Day two we planed to go to the Dinosaur Park, but the forecast was...RAIN! And then, it didn't rain. so we went to the Layton Park at the last minute. We grabbed Tiffany's niece (Rylie) and went to play.
We love Layton Park with its pathways along a little river where you can feed the ducks and climb a tree or two. They also have a great playground.
You can see in Kara's eyes she really had a great time even though she wanted to go to the dinosaur park more than anyone. She's just a sweet little thing.
She's getting a little sand out of her shoes here, but never a complaint.
Tiff's niece Rylie was just as sweet. She enjoyed every second of the park.
You can see by Rylie's smile she always loves the outdoors.
She's a curious little thing and wants you to go where she chooses to explore.
I think she ate more bread than the ducks....She does enjoy food. :)
Jason had a great time too. He really liked the ducks.
He's a little climber.
Guess Jason got his love for climbing from his brother Aidan. He was always up a tree.
Aidan waited patiently for his turn to dig in the sand, and I think it was wort the wait.
Wendy and Donna were just happy for the kids to get out some of their energy. Three kids really can wear you out.
All and all the day wasn't lost, just delayed. We all enjoyed the fresh air.
Last week Rick's mother, sister (Donna), and her kids (Aidan, Kara, and Jason) came for a little visit. It's a good thing Challis moved out so we could have 2 guest rooms. :) It was good to see them all. It's amazing how fast kids grow when you you only see them every couple of years.
Our first adventure was to Roy Water Park. It has rained almost every day here this summer, but we got a few hours reprieve and took advantage of it. It was cold when you were wet and the wind kicked up, but the kids toughed it out. Even Wendy (Rick's mom) got in. Ok, I was the only one that isn't that brave. :)
Wendy, Kara, and Channy (We got Channy out of school to go. Lucky girl.) Aidan. He got cold, but he did go down the BIG slide.
Channy, Tiff, and Wendy. Rick and Donna. Rick got off work early and surprised us. We were happy he came. Kara. I think Kara liked the treats as much as the water. In my opinion, Kara may have enjoyed the whole trip better than anyone else. She was a good little thing. Channy had a great time playing in the water with Kara. Rick and Tiff.
In the end, another storm rolled in with full force winds and we cleared out of there at the speed of light. We had fun, even if it only lasted a few hours.
This spring all the members of our family have enjoyed hikes to Waterfall Canyon in the Ogden Wasatch Mountains. This year we have had a tremendous amount of rain, so the rivers are ready to spill over the banks. All this water makes for a spectacular waterfall.
If you've never made the hike, you really need to. You must do it soon though because as the summer goes on the waterfall pretty much dries up.
Corbin and Kortney hiked it for a fun day date, and got lost. They really had a good time though, and said it was worth all their efforts.
I took Channy and a couple of her friends one day. They complained the whole way up. They said, "They were going to throw up and die!" But once we reached the fall everything was forgotten. On the way down, they said, "This is the best day I ever had. Thanks so much for taking us."
Challis and Rick have also been up this spring. I think its definitely a family favorite. We suggest you head on over the the 29th st. Trail head and get hiking!!! But beware of the scenic route....you may get lost....We all did. :)
My best friend from high school, Chris Teeslink, came in town this week. I hadn't seen her in 19 years. So, I invited some of our other friends from high school and put together a lunch. It was so good to see all of them. Some of them I hadn't seen in 23 years. They are all wonderful women. It was fun to see how we had, and hadn't changed.
Becoming mothers changed every one of us, and all of us are in different stages of motherhood. Chris is a new mother to a five month old son that is just darling, while Laura is the mother of a young man in his mid twenties that has a son of his own. She seemed to be over joyed with being a grandmother.
Some of my friends are seasoned career women Like Kim, and some have recently graduated and started careers like Jill and Laura who are now teachers. Some enjoy being self-employed like Heather, Crystal, Diane. Some of us are perfectly content to employ all of our energies in the title of Mother... for now, like Rebbecca, me, and Chris who has taken a hiatus from nursing to attend to her new son.
I think we are all somewhat the same. After all, we carry our past in our present, and we are all bound by our childhoods and those friendships. I could see the in their eyes, smiles, and laughter the beautiful young girls who were my childhood friends.....All of their faces just slightly weathered by life.
We all have had our challenges in life, some with heavier burdens than others, but I felt like all of us radiated love and happiness. We haven't been broken. And, at this stage of life, our 40's, we are all focused on our inner beauty. Our focus now is on love, health, and happiness, and not so much on our hair or clothes. I found each woman absolutely beautiful....more beautiful than ever. I soaked in the richness of the difference, likeness, and absolute uniqueness of each individual. What lovely women these girls have grown to be.
