Pioneer Jubilee

Saturday July 10th we went to the Benson Grist Mill for the Pioneer Jubilee. We weren't sure what to expect. There wasn't a lot to do, but the kids had a good time with the things that were there. First we all went on a hayride. Kayla jumped up front right away. Allie was a little more cautious, but she joined her sister and we took off.

Afterwards, the girls got to pet the horses. Kayla is such an animal girl. She just loves being around animals of all kinds.

Photo Opp with the horses. The man is a mechanic Nate used to work with at Kennecott.

Kayla and Allie on the bridge.

A view of the mill from the bridge.

The girls also got to be pony express riders. First they got all dressed up and got their pony and letters.

They would gallop to the chair drop off mail, gallop back to the start, then go get the mail, and finally gallop to the beginning. Kayla had fun!

Allie had fun!

Picking up the mail.

Trying to stuff the mail into the pouch.

We sure love our two cute little pony express riders!!!

New Hair Do's

The girls and I got new haircuts last week.
Allie had to get about 4 inches cut off the bottom. It was so damaged from all her swimming. Hopefully it will survive the next set of lessons.
We cut a couple inches off of Kayla's. She told the stylist she wanted hers just like moms.

I tried something completely new. I chopped several inches off in an effort to be cool for the summer. I honestly think its the first time my neck has seen the light of day since I was a year old.

Today is Our Independence Day!

Allie kept telling us that, and then Nate and I were quoting Bill Pullman from Independence Day throughout the evening. We had a nice BBQ in my parents backyard, a birthday party, and fireworks.
Check out the yummy spread!

Kayla is really into pulling faces at the camera right now. It is hard to get one where she's simply smiling.

Ashley made these "fireworks." After eating mounds of strawberries and watermelon, Allie just wanted to keep eating these pretzels. Who cares about chicken?

Visiting after eating. David, Kathy, Tyler, Dad, and Amy

and Nate.

Then we celebrated Amy's birthday early since who knows when we'll see her next. Happy Birthday little sis!

Byron and Kathy brought the girls each a present so they got to open some new books too.

Tyler and Amy with their kids-Maddox and Harrison

Next up-Dessert. Ashley was in charge and she loves to bake. She made all the fancy stuff while I provided cupcakes that I made the same time I made the ones for the birthday party. I used star wrappers that has to count for something-right?

I didn't pack ANY long pants or shirts for me or the girls for our trip. Why would we need some when its 90+ in SLC? I forgot it is always kinda chilly watching fireworks. I dressed the girls as warmly as I could layers of leggings and as long of capris as I could find. Kayla was in jammies while Allie wore Kayla's short sweats. Then they both wore a pair of my slipper socks. Allie didn't have any shoes that didn't go between her toes other than her red sparkle shoes. They really made quite the fashion statement.

They had a lots of fun lighting fireworks with Daddy.

Then before we had even taken our chairs around back, the city firework show started.

After Papa covered Kayla with another blanket, Allie would jump back and forth between her own chair and my lap. She wanted to be big, but it was cold even with a blanket.

The fireworks were pretty impressive. The girls were really awestruck. Last year we didn't go to an actual show, and the year before I know Allie slept through most of the show.

I hope everybody had a happy and safe 4th of July.

Half Birthday Party at The Magic Kingdom

When I asked the girls what they wanted to do for their birthdays, the response was immediate. "GO TO DISNEYLAND!!!" I would so go at the drop of a hat, but Nate muttered something about money, vacation, blah blah blah. Fine. If we can't go there, then I'll just have to bring it to us.
Normally at family birthday parties I don't plan games, but the girls really wanted to have all their cousins play birthday games with them. My goal was to have an activity that would work for each of the "lands" at Disney.

We started off in Frontierland on a hunt for Jack Sparrow's treasure. The kids each got some gold coins from the treasure box.

Then they got to stop in Fantasyland at the Mad Hatters to buy some Mickey ears for 1 gold coin. We had sorcerer Mickeys, pirate Mickeys, birthday Mickey and Minnie, and a variety of Minnie princess hats.

Then off to Tomorrowland to help Buzz Lightyear defeat Zurg. Here the kids were each given a squirt gun to shoot a carefully colored picture of Zurg. The crayola markers bled as the water hit the picture-destroying Zurg.

In Critter Country the kids played hot Pooh (hot potato) to Disney music.

As the kids got out, they came to Main Street USA gift shop to collect their goodie bags. Then Kayla and Allie opened presents. They got a bunch of really fun things. Zuzu Pets-They absolutely LOVE these, and immediately wanted to buy more with their hard earned money. So yesterday I finally took them shopping. Kayla got a baby and Allie picked a boy cuz boys and girls are supposed to be in love. Her girl, Jilly, needed someone to be in love with. Hilarious!

Both girls got lots of fun books to read. We've been having fun reading a new one or two each day.

Outdoor toys-now they can pretend they are Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Or go slipping and sliding around

Plus they got some fun projects to paint, color, make, etc. Throw in a new tutu and matching flowers (from totally different people) and they are in heaven- and spoiled!

Nothing is ever easy in our world so we had both a Minnie Mouse cake and cupcakes so everybody could have something. There were also chocolate suckers, ice cream, and ice water.

Make a wish!

Finally the kids got to run and play in Adventureland on Tarzan's Tree House (otherwise known as the park's toys).

Thank you everybody for making it such a magical day. Just today Allie was telling me she wants to play all the games with her cousins again-especially shooting Zurg. Giggle Giggle

Playing in the Pool

After the reunion, the girls and I decided to spend the week in Pocatello at my parent's house. While Nate was home working in the 95+ temperatures, we enjoyed some beautiful spring like temperatures. I pulled out the pool and filled it for the kids. I put it in the shade to protect them, but unfortunately the water never warmed up. It was too cold for swimming. Instead they jumped in and out and played ball with Grandma, Mom, and Dan.

5K

We really had fun doing the 5K Saturday morning at the reunion. I'll confess our family skipped the first mile since it was down a steep and rocky mountain road. With Allie's luck lately, we figured we'd end up in the hospital needing stitches or a cast. The kids did so good, we're definitely going to have to do this again.
Grandma and Linda with Shane and Ethan in front of them.
Kayla decided to run ahead of us and Ethan T. joined her for most of the way.

Allie and I about to Terra at the 1/2 way point. I was convincing her to run the rest of the way to Terra.

The view was very nice for our walk!