A Little Work, A Lot of Play

We have been able to get out and do a few things this summer amidst the whole putting in our yard saga that pretty much consumes all of our "extra" time. Our first outing was to Hogle Zoo. The kids had a blast, especially Brennan who loves to chase any kind of animal.

They have "Zoorasic Park" at the zoo right now, and the kids loved the dinasaurs more than the real animals!



Brennan was not so sure about the rides at the Bouncy House, but he absolutely loved going down the inflatible slides! I was holding him so I didn't get any pictures, but believe me his smile could not have been bigger.

Here's where the work comes in...or was it play? Mark drove this bobcat all day long and had a smile on his face the whole time. By the end of the day, we had a level yard. I have to say I was pretty impressed.

We stopped at Cove Fort on the way to our family vacation in St. George. There was a wonderful, shady picnic area where the kids had a blast just running around. The tour of the fort was fun too!

There was a free petting zoo on the way. It was a big hit!

Brennan loved the animals from a certain distance. This encounter with the goat was a little too close for him.

The boys love to dance and sing together. Brennan wants to do everything his big brother does!

Lexi at her science fair. She did a great job on her water cycle experiment and presentation.

Having a little snack together.

Mark has always wanted to snow ski on the 4th of July. This year his dream came true!

Preschool Graduate

Landon was so excited for graduation day! He has loved every day of preschool and learned so much. His teachers are so wonderful and have taught him everything he needs to know to start "big kid school." We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished!

The lighting for the program was not compatible with our camera, so even though we took a lot of pictures, only 4 came out half-way decent. (Good thing I video taped the whole thing!) Landon backstage getting ready for his graduation march.

Some of his preschool friends

This was the cutest song of the program! During the song, they do different things to the friend next to them, like: tweak their nose, bump their hip, shake their hand, and here they are hugging. It was hilarious!

Way to go Landon! You are going to do great in big kid school! We love you!

Turning the big 1

I can't believe my baby is one already! Where does the time go? He is such a cutie and we are enjoying watching him grow! He started walking about a week after his birthday, he has 4 teeth, says "hello" and "bye-bye", and gives the sweetest kisses ever!

He is our #1 allstar!



Occasionally, his brother lets him play with the toys he received.

He started off a little timid and slow, but once the sugar hit the tongue, he was all for it!

He loves his ride-on toy from his great-grandpa!


He is riding his cousin's toy that she got for her birthday a few weeks before. I'm pretty sure it was the look of pure joy on his face that let great-grandpa know what he wanted for his birthday. We love you buddy!

Fall Festivities

Our family's first ever visit to Cascade Springs. It was a beautiful little hike that winds its way around several flowing springs. Kid and stroller friendly, although a little crowded on conference Sunday.

We were able to get one good picture of the whole family and it just happened to be on my camera!

Brennan loved riding around on his daddy's back! Landon tried to find a way to get a ride too.

Our annual visit to "the witches" at Gardiner Village is always something the kids look forward to. It was so crowded the day we went that we had to park about a half mile away. I decided that I'd rather make the trek than listen to the whining if I turned around and went back home.

One picture to show that Brennan was there. He was so interested in the sucker that this kid was eating that the kid had to come stand next to me so that Brennan would actually look my way!

Halloween! Halloween was a couple of days after we moved, so we decided to reuse costumes from previous years. Lexi was Hanna Montana for her school party. Her friends didn't even recognize her. Love the pose!

Brennan made it into the duck costume that each child has worn for their first Halloween, but only for about 5 minutes and then it came off.

We trick-or-treated at my sister's house this year. The kids had so much fun spending Halloween with their cousins! We've got the superhero duo Batman and Spiderman, a lovely kitty cat and Jessie (from Toy Story)

Brennan and his cousin Allison were in hog heaven playing in the bucket of candy!

Miscellaneous fall happenings...

How many giant goose-eggs can this kid get? You can still kind of see the tail end of the matching goose-egg on the other side of his forehead. He has a helmet I promise!

We finally sold our house!

Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame

Seven years after leaving Indiana, we were finally able to make our way back to the midwest. As soon as we found out that the Utes were playing the Irish, we started making plans for this trip. We thought it would be fun to take the whole family along! We were all a little sleep deprived by the end of the trip (some of us more than others), but it was totally worth it.

Here are the kiddos waiting for our flight to leave SLC. It was a first plane ride for all the kids! Lexi and Landon fought over who got to sit by the window so we split up, and not halfway through the flight Landon fell asleep! So much for the view.

The kids loved using the hotel crib as a playroom

Mark and I in front of our apartment

It was a beautiful day Friday afternoon and we spent a couple hours walking around on campus. Here is the Golden Dome.

Inside the Golden Dome. The trumpet section of the ND band plays the fight song inside the building. It is really loud, but the kids had fun watching and listening to this fun tradition!

Kids playing in the fall leaves. They were happy to get out of the car and run around after the drive from Chicago.


Outside the bookstore. It was too crazy inside for two rambunctious kids and a stroller!

I was able to go to a surprise birthday party for a good friend and former co-worker while I was there. He was so surprised to see me! It was fun catching up with him and his family!

Nieves, Sherrie and their kids Lauren and Brayden. Brayden had enough of taking pictures so that is him in the corner playing with a toy.

The kids made fast friends and loved playing together!

Game day on campus! Us in front of "Touchdown Jesus" (the library).

Kids in front of "First Down Moses"

At the MBA tailgate. It started to rain, but wasn't very cold!

At the stadium in the north endzone. Our tickets weren't the best, and Landon said,"Next time can you tell them not to put us way in the back?"

It rained the entire first half, and Lexi's face pretty much sums up how they felt about being there!

Our wonderful friends the Crowders who gave us the best accommodations!

Together with the Trytkos! Chris and Abby were very kind to watch Brennan for us while we went to the game.

There is a path that goes around this little lake on campus. Mark and I used to walk around it all the time. So even though it was cold and windy, we made the kids walk around it. They actually enjoyed it!

Our amazingly delicious Chicago pizza at Giordanos. This pizza is a must have if you are ever in Chicago!

The kids at Shedd Aquarium watching the dolphins swim.

Playing in the submarine!

Mark and the kids in front of the Chicago skyline. (I was in the car with a sleeping baby) It was a fun trip and I hope that the kids will remember it!