A Package From Aunt Jenn

*Ignore the messy hair please, she just woke up from her nap ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NUC2Gm95BE

Cali's 8 Month Pic

First Day of School Photo Shoot

Third and first grade. I can't believe it.

Utah

So on our way home from the Jensen Family Reunion in Lodi I got a call from my sister wondering when we were going to pay her a visit (she's been married for 2 years and living in Provo, and lived there for a while before that ... and I have yet to visit her). Anyway, shortly after Chris and I decided to go right away. 2 hours later we were on our way to Utah (which is a miracle in itself, I usually take a whole day to pack)

Here we are somewhere between Salt Lake City and Provo at sunrise.

After crashing for a few hours we packed a picnic and headed to Bridal Veil Falls.

Afterwards we took another nap. Hey, we were tired.

The next morning we headed to Provo High to watch the hot air balloons take off. (Oh this all took place at 5:30 PST ... a little tidbit of info far ya)

a little bit of chaos ensued.

Afterwards was the 4th of July parade. Brody was so cute. He kept helping Marley see the "princesses".

Boating. I'm sorry but I'm going to brag. Our three kids innertubed, yeah, even Marley got on the innertube ... how cool is that?!

Nothing like the "gentle" rocking of a boat to put you to sleep.

Fireworks with the Worthen Family

Tuesday we went to Rock Canyon Park. It's really just snow run-off diverted to this park. The water was FREEZING. I swear, my kids are crazy.

As you can tell by Dannon's expression, he is really the only sane one in the lot.

Onto Ice Cream from BYU Creamery.

Cali LOVED my ice cream. For some reason though, now she won't eat baby food ... huh.

A thunderstorm rolled in, which we watched from the "Y" parking lot.

Wednesday morning, on our way out, we stopped by the BYU creamery factory to see how the ice cream is made. Thank you Jeff for the tour.

Our last stop was temple square in Salt Lake City. First we took a tour of the conference center.

We were amazed at the size of this painting, which was created for a world fair.

On top of the Conference Center.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun. I can't believe how quickly the weekend flew by. Everything was a blast, even the down time. Thank you so much Jenn and Jeff and the Worthens for putting us up, feeding us, and letting us take over your weekend. You guys were so great! We definitely won't wait as long to take the trek back on up to the land of milk and honey.

Jensen Family Reunion

More pictures will follow ...I just can't find my USB/miniUSB cord to pull the pictures off my phone.

I have skills too!

I can change a baby's diaper while she sleeps on her belly!

6 Flags

We went to 6 Flags recently with the Shumways and had a blast!

No benches available to feed Cali ...

Such a big girl ... riding Dumbo all by herself. I thought it was like Disneyland. I squeezed on the elephant with her, my knees touching the front the space available. Then the ride attendant came to me and told me I was too big to ride. HAHA! Apparently they don't care to have adults accompany their children.

Waiting for the Dolphin show to begin.

After waiting in line for nearly an hour, and being surprisingly excited to ride the Boomerang, he was turned away. Barely too short. So he settled for this boat ride instead. I think he liked it enough.

Inside the butterfly atrium. We weren't able to catch a butterfly in motion, but it was pretty cool. Here Brody's trying to catch the "Blue Butterfly"

Some of the smaller kids took turns in Cali's stroller. They were getting a little tuckered out.

Rex, Marley, and Jordon

The whole gang

After the previous pictures the Shumways left us. We decided to go see the "Shouka, the Whale" show. We sat in the "Splash Zone" which should really be titled the "Soak Zone," we soon found out. There's nothing like have 5 gallons of salt water dumped on you and your family (and including your sleeping baby). Big mistake. Needless to say, we didn't stick around too much longer, we were exhuasted, wet, and cold (by now it was getting later and the wind was picking up and the temperature dropping). Despite all of the above, it was so much fun. Thanks Shumway Family for inviting us!!

On the drive home ... we have one skilled baby.

And some tuckered out children.