Camping trip '09

We have had so many fun camping trips this year. I like to camp, but it isn't so easy without my husband. I have gotten really good at putting up and taking down the tent by myself. Actually, I am kind of impressed at my ability to get us ready with everything we need and set up. Thank goodness I have other people to help me cook on the fire and things (that I'm not so good at.)

Our first outting was at a canyon in Tooele with some good friends. We had a lot of fun and saw some deer. The girls had never been so close to one. We had dutch oven dinner and a good bacon and egg breakfast. Kiana had a hard time going potty outside and she wanted to pee like the boys on the tree. It was funny. We had a fun time with friends and we are so happy they could come with us last minute.

Next we went to Strawberry Resevoir with my Dad and his wife and her parents. Some hot days and freezing nights. I was so worried about the girls freezing to death and we had so many blankets on. Steve wasn't with us, and me, Dondi, and the girls did everything to stay warm. The wind howled until I thought the tent would tear apart and we couldn't wait to get home. The food was good, and it was nice to get away. We went on a lot of walks and got to see the lake. Sadly, we didn't get any fishing done. Dondi bought Kiana a pole and we still need to take advantage of it, it was just to windy.

And our last camping trip was a family reunion. It was really pretty nice with the weather the complete opposite. It was so hot, and we had been worried and so we had packed up all the blankets and brought extra things. One night I didn't even sleep with blankets. Steve got to come with us for one night and I missed him the next. We went to Downey, ID, Downata Hot Springs. The Hot Springs were nice, but expensive. It was nice to stay up at night playing games and enjoying family and the campfire. We are blessed with such a great family and I am so glad that Dondi came with me on these trips to help me out. Kiana got to try out a new sleeping bag that we got at Cabella's and she was so excited. It was hers and she picked it out. It even came with a little flashlight, and she got to use it while sleeping in Grandpa and Grandma's tent. She felt so important. The last morning, we woke up and hurriedly packed everything up, closed the door on the van, just in time for a downpour, and all before 8:30.

Maile was trying to eat her way out of bed, and crying for not succeeding.Kiana so tired she can't keep her eyes open.Our sleeping accommadations.There is nothing better than having your food tray and seat in one.... I wish I was only so lucky. Maile doesn't think so.

It has been so nice to get away, even if it was only for a few days. We love our family and friends and love spending time with them. I am so grateful for the memories we are able to give our children and hope they can enjoy the good times we have together!

It sure was Wicked!

Steven and I and the girls went to Lagoon. It was the first time for the girls, and thankfully my sister Dondi was there to help us with the fun yet hectic day. The weather was cloudy and nice and once or twice a raindrop. Not too hot that we were miserable. Most of our time was spent in the kiddie rides, but I think we liked them better anyway. **I'll let you in on a little secret. Steve and I are getting old and we get sick at Lagoon. Without kids, we have been known to leave at 4:00.

The Ladybug ride was one of Kiana's favorite rides...it made me quesy. She would just sit there with the biggest cheesy grin!

Being the only child old enough to ride, she had to make a lot of friends fast. Good thing she does that so easily.

Kiana is 3 going on 16. She just wishes she could drive, the only driving she is doing is driving me crazy. She liked being behind the wheel.

She didn't know what to think of this ride. I was the lucky one to be riding with her and just kept asking her if she was fine. She said she was. I think the only ride she had a hard time with was the Tidal Wave. She hid behind Dondi the whole time and cried and when we were done, she told us she didn't like that one.

This was the craziest thing. Have you ever gotten this soaked on the Log ride??? I had never. I think because us heavy weights were sitting in the front and some skinny minnies in the back, we all got drenched. Kiana cried and cried because she got wet. She tried to stand when we were going down the fall and she got a mouth full of water. Poor girl. Good thing we dried fast.

Here is us on the awesome train ride (way better than at the zoo). Thanks for all your help Dondi!!

The classic bumper cars. I am really surprised that Kiana never freaked out without mom and dad holding her hand. She just went and had fun. Steve has been waiting for years to take her here and I think we all enjoyed ourselves.

This was pretty scary for Kiana. She ran and hid behind a tree before we even went in because she saw the skull on the top of the building. I think she cried the whole time.This one made them both sick. I think we need to stick to the kiddie rides!!

Dondi and her cousin-in-law took the girls for a while and let me and Steve go off for an hour. One whole hour to ourselves and we spent it standing in line for Wicked. We'd never been and heard it was the ride to go on. I think the anticipation was the worst for the whole hour and then the ride was all of 60 seconds. I don't really remember it.

