Color Run Fun!

 We've been staying busy this summer trying to do lots of Price unplugged activities and going to the pool once a week.  Kadee has been trying to earn money by having yard sales and kool aid stands.  She's made about $40 so far, so she is doing pretty good.  Connor is working for Mike Miller a couple days a week helping him with his rock quarry.  I'm grateful he has something to keep him busy and teach him responsibility.  Matty and Kinlee have just been their normal mischievous selves.  They make me laugh on a daily basis!  

A couple weeks ago our whole family participated in the high school's color run.  It was a blast!  At first Matthew was pissed that they threw color on him, but once he got used to it he loved it!  We have had a fun summer so far, we've went swimming (a lot), visited the library, walked the Price River Walkway, the Helper Parkway, been to the zoo, vacationed, barbequed with friends, had root beer floats, and much more!!   

Kinlee washing her car (and Bella)

Matty does not look comfortable!

Visiting Papa Gary for Father's Day

 

Before the color run

After the color run!

Lava Hot Springs

We just got back from an amazing family vacation.  We took the kiddos and in laws to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.  On the drive up we stopped at the Ogden Dinosaur Park and explored the museum and life size dinosaurs.  We then headed up to Lava and stayed in an adorable little 2 bedroom 1 bath cabin. 

The scenery there is absolutely breath taking.  There was a little bridge and creek right through the property and it sat right on the side of a mountain.  Rory, Derk, and Connor hiked the mountain and we saw tons of deer grazing in the fields around us. Although it was so cold, we had a wonderful time.  We went to the Aquatic center, played Frisbee golf, played in the arcade, sat in the hot spots, walked main street, Rory, Connor, and Kadee even floated on the freezing cold river.

 
 

We also spent a day in Soda Springs.  We visited Geyser Park (Soda Springs has the only captive geyser in the world), Hooper springs park,the Monsanto Slag Pour, and also visited the Pioneer Ghost town named Chesterfield.  We all really enjoyed the tour of the little town.  The guide was great and had tons of information on the old town and all the restorations they have done.  The kids had a blast in the general store.  They had penny candy and homemade souvenirs, the kids were so excited to try all the different types of candy and see the old pioneer toys.  


It was a wonderful vacation and a great way to spend time together as a family.  

Summer fun!

So far our summer has started off with a bang!  We got the kids a dirt bike and mini four wheeler and they have had a blast riding them around our backyard.  My mom, the kids, and I also took an impromptu trip to SLC to see my grandparents and Wally.  We were able to visit with DR & Janene (Matthew LOVES their birds, he even knocked the cage over trying to get them out.  While we were cleaning up the mess, he escaped out the front door and ended up 2 blocks away before a neighbor brought him and DR's dog back!), then my mom kept Matthew so that I could take Connor, Kadee, Kella, and Kinlee to the movie Maleficent.  We also went to visit Wally at the Rusted Sun and he bought our dinner.  Lastly my mom and I took the kids to the zoo before heading home.  They loved the new exhibit and Matthew cried when we had to get off the train.  The kids had their new cell phones and were taking pictures of everything.  I think Kadee sent Rory 100 pictures while we were there.  

This past weekend we went to Vernal for a baseball tournament.  It was a beautiful weekend for baseball!  The boys did great and ended up taking 2nd out of 8 teams.  I sure do love watching my kids play ball.  We spent most of our time at the ball field, but enjoyed each others company and visiting with the team.  Last night Jessica Andreason and I took the kids for a walk on the Helper Parkway.  They really enjoyed it, except for when Kinlee had to use the Porta Potty.  Paxton decided to shake it and scare her so she had an accident in her pants.  It was so sad because she was so embarrassed and ended up with a nasty rash because of it.  After our walk we made marshmallow popcorn and homemade ice cream.  It was a fun night.  

     

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the whole year.  I enjoy visiting the cemetery and remembering those we loved who have passed on.  This year Debbie signed us up to help with The Sun Advocate No Grave Unadorned project.  The goal was to have every grave in Carbon County decorated.  The Thursday before Memorial weekend Debbie, Andrea Bradley, Logan, Landon, Kella, Connor, and I put a flower on every grave at the Wellington cemetery.  It was an exhausting and humbling experience.  I tried to at least look at every name as I put the flower on their headstone and remember that they were loved and missed by someone.

The next day we headed out Cat Canyon to go camping with the Bradley's and the Branch's.  It was such a beautiful weekend and so much fun!  The kids rode dirt bikes and four wheelers to their hearts content and I wish I would have gotten a picture of everyone around the fire, there were at least 35 people huddled together laughing and talking.  Sunday we decided to go visit Grandpa Denny's grave and several others at the Wellington cemetery and then to take a drive to East Carbon to see the Coke Ovens.  I had never even heard of them until Debbie brought them up the last camping trip so I was excited to see what they were all about.  They were so much bigger than I imagined and there were rows and rows of them.  There were also some abandoned buildings, a campground, and a playground.  We hiked around and explored everything we could then Rory took us out to Columbia (a small town outside of East Carbon) so I could see it since I'd never been out that way before.  After that we headed back to camp and made home made ice cream in Ziploc bags.  Connor had made it at school and I thought it would be a fun activity for the kids.  They loved it, but we ended up running out of ice, I know for next time we need a lot of ice!  The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and getting muddy from the rain.  Camping is so much work but I enjoy spending time with my family so much that it makes it worth it.    

