Utah: Day 16

We enjoyed a wonderful Sacrament Meeting at the Trane's ward, where Todd, Michelle, Kreed, and Gage spoke.  They did a fantastic job!

We had a yummy lunch of grilled steaks and chicken with G&G H, and then went to the Schow's at 4 for dinner and dessert.

We are so blessed to have such a fun extended family!!

Utah: Day 15

Today we went to Midway to see Bevan and Donna's new house, and to kiss on Baby Anna. 

Then we went to Heber for lunch at "The Train" and up to the outlet stores at Park City.  The boys got some school clothes and then we headed home.

The Lewis adults all met at Texas Roadhouse for dinner and ended the night talking to a guy that claimed to be

1. from Miami

2. a lawyer/accountant

3. in the music business

4. dating a Victoria Secret model

5. able to speak 5 languages (and spoke to Todd in Portuguese)

6. traveling from Miami to Los Angeles with his golden retriever

7. related to an Orthopaedic doctor in the area, but wouldn't tell us her name

8. sure that he had Michelle pegged for a girl with "cat scratch fever".

He was a character--and soooooooooo full of it!!!

It was a good day!

Utah: Day 14

LAGOON!!!

Utah: Day 13

We began the day with a visit to Dr. Steve...our favorite dentist!  I'm happy to report that everyone had a cavity-free mouth, and sad to report that Tanner's wisdom teeth have no room and will need to be removed in about a year. 

After the dentist we went to lunch and Cabela's with G&G H. 

It's always a good time. 

 A little bit of shooting, a little bit of taxidermy, and some giant fish.

Kevin flew in at 5:00 and then we went on a date to Olive Garden and to see Harry Potter. 

We got back around 10 p.m. and the boys were super excited to see DAD!!!

Utah: Day 12

So.....the sleep over at the Trane cousin's house provided me with some even more

TIRED

GRUMPY

and

FIGHTING

children than the day before.

Oh well, we're on vacation. 

Today wasn't very fun, though, because the tired, grumpy, fighting children didn't want to hike to Stewart Falls like I had planned.

Instead, they watched t.v. and irritated each other all day.

I decided to leave for a while, and went to Deseret Book to get my Lagoon vouchers and to Wal-Mart to buy some more 'silky shorts' for Tate and Treyson.

I had every intention to take the boys to the Owlz game tonight--since they won't be playing anymore while we're here, but Mother Nature had another idea.

It thundered, and there was lightening, and there was RAIN!!!

It smelled good, and made it nice and cool, but the game was definitely out. 

I was bummed.

So, instead, we headed over to G&G L's to visit for a while, and then it was home to put the boys to bed.

Tomorrow...Dentist Appointments.

Should be fun.

Utah: Day 11

I had big plans for today...Park City Outlets, lunch with my mom and kids, and then I wanted to finish out the day with the Orem Owlz game...

But, we got half way to Park City and realized we had 

FORGOTTEN

our coupons,

 the kids were

 GRUMPY

and

FIGHTING 

and then it

 RAINED

and we didn't want to go sit on the wet grass at the Owlz game.

The

 UP SIDE

 was that the boys had a sleep over planned with the Trane cousins, and I got to chat with my dear friend, Stephanie, for a couple of hours in Michelle and Todd's backyard.

That definitely made up for our washed-out day!

Utah: Day 10

The day started out with the boy's annual trip to Sliding Rock with Aunt Donna and Uncle Bevan.  They had a blast, as usual, although Tate was a little bit scared this year.  Thankfully, Uncle Bevan didn't mind riding down with him!!

Thank you, Donna and Bevan!! You guys "ROCK"!!

I chose to stay home with this little beauty.  She is adorable...I can't resist kissin' on her chubby cheeks!!

When the boys got home, the kept themselves busy by playing croquet (again!!!) and arm wrestling.  Tate also found himself stuck in the baby swing.  Apparently he forgot how old he actually is!!

Dad grilled some brats and hamburgers, and we had an impromptu party with Bevan, Donna, Baby Anna, Bryan, Rebecca, my kids (of course), and Megan and Stephen. 

I am so happy to be able to spend a few weeks here this summer!  I especially love this view!!

Utah: Day 10

Happy Pioneer Day!

Today was the 24th of July (or Pioneer Day), but with it being a Sunday, there wasn't much celebration.  We went to church with Grandma L, then had lunch at Grandma and Grandpa H's.  The boys played a few rounds of Croquet with Uncle Bevan, and then we had dinner at Grandpa and Grandma L's with the Schow family.  We finished off the day with fireworks with G&G H, Uncle Bevan, Aunt Donna, and Baby Anna.  It was a good day!

Utah: Day 9

Today we went to see Mr. Popper's Penguins with the Schow family and Grandma L. 

We thought it was a pretty cute movie.  Of course it was predictable,  but funny and a good family show.

Then we hung out with the cousins at Schow's house until an unfortunate choice by Ty made us have to leave early.  The thing I'm most thankful about is that no one involved in Ty's poor choice was seriously injured.  Hopefully it was a learning experience, and he will never make that particular mistake again. 

Everyone went to bed early.

Utah: Day 8

Visited 2 fun places today with my mom...Tai Pan Trading Company, and IKEA. I realize there's an IKEA in AZ, but it's always fun to go with my mom.

