Saltair

After church on April 22nd we headed to my Aunt Val's house to see my Uncle Ted and my Aunt Diana who both happened to be in town the same weekend.  We had a wonderful time catching up with them and visiting with family.  Afterwards, rather than going home and sitting around until bedtime, we decided to take the kids to Saltair.  Now, I've lived in Utah most of my life with the exception of about 4 years in Virginia and 6 years in Idaho.  In all that time I don't believe I've ever been to the Great Salt Lake.  It's a big part of Utah and not far from my house, but I've never made it out there.  It was time to change that.  We packed the kids up and headed to Saltair.  Saltair is a building/resort west of us that, back in the day, was a popular place for people to go.  They used to go swim in the Great Salt Lake, listen to bands play, have dances and many other things. After time it became less popular and though it's still there (It's been replaced a few times because of fire) and still used, it's not like it was in its glory days back in the 20's (I think).  Anyway, we decided to take the kids there to see the lake for themselves.  It was a fun, short outing that we all enjoyed.  The weather was a little chilly and so was the water, but we all went walking in it.  The kids had a blast and we all agreed it was a much better evening than it would have been if we'd have sat at home. (The pictures were all taken on my phone so their not the best, but they're better than nothing.)

Adam tipped over and fell in the water.  He really wanted his shirt off and for daddy to help him get warm.  Daddy's good like that.

The 5 oldest

Dan was a little unsure about the water at first, but over time he because braver and really enjoyed himself.

All 6 of my goofy kids.

Another Zoo Adventure

 After we enjoyed the morning at This Is The Place, Cami was going across the street to the zoo so we thought we'd join her.  It was a quick trip, but it's always fun to go see the animals.  Given that it was the end of April, I should have realized it was school field trip time, but I didn't.  The zoo was packed with school kids and their teachers.  It was, well, a zoo.  :)  Luckily we came late enough in the day that we only had to deal with them of about an hour.  After that the zoo cleared out nicely.  We wandered around a little and saw some of the animals and then went to the playground.  The kids really wanted to play today so I figured, why not.  They had a lot of fun and after about 2 hours we went home.  That's probably the thing I like the most about having a zoo pass.  We can go for 2 hours and not have to feel like we're getting our moneys worth every time we go.

My kids and Mr. Gorilla.

Ben hanging out on the elephants trunk.

Gracie's turn.  She took a more relaxing turn.

Hannah enjoyed the elephants trunk as well.

Ben hanging out in the egg at the playground.

The kids having fun playing at the park at the zoo.

Ben and Adam going down the slide.

This Is The Place

The last day of April our home school had tickets the This Is The Place for $2.00 a person.  This is way cheaper than they normally are so I jumped at the chance to take the kids.  My friend Cami came with her kids and we spent the morning learning about what it was like when the saints came to Utah.  Sarah was in the older age group so I let her go off with Cami's daughter Samantha.  They both really enjoyed it and I've heard they had a lot of fun and learned a lot.  I had the other 5 kids with me and we enjoyed seeing the baby animals in the barn, going to a few old houses and learning how they did laundry, plowed the fields, what toys they played with and even how they sheer sheep.  We finished up with a train ride around the grounds.  It was a great day and I'd love to take the kids back there when more of the places are open and when we can spend more time there.  Maybe sometime.

Ben milking the cow.

Gracie's turn to milk the cow.

Ben petting a baby goat.

Petting the goats.

Ben plowing the field.  I wish I could get him to work that hard at home.  :)

Hannah plowing the field.

This is probably how it was done in the old days.  The 4 year old goes out to plow the field while the 1 year old tags along.

Dan playing with the toys from the time.  He really enjoyed the stick and circle.

Gracie hanging up the laundry to dry.

After all the clothes dry someone has to iron.  Dan and Hannah wanted to try that.

Ben ringing the dinner bell to bring everyone in.

Dan really enjoyed swinging on the dinner bell.  Good thing he doesn't weigh too much.

Dan and Adam weren't interested in learning about sheep sheering or how they made clothes so we sat outside in the backyard. 

I didn't get any pictures of Sarah because she was in the older group.  This out of focus one of her and Samantha is the only picture I got.  Oh well.

The kids loved the train most of all.  Especially these 4.

In true Ben fashion, he made a friend almost immediately.  I let him sit with his new friend on the train ride.

Phone Stuff

Here are some of my favorite pictures and videos off of my phone.  I finally got them on the computer and I thought I'd share a few of them.

