Rodeo Weekend

 We headed up to Preston for our annual Rodeo weekend. It was great because the whole family was able to get together and fun this year. Grandma and grandpa Cromwell always do such a wonderful job hosting and having us there at their house. The kids love it and its so great to be able to visit and catch with everybody!

What a view

Christian couldn't wait to get in the water

Having so much fun

We started off the weekend on Friday by taking a trip to Bear Lake. It was the first time I have ever been there and I was so excited. And when I got to the lake I was so surprised because it reminded me of Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake. The water was so blue and you could see all the different layers of blue and then the beach was big and perfect for the kids to play in. It was so fun to see the kids play and go out in the water. We had kayaks, blow up toys to swim with and even played a little water volleyball.

Parker, Ella, and Julia getting out on the water

Christian on the turtle

Playing a little water volleyball

What cute girls

We had a picnic lunch and just swam and played on the beach all day. It was a perfect day and it took me back to when I was little and spending time up-north. We had dinner and then also watched the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympics that are being held in London. I love the summer Olympics and can't wait to see what happens. When all was said and done, we all were sun burnt and wiped out. The kids slept great when they actually calmed down long enough to go to sleep.

London 2012 Summer Olympics

Saturday was a big day. We got up and helped with breakfast and then got everybody ready for the family pictures. It was right about Christian's nap time so I was worried he wouldn't do well and want to sit still long enough to get a good shot. But I was pleasantly surprised. ALL the kids did great, especially the 4 little ones all under the age of 2. They actually sat with gma and gpa and got a great picture and then the big group shot when over without a huge hitch. Christian had a little trouble but all in all he did great. I can't wait to see how they all turned out! After pictures gma Cromwell had a surprise for the kids. It was the theme for the upcoming week and the kids were excited. It was great because she came out all dressed up like a pioneer and had a little story about some of the kids pioneer heritage. Then they all got a little bag that had their summer pj's inside.

Grandma telling her pioneer story

All the kids decorating their bags

All the pioneer girls in their bonnets and summer pj's

 Gma Cromwell makes the all the kids summer pj's each year and they always turn out so cute. Julia loves to see what they will look like each year. All the girls got a pioneer bonnet and the boys got red bandannas. They all looked so cute! We even had a pioneer cookout for lunch and it was delicious. Steaks, corn on the cob, baked beans, root beer and even homemade scones.

Later on we headed over to the famous Preston Rodeo. We actually took the kids over early to let them do some rides before the big crowds hit. Christian did pretty good on the rides he went on and of course he had a little help.

Riding the train

Christian LOVES the horses

Got to ride all by herself in the very front

We never attended the rodeo but we love the carnival and the parade. The kids each get a plastic bag and its about half full of candy once the parade is over. Julia loves to run over and show me what kind of candy she gets. We did have to corral Christian in a little bit this year. We didn't want a repeat of what happened when we took Julia at his age. She was all over the place. So we brought the pack-n-play and put him inside. He wasn't happy and did scream but I pointed out things for him to see in the parade. He LOVED all the horses and even loved all the big trucks. We got them to all beep the horns for us because Christian was so good at doing the action for the truckers to blow the horn. He kept doing it over and over again. Once the parade was over all the mom's took off for a little dinner and girl time and the boys headed over with the kids to get the much anticipated and much talked about Rodeo Burger. I think the consensus is this: Boys love them, girls not so much (meaning the older women, the kids love them too.) Again, it was another fun and exhausting day.

Sunday was a bit more relaxing. We went to church and came home to have one last meal before we packed up and drove home. Julia always gets a little emotional when we have to leave. She would live at gma and gpa Cromwell's if she could. Before we even pulled out of the driveway Julia said, "I miss Grandma." But I did tell her we will get to see them again very soon for her birthday and she was satisfied with that. But she did get home and just was crying before bed because she really missed everybody and wanted to stay. She LOVES to visit with gma and gpa and also her favorite cousins Hailey and Ella. It was a wonderful weekend spent with family. I always look forward to going up at the end of July to enjoy some family time. Good times and good memories!

Casual Conversation

Last night we had the Bishopric and the Elders Quorum Presidency come over for a visit last night. Well, Julia really took to the EQ Pres. and was teasing him and playing with him the whole time he was there. Well, they started to play a little more rough as the visit progressed and some "fighting" was going on. And a contest insued and they were keeping score about something but then I heard this........

EQ Pres: "You are a pretty good fighter. Where did you learn how to fight?"
Julia: "My grandpa."