All of the boys went fishing "in the boat" with Grandpa H and Uncle Bevan. They had a good time!

Right now, Ty, Treyson, and Tate are hunkered down in their sleeping bags in a tent Grandpa H put up in the back yard...tomorrow should be very interesting with some tired boys.

Utah: Day 7

I got to spend the whole day with my mom.  We did a little bit of shopping and had lunch at one of my very favorite places...Brick Oven!!  The little boys spent the day with Grandpa H at the local fishing hole.  The big boys didn't want to go fishing so they spent the day entertaining their Grandpa L. 

Utah: Day 6

Today Tanner and Ty got to start the day off with a "fun" visit to the doctor's office...

It's that time of year again for...

The Annual Sports Physical Exam!!

They weren't very excited.

The end of the day, however, was a bit more exciting with a fun little hike up Battlecreek Canyon in P.G. with Grandma L, the Schows, and the Tranes, to see a waterfall.  It was spectacular!

Utah: Day 5

Our day started out with this:

Followed by lunch at the mall with Grandma and Grandpa H.  Then we took them to pick up their new 5th wheel trailer...lucky ducks!

When we got done doing that, we picked up Grandma L and headed up to Bailee's soccer game.

Then we went to Red Robin for dinner.

Another full day...and I'm beat!

I love that!!

Utah: Day 4

Back-To-School Shopping

{and let the record show that it was the BOYS idea!!!}

Utah: Day 3

Sunday.

1/2 hour Sacrament Meeting at the Hospital Branch.

(My dad's in the Branch Presidency)

Best Sunday EVER.

What more can I say??

Utah: Day 2

Our 2nd full day in Utah was spent in Mona for the annual Newton Family Reunion.  Grandma H did a great job putting it all together, and Auntie Rebecca and Auntie Donna did awesome with the activities for the kids.  We went on a hay ride through the town to see where our ancestors had once lived, and then to the Mona Cemetery to have a history scavenger hunt and to learn a bit of information about each of our ancestors. 

Tanner participated on the program...or, he WAS the program.  No one else came prepared, so Tanner stole the show!  He did awesome!

Utah: Day 1

Our first full day in Utah was spent with Michelle and her kids at the American Fork Pool.  After being used to temps over 110*, it was a bit chilly to swim in 85* temps!!!  Regardless, the kids had a blast with their cousins!

We met Grandpa and Grandma H for dinner at JCW's, and then went over to visit with Grandpa and Grandma L.  Great day!!

2011 All Stars

{My All-Star!!}

I was so proud of Ty's play during this tournament!  He played his heart out, but unfortunately they came up one run short of making it to the state tourney. 

Good Job Ty!  You made your momma proud!! 

I {heart} YOU!!

Haboob

This went through my neck of the woods last night.

Strangely Facinating

and

Spectacular

and 

Scary

at the same time. 

{pictures taken by Mark J. Rebilas / US Presswire }
Haboob: 

 strong wind associated with large sandstorms and duststorms and may be accompanied by thunderstorms. It usually lasts about three hours, is most common during the summer, and may blow from any direction. A haboob may transport huge quantities of sand or dust, which move as a dense wall that can reach a height of 900 metres (about 3,000 feet). The term haboob is taken from the Arabic word habb meaning wind.

4th of July

It's official...or at least, officially my opinion, that the 4th of July STINKS in Arizona.

It didn't even feel like the 4th of July other than it was about 115*--which makes it feel like Arizona in July, but not necessarily the 4th.

Throughout the day, I couldn't help but think of this man, though:

This is my Grandpa H.  I have some pretty awesome memories of the 4th of July in Provo with my Grandpa.  He L-O-V-E-D Independence Day and would always get up early to set out the blankets and chairs on 9th east in Provo to watch the annual parade, and then again at night for the fireworks that went off across the street at Kiwanis Park.  In-between the festivities, we'd have a picnic lunch...sometimes at grandpa and grandma's house, or sometimes at my uncle Gordon's.  We always had lots of cold watermelon, and when it got dark enough, grandpa always had sparklers for us kids to do.  I will never forget how he loved the holiday, or how he loved each one of his grand kids.  He always made me feel special.  I especially loved his big hugs.  I was lucky enough to receive one last hug the night he passed away, after suffering from cancer.  Even though he was in horrendous pain, he remembered me, smiled, and hugged me.  I will never forget that.

I was glad I could think about my grandpa and feel like even though I may not be celebrating the 4th with family at "home", I have many wonderful memories of the past to bring a smile to my face.

Mini-Vacay...Lewis Style

We spent 2 days at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort. 

It was a bit disappointing.  I don't think we'll be going back there any time soon.

We did, however, enjoy our time together as a family. 

I'm so lucky to have them!

There's nothing like trying to play mini golf in 117* weather.

Even the pool wasn't refreshing in that heat!

Yummy dinner at NYPD Pizza!!

"WING" face

Double Take

I was quickly looking through some photos on Facebook today, when I had to hit the back button and look at this photo again.  I thought I recognized something...

Oh my goodness...it's my mom and dad!!

It feels kinda weird to be looking through someone else's photos and find one of someone you actually know!