Good 'ol Sandy

It had been far too long since we spent some time in Utah with the wonderful dry heat and fresh mountain air.  The year previous we came in the winter time, before that we had Lily.  So 3 years since we came in the summer!  Due time.

The kids were beyond excited!  I had them all myself on this 4 hour flight and they did fantastic until the end.  Why is it that the last half hour is always the hardest?

Different time zone means we get to watch the sunrise.  They were SO excited to see Mowgli again!

When they first learned we were going to Utah they couldn't stop talking about the toys at Grandma's house.  Tommy loved playing with the polly pockets :)

Grandma had a backyard carnival planned and had Rachel help with the game signs.

Lily found something that she thought was for her.  She hated it when she was a baby.

Lightning Mcqueen

Dressin' up

Helping with dinner

When my sister Brittany mentioned that she was going up the canyon to see the wildflowers I knew I had to join her.  Supposedly they are only out for a couple of weeks and they are beautiful!  I thought my kids would love it, but there were lots of bugs and poky plants, Tommy was dying of a stomach ache, and Lily was over tired.  I'm still so glad I went, it was worth it!  These mountains are just incredible, I simply can't get enough.

Uncle Dan helping Tommy sink it.

Brooke claimed the penny toss so she could sit in the chair ;)  She deserved it, she's a trooped being pregnant.

Plinko!  The kids played games, earned tickets and cashed in the tickets for prizes.  They loved it!

For some reason I get such a kick out of trying to get a picture of 10 kids 9 and under.

And the sunsets!!!  Oh how I miss these.

We had cousin sleepovers every night.  Good times!

Lily mixed her cereal (not an uncommon thing) and Avery followed suit.  It was a big hit.  I think it was Lucky Charms and Pops

Lily and Mckenna

The backyard dream

Triplets!  I really love this picture

And when all the big kids were cold and done, it was time for the little ones to play.  Luke is such a cutie!

Lily was introduced to chips on this trip and became addicted.  I don't think there was ever 10 minutes when she did not have a bag in her hand.  Here she is from the kitchen window yelling at me outside to open her bag.  Silly Lily.

Zaxby's in Utah!  I can't believe it.  Rachel definitely remembers going here when we lived in Charlotte and getting lotsa lotsa ketchup

We spent one morning putting together these cardboard cars for our drive-in movie night.  After wrapping the 4th car I was ready to never see tape again ;)

But it turned out super cute.  Tommy and Jack wanted to share and have an army truck.  Are you surprised?

What a memory right?

Complete with popcorn, soda, and candy

Lily loved her car!

We dedicated a day to going down to Orem/Provo to visit my Grandma.  My last living grandparent, and an amazing woman.  I wanted my kids to spend some time with her and get to know her a little better.  With pioneer day that week she had them dress up and they each read a story about one of their ancestors.  I loved every second of it, such great stories!  And my Grandma never ceases to amaze me with her creativity.

This bell is over 100 years old and is the bell that one of my ancestors would ring as he was trying to sell meat.  (I think, my memory is so bad.  Grandma, you need to send me those stories)

And a little scavenger hunt

Lily and Ellia playing with trolls

The weather was too beautiful and we wanted Brick Oven pizza, so we ordered take out.  Perfect!

It's worth a shot

And no visit to Provo would be complete without BYU creamery ice cream.

We spent another relaxed day at Grandma's house enjoying summer with cousins

Tommy requested going on a hike, so Jake took him up the canyon.  He absolutely loved it!

The girls (and Jack) made lemonade for a lemonade stand.

Not a lot of traffic but they still fared well

Ring around the Rosies is a favorite of Lily's right now.  What fun to have so many to do it with her.  And then a rousing game of duck duck goose.  I love cousin time!

Then we spent the night at my brother's house and we got to enjoy playing on our old swing set.