The Gateway...to family fun

This was a day that was supposed to be a day at Lagoon but we ended up at Gateway to play in the water and do some school shopping instead. The kids, as you can see, had a blast! No need to elaborate anymore than this. It was obviously great fun!

Ethan did something hysterical. As we were walking along the walkway, he spotted a big drain spout coming out of the wall. He stuck his head in it and began to push against the wall as though he were stuck, using his feet as well for added measure. Jed and I watched, with tears streaming down our cheeks as we watched people point and stop. The crowd around him was about 20 people who looked at each other in disbelief. Finally a woman in her 50's tapped his shoulder, "hey are you okay?" After a minute, Ethan gives one last push against the wall, falling backwards, with everyone stepping back as he fell, and he looks up at her with a smile, "Yah!" It was so unbelievably convincing, we were bent over from laughter watching. One of the other women, said to him, "where you really stuck?" And before he could answer, the woman who had tapped him said, "No he was just being stupid" and walked away. Ethan just smiled bigger. Oh how we laughed!

Hitting the River

First, Ethan is a crazy boy - full of life and adventure! Thanks for the pose, buddy!
The river was COLD! But as always, your feet adjust and then your legs, then your tummy on up to your face. At least that's what the kids learned. Ha!
The kids had a blast playing in the river, tossing rocks to splash each other, and trying to swim upstream. Macy had to be "saved" by her big sisters. She is so grateful they got her back across to safety. :-)
The weather was so beautiful. First a little overcast and then as we were leaving the sun came out in full force, warming our wet bodies and drying the sand to our feet.

Welcome to Zions National Park

Nicholas and Macy join in song as they anticipate a hike along the river. We decided to take the River Walk this time and see how the kids do to determine if we would do another hike. Along the way, we hit a few spots to climb some boulders to take some fun pictures. The "slide rock" was a hit until on the way back Macy stood up during her slide down and lost her balance, falling face first into the retaining wall. I saw it happening and was sure we were in for a huge slit on her mouth. Luckily, we were blessed with ONLY a cut above her lip and a swollen lip. So for obvious reasons, we didn't hike anymore trails after the River Walk. Along the way, we met a wonderful family - the Jeppsons! The kids were excited to learn of their world travels and adventures. (Hope all is well with you and yours!)
This is a family who loves to hike but doesn't do it enough!

Ethan as Spiderman or Mowgli or Tarzan!

Ethan, an avid climber, accepted the challenge of climbing the Rock Wall in Park City. He didn't miss a beat. He scaled that rock liked he was born to do so. Once he got to the top, he hit the button, and kicked off to swing down, showing his "love". He got to go up twice. He has always been a climber. We've decided that if ever there was a Mowgli or a Tarzan living in the jungle, Ethan could have been them and survived without a hitch!

A day of fun in Park City

Alright, we LOVE to go to Park City! Whether its Jed and I or the whole clan, we enjoy hanging out, doing the fun activities, eating yummy treats and buying a few things.
The Alpine Slide and the Alpine Coaster are such fun - the coaster is a blast!! When Sarah took Nicholas down the Slide, I was on the other lane and was freaked out by how fst they were going! No fear in those two!! Ethan did the Rock Wall Spiderman Style - he's so fast and strong! Ethan and Nicholas got a picture drawn of the two of them. Ethan looked like the younger brother, ha!, and didn't care for that much. We love to be together, laughing, racing, walking and talking. Love our family time!

Rodeo fun for everyone - July 22nd

This was one of the best rodeo shows we have ever been to. The entertainment was great, the competition was fun and the cotton candy hit the spot! The kids enjoyed the crazy clown with his humor and motorbiking tricks. The rides from the competitors look tough and fun to watch. It looked like a good overall competition. I took pictures with Jed's little camera, not my good one, so they didn't turn out very well of the competition or the crazy clown therefore I didn't post them.
It was a perfect little night at the Rodeo Fairgrounds - temperature, family, entertainment and some goodies. Couldn't ask for more on this occasion!

FIre hits TOO close to home!

This was an unbelievable sight! We watched from the Spanish Fork pool as it started around 4:30ish. I called Jed immediately and asked where the fire was. He said it was in Santaquin. As the day progressed to evening we watched as the fire came around the mountainside and split, racing to the east as well as heading down the mountains toward homes in the stake we were in prior to now. (Mom is the RS president over the Stake) It was nerve-wracking! The top photo was taken from the New Payson Ball Park. The one below was taken from 600 East right by my mom's home. (not taken by me, darn it!) Jed and I, Mom and Mike watched with anxiousness as we know many of the families in the canyon and in the stake who's homes appeared to be at great risk. Mom, Mike and I were at the Stake Center to see what we could do to help. We just had to wait. Jed headed up the road near the mouth of the canyon to help put water on properties of homes who's owners were not home. Bless Sarah's little heart as she was very nervous about this. Emily thought it to be quite the adventure as did Ethan. Nicholas said, "I want to go up the mountain, Mom!" "Not now, Babe." "Oh man, why?! It's so cool! I put it out Mom!"
We finally got to bed around 1:30 am, after a prayer of gratitude, as no structures where burned and no one was injured.
Currently, firefighters are still working on the fire and its pretty well contained. Thankfully!

(This entry is going to throw off my other entries so bare with me!)