July, Part 3

Jens and Sylvie earned their cooperation prize!  They were both pretty pleased with their new scooters.  The wheels light up. so what's not to like?

We tried them out at the park, which was very fun.  

 We also spent a fun day at the fair.  For some strange and wonderful reason, the weather in the middle of July dropped into the low 80's, so it was a perfect day to look at animals and eat fried foods. We saw some cows being judged, checked out the bugs and garden plants, tried fried cheese curd (yum!  Highly recommend!) Ate a very unhealthy lunch and went on a few rides.  Jens isn't quite tall enough for a lot of the carnival rides yet, but maybe next year.  He and Mike tried out the swings.

While Sylvie and I opted for the carousel.  

Everyone enjoyed the cotton candy.  What's not to love?  I had a funnel cake as my treat. 

 We also rode the monorail, which takes you on a tour of Cal Expo, where the fair is held.

 Also in July, my college friend Tiffany spent a night with us.  It was so fun to meet her three kids and catch up.  Mike is completely in awe of her amazing, month long road trip, just her and the kids while her poor husband works.  We also had a few play dates.  On this play date, the kids found my phone and took over 200, yes TWO HUNDRED pictures with the camera.  They were amazing.  I kept this one:

July, Part 2

Highlights from our second week in Utah included:

Hiking to Stewart Falls as a family.  Sylvie's face pretty much tells how she felt about the experience.

Mike and me having a little get away (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!)  We hiked to the Falls again and made much better time on our own.  We also enjoyed a peaceful and delicious dinner at Sundance.

Hiking to Timp Cave

Celebrating Grandma's birthday

 Mike and Joel going on an insane bike ride.  Insane, I say!  If I could remember all the stats I would put them here, but I don't, so I'll just say tons of elevation. Tons.

 And a camping trip in the Uintas with friends.  Highlights of the trip were the delicious food that was cooked for dinner--I think I ate at least 10 donuts, shooting pellet guns (that is Jens's highlight) and spending time with some people we really like!  I was also laughing to think about how camping trips have changed from the first time I camped with this particular group.  On that occasion, we threw sleeping bags in the sand on the side of the road, Bob tried to make pancakes for everyone using a tiny skillet and a single burner, and there were no bathrooms.  Not that I am complaining, it was really fun back then, but this time there were two camp chefs, an easy up, a few boats, and lots of toys.  Times have changed!

 Jens's best moment was when he lost a tooth whilst shooting the pellet gun.  What could be better than that?

 The kids were all so nice to each other.  They are growing up!

 Jens also got to fish to his hearts content with Matt, which was great since Mike does not care for fishing.

 We also went to the falls, which are so pretty.

 These guys have been friends for a long time!

July, Part 1

So, in July we went to Utah for 2 solid weeks.  We thought that seemed like a pretty long visit, and to Grandpa it probably was, but it seemed to fly by.  Our days were full, and we never got bored. We started out with a family dinner at the cabin, where the kids spent a VERY long time at the kids' play area.  Grandma and I can attest to how very long they wanted to stay there.  Sylvie and Soren were very cute--this is really spontaneous, not posed!

 On Tuesday we got up very early to go to the ballon festival.  It was so beautiful, and weather conditions were perfect, so all of the balloons filled and took off.  They even had a target competition, which was pretty funny.

 Wednesday was the 4th of July.  Mike and Charles were real champions and went down to snag prime seats for the parade at 3:15am.  We were in great shade, and right next to a good announcer who would have the kids come out and dance during breaks in the parade.  The parade was also shorter than we remembered, which made it better than ever!

 Sylvie was truly delighted by the parade--she loved the music and the floats, waving to everyone. Her enthusiasm made Mike's sleepless night worth it.  (I think, at least.  Maybe not quite . . .)

 After the parade we adjourned for naps, followed by a water fight.  The uncles were very good sports, and the kids had a great time.

 Sylvie mostly followed Mike around, squirting him.

Of course, there was plenty of story reading. 

Sylvie decided she was afraid to sleep alone, and moved her new sleeping bag (courtesy of cousin Alia) into our room and slept on the floor.  

 Friday was the much-planned family bike ride.  I opted out with a really stiff neck.  Everyone else opted out when they met up and it immediately started pouring down rain.  Our bike rack holds 3 bikes, but luckily Kim's bike was small enough to fit in the back seat.