Bearworld

We stopped in Bearworld on our way to the campground and spent a fun couple of hours there. The kids loved seeing the bears walking around right by the cars, and of course they enjoyed the petting zoo, and the rides. My kids love rides no matter if it is at a fair or Lagoon or even Bearworld. These bears are so over the fact that people drive around and ooh and ahh at them and take pictures. Some just kinda sit there and stare. I would much rather have them tame though, just my opinion.

It finally came!

So remember forever ago, me saying that my camera (both of them) was broken? Well, my little one has been replaced since then, but I sent my Canon in for repair and today it fianlly found it's way back to me. I was beginning to wonder if it ever would. I was so excited to open the box, and all I could hear from my kids was "NOOOOO". I put it to use tonight at Lagoon. We went for a couple of hours and enjoyed a few rides and their show Cirque Innosta. It was very good. The kids loved it, and I just sat there amazed at the performers talents, and wondering what makes someone realize they can fold themselves in half, or to stack & balance on large metal cans while up on a platform. Pretty amazing I must say, and if you get the chance it is fun to go see.

They are always happy to see each other!


Owen has spent a little too much time around Grace. Look at his hands, yea that is how Grace is in almost every single picture.

Blackner Family Reunion

Today we drove to Milford for our family reunion. This is Clarks Grandma Stewarts side. There is a reunion every summer, and they are well attended and everyone has a good time. The kids enjoyed riding the horses, playing on the slide that Dave & Sheila brought down, and of course playing with their many cousins. We just drove down and back all in one day, but the kids did great on the drive. At least, Ally did good, I don't know how the boys did on the way home because we came home with two less kids. That is always a bonus right?! They rode home with Ryan and went to his house to have a sleepover with Chris. So that means, I can pop in a movie for Gator in the morning and go back to sleep. Oh that sounds nice right now, I am going to go sleep. Good night!

When I need a little boost

I have watched this video quite a few times. I can't remember who told me about it, but I am glad they did because sometimes I need just a little encouragment. I love my job, but it can be hard at times. I need to learn to rely more on the Lord, than myself. He has blessed me with some very special children, whom I love SO very much!

Odds & Ends

Remember how tired I said my kids were after the 4th celebrations, well we have gone no where for the last 3 days. It has been so nice. My kids woke up Tuesday morning buzzing! All they could say was "where are we going today?" or "what are we doing today?" It took me a bit to get them calmed down. I realized they just needed some time doing nothing going no where. This is poor Ally after all the craziness of the weekend. Have you seen a more pathetic looking child?

In our free time at home this week we have just enjoyed hanging out, and swimming in the pool and going for bike rides and just relaxing. It will be short lived though, because this weekend we have a reunion in Milford to go to, and we will get home from that and go to Scout camp and return just to get packed up for a week in Yellowstone. So these last few days have been nice, and I will remember them fondly. But all I have to say now is here we go again!




Just on a side note, I cannot get enough of cantaloupe, or celery with PB. Yummy! That is all I have been eating lately. I love these snacks.

And here is one last picture, just for a little laugh. Ally put her baby to bed tonight. She is all nice and thoughtful and kisses her baby before she puts it to bed, the boys come in a laugh about where she put it (under the blanket is the cutting board) and yell, I'm going to grab a knife! Boys and girls are so different, and I see that more and more everyday.

Last Party

Tonight the three day party ended, and my children barely made it. And I mean barely. I really don't think I have ever seen them so tired, even after 5 days in Disneyland. We were just exhausted. And yet, where am I? Updating my blog while they are all sleeping. It was a fun day despite many shed tears. I will say the Layton parade was much more bearable. At most it was 40 minutes. And that was a good thing because Grace had injured her toe that morning and I needed to take her to the doctor. So off we went to Wee Care for xrays. Her toe is broken, but he wants to send her to a Orthopedist, I guess she did a pretty bang up job. She was a good sport all day though. After that excitement we enjoyed a BBQ with the family and more fireworks. Oh my so much food these last 3 days. I don't think we will eat for a month. And I just might need to go and get the kids' hearing checked. But what do you expect after 3 days of food and fireworks?!?

Our own show

This evening, we had some friends over for a BBQ, swimming and our own little firework show. It was a great time! So that is 2 days of the holiday down and 1 to go. With the 4th being on Sunday this year, it has sure made for a long weekend. Some celebrations yesterday, some today and even more tomorrow. My kids love it, one great big long party!!

Kaysville 4th of July

We survived day one of celebration! Now on to preparing for days two & three. The fourth of July is always fun and full of parties, family, & food! And this year is following the pattern of years past. Kaysville held their festivities yesterday so we packed up the car and kids and half our house and set out the day. Thanks to everyone for the work put into the activities and the fun things that were provided for my kids.

We started the day with a delicious breakfast at Clarks parents house. Yum, I am hungry and probably shouldn't be talking about the good food this morning on fast Sunday.


We then headed downtown to the Kaysville parade. I am not sure I will ever attmept this again. Wow it was so crowded!! And I wouldn't be suprised if it was still going on this morning. I didn't think that thing was ever going to end. Some of the boys got a little bored and went and hit the firemen up for a tour of the firestation. They had a great time, and even played a game of ball with the firefighters. After they were done bugging them, the parade was STILL going, so they just got back into their spot and enjoyed the rest of it.




Grandma Jones hosted a fantastic evening as she does every year. Thanks for all the help with that, my kids always have a great time and love the family parade and games!



We were all so tired by this point, that we just decided to park as far away from crowds as we could and still see the fireworks. Ally was all over the place and didn't see many fireworks, but the rest of us enjoyed them.

PlAyTiMe

We babysat Krissy's kids tonight. All day Ally was asking when "su see" would be here. She loves to play with her cousins, because it is the only "girl" play time she gets. The majority of my friends have all boys, and our family is full of boys also, so she rarely gets girl time. We took the kids for our favorite summer time treat and played outside. We had a fun evening and now the kids are all in bed gearing up for a busy holiday weekend. We can't wait to see everyone with all the activites planned it will be great fun!!