Because Rain Is A Novelty In Arizona...

UTAH: Day 21

Our last day...

Ty spent the day with Grandpa H because he doesn't like malls.

They went to Cabela's instead. 

UTAH: Day 20

Today we went to half hour (THE BEST!!!) church at the hospital branch, then I came home and did laundry and fixed lunch. 

Later in the evening we went to Becca and Rob's for dinner and one last wiffle ball game with the cousins.

I'm sad that our summer vacation is rapidly coming to an end.

Tate and Treyson went home with Michelle and Todd for a sleepover, and Ty and Tanner slept over at G&G Lewis's.

UTAH: Day 19

Uncle Bevan and Aunt Donna come through again with the annual trek to Slide Rock...

The only thing missing this year was Tate.

He didn't want to go because, "the water is too cold!!".

 We finished out the day with the annual Hawkins Family Reunion complete with a barbecue, croquet, and Steel Days firework show!! 

UTAH: Day 18

The day started here:

and ended here with the Schow family and Grandma Bonnie.  YUM!!

UTAH: Day 17

Lunch with my oldest and dearest friend, Amy.

Oh, how I love and miss her!!

UTAH: Day 16

The boys ended up staying over at Michelle's house until about noon.  I sent Grandpa H over to get them because mom and I went to two of my very favorite places in Utah...

While Mom and I shopped, Grandpa H took the boys up American Fork Canyon for some hiking and fishing.  The also went to Cascade Springs, and finished off their adventure at Granny's in Heber City for onion rings and milkshakes!

When we got home, I met G&G Lewis over at Kreed and Gage's little league games, and afterwords we just went home and went to bed. 

UTAH: Day 15

We had dental appointments today...it's the vacation day that the kids actually dread. 

But, we think that Dr. Steve {Blackhurst} is THE BEST, and we're glad he is willing to work us in every year! 

We had no cavities, but found out that Tanner and Ty need their wisdom teeth removed (although Ty's aren't as urgent), and that Treyson has a tooth laying horizontal in his gums and will need braces to pull it down.

That wasn't the news I wanted to hear today.

Oh well...

When we finished at the dentist, I told the kids I would drop them off at Seven Peaks for a few hours.  While they were there, I hung out with mom and dad.  Mom had a colonoscopy today and wasn't feeling very well, but she was a trooper and came along with me to drop off the boys.

I went to Cherry Lane Boutique in Provo, and then we went to the Provo Town Center Mall to wait for the boys to finish at the water park.

We ended the day at Kreed and Gage's Little League tournament, and then the boys went to Michelle and Todd's for a sleep over.

I think I'll sleep in tomorrow... 

UTAH: Day 14

Today, an AWESOME movie and fun with the cousins!

UTAH: Day 13

Today Included:

Church

Visiting

Lunch

More Visiting

Airport

and....

TYGER!!!!!!!!

UTAH: Day 12

{Newton Family Reunion}

The kids (old and young) played a fun game of baseball!

Me?  Well, I tripped on one of the picnic tables and broke two toes!! 

I also fell down the stairs in my parents house a few days ago.

Let me tell ya...I'm on a roll!
  Next thing you know, I'll be in a full body cast at the hospital.

Good grief. [sigh...]

Besides the toes, it was a wonderful day spent with wonderful people!  I sure did miss my sis though!  (Love you Trish!!)

UTAH: Day 11

UTAH: Day 10

My boys have described today as

BORING

I, personally, thought it was quite productive.

I got the brakes fixed on my car.

We finished school (clothes) shopping for Treyson and Tate.

We did some grocery shopping.

We visited with all of the Grandparents.

AND

We went to bed earlier than we have during our entire trip.

That's not very BORING to me!

I miss my Tyger...

I haven't talked to him for 5 days now.

Only 2 more days 'til I can squeeze my him again! 

Can't wait!!

UTAH: Day 9

Today included school shopping at University Mall...

...Wart removal at the doctor's office...

...And "MINI" shakes from Iceberg!!

UTAH: Day 8

SEVEN PEAKS WATER PARK!!

{Gage and Tate}

UTAH: Day 7

Today was pretty low key.  Mom and I went to the University Mall for a while, Tanner drove Grandpa H around in his truck, and Treyson and Tate went to hang out at Grandpa L's with Ryker and Slater.

We went to dinner at J Dawgs, then met Bryan and Rebecca at the Orem Owlz game. 

UTAH: Day 6

Sunday.

1/2 hour church at the hospital branch.

Enough said.

OK, not really enough said...

After church we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Young for a while.  It was nice to see them!

When we got home, we had a big lunch of steak, chicken, potatoes, rice, and salad, prepared by the one and only Grandma H. 

After lunch I helped Kevin and Ty pack their bags to fly to Arizona.  Sadly, Kevin's vacation had come to an end and Ty had to go home to go to Scout Camp for a week. 

