More Utah Pictures

Okay, I've got to wrap up my long, slow recap of my wonderful trip to Utah. We've now been home for 2 weeks...and it's time to move ahead. So here are just a few more things we did that I want to remember, with a picture or two for each memory:

-My dad took the day off so we could all go to Hogle Zoo. Growing up, this is something we did every summer, and we loved it! My girls share my love for zoos, so they had a great time, especially on the new, beautiful conservation carousel. Jordan absolutely loves zebras and talks about them all the time!

-I spent most of the 4th of July being sick, but still managed to run in the Freedom Festivel 5k and also enjoy our traditional trip to the Provo parade.

-I went to a reunion with friends that I made during a semester I spent studying in Nauvoo back in 1996. It was so great to see these people again...they are true friends in every sense of the word and seeing them brought back all the memories that we made during that very defining time of my life! They know a side to me that not many others do.

-We went to Helper and were able to see Grandma Betty which is always so important to me. I love to see my girls interact with her and to remember all the great times we've had in that little town. It was so fun to see the Mascaro family, too.

-Other things we did that I didn't post pictures for: trip to Tooele complete with swimming in Grantsville, Bridal Veil Falls, Cemetary with Dad, Bean Museum & Brick Oven with Erin, Thai dinner with friends, Children's Garden at Thanksgiving Point with cousins, family get together at Grandma Mary's, BBQ at Chris & Marieta's, Movie day with Grandma Patsy, and Veteran's Memorial Pool.

I am so glad we got to take this trip! As I look back on it, I can't believe how many great times we had. I wanted to thank everyone for planning and driving and spending time with us. I am so thankful to have the family situation that I do- everyone is trying their best to make what we have work...and it is awesome.

Grandma's Tea Party

One highlight of our trip was the tea party that Grandma Patsy hosted for Ashton, Jordan and their cousin Savannah. It was amazing- complete with a beautiful glass tea set, matching dresses and fancy finger foods. Grandma even taught the girls some special manners and ways for making conversation. It was adorable, and the girls loved it! The tea (chocolate milk) was served in a tea pot and they were free to add cream (white milk) and sugar! It was a little girl's dream. Pat always says that she wants her grandchildren to have very real, concrete memories of her as their grandma. So far, she is doing an exceptional job!

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

The first full day that we were in Utah was June 25. What a memorable day for our family...the day my mom left this earth for a bigger adventure, eight years ago. Anyway, we wanted to do something to honor her memory but it had to be uplifting and fun...how about lunch with some of her favorite friends at one of her favorite places (Robintino's)? My sisters and I met up with 3 amazing ladies who were 3 of my mom's best friends in the world and have really always been like mothers to me.

First, there was Patsy. What can I say about this lady? She is incredible, strong and compassionate. Growing up, it seemed there wasn't anything she couldn't do from sewing to baking and everything in between. She was one of my dearest YW's leaders and even after my mom died, she made such an effort to keep in touch with each of us. Next is Marge. Wow. Her daughter was my best friend all through my childhood, so many people just assumed Marge was my mom because we were always together. She was always so much fun to be around and I secretly envied her spontaneous personality and fun loving spirit. To this day when I see Marge, even if its been several years, it feels that no time has passed at all. We laugh and talk and remember. I truly love this great lady. Finally, is Pam. Pam has been a mentor to me all my life. She was my piano teacher and inspired me to go as far as possible with music. Now that I teach piano, I have modeled almost everything I do after how she taught me. She also returned to school to become an elementary teacher and it was her example that inspired me to major in education and pursue that career. Pam is organized, gentle and a true friend, someone who is always ready to listen with concern and love.

Being with these ladies was just incredible. I could have stayed with them for hours (except for the 3 crazy children I had with me). It felt so good to be with women who knew my mom, who loved her and who are still missing her as we are, even today. It was an incredible afternoon!

After lunch, Patsy volunteered to take us to our childhood home in Bountiful. She knew the people who lived there and felt they wouldn't mind if we showed up to have a tour. It was so fun to be in our house again. The family was very nice and had made a lot of positive changes to the house. At the same time, it was easy to remember what is was like when we lived there and all kinds of memories came flooding back. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of the outside of the house. What a place! What a life!

