Hogle Zoo

The kids all had a great first week of school.  I have to admit, I miss them...but it has been nice working without them asking how much longer til I'm done.

My brother Chris and his wife Jenni stayed with us for a couple nights while they visited for a high school reunion.  It was fun having them here.  My kids love having visitors...especially when it's their cousins.

Friday night Gentry's Dad Kim invited us to his work party.  It was at Hogle Zoo.  We all had a great time.  EVERYTHING was free.  It was seriously so nice.  My kids love getting food/snacks (hmmm wonder where they learned that?) so that's basically all we did. 

 We've never had Dippin Dots, but they were FREE so we all got some!  They were really yummy too!

 I'm not sure how many animals we saw, but how often do you get to go to the zoo and all the food/treats are FREE?!!??  I laugh when I think of this but hey--we can always go back to see the animals.

The kids got shirts and visors from Rio Tinto (Kennecott) too.

 The kids were so excited to get their faces painted.

 Brock rubbed his eye and smudged his face paint.  I didn't want to tell him cause I thought he would cry.  (He actually didn't seem to care though.)

We even took the kids on the train...another one we don't usually do cause I heard it's not that great and you have to pay $1.50 more per person.  I realize it's only a $1.50 more, but let's just say I don't think it's worth $.50 more so I'm glad we got to go on it this time.

 Saturday morning, Chick-fil-a had a Christmas in July canned food drive.  You got a free breakfast entree with a canned food donation.  So naturally we had to "donate". 

 

They also had a back stage tour...it was really fun.  I thought it was actually pretty interesting too.  They let each of the kids make their own ice cream cone at the end of the tour.

They told us that they go through 5 boxes of lemons a day to make the fresh lemonade.  They gave the boys each a lemon.  The boys were so excited to come home and try to make their own lemonade.

1st Day of School

Alyssa had her first day of school yesterday.  The boys got to go "meet" their teacher,  who lucky for them happens to be Grandma Cyndy.  Alyssa is in a portable classroom, and she loved it.  She said the temperature was just perfect. 

 Alyssa started 4th grade.  Her teacher is Mrs. Evans. 

 Erin White, Alyssa, Natalie White, and Morgan Watts

 Boston and Brock started 1st grade with Mrs. Mikesell aka Grandma Cyndy.

 For the first few days of school the kids have to wear specific colors.  Today was RED day.

 When the boys got home we asked how their first day was and they said 

"BEST DAY EVER!!!"

 Brock, Nathan White, and Boston

 The boys got to "meet" their teacher and check out the classroom.  They took this very seriously.

 Before leaving for school, Boston said to me:

"Mom, if there are any bullies, they can't even bully us cause we are twins so they will get confused."  I thought it was funny their random thoughts.

Last night we got invited to a VIP reception in Salt Lake.  It was actually really cool.  We got lots of free food, and they gave us all a gift bag...with coupons for more free food.  Wahoo!

This is the only group shot I got with us on my camera.  Gentry was closing his eyes, but we didn't dare ask for a retake.  They took a group shot with the cow and gave us each a copy.

Pioneer Day

This year my family went to Lake Powell for the 24th of July week/weekend.  We were going to join them (surprise I know) but with some big changes in Gentry's work we decided not to go.

Since Gentry and I started Crossfit, we've been waking up even earlier which means we've turned into even bigger senior citizens and we go to be even EARLIER.  That being said we haven't been outside when it's gotten dark for months.  So this weekend we decided to get a little crazy and do fireworks with the kids.  (Outside, in the dark..way past our bedtime.)

We went to Sam's club and just bought the pack they sold.  On the car ride home the kids were begging to have the fireworks lay across their laps so they could look at them.  And that night they put them on the table so they could look at them the next morning while eating breakfast.  (Can you tell how excited they were?)

So Saturday night was the big night.  We invited Katie and Ryan over with their kids.  Luckily we had other people who were counting on us or I may have changed my mind an gone to bed.  The kids loved it.  We didn't even have any super cool fireworks but the kids were ecstatic, and luckily they didn't know any different...until the neighbors started their big fireworks, but by that time ours were already done.

 My sister Missy stopped by to cut her kids' hair and they joined us for a few minutes of fireworks.

 I really wanted this picture to include my watch, so I could have proof of how late I stayed up.

I mean...look at how fancy those fireworks are!!  Happy Pioneer Day!

The 4th of July

We usually have the 4th of July parties at my house.  This year I was too lazy to take pictures with my own camera so I stole pictures from my sisters.

We did a little swimming.

Some did a little relaxing...

There was a little plotting.

A few random pics...

Eating..

Playing basketball.

And having a good ol' time.  No fireworks for us, we are getting too old to stay up that late....my kids were so mad at us. (So I promised them on the 24th of July we would see some.)

Happy 4th of July!!

Side note story:

Brock and my nephew thought it would be a good idea to throw dirt clots at cars driving by, while at my Mom's house.  I found out and told Brock he could be arrested.  He was nervous and sick that he was going to jail, and driving home Boston says. "Hey Mom, do they feed you in Juvee?"  Since when does my son know the slang for Juvenile Detention...or whatever it's called?  Needless to say Brock will NEVER do that again.

4th of July Festivities

We love the 4th of July.  The weather is warm, everyone is out and about and we have Riverton Town Days!

Starting with the parade Friday night.

 Some of our friends invited us to sit with them...IN THE SHADE!!! Loved it!

 My nephew Connor was in the parade because he is a student body officer at Riverton Highschool.  He stopped for pics with the kids.

 My bro in law Scott took care of Jett the whole time...I was supposed to but look how happy he is with Scott.

My sister Janay actually puts everything together, and I sort of just come to help out a little bit.

 

Luckily Jett didn't fall in the mud or anything....he's oblivious as long as he has that sucker.

I also recruited a friend the night before:)

 And we talked a few people into helping judge the Cannon Ball contest.

My cute sister Jennifer and her kids came for the fun!

 My fun in laws came to watch the kids too.

 Alyssa and Kate got a couple dollars each from the Diving for Dollars.

 Brock got $7.00 and Boston got over $4.00

Brock even dared to be a part of the Cannon Ball Contest, jumping off the high dive.  He got a pretty good splash for such a little guy.  He was half the size of the other kids.

The cousins

Jaron, Mac, CJ, Kate, Alyssa and Brock.

 Brock won the Tanning Contest for his age group...for the best tan line.

(I didn't cheat, he really did have the best line.)

 Reese won for her age group, she was embarrassed to take this picture, but it was too cute.

 Then we went back later for the Haystack dive.  The kids were all really excited to do it, then after a half hour of sitting in the heat they were ready to go.

 You can't really tell in this pic but they were all dying of heat.

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!