Pioneer Day Parade in Fairview

For Pioneer day we went down to Sanpete County to join in on some small town fun.  Mike and Hunter were at Scout camp so I took the rest of the kiddies down to Fairview for the breakfast and parade.  Problem was, the breakfast seemed to be shutting down when we got there.  I piled the kids back into the car and we quickly drove down the rode to the diner for pancakes, french toast, and bacon.  The kids were entertaining themselves by making straw wrapper mustaches.

 We finally made it to the parade and was it hot!  This is why I detest parades, I can't stand sitting out in the heat.  The highlight of the parade was the candy for the kids.  The "parade" consisted of a bunch of trucks and cars driving down the road throwing out candy.  I saw maybe one float, one marching band, and a handful of girls doing dance routines.  Not quite my idea of a parade.  The kids enjoyed getting sprayed by the fire truck.


 I loved the missionaries' sign, it was totally Napoleon Dynamite.

After the parade we went over to the house in Mt. Pleasant and hung out with all of the cousins.  We had a yummy lunch.  The kids had fun playing and I enjoyed talking to everyone.  We headed out a little early,  because Laina refused to take a nap.  Of course she was asleep within 5 minutes once we hit the road.  Shakes were calling our name so we ended the day with thick delicious shakes from the Shave 'n Cream on the way out of town.

My Little Mermaids

We have been spending a lot of time at Seven Peaks this summer.  The big kids take off as soon as we get there and ride all of the fun slides.  I've even taken Aria and Laina down a few of the tube slides.  It's so much fun hearing them squeal as the clutch my arms in sheer terror.  By the time we get down to the bottom they are yelling for more.
Aria, Laina, and I spend most of our time at the Kiddie pool.  They love to splash in the water and pretend to be mermaids.  Aria has the mermaid kick down pretty well.

 They are so cute in their little pink suits.  They are the sweetest sisters.

 I also had to include this shot of Chase.  He was taking a quick little cat nap in the tube.  Funny kid.

Hang Time with the Cousins

On Sunday we got together at Grandpa and Grandma Staker's house.  Mike's sister Megan and her family are here from Oregon for about a month.  We had a fun evening together catching up and planning some fun activities for their time here.  The cousins had a blast playing outside on the trampoline and running around the backyard.
The kids made a human pyramid.

Daynen tried to get on but it ended with quite a tumble.

The kids were all trying to show off on the trampoline.

Jaida and her new pal Aria

Bronson, our little superman!

Laina is all dressed up with nowhere to go.

At one point Logan came walking in crying that he had gotten hurt on the trampoline.  His Dad asked him what happened and he said, "I think someone broke my leg."  We all had to hold in our chuckles and smiles as he wailed.  Nothing was broken, but he adopted a little limp for the rest of the evening.  It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt!

Block Party 2011

Our annual neighborhood block party was postponed this year until the beginning of school instead of the end.  It worked out well, it wasn't as hot and the sun set earlier so we could watch the fun video that had been put together.  There was the usual yummy food, cotton candy, and fun games for the kids.  Aria made a beeline for the cotton candy.  It matched her outfit!

Little Miss Cotton Candy

 Chase had fun at the cake walk winning Ding Dongs and candy.  Michela was helping out with the games and Hunter was eating as many treats as he possibly could.

 

Laina giving Daddy Loves. 

Instead of the usual bike parade, this year the committee provided glow sticks for the kids to decorate their bikes, scooters, and skateboards with for a night parade.  The kids came up with the cool ideas and it looked awesome when they were all riding around the cul-de-sac. 

Chase getting his Glow on. 

Aria and her Fancy Scooter. 

Ridge and Hunter decorating. 

Hunter's cool bike design.

 There were even minute to win it games.  I got a funny video of Chase trying to catch a tortilla on the top of his head while wearing a paper plate for a hat.  We live in such a wonderful neighborhood and I'm so glad we live among such wonderful people.

California Part 6: Swimming with the Cousins

    As the week came to a close we planned a day up in Woodland with my brother Kurt's family.  The kids love getting together with their cousins.  It was a hot day, so the kids spent most of it in the pool.

