Summer "Stay-cation" Day 5

Saturday: Making a splash at North Shore.

Swimming is a favorite around here!! After much debate we decided that the local swimming pool would be more affordable, and better then a water park this time. Which I am very grateful we did this instead, because after an hour and a half--they were done! It's still a little chilly. I am looking forward to some good swimming days. Preston did the lazy river all by himself. He wore his life vest and was good to go. Tyson still enjoyed the smaller slides, and shallow ends. Katie Bug loved it!! Addyson was freaked this time. I guess it's been a while since we have gone swimming. I was glad to have Clint there, and Uncle A.J. and Grammie came. The kids just adore their Daddy! It was a fun way to end our week of adventures!

Summer "Stay-cation" Day 4

Thursday: Toy Story 3.

I think today was my favorite day so far. Since Daddy was home from work he was able to be with us! Grammie & Uncle A.J. tagged along too. Luckily Grammie, A.J., Preston, and Tyson saw the whole movie...while Clint and I fought with the girls! Oh well!! :) It was really cute! A very good ending to the Toy Story Saga. Which is a FAVORITE here at our house. :) Did I mention the theater was packed. The guy at the ticket booth said all of the evening/afternoon shows were SOLD OUT!

Summer "Stay-cation" Day 3

Thursday: Play Group & Bowling!!

I was so excited we actually got to go to play group with our ward. That is one disadvantage of me working. I ALWAYS miss our ward play groups. So I put that on our priority list for this week. I have grown to love our ward soo much, and have gotten to know so many wonderful women in our ward. A lot of them through reading their blogs! :) I am grateful for our friendships, and think you guys are some of the greatest women I know! We had fun chatting, and eating lunch! Preston had a quick, and fun ice blocking experience. He is now looking forward to trying that out again!

After play group, we went bowling! Fat Cats has a program that kids can bowl 2 free games everyday. (Monday-Friday from 9-5) So we tried it out. The kids had fun. I sat there, because my turns were mainly taken by Addyson. Which was okay--she bowls better then I do! Even with me using bumpers!

Game 1 scores!

Game 2 scores!

Oh, if any of you end up trying out this free bowling...the shoes aren't free. It's still $2.49 per child to rent shoes.

Summer "Stay-cation" Day 2

Wednesday: The Living Planet Aquarium.

So much fun! My kids had a blast!! All 4 of them. I recommend going!! We spent about $50.00 total. Which got us in, and fed us lunch in their cafe. It was yummy food, but over priced. They had animals to touch, games to play, and story time. It was a blast!!
The Jellie Fish ROCKED!!

My favorite part...they came home and made their own aquarium with a map. These are very detailed maps. They include restrooms, and an exit!

Summer "Stay-cation" Day 1

Since Clint and I went to St. George...I thought it was only fair to give the kids some sort of vacation. So I decided to take the week off, and have a "stay-cation" with the kids. We have planned some of our favorite things to do all week long. So here was Tuesday's activity. We got home so late on Monday-- that we decided the sprinklers would be fun! Plus, it gave me time to un-pack, and try to get some stuff done. Kellan (our neighbor, and Preston's friend) came down. They played outside for hours. They even made their own water park with the swing set.

It was too cold for Addy, and she was so emotional. She put herself to bed. The only nap she's had all week.

Later that evening we got in our jammies, rented movies, and got ice cream. Kaitlon got spoiled!!It was fun...I missed my kiddies! :)

St. George, Zion, and no KIDS!!

It's been such a long time since I have had a "grown-up" vacation. It's also been 9 yrs. since my husband and I have vacationed alone. (By alone I mean without kids). So this past weekend was absolutely wonderful, and very much needed. I am looking forward to doing it again REAL soon!

My brother, Clint, and I were able to go to St. George. It was so much fun!! We took over 200 pictures...so I will share just a few of my favorites. St. George is beautiful, and I miss it already! I loved it there. We ate (too much!), shopped, swam, went to the movies, and did some exploring! I love the Dixie Rock...I have no clue what it's really called. It overlooked part of the city. My favorite was that you could see the Temple from the view. It was beautiful!!

The Tonaquint Nature Center was so pretty! Such a peaceful atmosphere. There were little frogs ALL OVER! We were so afraid we we're going to step on them. It rained right before we went there. So Clint has his own post he will be sharing soon.

We visited Brigham Young's Winter Home. That was pretty nifty! I enjoy church history, especially when I can visualize it. My favorite part was this step stool. It's actually a prayer stool. It was really Brigham Young's...not a replica. It brought tears to my eyes to know that a Prophet actually knelt there, and spoke with God. It just amazed me how they lived, and I think I don't have nice appliances, or the "top line" things. It really put a lot in perspective.

We hiked Zion National Park all day! Oh, I loved it! It is so PRETTY! The Lord has created such a beautiful earth, and it makes me want to visit, and see all we have in the USA.

We did a lot of the easy hikes. Mainly, due to the storm coming in, and I was really worried about Clint's bruised up leg! I loved the Emerald Pool Trail. It was so nice! I can't wait to take the kids there.

We did a lot of goofing off...and played in the swimming pool at our hotel!

Then on Monday we were able to attend the sealing of my Dad, and Step Mom. It was really nice to be there with them. I am glad to have had that opportunity. Sealings are beautiful! The St. George Temple was gorgeous. I forget how lucky we are to have so many temples near us. I have enjoyed visiting the different ones.

So the kids--you were probably wondering where we left them...they stayed with Clint's parents. They had a blast, and we are really thankful to them helping us out! If you want to see what they were up to you can check it out on Grandma's Place. I love vacationing, but am never thrilled to come home to this:

Yes, that's 3 adults & 4 kids items for 4 days & 3 nights! UMMFFF! Off to do laundry now. :)

A tRiP tO tHe MiDdLe Of No wHeRe!!

Well, Clint had this brilliant idea last week. He decided he wanted to take us to Nevada to see where he would be working! On Tuesday, we loaded the 4 children, the pack-and-play, 3 luggage bags, 5 pillows, 4 blankets, some food, water, 3 bags full of little toys, the portable DVD player, 6 movies, Clint, and myself in the van. Then we headed to the middle of no where, Nevada! When I say the middle of no where, I mean it! We had a 2 hour drive to Wendover--then from Wendover it was another 2 hour drive to the Ranch! We got to look at lots of sage brush! The kids did fairly well, considering they were stuck in the car. Preston did get a fever, and threw up 1/2 of the trip! I had a horrible allergy attack!! So that was an adventure in itself!!! We did get to see the Ranch, it was really neat. Although, the town, and the area wasn't that exciting :P! I am glad we had some family time though! We've been working, and doing so much the past couple weeks it was nice to just be together! Here are some pictures we took!
Us in Wendover--taking a photo opp!
the kids!!

Okay it was so hot, that the heat reflected some how- I assume. It made the mountains look like they were floating. Look at the back of the picture, it was really weird!

Clint driving (I was bored)

Some Utah mountain views, and the salt mine thingy!

More salt! (On the water)