Bridal Veil Falls

We had one of the funnest days today! Bret called from Vegas and said that the inspector was coming to our house and it would take him about 2 hours to complete the entire inspection. It was time for Shawn's nap so I wasn't really sure what to do. I grabbed the kids and we headed for Taco Time for a little lunch. I had them throw their suits in the car just in case we found some water to play in. After we ate, I decided to take the kids up to Bridal Veil Falls to play in the water . . . I thought this would be fun and we could stay long enough to let the inspector get his job done. On our way up University Ave, I called my Dad to see if he wanted to come with us and he said, "YES!" So I stopped at his house and picked him up for our little adventure.

We parked down below, in the little parking lot at the bottom of the trail, and we walked up to the base of the Falls. It was so fun to have Grandpa come along. Shawn kept smiling at me because Grandpa was pushing the stroller.

The second we got there the kids took off through the water with their flip flops on ready to attack.
Shawn wasn't nervous at all. It was a little tricky keeping up with him. He knew exactly where he wanted to go next and there was nothing stopping him.


Jenny and Katy started climbing up the falls with Grandpa right behind them. I noticed Katy was in the lead the whole time. When they came back down Grandpa said Katy was like a little mountain goat . . . there was nothing stopping her. I think she would have kept climbing if we hadn't called her back.
Grandpa challenge Tyler to make a Dam and Tyler was all over that!


He started gathering rocks . . .
. . . and before long the girl chipped in a little help too.

Don't they have the cutest little bodies!?!
By this time Shawn was a little tired, so he and I just watched and wandered a little.

I thought it was so fun to have my Dad come along with us today. I'm so glad that you were home, Dad, and that you were willing to come with us at the last minute. Thank you for being such a cute Grandpa.
We will always remember this day. . .We love you!

Tyler's 9th Birthday!

Tyler's 9 and we can't believe it!

Where does the time go?

We started celebrating the night before with a yummy Sweet and Sour Chicken dinner (Tyler's Favorite) and some Brownies and Ice Cream(since Tyler doesn't like cake) for Dessert . He picked himself out some TRICK candles at the store and had a blast trying to blow them out.

Then on the big day we had some school friends come over for a birthday party. We headed to Kangaroo Zoo and then hit the park for some pizza and cookies.
Tyler gave them each a bag of gadgets and goodies. These funny teeth and the slimy goop were the biggest hit.
Mark and Jaxon
Ty with Kade
Cameron and Spencer
The two cutest girls in the world!
. . . and one monkey!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY!
WE LOVE YOU!

4th of July 2008

The Fourth of July festivities started for us last week with the Children's Parade. We decorated our bikes/scooters/rollerblades the night before so we would be ready for the "big" 6 block walk. Katy was a little disappointed in how slow she had to go on her bike. I think she thought she would be able to dazzle people with her amazing bike riding skills. And Jenny and Tyler kept asking where all the people were. There's nothing like being in a parade when there aren't any people there to watch it. But it was fun!

Waiting for the parade to start!

Then we hit the hot air balloons the morning of the 3rd.
It's always to fun to meet Grandma and Grandpa Z and Kym there.

. . . nothing better then sitting on a Grandpa's lap!

. . . or riding on shoulders! After the balloons Bret treated us to a yummy breakfast (1200 calories yummy) at IHOP. You gotta love that spinach/mushroom omelet!
Last year we started something a little new on the 4th. We decided to start it off with an early morning run. This year my Mom and I ran the 5K and Kym, my Aunt Leslie, and Uncle Rory ran the 10K. My sister talked me into training for it a few months ago . . . and I'm so glad. I've never run that far in my life so . . . It was exciting for me to actually be able to finish the race.

. . . and there's nothing funner then doing it with people you love. Thanks for encouraging me Kym! Way to Go!
Then it was time to cruise home for a quick shower and then back for the parade. I can't get over how handsome these two are! OH! I love them!

We had Otter Pops . . .
and treats . . . and more Otter Pops!
And we can't imagine the parade without cousins! We had so much fun throwing poppers, fighting for our spot and sharing otter pops with our fellow parade neighbors. :) Anyone for some White Glasses?

After a little nap we headed over to a family BBQ for some yummy food and water balloon games. Thank you Cindy! It was delicious! We had to sneak out a little early so we wouldn't miss the STADIUM OF FIRE!
The weather was absolutely perfect that night. We thought we might be "sweatin' buckets" the whole time but the clouds came over and there was even a little breeze. It was perfect!
Shawn couldn't get enough of Grandma Z the whole night. She was the only one he wanted to sit by. And he definitely kept her going on the Licorice and Cinnamon Bears!
Bret even managed to get a few "back scratches" in.
Jenny had so much fun being with Kymmie all day. She just can't get enough of her. We are so glad she lives close enough to play with us. We love you Kym!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for being such good sports with Buddy! He definitely knows who he loves and what he wants!

By the end of the night, when it was finally time for the fireworks, Shawn was read to crash. He made it through the first few minutes and then he zonked.
We had such a fun day! The 4th of July is probably one of our family's favorite holidays. It's so great to be reminded each year of how blessed we are. What a privilege it is to be an American. We are so grateful to live in America and have the freedoms that we do. We pray for the men who are fighting for our country today and their families for being so strong and loyal. May we all remember how blessed we are throughout the entire year!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!