Hunter, Chase, Whitney, Hailey, and Michela

  Laina really wanted to go in too, but she was coming down with a little cold and the water was a bit chilly.

Aria and Carley

  Shannon let Jaxon try out the water, but whenever the water got over his diaper he started crying.

Uncle Steve helping Aria learn how to swim.

 We had a great time eating some delicious grilled tri-tip and chicken that my brother had made, talking and catching up, and scarfing down some yummy homemade ice cream sandwiches.  Can you tell which part was Hunter's favorite?

  I'm so glad we were able to go.  Such a nice and relaxing week.  Mike spent most of his time ripping up the floor in the hallway so Mom could put down some new cork.  He and the kids also built a new back porch and steps from the laundry room door in the back of the house.

Chase, Michela, and Hunter hanging out on the new steps.

My Mom is always so happy when Mike is in town, she always get something done around the house.  Last Christmas when we were there Mike painted the front of the house.  My Mom was outside one day and a neighbor walked by asking who she had hired to paint the house.  My Mom said her son-in-law had done it and the lady asked, "where can I get me one of those!?"  LOL!

California Part 5: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Last year we had a family reunion down in Santa Cruz and the kids absolutely LOVED the Boardwalk.  There are all kinds of rides, games, and lots of junk food.  When we were thinking of what to do while we were in California the kids unanimously voted to go back to the Boardwalk.  My Mom, my brother Craig, and I took the kids to the Boardwalk while Mike went mountain biking in the Santa Cruz mountains.
We had so much fun!  This time around I wasn't nursing a baby, so I was actually able to have more time to ride the rides.  Craig and I had a blast reliving our childhood and had so much fun watching the kids.  We started off the day with a roller coaster.  Chase was brave enough to go, but Hunter opted out.  I laughed the entire time because Chase wouldn't open his eyes.  At least he went on it!

 Aria had so much fun riding all of the little kid rides.  Grandma kept Aria and Laina busy and having fun.  Thanks Mom for being my babysitter!

 Hunter and Michela got braver as the day went on.  We got them to go on the Giant Dipper and then they wanted to ride it again and again.  In fact one time we couldn't find them and I bet Mike that if we parked ourselves at the exit of the Giant Dipper they would be coming out soon.  Sure enough, not three minutes later they came running down the ramp laughing and goofing off.  Craig, Michela, Hunter and I also braved the Tower which blasts you off to the top of this huge tower and then drops you back down, going up and down a few times.  We laughed so hard when we saw the picture of us all.

When Mike got there we all rode the Log ride, even Aria.  Michela really wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel, so Chase joined her and Hunter and I hopped on after.  

Chase and Michela on the Ferris Wheel.

Chase looking a little worried.

 Aria's favorite ride was probably the little dragon roller coaster.  I was afraid that she might panic and chicken out, but she had so much fun.

The kids on the dragon roller coaster.  You can barely see Aria's head next to Michela.

I took Laina and Aria on the Carousel a few times.  Laina got a kick out of riding the horses.  I wish I would have been better with the picture taking, but I was having way too much fun to even think about it.  What a fabulous day!  I think Santa Cruz is going to hold some wonderful memories for our family for years to come.

California Part 3: Cement Slide

  One of my favorite places when I was a kid was Cordonices park in Berkeley.  We've taken the kids there a few times now and it is fast becoming one of their favorite spots as well.  We loaded up the car with pieces of cardboard and headed over there for a fun afternoon.  The older kids love how fast they can go down the slide. 

Hunter getting some speed.

Hunter 

Chase holding on tight.

Chase trying not to wipe out.

Michela

 Aria ended up chickening out.  I think she was a bit too intimidated by all of the other kids there.  She opted for the slide on the play structure instead.

Aria and Daddy watching the big kids.

Aria sliding on the little slide.

Laina LOVES swinging.  She won't sit back in the swing, she loves to hang over the front edge.  She was so excited she had her little fists clenched and was laughing the entire time.  What a perfect day in the warm sunshine with the ones we love the most.

Happiness

Pure Joy

Laina is flying!