What we've been up to.........

We made it safely to Utah, the first part of our trip and the 4th part for big J's. Next we're on to camping in Yellowstone Park, then a condo at Glacier National Park and finally to Washington with my parents. The kids and I had a relatively quiet plane trip. Hahahahahahaha! As if any plane trip with the 3 kiddos we have and only one adult would be quiet at all. BUT, as far as logistics go it was quiet and our plane even arrived a God-sent 25 minutes early. Big J had nice visits with his sister in Cleveland, some friends in Iowa and a campsite in Nebraska before he made it here. So, here's what we've been up to in the last couple weeks..........

Swimming with cousins

Snail hunting at Grandma's (they are SO plentiful!)


Red Butte Gardens

24th of July Sparklers and Fireworks

Dinosaur Museum

Hike to Timpanogos Caves (aprrox. 3 miles roundtrip)

B hiked the entire way up, through and down herself! It's quite a steep 1.5ish mile hike up so that's a pretty major feat for one her size. Her feet hurt near the end on the way down but she was easily distracted by my rattlesnake (among other snakes) stories from growing up in Texas. Little J got a piggy back from Grandma much of the way and Jeff had little A on a pack on his back. I held lunches, water and jackets as the caves are in the upper 40s.

Little A has loved all the water activities we've been doing. What a cute water baby she is!

B and little J loved finding Grandma's old water guns! Here they're in a war against Daddy!

We also visited the pop-ups at Gateway near downtown SLC.

Little A probably enjoyed these the most!


Camping and Fishing trip at Current Creek (no luck with fishies)

Extreme slip and sliding down the grandparents big hill on the side yard! Little J surprised us with how much he liked it and how well he did. Bri liked it too and tried some cool new tricks and little A liked it for a few times down, as you can tell from the video. So fun!!

We've also played many games and played tennis, visited the park, gotten new tires, went to the U of U's Museum of Natural History, played lots of ping pong and fooseball (how do you spell that?!), making playdough, stickers and artwork (B has turned Grandma's too-white kitchen into a lovely art gallery), deer searches, and J and I went on a date to see "Dark Knight" on IMAX, which was a little more creepy than I bargained for but a very well done movie nonetheless and we also went to a steakhouse for some grub afterward. Big J has gotten away for mountain biking, golfing and climbing and I've gotten away for a little shopping and enjoy not being soley responsible for the yahoos during the days. We've got several more things planned for these next 2 weeks and will "keep you posted"! Gotta love vacation!!

Happy Birthday Chugga Chugga!

So, our little A is finally one. I don't think I can really say finally because the past year has flown by at such an amazing pace that it must only be her 6 month birthday. Though, she is proving more and more that she is moving out of baby stages. For example, she can now sit forward in the car, climb into any stroller, on top of chairs, tables, and yes ladies and gentlemen even the bunk bed ladder not to mention she is just about toddling everywhere. I think Big J will have her working on climbing rocks soon here. I remember well the day our little Bug-a-boo arrived. All my resentment toward her for coming two years early melted away as soon as I saw her and could hold her littleness in my arms. She is certainly, of course, my favorite baby. She is growing into quite the michievious, gregarious and adventurous little girl. We LOVE her sense of adventure, her giggles, how her first word was 'Amen', her love of outdoors and sweet snuggles and of course her adorable, scrunchy-nose smile. Basically we just love her to death and are tickled to have her in our ltitle family. Heavenly Father sure knows what he's doing--even if we don't!! Love you little A!!