Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Game Night

Megan, Chris, Adam and I decided it would be so much fun to rent bikes and ride down the mountain. Megan and I were wrong...IT WAS NOT FUN. IT WAS SO SCARY. The altitude made it really hard to breath, that could sound silly but it was true, we were on mountain bikes that we didn't know how to operate, it had so many gears I didn't know what to do with them. In my mind it would be a fun ride all downhill on dirt - WRONG. It was rocky gravel kicking up in our face, we were going up hill a lot of the time, trying to ride fast enough away from the ginormous rain cloud following us, only to find out we rode into a locked gate. We ended up thankfully getting off the hill and riding through downtown. That was the fun part. Megan and I thought shopping seemed like a better idea. The boys went back up the mountain - they loved and hated it at the same time. It was a lot harder than they thought it would be. Once they were finished they were really happy they did it.

Jennie, Megs and I took the kids horse(pony) riding today. They loved every minute of it. It was a great activity. They didn't ride far but they are still talking about the horses. The ride to the stables was beautiful. At the time we went we were the only people there so we were able to pet horses, take pictures and ask lots of questions!

A trip with my family isn't complete without games. My mom and dad brought the games stacking cups. It gives you time limits to do different stacking options. It was so fun and intense. Chris was the winner every time on the first night!

Church, Family Pics and Downtown

Family picture

Our family!

Lucy the tiger

She was so proud

A couple stopped us while walking down main street to get their picture taking with Lucy

Lola loved watching Lucy get her face painted, she paid very close attention

Marchal's Dinner - Spaghetti. It was awesome!

Today could not have been topped! We all went to church at this beautiful church in Park City, we were on time (SHOCKER), we took family pictures, then went to downtown Park City for an amazing brunch and the strolled the streets during the art fair. Lucy got her face painted and it was a huge highlight! Blessed, blessed, blessed - I feel very blessed for my family. I have an incredible husband, kids and extended family! LOVE LOVE LOVE our life!

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

Lucy and Grammie

There was an amazing sand box at the square that Lucy and Gannon played in the entire time

Lola enjoyed the sounds of the concert

Grammie, Papa Newt, Ella and Lola

Singing Happy Birthday to Grammie - they did a great job!

My mom's 60th birthday was Aug 1. We wanted to celebrate in a BIG way...one reason we are in Utah! Megan made a video for her of many special moments we have had over the past years, we shared that with her and took her to the top of the mountain for a concert. It was so memorable and something we will all cherish so much. We are blessed so much by my mom. She is so giving, loving and supportive. She makes family time so great, she goes the extra mile to make every one feel special. In honor of her we all 6 of us, my sisters and our spouses put together a skit of the 60 greatest things about my mom. She loved it so much! The day was great!!

A hike to the top of the Mountain

Headed to the Mountain

Love these 2

Lucy (23 mths & Lola 8mths)

Too Cute! Lola waves, claps, rolls and pulls up...well almost!

Ready for our hike

The whole group!

Playing!

Up the hill before the rain hit

Papa Newt and Lucy...this water was so cold

Look at this precious baby - Ella is the sweetest (4 mths)

Look at these bikini babes!

Our night to cook - enchiladas and guacamole for everyone

Oreo game - Matt did great at this one

Lifesavers - check out his mustache

Adam got 2 marshmallows in his mouth

No lie, my sister got 8 large marshmallows in her mouth and was able to say "cubby bunny"

Vaseline and cotton ball - the games were serious

Lola our little night owl didn't miss a beat

Today we went to the top of the mountain for a hike. We took the gondola and rode up which was a blast for all of us. The kids got to put their feet in a cold stream of water and loved it. As we hiked up the trail with the whole family, the rain began to pour down. Luckily on the top of the mountain there was a spot to grab drinks so we all enjoyed some time telling stories and chatting. Then we came back to the condo had enchiladas and played minute to win it! It was so funny. If you watch it you will know these game; cookie from your forehead to your mouth without touching it, Vaseline on your nose with cotton ball, how many marshmallows can you fit in your mouth, and stacking cups! It was such a memorable night! The kids were in bed...except our sweet night owl Lola .

We made it to Utah!

Uncle & Lola

Gannon trying on Uncles shoes

Lola & Gannon

Take a walk before the rain hit!

I seem to always post these but...I LOVE THEM!

Me and my sweet Lola!

Gannon, Ella & Lucy

Gannon & Lola

Lucy & Lola

The tennis gals!

Lola enjoyed watching tennis too!

On Wednesday Megan and I flew with the girls to Park City, Utah to meet the rest of our family. Adam will be joining us on Friday, after all the baseball games are over. We were very interested about this trip - our flights went like this...Corpus to Houston, Houston to Albuquerque, Albuquerque to Phoenix, Phoenix to Salt Lake City, then drive Salt Lake to Park City. We left our house around 8am on Wednesday and arrived at the condo at 7pm (8pm Corpus time). From reading this you can only assume that the next paragraph is going to say all the things that went wrong for Megan and I while traveling with 2 kids - here you go -

NOTHING!

Not one tear, Not one outburst, Not even a moment of sass - Pure Joy! Our biggest complaint, a full airplane and we couldn't sit together the entire time. The girls were absolute dolls. They were friendly little passengers and smiled at everyone. By the grace of God they stayed on their nap schedule so they were happy little campers until they closed their eyes at night. Lucy even went to the bathroom 3 different times in the airplane toilet. Although she is potty trained I was really worried about flying so I through on a diaper - she didn't like it at all but it gave me peace of mind. She was a rock star! I was so proud of the girls and truth be told I was proud of Megs and I too!

When we got to Utah we got to see my parents, and my sister Jennie, her husband Matt their two kids Gannon and Ella and Megan's husband Chris. We were so excited to see each other but pooped from the day so hit the beds early.

Thursday, we woke up and headed to the store to stock up on food for the week. Each family is in charge of cooking for 2 nights and so we got all the items we needed. Came back to the condo and Lucy, Grammie and I went on a nature walk - which Lucy loved. Never knew pine cones were so cool. We came back and took all the kids to the pool while the boys played tennis. Gannon and Lucy have so much fun playing together. It is so nice to sit back and watch them interact. Little Miss Lola and Ella are very interested in each other. They sit and stare at each other. Lola grabs for Ella a bit and Ella just smiles. It is so sweet.

While Uncle and Fave were fixing dinner (burgers, corn and asparagus) for everyone Papa, JJ, Gan, Lucy, Lola, Ella and I went on another nature walk. It started to rain and we had a big hill ahead of us to get back home. Chris had to come rescue us...and we made it back just fine! Thursday evening My mom, JJ, Fave, Ella, Lola and I went shopping at the outlet mall. It was a great success for all of us! We had so much fun!

More to come from Utah!!