Chick Trip

In July I got THREE glorious kid free days in San Diego with Jen and Lisa. We bought tickets to see the Dixie Chicks out there and decided to make a weekend of it.  We shopped at this awesome/sketchy outlet mall right on the Mexican border where I had the most amazing chocolate shake OF MY LIFE.  We also did a cave kayaking tour in La Jolla which was really fun. Plus lots and lots of chit chat and laughing, good food, a little fighting for good measure, and the lamest sad chick movie ever ;) It was SO FUN! I can't wait for the next time we can get together. Next time Kerri will be there too.

 Seriously. It was unreal.

 Getting ready to jump in the kayaks.

 We're so hot, right? RIGHT?

 Oh Jen.

Not a bad place for breakfast.

We got a DOG!!!

I've been wanting to get the kiddos a dog for awhile and at the end of July we found a puppy. Meet Franklin Puggly Wuggly Brown.

He's a shitzu/cairn terrier mix. He's little and scruffy and can be crazy. We're working on potty training and getting him to not chew on our feet and hands.  It's been fun.

Summer Trippin'

I've been terrible about this blog, but I figure in addition to chatbooks it is nice to have a somewhat longer form record of our life.  So. I'll try to catch up a bit.  We had a great summer. In July before Harrison started second grade we went to visit Aunt Kim at her adorable cabin in beautiful Driggs, ID. It was great. She loves to see the kids and they love her.  It's so beautiful and peaceful.  We spent a day at Jenny Lake which was GORGEOUS and I hadn't been since I was a kid. We also spent a day at the ski resort in Teton Village, WY riding the tram up 10,000 feet, watching paragliders, jumping on trampolines, riding the gondola, chairlift and lots of beautiful fun in the mountains.  It's great to be able to visit family in such a beautiful part of the world.  We stopped in Honeyville, UT on the way up to swim at crystal hot springs which was also a bit hit with everyone.

 Takin a dip in the arm water and soaking up the minerals

 Hiking around Jenny Lake was SO pretty although I was the only one gutsy enough to swim in the FREEZING water.

 We took a boat to the other side of the lake, hiked around, and boated back. Next time we will hike all of it  :)

 From the top of the tram with an amazing view of the Tetons

 Watching people jump off the mountain was so cool.

 Bungee Trampoline! Carter and Harrison LOVED it.

 View from the top of the gondola

 someone's a bit tired

For dinner we went to the cowboy dinner theater place. It was not the best place for toddlers but the big kids loved the show!

Harrison's first baseball season

Harrison has been playing baseball with West Jordan Pony Baseball for the last couple of months. His team is the Dodgers. It was WAY more of a time commitment than I was thinking (2-3 games a week that take over 2 hours) but he has enjoyed it. He usually gets a few hits in and let's just say he is "working on" fielding/catching/throwing.  I'm not sure if baseball will be his sport but the kids on the team are great and the coach is awesome.  He has definitely improved a lot so far.  Plus luckily the field they play at is right by a trax station so cory can come straight from work and help with the Carter and Jeffers (or I can just take them home :)). The park also has a TON of cool playgrounds which is fun for them.  YAY DODGERS!!!

DIsney DIsney Disney DISNEY

We went to Disneyland in February while harrison was off track. First time for everyone but me :) It was all in all a very fun vacation.  I didn't do everything I wanted to but the kids had a great experience. I think (hope) it was magical for them.  We got a good deal on tickets and stayed at a (relatively) cheap hotel nearby that had a little room (WITH A DOOR) that we put all the kids in (WITH BUNK BEDS!) which was fabulous. Every day we walked to the park with a big bike trailer/stroller we borrowed (again) from the Johnson's.  It's big enough to fit lots of stuff and all three kids in the case that even Harrison got too tired.  We spent three days at the park, usually opening til about three or four, and then back to the hotel for dinner, and back to the park for the parade or an amazing light/water show to celebrate the 60th anniversary.  I was surprised at how much Jefferson got into it. He could really only do the rides that involve sitting in a car going through a thing, but he loved those, loved the characters, and LOVED "MICKA MOUSE!!!!"  Harrison and Carter could mostly go on everything. I liked California Screamin the most which I went on with Harrison (first upside down roller coaster for him). We did some trading of kids to go on rides and what not but it worked well. And I got beignets. And dole whip. And a corn dog. Disneyland food is fun. Not sure if we're going to follow the Utah tradition of going every year (AT LEAST!!)  but we'll be back for sure.

Ready to GO!!!!! (I stocked up on snacks at Costco which paid off BIG TIME)

THIS FACE! (I can't even)

I really don't like this picture of me, but whatever..WE'RE THERE!!!!! READY TO PARTY!!!!

Someone is excited

Day one win was this ball covered with water for J

The iron man experience. Super COOL for C and H

Waiting for the dumbo ride

TOON TOWN!!!!

We waited in line to meet "Micka Mouse!!" Harrison was excited. Carter freaked out and was not interested. Hence there are NO pictures with princesses...next time...

Ready for some Star Tours!!!!

this camping/adventure area in California Adventure was really fun with lots to climb and play on

OOOOO!!!!!

Harrison was a little nervous waiting to go up the HUGE mickey ferris wheel in California Adventure. We did not do the swinging cars. I guess lucky for me my kids are risk averse?? When Jefferson is old enough I somehow think things will be a bit different.

Carter in her Elsa dress outside Tarzan's tree house

Carter and mommy at Splash Mountain. She says she did NOT LIKE IT. but I think she really did :)

We let the big kids pick a toy at the end of the trip. We searched all over for this bubble wand for Carter which was amazing and loved by all until we got it home and it no longer worked (OF COURSE!!)