Hayden's 11th Birthday

After being in New York for nearly two weeks, we can't believe how much it rains. Nearly every day since we have arrived it rains, sometimes two inches in one afternoon. So of course, the thunder storms rolled in on Hayden's birthday. We decided to go celebrate indoors at a place that has inflatable slides and bounce houses, arcade games and stuff. It was a brilliant plan. I sat and read a book, the kids wore themselves out running, climbing, jumping and bouncing. No fighting, no mess, no problem.

Sydney, Maura and Hayden at the top of one of the slides.

After the kids were totally exhausted, we came home and waited for Michael to join us. We barbequed at Hayden's request and then we had birthday brownies and ice cream. Hayden wanted brownies because we still had cake from Maura's birthday hanging around.


Even with eleven candles to blow out, he made it look easy. Happy Birthday Hayden, we love you!! And we are especially proud of you for earning your Arrow of Light before your birthday!

Maura Turns Four!

Maura may be one year older, but she still wanted to celebrate her birthday the same way as last year- she wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese. Luckily, the only one in the area is about 10 minutes away. The five of us went for a couple of hours and had fun spending our tokens, earning tickets and redeeming them for prizes. Maura loved every minute of it. And I have to say that I still enjoy a high scoring game of skeeball!

I could not have made a cake in the new house last weekend, but I pulled it off this weekend. I had unpacked enough boxes to find two matching cake pans and Michael somehow dug out some matches that were not confiscated by the moving company. It took a little more effort in a new kitchen with appliances that I am not used to, but in the end, it was a cake, and there were four candles, and she made a wish and blew it out. Now my baby is four and I feel old! Oh well, Happy Birthday Maura, we absolutely adore you.

Arriving in New York

After flying for several hours and a delay in Chicago, we landed in New York in the rain. We had seven checked bags and seven carry ons, which is not the traveling lightly philosophy that we generally follow. Somehow Michael packed it all into our mini van rental and got us to the hotel before midnight. The next day we had carpet installed in our master bedroom and bought a refrigerator and dishwasher. Friday the moving van arrived and after 13 long and exhausting hours, it was finally empty. Unfortunately, the house was not. Boxes were everywhere, nearly reaching the ceiling in some rooms. Let the unpacking begin!!

Tails and Scales

We started our summer off with a fun birthday party for one of the cousins. Our whole family was able to go to a show put on by Tails and Scales of Utah. We learned a lot about lizards, and snakes, alligators vs. crocs and more. It was a lot of fun, very interactive, and we were all very brave and decided to hold some of the snakes! Check out these pictures.

Jen and Sydney with "Nanners", an albino python.

Maura holding a smaller python, and she said she wouldn't hold a snake!

Michael and "Nanners"