Cowabumga Bay

 Ever since we moved to West Jordan, every time we pass Cowabunga Bay on the freeway the kids yell "OUR FAVORITE WATER PARK!!!"  They had never been there... ha ha.  So this summer since we didn't go on any vacations we decided to go to their most favorite water park.  It did NOT disappoint.  It was the perfect water park for our age of kids.  The older three could go on all the slides and Riley went on a ton of them too.  We could hold her in our lap if she wanted (she didn't) and the slides don't end in a pool.  The slide just ends and you climb right out.  So I felt totally comfortable sending the older three to go on a slide together and then come back and check in with us.  And I'm really paranoid with my kids around water.  It was just so great.  We loved it!  Except the price tag.  Ha ha.  But it was our vacation this year so it was ok. 

 So excited to head over to the water park!

 We had to take a picture before we went in.  

One of the fun things that the park has is a giant bucket that fills with water and when it is full it will pour the water out.  You can stand underneath it if you want.  The kids loved that.  And I loved that the water was warm!  It was perfect temperature to get in and get out and not freeze your buns off!  

 The kids got hungry and we didn't want to spend 7 dollars on a hot dog for each of them...so we left and got snow cones.  

 Two of them fell asleep on the way so we decided to bring the snow cones home to eat them.  Big mistake.  Within seconds of entering the car...Emery spilled hers and Riley spilled hers and it was the end of the world.  But we made it home and everyone enjoyed theirs.

 I always get the Timp (peach, raspberry and blueberry...I think) and it never disappoints!

All in all a fun day.

This is the Place with friends

 We went to This is the Place with some friends.  The kids loved having them there.  We made all the usual stops to make crafts and get candy and such. 

 They give you a prescription for a "sore throat" and if you take it to the pharmacy they give you a lemon drop.  :)

 Finley got a sucker instead.  :)

 Train ride.  They all took up a whole car.  Then they squished together so they could fit some more kids.  Ha ha.  The kids love it because we are members so they get unlimited rides on the train. 

 These three got the blue car.

 Since our friends were there too...we checked out the ice cream shop.  I should have gotten Finley her own! 

Science experiments.

 It's kinda fun that the kids are growing up and so these kinds of projects don't really stress me out anymore.  They don't make a huge mess anymore and if they do they can help clean up.  :) We invited our friends over to make slime one day.  Tons of fun.  Sadie and Zac got glow in the dark glue to make theirs.  They also experimented with shaving cream and it made theirs more fluffy.  All of them got to make their own.  We used contact solution and it was so easy and fun. 

 Cute kids and slime!!

Then we made oobleck on another day.  It's basically just water and corn starch.  It is so fun to play with.  I couldn't keep my hands out of it!

And send the kids outside so it doesn't make a mess?  Yes please!

Visit from grandma

 We love it when family comes to visit...especially when it is grandma! She came to visit for a few days and we loved it.  

 She came with us to our Real Salt Lake soccer day camp.  We went because my friend told me about it and because it was free, and because I think it's good to have your kids do things that make them a little bit uncomfortable.  Plus...you got a free coupon for Jimmy Johns.  :)

 The kids did great even though it was not run very well.  There weren't any drills or anything and they just played soccer for 2 hours.  THey did get to meet the Mascot of the Real Salt Lake team, so that was kinda cool.  There were some kids that kinda took over because there weren't a lot of adults supervising or telling them what to do and unfortunately they weren't very nice to those who haven't been playing soccer their entire lives (my kids).  I was proud of them for finishing even though there were some tears.  They can do hard things and learn and grow from them.  

 Riley was hilarious because she wanted to meet the lion and so my mom ran over there with her.  I looked away for about 2 seconds and got this picture.  I guess Riley just went up and gave him a fist bump and then booked it outta there!  Her face in this picture is filled with delight and my mom is in the background shrugging her shoulders!  I love this picture!

 My mom helped us build a few bookshelves while she was here.

 The kids "helped" too.  

 Finley loves it when grandma is around.  

 We made these fun shirts with sharpie and then sprayed alcohol on them.  They turned out really cute!

 We visited great grandma and great grandpa Selin.  It's always great to see them.

 Then we stopped at the really fun splash pad near their house on our way home.  It was really fun.  And look at Finley in that cute swimming suit.  I mean...seriously.  All my kids are so cute!

Fun times!!!

cecret lake

Rob had the day off on the 24th of July so we decided to go on a hike to Cecret Lake.  The wildflowers were supposed to be in full bloom so we thought we would go enjoy them.  We invited our friends the Leflers again.  When we got there we discovered that the parking lot was about a mile walk away from the actual trail head. We made the long walk with complaining and whining from the little kids.  Ha ha.  So Rob went ahead with the older kids to try to make it to the lake because it was looking like the little kids weren't going to make it.  So Tessa and I stayed with them and ended up actually almost making it to the lake ourselves.  We didn't quite make it but it was a pretty hike.  

Emery would point out all the flowers and tell me to take pictures.

All the kids before they got tired.

Emery and Grayson. 

Me with my kids and Tessa with hers.

Finley got really fussy for a while so we were just trying to make it back to the car quickly.  She finally gave in and fell asleep though.  Thank goodness!  Emery with the beautiful mountains in the background.

Overall it was a great hike and we all went home and had a great rest. 

Neighborhood Bike parade

 Our annual pioneer day bike parade went really well this year.  We had a great turn out.  Once again, we did the bike decorating at our house.  I was so surprised at how many people came.  It was awesome. 

My kids all decorated their own!  It was pretty nice not having to worry about helping them and everyone else!.

 WE had to spread to the yard there were so many people.  Also all the boys disappeared near the end...come to find out they were all in our backyard running through our sprinklers which had turned on.  Ha ha!!

Bright and early on our way to the parade.  IT was such a fun day!

Silver Lake

 Once again...I'm playing catch up.  This was from August I believe.  We went to Silver Lake with some good friends of ours.  We love this hike/walk.  It's very easy and beautiful so we love doing this multiple times a year.

 Family picture.  Look how green it is!

 Sadie in the trees.  Zac with his good friend Bryant.

 Dads are the best.  :)

 The older girls of my friend's family were out of town with their cousins or grandma so Sadie didn't really have a kid to hang out with.  She handled it well. 

Finley and Emery.  The kids always find fun places for me to take their picture.  

I'm so grateful to call Utah home.  It is so beautiful.  We saw a moose (from far away this time).  God's creations never cease to amaze me.