UTAH

We had a great time in Utah. It was so much fun to spend time with all of my family whom I hadn't seen in almost two years. We left the evening of Friday, June 4th and drove straight through. Just before leaving that day, Aaron had to do some very last minute work on the van after I could smell it smoking earlier in the day. We were a bit concerned for it on our drive, but were blessed to not have any problems after Aaron's handy work ;)

Also, I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but I was planning for our kids to get sick when we got to Utah because that is what traditionally happens. What a surprise it was to find out Olivia had strep throat the day we were leaving Ohio. Actually, I was just happy that it was something we could get her medicine for and knew she'd be better within a day or two. The rest of us escaped any sickness!

We had it in our plans to stop and get a hotel Saturday evening, but the kids were cooperating fairly good, we were making good time and Aaron and I felt like we had it in us to just keep driving. It was nice to arrive very late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. The drive through Colorado was beautiful and worth the extra bit of time it took.

This beautiful picture of my niece, Kendra, is out of place.

(Blogger is very incooperative at getting it moved back to where I had it originally in the post.)

My dad had the kids "rapelling" in the garage shortly after we got up on Sunday.

My usually shy Haylee, was happy to spend time with whoever wanted to hold her.

Sammy (nephew) showed us some "cooter" action.

My brother, Shad.

My kids loved jumping on my parent's trampoline.

On Tuesday, the 8th, we hiked to Timpanogos Cave.

Olivia, Grandpa, Carter, Max, Shonte', Kendra, Shellee & Aaron.

Going through the cave.

Hiking back down the mountain.

One day some of the cousins went to Kangaroo Zoo.

Kelton, Kendra, Olivia, Kylan & Carter

Haylee and my mom watching the kids play.

My kids loved having someone to play with them every day! My Grandma Harper was always good to bring fun little things (like this puzzle ) to do together.

I got to go to lunch some beautiful old college roommates.
Sarah, me, and Jennie.

Another day we went to the Dinosaur Museum.

Carter, Kelton, Olivia, Max, Grandma & Haylee

Carter really loves dinosaurs and this museum didn't disappoint!

I thought the museum was pretty cool too!
I really love Thanksgiving Point.

Digging for dinosaur bones.

Just a cute picture of Shellee (my sister) and Olivia (who just got a tatoo).

Aunt Shellee was great to take Carter and Olivia on most of the rides at Pleasant Grove's carnival.

My dad taking Olivia for a ride on the trail bike. She loved it and apparently felt very comfortable on it. She informed us that she put lipstick on while riding. That's my girl ;)

My dad also took the kids for a canoe ride at Adventure Park.

Then my kids just had fun throwing rocks into the lake.

We were even able to squeeze in a little horse back riding. The horses were being kept at my Uncle's house and so we just let the kids ride them around his house.

Sam & Kelton

Silly Max
He's always good for a laugh.

My kids loved spending plenty of the warm days playing with their cousins on the water slide at my parent's house.

My Grandma Harper wearing Shellee's new glasses. I thought it was kind of cute (and funny) to see her in these trendy things.

Grandma Harper with her sister, Alta Mae.

My nephew, Kylan.
(can't believe he's getting his learner's permit soon!)

My sister, Shonte' & her husband, Mark.

A girl's picture!

This was Shellee's idea ;)

Happy 25th Birthday to Shellee!

My and my three siblings.

Love and miss these people so much!

Some of the other fun things that we did were, going to the PG Strawberry Day's rodeo (Olivia loved it!) and parade, Aaron and I were able to attend an endowment session at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple, we all got to visit Grandma Lunt (Aaron's Grandma who doesn't like pictures taken of her) and I got to do lots of shopping WITHOUT kids. It was all so much fun!

The drive home was uneventful also. We made it in 28 hours taking the Wyoming route. Our kids are great travelers and I found out that all I need is some almonds & Mountain Dew to keep me awake while driving.

Love you guys!!! Can't wait to do it again! (minus the driving)

Oh, & the ducks, they were hatched and moved on when we got back to Ohio. Friends & neighbors kept us up to date on this cute family though.

Goal accomplished!

I can't believe that I find it hard to keep up with a blog. Didn't think the day would come that I procrastinate blogging. It is still a personal goal to update at least monthly. If I let it go much further than that, I may never blog again! Noooooo!
Here's what's been happening here....

Aaron finally took the kids fishing so they could use their rods that they asked Santa Claus for. They fished with minnows and that was a great pick for Aaron. Carter thought he was actually catching those tiny fish!

Aaron is assisting some of the Scouts in earning their hiking merit badge. They completed another 10-mile hike.

Haylee bug is still so cute. She also still won't roll over or crawl. Just sits.

I try. Everyday. Promise.

She just got her 5th tooth today. Teething is giving me much grief. Poor thing.

Carter put his own belt on for church. He was proud to model that thing!

More Haylee!

About two weeks ago, I noticed a bunny eating flowers in my yard and I chased it off. The next morning, there was a female mallard sitting in that same flower bed. She sat there all day and I finally gave in to letting the kids throw some bread to her that evening. When that bread got close to her though, she took off and this is what we found!

9 eggs! She layed two more over the next two days too. I think that I was the most excited about it!

A few days later, I was showing a neighbor our new duck and when I got close to the flowers I spotted this -

A baby bunny. In that same flower bed. I couldn't believe it. After looking for another few seconds, I found three more!

We have our own little farm, right outside our front door! They were so cute!

The bunnies hung around for a few days, but have since left.


Mother duck continues to sit on her nest of eggs. Day...after...day.

She can sometimes hide fairly well. Most of the time though, the people that walk past our home spot her. I hope those eggs make it to hatching day.

Then one night last week, Daddy duck appeared! He hangs out occasionally and tries to scare off any annoying neighbors that quack at him. (I seriously found the neighbor boy out dancing around like a duck and having a quacking party with daddy duck...it was pretty funny to watch that from my window.)

Hopefully we'll get to see some little duckings.

Lastly, I made a goal. That is usually as far as I get.

I feel like I RARELY accomplish a goal.

Until last week! I have had this darn (it's only a "darn" quilt because it's nagged me for so long) unfinished quilt sitting in my basement for almost two years. I wanted it finished by last Friday and I did it!

But now I'm in trouble again because I REALLY want to start on another one. Oh dear. It's a vicious cycle.

Easter 2010

We are loving this spring weather!

Our city's Easter egg hunt was a bit chilly. And muddy.

Ready to get candy!

Coloring Easter eggs (and hands).

We decorated eggs with the an egg spinner this year. The kids loved it.

Gluing big hair on the egg.
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Olivia was the star student last week at school.

She got to make this cute poster:

Three wishes: A baby, pet bunny and the club house was real.

Olivia doesn't like being sick, bees, germs & barefeet.

One thing Olivia wants to be when she grows up is a doctor.

A few of Olivia's favorite things: dogs, cats, money, pancakes, mac & cheese, babies, m&m's & books.

Olivia also got to take a show-and-tell each day last week. On Monday she took a camp song book from a recent Primary activity and sang "On Top of Speghetti" to her entire class. Her teacher later commented to me that it was very cute and original. The kids in her class loved it.

I often wish my little Haylee bug could stay this age much longer!

One of my latest "home improvement" projects. Spray painted door handles! Better than the old brass.

I know. I get excited over silly, little things.

(I got this grand idea from here.)