Pioneer Day

Pioner Children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked. In an effort to recreate the strenuous exercise necessary to walk across the United States, we hiked Ensign Peak.  When the Mormon Prophet Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley, it was recorded that he said "this is the Place." He knew the saints had arrived at their final destination because he could see the specific mountain hill, now called Ensign Peak, that he had seen in a dream.  It's a short, steep, wonderful hike, that we trudged up at mid-day in the summer. I think my ancestors were glad of our hike, and approved of the run to Baskin Robbins that followed.

Annie and Cricket on the trail.

Cousins at the top. Well done Websters and Smiths!

Hesitant, unattractive selfie.

Lunch at the park. Lots of shade.

I scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream!

Chocolate and some sherbet concoction.  FYI: I hate sherbet, but I still love Owen.

Once all the kids went down, Hillary and I went to Nielsens for some fries, a burger, and some custard... at around 10:30pm.  Her birthday is this week, she is leaving tomorrow, and I am going to miss my sister!

*** This post is for Thurs. July 24th, 2014***

24th of July Eve

Here in good old Utah the 24th of July is a big holiday, equal in excitement to the 4th of July. It is a day that we honor the pioneers settling into the Utah valley, in 1847.  Festivities include fireworks, parades, pulling handcarts, old fashioned pioneer games, etc.  There are so many celebrations around the state, so I'm told, that some of the cities in Utah choose to celebrate the big day on the day before.  So on the 23rd of July, also known (by me) as the 24th of July Eve, we watched a killer parade in Bountiful, and enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display up at Mueller Park Jr. High.  Do other states celebrate their founding like this? I don't know, but I sure am glad to reside in the Beehive State.

No one blocking our view: the best way to watch a parade.

My next door neighbor designed this float.  It was awesome! 20 points to all of my churchy friends who helped construct this winner!

A rubbish shot of the beautiful fireworks. Proof that I was there.

Our crew light up by the magic show in the sky.

*** This post is for Weds, July 23rd, 2014***

Turtle Track

Upon returning from a Dr.'s visit, I ventured into my backyard and discovered a race of epic proportions.  Athena Xena Smith vs Tatiana Rose Loftus.  Greek Turtle vs. Russian Tortoise.  The reality of the race was that once a competitor stopped moving, they would be lifted up and put back down in the same place, like a jump start. And if they started to go the wrong way, they would be lifted up and pointed in the right direction.  They raced several times, and each of the girls took a turn winning/losing.  To my knowledge, no bets were placed, no money paid out.

In this picture, Athena won, but humbly chose to go under the finish line instead of over it. No one likes a show off!

Quite the race track.

Looks like a tight race. Athena is younger and speedier, but Tatiana is larger and more level headed.

Bountiful temple. Double date with my sister and our husbands. What a sunset! What a view!

Love is in the air.

*** This post is for July 22nd, 2014***

Lagoon

Today we did Lagoon with a bang. We were at the theme park with all of our children from open to close, which means that we are awesome parents.  Our feet are tired, our clothes are sweaty, our memories for the day have been made.

On our way! Once we got inside we divided into age groups and I didn't see many of the kids for most of the day.

Luckily, I got to cheer the kids form the sidelines, and din't have to do the teacups myself.

Dinner. That man loves corn.

*** This post is for Monday, July 21st, 2014***

Temple Square

In the heart of Downtown Salt Lake City lies an are known as Temple Square. On it lies the Salt Lake Temple, a few visitor's centers, the Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall, some very lovely sculptures, a reflection pool, and bright happy flowers.  Its an ideal location to spend a Sabbath day. It's even more ideal when you wander around with your sister/nieces and nephews.

Inside the North visitors center is a lovely display on the humanitarian projects that my church does; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Ryan knows loads about the Tabernacle, and so he gave us a little history/architecture lesson.

It started raining, it started pouring, and old men started snoring.

My sweet family in front of the temple.

Cousins together forever.

Sizzling Saturday

This morning I did one of the things I truly love to do: taught a cooking class. I had three teens who came to my kitchen eager to learn some culinary basics.  A few hours later they left with some important kitchen skills, and some amazing food that they had prepared.  Meanwhile, Ryan took the kids over to my Grandpas home and helped out with some yard work, along with my Aunt Jane and my cousin, Age. Productive Saturday.

Knead the dough!

Those are olives, not chocolate chips:~)

Ta-da!

Preston is coughing like it's going out of style.  Dr. Fox (and yes, I did ask her opinion by saying

"so...what does the Fox say?") gave Preston a nebulizer treatment and told him to get rest, use cough drops, and also prescribed him an inhaler.  The fox says: acute bronchitis. 

***This post is for Saturday, July19th, 2014***

My 3 Karate Kids

Is it karate? Actually, I think it's tai-kwon-do. Anyways, tonight was the belt ceremony at the dojo where my kids are learning the martial arts.  Owen advanced to his Dragon Green Belt, and Simon and Calvin are now Gold Belts.  The dojo has some amazing instructors and many people (both kids and adults) at various levels.  My favorite part of the ceremony was watching my ninjas do their moves. My second fav was watching the instructors and black belts do some amazing flips, kicks, and all around asa (Korean for awesome) moves.  I feel much safer going to bed tonight, know that my 3 warriors are closer to black belt status.

Owen with his new green belt!

Part of the ceremony is breaking the straps off the new belt. It's super fun to watch.

Calvin and SImon are prepping to break their new belts open too.

My taikwondo kids.

Simon showed up at the DI today in his rollerblades, so I made him wear the inner lining  of the boots inside. It was such a Napoleon Dynamite look, and he was pleased to rock it.