Summer's last hurrah!

For one last hurrah before school started, we took the kids to Sea World and had a wonderful weekend. On the first day, we went for a couple of hours to the Lost Lagoon (the waterpark side) and the kids enjoyed the big slides and the wave pool. Kaylie even went on the littler slide and climbed on floating hippos. They all love the water and have become quite tan over the summer. I'll forever be jealous of that, but I'm glad they have nice skin - thanks Dad!

We stayed the night at a nice hotel and had a fun evening playing in the lazy river and riding bikes around. We had dinner at Chili's, a little dessert at Marble Slab (my pick of course), and then we all crashed after a fun day.

On the second day, we went back to Sea World to enjoy a few exhibits we usually run out of time to see so we actually were able to feed the dolphins (usually we watch others do it because it is so crowded, but not that day) which is just too cool. Then everyone but Kaylie and I, rode the log ride, the kids played a few games and came home with their prized toys, and we ended at the shark exhibit, hoping to see them feed the sharks, but they only fed the stingrays. Tanner was a little disappointed, but maybe we'll be able to catch them feeding Tanner to the sharks another day! : )

A visit from the Clarks

The Clarks (our friends from Fort Worth) came for a visit to celebrate Karmen's, Kimberly's, Huy's and Ty's birthdays. To do so, we went tubing down the Comal River in New Braunfels. It was so crowded - there were people all the way up and down the river as far as one could see. We were practically touching people's, whom we didn't know, tubes and struck a few conversations with them. We were still able to have a good time.

The adults also went out for dinner at Saltgrass Steak House and to a movie (we saw Bourne Ultimatum - great movie!).

As the Clark's were about to head for home, the kids asked if they could go to the Clark's with them or if Cole and Lauren could stay with us. We ended up sending Taylin with the Clarks and Cole stayed with us for two nights and then we met up in Waco to trade back.

Taylin had a great time and learned to knit. Thanks Karmen!

The boys had fun! Tanner was happy to have a "brother" around 24-7! They went to the new skate park and tried out their Heelies and we also went to the pool and Rockin'River.



Thanks for coming to our house Cole!!

Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory

We took a little day trip (about a two hour ride) to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory (in Brenham, Texas) with our friends, the Walkers. We had a great time learning, and seeing, how ice cream is made, but of course, the best part was eating it.

Do you know...
the top 5 ice cream flavors are...
1. Homemade Vanilla
2. Dutch Chocolate
3. Cookies and Cream
4. The Great Divide (half-n-half of #1 and #2)
5. Pralines and Cream

We're so glad Kyla volunteered to be the caboose
because then we got a scoop of ice cream first!! Thanks Kyla!!

Things change

Little Luke got a little chubbier over the month we were there, still pretty tiny, but oh so cute. We can't wait to see him again, but don't look forward to seeing how much he'll change by then.

Before we left on our trip, Tayin's tooth was loose and her new tooth was growing in behind it. The dentist said she needed to get the baby tooth out asap. Well by the end of the month we were in Utah, Ba Noi pulled the tooth out that was finally so loose that Taylin could push it sideways with her tongue, as pictured here. And by the way, the new tooth is growing into place just fine now.

We had a great time in Utah and can't wait to return again next year. Thank you to everyone who made it so much fun. We love you all!!

At the Ranch...

My dad was suppose to have a hip replacement surgery while we were on our trip in Utah, but circumstances were that they had to postpone it until a later date. Because of the surgery, we hadn't planned to visit the ranch, but when the surgery didn't happen, we decided to go for a few days and we were so happy we could go - we had a wonderful time!

The kids helped Grandma and Grandpa and learned a little about how to get the horse "ready to ride." Tanner helped saddle the horse, Scout, and they enjoyed feeding her grain.

Everyone had a turn to ride Scout and Tanner and Taylin rode her all by themselves. They improved so much from day one to day two.

As big sister does, little sister follows.

We cooled off in a nearby stream. The kids played with Buck (Grandpa's dog) by tossing rocks and having him chase after it, in the water. Taylin lost her flip flop in one muddy section and Grandpa helped her search for it, but to no avail, so we moved to clearer waters to play.

Four-wheelin' was a great pastime - the kids rode around the yard in front of Grandma's house, but went on some bigger rides too!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a great time!!

Making Memories...

1. Going to the Farmington Strawberry Days parade with Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Tammy and Megan.

2. Cousins playing at Grandma's house, having the time of their lives.

3. Building a fort with the cousins in the horse pasture at Grandma's house, using tree limbs for the canopy, and braiding twine to make a rope swing.

