being up north on our little vacation, Noah got a new car seat. I don't know why, but we thought it was so adorable and worthy of a photo shoot. I think it is because he seems happier. It used to be that all Kyle and I saw was the back of his head in the little infant seat, and now when we turn around, he's sitting up so tall and looking right back at us. He loves the new view. And I'm sure he was getting tired of being smashed into the old infant car seat. I got a strange look recently when I carried him into a store in the baby seat. When the lady at the checkout said: "Awww, how old is your baby?" and when I pulled back the cover to give her a better look and revealed my almost-toddler, she seemed startled. So it was time for the upgrade. Thanks to Cousin Julie for helping me pick out the new seat. I get buyers' remorse after almost every purchase I make (especially those over 20 dollars. I'm kind of lame that way!), so I thought about returning it. Not to mention my reluctance to do anything that makes Noah seem older and more grown up! But with a little convincing from Kyle and other Campbells, and then after seeing Noah all cute and happy, I think we'll keep it.

A little wobbly, but it's walking

Family Elections

Earlier this week, Kyle made a very important announcement. He appointed me as the "Family Manager". What does that mean, you might be asking. Well, I was wondering the same thing. Until a few seconds after my new assignment, Kyle gave me my first item of business. I needed to fill out some insurance paperwork, the kind of paperwork that no one in his or her right mind wants to do, unless of course that person has just been appointed the Family Manager and has committed to fulfill all the necessary duties to maintain the family. Sneaky Kyle.
I want to report that I am settling into my new assignment. I organize piles of junk mail and hand-shred all credit card solicitations and turn into Budget Nazi. But I have expanded my responsibilities, taking it upon myself to redesign our family blog (Thank you for your help, Erin). Because after all, our family needs to be very careful of the image we are projecting to society. And nowadays, the world wide web has become a very effective platform for projecting images. I hope you are all satisfied with our new design. If you have any comments, please feel free to leave a message here. However, if you have any criticisms about my color choice or cheesiness or boring posts, or if in the future, you find any flaw with our family, please direct your complaints to Kyle Campbell, the newly appointed "Public Relations Director/ Complaints Handler."
On a side note, those of you who know my Kentucky family, might like to know that Andrew (of all people!) was once voted Family President.
That just goes to show you that when it comes to elections, anything is possible.

Happy Grandparent’s Day

This goes out to Grandma and Grandpa Pieper in Kentucky (Grammy Anne and Chief)! We wish we could be there with you to celebrate! Noah worked really hard on his grandparents’ day present. These are images of the artist during the creation process. A lot of love went into his work! Noah is lucky to have such perfect grandparents on both sides, and also two great great grandmas. We love you all!



Vanilla pudding + food coloring = a good time and a messy baby

Laundry Day

This morning I was being productive and doing laundry. Noah was playing happily on the floor while I folded clothes. I wasn't paying much attention to him, until I looked down and saw that he had found a fun new toy to play with.


If you are wondering what that white item so delicately draped around his neck is: it's a bra. We'll try not to let Noah get into the habit of wearing women's underwear.