st.louis zoo!

we decided to go to the st. louise zoo on the way home.

it is FREE and has tons of animals and stuff to see.

the kids were way excited to get out of the van.

remember how the girls didn't get their faces painted at settler day's in coaldale...

well, daddy to the rescue.

the girls were so happy and looked beautiful.

waiting for the face painting.

kale loved the big animals over the balcony.

$17.00 later.  this is how beauitful they looked.

we went to the seal show. 

it was pretty cool.

BUT i think it was 90 degrees with 99% humidity!

we were so hot but we had tons of fun.

the kids in the mist things.

we got to ride the train courtesy of a family walking in front of us.

they heard us talking about buying tickets and give us theirs!

it was awesome, saved us some cash.

it was neat because they had 2 girls and a boy too.

we loved the zoo and really want to go back.

lots of tree huggers!

we took I-80 on the way out to utah and then I-70 on the way home.

i can't tell you how many wind mill's we saw.

seriously, one MILLION.

it was pretty cool.

 

they are HUGE.

they were beautiful to look at on the prairie.

here is what we saw of the st. louise temple.

cousins!

the time in utah we got to see cousins!

we went to cousin ann's house and saw ashley, elle and emma. 

the girls had so much fun (so did us old ladies)!

we swam in cousin ann's awesome toddler pool.

we only got out because the lightening was getting just alittle too close!

apparently we need to get one of these!

we played with playdough, did dress up, played with legos, watched a movie and

had waffles, macaroni and cheese and really yummy cookies!

just had to throw this one in here! 

isn't he handsome!

cousin erin and brooks.

we got to spend a couple days with erin and her adorable family.

we really miss the blackmun family.

they make us want to move back to utah, almost.

we celebrated aunt gail 29th birthday, again!

anytime we get to hang out with these four it is a good time!

olivia was in heaven (all my kiddos were) with paiges toys.

she played and played with paige.

we also saw the gales and they let us come over and hangout for a playdate.

all these cousins are too much fun!

here is the beautiful oquirrh mountain temple.

just down the street from erin's house.

it was much prettier than the picture shows.

utah...again!

nana just loves cats! 

NOT REALLY. 

about 2 minutes after we got to sally house this is where i found one of her cats!

IN nana's purse.  hilarous!

the kiddos helped sally with the dishes and making dinner. 

they were in heaven.

kale needed some testosterone being with us girls all day so he would

find brian as soon as brian got home and hang out with him!

olivia loved this doll.  she even slept with it.

the kids went outside in the heat way (it was in the 100's when we were there)

and played and played.  they got in the neighbors hose and

played with chalk. 

i went inside for 1 minute and crazy aunt sally let the kids draw all

over eachother.  it was really funny.

the kids thought it was awesome.

can you see those huge smiles on their faces?

aunt sally always let's them do super fun stuff!

canadian projects

i love me a good craft.

this is because my momma is one of the best crafter's ever.

so, i got my need for a fabric stash and modge podge straight from her.

i have also become quite an organizer, especially of other peoples stuff. 

so, naturally i helped my mother organize her quilting and crafting supplies.

we forgot to take before pictures but here is the after.

(really blurry but you get the picture.)

besides organizing i made these dresses for the girls.

favorite colors.

don't judge us.

we went alittle over board on the diaper changing pads and matching wipes cases.

we just couldn't stop.

they did turn out pretty cute!

more canada

the tot lot!

of course we had to visit!

we picked a great day and went with a lunch.

the kids had a blast and were quite popular because

 they had some buckets and watering cans.

best friend sisters!

the boy.

it was surreal to see MY children playing were i played as a child.

how am i the mom? 

tons of memories of a great childhood.

i hope i am doing that for my kids.

popsicles on the stairs.

a nightly occurence

because nana and papa spoiled us rotten while we were there!

olivia with just a small amount of nana and papa's strawberries this year.

the strawberries have taken over almost their whole garden.

we had fresh strawberries everyday!

YUM!

the old man river

sunday night walk.

we decided to go down to the old man river bottom to get eaten by alive by mosquitos

walk around and throw rocks in the river.

here is the beautiful bridge.

 

finding some good rocks.

 

the train we passed on the way there.

it was perfect timing and so awesome to get to see a train go by!

it was strangly green for july. 

the area had recently had some flooding and it was still green and wet!

mallory had to leave her make it the river bottom and went potty in the bushes.

good mother-daughter bonding, wouldn't you say?

olivia mid-throw.

 

 

me trying to be a photographer....