Horses

A big portion of our time spent when we go visit family in Utah is spent with horses. Our kids LOVE them. Its the first thing they ask to do and the last thing they talk about at night. They love everything about them ... even the chores required. 

 The girls love being given the freedom to ride on their own. Their Grandma Nette has some awesome horses that are great with kids.

 Blake loves the horses just as much. I got a kick out of his eye patch. Last year he insisted on wearing his hard hat while riding a horse, this year an eye patch.

Yup, he's a weirdo ... that's why he fits in perfectly with our family!

 Papa Bruce is so good to take them for a walk on the trails surrounding the equestrian center. This day they were spoiled and got to eat a snow cone while atop a horse!

The boys have a new favorite activity this year: riding in the back of Grandma's truck ... the boys are obsessed!

CoUsInS

My kiddos have some awesome cousins. For years they've only had them on my side. Finally they have a cousin on Tony's side. Unfortunately she is still too small to really play with so until she can ride rides, we'll do all those fun things with the Thompson side. My sister-in-laws are awesome. They are always so good to call and try to get things scheduled. This day we met with Julie and her kiddos for a day at Jungle Jims. It was awesome. No lines, all indoors ... if there was a place like this in Houston we'd be there constantly!

I rode this ride once and thought I was going to hurl ... when did I become old? I swear, when I was younger I could spin for hours on end. Now, I ride an amusement ride once and wish I was dead

 Blakey and Kai love their older cousin Brittlyn. She is so good with all of my kids!

 This picture cracked me up. He looks like those women at car shoes that stand provocatively around the cars ... maybe he'll be a boat salesman when he grows up!

 Cheap mommy that I am figure why not let both boys ride the ride? Neither one knows nor cares, they are just excited the thing actually moves! Aunt Julie and Mikelle are in the background

 I realized this day I had been a horrible mom. This was my boys first experience with Cotton Candy. Blake dove it and loved it from the first bite. Kai, not so much. After it dissolved on the first bite he said "Yucky" then tasted it and went back for more. This day they not only got their first Cotton Candy, they also got their first Twinkie. Yup, when on vacation, let them imbibe!

T Day

Last summer we did an Alphabet summer. A couple times a week we'd focus on a different letter and do fun things that started with that letter. For the second year in a row "T" day has been our visit to Temple Square in SLC. This year we actually did a few new things. 

 We went to a museum that had a fun kids area. Aliya loved the Mexican dresses (its just supposed to be a skirt but on her its a dress).

 Tae is a complete nut ... shocker I know!

 Kai and Blake both had a blast with this car they had there. They took turns driving and riding in the back. Looks like poor Kai was stuck in the back with a bunch of wolves.

 These are the people I love the most in this world. Each one is so crazy, unique and special in their own way ... especially the big guy in the middle!

 Proof that I do exist and do travel with my family ... I am much more comfortable behind the camera!

 We took a tour of the Conference center. Of course my kids had the most fun playing in the 'streams' on top of the building (they weren't supposed to but at that point anything that kept them quiet was okay with me)!

We ended our "T"day by riding trax (SLC's light rail) to go get a treat. They loved it!

Nuncle Jeff

My kids have some of the best uncles out there. They love my kiddos and my kids love them to pieces. Last summer when we left Utah I said we wouldnt be coming back for 2 years unless there was a wedding (I didnt expect one). Little Jiffy pulled a fast one on us and popped the question to the cutest girl ever: Aurora (think her name sounds like a princess? You should hear her sing ... she is waayyy better than any dumb Disney princess)! We made the pilgrimage to Utah to meet her and LOVE her to pieces! She and Jeff couldnt be more perfect for each other. They are both ridiculously talented, ridiculously beautiful and complete dorks (I say that as the utmost compliment). Before their big day they wanted to spend some time with us and we had a blast. Thanks for 4-wheeling and hanging out at the park with us!

Yep, complete dorks ... them and my kids!

 This is one reason why my kids love Jeff ... he's part monkey. Who else opts to take a 2 year old across the monkey bars between your legs? Kai loved it and didnt get dropped (too hard)!

 Yep, thats Kai upside down. Good thing Jeff had been working out and has strong inner thighs!

 A little mulch in your 'ho-hawk' never hurt anybody!

 This is my action shot of Blakers. He thought he was going to die but luckily, no bones were broken!

This was when I knew it was true love: the little 4 wheeler was out of battery so they pushed it up the hill, together. Ahhh!

End of Swim Team

Swim Team ended for us in the middle of June when we left to Utah for a couple weeks. The girls were excited for their upcoming trip yet bummed not to be able to finish out the season.  It was a ton of hard work, long hours and countless trips in the car but it was a lot of fun as well. Tae rocked it. She ended up qualifying for All Stars in her backstroke. Aliya did well too ... although had she ACTUALLY practiced during practice rather then just play around, she would have done a lot better!

 The friendships were definitely the highlight of the season. This is Aliya's friend Lauren. They were in the same class at school and loved getting to see each other after school as well!

 Tae's team had some awesome girls ... and some awesome swimmers as well!

 I will miss seeing this mass of swim caps and matching suits!

 It was fun to see my girls serious sides ...

... in addition to their weird and quirky sides. Next season promises to be a blast!