Brice Family Photos 2011

For those who read my blog that know my whole family...

Trip to Utah -- Thursday

So...my mom's family all lives in Bountiful, Utah. They get together once a year for a Craig Family Reunion. My mom is there around the 24th of July -- Pioneer Day -- so the two things usually happen together. I decided this year to brave the drive with my four kids...by myself. I thought it was probably a crazy thing to do but hoped it be worth it. The drive there took 12 hours with all the stops we made. Two of those stops were long ones (lunch and play at McDonalds and then to see Lyndsee's classroom in Spanish Fork). We had one major melt down from Mackenzie (who has been horrible in the car since the day she was born) and several additional minor ones. Luke's naps were short and he cried for 30-45 minutes before falling asleep. Ugh!

These are the only pictures I have from the first day there...we went to Layton Surf and Swim (wave pool). The kids loved it!

See additional posts for all the fun things we did on this trip!

Friday

Friday we started off at the Farmington pool. It had a great kiddie area with a beach entry pool that Luke wanted nothing to do with. He was constantly crawling out and back to the hot cement. We spent most of the time on the grass. It also had a couple diving boards. Yes, that is my 3 year old jumping off the HIGH dive, without floaties. She did this numerous times and loved it until... we think she was trying to dive (like her brother) and belly flopped. She had red marks (almost welts) on her stomach and thighs. We couldn't convince her to go off again. She was terrified! I had to help her down off the ladder twice because as much as she wanted to she just couldn't do it. So sad!

Next came the Boutiful parade. It was hot and apparently shorter than usual but it was fun to be there. They "threw" out lots of candy and the kids seemed to enjoy it. I didn't take any pictures myself...just stole a few from my sister.

And to end a very busy day of fun (not that you can tell by this picture) we went to the Bountiful fireworks.

Saturday

Saturday started with a pancake breakfast at Bountiful Park. Only Mackenzie went with my mom and grandparents. Dane was still asleep, Brice said he wanted to stay home and Luke was ready for a nap by the time they left. Next came the Bountiful park carnival...with its cheesy carni rides and yummy scones and corn-on-the-cob!

This was the best "bouncy" blow-up thingy ever. Brice was hilarious! He would intentionally let himself get pulled backwards. It was pretty tricky for both of them to pull the bungee chords far enough to make a "touch-down" with the kid pulling them back on the other side.

Here are Lyndsee and I waiting for the kids to finish their ride. It was soooo hot! I did something to my eye and had to wear my glasses for about 3 days...not fun!

Next came the official Craig Family Reunion. There was lots of swimming, great food, games and conversation. I was so glad I could be there to see all my aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids.

This is Luke and James (my cousin Stacey's baby who is only a week older than Luke). They were totally attacking each other. The funniest part is when Luke grabbed at James' face...he didn't scream or cry he just tried to bite Luke's finger. LOL!

We finished off the night lighting off our own fireworks. I had stopped at the Indian Reservation on my way to Utah. I asked for fireworks that didn't go off the ground (not realizing that Utah now allows the ones that shoot in the air). But, apparently I grabbed the wrong ones. I ended up with 3 of the best fireworks in the family display! They were true up in the air explosions. Whoops! :0)

This was the last picture of the trip. The playplace at McDonalds on our drive home. The drive home was better...only 7.5 hours. One really major melt down with in the first hour (even I was in tears). But the rest of the drive was manageable. It was a whirlwind of activities. Lots of fun, late nights, little sleep and lots of family. The drive there and back was anything but fun. But, in the end it was definitely worth it! Driving to California, even by myself, will be a breeze!

Dane's Birthday

Dane's birthday requests: a back pack, a watch, and a bike all red and black. We did exchange both of the backpacks I picked out (but I didn't really like them either). But, I found the perfect watch and bike.

For his party he wanted: pizza, ants-on-a-log, chips and salsa, Texas Sheet Cake, swimming and a "dance party." Done! Easiest b-day party ever! They also used some bargain balls I found for dodge ball which was really the hit of the party. Ha, ha...hit!

Step Two

Step one was training wheels on a small bike. This is step two...the greatest invention ever! Its a training bike with no pedals...I typed it right, no pedals. They learn to balance without worrying about pedaling. With my boys, as soon as they mastered this (which only took a couple good rides) they could instantly ride a normal bike. Mackenzie is ready...we just haven't taken the time to show her. She's only 3 and a half!!

Don't worry...

...the car was parked on the side of the freeway while Luke was "driving". We had two, yes TWO tires blow out on our trip back from California. Thankfully we had AAA (even though was are totally stupid and don't have a spare tire). The first on was just outside Baker...it took 2 1/2 hours for the tow truck to come, load us ONto the towtruck with us inside because it was easier than tranferring 4 kids, carseats and a dog INto the tow truck, tow us back to Baker and have the tire changed. Not the kind of adventure I was hoping for. The second was about 10 minutes from home. It was so ridiculous I laughed myself to tears. Thankfully our wonderful Bishop's wife, Missy, came and picked up the kids and I.

Fourth of July Pictures

Nothing beats Fourth of July Fireworks at University of Redlands. They truly put on the best show! Part of the fun is hanging out waiting for them to start. There is music and parachuters and jet fly-overs and running into people I knew growing up. So much fun! I love Red, White and Blue! When I get to celebrate it right (beach, BBQ, fireworks), 4th of July is my favorite holiday!