Summer Bucket List - Cowabunga Bay

This Summer we had lots to do, from Track & Field, Basketball camp, lots of Bear Lake, canyon campfires, Swim Lessons, and more. However, a few things we've never done before with the kids made our  bucket list. And though we were cutting it close, I am happy to say that as of this last week, we crammed in Camping and a day at Cowabunga Bay.

On Thursday we took the kids to Cowabunga Bay water-park where they had fun going down the water slides, floating in the lazy river, and swimming in the zero entry pool. Berlin would only go on the 3 little kid water-slides. She tried a 4th one that was bigger and sat on Ryan's lap, but she hated it and from then on would only go down the pink, yellow and purple kid zone slides. Finley was a bit braver and went down all but one of the slides. His favorite - the purple slide that is pitch black all the way down.

Finley and Ryan getting dumped on by one of the big buckets of water.

 

 

 

  

 

It was a blast. We can't wait to go again next Summer!

Roller Coaster

My sister Val's work party was at Lagoon this past weekend and since they gave her 3 extra tickets, she invited us along. I love Roller Coasters. Ryan loves Roller Coasters. So, you'd think that our children would have some ounce off thrill-seeker within. However, at this stage it appears not. My kids are tentative, cautious, and more than content to sit on the sidelines. There are times in life where I am grateful they are like this. At other times, I find myself wishing they were more adventurous. I know they are still young at 5 and 7, but I hope as they get older they become a little more daring. I want to take them on Roller Coasters and hear them giggle and scream with joy.

That being said, our casual, slow-paced day at Lagoon was great. It was the first time our kids have been to Lagoon. Just some fun pics of the rides:

 

This is the fastest ride that Finley agreed to go on. He was so cute and he said he liked it, but I couldn't get him to go on it a second time with me. Darn it!

 Berlin's favorite ride was the Dragonfly swings.

 

Finley's favorite ride was Rattlesnake Rapids. All four of us went the first time. Berlin did NOT want to get wet so she wasn't happy at all. But it was fun. Finley wanted to go again (of course, after our clothes finally dried) so cool Aunt Val went with him while Berlin and I took pictures.

Just finished the first round...

 

Right after getting off - soaked to the bone. I HATE wearing wet clothes. Such a gross feeling. Good thing it was hot and it only took a couple hours to dry out.

Valerie and Finley the second time around.

  

 

And can I just say how pathetic the train/zoo ride is at Lagoon? Seriously, I have never seen such beautiful animals (Bengal Tigers, Panthers, Lions) look so pathetic and depressed. Lagoon needs to provide better habits or send the animals elsewhere. Small metal cages just don't cut it. Definitely the most depressing part of the day. Good thing these kiddos were sitting across from me. Cute little buggers!

The kids LOVED Val's work party in the pavilion. They were amazed that 1: everything was FREE, 2: that they had a candy bar with huge bags for the stuffing (we will be eating candy for weeks), 3: free face-painting, 4: an all you can eat dinner with unlimited ice-cream bars and soda refills, and finally 5: the children's raffle - where Berlin won a small prize. Yes - they were in heaven!

Berlin getting her face painted.

 

My sister is great. The kids just love being with her. She is so kind to always think of them and she makes them feel like a million bucks. We are so lucky to have her live nearby. It was a very fun day indeed.

July Fun

This Summer has been HOT, and though we like the sunshine, it's a little TOO hot for us. But we've found some fun ways to beat the heat and get thru the month.


Yummy cold popsicles at the SLC downtown Farmer's Market from my friend Tiffany. Go see her ... the Avocado Pistachio = YUMMY!!! They make the perfect lunch :)

 

 and don't forget Siegfried's brawts for dessert!

Between swim lessons every day, the Murray Outdoor Pool, splash-pads, Bear Lake beach time, and friends with pools ... we have been able to stay cool and get a nice tan in the process. Here the kids are playing beach soccer with Ryan. Guess it's a good thing we have a canopy. Not that I needed it for me to read under or anything :)  Finley was cute and was showing off his ball skills when he says to Ryan, "Dad, I learned all my sweet moves from you." It melted Ryan's heart.

  

Here the kids are swimming and going down the water slide.

Hiking up in the canyons automatically = fresher, cleaner, and cooler air. We hit up Silver Lake and some trails that run up behind it on Pioneer Day. It was fabulous.

Up behind the lake looking down. It was pretty crowded that morning so it was nice to get off the boardwalk path and away from all the strollers being pushed around the trail. We can't wait to go back at the end of Summer and explore the other trails on our weekend over-nighter at the nearby Spruces campground.

Air-conditioned movie theaters also make the heat bearable. So far this Summer we've seen Mirror Mirror, the Lorax, and The Pirates - Band of Misfits. Gotta love matinee shows. On Pioneer Day we took the kids to see Brave. I know that lots of people have disliked it, but we all loved it. The animation was amazing too - especially the Bears and Merida's hair. I also liked that this wasn't a movie about another princess finding a prince and living happily-ever-after. It's about the relationships we have with each other, putting our differences (and pride aside), and truly listening to one another. I really liked it.

And of course, Berlin is now obsessed with everything Brave...Brave dress-ups, Brave polly pocket castle, Brave Barbie doll, the list goes on. I have a feeling I know what she will be asking Santa for this Christmas.


After the hike, swimming lessons, and movie on Pioneer day, we came home and chilled out the rest of the day. The kids requested a Pioneer Dinner of steak, corn, watermelon, and home-made ice-cream. It was yummy!


Last week we also went up Millcreek Canyon for a campfire dinner & smore's. The weather held out (just barely) for us and it ended up being the perfect night with all our friends. Can't wait to do it again.


This month the kids also got to pick out school supplies for the Adopt a Native Backpack program. My friend collects donations every year on behalf of Native American kids who cannot afford their basic school supplies. She does so in honor of her mother who used to volunteer with the Adopt a Native Elder program before she passed away. This was our second year donating a backpack full of supplies and treats. The kids have so much fun picking it all out. It such a small, yet wonderful way to get involved and find a way to serve another as a family.

Here they are with the backpacks they put together.

So far, July has been a fabulous month. Can't wait to see what August brings!

little surprises

Some good, some not so good. 


We went up the the lake for a long weekend. We had two fabulous days which we spent on the beach. Followed by two rainy days spent catching drips from a now leaky cabin roof ... the not so great surprise. It's definitely been the year of cabin headaches. On our way back home the weather was nice enough to get a quick hike in up at Tony's Grove. Ryan's sister and her kids joined us. It was really nice and that area is full of trails to explore. Ryan and I could have hiked all day. The kids, not-so-much. They were great though and had a blast with their cousins.


Finley with his 3 cousins ...

Finley, Berlin (green), and their cousin (purple)...

The best surprise came when I put the chickens into their coop tonight. I checked to make sure all 4 were in (they put themselves in and immediately go to their nesting bar, I just close the door) and low and behold a cute little egg was sitting in one of the nesting boxes. Giddy excitement immediately swelled within. Seriously, so cool. And it's the prettiest little egg ever. It's hard to tell in the pics, but it's a sea-glass green color. Yippee! Can't wait to check and see if there are more tomorrow.