7/4/12

We went up our canyon for a BBQ with my family.  We got there about 2 and didn't end up leaving until 8:45 because the kids were having so much fun playing and I was having so much fun relaxing.

Grandpa read from the Declaration of Independence and gave the kids a brief history about it and why we celebrate the 4th.  

 Grandma Allen made sure the girls all had something cute to wear.  She made the little girls their cute tops. 

 Grandma Allen made sure she brought plenty for the kids to do.  From relay races to an American pop quiz.  Their favorite was playing frisbee.  

escaping the heat

it has been a pretty hot summer, not the best summer to be pregnant.  Of course.  Luckily we can always escape to our local canyon to cool off.  We went for a little hike.  Seriously, LITTLE.  We went like 1/2 a mile because I lack the ability to hold my bladder when things get too strenuous.  The creek was a perfect spot to stop and play.

 I soaked my feet in the freezing water, thought it could help prevent any swelling.

 see Brody in the water up to his neck?  I told him I would give him a dollar if he would lie down in the freezing water.  The kid likes money.  

we love our Dad

bright light.  breakfast in bed.  he can be a little dramatic

 Cloe and Brody put this together, I was quite impressed with what they came up with.

 cards and presents.

 we love Dad and we had fun making sure he knew how much he was appreciated and loved.  

more summer

I'm trying to keep summer as fun as I can in my current state....

Spanish FOrk reservoir is always a good idea, I sit in my chair, the kids play for hours.

 Cloe and Abbey went to their first overnight Girl Scout campout.  They were gone for 3 days and 2 nights.  I was very nervous while they were gone and didn't sleep well because I was worried they were freezing.  Ends up, they had a great time and slept just fine, nice and cozy in their sleeping bags.

 Finally home!  These girls were filthy!  But bought all kinds of fun stuff with their cookie credit "money" and had all kinds of crafts to show off.

 We are trying out a new sport, lacrosse.  Pretty cool, I'm clueless to the rules but Brody seems to enjoy it.

 Saturday mornings have been spent at swim meets.  ANother fun sport to watch my kids improve in.  Abbey before one of her events (in the blue suit and pink cap)

 and this is why our activities are far and in between, 33 weeks pregnant.

 Charlotte jumping off the diving board at her first swim lesson.  she loved it.

summer so far

Cloe, Brody and Abbey tried out for the city swim team.  They all made it, but I think anyone that could eventually swim a 50 without drowning made it.

 fun at the pool

 first swim practice.  brought back good memories for me.  And they are really enjoying it.

 seven peaks.  along with the rest of Utah, we have the pass of all passes so the park was insanely crowded the first time we went. 

 In an effort to paint more but still spend time with the family, Ryan paints outdoors in the evenings and we meet up with him for a picnic dinner and sometimes the kids join in.

 Kids workshop at Home Depot, building shadow boxes.

 puppies for sale in front of wal mart, this is the closest they will ever come to owning a dog.

 summer haircuts.  no more hair in the eyes while they swim (and play)

 a lovely little vacation with Ryan's family up in Snowbird.

 it was so gorgeous and relaxing.  This is the view from the pool.  The kids swam 3 times a day, went on hikes with Grandma and had fun playing with cousins.

 first swim meet!  They were very nervous, but did awesome.

Abbey, Brody, Cloe

NYC

Ryan was asked to be faculty at the Portrait Society of America conference this year which was held in Philadelphia.  So we thought we would go to New York city first and then take the bus to Philly, I think we planned too many days in NYC, I'm not a big city person.  We stayed with a friend that lives in Harlem.  I was a little nervous there at first but it ended up being not such a big deal.

 When we arrived, our friends were out of town so we found a really good Italian restaurant that was in their neighborhood.  Authentic and home made tasting, so good.

 strolling through Central Park

 Our first day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This painting is by Edwin Austin Abbey, that is how we came up with Abbey's name.  Did you know that the rip off admission price of $25 for the Met is just a suggested price?  You can pay a penny a still get in, FYI.

 Republic in Union Square.  Probably my favorite place that we ate at.  

 Ground Zero.  I didn't know they had already started rebuilding..... but to look around and try to imagine what 9/11 would have been like was unreal.

 time square.  Not very exciting in my opinion.

 second day at the Met.  I had to capture how Ryan spent most of his time there, photographing all the art he loved.

 My 2 favorite paintings.  Both by William Bouguereau. 

 Magnolia's Bakery.  I had an amazing slice of rhubarb strawberry pie, I didn't eat dinner that night because I was so full from the pie.

 the famous Katz Deli.  such good meat but I was a little over meat sandwiches after this one, the thought of it made me sick.  and yes, those are home made pickles, yummy.

 Then on to Philadelphia for the conference.  We took a bus that we had to catch in China town.  It took us 45 minutes of walking and subway rides to get there.  That is what I don't miss about Italy, waiting for public transportation, riding public transportation and walking with all the luggage.  The bus ride was only $12, so you can imagine the type of passengers on board.  But we survived and it all worked out.

 If you are ever in Philly, you have to go to the Reading Terminal Market.  They have every food possible and it is so good and so huge.  My favorite was all the Amish.

 Ryan did the "paint off".  15 artists paint for 2 hours from a model and then there is a silent auction to raise money for the Society.

 Philadelphia from the "Rocky stairs".  Which is really the art museum, yes, another art museum.....

 And then finally home to these wonderful faces!  We celebrated school being out and us being home by going to dinner at Maria Bonita's.  

Mother's Day/my only day off

as a gift to myself, I taught Brody how to mow the lawn.  Too much work, the more pregnant I get.

 I thought cupcakes would be a fun and cheap gift for our Mom's.  uh, I'm not a fan of cupcakes.

 Breakfast is my favorite meal but not the sweet kind.

 Charlie's big debut singing in sacrament meeting.  She scowled the whole time.  

 We went to the Brown's for dinner.  Ryan made some steak that was delicious.  I promise I showered, I think my big belly kept me out of the group.