Pirate Cove Splash Park

We got a good deal on tickets here and had a great time! The sun actually came out for the last hour and a half so we didn't freeze the whole time. The kids had so much fun. We spent a lot of time playing in the beach area, but there was also a lazy river, water slides, and a big shallow pool with play equipment. Lazy river with just me and three kids was slightly intimidating trying to keep the boys together with me and Hannah. Plus Matthias was barely holding on, but it was lots of fun. All the kids loved the water slide in the kids area. Taylor came for the last little while after he got of work so I had some more hands.

Can You Fit in 800 Square Feet?

We went to Austin for the house hunting trip end of June and didn't get a house. So we came up with the fun new plan of Taylor living with our amazing friends Matt & Sandra in Austin while the kids and I live in Taylor's parents' basement until we can get in a house. Approximately the first week of October. While this sound super fine and delightful to be separated from Taylor for 7 weeks and only seeing him for 3 days over Labor Day we have still been thinking of other possible options.

Our latest scheme was to apply for student housing. Haha. It's 3 bedrooms in 800 square feet. And obviously it's an apartment. Can you go back to apartment living after 4 plus years in a house? It appears to not even have a dishwasher. It's such an insane idea that it's actually worth thinking about. I'm reminded of the time Bec and I though it would be hilarious to take a 7 am class our sophomore year. It's so completely ridiculous that it actually seems fun, right? I think I missed class at least once a week...

So we'll see if we even get in. We'll see if we end up finding a house any way. We'll see if we just buy a RV and live in that. Paul Farmer grew up in a bus and he's one of the most amazing people I've ever heard of. This could actually be really good for our kids...

Saturday I washed my hair in the morning...it was SO cold!! We walked around Horse Thief Lake (where we were staying) and packed up camp. Then we drove to a Ghost Town that looked hokey so we then went to a Woodcarving Museum that was too expensive so we ended up at another lake. The kids had a great time swimming and collecting "lakeweed". Then we had some yummy lunch and ice cream. After that we headed over to Jewell Cave.












The boys were really excited about going to the cave the whole time. They kept asking about it all day Friday and were thrilled we were finally going. We got there and all the times were sold out until 6 pm and we still had a 6 hour drive home. So we jumped in the car and raced to Wind Cave about 30 minutes away and got the last 5 tickets to the 4:40 tour. James was so enthralled by the whole thing and was able to lead the tour for the last part. I was terrified the whole time of losing Matthias down some random hole or passage way. The guide offered to let him lead as well and I said NO. Was a lot different than Mt Timp so I enjoyed it too.

Then we drove home and the kids all slept for the last half. I left Hannah's clothes and shoes at a rest stop and was really sad to lose the blue tennis shoes all three of the kids have worn. Other than that it was a great trip and we had so much fun!!

South Dakota

Every year when I was a child we would go on vacation over my birthday because it's a holiday in Utah. I hated it. However, somehow I always convince Taylor to take a road trip over my birthday. After this year he told me no more.

We went up to South Dakota and camped for two nights. The boys were in heaven. Taylor found a pretty little spot by a lake. South Dakota is super pretty, the Black Hills were amazing! And there are the coolest rocks for climbing everywhere. Right by our camp site the boys found some great rocks. And Hannah kept saying, "want climb" and trying to follow them up. The boys also rode their bikes a ton.





Friday we woke up and went to Mt. Rushmore, saw a bunch of Model T Fords, hiked up to the Cathedral Spires, swam in Sylvan Lake(?), went to a chuckwagon dinner. While on the hike Matthias chucked a rock at my head. I was trying so hard not to cry and got a huge goose egg. Taylor was livid and Matthias had to sit on a log for a really long time.
















Swimming in the lake was the best part. The kids had a great time and Taylor swam out to a little island. He made friends with some 12 year old boys that dubbed him Aqua Man and tried to get him to swim around with them. I started to swim out to the island and then realized if I didn't turn around and go back I was likely to drown. The water was so cold I was already having trouble breathing when I started out. Then half way when I couldn't touch bottom any more I started to hyperventilate...same problem I have with snorkeling I think. So swam back as fast as I could since I couldn't really breathe at all any more.

Success

Hannah went to nursery today all by herself. The senior primary kids were able to sing in peace.

"Not Grape"

Hannah loves grapes a lot. They are probably her favorite food. She will hang on the fridge and say "want grape!" This is how my mom got Hannah to like her, by feeding her grapes.

Today we were eating lunch and Hannah said "not grape". I looked over and saw a chewed up grape tomato set back on the vegetable plate we were eating from. It was pretty funny. She was not happy to find out she wasn't eating a grape.

Fall

Yesterday Matthias fell off a 5.5 foot drop into a river. While not super surprising it was a little scary. He, James, and a friend were playing on the ledge near the water as they usually do and I guess he slipped. I was not watching right at the time of the fall, but looked over just after to see James and Mckadie staring down at the water. He only had some scraps on his knee. The kids said he landed on his back. There are a lot of large rocks in that river so I'm just glad he didn't hit his head. The water is only about 6 inches deep. I was a little shaken up last night, but he seems fine. I'm really happy things didn't turn out worse. I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of stress over Matthias as the years go by...

Antelope Island

We went out here July 9 and had mixed feelings. I love it and had a lot of fun. It was super hot though so most of the other adults were a little turned off by all the heat. Plus Aubrey wasn't super happy so everyone but our family ended up leaving right after the hike. But we had a fun hike and our kids loved it. Then we visited the ranch which was fun. The kids enjoyed looking at all the cowboy stuff. After we tried to walk down to the Great Salt Lake to let the kids put their feet in the water. We made it about half way down to the beach when Taylor shouted that we had to go back. We literally turned around a ran as fast as we could back to the car, waving our arms around our heads trying to avoid getting eaten alive by biting gnats. Seriously, they we SO bad! I promised to take the boys back in August with lots of bug spray.

Castle Park

Here the kids are at G-ma and G-pa Harvey's Castle Park. The boys love going here with Grandpa every time we come to Utah!




I'm sure Grandma was very happy when the boys showed up with this 'stick'. They carried it all the way home from the park.


Before we left the boys were transcribing books in the backyard (their idea).

4th of July

We went to South Salt Lake parade Saturday morning with my family, then over to the once amazing carnival. This year it was reduced to just 2 inflated bouncers, one snow cone stand, and some races. Pretty sad showing, but the kids had fun any way and we had fun since everything but snow cones was free.







Then we had a bbq with my family and hung out all day. Lots of fun and very calm and relaxing. The boys spent approximately 6 hours in my parents' sand box.

We ran back up to Fruit Heights that night so my family could get ready for their trip to California. We did some sparklers and fire works in the cul-de-sac. Then we sat on the drive way to watch two big firework shows. The boys were so wired. We had a lot of fun!




Here the boys are with Taylor's cousins (Kathy's youngest brother Ben's kids)
Matthias, Court, James, Jace


The kids pretty much lit all the fireworks. Bailey (age 9) made sure all the boys got a turn to set the firework in the road and she lit most of them herself. It was lots of fun to watch.