A Visit with Cousins!

Aunt Katie and her kids came to visit Las Vegas in August, so we met halfway so we could see them. We decided halfway was about Cedar City, so that sounded like as good of a place as any to meet. We had no idea what there was to do there, but we soon found out there was plenty!
By the time we got there, everyone was hanging out in the hotel room. You might wonder what is there to do in a small hotel room with lots and lots and lots and lots of kids? We had no problem entertaining ourselves, without the tv even!
We talked.
We played hide-and-seek.
We fed baby Blake whatever we wanted to.
We cheesed for the camera.
We watched Weston. (We are not sure what he was doing or why he was wearing goggles, but it was entertaining!)
And when we started to get tired, we just sat and watched our cousins play whatever it is that they were playing.
When we finally decided it was bedtime, we divided up.
Not as families, but as boys
And girls!
Sleep was very important because the next day we had big plans.
Breakfast at a hotel is always fun!
We got to eat breakfast in our pajamas.
And we got to eat all of the donuts, cereal, and juice that we wanted!!
Next, we went to visit the pool.
For some reason, no one else came in the whole time we were there! I don't understand why not! Surely all of the kids in the pool,
and "luke warm" tub didn't scare them off!
Since we had it all to ourselves, we took time to play pool baseball,
watch Morgan do a belly flop,
feed baby Blake,
and just hang out!
After we got tired of the pool, our next stop was the park.
This park had the normal things like swings,
slides,
climbing nets,
and shade to hang out in.
But, it also had other fun stuff, like a reflected sound area,
a bug hunt,
a music area,
Tiny tunnels for baby Blake to crawl through,
and a giant turtle to take a picture on!
After the park, it was time to eat again. Apparently I gave my camera a rest at this point!
Then, it was on to the bouncy slide place. We definitely got our money's worth there because the kids were constantly going down the slides.
When they got tired of the slides, they went to box with the giant boxing gloves.
Then, it was back to the slides!
Even Blakey had a turn!
And then, it was back to the boxing ring! This time with the younger group getting in also. Even if the gloves were as big as they were!
While we were at the bouncy place, we had to celebrate Weston's (and Blake's) birthday since we didn't get a chance too!
So we broke out the party hats, and the presents.
When Weston opened this present from his (white-trash?) cousins, ...
He had to switch hats!
We couldn't let Blake go without a present, so he got one too!
Finally, we finished the party with cupcakes!
This picture captured the feeling of every one. We stayed up too late, woke up too early, tried to squish way too many activities into one day, and could hardly keep our eyes open to eat our cupcakes at the end, but it was all worth it!
Until next time Cedar City! We miss you Weston, Blake, and Aunt Katie!

We're So Pretty!

We love when we get cute new clothes.
Especially dresses that twirl!

Argh Matey...What a Reward

Since we finished reading the Book of Mormon together as a family, we decided we deserved a fun reward! Chad suggested we try out Pirate Island. (Basically a Chuck E. Cheese type place with a pirate theme.) I'm sure it will surprise no one that the kids loved it! Except for the scary pirate by the bathrooms, they had a great time.
They got to play on a pirate ship.
It even had a slide, so Addy could walk the plank.
They got to ride on a little merry-go-round,
and a mock roller coaster.
They got to play games.
Lots...
and lots ...
and lots of games.
And then they got to pick out some pirate treasure to take home.
One day, maybe they will appreciate the intrinsic value of reading the scriptures. Until then, we'll help them along with some other rewards!

Ever since I realized that Addy could do this, I've wanted to take her to the zoo.

However, every time we try to go look at animals, she likes them from a distance, but when we get up close, she hides in the back of the stroller, the car, or my shoulder. So, I decided I was not taking her to the zoo until she decided to like animals when we get within shouting distance!
One day though, we had some time to kill on the way to Salt Lake, so I thought I would give her another chance to earn the zoo by stopping at the farm area of Thanksgiving Point.
We started out slowly by learning how we get milk. (I thought this was good to learn since I think we single-handedly keep them in business with how much milk we consume in a week!)
Addy separated the cream,
while Emily sent the milk jugs down the conveyor belt
and Cole put the milk in the jugs.
Then, Emily and Addy learned what crops grow on trees or in the ground,
while Cole learned all about good bugs and bad bugs!
They even got to pretend to drive tractors,
and tunnel through "dirt" like worms.
Cole and Em also got put in jail. (I have no idea what this has to do with farming, but they enjoyed it!)
Cole and Emily loved feeding the animals.
They got to feed the ducks and geese,
the llamas,
the chickens,
and the goats.
Actually, the goats jumped up on the fence and fed themselves out of Cole's hand when he wasn't looking! (I missed that picture of course!)
Addy on the other hand, didn't mind seeing the pigs, from a distance,
or the ducks, from a distance,
but she wanted nothing to do with feeding the goats! (Cole took this picture. He needs to take some lessons on photography from Weston apparently!)
Addy also decided that sitting on a bench was preferable to riding a pony.
Oh well, at least Cole and Em had fun!
However, Addy did find one part she enjoyed...
the ice cream treat at the end!
Maybe one day we can work our way up to the zoo!!