Friday, July 31, 2009

Breakfast and Balloons












We watched some hot air balloons from our back window this morning. It prolonged breakfast time to the majority of the morning, but the kids loved it.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

What do you do?

Upon checking on Bentley after having asked him to get dressed and make his bed...

I found that he hadn't yet made his bed but for some reason I couldn't get mad.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Allen Family Reunion

We enjoyed a fun afternoon at the park for the annual Allen Family Reunion. We got to catch up with cousins while the eating lunch and watching the kids play on the park equipment and go down a slip 'n slide made of plastic, water and a little soap for extra slip. The kids also enjoyed a fish pond. It was a very warm but overall enjoyable time.

Ali, Paige, Ellie, Emma and Addie















Ben, Jacob and Bentley

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Pioneer Day at the Zoo

We decided to spend Pioneer Day at the Zoo. We figured that everyone else would be at the parade, and although we weren't the only ones at the Zoo, it wasn't too crowded. We also thought that it wouldn't be too hot if we went in the morning, but we were wrong on that account. It was pretty warm but turned out to be a pretty fun day.

Playing in the water upon our arrival.
















The usual posing at the elephants.











And on the rhino...












Riding the train...











and the Carousel.





























Just a bunch of monkeys.
















Emma didn't get to see the snakes when we went in the spring and was excited to see them. I hadn't felt we'd missed too much last time being as I can't stand the smell in that place. Emma made sure we didn't miss it this time however, and we had her show us her favorite snake, the rattlesnake, and pose for a picture.















Checking out my favorite, the giraffes.















We ended our visit at the bird show where it didn't go as planned. The first cage to open was the wrong one, so the bird was a little confused and wouldn't come down from its perch. Then another wrong cage opened and they had another bird confused. This one however decided to fly up in a tree and wouldn't come down. Finally one of the workers climbed the tree to retreave the bird and then the whole show was a little off. Bentley was disappointed that he didn't get to see the "talking bird", and by the end of the show everyone (including the zoo workers I'm sure) had had enough.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Rub-a-dub-dub














Three kids in the tub.
I've never been too into bubble baths, but that was just because I didn't know how. Jets = bubbles! And Wow! were there a lot of them.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Golfing Guys

Tom took Bentley golfing this afternoon and boy was he excited. I must say those are some handsome golfers!

Primarily Fun

This morning was our ward Primary activity. The kids worked on a fun family tree project and then got to play on a slip and slide at the park. Top that off with some Popsicles and they were in heaven.

All Aboard!

Tom had a few extra vacation days to use or lose, so Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week we decided to take an at home vacation. Well, actually I put him to work ALL of Monday, but on Tuesday we did do some vacationing. We decided to try out the popular Heber Valley Railroad. The kids were pretty excited with the exception of Emma, who had to be talked into being excited about it but figured it was better to be with Mom on a train than home without me.


It was a beautiful ride. The kids had a blast and would you know we even got held up and robed on the way back. Emma was not too happy about that part, but because she was a ball of tears two of the outlaws threw her a gold coin:) She is such a sweet, sensitive girl.

Getting ready to board the train.















On our way.






























We stopped at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon where the kids got to play for a few minutes on the equipment.























After our train ride we decided to finish off the afternoon with a burger from "The Home of the Train".














I can't say how many people have told me how they love the Dairy Keen in Heber, but honestly we haven't been since the week Tom interviewed for his job nearly three years ago. We decided that we'd better change our ways and had a fun lunch to continue the train theme. It was a great vacation at home, and we've decided once again that we live in a pretty cool place.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Better than Christmas!

The kids have really enjoyed playing with the boxes of toys that have been packed away for more than two years, but toys aren't the only fun new things about our new home...
The tub in the master bath with the jets is a big hit.














Also, I've found some hidden treasures as well. I now have my cookbooks again, and I found my favorite brownie recipe that I made quite often when we lived in Logan. We tried it out the other night, and the kids gave their approval.















Bentley does remember some things we are unpacking. I'm not sure if Emma remembers anything, and everything is new to Ali. I just hope that Christmas isn't a disappointment this year with all this excitement in July. I know I shouldn't worry about such things and just focus on the true meaning of the Christmas Season a little more this year. Still, it is a slight worry.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Leavitt Family Reunion

We spent the fourth of July weekend at the Leavitt Family Reunion. This year it was held in Kanab.
We left on Thursday morning and arrived that evening. We checked into our room and then enjoyed delicious taco salads at the park there with swimming after. The pool was reserved for our family, and the kids had a blast. Its a nice newer pool with a play area, lazy river and water slide, but sad to say I didn't get a single picture of it as I was swimming with the kids each time we went.

The next day, Friday, the guys went golfing which Bentley loved, and the girls visited Jacob Lake for lunch.










That afternoon we swam in the hotel pool and then enjoyed hawaiian hay stacks at a school which had been reserved for our family. The kids had fun playing in the gym, and the adults got to visit. That night we had a little program which was a tribute to Granny as she will turn 80 in November. It was really sweet and was a highlight of the trip.

Pictured below are the great-grandkids at the dinner and then Granny and the Aunts and Uncles.













The next day, The Fourth of July, we attended a fun parade. It was quite impressive, and the kids, especially Bentley and Mason:), got way too much candy but had a blast.



























































After that we had sandwiches at my Uncle Berne and Aunt Jan's summer home where the kids got to swing on big tree swings, blow bubbles, and play.
















We then went swimming again. Granny treated any children who wanted to go. That night we had another wonderful meal of BBQ pork and homemade corn dogs with all the trimmings.















After dinner we went to see an impressive firework display. The kids loved it. Emma and Kasha shouted "Bravo, Bravo" while waving their Forth of July pom-poms throughout. Bentley was excited to sit by his "buddy," Cannon, and Ali sat with her hands over her ears the whole time but said she liked it when I asked her about it after it was all over.















The next day after breakfast and church we traveled home.
We stopped in Parowan at my Grandma Hettie's for a Sunday lunch and visiting and still made it home before dark. It was a really fun weekend and so nice to see and keep in touch with family!