Valley of the Sun

Once I finally made it to Sun valley, ALIVE, it was smooth sailing from there I had lots of extra hands to help in the place of Nate.

1st activity on the list: Ice Skating

We signed them up for a group lesson.

Thanks to Aunt Amy, they had some hands to hold onto. I wasn't able to go, due to my "condition" at that time.

Oh and Liam also got a taste of what it feels like to be a real skater. (This was the instructor.)

They seemed to enjoy it. Owen was done shortly after the lessons, but Liam kept trying and got to where he could go a few steps without needing help or falling.

The kids.

The founders of Sun Valley

And my personal favorites.

They were so happy to be with family and enjoying the great outdoors!

The Ducks were happy they were there too!

We also not 1, but 2 Woody Cowboys!

On the way home we stopped at Red Fish Lake. The water was a little cold, but the kids didn't seem to mind.

And we made another Furry friend

Thanks Poulson's for letting us tag along. Looking forward to another reunion!

I think I might be lost?

After Freemont I decided, sure I can drive to Sun Valley by myself with the boys and make it to the Poulson family reunion. I typed in Sun Valley on my GPS and away I went.
It told me to take a left in 1 mile.  I thought to myself, strange this doesn't seem like a highway? Oh well, that's what the GPS says so I'll keep going.
I should have known something was wrong when I turned onto this:

And it started looking like this:

And when the boys started to ask me: "why's it so bumpy/"

"Are we lost?"

"Are we going to die?"

I should have turned around. But the GPS kept saying it was a straight shot and only ten miles away from my destination. It couldn't get much worse right?

WRONG!

My camera couldn't get the whole picture. This was looking oposite what I was driving on. There was probably a 2000 foot drop off right in front of me.

I was so scared, but didn't want to alarm the boys so I told them, "No, we aren't lost. It's and adventure!" but inside I was praying please don't let us die, or get a flat or have to turn around because I can't do this right now...

We finally made it safe and sound to the bottom of this summit, and it really did take me directly onto Sun Valley Road, but I would not suggest this route to anyone, even though it was scenic. 

Freemont Lake 2011

Our next summer adventure landed us in my car packed with three sweet boys, one pregnant woman and a "Buddy," as we drove our way to Pinedale Wyoming for the annual Liddell family boating trip. (Nate had to work and study for his Boards, so that's why he isn't in any of these pictures.)

My saving grace...The DVD player and headphones.

The water at Freemont Lake is FREEZING! We are talking like 65 on a good day. It was created by a glacier and has the backdrop of beautiful snowy peaked mountains, and has become a Liddell favorite because the is NEVER anyone but us, and whoever comes with us on the lake. So it makes for perfect Glass for most of the day. 

To make it fun for the kids, we found a "tube ski". This little beauty made of skis within a tube make it perfect for the kids so they didn't have to get wet but could feel like they were doing something at the same time!

 I Love the look on Grahmmy's fac. SO serious! But he LOVED it!

Getting braver as the day went on...

We stay in these Hotel/cabins on the lake and there are all sorts of wildlife and the kids found a furry friend they wanted to make their pet.

I said no!

An attempt at a group shot of the 5 boys. Not happening, but still cute.

And when the kids wanted to do something a little different, they could usually talk one of the uncles into taking them for a ride on the wake surfer or the wakeboard.

                                         

 I think they called this the Megatron??? (Thanks uncle Rick!)

We took them fishing, but after waiting and waiting the big boys gave up, and within two minutes Grahmmy caught one.

"I like Bishy's"

Owen doing his thing.

Oh and I couldn't resist a quick tow. Yes I am 8 months pregnant, but I was careful, and my dad said no to skiing, next summer!

I had been sending Nate all these pictures showing him what we were doing, and this was his contribution:

There is a little beach where we took these bucket heads to play.

And on rainy/windy days there is an aquatics center in town we can go to.

Wyoming's best and BIGGEST PIZZA! 

 And if all else failed, a little Ben Ten kept them entertained.

Thanks Papa and Honey for the GREAT trip. Already looking forward to next year!

24th of July

Pioneer Day is on the 24th of July, this is where we celebrate all who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era. Nate's mom is in the Utah State Legislature for Cottonwood Heights and she gets to ride in their parade and wanted her cute grandkids to ride along with her, so off me and the boys went and got to be part of this fun activity!

Oh and did I mention there were bouncy houses?

Just look at him in awe...

Trucks spraying water.

A little Jousting

A little digging for gold.

And one tired boy at the end of it!

(I think we all were, but I wasn't allowed to lay down on the restaurant bench.)

The Fourth

We were able to spend the Fourth of July with Nate's brother and his parents. It was so fun to have family around and to spend time with our cousins! As you can tell they are mesmerized by our fireworks display.

And what's a Fourth of July party without a little entertainment?

 Face/hand painting

 Post parade lunch

Must be puppy love

We said goodbye to Hershey and hello to Boise. One of our first weekends here, we went to a new friends house that had just had puppies. But as cute as they were, I wasn't tempted since I had my own baby cooking.

Our little Fish

During the winter months of Pennsylvania, there is NOTHING to do, so I decided to put Owen into swimming lessons, and I think he is a better swimmer than I am. (this particular day was the cat in the hat day at school hence the whiskers.)

 Owen and his "brother" Blaze

Kindergarten come and gone just like that...

I figured I REALLY needed to update the blog, so here we go, yet again!
Seeing these pictures makes me so nostalgic! I can't believe it's only been a few months since these were taken. BOO! For growing up.
Liam went to South Hanover Elementary School in Pennsylvania and had the sweetest teacher Mrs. Nowlen. He tells me that he misses it all the time.

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No longer a Kindergartner.

 Liam and Mrs. Nowlen

 ShaQuesst, Olivia and Liam. (Not sure if you can tell or not, but Liam is a little embarrassed about this picture. Olivia was one of his best friends, but he didn't want anyone to know it, because she was a girl!)

This is one of my sweet friends little boy, Connor.