World Finals

 I started taking Owen to monster truck shows when he was 2 probably, and we have continued to go all these years.  I'd always hear about the World Finals they do in Vegas every year, and I always wanted to take the kids.  I don't love Vegas, and we just never had the chance to go to the show.  We didn't have to go to Vegas this year though, they had the show in Salt Lake for the first time.  I bought tickets in December.  My only suggestion, don't do the show in July, but I survived the heat and it was an awesome monster truck show.  They are doing it in Salt Lake again next year, the boys are already looking forward to it.  

One of their childhood favorites

I thought this was funny.  Davis thought it was dumb, but he still laughed.  The "Dancing Diggers" all chorographed and everything.  

This robot thingy was at least 40 feet tall.  I can't believe a truck can get that high.  

4th of July

 This is my kids' favorite holiday.  I really like the festivities of the 4th, but I dread the heat every year.  Owen & Kylee have been staying in Idaho the last couple of years, and Davis & Kin usually have plans with friends.  It is hard with the family all growing up.  Our group changes every year, but we are grateful for the time we get to spend with everyone that is able to come around.  This year, Owen & Kylee spent the day in Idaho, fishing, then they came down for dinner and fireworks, so that was awesome to have fun with them.  Gator & I went to the parade, and then over to Josh & Rachelle's with a few that wanted to play in the water.  It felt good to cool off in the middle of the day.  We then went home to check on Willow, get supplies, and meet with Owen & Kylee then we headed back to Layton for dinner and fireworks.  Gator is super sensitive to tradition and had a hard time sitting around with her cousins, thinking of others that weren't there, and knowing next year, she will be graduated and on to a new phase of life herself.  Okay, I can't start all the "my baby is a senior" talk already.  The emotions have already started.  

Slow summer

There isn't a whole lot going on around here.  Gator is working a lot this summer.  I am doing a lot for my classroom, and working at the rest home.  I was looking at my pictures and realized I haven't really taken any since the zoo for Mother's Day.  Time to fix that, and the fun thing.  We need to get some fun things planned.  

I made dinner and we went over to Davis & Kin's for dinner and dessert.  I think that is fun, I always enjoy seeing my kids.  

Going for a drive to get a drink and a pup cup.  

Yesterday, Gator and I spent the day in Pocatello.  Owen & Kylee have been working towards going to the temple to get sealed.  We all went to do baptisms at the Pocatello temple.  It was so neat to go to the temple with them and see Owen baptize Gator again.  I love the temple, and it was awesome to be there with my family.  

Heating up

 Summer temps are here and we are melting.  We took Brady, Zoie, Millie, and Eli to Lagoon A Beach this evening to try to cool down.  For some reason, the last couple of times we've been to Lagoon, it hasn't been crowded at all, I am not complaining, just really suprised.  

All dressed up

I spent the weekend in Pocatello house/dog sitting for Owen & Kylee.  They had a friends wedding and made a weekend getaway of it.  I didn't take any pictures of me doing homework or Steele being crazy, but Owen sent me this good picture of them all dressed up for the wedding.  

Syracuse Temple openhouse

Gator's last day of school was pretty much on Monday.  West Field did things pretty different this year, but she didn't mind.  I took this morning off and we went to the Syracuse temple openhouse.  Another beautiful temple in Utah.  This temple is the first with 2 fonts.  I think that is pretty cool that so many youth want to go to the temple.  I am excited for summer, I try to go a lot during the summer since I don't get there as much during the school year.  I still try, but the summer I usually go once or twice a week.  I have been really thinking lately about talking to my bishop and working in the temple.  After the temple, we went to get pizza and took it back to my class for an end of school year picnic.  Tomorrow is the last day, I work a lot still this summer, but I will try to fit in some fun things!  

Another day at Lagoon

 We took Brady and Zoie to Lagoon again today.  The park was insane, but the lines for the rides weren't bad at all.  I love having the passes, we stayed for a couple of hours (through a few sprinkles) then went to get some lunch at Burger Stop. 

Mother's Day

 Earlier this week, I took my class on a field trip to the Hogle Zoo.  It was insane, busy, and hot, but my students had a lot of fun, and that made it worth it.  

I knew I'd be back to the zoo a couple days later.  I had bought tickets for ZooIlluminate for me and my kids for Mother's Day.  Walking around with my students, seeing all the light displays, I knew it would be pretty cool.  I always celebrate Mother's Day on Saturday, so my boys don't stress about all the craziness of Sunday trying to get to eveyone.  Not too many animals were out yesterday evening by the time the lights were on, but we saw a few.  The tiger was pacing, the monkey's were cleaning their new baby, the zebras were playing, but most of them had gone to bed.  But the lights were awesome.  They were through out the whole zoo, so we walked around a lot to see them all.  Definetely a fun way to spend the evening.  We went to Applebee's for a late dinner of half price appetizers.  Something we found out about a little while ago, and we like to take advantage of the good deal.  We had a fire for a bit when we got home which was a nice way to relax, but I got real tired real quick, although it was 2 am by this time.  It was the perfect celebration for Mother's Day, spending time with my favorite people.  

So much fun and so many memories

We went bowling tonight.  A fun night was planned for Fremont, Roy, and West Field's Life Skills classes.  Gator and I were invited by Brady's family, it was so awesome to see so many of my students.  I corraled some of them for a picture, but so many more were there that I have had in class.  I love these kids and I love my job.