Utah Summer Fun

This summer was the first summer since Brian and I have even known each other that we were able to have a summer vacation in Utah. It was soooooo much fun. Thanks to the McCauls, Grandma, and the Bostons for such a great summer vacation.

We went to the Oquirrh Mtn Temple open house

We went to Seven Peaks with Grandma, McCaul's, Katie, Katie, and Hezzie's summer camp (thanks Hezzie!!!)

We played at Aunt Hezzie's house, and Liv's house...

...and tried out Liv's new tub.

We went to Cheesecake Factory and a concert (Jack's Mannequin & The Fray),

and met Andrew McMann (fulfilling Brian's dream).

We had a 1st Birthday Party for Lil. Thanks to Brian, Andria, Grandma, and Katie for making it happen (and for putting up with me being sick with the Swine Flu). It was a great party.

And thanks to Amber and Bob for coming. It was good to see you.

We went to Bear World...

...and saw lots of bears...

...and pet some animals...

...and rode some rides.

We stayed in Island Park, ID at some gorgeous cabins (thanks Dad). And while we were there...

We went to Mack's Inn Playhouse...

...and went to a dinner show with some unusual characters.

We sat in the hot tub.

We floated down the river...

...and tried out a rope swing.

We had a fiesta, complete with a pinata.

We played some games at the cabin.

We went to Yellowstone Nat'l Park (my first time ever!).

We saw geysers, hot pots, waterfalls,...

...and lots of animals, close-up.

We had a wicked good time! Can't wait for the next Boston summer vacation.

Summer Fun

Camping and tubing in VT

Friendly Toast and walks in downtown Portsmouth

Lobstah and Meathouse in the Milton Hilton's driveway

playing in the sand

handstands on the beach

swimming at York Beach...

...with cousin Liv, Aunt Katie, Grammie, Xander, Buddy, Lil, Aunt Hezzie, and Amanda

coloring in the driveway at Buddy's Summer Camp

boating in Surf City with Uncle Denver, Grammie, and Bill

Surf City beach with Gramma Tina, Uncle Denver, Aunt Hezzie, and Grammie (And Daddy!!!)

NH Children's Museum

When we went to NH for Spring Break, we had some fun with William and Bethie. We went to the new Children's Museum near the old pool I used to dive at. Xander and William had a blast!

The magnet table.

Cooking in the kitchen. Love the apron, William! Hey Xander, want some cheese?

At the Children's Museum, there was this cool exhibit where you stood in front of this green screen and danced to some music, and you showed up on the tv in a scene from a parade in a foreign country (thus the silly vest and shoes).

Washington DC

We had a great opportunity to go to the Washington DC temple and do some sightseeing a few weeks ago.  Normally, if we want to go to the temple, we have to swap babysitting with someone, so we spend the entire day at the temple.  But, our ward had babysitting set up for us so we could all go to the temple together as couples, and it only took 2 hours instead of 5... which left us plenty of time to go sightseeing.  We went with our friends, the Torgerson's and Green's.  

We took the metro (super easy and cheap!) to "the Mall", and went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (free!).  We went to the obelisk, and saw the capitol building from a distance.  

After the sightseeing, we went to a great Mexican restaurant, Alero (right off the Metro-line, bought $25 gift cards for $10 at restaurant.com)  Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but it was a cute little restaurant.

It was a nice family trip.  And it was totally easy and affordable.  We are thinking of making this a monthly excursion.

Sledding

We actually had a snowstorm with snow that stuck around, so Xander and I went sledding with some friends in our backyard.  We have the perfect little hill for Xander.  It's not too big, but big enough.  It is surrounded by buildings, so no sliding into the road.  Xander had so much fun.  He probably could've stayed out there playing all day...  too bad Mommy couldn't.

Sixers vs Celtics

A couple of weeks ago, we went to a Sixers vs Celtics game.  It was totally last minute, but we got a great deal ($5 tix on stubhub), so we went to cheer on the Celtics (our "last name" team).  We shared our great ticket find, and brought along some friends, the Farnsworths and Rogers.  It was a great game.  Celtics made a winning shot in the last second of the game.  Even I was into it. 

Boston Family Christmas

The weekend after Christmas, we went up to Logan to have Christmas with the Bostons.  Friday didn't go exactly as planned, since Grandpa was sick.  We ended up just going to dinner at Firehouse (YUM!), then watching "Dark Knight" on the big screen at Kelsi's while the grandkids played upstairs.... while poor Grandpa spent the evening at insta-care.  

Saturday morning was family pictures.  It was fun, but very cold.  Once we figured out that we could take pictures on the stairs of Old Main, and wait inside between each shoot, it got a little better.  The outdoor pictures are beautiful thanks to the photographer (Kelsi's friend) and the constant snowstorm UT had while we were there (everything is snow-covered).  I will post pictures once I go thru them all.  Thanks Kelsi for setting it up.

We spent the afternoon opening presents.  First we did white elephant gifts.  The highlight of it was when Andria and Joe gave away a book they had borrowed from Grandpa but didn't remember that's who they borrowed it from.  

Then we opened our Christmas presents.  

Sunday was Brian's birthday, so we had a little birthday party for him.  Erica made a yummy peanut butter/chocolate cake.  She wrote "Happy Birthday Brain" on purpose as a joke.  That's what most of his birthday cakes growing up said.  For some reason, there are a lot of dyslexic cake decorators out there.

We also played "The Newlywed Game".  It was definitely interesting playing with Grandpa & Grandma Boston, and Kelsi & Chris (only dating).  We had candy bars for prizes (Skor, Big Hunk, Hot Tamale, Rocky Road, 100 Grand).

It was a great weekend.  Thanks for letting us stay with you Bostons.  Thanks AJ and Michael for your rooms.

Kangaroo Zoo

Like I said, we went on a lot of fun outings while we were in UT.  We went to Kangaroo Zoo with the McCauls, Grandma, and the Schiffmans.  Xander and Joey had fun bouncing, climbing, and sliding.  

At first, Xander was a little afraid to slide and climb.  Good thing Kennady was there to help him.
PS - sorry again Jan for stealing your card.... :-(