Random Utah Fun

One evening at the park we came across this cute LITTLE bug! After we stopped screaming, we lovingly let the bug crawl on the children...YIKES.

We love our days at the pool with cousins.

Chandler and Steve took a morning to golf.

Emily and JP invited us over for a backyard BBQ, Campfire, and Smores. YUM! Thanks JP the BBQ King!
Steve and his Bro-in-Law Blaine having a yummy lunch at Pizza Factory - we all LOVE eating at the Pizza Factory.
Yes...Ligers do (or did) exist. One afternoon, Teressa and I took the kids to the Bean Museum to check out the animals AND the Liger.
One of our FAVORITE things to do in Utah is gather with the family and EAT! In the summer time it's perfect to gather at a park so the kids can play and the adults can sit and chat (and EAT).

The Copper Mine

I remember going to the Kennecott Copper Mine as a small child...mostly I remember climbing inside the HUGE tire. I've always wanted to go back and take my family, so, this was the summer to do it! We rounded up Mom, Teressa and Aly for this adventure.

Taking a break in the shade! You can see the copper mine in the back ground. (apparently, it is so big, it can be seen by the space shuttle astronauts as they pass over the United States!)

McKinnon and grandma taking it all in.

Teressa, Parker and Carter... always so fun to have them along!

Aly and her gang! Hadley, Brighton, and Tallen (all such good sports in the heat!).

Grandma and the grandkids in front of the famous tire. This is the actual size of the tires on the trucks (note: The truck driver rides about 18 feet above the ground -- nearly two stories high and each tire on these big trucks costs from $18,000 to $26,000 and lasts just 9 months...wow)
We all had fun on our visit to the copper mine. Our questions were answered and we left smarter than we came (always a plus!) The kids biggest question that wasn't answered upon leaving was "where are we going for lunch?" ;-)

Timpanogos CAVE

We were looking forward to hiking up to Timp. Cave this year, so, we were thrilled when the Ball's told us they had plans to hike it as well!!! AND Emily and her crew wanted to join us as well....so it looked like it was going to be a great event...Now we just need tickets! To get as many tickets as we needed was going to be an issue. They were sold out of the reserved tickets (some people are better at planning ahead), so, our only choice was for one of us to be there at 7am when they open to get the 15 tickets we needed! I bravely volunteered (since I have sleeping issues anyway why not...) I was the first one in when they opened their doors and was able to get all the tickets were after (whew!).
So, we got our tickets and we were off!All the kids were fresh and ready for the 1.5 mile hike (with a 1,160 feet elevation gain...piece of cake)! Note: At an elevation of 11,750 ft, Mt. Timpanogos is the 2nd highest mountain in Utah’s Wasatch Range. The word Timpanogos (tim´p? no´gas) comes from the Timpanogots Ute tribe who lived in the surrounding valleys from A.D. 1400. The name translates as rock (tumpi-), and water mouth or canyon (panogos).
It was a beautiful day and the kids all had a lot of energy. They kept rushing ahead of all the ADULT supervisors on this dangerous paved trail despite our constant yelling telling them to "wait up" and "slow down"!!! At one point found themselves in "trail jail" as a park ranger was coming down the hill and found a herd of unsupervised kids making their way up the hill. He graciously held the pack in "trail jail" until us slower adults made it to him...thanks mr. park ranger "officer". When we made it to the top, Steve (shirtless man) was sooooo sweaty he took his shirt off to dry...much to the surprise of the other tourists (I think they must have assumed he was European...who else would "disrobe" in public?

Steve and I catching our breath with a "breathtaking" view behind us! Wow! American Fork Canyon is one of the most beautiful!

CUTE BALL FAMILY at the top! Hey, when did they all grow up? It just seems like yesterday......




The Browns at the top...the hike was an easy one - probably due to the fact we live at 5680 feet (and I think the elevation of the hike is about the same). Fun to be with family!

The whole group just before going into the cave!

Inside the cave, the cousins pose for a photo op! What a great group of kids! LUV em!

Chandler and Parker "recrafting" the sign to make more sense to their age group!

