aquarium

we had a great time visiting the aquarium. the kids got to pet sting rays and they loved watching the sharks in the tunnel

 4-d movie. which i had to take c out of because water kept squirting her in the face. she was not enjoying it.

 we had a great time with cousins!

first on the agenda

SWIMMING!

my kids would have spent hours at the pool. Wait  a minute, we DID spend hours at the pool.

They loved swimming with cousins.

 this little tired man was fresh off the plane from shanghai. it was like  2 in the morning for him.

utah first days

not only did c and i get to go to the temple together (a rarity), but we also brought family file names and K, C and grandma got to do baptisms for the dead together. what a neat experience. i love that my  sweet 12 year old is worthy to go into the Lord's house.

This little cutie turned 3 in utah.  She was so funny opening her presents.

She requested pink cupcakes with pink frosting..

She even still sings happy birthday and random times.

 a few things about C-

-she is a free spirit. (i say no, she hears yes. I say come here, she hears go where ever you want)

- she acts like she is 10. so independent and knows what she wants.

-she is a good little eater. she loves fruit, chicken and rice, but her most favorite is chicken noodle soup

-she loves to watch elmo and wild kratts

-she is quick to give kisses on little owies when someone is hurt

-she loves to play with b who is her sidekick

- i love her sweet free spirit that continues to teach me patience in all things.

-she is such a great addition to our family

movie night with cousins!

the thing the kids loved were razor rides. they loved going in the hills and exploring!

one day grandma and grandpa took them over the alpine loop and dropped down into midway. they loved it.

utah 2014

what would possess a family of 7 to decide to drive across the country to visit family? 

i'll tell you- a horrible experience of flying- that's what. 

we decided to drive from pa to utah this summer. the thought of the drive struck fear in my heart. i imagined screaming hysterical kids for 30 hours of driving. i had horror stories in my head of how the drive would be.

i couldn't have been more wrong.

the drive was beautiful. the kids were amazing (thanks to modern technology-  DVD's, iPhone, i pad, kindles....) In fact, it was actually a really neat, fun and pleasant experience. 

(there were a few minor mishaps with a toilet incidence in the car- but that's not for the general public ;)- and a rather un clean hotel we stayed at in kearney nebraska)

we stopped in nauvoo. we visited liberty jail and saw the temple. we saw how they made bricks (which the senior couples make during the winter to give out to families who visit 15,000 a summer), they also showed the kids how to make a rope. we stayed for a few hours, we could have spent much longer. it was a beautiful day.

 the mighty mississippi river

 i took a few snap shots as we crossed into other states. 

 i think this was in wyoming or possibly utah.

we drove through a really crazy lightning storm in indiana. my hubby and i were scanning the horizon for funnel clouds. lightning was striking every second. it was amazing, but also slightly scary. we were an hour away from our hotel and rather excited when we got there

we made it to utah and were so happy to see family! the kids thought the drive was fun (endless snacks and endless electronics-why wouldn't they be happy?) so happy to be with family!