Utah: boating - for real!

The day before we left to go back home to Colorado we decided to make one last grand effort to go boating.  The only chance the kids and I have to go boating is when we are in Utah and it is one of our most absolute favorite things to do.  Especially me - I LOVE boating - especially water skiing.  When we got up there the boat still didn't work (even though we got it fixed and it worked at home).  I am sure about a dozen prayers of little children went heavenward and the boat soon started running.  We had such a great time.  We got there about 9 in the morning and left at 9 at night.  We tubed all day.  Sadly it was a too rough for me to ski - I tried a couple of times but I was pretty sure I would break my leg if I tried to cut too hard - so I never really got to ski.  Maybe one day I can go more than once a year (before I am too old!).   The goal of my children was to learn to ski.  Brock tried for about 5 times but didn't get up.  Then it was Madison's turn and right when we got her foot in the ski broke.  So no one else could try.  Good thing tubing is so fun!

A BIG thanks to my mom and dad who made it all possible and give so much of themselves to their kids and grandkids.  THANK YOU!

Who is cuter than Caroline?  She is so adorable!

I am out there with Caroline and Spencer.  We had to go SLOW!

Noah really loves double tubing and trying to jump into the other person's tube.

Madison and Sophia became good friends.

James and Vivian got out there together!  They rock!

The girls really wanted to get dunked - they have become huge dare devils. 

Brock didn't tube much.  In fact he didn't until about the end of the day.  He is a cautious boy.

Utah: Aunt Carol's

One day we went with all my sisters and their kids up to my great aunt Carols house.  She is my dad's aunt - but we have always been really close and I love her deeply.

She has what my children call a "mansion" and every toy you could imagine.  Including one of these:

And Noah just had to crawl inside.

Utah: Fourth of July

We started out our fourth of July by seeing Cars 3 at the movie theater - a REAL one too - not just a dollar theater - it is so fun being with grandparents... they always make things better!   It was really good.

 Then we had a bbq at my mom's house.  She always makes things look really nice and festive.  This is a talent I do not have.

 Me with my cute kiddo's - I sure do love them and would prefer to hang out with them over almost anyone else.  

 Then we went down to Pat and Bill Thomas' house for fire works.  They always put on a great show!

Then the kids slept on the tramp together.  They made it all night!   I couldn't believe it.  Well... Megan and Sam never went out, they chose to sleep down stairs, a decision they came to regret in the morning when they found out no one died.  ha

Utah: Black Smithing

For the last year or so Noah has been saying he wants to be a black smith... weird.  Once we went to an old farm museum and they had a black smith there and Noah asked all sorts of questions and was really into it - and watched for like 45 minutes.  

Jason's best friend, Rob, just so happened to become a hobby-black smith this last year and has some tools and things in his back yard.  So I set up a special visit for just me and Noah late one night and Noah got to play around and learn and even make a knife.  Awesome!

Rob was so sweet and so good with him.  Noah has had a rough year and we are always trying to find ways to help him feel loved, appreciated, and important.  I also got to talk with his wife, Jill and my very good friend all night.  It was a win, win!  I sure miss these two and wished we lived closer together.  

Utah: Bowling

After the splash pad we went bowling.  It is so fun to have older kids now and do big kid things!  We even got Daniel to come!  The sad part is my mom loves to bowl (and is a great bowler) - but she hurt her hand a few months ago and may never bowl again...  :)