Get Air!!!

Our friends introduced us to a new trampoline park. It is called Get Air and is in the Fort Union area. It is huge!!! One thing that we like about this park compared to our usual haunt of Airborne is that it is all in one, big room. At Airborne, our kiddos sometimes go into the Ninja Warrior area and that means I can't see them from the other parts of the park. Another benefit is that it is not very crowded. Finally, they make you buy little socks with rubber pads on them. You can bring them back and use them as many times as you want, but somehow, it seems more clean that way. (Probably my imagination.)

It has little rooms divided off for different purposes. One is a basketball area while another is a dodgeball area. We went with Sophia (Reagan's bestie) and her babysitter. Reagan and Sophia ganged up on Cole and he was down. Then, the babysitter joined in to defend Cole and he gained back some ground :)

There is an obstacle course that the kiddos went on again and again .... and again. One part has you stand on this bar and reach for these chain like monkey bar things. Reagan could barely reach them. Cole wasn't quite tall enough. He would be on his tip toes on the bar - reaching those rings and barely scratching them with the tips of his fingers. I told him he needed to just jump and grab them. He wouldn't. He tried again and again and again, dropping into the foam pit below.

Finally, he jumped and he grabbed the rings. He made it all the way across and had a HUGE grin on his face. Good thing too, because shortly after that, they called our wristband color and our time was up. Whew - he did it!

Wow - great day at Get Air - we will definitely be back.

Cecret Lake

We decided to head up to Alta Ski Resort and hike up to Cecret Lake. It is a nice, little hike that leads to a beautiful view of the canyon and a beautiful lake. Alta is gorgeous in the winter with snow covered hills, but it is equally beautiful in the summer with its mountains, blossoms and brush.

Reagan and Cole love climbing all over rocks - especially big ones. This may be because they have grown up climbing all over huge rocks in our yard.  

As we were almost to the top of the hill, someone who was descending told us that there was a moose at the top. Wow - we've seen them before, but it doesn't matter... we are always excited to see a moose. We headed to the lake, looked around, stopped to relax for a bit and then heard from those around us that the moose was on the other side of the lake. We headed over there and, before we knew it, we were right by the moose.

What struck me as we watched him was just how big, strong and powerful he was. He could clearly do some damage if he chose to. I'm not sure if he is used to people being up here or that he was just confident in his ability to get whatever he wanted, but he seemed unfazed by our presence. He was getting a drink in the lake and then he walked across part of the lake only to get out, walk into the forest and just sit down and rest.

We stayed for a while and then left the moose to relax while we headed back down to our car. 

We love Alta - winter or summer - and are so blessed to live so close to the mountains and nature. Just so we could remember, I had to include a vide of the moose.

Pioneer Day

In Utah, July 24th celebrates the day the pioneers came into the Salt Lake Valley to settle here. There are parades, fireworks, and festivals throughout the state. Our ward and neighborhood always has a breakfast and a firetruck comes to lead the children in a parade around the church. Then, the firemen spray their hoses into the air and the children get soaked. They love it. Then, we have water balloon fights and lots of fun.

This year, I was in charge of getting the firetruck there. I scheduled it months in advance and confirmed a few days before. The firemen showed up right on time. They ate breakfast and then we started the parade. I was so frustrated because many of the children (including Cole) were riding their bikes in the park and weren't there at the beginning of the parade in order to be in the picture with the firemen. (I planned to have a copy of the picture printed out and then frame it and take it with thank you notes to the firemen. I'll try to find a frame with a big border that the children can sign on.) Well, we took the pic with the children who were there and the rest of them joined at the back of the parade when they heard the sirens going. Unfortunately, during the parade, the firemen had a call and had to leave right after the parade. They couldn't stay to spray the kiddos. Oh well, we've been doing this breakfast for years and years. I can never remember a time when the firemen had a call - it had to happen on my watch :(

Well, each of us in the primary had brought tons of water balloons, so, the kiddos did get wet - very wet. We had a great time and love celebrating the 24th with our friends and neighbors.

Draper Days

We LOVE Draper Days. For those of you non-locals, it is a two day festival in Draper (a city adjacent to ours). They have bounce houses, booths, food, entertainment, games, pony rides, and attractions. We try to go every year. On the first night, we walked around the booths, had some food and played at the park. Cole even got to spit into a cup and see his DNA (alrighty then). They had the group America there for the concert, so, we stayed for that. Fun fun!

The next morning, there was a parade. Reagan and Cole's karate studio was in the parade, so, they were able to be in it again this year. 

All the karate students sat on a trailer and as they went through the parade route, they would throw candy to the crowd and wave. Then, their instructors would take them off the trailer - a few at a time - and they would perform karate kicks or forms for the crowd. Their instructors also had a bunch of boards that they students break and they would ask children out of the crowd, teach them how to break the board and then let them break it. 

