SLC Field Trip Pt 2

The last day of our super fun family field trip we went to Temple Square. When we first got there we went to the tabernacle and heard a organ concert (actually David that it was a great idea and then took a call outside while I wrestled 5 kids in the tabernacle :). Our next advernture took us to the Church History Museum. One word - AWeSoMe. We have never been there and it was worth going to. The whole building is filled with the actual artifacts from the beginning of the founding of the church. There is a ton of info on all the different prophets and a whole "hands-on" kids area.

Inside the Church History Museum there is a actual size angel Moroni.

This is Bubba looking at a replica of a ship that crossed the Atlantic with pioneers from England. There was also a life-size sleeping deck with tiny little wood bunks that the passengers slept on for their 60 voyage across the ocean.

We went to the top of the Church Office Building to look at the amazing view. It was STINKING HOT up there but incredible.

SLC Field Trip

Jake has been dying to go on a "field trip, like when we went to Hawaii last year." So, we planned a SUPER fun trip to the great metropolis of Salt Lake City. The most important aspect of this "field trip" was that there was a pool at the hotel. Every day was planned around what to do when we weren't swimming.
The kids had a blast and we did a ton of things we have never done in the decades we have lived here.

"CANNON BALL!!!"

The first day there we went to the Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park. They had a LOT of exotic birds and fun hands on exhibits. Dan was just content to carry the map around (like Indian Jones) and show us where we were.

We went to a bird show that was awesome. The trainers had a bunch of different kids of birds fly overhead so that you could see the differences in their wing structure and size. This owl flew directly over our heads. The kids loved it!!!!

The birds in the background are white cranes. Salt Lake is one of their rare habitats.

Another HUGE perk to our trip was the ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT buffet breakfast every morning. The kids were in heaven getting to choose Fruit Loops and chocolate muffins for breakfast. Every morning the kids would say "THIS IS THE BEST HOTEL - EVER!!!!"

First Time Fishing

You have to watch about half of it before you get to Rachel. She is HILARIOUS! A real natural fisherman. David took the kids while Sarah and I were at girls camp. Of course he had to make a trip to Cabellas first and spend a fortune to outfit everyone. I guess we will be doing A LOT of fishing now!

David said that Rachel and Daniel didn't have hooks on their poles this trip. Rachel was completely offended that she wasn't trusted enough and has insisted that NEXT trip she will have a real hook.

IKWIA - Stake Girls Camp 2010

I begged and pleaded and finally THIS year they let me go to girls camp! It was so much fun and I had an awesome time with Sarah. The camp theme was IKWIA "Ingredigirl: I Know Who I Am - " I went as our wards food specialist (my favorite thing). It was an incredible experience that was centered on feeling the spirit and knowing that you are a daughter of God. There were so many great opportunities to learn and grow. I know that my testimony was increased!

This was at the ropes coarse. There was a killer rope swing across a mud pit. I dared not go since 80% of those that tried ended up wet! I only brought so many clean clothes!

This is all 47 of us at the stake center ready to leave.

The most fun day was when we were at the lake. There were canoes and a zip line into the water. They had imported sand for the beach area. The water was SOOOOO cold that you never got used to it. I loved just being able to sit in the sun and relax!

Stadium of FIRE!!!!!!!

Our whole family (minus BUBBA) went to see Carrie Underwood and Jenny Baker perform at STADIUM OF FIRE!!!!! It was so much fun. I haven't been to a concert since high school - too bad it wasn't Taylor Swift for Rachel's sake.

At the end of the fire works show some shells shot into the crowd. We later found out that Jenny got hit from the back. It burned her arm and large holes in her dress! She was more upset about the dress than anything because it was custom altered and cost a fortune.

My most favorite part was the national anthem (sung by Carrie Underwood) and the jets that flew overhead. IT WAS AMAZING! The lead pilot was live on camera after they flew overhead and he told how they were all Eagle Scouts. The show was commemorating the 100th year of scouting. WOW - what a rush!

Timp Caves!

Josh and I hiked to the top of Timp Caves today early this morning. It is 1 1/2 miles straight up and 3 miles round trip. Josh needed to hike 3 miles for a Webelos requirement. He did a great time and only stopped at every other bench to rest! Tonight he needs to pitch a tent and sleep in it and he has earned another pin! Way to go Josh!