Layne and I had to laugh because it's so true. Sure she will ask her dad if he wants to wrestle but she learned how to fight from Grandpa Cromwell!

Gpa trying to fight off Julia's kisses

Moving Day!

Well, we finalized everything on Friday the 13th and started to move things to the new house. Friday night, Layne had it all worked out with getting people to help him load the truck. It was done in about an hour and he rewarded everyone with pizza!

We spent the night in a hotel so we could sleep in beds and then Saturday morning we unloaded the truck. Again, Layne had help from our new neighbors and everything was done in about an hour and he again rewarded everybody with breakfast! Always thinking, that guy!!  By the time I got there to help it was all done. So we decided to unload a few things we needed to use right away, like the kitchen and bathrooms and then had to go help my sister load up her stuff in the truck and take it over to the place we just moved out of. To say the least, it was a long exhausting day! BUT, we are here in our new home and just love it. I finally feel like I have some space and kids are adjusting rather well. Julia is so excited to have her very own room and she hardly lets anyone even go in her room at all. Christian just loves to explore and is always finding new things to do or get in to.

Bike Parade

We got a little flyer about the Primary Bike Parade on Friday night and Julia was so excited to go. She came in and handed it to me and said mom we have to decorate my bike. Her friend Mattie, next door, wanted to help decorate bikes together so they would be ready for this morning.

All ready to go

Julia was up early and ready to go. It was fun to decorate her bike and see her so excited to go and do the parade. She really suprises me at times and is very brave when it comes to new things. When she has her mind made up there is no stopping her. Well, we drove her up to the start of the neighborhood parade route and daddy walked her over and got her ready to go. She started out slow and in the back of the pack but once she got going she took off and told me later she didn't want to be last. She did the whole parade route, up a huge hill and back down. Afterwards the Bishopric had provided a pancake breakfast for everyone. I know Julia had a great time and even said I want to do it again next July!!

And we're off

GO JULIA!

Yummy breakfast!

Happy 4th!

Well, we decided to break tradition this year and fore go the Bee's Baseball game. Julia and I got up before the crack of dawn and headed down to Provo to see them do the hot air balloons. My mom, and Kristy came with the kids. Surprisingly, they all did really well and were all excited to see the balloons. It was super early but well worth it. Christian stayed home with daddy and got some extra sleep. I was glad because it was certainly nice not to have to chase him around the whole time.

They had about 25 different hot air balloons that were set to go off. You were able to walk around and talk to the pilots and the different people and ask about their balloons. It was so neat to see all of them up close. And all of them going up at once was a cool sight. It all happens so fast and before you know it you have tons of balloons lifting off the ground.

They blow up the balloons with big fans

Then they FIRE it up!





Ready for take off

Up, Up and away!

It was a sight to see

After the balloons launched we headed home and decided to wait a little while before we took our naps. We kinda just relaxed all day until we went over to grandma/grandpa Mott's house for a 4th of July BBQ and pictures. Since fireworks were banned in Alpine this year we all thought we wanted to go down to Thanksgiving Point this year and watch fireworks but we all were just worn out and didn't want to fight the traffic or the crowds. But the food and company was wonderful and its always a workout to try and get family pictures done. We always try to take to many and after the 20th picture everyone has had it. But afterwards we all just got to sit around and talk and relax.

The 2 cutie boys!

Gma Mott and ALL the grandkids :)

2 handsome boys!

Always on the move

The newest addition, Peyton

The 4 big girls

After we went home for the evening we watched some of the fireworks on T.V. Layne and Julia went for an ice cream and found a high place to watch some actual fireworks. The fire was still burning on the mountain so we also sat and watched that most of the night too. But thankfully the next day is when the rain came and put out most of the fire!

The fire light up the night

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

Fire!

Even with the banning of fireworks in Alpine we have a fire. They don't know yet how it started but its just sad to see the beautiful picturesque mountains go up in flames. It started off close to homes but then the wind and dry timber just carried it up the mountain side and up and over the ridge line. You can see the fire from out our front window. I ventured outside to get some pictures. Its amazing how quickly this fire spread. Within about 10-15 mins it went from small to huge with billowing smoke. It truly is a sight to see.

The wind picked up just enough
to blow the smoke out of the
way to see the flames

Planes contiunously flying by
 dropping retardant or water

4th of July evening and it was still burning strong

Update: I guess the fire was started by a track hoe doing some construction near the rodeo grounds. The fire burned about 2000 acres and was still burning very fast and hot as of last night (July 4th) but this morning it rained and put most of the fire out. It is still burning in a few little spots but that rain truly helped and was an answer to all of our prayers!