Our Utah Adventure / Salt Lake

On Monday of this week we got Bryndee off to EFY. I took her and Joselyn to BYU and got them registered and settled in their dorm. They were both really quiet, I think they were a little nervous and not quite sure what to expect. I guess she is having a great time because I have not heard from her at all. I am lucky though because Chad is directing this EFY (that is how she got in) and Cassie and him are down there all the time. It is like I have a personal spy and pretty much know what she is doing. Cassie took lots of pictures of her at the dance so I could see who she was dancing with. Cassie and Chad also took it upon themselves to make sure her and Joselyn were dancing alot and mingling with boys. Thanks guys! I will post pictures later.

On Tuesday we took the gang to Salt Lake. This was Sadie's first trip to Utah so we thought she might enjoy Salt Lake. We drove to Sandy and then road the train to Salt Lake. The kids enjoyed the train, I would have rather driven there in the suburban. I don't know about you, but public transportation kinda grosses me out. But the kids had fun. When we got there it was raining pretty hard so we were limited as to what we could do. We went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and walked around and then to the Temple. I am always amazed at how beautiful that building is. We then walked over to the conference center to tour it. They would not let us in the main room because they were preparing for a concert this weekend (which Ron and I get to go to I will let you know how it is later). So then we asked to see the gardens on the roof and they would not let us go out because of lightning and thunder. So we walked back over to Temple Square and went to the Tabernacle. It was kinda funny none of the kids recognized this building inside. All they know is the Conference Center. I am always amazed how small the Tabernacle is inside. After this we braved the train again and went home.

When we got home I had a big surprise waiting for me. Ron had sent me a dozen roses with a card telling me he missed me and could not wait to come be with us again. What a guy! I have wonderful news...Ron is here. I just got back from picking him up from the airport. It was so good to see him. The kids were really cute when they saw him. Now we get to enjoy the last little bit of our Utah Adventure with a Dad. Hooray!!!

Ellie, Kalli, and Kymber riding the train.
The kids in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. This building is so amazing. The architectural details are incredible.
Because it was raining we could only get a quick picture in front of the Temple.
The beautiful roses my thoughtful husband sent me. What a wonderful surprise!

Our Utah Adventure / Waterfalls Part 2

Torie had so much fun at Bridal Veil Falls that she wanted to take Sadie there when she came the next day. We decided to try out some other falls that we had heard about. With a 5 min. drive and then a 20 min hike we made it to Battle Creek Falls. This hike was not a green and lush as the other hike, in fact it reminded me alot of hiking in AZ. Once we got there we had a blast. We were able to get right up to the fall. Torie, Raegan, and Sadie tried to go under the falls but it was way too cold and the water too hard. This is what I love about Utah you can drive 5 min from your house and be able to experience many different things. Bryndee and Porter didn't go with us they were too tired (they are definitely becoming teenagers) and wanted to take it easy. I think when Ron comes we may hike here again and drag Bryn and Bug with us.

Battle Creek Falls

Torie with 2 of her favorite people Raegan and Sadie. She is so happy to have both girls there. I was a little worried having the 3 girl thing, but they got along so well.

Raegan, Sadie, and Torie trying to go under the waterfall.
The whole group, minus Ellie and Andrew they didn't like crossing in the cold water.

Abby was not a huge fan of the cold and fast water. This is where she spent most of her time, sitting pretty.

This picture is to prove that Cassie and I do like each other, and we can get along. It all comes with growing up.

Just me and some of my girls.

Like I said before, Ellie didn't enjoy the cold water. She spent most her time playing in the dirt and throwing rocks into the stream. She got so dirty, but she was happy.

Our hike back to the car. Doesn't it look like hiking in AZ? I love the fact that Kymber and Kalli are holding hands with Ellie! Too cute.

Our Utah Adventure / Waterfalls

Can I just say that I love having this blog. I have never had a vacation so well documented. Usually I take pictures (that is if I remember my camera) and then they sit in a box, or in a file on my computer. My my kids go through these pictures and ask questions and most the time I can't remember the date or I only remember half the info. It has also been great since Ron has not been here to enjoy our trip with us, he can at least enjoy our trip through my blog.

