Pioneer Day

We had a great Pioneer Day this year! I think it will go down as one of the best! We started out the morning in Salt Lake at my Grandma's ward for breakfast. The food was delicious. There is a really cool pond and stream in the back of the church so the kids had a great time playing.

After breakfast we hiked to Ensign Peak. It is a perfect hike for all ages. Not too long, not too steep and a beautiful overlook when you get to the top. This is the trail head. Lynnlee fell asleep on the car ride to the trail head, hence why I'm cradling her in the picture.

James's nickname for the day was "Edward" because he was so white and pale after we put sunscreen on him.

Lynnlee woke up when we started hiking. She didn't want to be held and hiked for a little while. Her hair is a little crazy! She slept on it funny in her car seat.

This is the top. Silly face picture.

The three youngest.

Next year I hope all of my siblings can be there! Thanks for taking the picture Lovest, sorry you didn't get to be in the picture!

I wouldn't mind if this became a new Pioneer Day tradition. It was so fun!

That night we enjoyed the Charleston fireworks from my Dad's boat. Couldn't have asked for a better day!

Splash park

The Alpine splash park opened this summer and my kids have loved going there. There are also play grounds, tennis courts, sand volleyball, and a basketball court at the same park. There are shaded picnic tables and bathrooms nearby. It is the perfect place for a party!

Carnival

We couldn't resist taking the kids to the carnival when it was here a few weeks ago. James couldn't get enough of all the rides. Lynnlee could have cared less. She was more content watching James go on the rides.

The roller coaster was James's favorite.

You would think she was being punished by how unhappy she was on the train ride.

Cars 2

On Saturday we took James to see Cars 2. Of course Lynnlee came too even though we knew she wouldn't be as excited as James.

This is how excited she was to see it.

This is how excited James was to see it. You couldn't wipe the smile off his face all afternoon.

Cooking Class

For a Mother's Day present from my Mom to my sisters and sisters-in-law, my mom gave us a cooking class at Orson Gygi. Betsy, Katie, and I chose the Hawaiian-Asian class which we attended with my Mom this past Saturday.

I definitely recommend a class there. I'm not a great cook and I don't explore very many recipes. I don't know if I want to admit this but I've never cooked with ginger. I honestly would not be able to pick it out of a line up. A few of the recipes called for ginger and when I saw it I thought, "so that's what it looks like." Yep I need to start branching out and I think I will after taking this class.

Here we are at the amazing kitchen in Orson Gygi. In a dream life I would have a kitchen this big and beautiful.

My sisters, Katie and Betsy. You can see our yummy ribs in the back ground to the right.

After you make the food you get to sit down and enjoy it.

Thanks Mom for the awesome Mother's Day present!

Summer time

Before summer was here I was good about staying on top of house work, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. Now that summer is in full swing I have fallen short in all areas. Isn't that the great thing about summer though? You can take a break from the normal routine and it all works out in the end. James might be eating more hot dogs than normal because of my lack of cooking but at least he's fed. Since we spend most days at Seven Peaks there is less laundry. Since we don't spend as much time at home the house doesn't get dirty as fast, at least that is what I would like to think.

It's been a great summer so far! Lynnlee and James are at the perfect ages to be able to enjoy most anything. It's only going to get better as they get older and more independent.

We went to This Is The Place park for a family reunion in June. The petting zoo was a hit. Lynnlee was fearless around the animals.

Seven Peaks has been fun because James wears a life jacket so I don't have to keep such a tight watch on him. Lynnlee stays by my side and it's been fun.

We celebrated the 4th of July at my Aunt Kathy's house in Salt Lake. James learned how to go off the diving board or "jumping board" as he calls it.
I had high hopes of running a half marathon and marathon again this summer but that was shot to pieces so I decided a 5K was good enough. We ran the AF Steel Days 5K as a family. Marshall pushed the stroller. He never ceases to amaze me. He hasn't been training, he never runs with the stroller and yet he still beat me across the finish line. You better watch your back at the next race, honey, I'm coming for ya!

Here's to the rest of the summer! I hope to enjoy more family BBQs, swimming, and 5Ks before its over.