Utah Trip: part one

Our recent Utah trip can really be split into 3 parts. We arrived several days before my family reunion was supposed to start, so we saw a few friends, walked down memory lane, and drove out to Wyoming. Part two included my Family Reunion, and Part 3 was the day or so after the reunion was over.
i spent the months prior to the trip worrying over what I could do to keep the boys happy while one the trip, and always keeping my eyes open while at stores, etc. I realized a few weeks prior to the trip that it was not the boys I needed to worry about. Nate had his DS, we had a few iPods, and smart phones, plus a laptop with movies. They were totally set. What I needed to worry about was the little one year old who cannot even make it through a church block. I could not think of a single thing that was going to be a sure thing for keeping her occupied for an extended period of time. She ended up doing a pretty good job, and aside from the last 20 min, when she just was done, and didn't so much cry and scream, but just would not sit still at all, she was pretty content to just sit on my lap. We started out our trip by going right down to Provo. We had dinner at the Pizza Factory, and then walked around BYU for a bit, visited the bookstore, and the boys wished violently that they could join the EFY dances that were going on. Both boys declared that they wanted to go to BYU. (Didn't take too much to brainwash them into that choice!)
We spent that night at my friend Becky's house in Riverton. It was really nice to be able to sit and chat with Becky. I haven't seen her since Nate was a tiny baby! On Saturday we went back down to Provo. The kids were not at all excited about the activities on these days. (Aside from wanting to go to the dance.) They whined and cried and were in general just awful the whole time. I was ready to pack Nate up and send him to Grammy's house for the week. (I would have had to send him FedEx over night or something.)
The only part of the day that they enjoyed was going to the Monte L Bean Life Science Museum.

Graham wanted his picture taken like this, with his mouth like a hippo.

And Nate wanted in on that action. (But not Olivia.)

After that, we went over to take a few pictures with the Cougar. Jesse got all of the good pictures of the boys on his phone, so maybe when he uploads them to our computer, I'll post them.

On our way out of Provo/Orem, we stopped by Krispy Kreme hopping that the boys could see the donuts being made. At first, no such luck, but by the time we were finished eating, and Jesse was trying to make our dinner plans, they started some donuts, and the boys thought it was awesome to watch them go through the conveyor belt.

That evening we were meeting Jesse's old roommate and his family for dinner, but had a bit of time to kill. I wanted a place where Olivia could crawl around and not be confined to a stroller or car seat, so we found a little park in Lehi.

After the park we went to dinner with Ben and Kelsey Dean, and within a minute and a half of getting back in the car, Graham and Olivia were asleep. By the time we made it back to Riverton, Nate had fallen asleep as well.

Nate and Graham had so much fun playing with Eden for the periods of time that we were hanging out at their house. They have a beautiful house with a fun back yard. Lots of things to keep them happy and entertained!

By the end of the trip, they were all best friends. Nate and Graham kept on asking to go back to Eden's house. (Especially when we were walking around Provo, and they were bored and tired!) Many, many thanks to Becky for putting us up for a few nights. We had 2 rooms to use, which meant that Olivia got to have her own bedroom, and sleep through the night! Always a good thing when on vacation!

On Sunday we left Utah and drove out to Evanston, WY to stay with the Saxtons, a family that Jesse knew while growing up in Virginia, and who he also visited a few times while at college. The kids loved the change of pace, and there was no whining or crying, unlike the previous two days!

Nate loved this chair!

Our lovely accommodations. We had no baby bed, so Olivia and I slept on the bottom bunk of the bed, the boys on the top bunk, and Jesse got the other bed all to himself. As much of a pain as it is, I do enjoy cuddling with a baby sleeping in bed! We hung around the Ranch for a little while in the morning. The boys got to see some cows, and horses, and they thought that was cool. Well, Graham was scared of the cows, because they were making a lot of noise, but he did like the horses. After lunch we headed back to Utah to meet up with everyone in Park City, officially starting the family reunion, and part two of our vacation.

July 4th

So now that we are on the 13th post I have written in July, it's fitting that we are finally up to events that actually happened in July! We had a lovely little fourth of July this year. We started the day by going to the Annual breakfast held at the Olson's Ranch. Lots of good food, an inspiring program, and Jonny Kigin dressed up as King George. What more could you want?