4. Going to Cherry Hill and playing miniature gold with Grandma. Kaylie quickly learns to move the ball with her hand and putting it in the holes herself - I guess it is more fun that way!

5. Cooling off in the fountains at the Gateway in Salt Lake City.

6. Eating chocolates on the tour at Mrs. Cavanaugh's!

Visiting friends!!

When we can, we sneak in a visit with friends during our stay in Utah. This year we met up with our friends, the Ricks, who lived in Round Rock, but moved to Arizona last May. I was also able to visit my old college roommate, Suzy Christensen, and her kids. They stay with her in-laws in Kaysville. It's always fun to catch up on one another lives!

Tanner and Micah Ricks (our family friends who lived in Round Rock, but moved to Arizona last May) went to a basketball camp together that was put on at Open Court (at the point of the mountain, by Thanksgiving Point). Some of the coaches were ex-BYU players who had gone on to play NBA ball. Pictured here, although hard to see, is Tanner playing one-on-one with Travis Hansen (he played with the Atlanta Falcons for one year and now plays in Russia). Although he never scored on him, Tanner thought it was pretty cool.

While the boys were at camp, Jennie and I took all the kids to the barn at Thanksgiving Point. They had a little pony ride, go to pet some of the animals, and visit the jail.



On another day, we met at BYU and strolled around the campus to check out a few new facilities. While in a sports museum, the boys hunted down Robbie Bosco (the QB that led the Cougars to the National Championship in 1984). He signed a bunch of posters for the kids and then he smiled in a picture with all of us. I was happy because it helped me get a "group shot" without all the moaning.

This is Suzy and her son, Henry with Tanner. They had a great time playing together in the pool. Her daughter is Elsa and Elsa is just about a week older than Kaylie. They eventually warmed up with each other and enjoyed many popsicles. Suzy also has a baby boy, Ansel who was with his Grandma and Taylin just had fun swimming around with everyone. It is so great to re-introduce them all!

L A G O O N



I don't remember the last time I was at Lagoon, but I thought it was time to take the kids so we went with Aunt Tammy and Megan, and met my brother, Mark and his family, there. It was 100 plus degrees, but the kids kept cool by running through the fountains and on the log ride they, I mean, WE ALL got drenched. Tanner preferred the smaller rides, but Taylin went on most everything. No one chose to ride Wicked, the newest ride at Lagoon, and I wasn't about to try it either. And Kaylie had a blast with her cousin Christi going on ride, after ride, after ride.

4th of July

We joined Huy's sister, Linh, and her family in Kaysville for our 4th of July celebrations. Although it was a super hot day, we went to the city parade and some munched on cotton candy, others ate nachos, the kids collected a bunch of candy, most cooled off in the shade. It was the beginnings of a great day!

It is tradtion that all the "water" floats go at the end of the parade and cool things off a bit. Well, Tanner and Taylin and Huy were definately cooled off - they were drenched from head-to-toe with everything from water guns, hoses, water balloons, buckets of water, city water trucks, and fire hoses. Many people come prepared to fight back, but we were not some of the prepared. My family took it like real heros and they had a blast!!

After the parade and a wonderful grilled meal, we had our own fireworks show followed by two big shows. From Linh's house, we could see the Kaysville City fireworks and the Lagoon Fireworks. Happy 4th of July!!

Our summer vacation this year was a month-long trip to Utah to visit family and friends. I guess you would say it has become a tradition since moving to Texas. It was a great time, once again, this year. We did so many things that it may take several days to upload all of it, but who has checked my blog lately anyway? So...

Let the vacation begin!

We made a small change in our 22 hour route to Utah. We stopped in beautiful Durango, Colorado to see what all the hype we'd heard was about. To our delight, all the hype is true. It was so pretty there. We stretched our legs and took a little walk up the Animas River where the kids had a great time throwing rocks in the river and running their legs. They were feeling especially strong and decided to move this rock into the river!

Upon arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, with still an hour to go, Kaylie let out a scream from the back of the car. We asked her what was wrong and then she calmly said, "I don't know!" At that point, we were glad we were almost there. We all had had enough.

At Huy's parents home, we unloaded and then took yet another drive (this one was only 20 minutes) to see our new cousin and nephew because we just couldn't wait any longer. Luke Jolley was born June 11th so he wasn't quite a month old when the kids were able to hold him. He was just adorable and so precious. I never wanted to put him down, but no, it didn't make me want one of my own. It was nice to hand him back when he did "you know what" in his diaper! Congratulations Linh and Mark!! He is a cutie!