Trip to Utah - Part 2 - The Friends

After we left Zanny's house, we drove up to Logan.  We arrived there the afternoon of the 24th of July (Pioneer Day) so that night we lit off fireworks out front.  Dave and Scott had gone alone to get the fireworks, and we ended up with a LOT of fireworks.  They let all the kids light some... which was a bit scary!  But, nobody got hurt and everyone had a lot of fun.  While we were there, we played A LOT of games (Yes... Twister came out one night when it was getting late...), went out to dinner and a movie while the kids took care of themselves (SO nice having older kiddos!),  went to the pool, shopped a bit, and played more games!
One day, Dave did the Blazin' Hot Wing Challenge at Buffalo Wild Wings... and succeeded!  He ate 12 of their hottest wings drenched in sauce in under 6 minutes.  He got a free t-shirt, and impressed us all with his awesomeness!
We always love our time with the Hamblin family... we really miss being close to them.  It was sad to leave and head back home, but can't wait until they come visit us in Texas!!

Trip to Utah - Part 1 - The Family

We took our summer vacation trip to Utah July 20 through July 28.  The first half of the trip, we spent with Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Suzanna's family (at her house), Aunt Gill's family, and Uncle John's family (which was a complete surprise!)... we were only missing Dylan's family (wish they were there!)!  We arrived at Suzanna's on Sunday afternoon and had a blast meeting up with family as they all arrived.

During the few days that we spent with them, we went out to eat a lot (Kneaders... Yum!!), shopped, played, went to a museum, went to the Salt Lake Cemetery and found John Tanner's grave, and had a wonderful time!  I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but I did get a few.  We went to visit Great Grandpa Arden one afternoon, which was really good for the kiddos to see him.  While we were at the cemetery, I tried to get a picture of little David's face... he got charcoal on his lip like a little Hitler mustache... but he wouldn't look at me long enough to snap a picture.  The cousin's had a fun time playing in Suzanna's yard with the bows and swords that Grandpa made for them all.

It was a really fun 3 days... not at all long enough.  We miss them already, and can't wait until we get to see everyone again!

Little Fishies

Chloe's friend Leah invited us over for a swim in her pool one day... Ciera had other plans, but Chloe, Brooke, Autumn, and I went over for a while.  It was fun to watch how much my girls have grown... they are such great little swimmers now.  Just like little fish!

Refinishing Project... such fun!

One of the projects we wanted to do this summer was refinish the girls' little dressers.  They have wanted to for a long time, and we finally got around to it.  We went to the hardware store and the girls picked out their colors of paint.  We got sandpaper and primer, and got to work.  It was really hot in our garage, but the girls all did really great sanding down their dressers.  Then we primed them and painted them.  It took a couple of days total (in the heat), but they turned out really great!  (Of course, I didn't get a picture of them all done... guess you will have to trust me.)  The girls love them... which is what is important!

I love cows!

July 12th was "cow appreciation day" at Chick-Fil-A.  The rules were simple.  Wear a cow costume, get a free meal.  We were SO excited.  After playgroup in the morning, we dressed up in our cow costumes and headed to our Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  It was a-MOO-zing!

Autumn fell asleep in her cow headband... so adorable!

Tooth, Hair, and Hand... Oh My!

The title of this post sounds like the ingredients in a witch's potion.  Don't worry, it is nothing that weird!  Just more summer fun!

Autumn lost her second front tooth.  She is so cute with missing front teeth!

Ciera got her hair cut.  We are trying to grow it back out (she goes through the same long, short cycle that a lot of women do...) and wanted it to be all the same length (she had been growing out bangs for a while).  Isn't it cute!??!

One of the library teen programs was "Monster Make-up".  Ciera and Chloe went and they learned how to make open wounds with makeup.  Chloe's looked pretty good!  (Ciera had washed hers off before they came out to the car.)

Independence Day!

The girls painted each other's faces at the beginning of July and did patriotic designs!  (Autumn did a flag on my hand!)

For the Fourth, we went to the ward breakfast and the kids played and got soaked with water balloons.  It was a really good time.

After that, we went to a BBQ and party at our friends (I made a patriotic cheesecake!) and lit fireworks in their street (since Wylie doesn't allow them!).  We talked to our girls a little about history and how our country got started.  I am so grateful for those who sacrificed so much to give me my freedom!  It was a late night, but overall it was a good day!