Crazy Fun

My sister McCall and her family live in Houston and usually come up every summer. Since it is a 26 hour drive and we only see them once a year they stay for 3 weeks. In that space of time we try to fit in a years worth of activities and family time. This year, my family was leaving for Florida during their last week so we had 2 weeks to get it all in. I think we did a good job! (WARNING!!! Many, many pictures to follow)

We started off with the 4th of July celebrations (see previous post) then continued with...

Monday, July 6

Today we went to Discovery Park. The kids love all the place. To be honest...it drives me nuts. There are too many places to wander away and places for predators to hide. Overprotective? Of course not.

Rylee, Kaisa & Brynlee in a beehive

Bryn & Alek - Garrett

Tuesday, July 7

We traveled to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House with Mom and Dad, McCall & kids and Alisa & kids. They all were pretty good and we made it out without damaging anything. Rylee was pretty interested in the baptismal font and wanted to take a dip. Garrett refused to have his picture taken as you can see.

Wednesday, July 8

McCall and I packed a picnic & took our kids to this great park in Cedar Hills that a friend of mine clued me into. From the road it just looks like a normal playground in the distance (which it is). But down in the little valleys is a stream that is probably 8 feet across and only ankle deep. It is very cold but they didn't seem to mind and there was nice grassy and shaded areas along the whole length.

Thursday, July 9

LAGOON!!! I always looked forward to Lagoon when I was little. Apparently I still do as well as my kids. When I told Garrett where we were going he started spouting off all the rides he wanted to go on that he remembered from last year. All the kids were able to go on plenty of rides. Rylee and Bryn only got into 10 or so fights. Garrett was thrilled that Grandpa took him on a "big kid" ride - the Bat. He was thrilled! Thanks Mom and Dad for taking all of us! We had a GREAT time!

Colton & Garrett on Dino Drop - Rylee & Malin on Puff the Magic Dragon Roller Coaster

Garrett's excitement over the "Bat" - Brady & Rylee on the spaceships

Grandpa & Grandma with the grandkids

Friday, July 10

We all died. But resuscitated in time for the late show of "The Proposal" with Mom and McCall. So good I've seen it twice!

Saturday, July 11

Thomas was baptized and we were all fortunate to attend. He was so excited and we were so proud of him. This is the first baptism in our family when all the grandkids were able to be there!
Monday, July 13

We headed to the Dino Museum with my Mom, McCall, Colton, Bryn, Malin, Thomas & Kaisa. We could have spent half the day there because they were having so much fun. We didn't get to do everything but were able to finish the day off with an ice cream at the parlor.

That night McCall and I went to my pilates class and then headed out for a little shopping. We found some darling shoes for a girls and had fun visiting.

Tuesday, July 14
We had a great luncheon at Mom's house with my aunt and cousins and their children. We were able to sit back, mostly relax and visit with my sweet cousins that we see far to infrequently. The kids on the other hand were busy with a water fight - typical Barratt behavior.

Wednesday, July 15

Off we go to Utah Lake. Everyone's favorite destination! Actually, it was a lot of fun. Dad took the kids on tubes and boat rides. I don't believe in getting in the water so I was just fine on the boat. While others had their turn there was a great grassy area with lots of shade, picnic tables and a crystal clear stream running through. It was perfect! Dad let all the kids drive the boat...alone! Garrett thought that was the coolest thing ever. Rylee also got to steer but with a little help. At the end of the day we ended up towing in another boat. The ride was pretty slow and apparently soothing enough to rock Ry sound asleep - sitting up!

Papa, Grandma, Me, Rylee, Garrett & Thomas - Malin helping Garrett float in the sink hole

Garrett loves "Brynnie" - The Three Musketeers

Thomas, Colton, Kaisa & Garrett ready for a ride

Ry holding on to Papa for dear life!

Bryn & Ry driving the boat - A long, long day!

Thursday, July 16

Just the girls went for a relaxing and tasty lunch at the Blue Lemon then headed off to go shopping for a couple hours. Ah, the joy of adult conversation without the constant interruption of little people.

Saturday, July 18

Steel Days is another family tradition! We all went to the fabulous parade...okay, what happened to all the bands? Isn't that the main part of the parade? Oh well the kids had fun and filled their bags with candy. What more could they ask for? Then we headed to my mom and dad's for a bbq and water fight. This year however I think the little girls were the only ones to get wet.

Papa, Rylee & Alisa - Garrett's favorite float...Dino's of course!

Shellie's favorite...Aaargh!

A rare, loving moment between Ry & Bryn.

These two little sweeties have had a very love/hate relationship...heavily leaving away from the "love". We're hoping this will diminish over the next few years and they'll become best buddies!

I'm exhausted! Now it's off to Disney World for a week! Yahoo!!!

America's Birthday? What?

Our 4th of July celebrations started off at the best breakfast around...Jon's grandparents! It's a tradition and quite a yummy one at that - we look forward to it every year. Jon's cousin Melissa brought a big inflatable pirate pool and my kids were so excited although it was 10 am. After they ate breakfast and begged a considerable amount of time we told them they could play in there but "remember to take your shoes off". Next thing I know someone yells over at me "Jamie, Garrett's taking his clothes off". Garrett's strip show was just the after breakfast entertainment. To his credit he points to the picture on the box "Mama, those boys don't have clothes on either, see!". They did have swim suits on you just couldn't see them when they're sitting in the water. Ah, boys!

(Whitley, Kyleigh, Rylee & Kelsie)

We rushed off from breakfast to Evergreen Park for my family's annual Slip 'n' Slide. This is no ordinary slip 'n' slide - it's three huge banners that you run down the hill that creates a fabulous slide especially when you add a little dish soap. We all love it! We had lunch at the park but before we could eat mom made us all sing Happy Birthday to America. Here in lies the confusion of the whole day for Rylee. I had explained over the last few days why we celebrate the 4th and how much I love America. But when we start talking about birthdays Rylee wanted to know why we weren't celebrating her birthday, singing to her, or bringing her presents! You're right - what were we thinking!

(Grandkid train - plus a couple extras)
Dad got a little competitive when his 10 year old granddaughter passed his longest distance so from there on out 60 year old grandpa and Malin were in it to win. I don't even know who ended up going the farthest but as Jon put it, "Malin's got the bigger fan base". Sorry Dad, it's just hard to root for a man that would crush his sweet little granddaughter's slip 'n' slide dreams!

(Yes, he seriously wears a helmet...just like Buzz Lightyear - To Infinity and Beyond)

Later that night Jon convinced me to go to Sizzler. Honestly, the salad bar was just fine, I just like to complain. Shellie came with us and we had so much fun. The kids really enjoyed their 4 ice cream cones. It's a holiday right!

Then we headed to P.G. Junior High where my family all met to watch the fireworks. I love watching the little kids run around and waiting for the fireworks to start. It takes me back about 20 years to my Grandma and Grandpa Yerke's and doing the same thing with my cousins. So fun! We finally made it home and hit the sack. What a great day!

(The Smith Clan with the exception of Ty)