Spanish Fork Canyon

Oh how I miss the Utah Mountains! While we were in Utah this summer we spent a lot of time hiking, exploring and picnicking in the mountains. My Dad has a Rhino, and so we spent a lot of time riding around the mountains in this. One of my favorite canyons is Spanish Fork. I have a lot of fond memories of this canyon. When I was little my dad would take us to this place called "The Tub". We took the boys up there on the Rhino. The road was closed, but we hiked down in so they could see it.

It doesn't take much to entertain my boys....some water, dirt, rocks, and sticks and they are in heaven. They loved Grandpa's Rhino and the wind blown look it gave them when they were done!

FFYI: For those of you who think my boys were riding around the mountains on a Rhinoceros, this is what a Rhino is:

PARK CITY

While we were in Utah this summer, my sisters and I took the kids to Park City. We let the kids watch the athletes train at Olympic Park. We also went on the Alpine Slide. Josh was really nervous to go by himself, but he did great! Nathan really wanted to go on the zip line, and I couldn't let him do it by himself, so he talked me into it. The only stipulation was he had to weigh 100 pounds....they checked it and at 104, he was excited. It was a little scary at first, but once we started it was awesome!

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

This was by far the most beautiful stop. We took a glass bottom boat tour and saw pirate caves, seals, sting rays, pelicans and fish. Then they dropped us off at "Lover's Beach" and we spent the next few hours enjoying the water. One side of the beach was the Sea of Cortez and the other was the Pacific Ocean. The waves were really big and rough, so the kids didn't get to swim, but Nathan made the best of it. We couldn't get him out of the water. My mom and I were sick this day, so we spent the day laying in the sand. Thankfully Jared had the camera and took lots of pictures.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Our first port was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We went to a really nice resort with a private beach. We had hatch huts to lounge in the shade, although most of the day was spent on boogie boards. They also had a great pool with a crocodile water slide and an underwater cave. Food was included and we ate anything and everything we could, including pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris. This was definitely an excursion well worth the money!

CRUISE Part 2

Until I figure out my new photoshop, you will have to suffer with smaller pictures!

We took the kids on a 7 day Mexican Cruise the first of June. We went with my two sisters and my mom and dad. It was SO much fun.

We left out of Long Beach. When we finally got on the ship, the kids were so excited. It was so big and it took us a long time to figure out our way around. We had a room with two pull down bunk beds that the kids slept on. They thought it was awesome!

We ate most of our meals in the formal dining room. We had talked to our kids about manners for weeks leading up to the cruise, and they actually did pretty well. We even let the four oldest cousins eat at their own table (mainly so all the adults could be together). We had great waitresses, one from Bosnia and one from Russia. They were great with the kids and even had them sing and dance with them every night. By the end, they didn't even have to ask what we wanted...they could read our minds.

One of the best things on the ship was CAMP CARNIVAL. It was a place we could go and drop the kids off. They had so much fun and didn't want to leave. They had tons of activities for them to do: face painting, movies, games, dancing, and lots more.

It was a great time and the kids had SO much fun with their cousins. Their days were filled with swimming and golfing on the ship.

Fort Irwin, CA

On our way to California for our cruise, we stopped to visit my brother. He is in the army and stationed at Fort Irwin (Death Valley). He basically lives in the middle of nowhere! We had a great time. He took all the kids out to see a helicopter, and they were in heaven!

On the way out we stopped at this cool rock place...not sure what it is, but it is one of the cooler things on base!
We snapped a quick and non professional picture of the whole family...me, my two sisters, my brother, and mom and dad and all the additions!

Baby Blessing

Now that I am home from our extended one month summer vacation to Utah, I will attempt to get up to date on my blog. This will take some time, so be patient....

Jared's brother Wes and his wife Natalie had Lenny Lou's (not sure on the spelling) blessing while we were in town. It was so great to be part of their special day.

Jared's brother Anthony, Jared, and his brother Wes

All the Cardon "Boy" Cousins

minus Justin and Wyatt