Mesa Verde with Grandpa Jack

In order to start summer off right, we spent the very first weekend of our break in Mesa Verde with Grandpa Jack.

The Monticello Temple was Jack's idea, and the gas station fountain Diet Coke immediately following was my idea.  #I'mtheMormon

These world travelers hadn't yet been to our neighboring state.

Shenanigans at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez.

In order for any hotel stay to be considered successful by these two, there must be:
A) a pool
B) waffles

"I feel so alive!" she shouted.

We spent an entire day in Mesa Verde.

Spruce Tree House

Cliff House

Balcony House

We revere our elders.

Look for these next two to reappear as your 2015 Christmas Card.

Pit Stop #1 on the way home: an Indian Museum in Dorothy, CO.

Pit stop #2: Wilson Arch just outside of Moab.

Pit stop #3: the dino museum in Price.

We packed a lot of fun into three days!

Early Spring

I opted to leave these two home when I ran, and check out the cold shoulder they gave me.  Lily is shooting daggers out of her eyes.

I love the cute things that the girls write.  This is Maggie's journal.  It makes me happy that she is happy.

We went with my mom to see Dave and Jill's new house.

Kiki found a little soul mate.

Kiki's to-do list includes 40 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of piano, and 30 minutes on spiritanimal.com.

Awesome Stuff We Did in May

One morning, I found Lily busily chewing up some little object in the yard.  When I pulled it out of her mouth, I discovered it was a panty liner.  This is horrifying for two reasons.

1.  It was used.

2. No one here uses panty liners.  

She was very sheepish about the whole thing.

 Bruce completed the St. George Ironman.

Burke came up to support him.

70.3 miles.  He did great!

 These two fight/play all of the time.

Kiki had her end of year school program.  She has had the most wonderful year in second grade.  I feel really grateful for the excellent teachers she and Kate had.

May was also the walkathon at the school.  Since I'm on the PTA board, it was a family affair.

I had a really nice Mother's Day.

We celebrated with my mom and siblings.

"Dear Mom, You are the best mom.  You can't do anything bigger than a family.  I love you even in any situation.  From, Kiki

She tends to "over-cuddle."

More playing and fighting.

 I was supposed to run the Ogden Marathon in May, but due to a lingering and unpleasant shin splint, I had to skip it.  I opted for a much shorter run in the canyon and tacos with Kiki.

Yellowstone= Winter Wonderland

For Christmas, my mom gave her kids a trip to Yellowstone!  It was so much fun- we stayed in West Yellowstone.

Bears roam freely through the town.

Grandma Ellie with Whitney, Maggie, Kate, and Elise

My mom and me.

This was the night of Valentine's: a romantic evening with my brothers.
Just kidding- that was really fun too.

The day after Valentine's we took a snowcoach ride into Yellowstone Park.

Deluxe accommodations.

These two are looking like grown-ups.
This must stop.

The wildlife.

Whitney loves Uncle Dan more than any of us.
Probably more than her own mom and dad.

Theo had his birthday party in a yurt.
It was so exciting!

We saw a lot of wildlife:bison, elk, and eagles.
My favorite was this fox, though.  I really want a fox to be my pet.