Summer in Utah: Part 2

It was super hot in Utah while we were with my family, so we spent a LOT of our time in the water.

Henry took swimming lessons with Ivan.  I think this was one of my favorite parts of the trip, because I got to spend time every day talking to Kati while we watched the swimmers.  Did I mention that our 2-week swim session was $35?  We would pay $90 for a similar session in MA, so we felt like it was a great deal too.

Water slide in the back yard (thanks to the Rileys for lending it to us!)

See a tiny bit of trepidation on that face?

Sam is the perfect age to hate everyone who is not his mom or dad.  He eventually warmed up to our parents, but it took him a little while before anyone else could hold him!

Cherry Hill!  We had season passes as kids and went to this water park all the time.  It was fun to share the excitement with the kids!

I just love everything about this picture.

Ellis was absolutely crazy about the water slides . . . as long as somebody (like Grandpa) went with him.

I love trying to cram as many boys as possible into one picture . . .

 . . . It kind of gives you an idea of the amount of energy that exists when mine and Kati's boys get together.

And let's not forget the babies!  They waited very patiently for the few fun things they were allowed to do.

Lagoon!  Henry has never forgotten our trip to Lagoon three years ago.  He has begged and begged to go again!  Lucky boy.  We really had a fun time.

Ellis and Ivan

Carousel pics

One of Sam's only rides!  What a patient boy he was!  He and Max both lasted until past 10pm (and Sam with no nap!).  He's a trooper.

It was so fun to be with these babies and see how much they have grown!

James, Sam, & Max

Brady and McCall were awesome and came and played with us every day that they could.  We played lots of games and laughed a lot!

Look how cute McCall and James are!

Ben and his dad showing off their beards on the day they got back from Alaska.  Ben was gone for 10 days, and I missed him a lot -- but it was MUCH easier to have him gone while I was with my family!  I was so glad to have him return though.  Ellis prayed every night that Dad would be safe "and won't get eaten by anything."  I think my prayers were pretty similar . . .


Upgraded to smart phones!  Yep, still free riding on the old family plan!

Visited Mary and Chad in their new house!  Mary has twins in her belly!

And now, for a bunch of pictures of cute kids.  Starting with Sam.

Isn't it just adorable to have this many boys???  My mom has one grand-daughter (the oldest) and EIGHT grandsons!  In this picture they are playing Guess Who, and Sam is sad because he wants to play too!

One of Henry's favorite things about Utah is that people have trampolines in the ground.  This is part of why he wants to move to Utah (also for the houses with "parking garages" and finished basements).  Ellis wants to move to Utah "because Utah is just SO much more funner!"

Grandpa and Max

Sophie (the one lucky grand-daughter) - who is an amazing, angelic girl.  Sam LOVED her!

Sam, Max, Ellis, Milo

The Nerf Gun game my mom came up with to get the kids outside!

Henry, Ivan, Isaac (love this action shot)

Oh, yes.  The biggest news is that Sam learned to walk on this trip.  Finally, at 16 months!  Hooray!

Thanks to both of our families for the amazing time we had in Utah.  It was an absolute dream!