FYI

Just so you all know, I'm going to be moderating comments that you all may make to my blog,. I have been nailed by spammers lately, so I chose to do that to see if it cuts down on it.

First Day of School 2009

Wyatt, Henry, and Lauren all started school today at their new schools. The day seems to have gone well for all of them, thank goodness. The boys both said that they made some friends and had fun, so I can claim success and maybe breathe a teensy bit easier.

Weekend Busyness

How much stuff can one family jam into one weekend? Out here, it's easy to do.

This past Friday was Todd's Friday off. So, on Thursday he packed up the boys (LC and I didn't go as our tent isn't big enough for all of us, but we will have to remedy that as she was very...upset...that we weren't going ) and they went camping in Logan, UT in the Cache National Forest. They were told they got the last campsite in the whole forest; it was that busy as camping is a HUGE past time out here. They hiked in Tony Grove and then stopped in Bear Lake on the way home to have raspberry shakes on the recommendation of everyone in his office as raspberries are bountiful up there.

At the campsite:

Hiking :

Stopping in Idaho...the kids can add another state to the list; one I've never even been to:


Every Saturday this Summer, Ogden, North Ogden, Roy and South Weber sponsor free days at certain attractions in the area. Last weekend, we went to the Treehouse Children's Museum. This Saturday, we went to the Dinosaur Park. The day was gorgeous--mid 70's--so we decided to check it out. The kids really liked it. Wyatt was a little bored so I am glad it was free.LOL

Henry and I, reading about one of the dinosaurs:

LC, not happy about posing::

Henry and LC checking out a prehistoric Dolphin:


We finished up there, had dinner at home and then headed out to the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. We got there in time to see a couple of balloons land and a couple inflate in time for the balloon glow, which is when they all flash their flames after sunset to light up the balloons.

Arriving::

The Energizer Bunny was a key sponsor as well as featured balloon. It is the largest in North America at 166ft. tall. The kids in their bunny ears:

A balloon "glowing":


This morning, we were up at 5:30am to be back at the festival to see the set up and launch of the balloons. There were 19 total balloons that went up in the air and we were able to see them all set up and take flight.

Dressed for the weather this time (It was 44 degrees when we got there, but warmed up to 75 this afternoon. The weather out here is soooo different):

One of the balloons before being inflated:

As they are all being inflated:

The Mayflower balloon with the American Flag. As soon as it was up, the Nat'l Anthem was played:

A bunch of them up:

The Energizer Bunny Balloon, from blow-up to take off:





I'm glad I braved the early rising and the chilly weather. It was well worth it.

Granny's Visit...

Sylvia came to visit us this last week and it was a really enjoyable visit. We showed her all around our new city and tried to show her as many amazing sites we could in a limited amount of time. I think she enjoyed most of it. All except for the night we drove up Mt. Ogden and then back down. I don't think she saw half of it since she wasn't able to look out the window half the time.LOL

We took her to Antelope island where the buffalo and antelope were out in full force. We were also able to see an incredible sunset while out there. It was setting between two ranges over the Great Salt Lake and I think it is the prettiest one I have ever seen, including any over the ocean we have seen in the past.

We also went to the Ogden Farmer's Market and Rainbow Gardens, where she and I had a few hours to shop to our hearts content without the clamoring of kids saying, "I'm boooored."

The rest of the time was spent talking, laughing, reminiscing, and looking towards the future. She has been very supportive of our move out here and for that we are very grateful. It can't have been easy for her to see her son move away and leave the company she and Todd's dad built, but she has said from the beginning that this is a good thing for us and we are so relieved she feels this way.

I, of course, have pictures from the visit.LOL

An antelope grazing::

Herd of Buffalo:

Mom and baby Buffalo:

The boys enjoying the scenery. How could you not out here?:

Sunset:

Wildflower Garden at the Ogden River Trail:

Admiring the Rose Garden:

Shopping at the Farmer's Market:

She left today but we hope that she can come back soon, maybe when it's just a little cooler so she can experience the mountains snow-capped. I think that's when they are at they're prettiest.