Utah Part Two

After hitting the Old Navy sale in the morning on Wednesday the cousins came to see if we wanted to head to Trafalga in Lehi. They have the passes of all passes which got my kids in for free. However we were not the only ones there. It was super busy. We let the kids ride three rides and then we were done. Lucy ran away when it came to riding this ride. It worked out because there wasn't a seat for her anyway.  Jensen had his huge smile the whole time on this ride.

 

 

The second ride was the pirate ship.

 

 

 

The last ride was bumper boats which took over half an hour to wait for. Hunter said Jensen could ride with him. Jensen didn't realize that he wasn't supposed to be the driver. He totally took over the steering wheel. 

 

 

 

 

The soaking wet kids after the bumper boats. They were all happy with themselves. After we hit Sonic and then took the cousins to the Old Navy sale so they wouldn't miss out.

 

 

Jensen had asked Matt if he could go on a ride in the Mustang. Matt said he would take him for a ride to get ice cream. They were going around dinner time so we all headed to Spanish Fork to get a hamburger but Jensen got to ride with the boys in the Mustang. We all ate our meals at a park and then headed back home. Matt kept his word and bought Jensen a Frosty on the way home in the Mustang. Needless to say Jensen loved his ride.

 

 

Thursday was a busy shopping day. I told Quincy we were going to IKEA and he totally supported this idea since he didn't have to be dragged there. Dad was a good sport and drove us up there and loaded all of our goods for us.

 

On Friday, before picking Quincy up from the airport we went to the zoo. It was raining in the morning but once we got to the zoo the sun came out.

 

 

 

We went to the bird show soon after getting to the zoo. It was a pretty good show with lots of different types of birds. The kids loved the birds flying right over our heads and the talking parrot the most.

 

 

Before the show started they asked if the kids wanted to come dance with the parrot. I turned and asked Lucy if she wanted to go down. While I was asking her, Jensen just ran down to the stage by himself. He totally got into it. Can you spot him?

 

 

 

 

While we were at the show someone took Mom's stroller. She had put a bag of jackets on the seat and parked it next to mine. When we went to claim our strollers all that was left was the bag on the ground. There was another stroller that kind of looked like moms but was all beat up. Someone decided to upgrade and take hers.

 

 

Jensen and Lucy both took a dollar down to the stage afterwards. The parrot would take the dollar and put it in the box. Lucy just kept leaving hers on the top. She wasn't too sure if she wanted to get that close to the bird.

 

Alligator- the kids thought he was dead because he didn't move at all.
 

 

 

Grandma surprised the kids with stuffed polar bears after seeing the polar bears. She had even got Lego candy to go with. The zoo was having a Lego exhibit all around the zoo with animals all made out of Legos.  We came to a tree with monkeys on it and I totally thought they were real. There is a picture below of one of them.

 

 

Jensen was attached to this polar bear. It came up missing at bed time and Lucy was a nice sister and let him sleep with hers. We found it the next day in the playhouse so all is good now.

 

 

These penguins are made of Legos. They looked so real.

 

 

On the carousel ride Jensen wanted the polar bear but settled for the black bear.
 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for such a fun trip to the zoo! You both know how to make it such a special day. Jensen kept saying it was the best day ever after going to the zoo and we agree!

 

 

Lucy fell asleep on our way out to the car. She just doesn't now how well she has it right now. Jensen was a big help and pushed her throughout the zoo.

 

 

We picked up Quincy at the airport and then headed back to Provo. He decided we needed to hit JCW's while we were in town. We had already been there earlier in the week but not too many complained about going back.

 

Ella and Lucy = nothing but trouble.

 

Utah Part One

 

After the 4th the kids and I headed up to Utah for just over a week. Quincy thought he needed to work so we left him home. He did get to stay with his brother in Panaca for a weekend and hung out with his family. He got to do some fishin', basketball and lots of Xbox games. So it all worked out. We missed him of course but he flew up to catch the end of our trip. The kids kept asking all week if it was time to get Daddy from the airport.

 

The drive to Utah went super fast. Only three restroom breaks and no melt downs from the kids or myself. When we got to Utah, T.J. and Michelle invited us over to see their new home. The kids loved their backyard. I told them they would be considered rich with all of their green grass in Las Vegas.  

 

 

While we were visiting, a huge rain storm moved in. We hurried and left during a lull in the showers. When we went out to the car Jensen, all boy, headed straight for the stream of water by the curb. I yelled at him to get out but then told him to get back in for a picture. He didn't mind.

 



 

After, Grandma Ivie who was also visiting my parents, needed me to run her on an errand. On the way home she noticed that the Krispy Kreme light was on. Little did I know it was a beacon for her. She made me turn around (seriously) and go in to get the free warm donut. Having both kids with me I asked if we could just go through the drive through. Nope. We had to go in and wait in line because you don't get the free one in the drive through. So we went along with Grandma. She had it all worked out. She would buy the dozen donuts for extras and to take home and I would buy the milk. My kids were driving me nuts in line but when it was all said and done it was a great memory for my kids and me with Grandma. We don't get those too often.