Adam has a fun trick that he loves to do with daddy.  I love his yelling and in case you're curious, it is an essentially part of the activity.

Sarah Kate just after Christmas with her new blue feather.

Grandpa reading a bedtime story to the little girls at Christmas time.  It was so fun to walk into the room and watch my dad reading to my girls.  Priceless.

Another Christmas time picture.  I absolutely LOVE this picture.  Sarah Kate wanted Kenny to smell her new markers that she got for Christmas.  Of course, Kenny had to make a game of it and the little girls had to join in.  By the end they were all covered in marker and we had all giggled until our stomachs hurt.  I'm so grateful for the wonderful dad my kids get to have.

The day our homeschool books arrived.  The kids were so excited to get all their new learning books.  I have great kids.

My shopping experience.  I always have a cart full of kids and I love it.  I love shopping by myself also, but I love having these kids to fill my cart.

The Big 30 for April

April and JJ

My sister-in-law, April, was turning 30 in April and her husband wanted to throw her a surprise party.  He asked my other sister-in-law, Mindy, to plan and organize it. I volunteered to help and so on the day of the party I headed to her house to help decorate.  We decorated the clubhouse in her neighborhood and then I picked up the food and we came back to wait for the guests to arrive.  Mindy went to a lot of work and she did such a good job planning and making this party happen.

Mindy talking on the phone to April about her date with her husband that night (which wasn't going to happen because of the party) while decorate for her surprise party. 

Me trying to untangle these annoying decorations.  After way more time than I should have given it, I finally gave up and just cut it.

After awhile my mother in law showed up with some pictures of April through the years.  It was fun to decorate with them and to see all the cute pictures of April.

About an hour and a half before the party Karen (another sister in law) dropped of 3 of her girls to help and we were in full decorating mode.  Alli was helping with the spoons.

The cousins were having fun helping and playing at the same time.

The guests started arriving 20 minutes or so before April and her family came.  We all waited outside the clubhouse for April to drive by.  She was extreemely surprised, just as planned.  The dinner was nice and I enjoyed visiting with all who were there.  April had a lot of fun and that was the goal afterall.

A girl everyone knew from Grace made the cake and finally, a few minutes before everyone started coming, we were ready for the party.

Some of the guest enjoying the Subway dinner.

The party planner Mindy with Lilly in front of the dinner buffet.  She did such a good job planning and creating this party.

Hannah, Cadence, and Gracie having some cake.

Our neighbor and April's good friend Amy with Dan and I.

Lilly enjoying a delicious cupcake.

More party guests enjoying the evening.

Bye Bye Tonsils

We've know for awhile that there was a good possibility that Dan would need his tonsils out.  The signs were everywhere.  Every time we go to the doctor they told me how large his tonsils are.  He snored really bad and his speech is slow like Hannah's was.  I finally took him to an ENT and it was quickly determined that he needed his tonsils out.  I learned that along with his snoring, he was probably suffered from sleep apnea which is why he wouldn't sleep by through the night very .  often.

I took him up to Primary Children's Hospital on April 13th for his surgery.  He had no idea what was coming and he was just happy to be out with mommy.  Grandma and Grandpa Gass came down to stay with the other kids while I was with Daniel.  Kenny was in Minneapolis for work and had to miss the surgery.  He was so sad to miss it, but he was home before we got home.  

Dan in his hospital clothes ready to get his tonsils out.

After they gave his drugs.  He's loopy and ready to head back for surgery.

After Dan got registered they gave him some medicine and he got a little loopy.  I think little kids are so funny when they're loopy.  They took Dan back and he did an amazing job.  When he came to again he was crying and confused, but he did such a good job.  They took us to a room where he had flavored ice and watched movies on TV. After a few hours Dan was hungry and ready for food.  He ate a full meal without any problems and they decided we could go home.  I was so proud of him and the way he managed the pain and the entire experience.

Dan after he woke up from getting his tonsils out.

Dan watching TV and drinking from his sippy cup.

The next few days were a little rough.  He was sore but overall handled it well.  The worst part was probably the medicine.  Dan hated taking his medicine and having tasted it a little, I don't blame him.  He did a good job of it and after a few days he had it down.  After a few weeks he was sleeping through the night without snoring or waking up.  He's been happier, the extra sleep probably helped that.  

Dan taking his medicine.

Look mom I did it.