Improvising

A storm blew in this week, and it was heavenly.  I love rain and I love cooler temperatures.  We had to rearrange some plans though because we couldn't hike on Monday with the wind, and Wednesday was too cool to swim.  Treat Tuesday remained on Tuesday though.  Gator and I made thin mint brownies.  The recipe was a long process with baking and cooling then frosting then cooling and cooling some more, but they tasted yummy. 

Owen has been out of town all week.  June is an insanely busy month for camps and stuff.  He went from Utah State last week to Weber, then to Boise, Washington State, University of Idaho, and ISU.  He had a great time.  He has this weekend off, then he's at The U on Monday and Fremont has their camp all next week.  He came home with another offer from ISU.  I'm waiting on the Utah schools, I want him to stay close, too bad where he really really wants to go is Washington State. 

Davis got invited to the racetrack with Colin.  Too bad his phone died before I got many pictures.  He said it was a lot of fun though.  They didn't get home until after 11pm, I was upstairs trying to stay awake for him when he came running up the stairs saying how awesome it was. 

Davis pointed out a bird made a nest right outside our living room window at perfect eye level to check in on the momma and her eggs every day. 

"Mountain Monday" turned into "Walking Wednesday".  We went to a trail just up by the golf course in Ogden.  We have hiked up there before to Waterfall Canyon, but that is a tough hike.  This one was perfect, it just looped around on the edge of the golf course in the shade with a lot of little waterfalls and pretty wildflowers.  It was an awesome easy hike, and we rewarded ourselves with Zeppes afterward. 

 

 

 

Family Friday

This one will be fun!  We love doing things with our family.  We went to the zoo today with Colin, Becky and her grandson, and Andrea with her kids.  Davis got to come today, but Owen couldn't.  He was up at Weber today with their football camp.  These next few weeks will be killer for him and football, but he's loving every second of it.  We had fun at the zoo, we missed the polar bear.  She died a couple months ago, and they are getting 2 new ones, but not until the fall.  There was still a lot to see, I personally love the giraffes, elephants, and gorillas although I felt a connection with the bear.  I could totally live my life people watching from my cool pool without a care in the world.  Thanks family for making our first "Family Friday" a fun one!

Trippin Thursday

We struggled with a name for Thursday, but Andrea helped us.  It is perfect because it can be anything.  Today's trip was up to Logan for Owen to attend a camp at Utah State.  Davis couldn't come along, he had weight lifting and work.  I'm learning a tough lesson this summer.  It's tough for me, but it's okay too.  My kids are growing up and doing a lot of stuff, but just because one has plans doesn't mean the rest of us can't go do stuff too.  It stresses me out to not have all 3 with me, but I'm working on this.  Gator and I dropped Owen off and went to the Logan Temple.  I've never been up to the temple here, but it was beautiful.  I can't wait until Gator is old enough to go inside with me.  We were thirsty so we went to get a Swig, and then played a little game with Jess.  She goes to school up at Utah State, so we took pictures of Gator and texted her asking her to guess where we were.  She guessed right away, but gave us the idea to go get some Aggie Blue Mint icecream.  Great suggestion Jess, it was delicious!! 

Water Wednesday

I guess we've named the days of the week.  Wednesday's are now known as "Water Wednesday."  Gator said we went swimming last Wednesday and again today, so that is what we will do every Wednesday.  Yesterday, was "Treat Tuesday."  We didn't get a picture, but we'll make more treats through out the summer for sure.  Today was the hottest day of the year so far, the perfect day for a dip in Lagoon a Beaches freezing cold water.  I split my time between the one that loves swimming, and the one that doesn't love swimming, I count it was a win though, because he came with me, and he was in a good mood.  We are having a slight issue with teenage hormones with Davis, and the struggle is real, oh it is real.  But, with patience (on my part) and lots of love we will survive!!

 He tried, he really did.  He did 1 time around the river, 1 speed slide and 2 times down Outrigger.

 But most of the time he spent like this.  Next time we're taking a friend for him as well.  He's all about his friends lately.  As we were walking out he did inform he wasn't completely non productive during his time on the side, he gave a fake # to 4 different girls.  Way to go Davis!  You are a 14 year old boy. 

