Lunch with Amy

Today I went to lunch with a good friend from high school, Amy (Thacker) Steen. We have such a good time when we go out. We get to play volleyball together still, but we break for the summer, so we don't get to see each other as often. She was nice enough to drive out my way from Herriman. We went to Applebee's in Draper and she brought her cute and chunky babe, Brooklyn, who is ten months old. What a cutie! Thanks Amy for a fun time and happy belated birthday!

Dumpster Divin' and Manti Mania

My dad and Dolly were in Mt. Pleasant RVin' it. They were stuck with their RV, but no car. Well, he asked me to bring down a car for them. I guess it was getting annoying to unhook everything any time they wanted to go anywhere. So, I called Sarah and got her to get her kids together so we could make a day of it. We had planned on leaving at one on Saturday, but you know what they say..."The best laid plans..." I met Sarah at my dad's house in Draper. She took my Tribeca to Les Schwab to get the air pressure checked and I took the other car, Bryce, and Carson to Arctic Circle to get some grub before heading out. Once Sarah and Makana arrived, we ate and while eating, I gave Sarah the key to the BMW since she was going to drive that while I drove my car. I left to go to get something that I had left at my dad's. While I was there, Sarah called and asked me where the key was. I told her I gave it to her. Well, it was no where to be found! She asked one of the workers if they could open the garbage to see if it was in there. The employee informed her that they had just taken out the garbage. Oh no!!! Sarah and the employee headed out to the garbage to start the hunt. That's about the time I arrived back at Arctic Circle. Of course, my first thought was "I have to have a picture of that!" So, here ya go...

She wasn't very happy that I came out with the camera, but come on, how could I resist?!?! After I took a few pics, I delved in and helped search. After checking about three bags, we were convinced it wasn't in there. Sarah asked the guy if there was ANY garbage in the can inside. He said some, but not much. Since we exhausted the dumpster diving, we went inside. Sarah looked in the inside garbage and moved a little paper and THERE IT WAS!!!! I was laughing so hard! Our hands were covered in fry sauce, ice cream, soda, and anything else (I don't really want to know what) that was in the dumpster. (notice the trail left by the garbage by the dumpster, EWWW!)

So, finally we headed out. It was about five by this time. The drive wasn't too bad. We got to Manti at about 7:30 and headed over to hang out by the temple. We had some good quality family time. We watched the pageant that was really good, but I think they need to cut it by about half hour! Super good, but super long (1 ½ hours!) We headed to the RV park and got there by about 1:00 a.m. We transferred all three kids to my car and headed back. It was a longer drive on the way home than on the way there. I don't know really how that works, but it seemed like it was at least 3 hours longer! I took Sarah and the kids to their house in Eagle Mountain and headed home to Murray. I didn't ge home until 4:00 a.m.! Crazy, but fun times! Here are some pics from our trip...

Bryce, Makana, Carson

Makana, Sarah, Bryce, Carson

Dad, Dolly

Sarah, Bryce - see that plate in the background...

Wait for it...

Bryce - after setting her foot in the ketchup.

Sarah - this is such a cute pic of my sis :)

Makana lookin' oh so cool

Bryce & Me

Carson

Hey, would you like a frozen banana?

No, but I would like a regular banana later, so yes.

Nice!

Carson, Makana, Me, Bryce

The Fam

Livin' in a Postcard

So, have you ever thought about how living in Utah is like living in a postcard? Also, have you ever just been sitting at home and you just have to get out? Well, that was me on Friday. I decided to go get some Cafe Rio and head up to Brighton to enjoy the outdoors. Well, I didn't realize how cold it would be up there, so I didn't stay quite as long as I would have liked. I had a little picnic at the entrance to the Silver Lake Hike (or Stroll) Trail.

Me listening to some tunes

View from my picnic table

'Mickey Mouse'

This mountain totally takes me back to when I was 12. I went to a beehive girls camp at Brighton and Mickey Mouse was our view.

Comin' down the mountain

I had such a relaxing time just hanging out, reading, and lovin being outside.

Birthday Outing

I decided to start a new tradition this year and take out my nieces and nephews out for their birthdays. Isaac's birthday was on May 12, but since May was so busy, we didn't get to go until today. We went to see Kung-Fu Panda at Jordan Commons. We lucked out because it was showing on the IMAX, so it was extra big & extra awesome! We had a great time & I look forward to being able to do this tradition since more of them moved so much closer!

Kind of an awkward pose, but what do ya do when there's no one else to take the pic?!?

Tri-celebration

We had a celebration for my step-dad, Mike, for Father's day, Jenn for her Birthday, and Makana for her birthday. We went to Mom's house and went swimming and had a BBQ. Super fun!

Mike grillin' & Mom chillin'

Makana, Gavin, Bryce, Caleb, Aaron, Sarah, Matt

Adam, Janae, Ruby

Jenn, Chase

Best Buds & Cousins, Issac & Carson

Lilah, Melody, David

Ruby Lou

Ruby & Me

Hey Aaron, Say "Cheese!"

Another example of what happens when another brother gets a hold of my camera. He got a hold of my phone, too. When I got it back, it had a very similar picture set as the wallpaper. I won't make you look at some of the other pictures that ended up on the camera!

Father's Day

We had a dinner for my dad and all the other fathers in our family at Adam & Janae's on Father's day. It was a fun time and pretty low key. Here are a couple of pics...Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of my dad that day, oops!

Bryce, Sarah, Caleb

Ali, Jonathan

Melody, Bryce, Sarah

Dolly

Ali, Janae, Adam, Dad (partial face)

Meatfest

A few times a year my dad and Dolly host a BBQ, which we have dubbed the 'Meatfest'. This is because he always provides and cooks the BEST tri-tip steak. Fun times were had by all. Here are a few pics from that night. By the way, Happy Birthday, Leah! Wish you were here!

Ruby, Dolly, Dad

Caleb, Janae

Caleb, Adam (no face), David, Lilah, Granddad, Ruby

Aaron, dowin' the cherries

Dad has an awesome slide that everyone had a blast on…

Caleb, Makana, Carson, Isaac

Caleb

Carson

Isaac

Makana

Ruby