Rainy/Snowy Weekend

My Mom had planned a little vacation to the mountains this weekend for the family and what do you know it is the only weekend this whole summer in Denver that it has rained for 48 hours straight. And because we were up in the mountains at Winter Park we were able to see snow in August.

It wasn't quite the weekend we were expecting, but we made due. We were able to catch a few hours of sunlight on Saturday and go down the Alpine slide.






My brother Nathan and his little girl Morgan
Bryson had so much fun with his Aunt Debbie and Carley kept telling Grandma to go faster. After we were able to go swimming indoors and play on the miniature golf course at the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch between rain storms. Even though the golf was a little wet, this was bryson's first time and he didn't want to leave. Carley also had fun golfing

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Along with going to the Zoo this week with cousins we were able to go to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Bryson's favorite part was the dinosaur bones.
He is really into dinosaurs now. I need to take him to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving point. They also had a wildlife area of different stuffed animals and a discovery zone that the kids could play in. It was nice to go with my sister in law and her kids and my best friend and her daughter. We had a fun time together.

Bryson and his cousin Makena

Pictures

My kids were outside playing in my parents back yard the other night and Bryson started climbing one of their trees. I decided that it was a cute picture so tonight I got him in some nice clothes to take some nice pictures. I think they turned out really good.









Carley's little pose is thanks to my Mom who told her to put her hand on her hip.
Both Bryson and Carley lasted just long enough with some bribes for me to take their pictures.

The last one is of them trying to catch a bunny in my parents yard. There are tons of them around their house and they love to chase them. Thanks to my sister-in-law who does the braids in Carley's hair. I think it is so cute, but I can't braid so she does it when I am with her. (Sorry for so many pictures, but I had a hard time narrowing it down)

Denver Zoo

Bryson, Carley and I flew to my parents house in Denver last Friday on a last vacation of the summer. Yesterday we went to the Denver Zoo with all the cousins.

We had a lot of fun and the kids loved looking at all the animals. They loved feeding the birds and having them so close.

They also had a fun activity to see how far you can jump compared to different animals. I love this picture because it is Bryson jumping in mid air. He can jump as far as a jack rabbit.

Fair Days Weekend

What a crazy and busy weekend. We had family here visiting and we were constantly on the go. Friday night we went to the rodeo and had a blast.
Carley was my little cowgirl. Bryson and Carley loved the horses and cows. Carley was so cute when she kept asking if the cows were ok after the cowboys steer wrestled them to the ground or roped them.
Bryson's favorite part was the clown act where they had a miniature horse driving a slug bug.
The next best part was when one of the pick-up men came and let the kids pet his horse. The fireworks at the end are the best of the summer and we sit right underneath them and they explode right over us. They are awesome. Carley kept covering her eyes because they were so bright.
Saturday morning we had Bryson's kids birthday party.
Dinosaurs were the theme and the kids had a blast.

They got to dig for dinosaurs in the sand box and they had to save the dinosaur eggs from getting broken (water balloons). I think their favorite part was the water balloon fight after the party was over. Everybody went home soaked, including Grandma and Dad.
Saturday night we went to the parade on Main Street and collected candy and watched the floats. We had a great time and a great weekend.

Horseback riding

My sister-in-law and her kids are here this weekend for fair days. Every time they come they have to go to my uncle's and ride horses. The city kids love horses. They had so much fun.


Bryson and Makena on the horse

Makena riding the horse by herself and telling him to stop

Hunter (10 months) posing for the camera


Austin (my nephew) in front with McCrae (my cousin's son) in back. Uncle Hugh guiding the horse

Bryson on the horse
Carley kept saying she wanted to go on the horse, but then when it came to her turn she would back down and only want to pet the horse. Finally Eric got on the horse and put her on his lap and she loved it. She can't stop talking about "going on the horse with daddy".

Carley not wanting to ride the horse



Carley loving the ride with dad
Everybody is excited to go see the cows and horses at the rodeo tonight.

Stimulating the Economy

(Eric picked the title for this post)
I think buying the car right now was taking advantage of the economy, but it worked to our advantage and that is what you have to do.
Eric is a deal shopper and we can't buy anything unless he thinks it is the best deal he can find. He has been shopping around for awhile and we went into the dealership so I could just look at the car and test drive it, but you know car salesmen, they are a little pushy. So we went inside with them and talked and talked and talked. Eric finally told them a really really low offer that I thought they were going to laugh at. Instead they decided to take it. We now have a new 2008 Nissan Armada. It is taking a little getting used to driving a bigger car and it barely fits into our garage, but we made it fit. Eric is paranoid about keeping it clean, so i have to make sure the kids don't make a mess, but overall it is very nice.

Garden

I keep meaning to post these pictures. I love the summer when the flowers are in bloom, but I hate the weeds. Usually I do good on picking them weekly, but it seems this year they have gotten out of control. Oh well, the flowers make up for it.



Our garden is growing by leaps and bounds. We have enjoyed beans, zucchini, crook neck squash, and raspberries. Eric can't wait for the tomatoes.

My roses are a little small because I transplanted them from the front to the side and it took them awhile. Eric thought I was killing them, but they have all bounced back and most of them have started to bloom. I love roses!!

Dave and Doris

We keep having parties at our house this summer. I love having family parties, and hope that the clean up before and after are not too bad.
Last night we were able to get together with Eric's Aunt and Uncle that live in California (his dad's brother). They came to Park City with some friends and we got Eric's whole family together so we had about 25 people at our house. Luckily the weather stayed nice and we were able to eat outside on picnic tables in our yard. We love salmon at our house and when we have parties in the summer we get the fresh sockeye salmon from Costco and cook it up. It is soooo good.
We had a great time catching up with the family and the kids had a fun time together. Eric's uncle reminds me so much of Eric's dad and it fun to remember his dad and how much he made us laugh.