The reason for going to Lagoon was Steve's work party. We got discount tickets, they feed us, and we won a raffle prize that was worth more then we spent on the tickets (too bad it was stupid and we had to trade it in!!) It was just nice to spend the day having fun with family. I'm so grateful we had help too.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

We went on a trip to the zoo with friends. It was hot, but not terrible, but we waited until the afternoon and I think a lot of the animals were hiding. We actually didn't see any bears (because they were hiding), and we didn't see any lions (I don't think they have any), but it was a lot of fun. My 3 year old (going on 16) kept running off and not listening, good thing our friends understand!!

Here is Kiana on the singing elephant. She is so fearless, she wanted to climb up on the very top. Mom is so mean and wouldn't let her, plus there was no way up there..haha.

Kiana and Kelty on the tiger statue! Kelty was a litlle scared, so she is petting it to make sure it is nice!

Kiana trying to force Maile onto the lions. Maile, however, has other ideas, and picture taking is not one of them.

This cute baby giraffe was born on July 30, it was only about a week old. They told us the giraffe was sensitive and to be quiet, which Kiana was not about to do, and started throwing a temper tantrum...really, these are the days. The giraffe didn't even flinch though, thank goodness!

Kiana and Kelty eating their ginormous icecreams. Kiana was too excited for the carousel and wouldn't finish the icecream!

Maile hanging out, waiting for another bite of mom's icecream!

Kiana stole this tiger from her friend, luckily there were 2, and Kelty is a good sport! Kiana loves riding these!

Maile seemed to really enjoy it too!The kids wouldn't cooperate for a photo, this is the best we got!

Our train ride. You know, I have to say that Lagoon's train ride is so much better. The zoos is pretty boring and you have to pay extra for it, plus it is all of 2 minutes long.Kiana's got the whole world in her hands!!!! Good song!

...I'll go inside somday...

Kiana loves to tell me how one day she is going to get a big ring like mommy and get married in the temple. She loves to drive in Salt Lake and point out all the temples she sees. How awesome it is that we have had the opportunity to not only see the outside of the temple with the two latest openhouses, but to also see the inside.

We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple as a family and with my mom and younger sister Dondi. It was a crazy day that we were just trying to pack too much into it, but once we got there, the peace that is consistent in the temple overcame all the caoticness and we were able to enjoy the tour!

I am so happy that my sister came too. It was nice having her there. She has been out of town for awhile, and it has been nice spending time with her again.

I am so grateful for temple blessings and for my family being sealed, and I look forward to the day that my children can enter into the temple and be sealed!

I love to see the temple...

I'm going there someday....

To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen, and to pray. For the temple is a House of God, a place of love and beauty!

I hope my girls can prepare themselves while they are young...for it is the greatest blessing.

My toddler

Maile is such a toddler. She can already throw good temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way. Thankfully, there have only been a few. She is such an angel, but has a mind of her own. She already loves to do things all by herself and screams when mommy helps.

This week she has gotten 4 teeth. I think she handles it better than Kiana ever did, all of a sudden the teeth are just there, and then I look back and think, "Oh, maybe that is why she was grouchy!"

Maile looks cute here, but she didn't love turning around in her carseat. Kiana was so excited for this step. Needless to say, Maile is still in the infant seat, which is better since she still isn't 20 lbs. yet.Maile has also learned to love this powered motorbike. She is always trying to get on it and go cruising. Her sister, of course, has to get in on the action and take over!!!!

Kiana got the camera one day before church and had to take pictures....I looked too fat in the ones she took of Daddy and me, but this one was cute of the two of us!!

Park City

Steve works so much and has school that we only get to do small vacations. His parents have a timeshare in Park City and we got to spend one night with them a couple of weeks ago. It was a nice relaxing trip.

We all love to swim, and without too many people in the pool. This water was just too cold to stay in too long. Our teeth were chattering and we all had to jump in a hot shower to warm up.

Kiana learned a lot from her swimming lessons and loves to stick her head under the water!

We also got to visit one of Steve's buddies from when he was just a kid. Even better, he had horses Kiana loved to ride. I think their names were Dudley and Taxi.
Here Kiana is feeding and petting them.

I think she rode Dudley and Taxi is following.

She is so amazing, she can even ride bareback! Thanks Daniel for the fun and the good conversation. Maile slept this whole time in her stroller, so sorry, no pictures of her.

We also got to see the shops down main street and go to the outlets. Kiana loved the chocolate factory (watching them make it more than eating it! She doesn't get that from me.) We liked the bears and moose and Daddy wanted to take her to a museum, but it was closed...next time. Though short, it was nice to get away! Not only that, but we got to enjoy Steve without any interruptions.