Summer 2010

Well school has started and playgroup is set and we're just trying to get our lives back into some sort of routine so that we can function in the world again. Although, it sounds like summer is over its still a hefty 110 and humid thanks to the monsoon season here in Arizona.

First and foremost I should let you all know that we did indeed find our dog (aka brother) Reggie. After a 24 hour spree of life in the fast lane we found him at the pound in a kennel with some chiuauas that looked as if they'd had their way with him. That also might explain his hysteria as we walked away because the lady didn't have a key with her. Reggie learned some tricks in the slammer and passed kennel cough around to all his friends, even though vaccinated. We later found out a nice lady picked him up, or should I say he jumped in her car, and then called us to let us know she had found him. I'm pretty sure she found him in the front yard of my parent's house. Whatever.

So now that life has slowed a bit here's a recap of our summer for anyone who cares.

This is our family at the "bucket pool." We spent many days here for swimming lessons and as a way to get out of the house for a couple hours a few days a week.

Sydney celebrated her first birthday. She preferred smashing the cupcake more than eating it.

We ventured to Utah for the greater part of July. As we rolled into town we came across these hobos. Somehow they all share some resemblance.

We celebrated the Fourth of July in style with the whole neighborhood at the 19th annual neighborhood parade. It was good to see old friends and strange to see kids I used to babysit all grown up. Makes me feel old.

Noelle really liked the Utah Museum of Natural History. Although the dinosaur bones were really cool, I think she liked the mineral section and the bugs the best. She was even brave enough to hold a live Madagascar cockroach. Yuck!

The girls had fun splashing in their grandmas' backyard pools. This is just one of those times.

This is Noelle's "I'm dead" face.

We ventured to Island Park with some good friends and had a fantastic time away from the heat and noise of day to day life. It was so beautiful up there. Jenny always spoils us with good food and lots of Play-doh time.

Sydney and Cal at Johnny Sack's cabin at Big Springs.

Noelle didn't want to go so she just sat on the log pretending she couldn't hear me talking to her. She must have been contemplating the things of the world.

When we got back from Idaho we went to Cherry Hill with Grammy and the cousins. Noelle had so much fun and even went down the big dragon slide and wasn't afraid. She told Boo that we were cheerleaders all the way down.

A zen moment for Noelle. This was all her.

Later in our travels we visited This is the Place Monument. The sky couldn't decide if it should rain or shine, so it did both on and off. First it would pour then sun, then pour again. We just made sure when we heard thunder that we were at a house with a porch.

Grandma and Grandpa bought old fashioned candy from one of the stores and Sydney thought it was the best thing ever.

Noelle and Sydney with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Ted

As we were leaving we spotted this cute old wagon that needed its picture taken. So we plopped the girls on there and the end result was pretty cute. These two sure love each other.

In celebration for Pioneer Day we ran a 10k that winds through Salt Lake. Each of us has run it several times throughout our lives, but this was the first time we'd all run it together. We all did pretty well too. For doing so well I awarded all of us with a bagel medal. It was pretty funny.

On our trip home we missed the first turn toward our destination, so we ended up going up through Brian Head and stopped at Cedar Breaks to take a look. That's a really nice drive for anyone looking to take a little road trip. Reggie didn't like the winding road up the canyon and ended up barfing all over his kennel and the car, but it was worth the views.

And that's the end. Stay tuned for Fall 2010, which might be my next post at the rate I'm going.