Roadtrip home

We stopped at some interesting rest stops on the way home from Utah. This one in Wyoming between Laramie and Cheyenne was fun. They had a little museum and a big Lincoln head to run around.

This was another one of the rest stops in Wyoming. Jacob decided to climb this tall mountain. This is the farthest my camera would let me do a close up. He was quite a ways up there.

Jacob says he never sleeps in a vehicle. Here is proof, Jacob!

I learned my kids eat crackers and cheese better than sandwiches and it was a lot easier.

Copperton Park

Our last day in Utah we ate lunch at Copperton Park. It is a special park to both Darren and me. My parents used to take us there for special trips to the park, usually on a holiday. Darren's grandma lived down the street from the park. It has such a different playground. What kid wouldn't have a good time at a park?

4th of July

My kids were so excited to spend the Fourth of July with the Jensen family. They remembered all the traditions and were so happy when the dates worked out that we could be there. We went to the Murray parade. The kids favorite thing is getting the thrown candy.

After the parade we picked up Wendy's for the kids and Cafe Rio for the adults. The park we eat it at has a stream with fish in it and also water fountains that spray for the kids to play in. My kids spent most of the time in the stream. I had to look the other way because it grosses me out but the kids love it. Here Alison is hanging out with her cousin, Chloe Toyn. She is the closest girl cousin in age to Ali. Ali always enjoys spending time with her.

After the park we go back to the house and rest while the kids play. In the evening we have a barbecue for dinner then a talent show. Joshua surprised us this year by jumping up at the beginning and MC'd the show. He welcomed and thanked everyone for coming and announced each act. I was so glad he felt comfortable to be himself. Ali and Josh did a disappearing act, Rylie got up and danced, and I showed my wonderful talent of picking up things with my toes. (I consider it a great talent I have perfected while having my hands full holding someone.) After the show we get ready for the fireworks. We sit in the front yard, Darren's parents live really close to Murray park, and watch. I ended up inside with Emily. Next year she might be ready for all the loud noise. It was a long day, but so much fun.

A day with water

One of the days at the Jensens the kids spent the whole day playing in water. They put a sprinkler under the tramp, washed the van and Rylie helped Grandpa water the garden. I spent the day with a friend. Darren and the kids had a great day just hanging out.

Temple Square

Alison had requested we go to Temple Square while on vacation. She couldn't remember it anymore. That makes me sad since we went atleast once a year when we lived in Utah.
We liked the new exhibit of the mini Salt Lake Temple. It was cool to see all the rooms of the temple. We also watched the movie at Legacy Theatre and had lunch. The visit was good as what we expected with 5 children. I think Grandma and Grandpa Jensen might say differently.

Ogden's Dinosaur Park

After staying a little over a week with my family we then moved over to the Jensen's house for the next week. We first went to the Dinosaur Park. We had never been there before. It was fun to see how big the dinosaurs might have been.

I think Rylie wanted to see if it was real.
After a while the adults took a break while the kids dug for dinosaur bones. Whoever designed the park was very smart to have this right in the middle.

This is Jacob's favorite picture. It looks so real.

At the end they have a playground for the kids. We only let them play for a short time because it was so hot.

We were all tired and hot by the end. Grandma and Grandpa were not the only ones hot and ready to go.

Litza Pizza

This is also a tradition in my family. No one has better garlic bread than Litza's. We went here after the zoo since it is located so close. We enjoyed our day with Grandma and Grandpa Burgess,Ryan, Heather, Sarah and Becca.

Can't you just see how good this food was?

Hogle Zoo

We used to have a membership to the zoo when we lived in Utah. Jacob was extremely interested in animals when he was younger. We know this zoo well and we will always try to go here when we come to visit. We rarely get an opportunity to have our whole family in a picture. This one actually is not too bad.
Don't you always have to get a picture of at least on of the kids drinking out of the lions mouth? This is one thing that has not changed since I was a kid. Darren thinks he is out of the picture (ha ha).

Another thing you have to do is ride the train. This is a tradition we did when I was young. The ride seems so much shorter now that I am an adult. It doesn't seem worth the money they charge, but it is a tradition and the kids love it.

We all were so excited the the tiger got up and came right up to the glass and stared Rylie down. He then licked the glass. Rylie didn't even look startled at all. It is not every day you see a tiger that close up.

Jacob is growing taller but not that tall.

Just me and my Grandpa. I think of the Mercer Meyer books when I see this picture of Josh and my Dad.