Las Vegas/A Month of Happenings

Here are pictures of our first family vacation! We took the kids to Las Vegas, and what an experience! So many cool things to see, though it is mixed in with the worst of the carnal world. We stayed in Excalibur, took the kids to the Tournament of Kings, saw the sharks at Mandalay Bay, toured the M&M store, saw some sweet cars and motorcycles and animals, went swimming, and got to ride a tram, which Carson thought was almost like a train. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing trip that we all enjoyed. It was relaxing to take a trip to someplace where nothing and nobody was waiting at the destination. We're hoping to take more of these independent vacations in the years to come.

Last week, we went to the local zoo with a friend from our college days in Laramie. She has two girls, and the kids had a good time together checking out all the different animals. Keeping with tradition, we had to get a picture taken on top of the tiger statue, since tigers are one of Carson's favorites. Thanks for inviting us to go with you, Tonya!

These are pictures from our camping trip in mid-August. We camped near Kelly Canyon, and it was a nice place to camp. The kids loved every minute of it, and they even slept well that night. we made hobo dinners that night and had dutch oven peach cobbler and smores (all gluten free, of course). The next morning, to help the kids warm up, Mike instigated a game of tag, and both kids loved it. It was so entertaining. Then we went over to the Snake river so Mike could fish a little, and the kids played in the water. Despite the cool air, they had a great time in the water, which was warmer than I thought it would be.

Below are pictures from our day at the river for the duck race. We didn't actually watch the duck race, but we had lots of fun doing other things. Oddly enough, it was a really cold day for July/August. We all wore jackets, and even then I was still cool. Carson and Mike made car race tracks at a Home Depot booth. We also saw a lot of neat cars at the car show. There were also motorcycles, and a couple of helicopters, which Carson loved since they were orange. we saw several booths, too. And perhaps most exciting were the boat races. They were racing boats, so they were small and so loud! They did drag racing on the river, and it was a lot of fun to watch. After the activities at the river, we went over to Reed's Dairy Farm for their annual family day, and it was fun to see how milk is processed. There was also a petting zoo, cheap ice cream, and free horse rides for children. This was Carson's favorite part, though Natalie wouldn't get on one.

Swimming Pro

This summer we signed Carson up for swimming lessons. He had a great time there and was so sad when it was over. He learned things like kicking, paddling, jumping in alone, etc. I think he might have had a little crush on his teacher, who was an awesome teacher. I had so much fun watching him!

(Carson is the one with the brown swimsuit with stripes.)

(In this one he's the one jumping.)

(Carson is at the top, to the teacher's right.)

(Carson is holding on the to handrail.)

Wild Hair

A few weeks ago I braided Natalie's hair into little braids before she went to bed.

In the morning I took them out and here was the result. A little wild perhaps, but still cute in my opinion.

Here are the kids in their masks that the kids got at the library as one of their prizes for the summer reading program. They love them and wear them all over the house!

Pioneer Train Day

Mike's brother and his family came to visit us on Pioneer Day weekend. We went to a little community activity on Saturday. There was a little train there that the kids could ride for free. Carson loved it! He and his Andrea rode it 3 times each I think. I didn't get pictures of Natalie or the twins, but here are the pictures of the train rides.

Daredevils

Well, after being gone for what seemed like a long time, we're home, and I'm finally starting to catch up on stuff a little. We had a great time and did all sorts of fun stuff. First, we celebrated my Grandparents' 50th Anniversary, which was fun. Almost everyone was there, and some of them I haven't seen in years. The kids and I stayed with my parents for a few days, and then we all went to a reunion on my dad's side. It's been even longer since I've seen some of those guys, and it was fun, too. We camped at the Heber Valley Camp, and there were challenge courses, among other things. The first day, we put harnesses on and were pulled up about 20ft or so and dropped, swinging in the air back and forth for awhile. I was brave and tried it, and it was fun! Carson got to do it as well, but he didn't go all the way up. The next day, Mike arrived, and we went on paddle boats on the lake. That afternoon, we went to another challenge course. First of all, you climb up a 25ft pole with notches, which is hanging from above, so it swings a little. Next, walk across a cable suspended 25ft in the air while holding onto a rope. Last, repel back down to the ground. I decided there was NO WAY I'd try it. Of course, Mike never even asked me, knowing that I don't respond well to pressure. In the end, I decided I could do it, and I'd prove it to myself and everyone. It was scary, but I did it! Mike did too, and he was so fast! Carson really wanted to, but he was a bit too small. Who's kid is he, anyway?

No Dogs!

After more than a month of being restricted to the side yard while our baby grass started growing, Roscoe is back in the yard and playing with the kids. The older he gets, the better he is with them, and they love him. Of course, who knew how much I don't like dogs, since I'd never had one. We figured out pretty quickly that dogs do NOT come in my house. No matter whose dog, how large or small, how "well trained" they are, they do not come in!! It makes me so angry and grumpy, even though I try not to be that way. we've had people bring dogs to our house before, and I spent the whole time trying to pretend that I was happy through gritted teeth. Not cool. So we have a strict NO DOG policy in my house, NO EXCEPTIONS! I figure my house, my rules. At any rate, Carson has decided once again that he's a puppy, and he's been very insistent that he is the one exception to my NO DOG rule. And lately Natalie is crawling around after him like another little puppy, so now I have two dogs in my house! But at least they don't lick, pee, bark, shed, or jump on furniture, right? Ha, ha, ha, I wish.

Family Pictures!

While we were visiting Mike's family, we got our family pictures taken. It was a Christmas present from Mike's parents, and it was so much fun! We love the way the pictures turned out! Thanks for such a great gift! Here are some of my favorites.

Our Family:
Natalie and Carson:

Mike and Michelle:

Carson and Mom:

Natalie and Mom:

Natalie and Dad:

Carson and Dad:

Dad and the kids:

Mom and the kids:

Mike:

Michelle:

Natalie:

Carson:

Relaxing Weekend

We went to visit Mike's parents last weekend, and it was so nice and relaxing! Carson went with Grandma and Grandpa on Wednesday night, and Mike and I took Natalie on Friday. Carson had a great time, but I sure missed him. I forgot my camera!!! Loyce took a few pictures of the kids at the dinosaur museum, but of course I didn't get any of Grandma and Grandpa with the kids. Next time...

Here are Carson and Natalie outside the museum.
Carson, Natalie, and Me next to a wooly mammoth. The thing was huge!

Carson and Natalie

Carson and Natalie digging for dinosaur bones!

Carson and Natalie with Grandpa Len.

Mommy's Helpers

Here are my little grocery shoppers. They each have to make a menu and then a grocery list, which we then take to the store so they can cross off items we buy. Oh, and sometimes Carson puts things on the list that I don't want to get, but he really thinks we should, because they're on HIS list. Kids are the cutest!

New Friends

Carson has recently made some new friends that have moved into a couple of houses up the street. He loves this, and it seems like every day he asks to go out riding bikes with Dallin. I love it! Natalie usually tags along, so my house is relatively quiet for a short time. Last week we had some hotter days, so the kids played on the slip-n-slide on day (no pictures!) and the next day, we filled up our little swimming pool. Here are a few pictures of them swimming.

Carson, Dallin, Lily, and Natalie