Adventures in Idaho: Uncle Richards

Those who had arrived went down to Uncle Richards for a bbq and have fun on his "farm" (well a farm to me!) This day was SO FUN and the kids (adults too) had a blast doing things that most of us never get a chance to do:
*drinking from a hose


*eating goose berries


*jumpin on the tramp


*riding the teeter tatter

*gathering chicken eggs

*goin' fishin'


*riding horses... this was for sure a highlight and Orin's favorite! He kept convincing people to take him for a ride (think he went at least 5 times!) and he would yell to the horses, "Giddy up, Giddy up horsie... faster, faster"





Carrie even was brave enough to take a ride... you rock CARRIE!

It was just so nice to get a chance to spend time as a family laughing and sharing about life.

Adventures in Idaho: Parade

After a few weeks of hangin @ home... it was time for my lil men & me to take another adventure... a BIG ADVENTURE! The Gardner Family Reunion... and I drove to IDAHO as a single mom... in Shawn's bosses Mercedes even! (Note: I did have help once I made it to St. George, so I am being a bit dramatic and the kids did quite well... but still quite an adventure!) Glenna rode with us all the way from St. George to Island Park, ID. Well, Glenna and I hurried on up to the big ID to catch the St. Anthony Pioneer Day Parade! I LOVE parades and this little town has such a fun parade... Ory LOVED it (especially the candy, balloons & chocolate milk... hence his excitement)



getting candy with grandpa

proof I was there


Next stop was Uncle Richard house... where the boys experienced many firsts (as did I):
Holding newborn kittens (I was seriously stressed he would squish one!)


Riding on a ranger (I think that's what it's called)


We spend a few days in Idaho Falls spending time with Shawn's Grandma Gardner who is just so sweet! I really enjoyed looking through old family photos and hearing family stories (did not enjoy my kids waking up in the night!)
Eventually, we headed up to the cabin in Island Park where Ory was reunited with his cousins! (well some of them)


Let the wild rumpus begin!

July Adventures continue...

After heading home from Sedona, the boys and I enjoyed a few weeks having fun @ the pool, going to the park & spending time with their daddy (when he wasn't studying-so not much time) I just loved being home for summer vacation... which for me mean this: showers happen at anytime of the day, hair is usually only put up in a ponytail/bun, make-up is hardly used, workout clothes are often worn all day, freedom to: take a nap (which doesn't happen, but still it could be possibility), using the restroom whenever I want- well not alone (my kids always find me)... what's not to love about that! ;)

 

Making sugar cookies for daddy

To blog or not to blog... that's been my question!

So it's not a coincidence that my last blog dates in August... right before school starts! As I look back over my blogging history, I realize that I definitely let life push my blog to the side... I started July 2007 with the birth of Ory and had 30 entries... 2008 was reduced to 29 or so... 2009 a whopping 9 ENTRIES (poor Brod)! What's a girl to do? Again to blog or not to blog? Should I grade or blog? Should I fold laundry or blog? You get the idea. Life has gotten in the way and for that blog, I am sorry. Let's see if 2010 I can step it up a bit. So here's the dilemma: Do I skip over 6+ months of our lives or do I go back and recap our very full and fun lives? Some would say just move on, however... I just feel I can't leave out so much (it's not like I'm much better in the journal writing category either and need some proof our lil Patterson fam exists). So without further ado... and since I'm home for the week... let's see how much this blog slacker can make up!

Hmmmm... think I left off somewhere around July: in one word: ADVENTURE!
Starting in late June... the boys (meaning my lil men) and I ventured off to Utah (luckily Lindsay came along to help). We spend a few days with my wonderful in-laws: playing in the water in downtown St.George

hanging & partying with glenna

Ory was so scared of the scooter... so unlike him! I had to laugh

My boys loved spending time with their grandma & grandpa Patterson


Our next adventure brought us to Zions National Park with my family!

It was a blast to hike and enjoy the GORGEOUS red rock!
Ory loved throwing rocks in the river with his Uncle Matt & Papa... laying on the rock with Nana telling stories.




Brody just hung out, just taking it in/sleeping!

My dad & I even got a chance to hiking a ways into the Narrows, which I've always wanted to do & it was breathtaking- my kind of hiking-cool, involves water, not a lot of hills- however, we realized that you need some good footwear... my dad twisted his ankle a bit (luckily I didn't have to attempt to carry him... that would have been interesting!) My brothers & Lindsay hiked Angel's Landing. Lindsay was ready to go, wearing vans... without socks mind you! After they left, my dad was talking about the intensity of the hike and I had a complete fear for her... but should have known that the girls a Westbrook... she could handle it!

(just proof they made it alive!)

Adventure #2... Sedona Arizona!

The Nelson fam decided it was time to venture from our Florida vacations and try some place new! Wow! Sedona is AWESOME! Everywhere you looked was red rock cliffs. We spent most of our time at the pool.


Ory learned to "swim" (jump off from the stairs and glide a little underwater until I'd catch him... but still a start). He would say, "Ok, I'm brave!" and then jump in. Brody even swam a little too. We would pretty much swim in the morning... wear out the kids... put them for naps and then the best part for me... my rad brother Matt would stay with the sleeping kids while I'd read my book by the pool! :) Probably my absolute favorite thing to do!! We would get 50 cent McDonald ice cream cones,
walk around the town


going to the park



hang out @ the timeshare with the uncles



visiting Slide Rock which was definitely a highlight





we went late in the day and I was too much of a baby to go in the cold water, but it looked fun! :)
Another highlight was this:

YEAH RIGHT! That thing was right out side our door... actually it was a bit intriguing and reminded me of my early years in Vegas putting lizards in my pockets and holding the neighbors tarantula!
No... a highlight was the Fourth of July. We headed to the town right next to Sedona for fireworks, free hamburgers, blow up kid bouncers (whatever they're called), live music! I was totally amazed that that little town provided so much for free... so PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! (much better then BNG canceling their firework show this year... boo!) Anyway, we had a blast and Ory LOVED the fireworks and Brod just hung out! :)





and Kyle & I had fun messing around with photographing the fireworks!



...and the adventure will continue (this will be quite the process! :)