This last week has been way busy and way fun. Where do I begin. We took a trip to Bridal Veil Falls and had a wonderful time. Stacey and her boys, Cassie and her kids and 2 nieces, and Me and my kids all walked the lovely path to the breathtaking waterfall. I say lovely because it is a paved path surrounded by lush green landscape, nothing like hikes we have at home. It doesn't matter how many times I go to these particular falls I enjoy myself every time. Right when we got there the older kids decided to hike up the waterfall to the very top. Can you guess who was leading them? Porter yes you read that right. Worry Wart Porter was leading the way up the very steep, rocky waterfall with Bryndee and Keslee following close behind. We then had a picnic lunch at the bottom of the falls and then they were climbing up again. This time Porter was not with them, he started thinking about how high he was and decided he did not have a very good feeling about it. Now this is the Porter we all know and love. Anyway we had a great time and lots of great pictures.

Here is Porter, Bryndee, Keslee, and Dylan climbing the falls. If you look real close you can see all the kids with Porter leading the way.

Ellie didn't love the ice cold water at first. She lost her balance and her bottom fell right in. Oh my goodness that melted snow sure is cold! Here are my kiddo's at the falls. Don't you love Abby striking a pose?
Bryndee and Keslee posing for a picture. They sure have enjoyed each other and their new friendship.
This is a picture of the kids waiting at the beginning of the path. Isn't is gorgeous!

Our Utah Adventure / Car Problems

I almost forgot...It seems that I can't come to Utah without some kind of car problems. Sometimes small sometimes big. This time was no exception. On my way home from Provo and the 4th of July Parade my suburban overheated. When my brother in law looked it over he thought it was the water pump. When he talked to the mechanic the mechanic said that in the 2005 suburbans the water pump was designed to not go out. He has never had to replace one only clean it up with a few replacement things. Well guess what? I am the lucky one! My suburban would be the first one he had to replace. $400.00 later I have a suburban that works great! I was so relieved that this didn't happen while I was driving to Utah that the amount didn't even bother me. I am once again thankful for prayers that were given and prayers that were answered.

Our Utah Adventure Con't / A Whole Lotta Nothing!

Today when I was checking blogs I realized I have not posted in a while. I don't really have a reason except I have been busy. Busy doing what you might ask? I don't really know. All I know is we don't quit until about 10:00 pm (I gotta say I am not a fan of daylight savings time). The kids have been having a ball with their cousins. Lots of swimming at the local pool. We went to the movies, and are planning on going again later. Cassie took Torie and Kymber hiking Mt Timpanogos and Torie hiked it again a week later. Almost every night we have had sleepovers at either Cassie's, Stacey's, or Mom's. I will go a week without seeing Porter, I have to say it is kinda nice. Bryndee has been over at Stacey's for the last couple of days just hanging out. She talked Stacey into coloring her hair. I wish I had a picture of her, but let's just say she is now a blondie. Now she has a reason for being a little dingy at times. :o} Last night Cassie, Stacey, Bryndee, Keslee (Cassie's niece), and I played cards till late in the night. I am proud to say I won. We had a day of beauty at mom's house, Torie got a perm, Bryndee gave pedicures, and I waxed Bryndee and Torie's eyebrows. I know they are pretty young for waxing, but with Ron and I as their parents all my kids will be waxing young. We spent a FHE at a fun park not to far from Mom's house. Cassie came with her kids and their other cousins came as well. For another FHE we had a talent show. Raegan is quite the clogger. I even read a book that I have been wanting to read lately it is called Darcey's Diary. I really enjoyed it, but I also love Pride and Prejudice and it is a take off of that book. Lots of fun is being had by all, except Ron. I think he is missing his family pretty bad. Our little house does not see so little anymore. We sure miss him and can't wait till next week when he can finally join us.

Kymber and Ellie spinning on the "spinny thingy". They kept going and going I was getting sick just watching them.

Torie and Raegan on the tire swing Raegan's aunt Shelley pushed them really hard and high.

Kymber and Abby needed to take a rest. This picture is also to prove to them that they can be nice to each other.

After the park we went to Macey's and got huge ice cream cones for dessert. No not the clothing store Macey's the grocery store. Bryndee was pretty confused about this. This goes back to the blond hair.

