Dinosaur Park

Did you know they have real dino's in Utah? Well that is what Kennedy thought when we went to dino park. She was sure the two in the top picture were real. They were behind an electrical fence and were making noise at each other so that makes them real!

By the time we went outside at the park we had convinced her they were just pretend. That is when we had some real fun. We were no longer having to carry her around. When we would come up to a new dino she would make sure we knew it was pretend!

These are very very vicious creatures! One of them was trying to put on his most fierce face while another was trying to be intimidating. The third was just being pleasing!

Also there was a scary volcano that was erupting! The boys got a little to close and had to "run" as fast as then could down the mountain!

I HAVE ALWAYS HATED GRASSHOPPERS! As a child the neighborhood boys would catch them and pull their legs off just to see what would happen. Just thinking about it give me the creeps.

Utah

After our week in Arizona we drove back up to Utah to spend the next 2 weeks there. Kennedy finally catching some zzzzzz's while driving. It is a rare occasion for her to sleep in the truck. (she is too old for naps after all!)

Doesn't Mason look just so excited? And Trevan, well I think he needs to cheer up!

One night we had the chance to watch our niece Gennalyn play softball. I took more pictures of here than this but I think if I post them here she would never ever talk to me again! This wasn't a "real" game, just a game between the team and the parents. It was a fun relaxing game to watch.

Of course the boys found other things to do than watch another softball game.

Somewhere midway up this huge tree are Mason and Trevan. If you click on the picture you can see them better. Trevan is wearing a red shirt and Mason is in blue. I do know my kids are accident prone but I let them do this anyways and the only thing to happen was to Trevan and he walked away with just a scratch on the arm! Pretty lucky.

There was a really nice family at the park that night celebrating their July birthdays. They included our boys! They for sure didn't have to but they did. They were ice-block sledding and gave the boys a block and a towel to use.

Trevan and Gavyn just couldn't get the hang of ice blocking so they instead would race down the hill.

Grayson was able to balance pretty good.

The look on Mason's face here is so funny. George's big foot is trying to give him a helping shove down the hill. The two older boys had so much fun going on the ice. They both got pretty good at figuring out how to balance.

Misc. July

Still catching up! This year we were able to celebrate Independence Day in our own country. We started with a pancake breakfast at the church, then on to the city's parade. The last parade we had been too was a few years back in a small town in Germany for Fasching (something like Marty graw). We were all excited for this to become a new tradition, but after sitting through the longest parade without a float, I'm not sure! I think for the most part the kids had fun but of course there were some complaints. They have a thing against throwing candy, instead they hand it directly to you. They were also handing out Cokes and Pepsi and ice cream sandwiches. Trevan waving the flag waiting for the start of the parade.

Kennedy giving the parade two thumbs up, Trevan's not so sure about that and Mason was having nothing to do with the thumb game.

After the parade we went to the base fishing pond. Mason is getting pretty good about casting out.

Trevan also casting out, he just is not patient enough to let his line sit in the water he wants to reel in as soon as it hits water.

Kennedy learning to reel in. No fish were caught but that is not a bad thing. The kids have told us they will have nothing to do with eating what is caught! They just enjoy going out and having fun.

Another day we took the kids miniature golfing. I don't think we will be taking Kennedy again any time soon! She was more interested in picking the flowers and playing in the streams of water.

Mason is learning a big lesson here. NEVER WALK BEHIND SOMEONE SWINGING A GOLF CLUB! Yup, he got hit right above his eyebrow. Luckily it is a rubber putter! My brother Mike had to learn the hard way with a real golf club and ended up needing stitches. Both Mason and Trevan have been hounding us to take them back there. If we do it has to be in the next week, after that school starts for them both.

Arizona

In July we spent a week in Arizona. I know, we are CRAZY to want to go there during July. I swear it was hotter than the face of the sun! With temps over 110 we spent most of our time in the pool. We did spend a little time at a splash park, which by the way are the only pictures we have from our time there. Here are the kids walking to the park. I am really saying it was HOT!

Trevan and Kennedy taking a breather in the cool water.

I really don't know what to say about this picture. I guess Trevan's back side was a little too hot for his liking.

Nothing like getting a bucket of water pored in your face!

Kennedy walking through the water tunnel.

Do you wanna piece of me? Trevan next to the water cannon.

Mason running away from the bucket of water. He was not patient enough to let it fill up and then dump on him. He would wait for a little bit then run away. We really had a good time visiting family and friends. Next time we will have to visit in the winter!

Childrens Museum

Back in June I took the kids to the local Children's Museum. They had a good time working in the construction zone, putting on dress up clothes and doing plays, puppet shows and much more. Trevan and Kennedy have been asking to go back, Mason on the other hand wants to go to a "real" museum with art on the walls. I'm sure that will be saved for a time when it will just be the two of us. Here they are in the construction zone area. They loved getting to wear the hard hats.

Trevan trying to hear the ocean through this big shell.

Mason working hard, only his hat was way too big.

Kennedy digging in the dino bone area. She was not interested in finding any bones, just playing in the sand.

Summer Fun (June)

This summer has gone by in a blur! I can't believe school starts back up in two weeks. I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. We will start with our June highlights. When the base baseball season ended all the teams and their families were invited to Great Falls minor league Voyagers baseball game and bbq. All the kids got to go out on the diamond for the National Anthem. Somewhere in the herd of kids is Trevan. He was so funny, he couldn't wait to get out on the field, but as soon as he was done he wanted to go home. Forget about watching the game, it wasn't about him anymore! We did stay until the 6th inning and the Voyagers did win that night.
Here is a picture of Trevan walking back to our seats. The stadium was very crowded that night. It was not only a night for the kids, but it was also Military Appreciation Night so all military ID holders got in free! Talk about CRAZY.

Mason and Trevan also took swimming lessons in June. I didn't sign Kennedy up for them because the flyer we got on the pool said the kids had to be at least 4 yrs. old.

Kennedy waiting on the side lines. It really didn't bother her that she didn't get to swim though. She was fine just watching.

Mason trying to learn the front stroke. He really has enjoyed the water. And he has come so far since the first day.

Trevan walking on the bottom of the pool moving his arms like he is swimming! Poor boy kept rubbing his eyes that on day two they were swollen. (we did get both boys goggles after the first day) He too has done a good job of learning, just not as advanced as Mason is yet.

There is still more to come, but right now I have to take all three kids to swimming lessons!

I Belong!

Today was a special day for Mason. He became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are so proud of who he is becoming and the choices he is making. Mason is a very good example to his brother and sister. He was pretty nervous before the actual baptism, but so was George. Well, maybe George wasn't as nervous as he was emotional. I guess the first born gets all the tears from dad!

Here are the three kids, well 2 1/2 of them! Kennedy was off in left field. Trevan had asked Mason earlier in the week if he could say the closing prayer today and he did a pretty good job. I also would like to mention the fact that it is a rare occasion for us to have a family event where Trevan does not have a "bonk" on the forehead! This one was from a skate board. If you need to enlarge to get the full view, feel free.