Just a little FYI about Coke fuel :)

Coke is a fuel with few impurities and a high carbon content, usually made from coal. It is the solid carbonaceous material derived from destructive distillation of low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal. Cokes made from coal are grey, hard, and porous. While coke can be formed naturally, the commonly used form is man-made. The form known as petroleum coke, or pet coke, is derived from oil refinery coker units or other cracking processes.

   

Just thought I'd share this picture of these 3 beautiful ladies.  They are such awesome grandma's.  They support the kids and come to as many activities as they can.  This picture is from Connor's baseball game last night and I just love it, I call them Connor's own personal cheer squad.  

Last Day of School!

Wow!  What a busy week we've had!  Saturday Kinlee had her first (and probably last) dance recital.  The first dance they did was Let Them Be Little.  It was a little ballet piece and was so cute.  Kinlee wasn't into it though, she stood and watched all the other dancers on stage the whole time.  The other dance they performed was I Want Candy.  Kinlee loves this dance and does it at home all the time, so she actually danced on stage when they did this one.  She was very spoiled, grandma Bet & grandpa Earl were there and they got her a rose, Nana Kelli got her a rose, and Kadee & Kella each got her a rose.  She felt like a star by the time it was done. 

On Monday Matthew, Kinlee, and I went and picked up a new kitty.  I saw a mouse on my porch Saturday night, so I decided we needed to get a mouser.  Kinlee named her Tiggero and I love it!  I've had to teach both her and Matty how to hold the kitty nice (Matthew kept picking it up by it's tail) and that every once in awhile the poor kitty just needs a break from all the lovin' they want to give her. 

Connor and Kadence both had games all week, I swear they get better every time they play.  I love being a baseball/softball mom!  On top of ball they also had the Rain gutter Regatta and Achievement days.  Wednesday was my last field day as PTA president.  I seriously think our school has the BEST field day.  We had 2 bouncers, 2 of the huge inflatable obstacle course, a HUGE inflatable slide, train, hamster wheels, peddle cars, bowling, a movie in the gym, and a climbing wall.  I took Matty and Kinlee with me in the morning and they got to jump on the small bouncers and ride on the train.  They also loved the big, huge, Cars slide.  Matthew has no concept of waiting in line, so he'd go down the slide and go right to the front of the line.  Luckily the girl in charge was sweet, she would let a few kids go, then let Matty have a turn.  I bet he went down that slide 10 times and Kinlee probably went at least 6.  Connor and Kadence both did the climbing wall and Connor made it all the way to the top and rang the bell!  I had lunch with both of them.  Kadee was excited to have me there, but I don't think Connor even knew I was there, he was too busy playing with his friends.  The kids loved the hamster wheels and even got to go a few rounds with 2 people in the wheels.

Today was the last day of school.  Poor Kadee is so sad.  She has had Mrs. Montoya for 2 years now and is having a hard time with the fact that she'll have a new teacher next year.  I can't believe Connor will be in 4th (he got Mrs. Prince) and Kadee will be in 3rd (she got Mrs. Holdaway).  The school gave me a gift card and flowers to say "thank you" for being PTA President and Kadee, Emma, Shalyce, Kelli, and Kashley performed in the end of the year talent show.  They did a gymnastics routine and did a great job!  Here's to a fabulous, fun filled summer!

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day!  Saturday we took Connor on his date.  We went to Spiderman 2 and I cried my eyes out.  Then we went and picked up Kadee and I took her and Connor shopping.  They both had earned money that was burning holes in their pockets. :)  On Sunday the kids spoiled me by bringing me breakfast in bed (Cheerios and double stuf Oreo's) and pictures they had made at school and home.  Kinlee planted some sort of flowers at school and was so excited to give them to me.  Connor wrote me a poem and Kadence made me a picture with her photo in it.   Rory sent me flowers and also ordered me some of my favorite perfume.  Connor took care of the younger kids so I could sleep in, then we got ready and went to church.  The primary sang and the young men/women spoke on mothers.  After church we went to Kyle and Candee's for a delicious bbq and to complete the day Nicole and I went on a 4 mile walk.  I love being a mama and I love that we are raising thoughtful kids that worked so hard to make Mother's Day special for me. 

Kadee loved this over sized camping chair!

Connor was in the paper for pitching

Let's Play Ball!

We had such a fun weekend!  Saturday was opening day of Baseball/Softball so we started out with a parade in the morning down Main Street.  Since Rory is coaching Connor and Kadence we had all the kids together.  The boys walked in front of the truck and threw candy while the girls walked behind the truck and threw candy.

After the parade Connor had pictures and Kinlee had dance pictures so it was a race to get to everything.  We got Connor's pictures done and stayed for the opening ceremonies and then headed to Pioneer Park to get Kinlee's pictures done.  I am absolutely in love with her pictures!  The pictures I took didn't turn out as well, but the photographer did so great, I'm so excited to get them back.

After pictures we went to Connor's game.  It was such a great game!!  We ended up losing, but the boys played so well.  Connor's first hit he got a triple and his second hit he got a triple, the ball was overthrown, and he made it home!  Rory says it's not technically a home run, but it is in my book!  I was so excited for him, I hope he always remembers his first home run.

As soon as that game was over my mom ran and grabbed pizza because we were all starving and we headed to the softball field to watch Kadence play.  Her team lost too, but she had fun.  She loves cheering her teammates on and they always yell cheers from the dugout.  I was so exhausted by the time we were done, I came home and relaxed and then went to a movie with friends.   I absolutely love these crazy, busy weekends with my kids.  Being a mom is the hardest and best job I've ever had!