Weekly Review 2011 - May 22 - 28

Sunday, May 22 - After church I made some mint chocolate chip brownies, AND some chocolate chip cookies to take to Daren Hale to thank him for helping Paul with our tent trailer all day Saturday. Then, we went over to my parent's house for Sunday dinner. We went early so that I could help with the major project of helping with an amazing homemade Chinese meal. We had Sesame Chicken, Orange Chicken, Cream Cheese Won Tons, Rice, etc. It was so delicious, but it took us a little over 2 hours to get everything done...delicious, and worth it...but not too often.

Monday, May 23 - This week our family is going camping down near Richfield so we got everything cleaned up, packed, and organized. I did laundry, packed bags, packed food, and cleaned the house. Paul cleaned the trailer, fixed the trailer door latch, organized the things into the cabinets, and got things ready outside. Our first camping trip with our tent trailer was ready to go.

Tuesday, May 24 - We left at about 9:00 to head down to go camping for the week. On our way to the campground we stopped for lunch at a dairy in Richfield. The lunch was so delicious and we really enjoyed it there. We got on our way the last little bit to the campground and got things set up at our campsite. It had been raining all morning and was still pretty soggy, and cold when we got there. There wasn't ANY dry wood to start a fire, but eventually Paul succeeded in getting the fire going. The girls were THRILLED to find a creek with a bridge right next to our campsite. They had fun walking on the bridge, and throwing rocks in the creek.

Wednesday, May 25 - We went hiking at Fremont Indian State park in the morning, and then after going back to our campsite for lunch we went over to Cove Fort for a tour, and to learn some more about Utah History. We learned a lot about how they lived, and what they did. The tour guide was VERY knowledgeable and showed us how they did a lot of things. One of the things we got to try was a game the kids used to play with a stick and ring. Gabby was really good at keeping the ring rolling across the ground.

Thursday, May 26 - We had gone on most of the hiking trails (all the ones that the kids could do easily), so we went over to Big Rock Candy Mountain which wasn't very impressive AT ALL. It looked more like a toasted marshmallow than a candy mountain. Since we were done with everything we had wanted to do we decided that rather than staying one more night we headed back home with the plan to go to the zoo on Friday instead. Before we packed things up to head home I remembered to take a picture of our new tent trailer.

Friday, May 27 - Friday morning we unpacked and got things cleaned up from camping, and as soon as my little sister Marla got off work and came over here we went to the zoo. The zoo has a dinosaur exhibit for the summer with animatronic dinosaurs all over the zoo, as well as a bunch of dino fact places and things to do. I bought my zoo membership (and split it with my oldest sister, YAY!) and we spent the entire afternoon wandering the zoo, watching the bird show, and just having fun. It was the perfect day for a trip to the zoo.

Saturday, May 28 - After a week of fun and adventure we decided to have a nice relaxing weekend. We went with my parent's and my Grandma to my Grandpa's grave to put flowers there for Memorial Day weekend.

Zoorassic Park at the Zoo

(catching up on some old posts) We came home a day early from camping with the plan to go to the zoo on Friday. I told my sister Marla that's what we were planning, and she said that she wanted to go too, but needed to go to work in the morning. So, as soon as Marla got off work she came over and we all headed off to the zoo. We love going to the zoo! For the summer they have a dinosaur exhibit all over the zoo. So, not only did we get to see all the animals, we also got to see lots of dinos, and dino facts. We went to the bird show, saw the new baby Lemurs, and enjoyed about 4 hours of fun family time wandering around the zoo.

Camping - Fremont Indian State Park/Cove Fort

Paul took some time off work in between spring and summer semester at school so we could go camping before Memorial Day weekend when camping would be crazy because of how many people go camping that weekend. Paul had bought a tent trailer the week before we went camping, and got it all cleaned up and ready so we could take it with us.

We decided to go camping at Fremont Indian State Park in southern Utah near Richfield. When we got to our campground the girls were so excited to find that there was a creek with a bridge right next to our campsite.

The first day we were there we set up our campsite, and looked around in the campground, and just did stuff around the campground. It was pretty cold the first day when we got there. It had been raining all morning, and was a cool afternoon. That night was still really cold. We woke up the next morning and went over to the Fremont Indian State Park Museum and looked at the things in the museum, and then went on a few hikes. We hiked to the Cave of 100 Hands (which only has 31 handprints, and no one could tell us why it was called the cave of 100 hands.) While we were hiking we saw a few different animals. Once back to the museum after hiking we went into an Indian pit house and Grainary.

After hiking all morning we went back to our campground for lunch and then went to Cove Fort for the afternoon. We went on a tour and learned about how the fort was built, and how they people lived there. The kids learned about some games the kids would play, and Gabby was really good at rolling the ring across the grounds.

That night we pulled out the makings of Smores and got the fire going to make them. Gabby decided to make a double decker marshmallow smore (minus the chocolate). Then, since we had done all the hikes already the next day we decided to go over to Big Rock Candy Mountain. It was a huge disappointment and looked more like toasted marshmallow than candy. After that we decided to head home so we could go to the zoo on Friday instead of just hanging out camping.

