Reid W. Merrill park

We thought we'd try out a new park today. We have a real nice park in Meridian with water, toys, rock wall, music garden, etc. but it's so big and busy that there is no way I can keep my eyes on all of the kids. This park in Eagle had similar features, but on a much smaller level and not near as busy. I feel much more comfortable taking them here and they enjoy it just as much. Too bad it's further away. The kids enjoyed having Grandma and Aunt Shirley join us.

Tired?

I walked away from the table and came back to find this. He was so tired, he just konked. It's not the first time though. He doesn't complain if he's done eating. He will just sit and wait patiently until someone gets him out.

Cherry picking

Mark's Aunt Shirley doesn't get cherries where she's from in Georgia. We went to an Orchard in Emmett to pick cherries. Most of the good looking cherries were out of our reach, so Papa kept putting the kids up in the branches. The kids enjoyed eating the cherries when we got back home.

Pictures for Dad

We were getting pictures done around father's day and the studio was giving free pictures for father's day so they took these photos so we could give one to dad (even though we weren't color coordinated or hair done). I love Joseph's face in this picture.

Dani's T-ball photo

Cousins

We wanted to get a good picture of all the cousins, but couldn't get them all to cooperate. Not only did we not have time to get them posed well, but we were lucky to get a picture with all of them in it. This was the best we could do. Maybe next time.

Tyler's Blessing

While in Utah, our new nephew Tyler was blessed in church. What a great opportunity to support him in his new beginnings. We were lucky to visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa while there. Ben bore a sincere testimony to his posterity while at church which meant a lot to those of us attending. We were able to take a 4 generation picture with him while we were together.

Happy 4th of July

I told Mark he wasn't dressing very patriotic, to which he responded, "Yes I am. It doesn't get more patriotic than blue and orange." Go Broncos!

Fireworks

Uncle Jeff was in charge of the fireworks. The kids loved them and the adults kept asking if we were done yet. If wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the mosquitos. They loved the snakes and the sparklers the best. Aunt Terri also brought glow sticks for the kids.

This is the Place

Our family went down to Utah for the 4th of July Weekend to spend time with Mark's brother's family. While there we visited "This is the Place Heritage Park" and found a lot more to do there than we anticipated. The park gave a great history of the area.

The kids made dreamcatchers at the little Indian village and learned all about the male and female hogans (houses).

We climbed aboard a miniature replica of the ship Brooklyn that many sailed on coming to this area. The steps were real steep and so we were told to go down them backwards. The kids took it a little farther and tried to go up them backwards too, and were going down other steps backwards. It was pretty funny to watch them. This is also the area where I saved my brand new nephew as his stroller went rolling down the hill and I chased after it, catching him before it tipped over or fell into the lake.

We rode on a train to get around the pioneer town, but we also got to ride on this miniature train ride.

The kids (and Mark) enjoyed panning for "Gold." They each got to take a nugget home with them, instead of trading it into the bank for a piece of candy. Joseph got a little too close and fell in the water.

We took a little break and stopped for ice cream and shaved ice. I even ran into one of my past roommates and it was fun to catch up with her.

The kids got to make their own candles. The rule was wax, water, wipe, but unfortunately the kids wanted to make it wax, wipe, water, so their little hands kept getting a little too warm. Taylor can't wait to try making her own candles at home.

There was a little petting zoo where the kids enjoyed stroking the goats and sheep. There were also rabbits and pigs to look at.

There was a little play area with a long wooden train the kids enjoyed playing on.

There were also playhouses. Wouldn't it be fun to have one of these at home?

The kids went for pony rides. I wasn't sure Sam was going to make it. He had this nervous look on his face the whole time.

There were many buildings to go in and listen to stories to get a better feel of what it was like long ago. This particular cabin was owned by the Pay family and this lady telling us the story was Marjorie Pay Hinckley's sister. It was neat to have an actual descendent telling us the story.

We also visited a printing shop where Kara and Trevor helped print the Declaration of Independence and Dani is here helping to put it up to dry.

The kids and Jeff all in front of the monument where Brigham Young said "This is the Place."

The kids posing in front of the monument.