Summer Vacation 2009

We just got back from a fun family vacation.  We spent a week in Utah visiting my sister Jennifer and her family.  We also made a short trip up to Idaho to see Riley's Grandma.  We had so much fun and I have put up a ton of pictures on the blog.  The next several posts are all from our trip.

On the airplane and ready to go to Utah!

The Happy Vacationers

Some of the highlights of our trip that I didn't get pictures of are:

-Brady getting his first tooth

-Brandon's football game

-Jennifer's tsunami mug and saving seats at the football game

-stopping by Scott and Shauna's house in Logan and eating raspberries and cookies

-Rodger's coffee and vodka diet (you are just going to have to ask about this one)

-Jessica getting lost and having a 3 mile run turn into a 5 mile run

- Riley eating at the BBQ place in Wyoming

-Playing games with Rodger's niece and nephew and seeing their 2 huge suitcases full of games

-Easton and Talon playing Hide and Seek

-daily Soda runs with Jennifer

-Beto's (now called Rancheritos) Burritos

-Jessica accidentally uses dog shampoo to wash her hair

-good food and good company

-Chewy being called a 'unique' dog by Riley's friend who kept him while we were gone

Hunting and Fishing

As soon as we got off the airplane and to Jennifer's house, Rodger got Riley into his truck to take him on a two day hunting and fishing trip.  Riley enjoyed being able to go do this and see the Wyoming scenery.

Rodger, Riley, the Dog, and Dinner

Jennifer made us Goose Stew with the meat that they brought home.  I always love it when Riley can bring home dinner for us.  Wish him luck this Deer season.  My freezer is empty right now!

This dog is in one of the goose blinds that they set up to hide in while waiting for the geese to come in.

Good Dogs

Between Porter (Jennifer's black lab) and Reggie (Scott and Shauna's chocolate lab puppy) I almost had Riley convinced we needed another dog.  Almost.

Wyoming

Rodger taught Riley how to Fly Fish.  He promised Riley that he would catch fish if he taught him.  Riley was skeptical because he does not have much luck when it comes to fishing and has not been fishing in probably 15 years.  Well, Rodger was right... Riley caught 4 or 5 fish.  He even came home and told me that he liked Fly Fishing and he would go again!

Riley looks confused...  I didn't tell him ahead of time that Rodger likes getting pictures of the fish that anyone catches.

I know this fish looks small, but according to Rodger it is a pretty uncommon fish to catch.  Good job boys!

The Park

Easton

Brady

Talon

Will

While Riley and Rodger were off hunting and fishing, we relaxed and took the boys to a local park.

Family Pictures

My sister is a pretty good photographer so we asked her to take family pictures for us while we were in Utah.  Everyone looked great and the setting was beautiful, unfortunately I do not have a very photogenic family.  These first two pictures are pretty much how the day went.  Kids were not cooperating and dogs were sneaking into the shot.  It was pretty funny and we had a good time doing it.  It is always more fun doing these things with family.  The pictures below are several of the ones that turned out pretty cute!  I have such a good looking family!

Our Short Trip to Idaho

Riley's Grandma and several of his Aunts and Uncles live in Idaho Falls, which is only 3 hours from Jennifer's house.  We decided that we better take the opportunity to go see them while we were close.  We drove up to spend a few days with them.  I really liked getting to see Easton and Brady get to know their Great - Grandma.  We also enjoyed Glenette's dutch oven cooking, playing games (especially the Nickel game), and chatting about books with Teea.

Grandma Great and the Boys

Both of my boys loved playing this piano with their Great - Grandma.

More Idaho Fun

Easton's first Tea Party

Easton had so much fun with his 2nd cousins Sammy and Hailey. They played non-stop for the whole day. The girls had plans to 'teach' Easton how to play Barbies, but Hailey said that he kept getting distracted by the Barbie car. Riley was proud of that!

Sammy and Easton were fast friends as you can tell by these pictures.

Jessica, Brady, and Hurley the Dog

I normally don't like really tiny dogs like this, but Hurley was super cute. The only problem was that he hated me! This was Travis and Teea's dog and they said that he loved everyone. I am not sure I believe them because every time I tried to hold him he would growl and show me his teeth. This dog even tried barking at Uncle Mark's horses!

The View on the Drive to Idaho

The drive up to Idaho was so pretty.  We loved looking at the mountains and I liked deciding which ones I thought I could climb up.

Will's Birthday

Will celebrated his 2nd birthday while we were in Utah.  He had a fun party with lots of family around.

Will does not like a lot of affection as you can tell by him punching Easton for trying to give him a birthday kiss!

Rodger's sister made a couple of fun Pinatas for the kids break open at the party.  It was pretty fun to watch!

Brady is wondering where his candy is.

Bountiful Temple

Riley and I decided to take advantage of having babysitters and a temple only 15 minutes away and spent Tuesday morning at the temple.  It was a good way to start the day!

  

The view from the temple.

Riley and I were trying to get a picture of us with the temple in the background.  We pretty much blocked the temple but we still look pretty cute.