Friday, August 30, 2013

Utah-The First Week!

We just loved our long vacation in Utah this summer!  Lots of sun and family...just how we like it.

Swimming in Highland at a little man-made lake.  The water was cold, but that didn't stop the kids!  
Allison stayed near the water, but not in it.
Clara on the other hand was dumping buckets on her head!
Fun with Broderick cousins!
Hobbs cousins joined us too!
The boys!


Allison just couldn't wait to ride a pony, so we took her to Thanksgiving Point Farm.  I just love that place!



 Feeding animals isn't something I love, so grandma taught little Allison how to feed them.  She kept begging for more food.  Not scared a bit!
 This lama was trying to eat Jami's hair!
 Smooch!
 Allison likes to feed the baby ones of course!
 Grandma getting Clara to feed the lama...she did it!
Sammy sharing the last of her food with Allison...so sweet.


Another great thing about Utah is it's a gathering place for everyone.  So we got to see some friends from all over!  
Not the best picture, but we wanted to document our time with the Asays and McReynolds (from California).  It was a great time catching up, laughing, & watching the kids play like they never moved away!  Can't wait for the next get together!
Marney (from New Zealand) and I were friends in FL and got to hang out for a while!  So fun to hear about their adventures and catch up!  You know you are good friends when you pick up from where you left off!
 Oliver and Allison getting to know each other!  Both too young to remember.

Trampolines and cousins!  Playing at the Brodericks with grandma Gourley! 
 Look at those rosy cheeks!





Utah Vacation! Haircuts

 This year I flew back to Utah by myself with the 4 kids!  They did great, but it was a really long day.  We were really excited to see grandma Hobbs and sleep!  Let the fun in Utah begin!  

What is the first thing we do when we reach US soil?  Haircuts! 
Allison got her haircut for the first time.  Just a little trim.  She has just a bit of wave in the back and I know it would never grow back it I totally cut it.  Grandma held her while she got her hair cut since mom was busy getting her hair done.
 Just a little off:).
 The kids love seeing me like this!
 Alex even joined in the fun.
 Clara loves a new haircut!
 Sammy with long hair for the last time...she just begged to get it cut short again!
 Clara with a little curl...she loves that!
 Sammy's new short hair!  So cute!
Now we are ready for the second thing we love to do in the US...shop!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Summer Time in Switzerland

Before heading to the States for a 4 week holiday we managed to do a few things in Switzerland.
Playing with the Schluchters.   Such amazing parks in Switzerland.


Hike around Lake Lucerne with the Reicins.
The kids throwing rocks in the water.
Can't get over the beautiful view!
Kids braving the cold water.

Ice cream treat to help the walk back to the car.  Ohhh that face!
They got a little tired so we let them ride.

Happy 4th of July with the Ringgers!  Allison and Ashley.
All smiles with her dad.
Sparklers for th firstw time.
"I like them," she says.
Now Sammy is still scared of them.  Clara and Alex where with friends, so it was just us!
Now off to Utah and Idaho!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Clara's Ballet Recital-June 29th

My little Clara just loves ballet and she was so excited for her recital!  We didn't get to take any pictures of her in her costume, but her she is before and after her performance.  She is a beautiful and talented ballerina!

Trying to get her hair to stay back is quite a challenge.  Cute little bun!
 Already to perform!
 Finale when all students on stage.  She was so happy.
 Doesn't she look content?!
 Pink flowers for a pink ballerina.
 Love this picture!

Zermatt- Final Day June

On our last day we decided to try out a ropes course.  It was quite the adventure!

Our sweet B&B, Welcome.  We'd stay there any time!  Our place had 3 huge bedrooms and 3 baths.  We all slept quite well!

Let the adventure of ropes courses begin.  Clara ready to give the little kid course a try.

Be strong Clara and pull that bad boy along!

Clara was a trooper doing the course!

Clara ziplinning it!

Finishing up the first section of the course.

Clara thought she could have handled the next section, but it started raining and she got tired.  The nice man who ran the ropes course had to come rescue her.
George, Grant, & Sammy ready for their course.
Alex all ready for his course.

Listen up!  A little instruction before they set off on their own!

George begins!

The only time we saw them was just at the beginning of the course. George, Charley, Tobi, Alex, Sammy, & Grant.

They did it!  
A little father and son dirt!  Only two to get dirty!
It was a fun park!
Allison finally fell asleep!
She slept through lunch resting her head on her daddy's knee.
Final lunch together in Zermatt!
Alex climbing a mini-Matterhorn.  
Three tired girls watching a show on the train.

It was a fabulous trip and one we will never forget!