DRAFT in progress
Showing posts with label Summer of fun 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer of fun 2009. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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).
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!)
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.
Aly and her gang! Hadley, Brighton, and Tallen (all such good sports in the heat!).
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?" ;-)
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?
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!
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!
Monday, March 8, 2010
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!
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!
Six Flaggs!
June 2009Bella 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!
The ZOO
June 17, 2009
What is summer without a long day at the zoo?
Note: This summer I realized I'm just loving the fact that FINALLY all the kids are at an age where they are independent! They can dress themselves, feed themselves, walk by themselves, communicate effectively what they want/need, fend for themselves, etc. I LOVE IT!
We arrived at the zoo with the intention of seeing everything in one visit! The Denver Zoo is a big zoo, but we were up to the task. The kids each selected their favorite animal that we all MUST see, so just in case we were running short of time, everyone would at least see their favorite animal!
Here are the kiddo's starting fresh in front of my favorite animal...the Giraffes!
A quick measurement at the polar bear for Chandlerl! (favorite Zoo animal - The Gorilla)
McKinnon standing tall. (favorite Zoo animal - The Rino)
Bella, being the kind lover that she is..."cozzying" up to the polar bear. (favorite Zoo animal - The Elephant)
Gabby holding on to Mr. Polar Bear. (favorite Zoo animal - The Flamingo)
We found this peacock wandering around the zoo! He even let us get up close and personal!
Our day at the zoo was perfect! The weather was great, the people were few, and the company was the best! WE saw all we needed to see and feel we can now go another year until the Zoo calls us again!
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