 



 

 

On Saturday, mom had planned a bridal shower for my sister, Jody who was tying the knot the following weekend. It was a Ooh la la/vintage theme. So mom had gotten three dress forms and put hers and my two grandma's wedding dresses up for decorations.  My mom also still has her bouquet which is on the table. My Grandma Knudsen who was married in 1931 during the depression, preserved her nylons that have the line down the back which were a luxury back then. She also kept Grandpa's white shirt that he wore although it wasn't too white anymore.

 

 

Mom and her wedding dress. I remember playing with the dress in the Halloween costume box many years ago. I am surprised it was still around. The dress on the right is my Grandma Knudsen's who was watching this party from heaven. I am sure she would of loved to be there since she never liked missing anything.

 

 

Grandma Ivie and her dress. She had forgotten that she had given it to my mom and was surprised to see it at the party.  Grandma had gotten married in June 10, 1951. Her and Grandpa celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary together last year before he passed away last January.

 

 

Lucy enjoying yummy crepes and fruit for the party. She spent most of the time outside running with her cousins. We didn't complain.

 

Jody opening her presents. I didn't do too well on pictures during the party. That was mom's job I guess. She did get some cute gifts. My sisters-in-law gave her a year of date-nights, one for each month. My Aunt Valerie and her girls made a green salad with bowls and cash.

 



 

Jensen was banned from the party. Dad kept him busy while we partied. He did come in once and I had to remind him that boys were not allowed, after that he did stay away. After the shower Michelle let him hold our newest cousin/nephew Reid. I had asked Jensen earlier when we were at the new house if we should just take baby Reid home. Jensen said, "No, he wants to stay at his new house."  After we got done snapping this picture Jensen just kind of got up and walked away from Reid. Luckily, we were all close by to catch Reid. We will have to work on him how he holds a baby or he won't be holding his new sibling.

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa had two new cars for Jensen. He had been asking for Rip and we had never seen the colorful car before. Grandma must have known because that is what she had picked out for him. Jensen is an early riser and is good to just go out to the big room each morning and play. I liked this because I got to sleep in almost everyday we were there which wasn't happening at home due to his summer school.

 

 

The kids eating all of the chocolate chips before the cousins came for cookie time on Sunday. If the cousins weren't there, they kept asking where they were and if they could come play.

 

 

On Monday the cousins called and asked us over to play. We probably over stayed our welcome but we ordered pizza and the kids did Just Dance 4 for family night. Missy and I helped Jody make a sign for her wedding favors. Then Hunter entertained us with his famous magic shows. I eat these up every time!

 

 

On Tuesday I called my former hairstylist to see if she could give Lucy her first official haircut. Lucy had some nasty uneven ends that wouldn't curl anymore. Lucy was a little scared and would hardly talk to Sheri. I forget how shy she can be.

 

 

Sheri fixed her up cute with a french braid. For some reason I didn't get an after shot but it looks so healthy and cute.

 

 

After Lucy's haircut we headed to the Provo Rec Center. This has totally changed since I was there last, no longer at Provo High. They now have three different pools for the kids to play in, one inside and two outside. I was so glad I brought the kids life jackets so I could let them go without me having to scare others in a swimming suit. Jensen isn't afraid of the water at all. He would jump into the lazy river and swim by himself. He did have a hard time getting out once or twice but maybe he just didn't want to get out.

 

 

 

 

 

Brywana and Tayla were such a great help with the kids. They would just play with them and I could sit and enjoy from the shade. I so wish my family lived closer to me and not the other way around!

 

 

 

The outdoor pool got shut down for cleaning so we headed inside. Then that pool needed cleaning. We took that as a sign to head home and go get some dinner. The kids loved this place and kept asking to go back. Maybe next time!

Wild Hair Proof

This came in the mail earlier this week.

Now I have my own copy to reference to show that I was an obedient child.

I still can't believe we went along with this WILD HAIR!

Thankfully, I don't think it's too bad that it will end up here.

 (If you have no idea what I am talking about read this.)



When Grandma Comes to Visit. . .

It is always a wonderful time when

Grandma Cindy comes to visit because. . .


She brings a bag full of surprises. One was my niece, Bryawna (she didn't come in the bag of course).

My kids have someone else to entertain them.

We shop till we drop at all my favorite stores because they're her favorite too!

We venture to three different Splash Pads in two days.

Quincy and I get to attend the temple . . . together!

We have a picnic at the Butterfly and Dinosaur park across town.

She always loves my attempts at cooking, sewing, decorating, etc.

I always have a clean sink because she is so quick to do those dishes.

She attends to her roommate Jensen in the night, leaving me clueless that he was awake at 3 in the morning.

We get spoiled by eating at The Cheesecake Factory (thanks to dad also for this one!)

We had such a great visit and hope she comes to visit us again soon!
Here are pics of our short 4 days together.