Mom and Dad just moved into a new house and lots of projects need to be completed. Here is Dad and the kids helping him put the slats in the fence. I don't understand it but in Utah no one believes in fencing their back yards. My parents do not agree with this philosophy and promptly installed a fence.

Taralee has been exposed to lots of new things here at grandma's house. This is her first experience with an Oreo. I think we have another chocolate lover.

Torie with her 110 perm rollers in her hair.

Torie after Mom worked her magic. I love Torie's hair with a perm. It is so pretty and shiny. She loves it also. Talk about easy all she did was fluff it up with a hair pick after her shower. No product, no curling, just wash and go.

This is a new face Taralee has learned. I don't know where it came from or why she makes it, but it is a look of pure disgust. It makes me laugh every time I see it.

We are looking forward to Friday when Tara and Sadie are coming up to visit us. Torie can hardly wait. She gets to have 2 of her favorite people with her, Raegan and Sadie. Then Saturday Joselyn will come up and spend 2 days with Bryndee before they head off to Especially For Youth at BYU. I can't wait to hear about their adventures there. Life is wild and crazy, but it is also wonderful at the same time. Until next time...

Utah Adventure Con't / Fireworks

(Sorry I got my posts mixed up the start of the day is in the previous post.) As I said before celebrating the 4th in Utah is quite different from celebrating in AZ. Here fireworks are not illegal. Chad bought some fireworks from the grocery store and when it finally got dark (9:00 pm) we all went outside to see him set them off. It was fun seeing all the different kinds that are available. After he set off his fireworks, Stacey brought out the sparklers. The kids loved them. They were having a blast pretending they were Harry Potter with their magic stick. The big firework show was being held at the junior high which is only 2 blocks from my parents house. We sat out in their front yard and had a wonderful view. I loved watching the fireworks in the cool air. So much better than sweating to death in Az.

The kids watching Uncle Chad and his firework show. Even though they look bored to death they really enjoyed it!

Porter and Kymber and their "magic sticks".

Ellie wanted to have a sparkler so bad, but I felt she was too young and was afraid she would burn herself. She was not happy with my decision.

This was a great ending to a very enjoyable day. The only way it could have been better was if Bryndee and Ron were here with us. Bryndee is in San Diego celebrating the 4th with the Hardy family. She is spending alot of time on the beach and having a terrific time. Ron is still at home playing catch up with work. I sure miss him!

Utah Adventure Con't. / 4th Of July Parade

Happy 4th to everyone! Celebrating the 4th in Utah is alot different than celebrating the 4th in AZ. Our day started at a parade in Provo. Thanks to Chad we had great seats (he got there at 4:00am to save them for us). The kids actually got to Provo at 6:00am to see the hot air balloon launch. This is something they have never seen before and were fascinated with it. The parade was very enjoyable. I don't usually care for parades, but maybe that has something to do with sitting in 110 degree heat. The weather that morning was really nice and it was fun just sitting and visiting with so many people.

Even Taralee got into the spirit of the 4th waving her flag.

These are all the kids in our group. My kids, Cassie's kids, Shelley's kids (Cassie's sis-in-law), and Banka's kids (Cassie's other sis-in-law). We had quite the group. They all did really good for being so many.

Ellie and her flag!

Ellie and Andrew stood on the side lines and waved their flag at all the floats that went by. They were so fun the watch!

This is Ellie and Dad walking back to the car. I thought it was so cute seeing them holding hands I had to get a picture of it. Don't they look cute in their festive colors!

Utah Adventure Con't. / The End of Basketball Camp

Well Porter survived B-Ball camp and he even had a great time. He even wants to go back next year and stay in the dorms again. I hate to say I told you so Bug, but...

I was able to go down to BYU and watch him play a game. As luck would have it his team was playing against Prescott's team. Porter and Prescott have always been on the same team so it is natural for me to cheer for both boys. Well the first quarter of the game Porter and Prescott were guarding each other so being Porter's mom I couldn't cheer for the boy guarding my son, it was kinda weird encouraging Porter to be aggressive against Prescott. Luckily after the first rotation they played at different times. So when Porter was on the court, Prescott was sitting out. This way I was able to cheer them both on. I felt much better about this! In the end there always has to be a winner, and Porter's team won. Hooray for the Bug!