My friend (who has children in karate with us) and I walked along the trailer to make sure the students on the trailer stayed seated and to help them on and off of the trailer. It was super fun. Steve met us about 3/4 of the way down the parade route (he had parked a car at the end of the route) and walked with us. Then, we had popsicles after the parade was over. 

Later that night, we met our friends again - back at Draper Days. Reagan and Cole have pretty much aged out of the bounce house things, but there was a free fall jump thing that caught their attention. You had to jump off of the small jump first. Then, if you jumped and landed the way they instructed you, you could jump off of the high one. Cole went first on the small jump.

Next, Reagan hit the small jump. Then, Cole hit the big jump.

Finally, Reagan hit the big jump. Our friends went as well and we all loved it.

Then, we walked around to the booths, got something to eat and our friends got ready to leave just as Rachel and her family joined us. So many friends to play with!!! The concert for the second night was Collin Raye (not sure I knew who that was, but whatever). We stayed and played for a while and decided to leave early. We headed for some fro-yo. Then, when the concert was over, the fireworks were to start, so, we drove up the hill and parked in the Walmart parking lot at the top of the hill. We put the kiddos up on top of my car and we had a great view of the fireworks without all the traffic at the end of the show. Perfect!

Like I said, we love Draper Days. Add in a great show, fun friends and lots to do - it is awesome. Catch ya next year!!!!

A Break from the Heat

It has been super hot here lately, so, we decided to get out of the heat for a while and head up into the Uninta Mountains. I knew it would be pretty cool, so, we all brought sweaters. I did not, however, know HOW cool it would be. We were freezing!

Even though it was cold and raining a bit, it was gorgeous. Plus, I have to say that it was nice to be cold for a little while. Cole and Steve did some fishing. I watched and took photos and Reagan bundled up inside Steve's sweater :)

Cole was his usual, crazy, self. His facial expressions crack me up! He certainly entertained us while we were up there. Once it really started to rain, we headed home. We stopped at the overlook (sort of by the base of Bald Mountain). The view was gorgeous with storm clouds moving in and the forest fanning out below us. My car's temperature gauge showed 41 degrees outside. 41 degrees!!!!!! No wonder we were cold. 

We love to come up to these mountains. They are so beautiful, we feel like we are out of town when we are only an hour away. Plus, Steve grew up in these mountains and we love to hear stories of his experiences. Yep, we had a great, albeit cold, day and we'll be back soon!!!!

Happy Independence Day!!!!!

It's Independence Day!!!! We love to have the day off from summer school and to spend it together as a family. We had a lazy morning, getting up and playing with Legos or other toys. Reagan and Cole didn't even want to think about breakfast until after 10:00. 

Our usual MO is to head to the Sandy City festivities. There are lots of activities going on, a parade later in the day, food, music, and fireworks after dark. So, around 3 or so, we headed over that way. We walked around, but didn't find what we were looking for. Reagan and Cole have pretty much aged out of the bounce houses. There weren't really the booths that they have had in the past and we weren't lovin' the musical acts. We looked for something to eat and we were disappointed. By "we", I mean Reagan, Cole and I - Steve will eat anything prepared any way by any one. He found several options for lunch, but the rest of us wouldn't have it. Plus, it was hot..... like REALLY hot.

So, we decided to walk over to Chick Fil A and have some lunch. It was so nice and cool inside that we didn't want to leave. We looked at our watches and we had two hours until the parade would start. We had already scouted out a spot next to the road and put our blanket and chairs there. Steve suggested a movie. We laughed and headed to the movies to see Mall Cop 2. It was actually pretty funny. There were parts that were unbelievable, but those seemed to be Cole's favorite parts. He was literally laughing so hard that he was crying. 

After the movie was over, we jumped in the car and rushed back to the promenade - the parade had already started, but since our blanket was on the last half of the parade, we barely missed any of it.... SCORE!!!!!

After the parade, it started to rain. We convinced Reagan and Cole that we should head home to get out of the heat and the rain and we bribed them with frozen yogurt. We talked about going back after dark for the fireworks, but by the time it was dark, we all agreed to just watch the fireworks across the entire valley. We can pretty much see the whole valley from our deck. We sat out there, talked and loved having this day to just be together. We talked about the significance of Independence Day and our gratitude for our founding fathers. We are so blessed to live in this country and to be able to celebrate it every year. God Bless America!

