Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#3 - Disneyland!

We were so lucky to be able to go to California this summer with my family. While we were there, we stopped off to see Mickey and Minnie and all the other fun friends at Disneyland. Brooks was enamored with it all, from the rides to the characters, the treats to the toys and he even loved the swinging doors on the garbage cans. I think he hit every one in the park, yuck! But we had a wonderful time and made so many great memories. Here are some we'll share.

Ahoy Matey! Our first ride was Pirates and it was the best way to start off our day. A quick lunch at the Blue Bayou and then another turn on the ride and this sealed the deal for Brooks, "A pirates life for me." Just last week he told everyone in primary that he wants to be a pirate when he grows up. I am fine with that...there's good money to be made in piracy.

Lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe with the whole gang.

Tea cups with Amma and Papa. The orange cup was the only cup that spun the entire time, Papa is crazy, but you will be happy to know that none of the passengers got sick!

Thumbs up dude!

Our last and favorite ride...Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Brooks waited all day to ride and it was well worth the wait. He loved every minute of it. I loved hearing his giggles. Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth. I can't wait until next time.

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#4 - Wasatch Back, Baby!

Sadly, I din't have my camera out much during the race, so please refer here for highlights of our run. It was such a great time and a pretty great accomplishment for all of us, if you ask me. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat . . . a fast one!

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#5- Sun Valley

We get to go to Sun Valley each summer with the Utah Bar Convention. Sounds rather boring, I know, but it is anything but. We loved swimming, hiking, throwing rocks in the river, falling in the river, eating, throwing more rocks in the river, chatting, ice skating, good movies and late nights with great friends solving most the world's problems. Oh, so fun. Here's to next year, Cheers!

Our ice skating adventure. Thanks for the lessons Macy!

At dinner.

River Fun.

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#6 - The Tramp!

Might be a bit contraversial, but accounted for hours of endless entertainment for all kinds, kid kinds and adult kinds too!

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#7

Lucky for us, many of our out of state friends have family here, so visits from friends come more frequently than they might normally. We had so many fun friend stop by this summer. Thanks for taking the time to see us. We love you all.

Sorry, not many quality pics to show for our visits. You'll have to trust me on this one.

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#8

My roses have brought me much joy this summer. My mom always laughs and thinks I should get rid of them, "they are such old people flowers." But much of the reason I love them so, is sentimental.

My grandma Morgan always brought me roses from her garden for my birthday. I remember feeling so special that these roses were just for me. Since no one in my family has a birthday when roses bloom, this was a special treat just for me. When I lived in Oregon, grandma would press her petals and send them with my card in the mail. It always made me feel so special, roses will always remind me of her.

I loved watching my next door neighbor, Conway Ashton trim and care for his roses nearly every day. I tried to take good notes while peering through the fence and would then try to imitate nearly every thing I saw. Sadly, brother Ashton was 96 years old and passed away this summer. Roses will also remind me of him.

Last, my great grandma Josephine, who I knew for such a short time, but somehow always knew she really loved me, wrote poems. My favorite poem of hers is about roses. I have read it from time to time and I smile and think of her. She also reminds me of roses.

So though, they might be considered an "old persons" flower, they make me happy. maybe it's a connection to an earlier generation maybe just the way they smell or the many, many colors that pop into my yard, they make me smile all the same.

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#9


SNOW CONES!

SNOW CONES!

SNOW CONES!

I am quite certain that we have been to nearly every snow shack in the state. My favorite, the Hula Shack on 23rd. I'll have a #11 with a touch of cream please . . . pure summer bliss.

Top Ten Reasons We Have Loved Summer '09

#10

Thank you Top Stop produce stand, thank you Papa and thank you neighbors who have unknowingly supplied Brooks with many, many tomatoes this summer.

More to come . . .

Happy Dad Day!

Erin: Brooks, tell me about Dad.

Brooks: I love him this much (arms out) like airplane wings.

Erin: How come you love him so much?

Brooks: Um, kind of he takes me to Dan's and the toy store, and he chases me and tickles me, and he plays cheese monster with me (don't ask.)

Erin: Dad really loves you doesn't he?

Brooks: Yeah, he does.

Happy Father's Day Bry. We love you more than you'll ever know.

We've been Here...and There . . .

And apparently anywhere but the blogosphere. So here is a little recap of fun little vaca we had.

We went to California to share a weekend with some great friends. The weather was wonderful, the beach was a blast and the company was great. Here are a few photos of our fabulous time in Cali. Thank you Shawn and Kevin for hosting us all at your beautiful home!

The beach was a huge hi!. He is still talking about the wave that broke over his head, every day as a matter of fact. He wants me to tell complete strangers how yucky it tasted. He couldn't get enough of the beach. He is so excited to go back again.

We also went to the Long Beach Aquarium. It was so fun. I loved the jellyfish and Brooks loved playing on the whale that shoots water out the blow-hole. For some reason, the real marine life couldn't compare to their plastic counterparts.

Then we spent Sunday in the park. I couldn't get over these purple blossoms. Such a fun, little family trip. Far too fast. I am looking forward to a return visit in August. California, here we come!

A Great Day!

Today has been a dandy! It's time for the annual neighborhood clean-up, which involves a tree-trunk-tractor at it's best. We heard them working on the next street over and Brooks helped me gather all our clean-up stuff. We hurried and made our pile on the side of the road, then he patiently waited. Soon enough, the dump truck and tractor made their way to our street. Brooks started jumping a little, it's hard to conceal such excitement, but soon the excitement turned to reverence.

For two hours, we sat outside and watched the tractor in action, we even had a picnic to wait out the workers break. Then the neighbors heard the commotion and came over to see the action. The darling driver was nice enough to show these boys some tricks. We saw a wheelie, which was pretty incredible and then he backed up to the bottom of the street and cruised up the street as fast as he could go, all the while gathering garbage that had fallen on the street. Then he parked in front of the house and posed for a picture with these darling boys. The only problem was that they couldn't take their eyes off the tractor long enough for a good shot. So we did the best we could.

Once the tractors had left, Brooks and I had popsicles in the backyard and called dad to tell him the exciting news. We sat and chatted for a bit to the background music of my brand new wind chime. The weather is perfect. It couldn't be a better day. Gosh, I am lucky.

And last week Brooks told me I had the biggest chest in the world, so I guess I really am lucky.

A Birthday Wish From Far Away.

We Love You!

We Miss You!

What a Change in the Weather!

Last Thursday . . .




It so broke my heart to see these blossoms fighting the freeze last week. And after the beautiful day we had today, it's safe to say we are all grateful for the sun. There is something so magical about springtime. Perhaps just a longing for warm, but sometimes I feel as though I have willed the blossoms to be. Brooks came into my room this morning screaming, "mommy, mommy look, we have a papercot tree!" Apparently, he loves springtime too.

We Really Did...

Celebrate Easter!

We colored eggs.

Hunted for baskets and goodies.

And had a wonderful Sunday.

And did I metion the Cadbury mini eggs? Doesn't get better than that. Happy Easter!