sight seeing

The Saturday before school started the Young Women's group from our congregation got together for a very special activity. The mother & daughters toured the Beehive House downtown, then ate lunch at the Lion House. (The Library or Office in the Beehive House.. I can't remember because I was talking to my friend & not paying attention... I know, I know?)

I have luckily toured the Beehive house many times before. It's really fun! I'm pretty sure I posted about taking the kids there last summer? I also went there as a kid with my parents while on vacation. I remember because they used to give you a piece of old fashioned candy at the end of the tour. They gave you the choice of a lemon drop or a Horehound candy drop... ew gross. My dad loved those & I thought/think they are sick. The missionaries who gave us the tour (super cute girls from Denmark & England) said they had to stop giving out the candy because people would spit it out on the property! Can you imagine?! It's gross YES, but spitting out candy in a historical sight... some people!?
The music room.

It's a beautiful home full of history & wonderful stories.

The Lion House is famous for delicious home style cooking- especially their rolls! YUM

The Lion House also hosts birthday parties for girls or boys turning eight. Eight is a special year - the year boys & girls can choose to be baptized. The summer after we moved to Utah Megan turned 10 & she had a party here. so fun. Hailey had her 8th birthday here too! I can't remember if Chloe did~ hmmm?

Out side with Caroline & Lily.

These photos DON'T DO JUSTICE to the beautiful gardens! They are incredible & make me wish I had a gardener. I have completely given up the idea of having a beautiful garden made by my own hands. I'm way to wimpy.

This was such a special day. The girls anticipated it all summer. The leaders have been planning & saving to do this (with the help from one sister who works there) all year. They tried to do it last summer but didn't have the money. I am so glad we got to go together. It was a great day & fun way to end our summer. I love mother/daughter activities! LOVe THEm

good times

grandpa's home

Two weeks ago, Brett had a business trip to Denver. He flew Southwest Airlines for the first time in a long time... and found out--- HE HAD A FREE TICKET that was about to expire. What's a grandpa to do?Go visit his two best grandsons- that's what!

He left last Thursday & got home last night. I know he travels now & then- I know it was only 5 days- but it felt like he was gone much longer. He played hide & seek, held sweet Joey, mowed the lawn, baby sat while megan & tony went to see Harry Potter, ate frozen custard, watched movies, took naps & much, much more. In other words: he had a GREAT time.

Thanks for having him Megan & Tony!

We only wish he would have had 5 free tickets!

Maybe next time?

15!

HOw can it be that my sweet Chloe is 15?

She is now in High School & even studying up for her driver's permit!

She has had kind of a slow birthday...

I've been sick, working, and Dad is out of town.

Kind of a bummer weekend for the birthday girl.

I took her shopping... with my snotty, running nose & hacking cough. lovely.

She of course, has been an angel about it.

We are planning a BIG family dinner next week end.
I sure love this girl- I can't imagine my life without her in it. She is a joy. She is the kind of girl who helps- she instinctively knows how to be helpful. It's awesome- how did I get so blessed!?
Happy Birthday Chloe

day 2

last week on day two of our stay cation-

The boys got up early & went fishing. The girls & I did not. We did get ready & later in the day we all drove up to Park City for shopping & dinner. We headed to the outlet mall & had a great photo free time shopping & people watching. Even in Park City these days- it's HOT in Utah.
Baja CAntina for dinner was a huge hit- you can see why!?

I LOve Park City- it's been way too long since we have driven up. Every time we go up there I think- why don't we come here more?

All views are beautiful.

WE are full on into school now-

and I've got a cold. it's HOT- one of the hottest weeks of the year. All three of my kids are in school with NO AIR CONDITIONING- NADA, NONE. Crazy. Today's predicted high- 98 degrees. IT makes me so mad.

I better just stop.

last hurrah

Last week- we decided to take a couple of days to play. You know, before the dreaded... school starting. We took two days & had a blast! Kind of a little mini- stay cation.We started out here at Jungle Jim's Playground. The girls were so kind to go along & not complain (ya, they had fun- because they have such good attitudes!) Trent was in HEAVEN.

We were all having a GREAT time- until - Trent talked me into getting on "The Amazon" with him. I don't know what is wrong with my mind? HELLO? When will I ever learn? Frankly, I just felt bad for him... I wanted him to have a friend/brother to ride with so- I. got. on. the. ride..... Just before it took off the girls came walking around the corner & saw me. Their mouths dropped open & they started to giggle & point. The two kids in front of us told me this was their 12th time in a row. I asked, "have you puked yet? How do you keep from puking?" Their answer, "it's easy lady. It's fun." Ya--- I used to be a kid too. The ride started up & it hit me-- I'VE GOTTA GET OFF THIS THING!!!! By the second time around I was panicking & yelling at the teenage operator-- STOP THE RIDE, HEY HEY- STOP THE RIDE!! He may have let me go around one more two more times out of wicked spite. Before it had come to a complete stop, my seat belt was off & I was climbing out. Crisis averted. The girls were nearly rolling on the ground with laughter. jerks.

Trent survived & thrived & even found a buddy to ride with.

Yes, it was tempting to stay all day... but after a couple of hours we headed off to here:

This place is so darn cute!

Not to mention- so good!

Chloe got a Va Nei lla cupcake.

Trent & Cranny (the blow up crayon he bought & named with the tickets at Jungle Jim's) shared a Root Beer float cupcake.

Mine was raspberry lime.

Hailey chose a sopapilla something? I can't remember now, but it was good.

(I texted this picture of some new Tom's to the girls)

We headed to the mall where we met up with Brett. The girls got to do some shopping - then we went out to dinner!

GREAT DAY

first day of school 2011

Can you believe it? I really can't... school already!!These two cuties are High School sophomores- wow!!!
everyone knows- sixth graders RULE the school.

Of course, no one rules a school like a H.S. Senior!?

It's gonna be a GREAT YEar!

Especially if these two take my challenge & introduce them selves like I suggested...

"My name is Hailey- now use a gruff voice-

and I like to kick butts."

YES- this is a line from a Sponge Bob episode. School started just in time. My brain is completely full of Sponge Bob one liners. If they do it- it'll earn them an easy $5 and the reputation of being the toughest girl in the school. they say they won't... I say YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!? Oh well, at least we had a good laugh on the way to school.