Roadtrip!

I think I unintentionally began a tradition of taking the kids on a roadtrip each summer without Brad. Not because we don't want Brad with us, of course, but because he's not available! He's always a good sport about being left behind and this year build a desk for me in our absence (maybe I should take more trips.... )

We drove up to Utah and began our stay with Brad's family - Todd and Andrea. Andrea is expecting her 3rd baby in less than 3 years so they were very gracious in opening their ho

me to us. We began our activities with a trip to Thanksgiving Point. Here's the boys on a carriage ride.

Later in the week, we met up with Kristi and her family. We took the kids to the This Is the Place Monument in Salt Lake and the Aquarium.

Here are the kids all hanging out in Kristi's backyard! Enjoying a popsicle!

We stopped at Chick-fil-A for National Cow Appreciation Day and dressed up for free meals. I warned the kids that went we travel with Aunt Kristi, there's a good chance you might end up in a costume at some point. As you can see below, Parker was more than thrilled about this idea. What a kid will do for processed chicken and chocolate milk.

We went to Temple Square (which has changed a lot) and went to see the Christus Statue. Anna and I had a moment talking about His "ouchies" but the boys mostly ran all over the place.

Aunt Sarah and her kids drove down from Driggs. We were so happy to see them and they were so happy to see the sun and feel some heat.

The Next Generation of Roomies???

Chuck-E-Cheese, Gotta Love it!

It still puzzles me that kids work so hard to earn those tickets and then they buy something like green fang teeth. It is a notch above the plastic spider though.

I'm kicking myself now for not snapping some pics but we also stopped at our good friends home - the Liljenquist's. It was so darling to see Kate and Parker once again find refuge together- finding shade beneath the large trampoline and hovered over their own bowl of appleasauce. Grant and Luke only wished they could spend more time together - or watch some more Star Wars together anyway : ) So fun to see them too! By the way, if you are looking for a good laugh about motherhood and all it's adventures, check out her blog - it a fun read - http://jamsandpickles.wordpress.com/

Thanks for a great trip everyone. Perhaps next summer we can break tradition and have Brad come along!

The 4th of July celebrations came a day early this year. Our cul-de-sac rented out a bounce house, snowcone, and cotton candy machine. My kids had a LOT of sugar but I seriously think they ran all of it off with all the time they spent running around with the kids.

Two Sparklers!

When Grant discovered the neighbors had chips and dip he pulled up his chair and got cozy!

Purple snowcone!

Good times!

The Sandias

On Memorial Day, we headed out east of the mountains for a little hike. It's nice to be where it's green and forget that we live in the desert. It's only a 30 min drive and we love it out there.

Cute Anna giving me one of her looks!

We were surprised to still find snow along the trail! There wasn't a ton but enough for the kids to play in and, yes, eventually cry because it was "SOOOO cold".....

Post K

Parker graduated from Kindergarten!!! He had such a great year and loved his teachers Ms. Cutshall & Ms. Sullivan. Parker loves to read now and just seems like such a big guy. He is quite helpful with the "little kids" ( that's how he refers to Grant & Anna).

Now, how am I going to keep him occupied this summer????

4 Fun at Chuck-E-Cheese's

It all began last summer after our first trip to Sam's Club in New Mexico. "HEY MOM, there's a Chuck-E-Cheese's here!" exclaimed Parker. "I wanna go!" I told Parker he could go for his birthday but he opted to have it at the house because he so badly wanted to have a pinata.

Since then it has been Parker's mission to convince Grant that he should have his birthday party there. Well, Grant resisted at first. He wanted to have it at McDonald's and then even Sonic. It took a 30 minute drive to the gym and Parker's carefully-crafted, well-laid-out persuasive argument to convince Grant that Chuck-E-Cheese was the only way to go. That was about a month ago. Yesterday, the day finally came!

We had a great time and the kids loved it! Grant yelled out "Hey, Chuck!" when he came around and gave him a high 5 & a hug! Happy 4th Birthday Grant! We love you!

Sweet ZZZs

Brad finished up his first furniture building project! We found this great website called knockoffwood.blogspot.com that made building this rather simple! Anna now has a new pink bed and just loves it! I'm not sure if I'm ready for her to give up the crib but she seems to be ready. She's making her inaugural run tonight so we'll see how it goes!!!

HammerTime (oh-o, oh-o-oh-o)

Last week Grant was hanging out in his occasional hiding spot - under his bed - with his legs straight and feet pressed up to the mattress. Parker, without knowing Grant was under there, pounced on his bed and jammed Grants legs into his chest.

Grant has a flair for the dramatic so it was hard to determine if his strict adherence to the leg drag or crawl was really indicative of an injury. I decided to take him to a chiropractor to make sure nothing was out of alignment.

After Grant talked his ear off about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, the chiropractor tested his reflexes by doing the tap below the knee. All checked out with the reflexes. Then the chiropractor checked for tightness and alignment. As it turns out, one leg was a bit shorter than the other and Grant was given an adjustment.

Later on, Brad asked him how his doctors visit went. Grant said, "Good." Brad asked, "What did the doctor do?" Grant replied, "He beat me with a hammer."