Last Days of Summer at the Water Pad

The Friday before school started, my sister and I decided to get our kids together for some last minute fun. There is a Water Pad close to my sister's house in Eagle Mountain. We packed a lunch for us all and took the kids. They had a blast. Little Kelvin wasn't too sure about the water. He was more interested in visiting the other people that were there and seeing what kind of food he might find. So cute!!  The other kids had a lot of fun.  I'm so glad we were able to get together and visit.

Camp Moose

This past weekend we went on our Ward Campout up by Coalville.  It was so much fun!!  We went up Friday evening.  After setting up camp and helping another family set up their camp, we had a ward "fireside" with camp stories and entertainment.  Some of the young women in the ward taught us a camp song about a moose. I don't remember the lyrics but it was really cute.  After the fireside with the ward we went back to our campsite and roasted marshmallows. We invited who ever wanted to, to come have some.  We also played Uno attack until about 12:30 a.m..  I think that is the latest (or earliest) my kids have EVER stayed up! Saturday morning we all woke up early. The men in the ward fixed breakfast. As were all sitting around waiting for breakfast, Cameron ran up to me all excited. He told me to "COME LOOK"!  I asked him what I was coming to look at and he told me, "There is POINTY thing over there and its REALLY big."  I was thinking it was some kind of rock or porcupine or something. I decided to go investigate with him. As I walked up to where Cameron had pointed and to where he was now entering, I noticed some BIG horns. At first I thought it was an elk and then as Cameron was getting closer it lifted its head. I promptly told Cameron to come back to me and not get any closer. Cameron had found a bull moose!!!  I have never seen one in person, just pictures.  It was definitely a magestic creature.  For the next couple of hours the moose became the ward campout attraction.  It would run off a little ways but someone would always spot it again. At one point as I was with some other ward members looking at it, it came within feet of us. I so wish I had my camera at this point!!!  I found out that the moose was actually only a couple of years old. I thought the thing was huge but I guess they get bigger! After breakfast was done and cleaned up, Kent was able to go look at the moose. (He was helping with breakfast)  He was able to snap a few pictures from his cell phone. I'm only posting one of them because you can't see him very well in the other. 

On the way up Friday night our van was giving us some problems. It was very close to over heating. Before we left on Saturday I told Kent to check the oil. It was EMPTY!  Kent left the kids and I at camp while he took the truck and went into Park City for some oil.  What an adventure. It delayed us from leaving about two hours. We sadly, ended up missing our nephew's endowment session at the temple. We were really looking forward to making it to that. After we finally got the car in working order, we left camp and headed to my mom's to get cleaned up a bit. When we came back out, the truck had a flat tire. Most of the tire shops were closing up at this point so it was fun trying find someone who would fix it for us. We finally arrived home around 9:00 p.m.!  It was a very exhausting day. I'm glad we got to at least have some fun up in the mountains during the first part of the day!  We are looking forward to next year's ward campout! 

The camp moose. (Dark spot in the middle of the picture)  The ward dubbed him as, "duh Moose"

Hogle Zoo and the 1st day of School!!

Last week, my wonderful family decided to have a last "FUN" get together before school starts. We decided on the zoo.  Mark, Annie, & the girls weren't able to come at the last minute. We really missed them.  Kent, my boys, Stacie and her family, my mom, and I all went.  It was a very hot day but we had a lot of fun walking around the zoo.  Zoorassic Park is going on right now and the kids LOVED the dinosaurs. 

I had to take a picture of this.... This dinosaur is named after my husband Kent....or the other way around.... lol.

This is Kentrosaurus. I thought it was pretty cool that the dino has red spikes as my hubby has red hair.

The 4 oldest kiddos on a dinosaur.

I loved this giraffe!  Isn't he cute????!!!!

All the kiddies except for Sammy and Kelvin.

I wish I would have taken more pictures but I guess I'll blame it on the heat. We all had a very fun day!

For me this summer flew by!  I babysat for the better part of it and maybe that is why. We definitely had a great summer.....definitely looking forward to next!!

Here is the official 1st day of school photo.  My boys were way excited but I think more nervous than they would admit. Cameron was worried that he wouldn't make any friends.  Benjamin was a little confused. He had to put on his school shirt and have one of the juices I pack in the boys' lunch. He also had to be in the picture. He's so silly.  He's enjoying his day with his mom now.  In two weeks he'll be going to preschool 3 times a week for a couple hours. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself when I don't have any kids at home and it's so quiet!! .........Enjoy it. 

Last minute Camping Trip

We haven't been tent camping for quite awhile. I don't think we've ever taken the kids with just.... us (their parents). It was so much fun!!!  We are looking forward to a lot more.  After church last week, we just decided to get some food together, pack up our camping equipment, and go to the local canyon that we live right by. It literally took 5-10 minutes to get to our camping spot. It was SOOO nice and quiet though!  It didn't cost a lot and it was fun to get away.  We invited Kent's mom up for a hamburger for dinner. She stayed while the kids made smores and then left. 

The boys loved the water.  Kent took them down to wash up for dinner.

Who would know such a little boy could get soooo dirty!!

Before bed, Kent took them down to the water in their swim suits to have a little bath.  Benjamin hated it but the other boys enjoyed themselves.

Kent trying to show Ben how to wash his eyes and face in the creek.

Austin showing off his nice ribs! I really do feed him.....I promise.

Another cute pic of Austin

Early on Monday morning, it decided to rain. It didn't stop us from having fun. Of course we were all filthy by the time we went home but that's okay.  Kids didn't feel like eating breakfast in the rain so we made room in the van for them.  They thought that was pretty cool.

Some hungry & WET boys!!

Kent eating his breakfast by the fire.

 

 

After this camping trip, we hope to be a little more prepared for the next one but sometimes those spur of the moment camping trips are the best!!

Swimming Lessons

My boys were able to take swimming lessons for the first time this summer. They LOVED it!!  I hope now that we can continue to go to the rec center so they remember what they've learned.  We will definitely be putting them back in lessons next summer. (hopefully a few times!!)  Anyway, they did really well and learned quite a bit. Benjamin was in the Preschool/ Beginner class. They were so cute to watch!  His teacher recommended that he take the class again before he moves on just to get him used to putting his head under the water.  Austin and Cameron had the same teacher. They were in the Level 1 class.  Both boys did great. They will be moving on to Level 2 next year. 

Benjamin walking back to the "kiddie pool" with his class after lessons.

Hard to see....but Austin is in the background getting ready to get into the pool.

Cameron with his arms out...

This is looking at Austin and Cameron's class. You can kind of see their heads.

This was the last day of lessons. Cameron and Austin are talking to their friend. Their teacher is in the bottom left of the picture.

Benjamin waiting patiently on the stairs until it's his turn to swim.