We've been to lots and lots of caves through our travels and THIS cave continues to be THE best (according to me!). It's my favorite and I can't wait to do it again!

Utah here we come!

Time for our annual trip to Utah.
One of our most favorite things to do in Utah is getting our hair done from one of my highly talented sisters. Aly worked her magic this summer and the results speak for themselves:


We love being around our family in Utah and the fun times we have while we are there!








Ahhhh fresh hair.



We were also luck to get a special treatment of "sparkle toes". Sparkle toes are a highly durable series of applications of gel and sparkles that becomes very hard and lasts for months!We love our sparkle toes! (THANKS ALY!)
This year the Ball family came to town as well, so, we were able to spend some FUN time with them as well. The whole gang sent to support Parker at his baseball game!

Chandler and Parker after the game.

Tri N July

So why not do a Triathelon? That's what Steve and Chandler must have been thinking when they decided it would be "fun" to do a 750 Meter outdoor swim, 14 mile bike ride, and a 4 mile run one right after the other on an early July morning...

They trained most every morning for months swimming, running or biking and on some days two of the three. Chandler was such a sport. When every other kid his age is sleeping in during the summer months, Chandler was up at 6 am with his dad to do a little more training before race day. Way to go BOYS!
On race day, it was fun watching them swim in a lane with two other people...yes, Steve and Chandler were swimming in the same lane and two girls were swimming in the same lane with them. You've got to really be aware of all that is going on around you when your swimming in these conditions. The boys powered through the swim (lapping the girls many many times) and then made the transition to the bikes! Then on to the last (and hardest part) the run!

The "Brown Cheering Section" of the crowd was getting a little impatient and then we saw Chandler rounding the corner and proceding to the finish line...We gave him some LOUD HEARTY cheer and got a cute grin from him in return. I was so proud to see him cross the finish line! Then here came Steve...More LOUD HEARTY cheers from the "Brown Cheering Section"


After a few moments to catch their breath, I was able to snap a photo of my "Tri-athletes"!

Steve made his way to the "free" physical therapist to get some "miracle" tape for his aching knee (running certainly is NOT his favorite event)!

Chandler ended up taking 1st place in his division! Way to go Chandler!!! When asked if he wants to do it again next year, there is no immediate reply...not so sure!
GREAT work Steve and Chandler! We are all proud of you and not sure why you did it, but maybe we can all give it a try again next year! Who knows?

Steve's BDAY!

It happens every July 13th of every year...Steve turns one year older. And to celebrate we EAT!

Steve's favorite all time desert is Strawberry shortcake...and LOTS of it! Basically lots of white cake, lots of strawberries and lots of whip cream = YUMMY!

Then to further the celebration, we take him to his favorite mexican restaurant...Tres Margaritas and we eat his favorite type of food...Mexican food, followed by fried ice cream and sopapias. All in the name of celebrating another year! Does it seem like we are always just looking for reasons to eat Yummy food?

Happy Birthday Steve!

Hee Haw at the Rodeo

When it's a HOT 100 degree July Day....why not head out doors to sit on some hard stadium seats, sit in the afternoon sun for a few hours, and watch horses, sheep, and such do strange things in a ring?

Well that's exactly what we decided to do on July 11th. I read in the newspaper, if you show up around 9am with your "youngster" you can preregister for the "sheep riding" competition. Not exactly sure what sheep riding entails, but, "Cowgirl" Gabby was certainly game to go and try it out. We coached her to our best ability..."just grab a handful of wool and HANG ON!"
We waited in line for her chance to ride the sheep and possibly to embark on her future rodeo career with endless fame and money heading her way (can you imagine...our daughter, the rodeo star!). Before she would be awarded her wrist band (which was her ticket to ride the sheep), they had her step on the scale to make sure she fit within the contest limits (what limits??? I wasn't aware of any limits???). After she stepped on the scale, our dreams were dashed! It appeared their would be no rodeo star future for Gabby. She weighed in at 59 pounds...apparently 50 pounds was the weight limit for all sheep riders! Ohhhh Jeeeezzzz

We braved the rodeo like soldiers in the heat hiding under our umbrellas hoping the pace would step it up a bit!

