Week 2 of our vacation!

We started our second week on vacation celebrating my Dad's 60th Birthday!! Sean, Keli and the girls arrived late the night before from California. They came to Utah for Keli's father's wedding. It was great to see them and let the little ones play. We spent my Dad's day at Hogle Zoo with half of his grandkids. (We missed Bryan, Mike and their families. If they are reading this: We wish that you were there with us.) It was a really nice, not to hot day for enjoying the outdoors and a picnic lunch.

Later that evening, we had a BBQ for my Dad's birthday and those who had just recently celebrated (Tressa) and those who begin in August (Me, Emma and Keli). My Uncle Lynn and Aunt Rosanne were able to come up from Payson for dessert and presents. It was great seeing them and catching up.

Happy 60th!!!

Happy Birthday Keli!!

Happy 10th!!

Happy 3rd!!

On July 29th, we spent the afternoon indoors at the theaters to see "UP". I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did Tressa. It is unlike her to sit through an entire movie without having the wiggles. From what my mom said, she did pretty good. Katelyn on the other hand wanted to get down and crawl and eat. So I sat in the front rows away from everyone to keep her happy so the others could enjoy the show. I recommend it to anyone.

On July 30th, Sean and Keli invited me, the girls and my parents to spend the day with them at Lagoon for Emma's 10th Birthday. We went for the afternoon. Tressa had a blast at Lagoon-a-Beach until she was knocked over by 12 years old going down the waterslide as she was trying to go back up it (like kids do on the playground at the park, however, this was no park). She was a little shaken up, but I had her get back in the water so she wouldn't be afraid. We spent late afternoon and early evening riding on the kiddie rides. Tressa had a great time going from ride to ride. I can't wait to take her to Disneyland. She thought Lagoon was fun I couldn't wait to see her face at Disneyland.

July 31st, my Mom and I took Tressa to see the inside of the temple. We went to the Oquirrh Temple Open House. She was curious, every room we walked through she would ask, "What is this or that?". At the end of the tour I asked her what she enjoyed the most. She responded, "the COOKIE!!" At the very end, they had a refreshment tent. Before we left to go home, we stood in front of the temple and took pictures. In the afternoon, Tressa went swimming with Grandpa, while Katelyn and I stayed to visit with Kristen. Later that evening, I went back with Tressa and Katelyn to Jared and Kristen's house to play with the cousins and to visit. We had a great time.

August 1st, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME and EMMA!! I turned the big 27 and Emma the big 10. I spent the day helping my mom clean and cook for the party. My Dad took me and Tressa to Taco Time for lunch. Family came over that evening for a broccoli chicken over rice and veggies. Emma and I each had our own cake and candles. It is always fun to share my birthday with a niece.
August 2nd, we went to my ward that I had grown up in. It was great to see my old Young Women leaders and Primary teachers.

August 3rd, we spent the day playing in the toy room and outside. Later that evening we cleaned the house, did laundry, went grocery shopping and packed for California. We are heading out early in the morning.

Stay tuned for the conclusion of our trip to Utah and California. I hope that everyone had a great weekend.

First week of our vacation in Utah

On July 21st, Tressa, Katelyn and I left from Chicago to Salt Lake City for a 3 week vacation to visit family. My friend, Mary, was kind enough to take us to the Chicago MDW Airport, where we took a direct flight (love direct flights when you're alone with 2 young ones). I can't complain though, my girls did an excellent job traveling. Tressa stayed by my side the whole time and both of them did really well on the plane. I received several compliments from passengers.

My Dad was there to pick us up in my Mom's new Lexus. When I got to my parents' house, my Aunt Leslie (from Kansas City), Uncle Tom and their daughter, Ellen, were there spending the night. Also, my Uncle Richard and Aunt Julie came to visit with Leslie and Tom. It was great to see some relatives I haven't seen in years.

Wednesday (July 22nd) we hung out with my Dad in the morning before he left for the temple. In the evening, my Mom came home from her class and we chatted over a taco salad dinner. That evening, she had some sisters from the ward over for book group.

Thursday and Friday (July 23rd to July 24th), Tressa had her first sleepover with her cousins Abbey (5) and Claire (3). They spent most the day playing down in the toy room and in my parents' backyard. My parents have the coolest playground, Tressa kept calling it the park. I asked her one day what the name of the park should be, she answered, "the Barbie park". When night came, they sat in little chairs with their popcorn and watched a Barbie movie (Tressa's new love of movies= the Barbie movies). Trying to get them to go to bed was hard. Tressa kept talking to them and they would tell her they were trying to sleep. Eventually, they were out like a light. All day Friday was spent, again, down in the toy room or outside.

Friday night, we celebrated Pioneer day with a family BBQ. Spencer was down for the weekend from Logan, Jared and Kristen came with Jacob to eat and pick up the girls. We had a delicious dinner outside on the patio.

Saturday (July 25th) brought much joy and excitement to Tressa. As you know, Tressa has a love for dinosaurs, so my parents decided to take us to the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. I will sum up Tressa's whole day into one word "heaven". At every turn she would point to the next dinosaur with smiles. It was great to see her have so much fun. Here are some pictures.

Tressa with Grandma

Tressa watching through the window at the employees working on the dinosaur bones.

What a grin?

"Watch out!!!"

Sunday (July 26th) I was able to attend my cousin's (AJ) farewell. He left for his mission to Charlotte, NC. It was great to see him and his family. I will see his parents again in California for the family reunion.

Monday (July 27th) was a day full of shopping, going out for ice cream and swimming in the pool out back. Tressa and Katelyn had fun splashing and swimming on a hot day. Katelyn after a while climbed out of the pool and crawled around on the grass. My roommate from college, Carolyn, came over to visit with us and to meet my little girls. She also was kind enough to help me make dinner and stay to help eat it.


Well there is our first week of fun. Stay tune for tomorrow for week 2 of our vacation to Utah.

Back in the Saddle

After 3 weeks in Utah and California, Tressa, Katelyn and I are trying to get back in the saddle. Here in the next couple of days when I am unpacked and settled, I will post for the next week or two to let you get a look inside our fun and exciting vacation with my family. My parents kept us busy with places to go and people to see. Stay tuned......