Gator had enough fun for both of them.  I don't think she will ever get tired of swimming.  After 3 hours at the pool, I left and her friends mom met us there and took them around to do rides for 2 more hours. 

Let's keep summering, it's a blast so far!!

Mountain Monday

I decided I wanted to hike some more this summer.  Davis loves to hike, and we just don't do enough of it, so every Monday is now Mountain Monday and we are going to hike.  I've been wanting to do Donut Falls for years, and that is what we started with today.  It was so pretty and so nice and cool up by the falls.  Online it said "easy" and I'm sure if Gator and I would've gone the right way it would've been easy.  The boys were in hurry and went ahead of us and we chose the wrong path.  It was all steep and hard and long.  After about an hour, we finally met a nice couple who had done the same thing and we decided to go off trail and just listen for the water.  Well, luckily it turned out in our favor, we found the falls and the boys who had been up and down the mountain 3-4 times looking for us.  The rest of the afternoon was great, we ate lunch and played in the falls for a little bit before heading down on the right trail.  And imagine that, it would've been so easy. 

Summertime

Summertime is busy, but it is a fun busy.  I love my job and that I'm off all summer with my kids.  When I had to go back to work, I was so sad that I would miss out on so much with my kids, and this job gives me every single day with them.  That is so important to me, because free time is so limited this year.  Owen has a job, and is working so hard at getting into a college.  He is at football or basketball every single day.  Davis has a job this year and he is working out with Owen because he wants to play for Fremont this fall, and he has his basketball as well.  And of course they are always wanting to hang out with friends.  Gratefully, they will both leave time for me.  Time with my kids is as neccessary to me as air to breathe.  I am so thankful they are mine and I get to raise them.  All 3 are amazing people and I love to watch what they do, and have some fun together on the side.  Friday we went to the 25th Street car show.  We have been going for the last few years.  I don't know why I enjoy this so much , because cars are really the last thing that I care about, but it is a lot of fun to see all these cool cars. 

After the car show, we were hot and hungry.  Hamburgers, fries, and milk shakes took care of that problem. 

 Saturday Parker got baptized.  We went to the church for that, and got to see grandpa for a minute.  He came into town for the baptism.  After, we all went to the park for mudz, sudz, and fludz.  Oh my gosh that was hard to type.  I hate it when places spell things wrong to make a catchy slogan, big pet peeve.  Just spell it right.  But anyway, this was so much fun.  Layton City has a go out and play campain for the summer and this was the kick off for that.  We don't live in Layton, but when our whole family does, we can just blend in and join in the fun. 

 And last night, Carrie and Wayne had a big graduation party for Lu.  It was the perfect evening.  Low key, lots of visiting, and lot of yummy food.  It was an awesome party.  It won't be so awesome when it's Owen graduating next year, then it will just be sad. 

 

First of many

The pools are open and the sun is hot!  Those are the only two things Gator needs for a successful summer break.  I think I need to find a swim team for Gator, she loves to swim and she's pretty good.  I took her and a friend to North Shore today and I was done after a couple hours, but we compromised and stayed 5.  Not much of a compromise you say, but it was a good deal considering they wanted to stay until 1am. 

 I was surprised how swimming has changed for me over the years.  I don't have littles to chase after and keep track of.  Bring a friend along for Gator, and I had time to relax and read. 

Memorial Day

We started today off going to Farmington.  My moms parents and sister are buried here.  Sadly Gator only remembers stories I've told her about Grandma Johns and my Aunt Bev not at all.  I asked the boys and they said just a little.  That is sad to me, because I have many many happy memories and I wish my kids could've as well. 

 Kaysville for Grandma Jones.  The Kaysville cemetery is always beautiful.  My kids will have a lot of beautiful memories with their great grandma Jones. 

 

 And in Layton for mom.  Colin bought some vases for her headstone, and they finish it so nicely.  I love it, as much as one can love a headstone I suppose.  Because that part still pretty much stinks. 

 We all met at a park for lunch.  The kids had a great time playing, but I was too busy enjoying the brisket Mat had smoked for us on his new smoker to get many pictures.  Thank you Mat and Andrea, it was delicious, you guys having a new smoker is working out quite well!!  In the sense that Mat is becoming a great cook, not that you feed us or anything.