The Museum of Natural Curiosity

We LOVE Thanksgiving Point. For years, we had annual passes and would hit the Dinosaur Museum or Farm Country every week. We also try to hit Cornbellies every fall. Well, there is a new feature there - the Museum of Natural Curiosity. It's been open for a while, but we have never been. We set up a playdate with Cole's friend Sammy (who moved schools last fall .... sob) and his mom suggested hitting the Museum of Natural Curiosity. Apparently, they have been there before and loved it - so, we agreed.

 We were only there for 3 hours and we only saw less than half of the museum, but we LOVED it! First we hit the main floor. They had a huge climbing place where the kiddos could climb up ropes that were in a web shape, then they could take the slide back down and start again. There was also a rope that you could try to hold on to like a sloth. The timer told you how well you were doing. Then, there was a big column that you would wrap your arms around and squeeze. It would measure how much pressure you were applying. Cole was a 16, Reagan was a 14 and Cole's friend was an 18. Well, a python would score a 2000 on that scale....whoa!!!!

After a couple of hours exploring, it was time for our ropes course. Only so many people can go at a time, so, we had to make a reservation. They great helpers hooked up our crew and had them sit down so that they could see that the gear would actually hold them.

Then, they took off on the course. Our friends led the way - they had been on this before. Reagan was right behind them, but Cole was not happy. He got across the first log well, but then gave me a look as if to say "This is SO not happening." I called out to one of the helpers. He came right over and took Cole's hand and got him across the next two parts. Then, he handed Cole off to another helper who held his hand as he climbed these floating stairs. Cole was clearly scared, but kept going (which I was so grateful for - if he stopped, he would always remember he gave up). Eventually, Cole was able to go on his own ... YEAH!!!!

After our time on the ropes course, we played in the cockpit of a plane, we acted like bear cubs and went to hibernate and we got some ice cream. The last thing we did was the zip line outside - what fun!!!!

Yep - we will definitely be back - this is a super fun place!!!!

A Hike with Mark

Our BIL Mark who is battling Plasma Cell Leukemia has been through several rounds of chemotherapy. His next regimen is a chemo that is delivered via backpack - 24/7 for several days. Then, he will have a round of chemotherapy that will essentially destroy his immune system. He will be very susceptible to infection and will have to be basically quarantined. Well, this week, Mark called and before he is quarantined, he wanted to take a hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon by where his family used to have a cabin. Well, the chance to be with and support Mark? We are in!

Several of Steve's brothers and sisters and several members of Mark's family met us part way up the canyon. Next, we walked up to where their family's cabin was. Then, we walked up the trail to this beautiful meadow and then to the little pond.

I was so surprised at the strength that Mark had. It was a fairly long and steep hike. He did so well. Reagan and Cole were thrilled to be along with the group :)

What a beautiful canyon this is. Since Steve's parents live right by the entrance to this canyon, this was Steve's playground growing up. He has shown so many different hikes and lakes and meadows to us. Thanks so much Mark for inviting us. Our prayers and thoughts continue with you each day. Hintzestrong - you've got this! xoxoxoxo

Our backyard

I LOVE our backyard. It is interesting how it changes through the years. The trees grow and the ground cover fills in and the whole feel of the yard changes, but again, I LOVE it!

The waterfalls are so beautiful - especially the big one.

The flat areas are perfect for a game of soccer, frisbee, tag or red light/green light.

The sunsets are the best! Standing on our deck, watching the colors paint the sky is amazing. Yep - I LOVE our backyard.

The Canyons

We have some friends who have a timeshare up in Park City at the Canyons Ski Resort. They were heading up for a few days and invited us to join them.

We had a great time! We played games in their room (well, it was a big, two bedroom unit) and then took the gondolas down to the street where there was a farmer's market. It was awesome. We picked up the gondola 1/2 way down the mountain and took it to the bottom. Our friend Claire insisted that the girls get one gondola and the boys get another :)  I guess the gondola goes from the street level with the parking lot, up past 1/2 way (where the hotels are) and up to the top of the mountain to ski - yeah! We will definitely have to try that this winter!

We bought some yummy treats and veggies and headed back up for dinner. Most interesting to me was the lemon flavored spinach we bought. Seriously! It tasted like lemon. We ended up cooking it and it was SUPER lemon-y, but just to leave it raw in a salad or whatever would be yummy! We also made some maple-walnut homemade ice cream.... to die for!!!!

After dinner, we took the kiddos swimming and then headed back to their room for more games. We love the Pesci family and had a great time with them!!!!

Articles of Faith

Again, this year, Reagan and Cole memorized and passed off the 13 Articles of Faith. These are essentially statements of what we believe. Each year gets easier. I'm so proud of Reagan and Cole for working hard to memorize these. They have done it each year since they were three years old. 

This year, the Primary gave them a certificate and a little ticket that they could "trade" with the Bishop for a full sized candy bar. Way to go Reagan and Cole!!!!!