The mountains and camping

Summer is always too short, so we just have to pack in the fun while we still have time. We like to go to the mountains and have a fire and do a dinner of roasted hot dogs. We had a free Sunday at the end of July, so we took our chance after church that there would still be some picnic spots....we had to go as high as the Spruces up Big Cottonwood, but no problem, we got a spot. (The canyons get very crowded in the evening, especially the weekends!) 

 Just getting the fire started

 Exploring at the river while the fire heats up (they put their feet in the cold cold water, but this log bridge was just calling out to them!)

 Rachel took a turn balancing

 Not to be outdone by the big kids, Aubrey had to do it too (And she is half-dressed because she also had to try out the cold water.)

 Rachel used her patience to lure a potgut from the bushes to eating out of her hand! 

We headed up to Pineview Reservoir for the first weekend in August to go camping and boating with Burrell's. Since most of my pictures fit into the "boating" category, some pics got posted on my "boating fun" post a little while back. But the dorky kids got their hands on the camera and did some posing and picture taking with the pillow pets. It was fun in the sun! and sand and water....and trees and tents, and well, you get the picture!

Snowbird July 25-26 2012

One of our most favorite things to do in the summer time is go to Snowbird. They have a ton of summer activities that we and the kids enjoy. It's also quite a bit cooler, so it's nice to beat the heat for a little bit. Last year, we discovered the "stay and play" package which means we can go there one afternoon, play until dinner, eat, swim, sleep (at the hotel) and do it all again in the morning. Gives us a full 24 hours of fun. Well, we played even smarter this year, because we didn't get on the tram until 5 minutes before our passes expired, so we then were able to do all our hiking and the chair lift (without "wasting" the time on our passes). It's tons of fun and we could easily spend more time there, but real life gets in the way sometimes....

 That's right-Mama gets on the bungy tramps and does some flippin'

 Trevor did flips too! This is a huge improvement from last year when he barely let his feet leave the tramp

Rachel is a pro at this. Too bad Aubrey is too light (have to be like 40 pounds)

 Aubrey found other things to do....no one told her she is just little so she climbs the ladders for the bouncy slides and then launches herself down the slide, no hesitation.

 Wait for me, buddy!

 This is called the "Air Jumper" It takes less energy than the bungy tramp because those arms are controlled by the ride operator. And you can tell them higher or lower and you go up and down along with forward and back.

 We ride the Chickadee chair lift to get to the Alpine Slide. Rachel is big enough to go down alone.

 Mom and Aubrey. (For this ride you have to be 2 but she is close enough and wouldn't want to miss out on any fun).

This is the "Mountain Flyer." You load from the bottom of this line and fly backward up the mountain. Then you reach the top of that green structure (way back in the distance) and you get to repeat the process forward. It's high. The kids liked it. Not mom's favorite.

And yet I did it with a smile on my face (a terrified smile, but I have to try to put on a brave face for my 5 year old, who had a true smile on his face).

Rock climbing wall-always a joy

More bungy tramp! And more and more flips! I think the kids did this like 4 times between the two days.

 Did I mention she's a pro at this?

 Mom and Trevor on the Alpine slide

 Rachel on the Alpine slide

 Emily and Rachel on the ropes course (yes, it's high, but I can overcome!)

 Rachel on the mechanical bull-seconds before she hit the deck

 Did I mention she doesn't know she's little? She's still officially one year old! She was carrying her baby doll up the ladder and then letting her slide down the slide. Silly girl.

 Family picture at the top of Hidden Peak (rode the tram up there).

After the tram, we hiked down into Mineral Basin (maybe 30-40 walk down) and then through the tunnel over to the Peruvian Chair lift. We rode that down (yes, that's also very high up!).

Tons and tons of family fun!

Great Salt Lake

My parents are on a mission in Switzerland. They work with the young single adults. One of them, Milady, decided she wanted to visit America, well, Utah really. She stayed with my sister at their house. One of the things that she wanted to do was swim in the famous Great Salt Lake. It's been years since I've even been there, and more years since I have swam there, so we decided it would be fun to trek out there and show the kids too.
All the info online said that Antelope Island (vs Saltair) was the place to go. It has nicer beaches and more to see. Yep, the brine flies are still there. Since the water was so low, we had a little (I mean LONG) trek from the car to the waterfront. All told, it was a fun experience. 

 Darren and Trevor out in the water. You could go out very far and not be too deep. They went much further, but the picture isn't as good.

 Claire, Aubrey and Rachel playing in the sand.

 Trevor spent the most time of anyone in the water

 Charlotte, in the water up to her ankles

 Rachel, posing by her sand creation

 

Rachel (chasing brine flies, I think) They fly away in a black swarm. Cool and Creepy.

Trevor also chased brine flies, but this picture is him, still or again in the water.

Independence Day!

We have started some little 4th of July traditions with our little family and one of them is going to the West Jordan parade with the England's. Some years others come too, and sometimes not. (This year 2 of Darren's sisters came with kids but my camera was already put away by that point) Some years the parade is better than others too, and some years it's cooler than this one was, but that's part of what makes the tradition fun!

 Aubrey, Trevor, Carter and Rachel just waiting for the action

 Little family pic with our match-y shirts

 Aubrey has discovered that the best way to play with "poppers" is to dump them and step on them

 The firetruck goes by SlOwLy with siren and horn blaring-it's so LOUD!

 We do a BBQ for all (so we don't have to choose a side of the family to celebrate with-or do both!) This is Anna with Davis on the swing (looking decidedly nervous) and Aubrey swingin' too

 Aubrey and her push-pop

 Abby and Rachel with their push-pops

Trevor was "helping" his big cousin Miles decide which fireworks to do next. Looks like Allie's helping too

La-goon-y Times

In summers' past, we have bought season passes to Lagoon, and really enjoyed it. Last year, because of the "pass of all passes" we did not. Darren really missed it. (He likes the rides more than me). So, we (and by we I mean, he) got them this year. We always have fun! The nice thing about the passes is that we don't have to stay late. In fact, many times we are there just after lunch and leave before dinner. Not always. And I don't always take or pull out the camera (one more thing to carry/keep track of). But here's some of our good times....

 

All the kids on the helicopter ride. They had to put Aubrey in the middle because they fight over who sits next to her.

 Rachel and Aubrey on the little speedway car. (Rachel might be too tall for this next year).

 Trevor on the airplane

 Aubrey and Trevor on the "baby boats." She kept leaning over the side to touch the water!

 Rachel and Trevor on OdySea

Aubrey and Darren on OdySea

 Aubrey rode the carousel while the bigger kids did "big rides" with Dad. She loved it! She wouldn't let go when it was over.

Rachel and Aubrey in one car; Trevor behind in blue. Aubrey was grinning the whole time. She loved being on the ride and having big sis to drive her!