Chicago Getaway

Brett had a work trip to Chicago, since I tagged along with him for a quick trip. We had a great time in this fun city!!

We enjoyed a night of comedy

 Explored the Museum of Science and Industry

 Visited the Lincoln Park Zoo and walked for miles around Lake Michigan

 And found my favorite cupcakes!!

Halloween 2017

All dressed up and lots of places to go!  We had parties and pumpkins and lots of fun trick or treating this Halloween. 

While dad was in Chicago, mom made it home just in time to carve pumpkins with the boys...we did a pretty good job!

 A Halloween party with friends!

 Alex has been reading Harry Potter this year and decided with his long hair, he'd be Sirius Black!

UEA in Moab

Escaping the cold weather, we decided to take one last 2017 trip in trailer down to warmer weather.  We packed up all of the kids and headed to Moab.  We LOVE it down there and we always wish we had a few more days.  We even had to trim our itinerary down...which means we'll have to go back down there for more fun in the sun!

It's always fun to bring a sled and sled down "the hill!"

 Mckaleigh and mom hike to the top of "the hill"!

 A little bit of frisbee in the evenings.  We LOVE playing in the soft sand!

 Checking out a cave - i'm sure there were snakes and mouse poop in there!

 Views you can't find anywhere else!

 A little hiking up, up, up!

 Arches!

 Look at that background!  AWESOME!

Fall Days

We spent ALOT of time outside this fall.  It was so fun to get together with family, at parks, and just trying to squeeze the last bit of outside time out of each day before the snow came. 

We took some long walks

 Explored parks

 Hiked and hiked

 and of course we ran in out traditional color run 5k

 Summer never lasts long enough, before fall turns cooler and winter marches in.  We always try to spend time outside enjoying every last day!

The Lake

Every Summer we try to get out and spend time at the lake in the trailer.  We love playing on the water, building and playing in the sand, hiking and exploring!  Here are a few shots from s few of our days on the lake.

We enjoy early mornings and late nights trying to catch a few fish

 We were able to meet and spend time with friends on the water.

And just kick back and relax!

Utah State Fair

After school started we kept the party going... The Utah State Fair didn't disappoint.  Even though it was just the 3 of us, we had lots of fun... and learned that Alex gets sick on pretty much all of the rides!

Boondocks

We were able to have a fun weekend at home (a rare occasion) and went to Boondocks.  It was a day of mini golf, go carts, laser tag, and tasty lunches!

Maui in August

This is a trip that was a long time in the making.  Brett and his friends had been planning a trip to Maui for their 40th birthday for a long time... as the time grew closer, fewer and fewer people were able to make it,  but the group that came had a wonderful time.  We snorkeled, hiked, climbed mountains, spent time in the sun, had a regular nightly ice cream date, drove for miles and had a great time.  I love spending time with friends in amazing places!

Park City Cup - Champions

This Summer Alex got to guest play with his friends in the Park City Cup.  It was a long drive for multiple days in a row, but all of those drives paid off.  They were the tournament champions.  While we were up there we hung out in the sun and rain, passed the time with movies and food and had a great time.  Here is a picture of the champions.

4th of July 2017

We were so lucky this year to spend Independence Day with both of the Cushing and Myers cousins.  It was so fun to make memories with so many family members!

Alex LOVES to visit all of the firework booths in our neighborhood and see what cool new things he can find to light off.  This year Colton was very generous and donate $25.00 to the cause.  Alex managed to find quite a few fireworks for the family to light off!

 Early July 4th we have made it a family tradition to watch the Murray City parade and collect the candies and taffy that the floats and cars throw...We had a HUGE bag of it this year!  Here are the Cropper cousins with us waiting for the parade to begin.

 Alex and Tyler looking very patriotic!

 After collecting many different kinds of taffy, we all walked down to 7-11 for a refreshing slurpee!  It was so hot - I think it ended up being 103 degrees that day! Melt your face off hot!

 We were able to get some home improvements done that afternoon, and then headed down to Utah county.  Eric and Katie hosted a bbq - with a waterslide blowup and amazing firework display.

 On his 3 or 4th trip down the water slide, Alex hit the retaining wall and twisted his ankle...Bummer!
I think the kids were secretly happy because it meant that they could all come inside with Alex and play Mario Cart on the Wii!  Alex was bummed though...and limped around for most of the day!

 The boys in Uncle Eric's garage checking out the flammables!

 A quick game of basketball and come icecream and popsicles before the fireworks began.

 Everyone all lined up - Fireworks displays need rules - especially if the kids are doing the lighting.  Uncle Eric laying the smack down!

 All of the adults getting ready to watch the show.

 A few days later we had a few minutes in the evening when everyone was home and Colton and Alex could light their fireworks

 Its funny, but Roxy loves to watch the show. Fireworks don't seem to bother her and she ends up laying on the lawn and watching the boys every year!