Fun for the Fourth

We started the morning attending our ward's pancake breakfast.  I wasn't in charge this year.  Hooray!

  

The kids enjoyed playing around the bubble machine the best.

That night we tried a new place to watch fireworks, overlooking the Rose Bowl.

Ethan set up his 'office', in a little space all to himself.

We enjoyed the evening hanging out with our family, along with Ian, Annie and Abigail.

The next morning we went for a short hike up the river trail.

I shouldn't actually keep records of this, as we found out on our way out that you aren't supposed to get in the water at this location, but it we sure had fun while we were there!  

Happy Pioneer Day!

Our Stake Pioneer Day Event has nothing to do with pioneers, but is a great celebration.  In the morning there is always a blood drive and a 5k (the pioneer trek part).  The afternoon there is a carnival.

It seems that there is always a challenge to get people to agree to sit in the dunk tank.  Here, they let the kids do it!  Ethan stood in line for a long time for the chance to get dunked!

Popcorn, sno-cones, cotton candy, hot dogs, fried chicken, games and music.  The kids were especially excited that we didn't have to pay and they could do everything!

Sea World-June

We are making good use of our season passes to Sea World.  We made another trip, this time Grandma  Finlay joined us and got her own season pass so she can come again.

Ethan hasn't liked Atlantis the past couple times we've gone (he'll go on it once, but then not want to go again).  This time he went 3 times in a row and loved it.

He also loved that he was tall enough (with the help of socks to give him the extra height he was missing last time) to go on Manta.  It was not busy in the morning, so they kept letting us go again without going back through the line.  4 times in a row!

Preston loves the aquariums that keep him entertained while the big kids are on the rides.

Brielle and Ethan were also excited to take their cousins on Shipwreck Rapids for their first time.

Another fun day trip!

Family Reunion

My Mom and Dad and little sister just moved to Ecuador to serve a 3-year mission for our church.  The week before they left we got the whole family together to play, have fun and build memories.

We had lots of family dinners. With this group we tend to eat really well.  Good cooks in our family. :)

We got Salt Lake Connect passes, which allowed us to participate in a lot of activities together.

We loved the bird and elephant shows at the zoo.

The Natural History Museum was fabulous, and had a great view of the valley.

We picnicked at This is the Place, before moving on due to the threat of rain.

Worked on our engineering skills at The Leonardo

Went to see a 3D show at the planetarium, and spend a lot of time watching the giant marble run.  

The kids really enjoyed the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point.

In addition to museum play time, we got to spend time visiting Grandpa Baker.

Attended the temple (while Jared and Katie watched 15 of the grandkids)

A lot of time was spent at the new house with these kids all playing together.  They were having so much fun (which allowed the adults to hang out, talk, play games, mediate arguments...)

We had a great time.  Enjoyed being with family and building memories before saying goodbye.

So much fun having a big family.