Tibblefork Reservoir

It was a HOT one today so Amma and I took the kids up to Tibblefork Reservoir up American Fork Canyon to swim. The kids had a blast throwing rock, wading the in water and exploring.

Rachel, Eliza (a neighbor) and Amma's daughter Amelia.

Look what mommy just gave birth to - A big BOY!

My kids take the cake when it comes to cheezey pictures!
Eliza, Amelia and Bubba.

Bubba has started making weird faces when I take his picture. This is one of them!

Josh found a hook on a line and tied it to a stick. He "fished" the whole time we were there. Those darn fish just weren't biting!

Jakey didn't feel well so he layed on the towels for the most part. The brief moment he was by the water I took this picture.

Here are my beautiful girls!

THUG story!

David and I went to SLC for our anniversary and our car (actually, Poppy's car) got broken into. The thugs smashed the window and stole out our luggage for our night away. They also took David's work computer bag with all his cables, passport, laptop - everything he takes when he travels. The Murray police were stupid and didn't do much of anything to help. It is no wonder people "smash and grab" when little to nothing is done to stop them!

More SUMMER fun!

Rachel and Dan took private swim lessons this year at a ladies house. She invited us back to swim and so we took her up on the offer. The kids insisted that they HAD to have goggles so we first stopped at Wal-mart. Of course that meant that the WHOLE time I was adjusting goggles. FUN for ME!!!

When I took this picture of Rachel she asked me, "Mom, do I look WEIRD?"

I did enjoy myself reading on a towel and cooling off when necessary.

Noodle extravaganza!

Cub Day Camp

I got to go with Jake this year to Cub Scout Day Camp - it was great fun to spend the day with him. They made rockets, shot bb guns and arrows, make a model airplane and played tons of fun games. We can't wait for next year!

Birthday Bash!

Rachel had a super fun water party for her birthday. We set up a slip n slide, a water wiley on the trampoline and had the waterfall going. The kids had a blast splashing and squealing!

Zaners, Danny, Kyla, Miles, Emma, Ammelia, Rachel, Alayna, Mac and Hannah

This Danny's best friend Zaners!

More SUMMER fun!

SWIMMING LESSONS

Ray and Danny are taking private lessons at a backyard pool. They are doing so great!
Danny is even letting someone else touch him. Hopefully by the end of the session, he will have managed to get his hair wet!

Rachel is a little MAD WOMAN and even went off the slide twice her first day.
She will probably be swimming laps by the end of the week!

This is their whole class and their teacher, Shelby in the back.

Summer FUN

I think that I am going to WIN "best MOM" award this summer. See what we have already done and its only the 1st week!!!

Thanksgiving Point Farm
I am watching the Granata kidos while Heather is at girls camp this week so I have SIX kids with me. We met the Loftus group: Cameron, Bailey and Chase. (They used to live next door to us in Spanish Fork and now they live just a couple blocks away.)
We got Little Caesars pizza and had a picnic on the lawn.

Cameron, Bailey, Chase, Jake, London, Rachel, Danny, Josh and Mason.

Mason, Danny, London, Josh and Jake

Isn't this a GORGEOUS bird. He was showing off to the other peacock.
(I don't know if he realized he was also a boy?)

Another BEAUTIFUL bird. It makes me excited for Thanksgiving. YUMMY!

Everyone LOVED riding the ponies.

I did It!!!

Stake Capitol Half Marathon, May 31, 2010: (That's 13.1 miles) Well, I was dreading this race - probably mostly for the unknown. I had never run the route nor more than 11 miles so there was a lot unknown. Aimee had just started running this year, so I at least had a couple decades of running under my belt! It started out great (downhill :) and then we went off-road. A large middle section of the race was up steep, dirt bike terrain. A couple of real steep spots I walked because I wasn't making much progress "running."

All - in - all it was a good experience, but a lot harder route than I thought. I did reach my goal of getting under a 10 minute mile average (9:42) and actually came in 3rd for my division. I'm in the 35 - 39 age bracket and there were probably only three of us. ha ha

Aimee Belliston and I.

My cheering section.

Here is the whole fam after the race.