Arizona!

For a family trip we decided to head to sunny Arizona during the chilly month of March (in Utah)... we would also watch a Chicago Blackhawk Hockey game in Phoenix!

We packed up the car and headed out on an early Tuesday (3/16) morning... with "surprise treats" for the kids to help pass the time... 11 + hours in the car.

We made a stop at the Dam and viewed Lake Powell in the distance.

The next day, St. Patrick's Day, we visited a fun family park with a miniature steam engine, a carousel, a playground, and lots of space to run!

We spent lots of time at the pool! And enjoyed seeing all the cactus, lemon and orange trees!

We "hiked" Superstitious Mountain, got a few cactus thorns, and took a scenic drive through the canyon (aka trying to find a bathroom for Brody) and visited an "Old West" and Visitor Center.

We traveled to Tombstone... saw a "Gun Fight"... walked the Tombstone Streets, and had our own Old West Picture taken... :)

A definite highlight was seeing a Chicago Blackhawk game... It was a new experience for the kids. Others were "amazed" we brought our whole family (and to some we had a "HUGE" family) and others were "impressed" our young kids did so well through out the game. It was a game with everything...overtime, shoot out, a penalty shot, a fight... everything except for a win! But it was still awesome and fun!

To conclude our trip we visited the Mesa Temple grounds and visitor center... They were preparing for their yearly Pageant. The kids loved the grounds with all the flowers and citrus trees.

The End!

Our favorite part:

Karson - Hockey Game!

Brody - Swimming! and Hockey!

Ben - Swimming in a pool!

Kourtney - Walking all over the place!

Mom - Not having to fix dinners! and doing something different!

Dad - The Chicago Game!

Oregon over the 4th!

We headed to Oregon on Tuesday July 1, 2008 for a family trip to Oregon and to celebrate Independence Day with Grandma and Grandpa. We also were going to go to G and Gs to help with some "around the place" projects. It was exciting to think we would be going to Oregon when it would be nice weather... (we hoped)... so the kids could play and explore outdoors. The trees, dirt, and adventures could be endless. Brody was also looking forward to being a "cowboy!"
First on the agenda... at least for the kids... go to the barn to feed the cows and drive the "mule".

The Boys reaquainted themselves with Les and Schwab and met "Harvey Steamer" for the first time. This was Karson's first time meeting the cows.

Karson became quite the mule driver...that's all she wanted to do!

We also visited Great Grandpa's house and took a few pictures for memorbilla too.

First project on Grandpa's list for Brad to help with: "Yarding" a "few" trees Grandpa had already "fell" (I believe that is the correct logging language).

Besides the mule, Karson also fell in love with her pink cowboy boots! Bennett liked his too.

The kids also like the swings and were introduced to "under doggies." G and G informed the kids that mom and her sisters would make up "routines" and "make" them come and watch. Mom does remember that. We were big into routines...swing, water, dance, gymnastics to Huey Lewis... (a tangent walk down memory lane :).

Next on the agenda... a hot dog roast and smore making around the fire pit.

Brody and Bennett also took a ride on some 4 wheelers. Benny's helmet weighed more than his little neck could handle...he was "Bobble head Benny" riding.

2nd Project for Grandpa and Dad: Replacing the rocks that washed down off of the "drive-over" part of the creek. Or how Grandpa calls it, "Throwing rocks in the crick"

CELEBRATING JULY 4TH

We attended the Molalla Buckaroo Parade. And of course the boys had to have their cowboy hats for the occassion.

This was the kids' first experience retrieving candy from a parade... They thought it was great, even if it was only a few pieces. Grandpa thought it would be great spot, but Grandma wondered if the candy would be all gone. Fortunately for Grandpa, the kids didn't know any different. :)

We then went to Shady Dell Railroad... It's a miniature train for everyone to ride on. They also have a picnic area. Bennett was especially in the picture taking mood!

Our Last Day Creating Memories!

May 3, 2008 This is our last day in sunny California! We spent the morning at a San Diego Beach. The morning was the time to go... if we stayed much later, the beaches would have been busier. Of course a Sand Castle was on the agenda and book reading for mom and Grandma.

Here are Karson and Brody testing out the Pacific Ocean water for the very first time in their lives :).

Grandma "forgot" to put on sun screen! She was enjoying her book so much, she probably didn't realize she was "frying." She probably wasn't "enjoying" this as much :). We ended the beach time with some "fish and chips" and then played at the hotel pool the rest of the afternoon. It was difficult to think our California Adventure was ending :(. We had a lot of fun and created many great memories... We also loved having Grandma with us. It was good for the kids to spend some quality time with her.

Our next "family Adventure"... We're going to OREGON!... to be cowboys (according to Brody) and to see our first Rodeo.