Hiking Adventures

Adobe shuts down the week of 4th of July and we had a lot to do before we left on our trip to San Jose but we did manage to squeeze one hike in. It was our first of the year. It is something we all enjoy doing. We have a tradition we started last summer of collecting a rock from our hikes and writing on it the date and where we picked it up. Hopefully we can amass a great collection over time.

Sophia's 7th Birthday

Sophia is our birthday girl- literally. Her birthday is so far away from her brothers and sister that she is very obsessed with it. Once Harry's birthday is over with (in January) the countdown is on. It is hard not to get excited with her. The funny thing is, that as much as she loves her birthday, she did not ask for one particular thing. She wasn't caught up in the gifts as much as she was in having a day that was her own. We don't do friend parties every year (only on even years) so this year she just chose one friend to go to the aquarium with us. Even though it was a low key day, she was so happy! Isn't that what a birthday is all about?

The Leetham's In Town

Our oldest and dearest friends came to town for a visit. We love hanging out with them. They added a sweet new addition to their family and now we are four for four! We met them in our student ward when Mady was just 3 and their oldest Luke was 2 and Davin was 1. Look at us now! They live in Arizona and we only see them maybe once a year but it always a good time!

BEST FATHER'S DAY PRESENT EVER!

Not to brag, but I out did myself this year. I had a stroke of brilliance when it came to Shane's fathers day present. He can be very hard to buy for and some of the things he likes (like his English soccer stuff) I always have to think about in advance so I can order it. We were out in Tooele in the early spring playing some soccer games and I heard the buzzing from Larry Miller's race track when the thought occured to me to check out what they offered out there. He has always wanted to do an off road course through Land Rover but that is really expensive, but I thought I had heard something about a Mustang class out at MMR. I couldn't even tell the kids for fear they would let it slip out. Shane's first car was an old '68 Mustang- pea green, no air, and he loved that thing. He and his dad would love to fix up and old one- or each buy brand new ones. So we signed him up for a "Mustang Experience" where you go, take a little class and learn about the Mustang and how to handle it, then you get to drive one out on the raceway. Then at the end, one of the real race car drivers take you out for a couple of laps and go really fast. They also have this great museum with all of Larry Miller's old mustangs in it. He said it was the best gift yet! It may have to become an annual tradition!

Colorado ROAD TRIP

Mady's team went to a tournament in Colorado. For the first time in the tournament history it was rained out. They were only able to play one game. It was the first time Shane was able to take just the older two kids and do something like that and they had a great time. Shane also had the chance to visit with one of the girl's he baptized on his mission (he only had a few baptism's total). She lives in Boulder with her husband and little girl. She went on to serve a mission and married a fellow missionary.

Memorial Day-Park City

We had fun staying with Grandma and Grandpa Koller for a night in Park City over Memorial Day. The kids love the big swimming pool and all the hot tubs. It took a couple times and a lot of patience (the slide broke down for awhile) but we finally got to take the little ones down the Alpine Slide.

Catching UP

It was an incredibly busy spring. We ran and ran and ran. I think it was the busiest spring we have had yet. I had to write every little thing down in order just to stay on top of things. There were many, many soccer games. It was a tough season for Mady's team. Shane took her and Davin on a road trip to Colorado where it rained the whole time and they only played one game. Davin is going to play for the Utah Glory Soccer Club this fall so the fun is going to start up again. I am not sure how we are going to handle two kids playing competition, but we will figure it out. Good times abound!

Spring Break Fun!

More pictures of Spring Break!

Spring Break Fun

Is it possible that spring is already here? Hasn't really been feeling like spring, but I am grateful for any warmth, any sun. Shane was able to take a couple of days off to spend with the kids. We had fun going bowling, dyeing eggs and seeing a movie. Good times!

Davin the Chef!

Davin has always liked to help in the kitchen. He even once took some cooking classes, but got mad because they did not actually let him cook (use the stove). So he asked me this week if we could make homemade pizzas. I wasn't feeling good on Sunday (Valentine's Day) but he really wanted to do it, so he basically did it all himself. He made the pizza dough and then spread them out and added all the toppings. He even took things in and out of the oven and cleaned up after himself. I told Shane that now there was a chance that a man would cook me a meal in this house! (ha, ha) Oh, and Davin cut all of his hair off. He looks way too old for me!

Sophia's Valentines Spa Day

The kids have D track this year, and the one down side to that is that they don't celebrate Halloween and Valentine's Day at school. So I thought it would be fun if we invited the girls in the ward that are also on D track (there are 6 just on D) and have a little party. Of course, if you know my Soph, everything is taken to the next level. The fancier,the better. So we started by doing a craft (everything chosen by Sis) where each girl could decorate their initials that we had spray painted white with jewels and glitter glue. Then we frosted cookies. Then we painted finger nails. Then it morphed into, "Why don't we do a spa day and don't you have a cucumber for our eyes?" Well, I had to improvise there (hence the apple slices) but the girls had fun laying on the beach towels, getting their toe nails painted while they read magazines and relaxed. It was a huge success. Watch out world for this group. Can you say high maintenance? Actually, they are all really sweet, but definitely like to be pampered. Don't we all?