On the last day of camp I was able to attend the awards ceremony (not because I am a good mom, only because I got there early because I was not quite sure where to pick him up) and I was glad I did though, Porter received an award. Only 2 boys out of each age group got acknowledged and Porter was one. He had no idea he was getting an award. I wish I could have taken a picture of his face when his name was called. It was priceless!

In this picture Prescott has the ball and Porter is to his left.

Even after the game the 2 boys are still best buds!

Porter receiving his award from the head coach of the BYU basketball team. His team also won champion tee shirts for something a kid on his team did. The problem was they only had XXXL size left. In this picture he has the shirt on. I guess he has a really cool PJ shirt now.

At the end of the camp with all his "Goodies" He looks pretty happy!

The Beginning Of Our Utah Adventure

It has been a while since my last post, lots of things have been going on. Summer is officially off to a good start. My kids have really enjoyed the summer movies at the theatre. We have been spending lots of time with friends at their pools. Thanks Shumways, Hubbards, Kendalls, and Hardys, your pools have been a lifesaver! Bryndee has been busy with cheer at the high school. I don't think she realized how much hard work it was going to be. Porter was able to participate in a 2 week basketball camp at the high school. It is so good to see him active in basketball again.
This past Saturday the kids and I got up really early (4:00 am), loaded up the suburban and headed up to Utah. We have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. We got Porter signed up for basketball camp at BYU and Bryndee signed up for EFY at BYU. The problem is Porter is the 1st week in July and Bryndee is the 3rd week in July. We had planned to go up as a family and have Ron fly home after a week and fly back and bring us home. Silly us for thinking our well thought out plans would work. When Bryndee made cheer, our first wrench was thrown into our plans. Cheer Camp was the same week as basketball camp in Phoenix. The second wrench was Ron took off 2 weeks in June to attend the Trek, Scout camp, and Girls camp. When he went back to work there was no way he could take off again that soon. So I got to drive 7 kids (Porter's buddy Prescott came with us to attend the same basketball camp) 12 and under to Utah by myself. It actually went really well, only 1 stop. A quick thanks to my parents, who live in Utah, for letting all of us stay with you. I have 2 sisters that also live in Utah and my kids are having a great time with their cousins. We attended church with Cassie Sunday morning. It was kinda funny Cassie's husband's calling does not allow him to attend his home ward, so with my 7 kids and Cassie's 6 kids we had 2 single women with 13 kids all sitting together. Makes for a fun Sacrament Meeting.
Monday morning I headed off to BYU to get Porter and Prescott registered and settled into their dorm room. Everything went really well. We didn't even get lost, thanks to Cassie.

This is Porter and Prescott just after they registered. Poor Porter I ordered the wrong size shirt, it is kinda small. Sorry Bug!
We were able to let Porter and Prescott room together. Here they are in their empty dorm room. It didn't even dawn on me to send snacks with them. as we were walking down the hall every room we came to was filled with lots of good stuff to eat. I told the boys to make friends with their neighbors and mooch off them. :o}
After lunch it was time for me to leave them. I think it was harder for me than Porter. He looked too small to be left alone on that big campus. Porter was nice enough to give me a big hug and kiss when he left. Thankfully he has not grown too old for that.

For those of you who know Porter, know he is a "nervous nelly", and when he is tired his nerves go in overdrive. Well Monday night I get a call from him in tears. He is too worked up to be able to relax. "What if I can't sleep at all tonight? What if I don't wake up in time tomorrow? What if I am too tired to do well in practice tomorrow? (and my favorite) What if someday I make the NBA and the practices so long I get too tired and can't do it?" After awhile I got him calmed down and was able to go to bed. The next night when he called he told me he was doing much better and had a good day. Thank goodness, I don't think I could have handled another long night of trying to encourage him.

While we were up here in Utah Bryndee went to her cheer camp. She really enjoyed it. I wish I could have been there to watch her do her stuff. The school did really good in their competitions; they got 5 blue ribbons, 1 purple ribbon, and a trophy. Great Job girls!!

While Porter and Bryndee are at their camps the rest of the kids and I are just enjoying our family. Lots of movies, swimming at the local pool, and just hanging out. So far our Utah adventure is off to a good start, but I sure do miss Ron.