Other Fun Utah Activities

My sister-in-law Stephanie (my "little" brother's wife) is having a baby girl in a couple of months so while I was visiting we gave her a family baby shower. It was fun giving her some of my creations. I can't wait to see that baby in those cute hats! My youngest cousin Katie is getting married and so I was able to go to her Bridal Shower as well. The shower was at her Aunt's home. It was an old historic mansion looking onto the State Capital building. They had totally remodeled it in the time period and it was incredible. Congratulations Katie! I wish I could be there for the wedding! Last but not least, my sister Amy is having her 5th baby (a girl also), so my mom took all of us girls out for a "Pedicure/Dinner Shower". It was the best--nothing like getting your toes done and then eating a good meal afterward.

We also took in a little golf/lunch up in Eden! Vacationing at its best!!!!!!

This is the Place Park

The 2nd week spent in Utah we met my sister-in-law Kaysee and her kids at the "This is the Place Heritage Park". I love this park and take my kids every time we visit. It houses the home of Brigham Young (the 2nd Prophet for our church) and other various houses and buildings restored to look like a town in the late 1800's. All the workers dress up in that time period and teach what life would have been like. We first went to the barber shop. Tyler got to be the volunteer and get a good old fashioned shave. The kids thought this was so funny.

After the Barber Shop we had lunch and visited the Mercantile store to buy some penny candy and try on all the silly hats. I'm pretty sure no one was wearing a bee cap in the 1800's but I guess it represents the "Beehive State".

We then rode the train to Brigham Young's house and took a tour. It was pretty cool and definitely pink.

The kids each got to do 3 activities while there. Some of them took turns riding the ponies.

Sadie and Jace stood by the misters (also something not used in the 1800's but well appreciated in 2009) while the girls made beaded bracelets for another activity.

Then we went and took a lesson at the school house. Did you know that the pioneers used a different alphabet that was phonetic? The kids learned how to write their names with this alphabet. They thought it was really cool----all except for Cardon.....so..........

He had to sit in front of the class with the dunce hat on. Imagine how things have changed in our schools since this time period.

We had so much fun spending the day with the Erickson family. We hope to see you here in Kansas for Spring Break!!!!!!

Lunch with Friends

One of the days in Utah I got to go to lunch with some of my good friends. We met at Cafe Rio (one of my favorites) and ate, caught up with each others lives, and laughed--a lot. I can't express how grateful I am to all of the friends I have made throughout my life. I look up to these women. They have made me part of who I am today. Friends have always been important to me and I am so thankful that I have always had great people surrounding me. So-----Cheers to friendships that make you a better you and last a lifetime!!!!!!

24th of July Celebration with the Lewis Family

The Lewis Family celebrated the 24th of July on the 25th of July. We met up at the Cabin in Eden and had dinner and then fireworks (thanks to all the husband-pyro's). While it was getting dark we rode the motorcycles. Cardon was thrilled to have learned to ride the 4-wheeler by himself.

Getting ready for the show!

Uncle Colby and Aunt Stephanie hanging out. Steph's only a few months away from having a baby girl. We can't wait to see her!!!!

Most of the Grand kids--we're missing 5.

What a fun celebration!!!!

24th of July Festivities

Utah celebrates the 24th of July like they celebrate the 4th of July. It's a celebration for the Pioneers that after much turmoil and strife made it into the Utah Valley where they could finally live in peace and joy in their beliefs. Most people get the day off of work--there are carnivals with corn on the cob and Brigham bread (which is a huge scone with cinnamon sugar on it), rides, fishing ponds, snow cones, races and finally root beer floats to sip on while watching fireworks that evening. It is a festive day that I try never to miss!

My mom with some of her Grand kids at the carnival--all dressed in Red, White, and Blue.

Aunt Lori with her little shy guy--Sam----getting ready to watch the fireworks.

Uncle Dan and his son Wesley watching in awe of those big fireworks.


Grandma Carol gave all the grand kids glow sticks to play with. They had tons of fun whipping them around to see the cool light they cast off .

Cardon was in heaven having cousins close in age (Kayden and Jake) to hang with.

Happy 24th of July everyone!!!!

SnowBird in Utah

After we played with the VanOrmans we spent the day with my mom and sister Amy and her family up at Snow Bird. I forgot how beautiful the Utah mountains were. Amelia and Jace had never really seen mountains.

We took pictures at the top of the mountain and then hiked around and ate lunch.

Cardon looked so grown up and handsome in this picture. I can't believe he's 9 already!

It was so fun having Amy come up and do this with us. She is a trooper. She has 4 kids and is expecting her 5th (a girl) and came up to spend the day with us by herself. Her kids were great and we had such a fun day.

Me, my mom and Amy

When we came back down from the mountain there were all sorts of fun things to do. We all jumped on these trampoline that have pulleys to hold you up so that you can jump really high. My mom and I did it with 3 of the little kids and the guy running the station told the little kids where to go and then said "You older ladies can have these tramps here in the front." I looked over at my mom and she burst out laughing. This is not the first time that people have thought me and my mom were around the same age! I'm getting a complex people!!!!!

My mom surprised me and did both back and front flips. Way to go "old lady"!!!!

Cardon made it to the top of the rock wall. He did an awesome job.

Then we rode the lift up to the top so that we could ride down on the sleds. A few in the group were nervous to do this but after one try we were all hooked. We went up and down 6 or 7 times.

Me and Addy won the race. I guess I was a lead foot!



Then the kids rode the bull while the adults went down the zip line. Brinly stayed on for a long time.



Me and my mom had a great time going down this zip line and then BJ and Cardon went down next. It was a fun filled day up high in nature!

And More Fun in Utah!

A few days before we were supposed to have family pictures taken Jace jumped into the side of the Kiddie pool face first. Needless to say--the pictures were postponed. It was so cute to see him lay on the couch holding an ice pack to his face. I was so grateful that it wasn't worse!

That same day at the pool I looked over and saw the cousins all dolled up with towels on their heads talking and laughing. It was too cute to pass up the photo opp.

What sweet little cousins!

More Utah Fun with the VanOrmans

The first weekend in Utah we spent with BJ's side of the family. They all came up to my parents cabin in Eden and we spent all day on Saturday at the lake. It was so fun to see all the cousins playing together. We rented a wave runner and took turns taking all of the kids out. It was a great day!

Grandpa Howard got down in the sand with the kids. They love him!

BJ's only sister Kaysee and her daughter Sadie. I don't know how she put up all those years with 5 brothers! It was fun spending time with my sister in laws as well.

The older boys got bored waiting to ride the wave runner and so they covered themselves in sand.




Uncle Scott and his 2 oldest Tyler and Emma were one of the first to ride the wave runner--we really needed to rent 2 but it was not to be.

BJ's parents are the best in-laws I could imagine. They have always been supportive and loving to our family. We love you guys!

BJ's brothers have always had this contest---Who can look the most pregnant? I'm soooo happy to say that BJ never wins!!!! I think the Gold medal usually goes to Ryan but Danny is getting mighty close I'm afraid!!!!

Todd, BJ, Danny, and Ryan. We were only missing 1 brother--Mike. We were sad that he and his wife couldn't make it.

It has become a tradition in our family for BJ to make each of our kids Mermaids/Merman (usually with decorative shell fins and all). This time he ended up spending a lot of time digging in the sand as each niece or nephew came over and wanted the royal treatment as well. It was so sweet!

We had a whole line up of cute little Mer-people!

What a fun day playing at the Lake! Thanks VanOrman's for making it such a fun weekend!