Weekly Review 2011 - May 15 - 21

Sunday, May 15 - After church we got things ready to go over to my parent's house for Sunday dinner, and to celebrate my bro-in-law Spencer's b-day. Kaylee got changed out of her church dress, and I just had to smile at her amazing fashion when she came in, and I HAD to take a picture.

Monday, May 16 - The weather has changed again...and it's scheduled to rain ALL week. We did some school work, and I can't remember what else...but, I'm sure that whatever it was must have been entertaining...or maybe boring...who knows.

Tuesday, May 17 - My dog Falkor is a people watcher. He likes to sit on the back of the couch and watch out the window and any time he sees ANYONE walking past, or down the street, or anything he just make a really quite noise. He doesn't bark, but I always know when there is someone outside. I also know when the mail has come because he almost always barks once at the mailman. I guess he knows that one bark is enough for the mailman to leave.

Wednesday, May 18 - My kids have been really into making Jello lately. I found some fun little single serve Jello molds, and they think Jello is the greatest thing ever now. Gabby loves red Jello, and Kaylee likes blue (unless she can't find blue, and then she's up for whatever the day brings)

Thursday, May 19 - Ever since Paul installed a trailer hitch on our Subaru he has been eyeing things to pull...he has been especially looking at tent trailers. He found one online that he was especially drawn to and has talking about it all week. He went to look at it and decided that he REALLY, REALLY wanted to get it. He went to look at it by himself because I had babysat Ariana all day, and then my cousin's little boys Corbin and Carter that evening...so, he is all set to go look at it again and buy it on Friday.

Friday, May 20 - Gabby has had a SUPER loose tooth that was barely hanging on. She wanted toast for breakfast and as she was eating her toast her tooth came out....and...she SWALLOWED it! She was so completely devastated that she had swallowed her tooth. Once I had reassured her that the tooth fairy would still come she seemed to find the humor in the whole situation and was laughing so hard about what had happened. We went to look at the tent trailer that Paul was absolutely in love with and decided to buy it. We're going camping next week so it will be a fun time in our tent trailer.

Saturday, May 21 - The brake lights and such weren't working on the tent trailer so my parent's neighbor Daren Hale agreed to help Paul with getting it to work. On our way to Magna our trailer didn't hitch up right and unhitched while we were on the freeway, but we had the safety chains attached and Paul did great getting off and getting it hooked back up. A couple guys stopped and helped us get it hitched back up, and then we were on our way again...for a minute anyway. Then the trailer got a flat tire!!!! WHAT A DAY! My parent's had been planning to go to a family reunion but were waiting for us to get to their house, and at this rate we were WAY behind schedule. Paul went to change the tire and didn't have a lug wrench to fit so my parent's neighbor came to the rescue. After they got the tire changed he followed up the rest of the way to his house and they got to work on the trailer. My little sister Marla took pity on my bad morning and went to get me lunch at Cafe' Rio while Paul was changing the tire. Lunch definitely helped my day get better. My parents didn't make it to the family reunion because of our freeway adventures. Since Paul was in the driveway across the street working on the trailer Marla and I decided to take the girls to the new Magna Library grand opening event. They had fun making crowns, watching the "Yoyo Man", and seeing a pirate at the library. They're excited to go to the new library for our library trips. Our day ended MUCH, MUCH better than it began with a working trailer, a fun trip to the library, and a safe trip home.

Weekly Review 2011 - May 8-14

Sunday, May 8 - Happy Mother's Day! I was so lucky to receive breakfast in bed from Paul, Kaylee, and Gabby...although I moved to the couch instead of eating in bed. We went to church, and then over to my parent's house for a nice Mother's Day dinner. Paul got me some side shelves that I wanted for our food storage shelf, and I also wanted a zoo membership for Mother's day, so, he told me I could get one.

Monday, May 9 - Kaylee and Gabby wanted pedicures. They love everything girly! We got cotton balls out to put in between their toes, and then painted them in beautiful colors. Gabby also had fun playing with the cotton balls by blowing them out of her hands, and throwing one at me.

Tuesday, May 10 - Kaylee helped Paul make some pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes (which she also added a few M&M's into them too), and then she added the icing all by herself, and topped them off with a single M&M on each one.

Wednesday, May 11 - This week for schoolwork Kaylee, Gabby, and I have been learning about amazing animals. We learned about Lemurs, and that they ONLY live in Madagascar (or the zoo), and all the different types of lemurs. I printed out a lemur printout for them to color and put together. Kaylee decided that lemurs just weren't colorful enough, so she made hers nice and colorful.

Thursday, May 12 - Our seeds that we planted in the little planter box have gotten pretty big, and are ready to move into our garden...if only the weather would cooperate. In the background we didn't actually plant the strawberries, and big tomato plants, we bought starter plants. All the rest of the plants in the little planters we started from seed, and hope that they will grow LOTS of yummy produce for us this year.

Friday, May 13 - My cousin Josh got married to his beautiful new bride Kelsey. We went up to North Ogden for their reception. On our way up we ate dinner at Brick Oven Pizza which was so amazingly delicious. We enjoyed visiting with my relatives at the reception. My uncle came from California, and my cousin was here from Texas. It was so fun just visiting and spending time with my extended family.