We rushed over to the Lewis's so that Kev could say goodbye and then I took them to the airport.  I hated to see them go. 

UTAH: Day 5

Family Day!!

Trafalga Fun Center for mini golf and an Orem Owlz game!  Fun Fun!

UTAH: Day 4

This morning, Kevin and I, along with my parents, Bryson, Payton, and Trey (Pavelka) made the trek down to Manti, Utah, for the sealing ceremony of Bryan and Rebecca.  It was such a nice day! 

After the ceremony, they had a nice luncheon in Springville, Utah at Magelby's.  It was really nice!

The boys stayed with Grandma Lewis today, but once we got home we found out that she had been sick all day long.  It was also her birthday.  I felt so bad!  We gathered up the boys and sent Grandma to bed.  We went to Fong's Diner for dinner.  It's our family's favorite Chinese restaurant in Utah. 

It was another stellar food day.

I think I've already gained 30 pounds.

Oh well.

Tate ordered sushi.  I love that he loves sushi!!

When we finished dinner, we went over to Michelle's for a while.  Chris and Trina were there, too, and we had fun just chilling and visiting.  It was a full day!

UTAH: Day 3

Kevin went golfing again today...this time with his brother, Scott.  He said that they had a fantastic time!  I'm so glad they were able to spend some time together...they don't get to do that very often.  Later that day we headed up to Salt Lake to have an early birthday lunch for Bonnie at Sushi Groove.  It was soooooooooooo good!!  After sushi we went to Nelson's Custard for a concrete.  I loved their sign!

It was pouring rain while we ate lunch and our custard, but we called Michelle and she told us the games were still on...

 

The field was pure mud, but the boys played hard and ended up winning both games!  Kreed did a great job!

After Kreed's games we headed over to the Tanger Factory Outlets and did some shopping.  All of the boys got shoes for school and each got some school clothes. 

We ended the day at the mouth of Provo canyon for dinner at Mama Chus. 

 It was a good food day!! 

Sushi and Mexican food?? 

Nothing better! 

Utah: Day 2

The 4th of July!!!

What a fun-filled day!  Kevin started out the day golfing (again) with Jared, Dave, and Tony, and had a great time catching up with his buds. 

Mom and I spent the morning trying to figure out wedding favors for Bryan and Rebecca's sealing on Friday.  Donna rode along with us as we tried to find what I had pictured in my head.  Well, we all know that nothing is ever that easy, so we had to do a bit of searching. 

When we finished that, Mom and Donna dropped me off at Michelle's house for a Lewis Family Reunion/4th of July party/Corban's birthday party.  All of Vaughn's brothers were there, as were Scott and Katherine (California), and Chris and Trina (Idaho).  I think it's been at least 2 years since we've seen Chris and Trina, and maybe more than that since we've all been together in one place at the same time.  It was so fun to watch all of the cousins play, and to see Vaughn and his brothers be able to be together and re-connect.  Grandma and Grandpa Young were there as well, along with Jim.  We ate pork sandwiches, fruit, and dessert, sang "Happy Birthday" to Corban, and laughed at "Sven" (Chase in his speedo and necklace) for hours.  It was wonderful to be able to catch up with loved ones and to just spend time together.  What else could be better than that???

It was a fantastic day!

JULY!!!!!

July is my favorite month of the year, especially when I am able to leave the unbearable heat of Arizona and travel "home" to Utah!  I love bringing my kids here to experience all that Utah has to offer, like the beautiful mountains, the cool summer nights, and the best thing is being able to spend time with our family.  The boys love their grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, and spending time with them is all they want to do while we're here.

I am going to do this like I did last year...day by day. 

It's the easiest way for me to keep up on the blog, and it's also easier to remember all of the details if I update daily. 

We left Arizona at 4:45 on Monday, July 2nd.  It was an unusually late start for us, but I had a doctor's appointment that morning, and Kevin had to work.  The boys helped me pack, clean the house, and get the car loaded, and when Kevin walked through the door we packed up and headed out!  We had smooth sailing the whole way, and while it was a super long drive, it seemed to go pretty quickly.  Kevin was a trooper to stay up and get us to Grandma and Grandpa H's safely.  We pulled in around 3:30 a.m. (Utah time) and crashed into bed. 

Kevin, Tanner, and Ty got up at 7:00 a.m. to go golfing...I don't know how they did it.  I was completely exhausted!!  Crazy boys!!!

When they got home, I convinced Kevin to take me to one of my favorite Utah places to eat...TACO TIME!  I thoroughly enjoyed my crisp bean and crisp meat burritos!  YUMM-O!!

Later that day, a huge wild fire broke out in the mountain above Alpine.  It was fascinating and very scary.  Many people were evacuated from their homes, but miraculously, the only thing burned was an old barn. 

We went to bed pretty early, considering that we were all so completely worn out.  It was a great day!  I'm so happy to be here!!