An outing to South Fork Canyon

One hot Friday night, we took the kids up Provo Canyon to South Fork creek that feeds into the Provo River. The temperatures were wonderful - a great escape from the heat and only 20 minutes from home! The kids had a great time wading and throwing rocks. David couldn't stop giggling.

Happy Little Boys

Emma's Fairy Birthday Party

For Emma's Birthday Party we had a fairy tea party. It was so CUTE! The girls all came dressed up and we gave them "wings" made out of tulle fabric and crowns made our of a clearance garland that I cut up and attached ribbon and pipe cleaner. We did a couple of crafts, opened presents and at food. It was so simple and the kids loved it. They were all SO cute. And Catherine was a big help as chief hostess. And Dad was a big help keeping the little boys entertained. :)

Fun, Festive Fourth

We had a great time celebrating the Fourth this year. Meredith's family hosted us in the evening for swimming and GREAT food.

Earlier in the day, while the boys napped, I took the girls to a colonial reinactment thingy in downtown Provo. It was kind of neat. They had people dressed in costume with activities and demonstrations of life in revolutionary times. It was also fun to have a girl outing.

Signing "the Declaration of Independance"

Family Night Outing

For Family Home Evening a couple of weeks ago we went on a really fun outing up through the mountains to a spot called Cascade Springs. It is a beautiful spot of natural springs that create pools and waterfalls. The Forest Service (or some such group) has built paths and boardwalks so you can walk around and hike a little through the gorgeous setting. It was a great activity to do with our age kids - we could even push David in the stroller through most of it. The ride was spectacular as well. We drove up through Provo canyon past Sundance and Aspen Grove and then returned home down American Fork Canyon. It was beautiful weather and nice to get out of the heat too.

Spencer was most fascinated with all the signs and had to stop at every one and look at it carefully.

We saw lots of cool wildlife too!

More Cascade Springs

A great way to cool off

A few weeks ago Jenni and I met downtown at the Gateway (outdoor mall) with the kids. There is a big Olympic Legacy Plaza with a really cool fountain that just comes out of the ground. The kids had a ball running in the water and we sat on a bench under a big umbrella and had fun watching them.
Right before we got to the water I bought this water-shirt at Old Navy's 50% off sale. I wasn't sure how Spencer would respond to wearing it, but he was immediately excited and said, "yeah, because I'm a quarterback."

Father's Day

We had a fun Father's Day. The kids loved helping to make breakfast and Dad got to be home most of the morning. He got some of his favorite snacks, some new (much needed) dark socks, a dress-shirt and a book. The Udalls gave him a grill cleaner and grilling cookbook. Can't wait to use those! The best part was the kids' lists of things they love to do with their Dad. Catherine mentioned her baptism, going out to breakfast and playing "knock down the children." Emma's said, "I like to play with my Daddy. He is rilly fun." Spencer mentioned playing "cookie monster" and saying 'surprise' when he comes home from work, to go see the BYU Football team, play tools and make 'shooters' out of Legos and go to the BYU Basketball team. David liked going to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with his Dad this year and learning how to walk and eat with a spoon.

Our Ward Campout

We got a new tent this year from Poppy and had our first chance to try it out at our Ward Campout. The kids love how big it is, and actually, Michael and I do too. We camped up Mapleton Canyon (I decided if it weren't so out of the way I would love to live in Mapleton. It is SO pretty. Really rural looking with houses not packed together.) Anyway, David and I actually drove down to sleep in our beds (because he's still an unpredictable sleeper) and back up the next morning, but it wasn't bad - only a 25 minute drive. The kids had a blast.

Memorial Day

At Grandma Sabine's gave.

Little Pioneer Children, gathering blades of grass for food

I snapped this through the kitchen window because I thought it was so cute.

The great flood of '07

Two days after Mother's Day a sprinkler pipe broke and flooded the basement. The worst hit was my sewing desk under the window (hence all the fabric layed out to dry). Numerous people asked if we were having a yard sale because of the stuff all over the front lawn. Although it has been a pain, we view it as a great chance to start from scratch down there. (and those of you who have seen that room are probably thinking how much we needed it!)

Our fun family time in April

For some reason these pictures didn't post to the blog before, so this is out of sequence. We had a really fun time with our Smart Family relatives who came in April for Lynn's graduation. We especially loved Paul and Rachel's big surprise. Congrats to Lynnie on graduating. We're REALLY going to miss you when you leave. :(

Mother's Day

I had a really happy Mother's Day. Michael and the kids made me a yummy breakfast and gave me their special presents. (We had central air installed the day before which was probably the greatest mother's day present ever!) The best part of the day was that Michael was able to stay home all morning before Church and even took David after sacrament meeting so I could enjoy my classes.