The entertainment would come and go, but it was still very hot! We had to at least stay until the Chicken Scramble!

Our next audition for fame was for our kiddo's to participate in the Chicken Scramble! Basically there are hundreds and hundreds of kids and 4 chickens. The organizers let the chickens go and the kids chase the chickens around the ring until they are all eventually caught. If you catch the pretty red chicken you win the BIG trophy. If you catch one of the other "less-pretty" three, you get a smaller trophy. So again, Steve and I did our best to coach our young rodeo stars! Our advice, "Focus on one chicken, work together as a team (McKinnon and Bella) and CATCH A CHICKEN!"
They dropped the chickens and the Scramble began. It was pretty dusty, fast paced, and exciting. The chickens were certainly going a little crazy with 100s of children chasing them and McKinnon and Bella came close sooo many times to each grabbing one, but in the end, it was McKinnon who ended up Grabbing that Darn Chicken!

McKinnon did it...she may be our families future Rodeo star after all... I'm not sure if this is an official rodeo event, but with her focus and determination if it is, she may need to look into it. She caught her dusty chicken and won her "small" trophy.

The trophy is proudly displayed on the trophy shelf in her room next to the soccer, basketball and baseball trophies. We are proud of McKinnon, but most of all we were glad that we could go home to the air conditioning of our home after the chicken scramble!

Fathers Day 2009

Yes, it is a good thing one day of the year is dedicated to our Dads. We have a pretty toned down way of celebration... No lavish gifts (Steve received a dart board and maybe a shirt or two) but, lots of lavish attention. Dad gets to pick the meal of his choice and not lift a finger all day...at least that is the plan.


Before heading to church we snapped a few photo's of the kiddo's and their DAD...

Time for a group HUG!

Chandler seems to be especially feeling the love!
Happy Fathers Day to an amazing DaD!

Its GREAT to have a big SIS

We heard that if you dressed up like a COW, you could get a free meal from Chick Fila! Sounds like the kind of deal we like to hear about...So, I put Ariel up to the task. She was in charge for the day, so she helped the girls color and decorate some helpful "cow" type touches and they headed off to Chick Fila for lunch! It worked!
Are these some of the cutest COWS you've ever seen? I especially like the ears!

After they had a very yummy lunch, they headed to the movie judging by the glasses, it was a 3-D movie.

How fun to have a sis that will take her day and spend it with three of her favorite gals!
We all love you Ariel!

Six Flaggs!

June 2009

Bella wanted her birthday party to be at Six Flaggs this year and since her birthday is in April, she obviously needed to wait a few months for the weather to get a little warmer and most of all for Six Flaggs to open!

So, we were able to check off 2 things with this adventure...

1. Bella's birthday party...check!

2. Annual trip to Six Flaggs...check!

Bella brought her three best friends and McKinnon, Gabby and Chandler (who disappeared as soon as we walked through the gates...no photos of him) each brought a friend as well.

Steve and I took turns supervising the different sets of girlz!

It was a beautiful HOT day at Six Flags so, of course, the water rides were very popular.

I'm not sure which ride Gabby and Hadley rode the most...the water ride (above) or the old fashion roller coaster (I finally started sending them on these rides alone...I can only take so much dirty water in my hair and neck wrenching from the roller coaster!)


Ariel, Gabby, Steve, Hadley, McKinnon and Mallory on the rapids ride - who will get the wettest?
Mallory and McKinnon showing us their lovely tongues post ICEE!

As a child, I have fond memories of our annual summer trip to Lagoon with the family and sometimes neighbors. We did it every year and so there is something engrained in my mind that annual attendance at a theme park is just one of those things that MUST be done!

It was a FULL day at six flaggs...we arrived at opening (10ish) and left one hour before closing 9ish). We ate all the junk we could eat, were able to ride all rides multiple times, swim at the water park, see some shows (Chandler was selected to participate in the Survivor game show...and WON - grand prize...a T-shirt!), and ride more rides.

Around 9:00, Steve and I were ready to take the crew home and call our day a success! We love Six Flags, but at the end of the day we LOVE to LEAVE Six Flags.

Until next time!