Summer Vacation... Final destination: Utah

After lots of miles traveled by trains, planes, and automobiles (well, the only train was the one at the zoo), we made it back to Utah for our last days of vacation. This picture of Susie just yells, "vacation!" doesn't it?! Cheeto in one hand and having no pressure to dress to impress!Susie just loves her Bestemore.Pearl girl showing off her nicely-made line of rocks...Isaac coming in for a messy kiss.Grandpa and cute Ava.

Camping

My joy of a sister, Sadie with Susie and I.

My family grew up camping, but we had not gone for quite a while. It was so nice to go somewhere so beautiful together in a setting that reminds us of childhood.

My dad and Aaron Jr. showing off the fish that had been caught so-far.Dave, Susie, and my dad.
My brother Steve reeling in a catch.The men setting up camp.
Mmmm, roasted marshmellows! Dave and Grace.Aaron Jr. asleep in Bestemore's arms.Dave with Aaron Jr.Nick and smiley Ava.
Malia mountain biking :)
Ava and Aaron Jr.
Lennon ready to go on our hike.
Isaac was so sweet with Lennon.
Dave, Nick, and Steve ready for the mountain.

Susie, Pearl, and Lennon enjoying the tent. I think Susie liked the tent more than any other aspect of camping.

Our summer traveling was fun and exhausting... it really is amazing how far we traveled and how much we jammed in. Good times!

Summer Vacation... Next stop: a day in Utah, then off to Denver!

After California, we drove all the way to Utah with Dave's mom, Dorothy. Dorothy and I took turns sitting (smashed) between our kids two car seats... yeah, couldn't wait to arrive to our destination.
After one day in Utah, Dave, the kids, and I took off to Rocky Mountain High, Colorado... to see my returning-missionary cousin, Trgyve, and my other relatives that live in the Denver area. My parents took Lennon on their flight with them (so nice)... while Susie, Dave and I drove (another long drive!) with my brother, Steve and his family (so nice).

Super Slide

I just love this picture, because it shows just how much FUN this home-made, super water slide was! My aunt Marty and Uncle Ole have made it a tradition with their family... and what a fun tradition it is!Upper-left: Cousin Tryg (seeing if wearing a trash bag would up the speed). Upper-right: Leslie and Aaron Jr. holding hands down the slide. Bottom-left: Marty, Autumn, Ole, and Erin all holding Autties quads (such troopers these boys were!). Bottom-right: Sister and brother... my mom and Ole sharing a ride!Our family

Dave and Lennon (brave boy!)

Me (in the air) and my mom trying the speed of the trash bag.

Marty/Susie/Dave, Lennon, Malia, Dad, and Isaac.

Malia and Susie riding down on noodles.

Three Rumpas Sliding


Oh, man!... this video shows my uncle Kenny (who is not in the best of health, and has a pace-maker in his chest) taking his turn down the slide. He surprised us all by diving onto his belly down the slide (wish I had my camera ready for that one)! And then surprised us again by trying the slide once more (accompanied by Sverre and Dave)! So funny.

Lennon sleeping on Bestemore's shoulder. Sweet.

Alpine Slide

One day while in Colorado, we went to a fun place that had an alpine slide. Dave took Susie down, while I took Lennon. I had never been on one before... pretty fun.

On the way up... you can see the course of the slides in the background.

Susie rode a merry-go-round, thanks to Grandpa, after the alpine slide.

Lennon watching Susie on her ride.

Denver was wonderful, beautiful... we did a lot of fun things... but the best part was seeing family, especially to see a cousin, who is dear to my heart, return home with honor.

Summer Vacation... First stop: California.

We had quite an adventure this summer... lots to see and do! We started with a flight to California to visit both of Dave's brother's and their families. We had an absolute blast while visiting.

Susie and Jakson were beach-buddies. They just played and played as the waves came crashing to their feet. A nice way to warm up after being in the cool ocean water... just a little messy.Dave and his brother Scott rented a long board, hoping to catch a wave... unfortunately, the ocean wasn't cooperating. Still fun though.

Susie and Quink.
It was HOT where we were staying... over 100 everyday. So, we spent a couple days at a nearby pool. We had a major scare one day at the pool. Susie had been on one of the "floaties" (as pictured). I thought Dave was watching her and Dave thought the opposite. No sound was heard... so nothing seemed wrong. But, luckily Dave's mother had a feeling to move the floaty that Susie had been on... and when she did, we saw that Susie was completely underneath the water desperately trying to swim up to the surface. It was the most horrifying thing I have ever seen. My beautiful child fighting for her life. After we pulled her out of the water she gave a few good coughs and started crying. Oh, how grateful I am that Dorothy had that prompting to move the swim toy and more importantly that she followed that prompting. We have no idea how long she was under, because no one heard her fall in and she was hidden by the floaty that was hovering over her. We definitely hugged Susie a little tighter after that experience.

Lot's of Rockband at Scott and Mal's! I about peed my pants laughing at myself and other's trying to sing, drum, or strum! So fun.

We all went mini-golfing one night. I just loved how much Dorothy seemed to enjoy it. If you made the ball into a certain hole at the end of the course, then a flashing light and siren would erupt and a ticket for a free game was given to the skilled mini-golfer. Well, Dave made it and won the ticket... then, I had my turn to show that I could do anything the hub could do, and luckily my mini-golf skills pulled through and I won a ticket as well! Fun, fun.

Cute, prego Kaily taking a swing.

Quincy, Jakson, and Susie.

These three cousin's had a great time together. Way cute, way sweet kiddo's!

Oh Ya! Work it, Scott!
Scott and Mal took us to this AMAZING lake (forgot it's name). It was gorgeous... almost looked fake, it was so beautiful (the pictures do not give it justice)! Dave, Scott, Susie, and I broke out the wet-suits for a swim. We all (excluding Susie) swam to a nearby island, then ventured around... so so fun! Just loved it!

Thanks Rob & Kaily, and Scott & Mal!!!

We had a great time and miss you all!