Camelback

Hey Summer D.! Sorry these took so long to post. At the beginning of February, I went to Phoenix for a conference on teaching adults to read. I got to stay with my cute sister Summer and her husband Tyler, who moved to Phoenix last summer. I flew in Thursday night, went to the conference all day Friday, then all morning on Saturday. Then we went on a "short, easy hike" up Camelback, "The Mountain" in Phoenix. Well, it started as a walk on a paved road, then a rocky hike, then a rock climb to the peak. Phew! If you know my sister Summer, this is a huge accomplishment--she and Tyler hike practically every weekend, and this from a girl who HATES, and I do not use that term lightly, hiking. Anyway, we made it to the top (and back down) in time for me to shower and make it to the airport on time for my flight home. Hurrah! Here are our pics at the top of Camelback:

Living Planet Aquarium

Today we had the opportunity to go to the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. It was great because I had a networking social there for the Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA), and they said I could bring the kids! I was just going to have them wander around while I was "networking," but they had the kids come in and eat and we got a tour of not only the aquarium but also the "behind the scenes" stuff like the tropical birds that will be in their new exhibit. The kids had a great time! They especially enjoyed the octopus, jelly fish, and sting rays you can touch (of course I didn't get pictures of any of this because I was too busy looking myself). They also were shocked at the sight of a couple of sharks mating--whoa! Devin thought the one was dead and the other was eating it. :)

It's Summer!

Well, we had the perfect start to our summer (I say that as a mom because I like structure, and we've had it, with a lot of fun mixed in). So we had a crazy weekend of doctor appointments (Shaylee got an eye infection), scout office (Devin needed a new uniform and book), library (hurrah summer reading program), soccer games, and more. We spent a fun afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa Brown's farm on Saturday hanging with Dennis' cousins. (Author's Note: Mild potty language follows). Aspen wanted me to take her to see the cows. One of them was going to the bathroom.

Aspen: "Mom, is that cow peeing?"
Me: "Yes, Aspen."
Aspen: "Where's his toilet paper?"

Hmmm . . . not sure how to respond.

So we went inside where she explained to her dad, "Cows just pee in the dirt, and they don't use toilet paper."

So here's Aspen with the cows.


The rest of our summer got off to an amazing start as well. The kids voted to have scripture study in the morning so they would get up and get their studying and chores done. Okay. Dennis and I have both gotten up and worked out at 6:30 a.m., then we've had scripture study from 7:15-8:15 a.m. (including studying articles of faith and a new scripture dictionary we started with words the kids are learning in the scriptures), then the kids have breakfast while I shower, etc., then we do homework (algebra, french, writing, typing). I'm having the kids do research papers on our Disney cruise and Walt Disney World (motivation--anything not included in the paper will not be included on our vacation). Then it's chores and off to play. I've even had time for the park several times with Aspen and Connor, weeding, laundry, piano lessons, scouts, dance, etc. Whew! I hope we can keep up this pace.

These are some photos I hadn't downloaded from my other camera. The first few are of my dance recital (the kids all did awesome--I even got to play a duet with Taylor):






These are random photos we've taken recently:

We decided we didn't have many pictures of the cats, so here is one of Athena:

Sorry these took so long to post! These are from Alicia's graduation at BYU: