A Great Week with a Holiday End

I have been wanting a bike for long time "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike..." so my hubby went and done bought me one. It is so much fun to ride as a family, we have been going all about town. After swimming we had to stop for some lunch, and what better place?

My little man, already a fisherman.

The kids got to ride Tonka in the 24th of July parade this year (thank you Kali!). Needless to say they had a fantastic time and enjoyed all the attention. We had family come up and down to see them and to hang out over the weekend. It was so fun to see everybody! Next time Syd wants to throw out candy to the loud hollering folks.

Ty doesn't have to do much to make this chubby-cheeked baby giggle, and Syd right along with him. She got to wear makeup for the parade and she looked way too old to be my Baby Girl!

Cousins just chillin' like little folks like to do. Aren't they stinkin' cute? I love being an Aunt!

More giggles, this time the littlest of them all got in on the action.

Gotta do sparklers before the fireworks start. I think the sparklers might have lasted about as long as the big fireworks this year. Anyone else feel like they were short?

Ahhh.... Because we are a happy family( although it would be nice if my own kids would pose for the pics)! Thanks for coming up, folks! Sure do preciatecha!

Take it from the Champ

As some of you know, our apartments banned the use of outdoor grills. We were pretty bummed, so a few weeks ago we bought a George Foreman grill for inside. I have to say it's pretty awesome. Our chicken is always juicy and cooks quick. It even does fish sticks - no more warming up the oven.

So here's an easy meal that Shanell has made me prepare a few times because she loves it so much. It's a tropical chicken salad: Romaine lettuce, whole black olives, grilled pineapple and barbecue chicken.

I put a Jamaican jerk rub on the chicken before putting it on the grill. I do 3 or 4 breasts, sometimes the grill can fit all at once. It takes 15 min or so. Then cut the chicken up, put it in a bowl with spicy honey barbecue sauce and stir it up. Skin the pineapple, cut it into thick slices and cut out the core, and throw it on the grill for a few minutes - until it turns golden brown but still juicy. The throw the chicken, pineapple, olives, whatever dressing you want - and some bacos, if desired - on the lettuce and enjoy. Easy!

Royston's birthday and long weekend

We had an eventful weekend; most of it revolved around Royce. It was his 6th birthday on Thursday; he had a party on Friday. Here we are at Angie's enjoying the birthday benefits:

He had a cowboy party complete with horses, bandanas, and rubber band guns. Here is Sydney, Grace, and cousin Mykaela with Tyler atop a few of the nags:

Enjoying a snack and opening presents:

Royce has been doing jiu-jitsu this summer, and he surprised me by wanting to compete in the kids tournament in Ogden on Saturday. He did great and had fun, we are so proud of him! He lost his first match by armbar to a kid who had a lot more experience, but he hung in there and won his second by descision, taking the kids back and almost putting on a choke! Awesome dude!

Uncle Glenn and cousin Mykaela came up to Ogden to cheer Royce on. Afterward, Glenn sucked up his broken foot and we all went to the Eccles Dino Park in Ogden - Shanell and I liked it so much, we got a year pass. Here we are in front of the Stegosaurus - one of many to explore.

Fishing

I just wanted to say how wonderful I think it is that we live in a place with so many outdoor activities available to us - many of them only a few minutes away! I went fishing with a buddy last weekend on the Weber river. I'm getting old and can't wade as well, but I enjoy it no less.

Pretty soon I'm taking Syd and Royce each by themselves up Logan canyon to fish - one my favorite rivers.

Older pics - Green Canyon

I wanted to post these pics from earlier this summer that Shanell overlooked. It was a day up Green Canyon; I can't remember the date, but it was right after the long series of storms we had. It was a PERFECT day - the sun was out, but it was probably in the upper 60's

Our friend Vince and I packing the kids along the road

The rain made everything so lush and green!

Enjoying some down time by the fire

Up above the cave - if you look close you can see Syd, Royce and I

Independence Day festivities

It all started off with a 4th of July bike parade at our apartments.  It was short, not that many people there, no candy, and relatively painless - my ideal parade!

The kids enjoyed a few popsicles

Be careful with the green ones!

Then we went down to Grandma and Grandpa Vance's for a 4th BBQ with babyback ribs (no song please), corn on the cobb and greek salad - yum!

We even had red white and blue dessert!

Royce taking on Grandma in a fierce game of ping pong.

Enjoying the shade after a game of volleyball.

Oh yeah, and one more thing.  This has nothing to do with Independence Day, but I love going out on our deck and enjoying all the flowers and such Shanell planted.  It really spruces up our little deck!

Great Visitors!

We had the best visitors over the weekend, Aunt Tricia and Cousin Dallon!  The kids were so surprised and excited that he was able to come up for a visit, we have all really missed him. 
Royce made Dallon a "play area" inside of his Spiderman tent, complete with a comfy bed and toys perfect for a 1 year old. 
Having fun while the kids chase him around.  I love how he carries his blanket over his shoulder as he runs, very Linus-like, but cuter. 
Hanging out playing the piano.  My Dallon favorite is when he was walking around the dinner table and saying "Hi!" to everybody by turns.   Too cute!