July 4th, 2012 - Part 2

Later that afternoon after the balloons, we headed up Provo Canyon, just past Hope Campground with the four wheelers. We spent the afternoon taking turns riding around while the others sat in the shade and waited. This spot was only about 25 minutes or so from our houses and has a few overlook views that overlook Utah County and its very pretty. We had great weather and everyone had fun.

Jackson and Luke

Ben, Jacks,Luke

Nick sportin the shades

Holly and Bert

Tiff and Riley

Dave and Tate

Jackson and Papa

Nana and Papa 

July 4th, 2012 - Part 1

Erin has started a tradition to get up early on the 4th and go see the hot air balloons launch at the field just east of the Provo Hospital. Its pretty cool to watch them work hard to get their balloons in the air with so many people gathered around to watch. 

New Mexico / Moab trip - June 22nd, 2012

On June 22nd, 2012 we traveled to New Mexico to surprise Erin's grandpa, "POPS" for his 80th birthday. Lots of family gathered for the weekend. It included an evening of visiting prior to the party at a local park the next day. Our final day before heading back home, we stopped in for a few hours to visit POPS and grandma. Everyone had left already and we spent a few hours visiting. The boys loved reading books with their grandparents. It was a great weekend and we all had alot of fun.

 On our way back home, we stopped in Moab in the Mill Creek area to visit a Dinosaur trail I had read about. It was  short ways off the main highway on a dirt road to a parking lot. The trail was only .8 miles long along a wash. It had petrified bones in the rock with signs giving information about each piece. Luke is fascinated with animals, including dinosaurs and loved seeing the different bones.

Utah Valley Half Marathon - June 9th, 2012

On June 9th I ran in my first half marathon. I had a goal to finish under two hours and ended up finishing in 1:55. It was a beautiful run down Provo Canyon finishing in downtown Provo by the Tabernacle. I did sustain a foot injury though. I felt a slight pain in my foot at about mile 3 and figured it was just a cramp. I kept running and by the end it was very painful. Later that day, I had an Xray and it was negative for broken bones. I was referred to a specialist and it resulted in a severely sprained "Lisfranc" ligament in my foot. I was off work for a month. 

Ogden Marathon - May 19th 2012

On May 19th, Joe and I ran in the Ogden Marathon. We had great weather and both didn't PR or anything, but finished another 26.2. We both did really well until about mile 23 or so. I locked up around then and had to run/walk from then on. I ended up finishing in 4:23, which is my second fastest time. 

Spring Break - April 2012 - Part 2

Our trip to the coast was a two day trip. We headed for Monterey. Along the way we stopped at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. A short path takes you through a small stretch of forest where the Redwoods are growing. It was a rainy day, and while it wasn't raining while there, the ground was really wet and muddy in some areas. But because it was wet, it was really green and nice and cool too.

Once we got settled in Monterey at our hotel, we wandered down to a famous park. It was crawling with kids and there was alot of play equimpment. The kids loved the rolling slide, where they spent most of their time.

That same day, once the kids were done at the park, we wandered down to the beach. We played in the water a little trying not to get too wet. As you can see we didn't have our swimsuits, but it was pretty chilly anyway. 

After the beach, we walked the pier and bought some Salt water taffy at one of the shops. We also ate dinner at the pier as well. The restaurant was at the end of the pier and had glass windows. It was fun to watch the sea lions swim the bay while we waited for our food. Later that evening we walked the "Cannery Row" where we window shopped. We stopped into the Ghirardelli shop for some ice cream and hot chocolate. It was delicious and a great way to end the day.

The next day we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The kids had a great time seeing all the exhibits. There was an area where it was hands on and it allowed the touching of certain sea creatures, like starfish, small sandsharks, sting rays, etc...

Luke staring down a fish

Tate touching a starfish

By evening we returned to Wade and Jenny's house where we were greated with a  home cooked meal. We visited the evening away and rested before our trip back home.
It was a great trip where we visited  some cool places and got to enjoy visiting with family we don't see very often. 

Spring Break - April 2012 - Part 1

For Spring Break this year we traveled to Northern California. Erin has family that lives in Manteca, California.  We invited Erin's sister Tiffany on this trip with us and it was great to have her come. We stayed at Wade and Jenny's house and did trips from there to Yosemite and to the coast.  While we were there, they were great hosts. We had home cooked meals and great visits as we sat around the back patio or living room talking and having fun. 

Street sign near Uncle Wade and Jenny's house. 

One of our day trips was a trip to Yosemite with Wade, Jenny, and Clayton. I remember traveling here when I was a kid, but don't remember much. Erin and Tiffany had never been. It was great weather and spent the day walking to a few different falls.

L to R: Tate, Tiffany, Luke, Erin

Tate and Luke climbing on rocks

Tate was often found on Clayton's shoulders

The gang