Albuquerque

 The first leg of our Journey we headed to Albuquerque. We left Thursday afternoon and got there late that night. The kids enjoyed the shorter 9 hour trip as opposed to our normal straight through drive to Utah that is usually between 18-20 hours. They colored, sang and watched movies. They think it is the best time ever to stop at gas stations and get treats. Me...not. so. much.

 After saying hi and goodnight we woke up the next morning and ate a delicious breakfast then went for a little hike with my Dad and Cindy. The kids enjoyed looking for animals and rocks. Brigham  especially liked finding golf balls, as the trail is near the golf course.

My dad and the kids

Papa, Nana and the kids

Painting Rocks
 

  We then went to lunch with my Great Aunt Betty and Uncle Don as well as my Great Aunt Gerdy and Jimmy. I love seeing them. They have been a part of my life since I was little and we always have a good time visiting. Even if it was just for a few hours it was nice to get together. (They are my Grandmas sisters)

Great Aunt Betty

Great Uncle Don and Aunt Gerdy

Saying goodbye

After an afternoon of visiting and we headed back to my dads for a wonderful feast and of course desert. It was the 4th of July but the kids were exhausted. It doesn't get dark in Albuquerque until around 9 so staying up til the show started was a out of the question.

Nems loved the cones

Happy 4th of July!!!

 The kids loved going on walks. During one of the walks we had some great views of the rainbows. There was also a double rainbow which didn't show up on my pictures :(  We saw rabbits, birds prairie dogs as well as some Road Runners! Beep Beep!

We happened to catch two road runners chasing each other in circles. (I am pretty sure it was a female running from a male)



Seth and Nems

Our little goof!

I love this picture. One of the best from our whole trip.

 I also wanted to see the Temple while we were there. Since my dad and Cindy don't live far from it we went and walked the grounds. Its a beautiful temple. Too bad we didn't get to go inside.

Even though we were only there a day and a half  we had lots of fun visiting papa and nana!

 

Its Cousin Time

We have spent a few days at grandmas house with the cousins as well. Granted the kids spent a week there while I was at girls camp, but I don't have any pictures of that. They always have a good time despite the chaos.

Learning about Tornados
Izzy, Abby, Briggs, Nems, Hannah and Emery

Looking at a tornado, thanks Aunt Natalie

 An early 4th of July fun day. Since we were headed out of town for the 4th we celebrated a little early with the family. They made little rocket things and flags. The kids also stayed the night and grandpa got our his cannon to shoot out candy and goodies. Cute little kids.

Nems and her flag

So proud. Love that kid

What a great job!

There was also lots of water play and sliding going on. Per usual.

Date Nights

INDY RACE

Pre race pics

Seth and I don't often get to go on dates. But we went on two recently. We had some friends who had extra tickets to the Indy races at Texas Motor Speedway. It was super last minute but why not. I had never been. It was actually pretty fun. It was crazy loud especially on the first row. 

The guys jumping out of airplanes before the race



Super old war planes. They were cool

 

RODEO:

 

One Friday Night we went to the Rodeo in the Stockyards.  We went with some friends from my high school. They were moving away and we had one last night of fun. It was a good time. Its always so nice to actually get to do something fun with Seth.

Seth loves when I make him take pictures.

Summer Fun

I'm So behind!!! Summer is flying by and we have been so so so busy! I didn't intend for our weeks to be filled... but somehow they all have been!

ZOO CAMP:
At the start of the summer Abby had Zoo camp. She loved it!!! She and a friend went together. It was from 9-4 everyday for a week. They had classroom time, craft time, snack time, animal time and much more. If it wasn't so expensive she would spend the whole summer there. Right up her ally!


Abby the racoon



On the train




Owl time

 

 

GIRLS CAMP:

The next week was girls camp. I am currently the 1st counselor in the Young Women's Presidency and thus I attended Girls Camp. I have never been to girls camp as a youth and only I have only gone for 1 night in previous years as a leader. It was definitely an experience. It was crazy, fun, exhausting, emotional, spiritual and filled with adventure. The main reason I wanted to go was to gain a better relationship with the girls and I think I was successful.

I took lots and lots of pictures of the girls but none with me in them. Oh well, I have one group shot and that will have to suffice.

Most of the girls



Testimony Night

 

BOUNCE HOUSE:

We spent one day with friends at the bounce house. Emily was scared to death of the giant Batman that was on one of them and spent the majority of the time clinging to me. Which actually worked out because I didn't have to chase her. Thank you batman. The kids thought it was the best day of their lives. I don't take them to do things like that often so they thought it was awesome!