What a wonderful way to spend a few hours. I only wish I had the opportunity to see them more often, especially my friend Chris who now lives in Arizona. She was always such a giving, loving friend. There is still nothing like her hug. I missed her terribly, but I'm so grateful she is so happy now.
Thank you ladies for a wonderful lunch.
Me, and my best friend from high school, Chris Teeslink
Rick ran the Ogden Marathon last month. It was his first Marathon ever. Rick is a great runner, but even this was tough for him. He had a great first 1/2 running fast and strong, but then the cramping set in going into the canyon. He struggled with his second 1/2. The cramping made him stop and go the whole way. A stranger helped out giving him electrolyte tables, and Rick credits the stranger's help with letting him finish. Somehow, there's always that special stranger who helps out....thank heavens for them. Rick stopped about 100 ft from the finish trying to find the will to finish....he eventually found it and finished 3:39. We couldn't be more proud. He said, "Never again!" Honestly, he's only run one time in the last month. I think it took everything out of him. But, he'd better get running soon, he has a race in 10 days (Ragnar.)
Rick after his finish.
My mom, Channy, Cole, and Corbin came out to support him.
Well, for those of you that don't know, Rick and I were supposed to have a wonderful romantic trip to hot and sexy Mexico. BUT, then came the piggy flu (swine flu), and Carnival decided to take us to cold, rainy, depressing San Fransisco, Seattle, and Victoria Canada.
We really didn't want to go, but they gave us a great deal to go to their "Cold Cruise", so we said, "What the heck, it's free, and we can eat a lot." So, we went, and it was cold, wet, depressing, and we ate a lot. Don't get me wrong, it had it's moments of laughter and fun and the company was good. We went with our long time friends the Saddlers, and our new friends the Nyes. We all made the best of it, and I gained 4lbs, so you know the food was good.
We started out at Long Beach, CA.
The whole Group, Troy, Kristi, Steve, Brenda, Me and Rick in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was really cool to pass under it in the ship. When we left that night we got in the hot tub, in the rain and passed under it in the dark with the lights on.....pretty romantic.
We went to Alcatraz while in San Fran, and even though this was a prison, the island is really beautiful. The families that lived here must have enjoyed the spectacular views.
Rick in the prison. We've been to Alcatraz before, but it's always amazing to see how the men here lived day to day.
We also spent some time at Pier 39 eating clam chowder and shopping.
We watched the seals bark and play king of the mountain.
We climbed the hills of San Fransisco and walked down Lombard street. It's supposed to be the most crooked street in the world, but I found out...it's not even the most crooked street in San Fran....Whatever we still saw it and it was pretty.
I found this. It's funny and entertaining and you get to see more of the street.
Then it was on to Victoria Canada. I'd never been and it really was beautiful, but it rained the whole time and I had to wear 5 layers it was so cold.
We went to this awesome castle. Craigdarroch Castle was beautiful. I love architecture and old homes, so this was a real treat for me. It was really well done, and I recommend visiting if your there.
Then we were off to Seattle. I probably enjoyed Seattle the most. We had the best weather that day. We went up in the space needle to take a look around. It was about $30 to go to the top. A ridiculous amount of money for what you do...ride up and look around, but it's what you do, so we did it.
We walked along the piers and then went to Pike Market. I really wish I lived there just so I could buy the beautiful flowers and eat fresh seafood. It was a blast.
We did get some rest and relaxation on the fun ship. We spent a day in the sun. The boys played ping pong and the girls sat, soaked up sun and read.
All in all, it was a good time, and Rick and I enjoyed our time together. We do plan to try the ship in Mexico next year, but we told the kids they could come, so it won't be exactly what we planned originally. Below: Troy, Kristi, Brenda, Steve, me and Rick.
Rick and I
Brenda and Steve
Kristi and Troy
One thing is for sure, we'll have some great memories.
The top ten things I'll remember about the trip.
10. All of us dancing at the disco
9. Brenda smacking the golf ball as hard as she could on the ship.
8. Getting sea sick the second day.
7. The great exchange rate Steve got at the gas station when we bought candy bars.
6. The disturbing statue at pier 79 in Seattle.
5. How beautiful Victoria was.
4. The Jam Kristi bought for Mother's Day that they took away from Kristi at the airport.
3. How much I ate.
2. How relaxed I was.
1. Below: the pic of Brenda in front of the elevator that broke and we fell in along with the claustrophobic woman. :)
I am glad we went. Thanks honey. I love you, and thanks to the Saddler's and the Nye's. Misery always loves company.
