The Canyon

Something we have not done as often as last summer...the canyon.  Next summer we will have to make up for it.  But we did make it up Millcreek canyon for some foil dinner and s'mores one night with Mike's family.  I love Utah canyons in the summer time with a good fire, good food, and good company. 

I feel like sometimes I'm looking at a picture of me as an 8 year old! 

Michael ended up wet...surprise, surprise. 

Luke didn't feel awesome.  He actually fell asleep most of the time on a chair.  But he was pleasant enough. 

Happy 4th of July!!!!

We had a fantastic 4th!  Our neighborhood does a potluck, pool party, fireworks show all evening.  This year they did it the night before.  The whole neighborhood comes and brings all their fireworks for one amazing show! Such a fun night with all the neighbors and friends. 

I've never had a baby love fireworks as much as Spencer.  He just loved them.  He was screeching and shouting and pointing and jumping and so overly excited.  It was pretty cute and hilarious.  

Best photo bomb ever.  This is one of Mike's best friend's, Aaron.  He looks creepy, but he's a nice guy. Ha! He is in just the right spot that I cannot crop him out, but it's such a cute picture of the family, I have to include it anyway.  And afterall, Aaron and Star (his wife) are about as close as family, so it counts anyway.  

On the 4th....I don't remember what we did during the day, but Mike's family came for a bbq, swimming, and fireworks at our house.  It was just a great day! 

Father's Day!

We celebrated this great man and all he does for our family.  We showered him with awesome things like post-it notes to show our appreciation. :)  Mike is such a great dad!  The kids just love him and love spending time with him. He's so patient and fun with them.  We love Dad!!!!!

Music Crazy

A few months ago, I realized how much music I have lost.  I love music and always have, but gradually over the years, it has disappeared in our home (I'm sure it has to do with the noise level. haha).  I decided I wanted to make an effort to have it around more often.  In the process I have discovered Amazon Prime Music.  If you are an Amazon Primer user, I'm a huge fan!  Tons of free music!  They don't have everything for free, but they have enough and all genre's to keep us entertained.  

Well, along the way, we have discovered Kidz Bop.  It's regular radio music remade for kids.  LOVE IT!  They clean up the words and even the messages making it totally clean for my little kiddos' ears. My kids are pretty crazy about it.  We now have music ALL. THE. TIME.  For the most part, I love it.  We have had plenty of dance parties, complete with some really awesome costumes.  It's helped clean the house, helped put kids to bed when we were not in our own beds, helped happy up some grouchy kids (and mom)...oh how the list goes on.  Since moving back to my piano, I have also been playing a lot again.  My skill is not near where it once was, but by playing some everyday, it's getting there, slowly but surely. I truly love music and am so grateful for the influence of good music and for my mom making me learn to play.   

Batman

I should have cropped these, but I'm 2 months behind, so I'm not redoing it. Haha! Luke loves being batman.  He wears this outfit daily, often to bed. I don't care when he wears it out and about either.  It's adorable.  These pictures were taken at the beginning of June, but it's still a regular occurrence. 

Last week, we were cleaning and he was wearing his outfit.  I looked at him and said, "Com'on Luke!  It's time to help clean!"  He looked at me dumbfounded....."But Batman doesn't clean up.  He just kills all the bad guys. Sorry" :)  

Moab

We had a family reunion at the beginning of June.  I was in charge this year and I picked Moab.  No one in my family has been there much and Mike has fond memories growing up, so I thought we would give it a shot.  I can't believe I have never been there!!!!  It's so close and so beautiful! I was worried there wasn't going to be enough to do for the little kids.  Not sure why I thought this, sand, rocks, outside....really what is there NOT to love!? Not everyone was able to make it this year and we were expecting that with some big family changes in a couple siblings and Melanie living in Italy for now.  

Anyway, so it was my parents, Danny's family, Jill's family, and our family.  Both sets of my grandparents were there as well!  I'm so lucky! I still have all 4 of my grandparents.  My dad's parents are 95 and my mom's parents are 85 (my grandma had a birthday while we were there, turning 86). I'm so grateful they were able to come and I was able to spend time with them and my kids got to see them again. Kid wise there were 8 kids.  My 4 and then a cousin matching age and gender of my 4 kids.  It really was perfect. 

We rented a couple 3 bedroom condos. They were great! They had a big sand back yard and a community pool and a parking lot big enough for bikes. We had lots of fun just hanging around in our down time. Monday everyone arrived in time for dinner and we stayed close to "home" 

This was the backyard.  I had taken all our beach toys from Florida.  The kids lived out here  just digging away.  

The first whole day we were there, we went to Arches National Park.  It was beautiful!  I was a little leery about my knee and had to be careful, but there are SO many short little tiny hikes perfect for 3 year old legs and broken knees. :)  

We got to one point at this hike where I had to stop, so I kept Spencer with me.  This kid is SO stubborn and determined.  He climbed up this massive rock by himself crying and trying to follow Dad and the big kids.  It's that sandy rock, so it's super slippery.  That kind of stuff is easy to make it up, but tricky to get down if you have a bum knee. I couldn't believe he did it all. Of course I had to follow, which meant some great rock sliding on my bum to make it down safely. 

The sand arch, I also took beach toys to.  It was a great place to take a break in the shade for a bit.  we were here for quite a while.  

The next day we did Canyonlands and Deadhorse Point.  You can't help but be in awe at this beautiful earth we live on when you spend time with outdoor adventures.  Spectacular views and cool changes in scenery. 

The next day was kind of a random day.  Some went on a river rafting trip, some went on a little hike to a river to play in.  Lots of in and out from the condos and just hanging out as a family.

Friday we hit up Arches again and then headed for home after a great hike.  

It was such a fun vacation! I can't wait to go back again another time.  Kids had a great time with cousins and all the grandparents and I enjoyed the time with lots of my family!