Thanksgiving Point

We spent a fun-filled afternoon at Thanksgiving Point with Mike's mom and his sister, Rina.

When did my daughter get so grown up? I have a fourth grader?!!
The kids loved the animal farm and feeding all the animals corn.
They especially loved riding the ponies.

We ended the day at the Point's cute little Soda Shop with the biggest banana split I've ever seen. When I ordered it, the guy asked if I was sure I wanted it because "it's pretty big, Mam." That really made me feel great, like I'm going to eat it all myself.

I told him, "Yes. I think I can handle it." He looked pretty disappointed that he had to make the giant split. I just smiled and began ordering all the yummy icecream flavors and toppings we wanted in our creation. It was the perfect end to a fun day (and also dinner for the kids--nice parenting, huh?)

We miss lazy Saturdays in Grandma Eileen's Backyard

Is it a bird? Or a plane? No it's Super Mike with his sidekick the incredible Kayla!

We had such a nice time visiting all of our family while we were in Utah. We had so much fun with Mike's family, and the kids especially love all the fun things to do at Grandma Eileen's house.

Savannah herding Grandma's baby ducks

The kids loved playing with Grandma Eileen and the ducks. I don't know who loved the ducks more--the kids or Mike?
Logan loves running and playing in Grandma's back field. The kids all love to play in the tree house and the fairy house.

My handsome husband Savannah loves her Aunt Rina!

Family Fun in the Canyon!

One of my favorite things to do in Utah is spend time in the mountains and up the canyon. For Family Home Evening, we took the kids with Mom, James and Lisa for a picnic up A.F. canyon.
Savannah, Logan and Makayla posing by the river. After which we threw plenty of rocks in the river since they posed so nicely.

Makayla and her Grandma Jackie
FHE and KFC in the canyon. Need I say more?!
It was really fun to get to spend some time with my brother James and his new wife, Lisa, while we were visiting. They are so cute together and Lisa is great for my little brother. It was nice to kick back and relax in the canyon before all the busy wedding stuff.

We spent another trip up the canyon to Cascade Springs with Mike's parents. We hiked around the springs and had Subway for dinner.
Makayla and Logan with Grandma Eileen. The kids loved that Rocco got to come with us too!
Mike and the kids with Mike's Dad and Mom
After dinner, Mike and I took the kids offroading in uncle Jimmy's Jeep over the mountain into Heber valley. Of course we stopped in Heber for shakes at Granny's! Yummy!

Summer Vacation in Utah!--Roadtrippin' Here We Come. . .

We finally made it! Utah county--looking over where I grew up. Notice the Mount Timpanogoes Temple. I love the view!

A few pics along our road trip to Utah. A 22 hour drive. We cheered as we passed the Utah sign!!!
Bedraggled car riders.
One of our favorite places to stop along our journey to Utah is Roswell, New Mexico (Alien town). The kids think it is the coolest little town with all the Aliens everywhere. They always have to collect a little alien souvenier each trip.
We love Moab! Another favorite place to stop for lunch.

Edward Returns!!!

I am happy to announce that I was able to find a copy of Breaking Dawn today in Utah! For those of you not obsessed with Edward, this is Stephanie Meyer's new book. My friends had warned me that it was a madhouse here last time trying to buy her book, but Costco must have been prepared because I walked right in and found a copy waiting for me. I can't wait to begin my journey into Bella's vampire world.

In other news, we are having a nice time in Utah. The kids love to be here with all of their cousins and grandparents, and I just love to be here. One of these days I will have to blog some of the fun things we have been doing while we are here. Until then, I will be happy reading!!!

Happy 4th of July!

We celebrated the 4th with our good friends the Barlows, Millers and Gordons. We are so lucky to have such good friends in Texas! Holidays would seem pretty lonely without them, missing out on all the Utah Family Fun. We headed off bright and early to the Fredericksburg Parade. The kids had so much fun watching the parade together. We all had a great time. I love the 4th of July!

All of our girls. The boys are outnumbered and MIA.

Patriotic Makayla

Savannah loved looking for the princesses and waving to them.

Logan liked sword fighting with his flag almost more than waving it.

Logan and his buddies, Holden and Cameron

Kathryn, Brooklyn and Savannah

Mike B., Jared, and Mike

Good Friends: Kristin, Susie and me

After the parade, Jared's parents invited us out to their place for a BBQ and to play in the river on their property. We had such a nice time. It felt like we were home with our families.

Loading up to ride down to the river.

Lauren and Makayla riding the "rapids." They screamed the whole way.

Relaxing in the river was such a great way to spend the day! The kids had a blast

and we all had fun visiting and soaking in the sun.

I loved this part of the river. It was a beautiful day!

After playing in the river all day, we went to watch fireworks. It was so nice to sit back with Mike and the kids and watch the fireworks, that I didn't get my camera out again. This is probably a good thing because I don't think I need to add any more pictures to this post.

Spinach for dinner?

"Why didn't you make the spinach ones for dinner?"-- direct quote from Logan.

Mike and I had to laugh out loud at dinner tonight when both Makayla and Logan began complaining they didn't like the cheese raviolis because there wasn't any spinach in them. Makayla complained, "Where's the spinach in these Mom?"
Logan follow that up with, "Why didn't you make the spinach ones for dinner?"
Then, Savannah started in on it. "I don't like these Mom!! I like the spinach ones!" She doesn't even know what the spinach ones are, but she likes to join in on ganging up on Mom. Who has ever heard of kids wanting spinach for dinner? I agree that the spinach tortellinis I get from Costco are much better, but I thought the kids would like the plain kind more. Who knew? I guess I'll be heading to Costco next time. . .