Home!

We are back from Utah! We had a wonderful trip, made some great memories and loved spending time with family and friends. I have tons of pictures and lots to write about...but also have laundry and unpacking! For now, this is one of my favorite photos from our trip- my three gals in front of my Dad's house in Provo. Since there isn't a lot going on right now in Texarkana (just waiting to move at the end of August and frying in the heat), I think I will try and write about something from our trip each day for the next little while. Stay tuned!

Father's Day Weekend at Degray Lake

Last weekend, we went to Degray Lake in Arkansas. Some good friends of ours invited us to join their family for a weekend of boating and fun. It was such a blast and so nice of them to ask us to come along on such a neat adventure! We left on Saturday morning, and I have to admit that I had my doubts as it was pouring down rain when we woke up. We headed out anyway (great to go with people who were not bothered by the weather), and by the time we got there, things were clearing up. Gotta love Texas weather! We had so much fun jet-skiing, being pulled on a tube, swimming, and just relaxing. The kids loved it. The family we went with has 3 boys who are almost exactly the same ages as the girls, so everyone matched up well. The setting was beautiful and it is one of my favorite things that we have done as a family for a very long time. I especially liked the fact that we stayed in a motel which is my style of camping! I am including a few of my favorite pictures from the many that I took!

Regan Roo is Two!!!

Happy Birthday today to my little Regan! She is two years old! And what a two years it has been. I love this girl more than words can say, but holy cow, is she ever something! Tod's mom always says that it was Tod who forced her to be a real mother (his older brother was an easy baby). That is so how I feel about Regan! She has forced me to take a hard look at myself, and her personality and needs have taken my mothering (and our parenting) to a new level. Things that worked with the other girls just haven't worked on her, and I have had to expand my ideas and try new things. She has taught me patience and endurance. Before she came along, I thought I kinda had the whole baby/toddlerhood thing figured out. Enter Regan...and I have felt like a beginner all over again. Even though some days have been challenging, I can't believe how much love Regan has brought to our family and to our marriage. I can't imagine our family without her.

Regan's Favorites at age 2: Her binkis ("ginkee"), keeping up with her sisters, doing somersaults, swinging, her best buddy Hayden, sleeping in our bed, saying "mine", "no" and "don't want to", all kinds of candy

Least Favorites: Bath time, bed time, getting buckled in her car seat, sharing

Since we had been gone all weekend, we decided to have a laid back family party at home. Regan was thrilled with the shopping cart we got her and kept running back and forth pushing it and saying "mine". We always use the Pooh Bear figures for 2nd birthdays.

First Week of Summer Vacation

Our first week of vacation started off with a bang because it was Ashton's official 6th birthday! We had told her a long time ago that she could choose anything she wanted to do as a family to celebrate her big day. We gave her lots of ideas- miniature golfing, bowling, a favorite restuarant. She knew exactly what she wanted our outing to be...a trip to Golden Corral!!!! So that's what we did! Surely this idea has Iowa roots because back in the day when we first moved there, the hockey team Tod worked for had a deal where you could go to the "Corral" for 2 bucks! For two seasons, we really took advantage of the offer...and Ashton remembers those days. Ever since we moved here, she has been asking to go there again. I didn't think she would actually remember and choose this as her b-day activity. But she did! We had a lot of fun- she loved the food, the other 4 of us tolerated it! Right as we were leaving, the power went out, so we were glad we had already eaten. I think she would have been so disappointed if we wouldn't have been able to go there. She got the High School Musical dolls that she really wanted, so all was well!

Also, this summer I found these awesome lesson plans on sugardoodle.com, so we have been doing those each day. Last week we studied the story of Jonah and the Whale, along with the ocean. It has been very fun and entertaining. The pictures are from the day that we make soft pretzels for one of the activities.

We are leaving for Utah in two weeks and are getting so excited! It has been far too long since we saw many of you!