Swimmin' and hikin'

So we went swimming for the first time this summer and the kids had a blast.

Last summer we took the kids swimming a couple times a week

We definitely need to try to go more often. I just need to get over the fact that I look horrible in a swimming suit and go so Alexus can have fun.

We also decided to take the kids on a hike to Dough Nut Falls. We thought it would be good exercise for everyone and it would be something new and different. The kids had a lot of fun Alexus made sure we found our way on the trail in the forest.

Alexus had to be the leader every time Jace would get in front Alexus would run around him. She is so competitive already. She definitely gets that from her daddy. (I'm sorry Jace)
When we got to the Falls we walked through the water and Alexus completely came apart she hated that her sock were wet and she wanted to take them off right thenAlls well that ends well we had so much fun together. When we got back from the hike we had our lunch by the little creek . The kids threw rocks in it and fed the squirrels we took our time and enjoyed the morning.

Scales and Tails at the Library

Theresa is still in town after our trip to Oregon because Royce and Chase have a Lacross camp at BYU . So me and Alexus met Theresa, Cody, Zack, Kim, Jace and Trevor at the library for the scales and tails show. It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed it. Zack was picked to help hold a snake. I think he just wanted to get picked I don't think he really wanted to hold a snake.

Zack holding a snake but kinda freaked out.

Alexus and Jace touching the huge snake

All the kids following the big turtle. He was running for cover under the table. You could tell this was not his first rodeo he knew just where to go to get away from the kids.

Cowgirl Alexus - North Powder July 16 th - 20th

Our entire family except Calvin and James went to see my dads brothers and their families in Oregon. Our parents used to take me and Theresa every summer for our vacation. Every time we went they always had cows to move, doctor or work in one way or another. This time was no exception. When we pulled up at the corral Aunt Leslie had two horses saddled and ready to go for the boys to ride. They got out of the car and rode for a couple hours - until Uncle Dale got there and said there were a couple herds of cows that needed to be moved. So we loaded up 2 four wheelers and 2 horses and off we went. When we arrived at the pasture we had the 2 horses and the 2 four wheelers and the following people - Uncle dale, my dad, Me, Alexus, Theresa, Royce, Chase, Zack, Cody and Kevin. The cows didn't have a chance well really all we had to do was open the gate and the cows just moved pastures on there own. All this with in the first few hour of getting there. And the remaining days were just as busy. I will let the pictures do the talking:

Pa paw and Alexus walking the horse

Alexus and Theresa holding their noses because Alexus says "it stinks"

The gang taking a break and getting something to eat after moving some cattle

Chase, Megan, Alexus (still thinks it stinks) and Sierra under the horse trailer for some shade

Alexus and Pa paw how cuteEveryone watching as the boys try to rope a calfThe kids eating on Uncle Dales deckLindsey, Alexus and Dalee Jo playing the "shampoo game" they would take turns sitting on the balls and pretend to shampoo and style each others hair. They made this up on their own and played for hours. It was so cute

July 5th, 2008 Sleep out at Kim's

Kim invited us over for a barbaque for her birthday. She also asked if we wanted to have a sleep out in her back yard. So we headed over there with our sleeping gear and had a fun night. We had a little water fight, the kids played in the little pool and sand pile. As for the night everyone did really good even baby trevor

TJ, Trevor, Jace, Kimberly, Alexus and Me

July 2nd, 2008 Ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa brown

My cousin Kimberly called to see if we wanted to ride with her and the kids to Spanish Fork. Her and her husband own a hot shot company and she had a delivery down there. So once we got there we looked at each other and said now where are we going to go? Since all of my grandparents have passed away we do not have anyone to see. Sooooo we decided to get a shake at Barry's and go to the cemetery and eat there with Grandma and Grandpa Brown. It was very enjoyable in fact we stayed for 2 hours. We also went out the the Benjamin cemetery to see Grandma and Grandpa Bingham I miss them all so much I can't believe they are all really gone.

