In January

  We (Phil and I) celebrated our 19th Anniversary with a little stay-cation.  We rode the front runner train to Odgen where we spent 2 days discovering this historic Utah city.

We explored by walking everywhere that we wanted to go.  We watched "Saving Mr. Banks" on the big screen (great movie) and spent a few hours at the Train Museum learning how important Odgen was for transportation via trains and to the transcontinental train development.

We also went to the Peery's Egyptian Theater and saw a broadcast of the Broadway Musical, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, starring David Hasselhoff, Mr. Knight Rider himself, who knew he could sing?  Not me.  It was really an enjoyable weekend, just the two of us exploring the city together.

 

 The following weekend we spent a few days in sunny and oh so warm Mesquite, NV and St. George, UT.  Mr. P had a soccer tournament to attend and we were happy to follow him along his journey.  The weather was beautiful and the President's Cup Tournament a smashing success as his team finished 1st place.

Also while in the southern part of the state we visited with my side of the family and celebrated a new cousin, Ms. Emme.

The next weekend we upheld the Dean tradition of going tubing at Soldier Hollow.  Luckily the weather was decent and it wasn't too crowded.  This is always a favorite activity for our kids and their cousins.

For my Birthday we celebrated by going out to dinner at the Brick Oven, where we found one of our own working hard.  Yep, he now has a job.  So proud of him!  And don't worry we saved him plenty of food for when he got home.

And finally, having had enough of all the teasing about his incoming mustache, this boy got a lesson on how to shave. 

Once again I am reminded that my kids are growing up too fast.  It is cool, and exciting to experience their increase in independence and to see their growth in so many different areas of their lives, but at the same time it is sooo hard to comprehend them leaving the nest.

October Happenings.

Baby Cousin Lovin'

Halloween Lunchin' with the Governor

 

 

 Where after the luncheon,

the kids got to meet the Governor and received a book from him.

(Did I ever mention that back when Phil celebrated entering a new decade, he also changed jobs.  He now works for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget.)

Pumpkin Carvin'

 

 

Halloween Craftin'

 

 Crazy Hair Wearin' - by Soccerboy

Corn Maize Attendin'

with my Brother and his brave Wife, who is fighting cancer for the fourth time in her young life, and their family.  Hanging out at this Maize is becoming a tradition.

 

 

where there was also pipe sliding, hay jumping and corn pit playing, pumpkin blasting and a few other activities.

 and Teenage Drivin'

Where are we?

In Utah.

Lehi, UT to be exact.

We are enjoying one more outing before school starts.

With rock climbing

Miniature Golf

Go-Karts

 Water Fun

 

and Rides, all in one stop.

Our Fourth of July

Began with our family going to our Neighborhood Parade and Breakfast.  Where these two were so excited to decorate their bikes for said event.

We then journeyed to HOT St. George to do some more celebrating with extended family.  The day ended by meeting up with family at the park to watch the BIG fireworks.

But the weekend was full of family fun.  We spent many hours in the pool at my Mum's complex.  We went to the theaters to watch Dispicable Me 2 then took the family out to a restaurant for dinner (something that was a special treat because we rarely do that).  Then there was a endless display of store bought fireworks outside my Brother's house.

Saturday we were in the water pretty much the whole day.  We went to the river where we sent up camp and my brother taught us how to skim board.  The older boys really enjoyed it but I didn't do so well at it.  Even the little kids even got in on the action.

 

 

 

 

 Mostly it was a lot of this,

 and this,

 and this,

they even caught a dead fish.  Yuck!!

After the River we went back to my Mum's for a BBQ and more swimming.  A Wonderful Weekend, even in the hot, hot weather.