Saturday, May 14 - We took all our plants from our tabletop garden, and went to my parent's house to plant our veggie garden. We got them all planted before it got to warm out. Hopefully our garden will be amazing this summer!

Weekly Review 2011 - May 1-7

Sunday, May 1 - Nothing to significant to write about for the day. We went to church, and then just stayed home for the day. Sunday is the day that is the hardest to remember to take a picture.

Monday, May 2 - Kaylee and Gabby have gotten REALLY good at giving our little dog a bath. They herded him into the bathroom and then gave him a good scrubbing. It's so nice to have a clean dog.

Tuesday, May 3 - We bought a mini greenhouse planter, and seeds to start our garden and get the seeds going on our kitchen table in the planter greenhouse box. I didn't get any pictures because although I thought about it while we were working on it my fingers were covered in dirt, and I didn't think about it after I washed my hands...so, you can just imagine us planting seeds.

Wednesday, May 4 - Okay, since I am way behind on my weekly review I can NOT think of what we did this day. I know we did schoolwork, and the kids probably played outside on their scooters, but beyond that I have no idea.

Thursday, May 5 - On the side yard of our house there is this one, single tulip just growing next to the pear tree. It seems so out of place, but was such a bright spot of color in the dirt.

Friday, May 6 - We have been working on planning a camping trip so Paul figured it was a perfect time to pull out our tent and make sure everything was there, and nothing was wrong with it. Kaylee and Gabby had so much fun setting up the tent, and playing in it they even managed to convince Paul to have a backyard campout. They got out the firepit and roasted Starbursts, hung out in the hammock, and slept in the tent.

Saturday, May 7 - For my mom for Mother's day all of my sister's families as well as me and my family got the supplies to get my mom's veggie garden fixed back up, and ready to plant. This included some planter boxes, as well as 2 yards of garden grade dirt delivered to my parent's driveway (which actually ended up being closer to 3 yards of dirt because the driver didn't want to dump any back after he filled his truck)...So, after digging up the weeds, and grass from the garden bed and building the planter boxes Paul, Marla, and I took LOADS, after LOAD, after LOAD of wheelbarrows from the driveway to the backyard to fill it in. There was SOOOOO much dirt. Janeene and Israel came to save us after a while which was a good things, because I don't think we would have made it otherwise. My dad was also extremely helpful. We were working so hard the only thing I was thinking about was getting all the dirt moved...I didn't even get my camera out.

Weekly Review - April 24-30, 2011

Sunday, April 24 - Happy Easter! We got up and going for the day. The girls had just enough time to see what was in their Easter baskets, and their beautiful new Easter dresses. Then we got ready and headed off to church. I snapped a quick picture of the girls in their new dresses. Then after church we went over to my parent's house for the cousin's Easter Egg hunt, and family dinner. The clouds threatened to rain on the egg hunt, but the kids had so much fun!

Monday, April 25 - I had pulled out the box of the girls spring/summer clothes to figure out what would still fit them this year. In the process of bringing the box up it broke so Gabby had tons of fun playing with her box sofa and making a house with her parasols. After the girls colored the box, and put it in the recycle bin we headed to the mall to get Gabby's unstuffed build-a-bear dog that she got for Easter stuffed.

Tuesday, April 26 - Gabby got my camera out of my purse and took the picture of the day for me...wasn't that so nice and thoughtful of her? Yeah, I thought so too. Here is a nice picture of her new build-a-bear dog that she got for Easter. It's exercising on the bike in the living room. Now, if only his feet would reach the pedals.

Wednesday, April 27 - Paul's cousin Jared got married to his beautiful new bride Natalie. We went to their reception and got to visit with all of Paul's family that lives in Alaska. I made sure to grab my camera...but I didn't check to make sure it had a memory card in it. On our way down to the reception we stopped at Thanksgiving Point and the flowers there are amazingly beautiful. I pulled out my phone and took a picture of some really cool flowers. I would love some of these flowers at my house.

Thursday, April 28 - One of my favorite things is when Kaylee ASKS me if she can fold a batch of laundry. She folded the whole batch of towels and put them away...not because it was her chore, or because I asked her to...but, because she LIKES to fold towels. I hope she doesn't outgrow this. Sorry this picture is a bit fuzzy, but you get the idea.

Friday, April 29 - We had another wedding reception to attend today for an amazingly beautiful happy couple. Paul's best friend Mike's little brother Danny married his sweetheart Azlyn. When we got to the reception we learned that Mike wasn't even there, but was at the hospital with his wife who had gone into preterm labor at 32 weeks. Looks like they will have their new baby boy within the next few days.

Saturday, April 30 - We got quite the shock when we woke up, looked out the window, and found about 8-10 inches of snow on the ground. The last day of April, and snow was everywhere! Kaylee and Gabby had a birthday party for their friend in the afternoon. They had rented a bounce house for the party, and the kids didn't care one bit that it was cold outside. They had a ball at the party, and the snow melted pretty quickly.