Puppy Love

My sister was nice enough to put up with us for the last few days before we flew home.  My kids love their Aunt Kristie and Uncle Brett, but probably their favorite thing at their house was their new puppy.

My sister finally got her dog that she's been dying to get for years now.  This is Mazey.

As you can see my kids absolutely adored little Mazey.

They constantly wanted to be out their playing with her and loving on her.

And Mazey loved them back!

My mom was also nice enough to stay down with us.  She was constantly playing with and entertaining my kids.  My kids are soooo lucky to have such amazing grandparents.   My mom was also kind enough to take us to the airport at 4:30 in the morning so we could catch our early flight, which I will NEVER fly that early with kids again.  We had an amazing summer out west with our families and friends.  We just wish Keith could have been there to enjoy it with us, and we couldn't wait to get home to him! It was a long two months without him but I am very grateful to him for being willing to work so hard and make so many sacrafices now so that someday very soon he will have a good job to take care of his family.  We can't wait until this year, especially all the externships, are over!

Cottonwood Canyon Hike

For our last weekend out west we headed back to Utah to say goodbye to everyone and hang out with my family one more time. On Saturday we all got together at my brother's house in SLC for a BBQ and games

Before dinner we went up Cottonwood Canyon, which was really close to their house, to do a family friendly and beautiful hike.

It was another fun adventure.

And again we tried to get a pic of the three grandkids.

And again it didn't go over very well.

Jaxson did have a blast running around and exploring.  I was very grateful to my brother and his girlfriend who kept up with him and even saved him when he fell in the lake.

Grant and Kenna also loved the adventure but took things more at their pace.

It was extremely beautiful up there.  I LOVE the mountains and always miss them when we're in Ohio.

Flaming Gorge

One day during our week in Wyoming, we loaded up the kids, and the dogs and headed over to explore beautiful Flaming Gorge.  Melissa and her kids also joined us for the adventure and we all had a great time together.

The kids loved swimming.  As I said before it was great being with the older kids who always kept my kids entertained.  Thank you Challis!

It was also fun to have Paisley there with us, who also loved swimming and retrieving anything we threw out for her, just like a real dog should.

 Next we went to see the dam.

 Too bad the sun was always in the kids' eyes that day.

 Then grandma spoiled us and bought everyone ice cream.  I love this pic of my chunky baby, with the fat roll spilling out of her swimsuit.

 The ice cream was a hit!

 If you look closely you can see how much of that ice cream got into Kennadie's mouth and how much covered her body.  She was one sticky baby afterwards.

We had some happy campers!

 Flaming Gorge is absolutely stunning.

 Look at those beautiful canyons and perfectly smooth water.  You can bet that everytime I looked at the water I wished I was skiing.

 This picture makes me laugh for a number of reasons.  I told the kids to make a funny face, which they obiviously did.  I especially love little Kelsie's face!  But I couldn't get Jaxson to get closer to his cousins because he was too involved with the little caterpillar on his finger.  The boy is obessed with bugs!  I don't think he noticed anything else around him once grandpa put that bug in his hand.  But he was listening at least a little because he did still make a silly face. 

 It was gorgeous! 

 While us adults marveled at the beautiful scenery the kids found a spot in the shade to play with that poor caterpillar.

It was also fun seeing the wildlife as we drove through the park, the only picture I got was of these mountain sheep.

 We ended with one more swimming session.

 Which of course was a hit with the kids.

Kenna especially liked the other kids floaties.  We have to give a huge thank you to grandma and grandpa for showing us that beautiful place and giving us such a great day!

Dress Up

Also while in Wyoming the kids found grandma's costume box and were delighted with the treasures they found within.

Lots of wigs and dress ups were put on and off again many times. 

I love this pic, once again it is classic crazy Wyatt.  Jaxson is facing that way because he's watching his silly dancing reflection in the TV, and of course I couldn't convince him to look at the camera.

Kenna even got in on the fun.

And became quite the little show off.

Every time I look at these pictures I have to chuckle.  Funny but cute kids!

My kids are so lucky to have two amazing grandpas who love them to pieces and are also willing to really get down and play with them.

Kelsie, Natalie and Jaxson had a blast wrestling with grandpa one afternoon.

Even Challis, who is the oldest grandchild, got in on the fun.  Great memories!

Around the fire

Along with the new playground toys and a playhouse, Keith's parents also got a fire pit for their backyard.

We enjoyed it a couple times while we were there.

The kids loved roasting hots dogs for dinner and of course doing smores.  And they didn't do just regular smores, no, we made smores with the biggest marshmallows I've ever seen!

Look at all that ooey, gooey, goodness!

The cute Adair family enjoying their smores.

I love Kenna's cheesy smile, and ketchup covered face!

 One night after hots dogs and smores we made homemade ice cream in a bag.

The kids had to shake their individual bags to make the ice cream set, as the picture shows they all thought this was a fun and tasty activity.

Wyoming Round 2

The next stop on our summer of adventure was Wyoming.  We headed back to the Nebeker place to enjoy

lots and lots of cousin time and,

the new playground toys, (I swear Kenna could live on a swing.)

My older nieces and nephews are so good with my kids.  I love watching them take care of and play with Kennadie.

Challis is especially great with her.  When we were over at there house she would take Kenna out to see the horses, which Kennadie loved.

She thought feeding the horses was one of the greatest things ever.

Then grandpa was nice enough to let the kiddos ride.

Aunt Jami took Kenna on her first horse ride.  Jaxson was too busy playing with toys to want to come out and ride horses.  I think he's still a little weary from his last experience.

One day we headed out to see some of the historical sites in the area, including these Kilns.  They're hundreds of years old and it was neat to learn more about the history of the area.

I love this picuture.  All the kids are looking at the kilns and then there's Wyatt on the end, he cracks me up.