We came home for a bit, and I went out for a 5.5 mile run in 90* heat, with 90% humidity. It was not the smartest thing I did all day, but it was going to be a busy week, and that was literally the only time I had to get a run in!

At about 4 pm we went down to Baker park to check out the festivities.

We wanted to check out a u2 Tribute band that was playing, and fortunately, they were right next to the kids fun zone, so we were able to walk around with the kids while listening to some U2.

We met up with Kyle and Kenny Oswald and the boys loved playing with Kenny all afternoon.

This year all of the activities in the Kid Zone were free, which was very nice. They boys waited in line after line to go through all of these blow up bouncy things. They loved it!

There was also a martial arts school there doing shows and demonstrations. Nate and Graham and Kenny went up at one point to participate. They had a ton of fun kicking that little red thing in the guy's hand.

We finished out the afternoon watching the RC cars. They could have stood there for a long time doing that! If we had more time, we would have gotten in line to have a turn at the control.

After the park, we went over to Burger King for a very gourmet dinner.

Our plans for the fireworks changed about 16 times throughout the day, and when the time finally came, we just kind of headed out, later than we should have, to find a place to watch them. As we were looking for a parking spot, we noticed a bunch of people on the top of the parking garage at the hospital, so we headed up there. Between the time that we entered the garage and the time we got up to the top, it had started to rain. The kids were not happy about the rain, but they wanted to see the fireworks enough that they wanted to stay, so between our one umbrella, and a semi-waterproof blanket, we stuck it out for a very short little show. They boys made the decision that next year we would go to the fireworks as long as it was not raining. :) Good choice. It was really the first time that we have taken the boys to see fireworks, and I'm glad that this can now be a part of our 4th of July tradition.

Swimming

So I'm not one of those moms who signs her kids up for a million camps all summer long. They would probably be enriched by the experience, yes, and if that is what helps keep you sane during the summer, more power to you. Do you want to know what keeps me sane during the summer? Not having to be anywhere at any particular time! :)
The exception to this is swimming lessons. I think that my kids knowing how to be safe in the pool is important enough to drag the whole family out of the door by 8:45 16 days this summer so that my kids can have swim lessons. Now, I'm not looking for them to be able to join the swim team. I'd just like for them not to drowned in the water.
So we've been working on that, and we figured it was finally time to head over to the pool at Grammy and Grandad's community to test out their skills. Of course, in class they don't wear a life jacket, which they do wear while at this pool, but hey, if it makes Nate independent, I'm all for it!
Olivia happens to LOVE the water, and is happy as a clam to be swimming. This is the first summer that Nate has been independent in the pool. I love it.

He even jumps in with no one to catch him.

And it's always more fun if Meckenzie is there to play with.

Graham is not 100% sure about things, even with a life vest on.

And don't I look lovely while I'm swimming? :)

Here we go

Someone this cute couldn't possibly give me problems on an airplane. Right?

Pseudo camping

Our ward had a camping trip back in the middle of June. I was supposed to run in the Baltimore 10 miler the next morning, so we didn't camp out, but we did decide to head over for dinner and a camp fire. There were about 5 other families there, and it was a nice little time.

The boys spent most of their time running around from tent to tent, stopping here and there for a piece of chocolate.

Olivia spent most of her time either in the stroller, on someones lap, or trying to escape being confined.

The boys eventually joined a small football game going on.

I love this picture. Nate is copying Harris on how to be ready for the kick off, and Graham is dancing, in mid spank. Just so typical Graham. One day I'll get a good video of Graham's signature dance, and then figure out how to load it to the Internet.

There was a small campfire program put on by those who attended. After that though, we went home and slept in our own beds and were glad we did. It rained quite a bit that night!

Olivia Turns One!!!

On Olivia's birthday we had Grammy, Aunt Cammi and Meckenzie come over for pizza and cupcakes. I think we found a happy medium as far as celebrating first birthdays. For Nate, we had a huge blowout at a park with millions of friends from my mom's group. For Graham we had a funeral for my dad. This seemed just right!
After pizza, we opened a few presents. Olivia had plenty of helpers!

And she got her first doll. She likes to hold if for a few seconds at a time, and always smiles when I give it to her, but long term, no great love yet. I figure she's still young!

She also got a little music activity table from Grammy, which she loves.