A Sweet Frozen 7th Birthday

Every child I know is in love with the movie "Frozen" right now. If I hear the song "Let it Go" one more time I may just explode...just kidding. I think the movie is super cute and Evie is no exception, she wanted a Frozen themed birthday party. She invited about 10 of her cute little girl friends and they had a great time playing games, making a craft, and eating lots of treats.

 

After the party Evie had planned to go swimming with Will and her cousins Maura and Carys. So I took them to the pool to swim while I sat and watched my fingers turn blue. Next time I will bring my swimsuit and sit in the hot tub!

 We had a little get together with family on Sunday, opened a few presents, sang Happy Birthday to our new seven year old and ate cake and ice cream. She is one sweet little girl and we are so glad she is ours!

 Her new birthday dress.

A Lovely Autumn Day

Saturday I took the kids on a little walk to experience some of the Fall sights before it turns to cold to enjoy them. Derek has been traveling and working a ton, so I've been trying to find things to keep Evie and a Will busy and entertained. It was a warm beautiful day and we walked on the Jordan path next to Utah Lake. They picked up little treasures they found along the way...leaves, rocks, berries, etc. I loved seeing their excitement over simple things they discovered. Especially Will...I had to tell him to stop yelling so loudly every time he wanted to show us something. I told him it would scare all the animals and birds away...lasted for about a minute and he was at it again. 

Labor Day 2013 and other happenings

It's the start of a new school year and with that brings more activities and things to add to the schedule. Evie started first grade this year and was really excited to be able to eat lunch at school. She tells me about all the friends she has made and how she has a new best friend every day. Her teacher already has wonderful things to say about her. I'm so proud!

Her first day of school.

Another big milestone was Will's 4th birthday. He is really into firetrucks and firefighters right now. So I made him a firetruck cake. Thank goodness for cake tutorials on You Tube. 

The Birthday Boy

Having a sword fight with cousin Megan in his new armor.

He had a fun birthday with his family. 

We took him out to eat for Pizza at the Pie Pizzaria on his birthday. 

We also surprised him with a really nice German made Firetruck toy with all the bells and whistles.

 

A few days after Will's birthday, Derek's mom arrived from Wisconsin to stay with us for a couple weeks. We really enjoy having her here and love when she can come spend some time with us and her grandkids.

She drove out with her friend David who stayed for a few days. We took them on a few rides and visited a few places we thought they'd be interested in seeing. We drove to a few old mining towns. First to Opher and then to Eureka. It's amazing to me the history these old towns emanate. 

 

An old mine chute..I think.

Taking the back road to Eureka in the land cruiser.

Cool old buildings. I REALLY wanted to go inside!

Kids making faces with grandma and David.

We made a stop at Camp Floyd and they were having their annual Labor Day events. People were dressed up in period costume and had all kinds of historical education booths. Evie and Will had fun trying out the old time kids games.

The Stagecoach Inn. I love living in the west...there is so much fascinating history.

This woman was showing how to spin wool. She had some beautiful samples of some things she had made by hand that were amazing.

Summer at the Cabin

The first weekend of August we visited the Staples at their cabin. It was our first time being there in the summer. It was so relaxing to get away from life for a bit and enjoy the beauty up in the mountains. There were so many wildflowers blooming all over. I was going a little nuts with my camera. Enjoy all the pictures:).

Cute little monkeys I found!

Here are some interesting, strange, and wild creatures that were also spotted. We're just a bunch of weirdos when the camera comes out! That's what sisters are all about.

 We spent a lot of time watching all the different kinds of birds that were feeding. Can you see the hummingbird?

 

My kids LOVE spending time with their cousins. There is nothing they like better.

We went on the most beautiful hike with Shelly, Bill, Ethan and Sarah. I've never seen so many flowers in one spot and so many picturesque moments. We crossed a log bridge which Evie and Will thought was pretty cool. They also enjoyed throwing rocks in the stream.

My favorite picture

Here are some real wild animals. There is a pond near the cabin that had some strange looking salamanders swimming around. A moose, (or two different ones we weren't sure), also wandered fairly close several times. 

We took the 4 wheelers out, played a few games of some serious badminton, played board games, ate lots of good food and treats, had lots of good conversation and just enjoyed being together with family.

Kids playing at the end of the day.

Until next time....we can't wait to go back!
(FYI-this blog post took me two days...comments better be forth coming) :)

Ye Old Steel Days

Good old American Fork had their annual Steel Days celebration this weekend. We took the kids to the carnival on Saturday. I'm glad were still alive after spending two hours in 100 degree weather. The kids didn't even make a fuss when we told them it was time to go. Promises of slurpees probably had something to do with that. The rides at the carnival are super old school. I'm pretty sure I rode the same rides when I was a kid. That was a long time ago...sort of.....okay I'm old!

 

 

 

 

  

Every year we meet at my parents house to watch the city fireworks . We can even hear the music from the Steel Days Concert. One of my favorite things about summer are the evening parties that we have. I like to decorate as much as I can to make the evening feel magical. 

 

 

Deb and Nick 

 

 

 Evie with her Aunt Malia

Will, Megan and her friend Brecken

 

 

American Fork did an amazing fireworks show this year! We were all in awe.