Dinosaur Park

My kids would beg daily to go here, I have deprived them almost and entire year, I can only handle dinosaur park so much.  Well, Weber county has free admission to various places during the summer months, I decided I would humor my kids and take them on free dinosaur park day.  They had even more fun since they couldn't remember most of what it has to offer.

Yellowstone

We had a great time in Yellowstone.  My parents met us in West Yellowstone and we toured the park together.  Everyone has there favorite experience.  My dad loved seeing the elk.  My mother loved the bison, which were hundreds crossing the road.  I loved artist point, this was my first time seeing it,  I have been to yellowstone several times, but always miss seeing the northeast side of the park.  This is by far my favorite area of the park, and created a new appreciation for yellowstone and it's variety of beauty.  This was Isaac's first time to Yellowstone, it's about time considering it's only about a 4 hour drive from our home.  Being that Isaac isn't from around this area there is so much to see and do that is so new to him, so of course his favorite was everything.

Bear Hunting!

The joys of hiking?

Grand Times

It was so fun to enjoy my favorite place with family.  This is the first time we have taken the girls and they loved it!  Skye kept saying how beautiful it was, of course that made me even more excited.  I'm certain I didn't appreciate nature at the age of 5 nearly as much as Skye.  We stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge where I worked 12 years ago.  I already look forward to our next visit.

My favorite place!

I LOVE this place, this is what I could call, my perfect place, thankfully I will be there in the morning!

Didn't I say "Constant Change"

Yes, yet another change.  It looks as though Isaac will be leaving to training a little sooner than we expected.  Which brought a change to our family vacation this year.  It seems that we always pick September to take our family vacations, I love fall and all the beautiful autumn leaves.  Last year we visited Rocky Mountain National Park and had a wonderful time.  The temp was perfect, no crowds, and all the Elk were in rut, so wildlife viewing was real fun.  Skye even perfected her Elk call.  Well, I started planning early this year and had us all set up for Yellowstone during the 3rd week of September.  Well, that changed.  We have decided to take our vacation last minute and head up to Yellowstone, it will be a shorter stay, but we should have a goodtime!  I will most certainly be sad to miss seeing the Elk and leaves like last years vacation.

Peaches!

Our long awaited peaches are ready!  Last year I didn't plan accordingly and our peaches were prime while Isaac and I were in the middle of doing the master cleanse (10 days of only drinking spicy lemonade), let's just say I have been craving a good peach.  I made some fabulous peach lemonade (what is with all the lemons?) and wonderful oatmeal peach cookies to freeze.  

Our fish!

We have always had the nickname "Fish" for Skye, she has loved the pool every since her first dip at the age of two.  So, I put Skye in three different sessions of swim lessons this summer.  I have spent many mornings this summer sitting by the pool watching her develop into a fantastic little swimmer. Charli sat beside me each and everyday.   She wasn't interested in the whole swimming lessons idea, even after watching numerous children her own age play water games.  I think when Charli is older you will likely find her laying out by the pool reading some magazine.  

Well, you think I would be a proud mother and record Skye's milestone, but no, I even briefly attempted to remind myself to take the camera on this, her last day.  I was reminded at my failure when I arrived today to see numerous video camera's, digital camera's and extended families, I mildly felt I was on a movie set.   My poor neglected children.  I have been so impressed by the progress Skye has made, she even won in her division in the little competition they hold at the end of each session.  She is a proud owner of a red water noodle due to her new found ability. Go Fish!

THE ONLY THING CONSTANT IS CHANGE

Routine is a word that does not exists in our home.  I wish it did.  Our lives revolve around Isaac's ever changing work schedule... of course when you have a job in law enforcement, it's a 24/7, 365 days a year deal ( plenty job stability).  It's nearly exhausting with the numerous shift changes, assignments and various training.  Well, another big change arrived last week.  The Chief Deputy over Corrections has requested Isaac for a special detail.  They want to send him to Federal training back East.  He is thrilled, since this is something he has wanted for sometime.  He will be trained as a Federal Agent with the FBI.  (I think he is excited about the new badge).  What this means in the future is still unknown exactly, or maybe he doesn't want to worry me.  As of now, he is off the road and working in booking (until he leaves for training sometime this fall).  Which is good, I have never been exactly thrilled, just supportive, about him being on the road. When you are in the jail you only deal with the offender, when you are on the road it is the victim's and the offenders.  The world is a very sad and scary place and thankfully there are people like Isaac who are willing to be on the front lines.  We will miss him while he is gone to training, hopefully is won't be too extended. 

Disco Anyone!

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Bling Blang!

Here she is, our Bull Terrier, Lexi.  I think some bling bling, is an acquired taste.  Personally if you have to train it, babysit it, clean up after it, it's more of a bling blang.  I will admit she is growing ever so slightly on me.  

Charli and her horse Watermelon

This is Charli, meet Charli's horse, Watermelon (bike).  Charli loves to ride her horse.  Charli seriously treats this bike just as if it were a horse.  Today she gave her horse a bath.  This is a snap shot of Charli brushing Watermelon's fur.  The most important thing about Watermelon is if she bucks you off, you always get back on your horse.."huh mom huh".

Bling Bling!

Well ladies, don't be jealous because I have got myself some new BLING BLING, well... that is what my husband is calling it.  I know each and everyone of you can think of something your husbands get overly excited about.  Well, today Isaac gave me the "please, please, please", look of an 8 year old boy as I found out what he was up too via Skye, and the "don't tell mom" failure.  A few months back a new friend Isaac met stated to Isaac that his dog was going to be having puppies.  Since Isaac has such a high respect for this particular breed the man wanted to give Isaac one of these dogs.  Isaac comes home all excited and tells me about it.  Well, I of course say no, we already have 3 dogs.  Isaac made a few mentions here and there, but for the most part I thought this was water under the bridge, but no, this morning Skye tells me a little secret idea her dad has been festering.  Skye loves dogs, and she is so good with her little Kiah, she rarely needs reminding to take care of her.  Well, she is all excited because Dad is telling her about a little puppy to take care of.  It was all a whirl wind, but somehow Isaac got me to go to the shop where the dogs were being sold, he had the owner there in what seemed like seconds, and I was holding the dog in the car on the way home.  I couldn't bare to see my grown husband cry and sulk, yet I am still in shock and awe over the whole ordeal.  We do not need another dog.  It seems like I just got Kiah acclimated.  So, we are walking the streets of Ogden tonight and people are commenting left and right about our new dog.  One man even stopped and turned off his sprinklers as we are going by after he checked out the dog.  Isaac in all seriousness says to me, "This dog is Moses, see what kind of status we get because of her".  "You are walking the streets of Ogden with 2000 dollar "Bling, Bling".  I was rolling inside.  I will get a pic of our new addition Lexi (defender of mankind) soon, until then you will have to be in suspense over what breed she is.  Prize to the closest guess!

Dog Sitting

We have been having a lot of fun with an extra furry friend this week, Zar.  My parents are out of town and it's fun to have such a sweet dog around.  I do think our other dogs are a little jealous, note Kiah in the background under the ottoman. 

Farmers Market

We went to the Farmers Market in Ogden on 25th Street Saturday morning.  Well, Skye is still into her doll playing, the unfortunate thing is she is taking this all pretty serious.  She had to pack a diaper bag in order to go, (striped bag) she had EVERYTHING in there.  (How I don't miss those days).  Well Charli decided she needed a baby too, that didn't last too long.  By the time we were done Charli's doll was very dirty from being dropped and ran over so many times. We stopped to take pictures by some of the horse statues along the street.  A horse painted like a dinosaur, couldn't be any more perfect for my girls.