Natural Water Slide

On my Dad's birthday we all went on a hike in Alpine to a natural water slide. The hike was a hot one without shade, but it was fun to cool off at the top. The natural water slide is a waterfall made from granite rock. The water is all glacier or snow melt from the mountain which made the water really cold! Two of my nephews were brave enough to go down the huge slide and a couple of kids, including Reuben, went down a smaller one. Most of us just had fun wading in the pools of water, while all the Mom's there had their blood pressure going through the roof that their little one's wouldn't get hurt or fall down the drop-offs all around us. I am really glad we all went, it was really neat to see.

Aunt Sherrie

I think everyone should have an Aunt like Aunt Sherrie! She is the best with kids. Many of Ryan's best childhood memories include Aunt Sherrie, hiking or doing some other fun thing with them. We headed to her house one morning while we were in Utah. She was nice enough to let us ride on her horse, Goldilocks. She owns ten horses, chickens, goats, a huge garden, and a hay loft. Which equals heaven in my kids books! We seriously could have spent days at her house. I am so thankful to have her in my life and for my kids to be able to know her too!

Lincoln has loved tractors ever since I can remember. He loved climbing up onto this one

All of the kids had fun feeding the goats

Reba and Lincoln became friends

The chicken laid an egg just before Reuben and Sherrie checked the coop.

Salt Lake City

We were able to take a trip out to Utah this summer. It was a family reunion of sorts for us. It had been eight years since my siblings, our spouses and children had all been together! And five years for Ryan's side. It was SO good to see everyone, watch the kids play with their cousins, and meet some nieces and nephews for the first time.

Our first Monday there we visited Temple Square.

The first stop was at the Conference Center

Next was lunch and we got to see the cubicles my parents work in for their part time mission.

At lunch we ran into one of our favorite Sister Missionaries. She is serving on temple square but was able to come out our way for a while and serve at the sites next to us.

Then we went to see the temple up close

These girls cracked me up! They wanted pictures of "just" them, everywhere! I didn't post all of them though

Can you find the hiding, pouting boy?

The last stop was the Church History Museum

There was a wonderful exhibit geared towards the kids. They had fun trying to lift the gold plates.

Dancing! They could have done this all day!

There were a bunch of other centers which is didn't get pictures of. If we lived closer I think we would definitely spend more time there.

The exhibit next to the children's one had quilts! Of course I had to stop and look at these.

Underwear Rocks!

I can officially say that everyone in our house is potty trained! After 11 years with no breaks in between of having at least one kid in diapers sometimes two.

Lincoln is potty trained!!

To celebrate this momentous occasion Ryan bought me a new (smaller) purse!