utah

Guess who just got back from being a mission president?   He's been catching up on 3 years worth of cat naps - There were about 80 grandkids screaming here and we were in the middle of a VERY interesting conversation:)  We had to work really hard to not be offended at such a rude nap:)  it gave us all a good laugh

 The kids and I packed up and went to Utah for FOUR weeks - the longest trip we have ever taken.  Poor Sverre was home bringing home the bacon, major kudos to him.  We had such a FUN time - it was so nice to entertain my kids with new stuff that they'd never done - There were cousins running rampant, take-out food galore and a lot of late night Olympic watching couch dwellers.....

 Our Mountain bike ride on the Wasatch Crest with the Mickelsons- our favorite Utah ride.  I love mt. biking with Sverre

 Desolation Lake

We went to this is the Place Monument and the Pioneer park - I love that place for kids

 LAGOON!  oh man, I love amusement parks - the people watching is incredible, the log ride refreshing, and the Colossal was as fun as it always was.  we had a great time

 Swimming/BBQ/volleyball party with the Nelsons - gotta love cousins and neon pink tutu swim suits

 Oh man, I love this shot of Will, he was obviously loving this ball - I wish my other kids loved cheap toys as much as babies do

 We were friendly while the kids were around, then the trash talking competition began when the innocents left....

 took the cousin tweens to Fashion Place Mall - I'm glad they had fun because I hate malls....

 early morning trail running with the sisters and sil's

 We headed up to Midway for 4 days - I love that place, so peaceful - it was so fun to hang out with Brooke and her kids

 did a lot of swimming

 went to the small-town Kamas county Fair and had some greasy pizza, Jane was so not impressed with the fair

 some sweet clouds I'd say

 more swimming in Midway at Valais

 I was so happy we were in town for the 24th of July Pioneer Day parade -

 This was my favorite float - Santa in a motorized Lazy Boy chair - You know this guy rides this all year, not just for the parade

 my parent's house was a parking garage.  our poor neighbors had no claim to the cul-de-sac while we were all in town

 Did I say my Dad is getting some well-deserved rest??:)

 I think the Pioneers are so inspiring, their stories always make me really grateful for down comforters, warm boots and modern medicine:)

And this was only the first week of our trip:)    these two chicas were joined at the hip