June 28th, 2008 Taylorsville Days

We went with my cousin Kimberly her kids and her friend Rachel and her kids to the Taylorsville Days festivities. We started with the parade. Here are the kids waiting for it to start

Saluting the flag This ride was so cute and Alexus didn't if she should laugh or cry. Jace and Hunter loved it.
Mommy and Lex watching the fireworks

Kids club party at Wheeler Farm

This took place a few weeks ago but is was such a great day I wanted to post about it. There is this very cool program here called the Utah kids club. It is $12.00 a month, with that you get awesome discounts at every place you can imagine. Also she posts a calender that tells you what is going on from Ogden to Provo everyday. We have had a lot of fun outing at places we never would have known about. This party was at Wheeler Farm for the Utah kids club the kids had a great time. Kim and I took a picnic lunch for us and the kids and planned to be there most of the day. Alexus had her face painted with a tiara, Jace was a blue ummmm dragon I think. We watched a live play and the kids were mesmerized. They rode horses, played in a little stream and painted the sidewalk with chalk. I do believe Alexus was the dirtiest she has ever been in her life. The best part was the only thing we paid for the whole day is the horse rides. GREAT GREAT GREAT.

Alexus riding Spirit

Alexus and Jace playing in the water

She loved playing with the chalk

It looks like the laid down and rolled in it!

A Royal Party

One of the girls in Alexus' dance class Bella had a "Royal birthday party". They had that rolled paper taped down on the steps leading to the front door for the "red carpet". Everyone decorated their own tiara with glitter, stickers and "diamonds" (Alexus loooooooooves "diamonds"). Things were perfect until it came to opening the presents... Alexus thought the gift she brought was for her. After a little melt down and some compromising - she helped Bella open the gift - she was able to find it in her heart to let the gift go. She cannot wait for her birthday to come again.

Liberty Park

We went to Liberty park to let the kids play in the water and play ground. Jace loved the water Alexus didn't want anything to do with it. She is such a prissy girl. She loves to swing and play in the sand. Jace loves the water and the slide. They played for hours we didn't leave until the sun went down. It was a great day!


Alexus, Trevor & mommy

Alexus dry - Jace wet

This One and That One

Wow I have a lot of catching up to do. Let me start from the beginning. The first week of June James' nieces Brittany and Amber from Indiana came out to visit. We had so much fun (despite the bad/cold weather). First, we went to Alexus' graduation at the little gym - she does gymnastics and dance. It was so cute she was so happy she had such an audience.

Next we went the to Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. We watched a 3-D movie and explored all fun hands on exhibits. I think I missed the mark with the older girls on this one though. They were not too interested in the whole prehistoric thing. Alexus really enjoyed herself though.

The only way I could get Alexus to sit and watch the Movie is to let her have Ava (her bunnies name)

Learning about dinosaurs

Brittany, Alexus and Amber with a big dinosaur

Amber, Alexus and Brittany with a prehistoric shark


Alexus digging for dinosaur bones

We also had a fun girls night with my cousin Kim and my mom. We went to get pedicures and glitter toes. It was really fun to get pampered and enjoy each others company (glitter toes are all the rage around here). After we met James at the Brick Oven in Provo for dinner.

Mommy and Alexus

Amber, Alexus and Brittany totally relaxed

Look at all of our beautiful toes

Alexus, Abigail and Daddy

Mamaw, Kimberly, Amber, Brittany, Daddy and Alexus

And finally we went up to park city for a little site seeing and shopping. The girls had a great time. They are totally into Arepostle (is that how you spell it) and Hollister so were able to get a few things for them to take home.
When we got home from Park City it was time for the girls to start packing and get ready to go home. I was really sad when they left I was hoping they could stay longer. Alexus did not realize they were gone and not coming back for a day or so. She kept asking "where are my cousins?" I would tell her they had to go home and she would cry. We went through this for a couple days it was really cute how much she loved having them here. They did her hair every day she looked so cute. Also she called them "this one and that one". All in all it was a great week. I can't wait for them to come back again.

This one that one and Alexus

Bye Bye Brittany and Amber have a safe trip