Celebrating my 2 Countries!

I packed up the kids and headed to St George, all on my own for 2 weeks.  Summer in Albuquerque was getting monotonous and we needed a change.  Dave was planning on flying up for July 4th and helping us drive back home.  It was a fun adventure.  Too bad it all started with both Owen and I catching the 24 hour flu bug, but we made it through and had a blast at Grandma and Grandpa Miller's.  

We didn't have any plans and just went with the flow of things.  The end of June / beginning of July was SO HOT!  I saw 117F which is way too hot for this Canadian, especially when my inlaws only have a swamp cooler.  The trick to staying cool was keeping wet, so we headed to the Hurricane spray park!  It was so much fun and surprising not crowded.

We visited Grandmas and Grandpas property in New Harmony to cut, water and weed.

Ava loved having a kitty to play with.  I'm perrrrfectly fine with "visiting" a cat and not owning one.

Owen spent as much time as he could in the backyard swing, sometimes even taking his afternoon nap in it! Who doesn't want to swing until they fall asleep?

Had an egg race with some VERY OLD eggs we found in the downstairs fridge.

Owen showing off his COOLNESS factor

On July 1st we celebrated CANADA DAY with a pancake breakfast in true Calgary fashion. Finishing the day off with my traditional sugar cookie flag and ginormous sparklers!

 While trying to stay cool, we bought and enjoyed playing with water guns.

Then on July 4th we got up and enjoyed breakfast together.

Headed back out to New Harmony for a parade and old fashion Independence Day celebrations.

We were excited for Dave to arrive this afternoon and enjoy the rest of the celebrations together.  We had a huge family dinner and then headed out to watch the fireworks.  Grandpa made his amazing vanilla ice cream, and believe me it's a special treat!

Thanks for the long, fun, summer visit!  Lets do it again next year!

It's June and It's HOT!

Our very first friends here in Albuquerque are moving and all of us are sad, especially Ava since it means she looses 2 best buddies.  The Cluff family has been really good to us and I hope they love their new home and town. To help Jill pack I had the girls over for a play date, and treats....slurpees are a must since it's so stinking hot here in Albuquerque.

This was the last day we got to play and hang out so we decided to have a celebration tea party lunch.  

Our back yard was a maze of different colored rocks and tiny gravel....perfect for a 1 year old to mess up on a daily basis.  We bought a few square feet of sod and now we are playing happily on soft green grass.  I never knew I could be so happy about such a tiny piece of nature.  

and now that we have grass we have to water it right?
 Sprinkler time!

Ava started swimming lessons.  She has never taken them before because frankly she is a little bit of a scaredy cat but at only $25 who could resist.  After watching her preschool class for few weeks, Im glad I only paid $25, it was ridiculously easy and Ava was the best in her class.  She is more confident now so I guess it was worth it.  Why do kids listen to teachers more then their own parents? I could have taught that class to her for FREE.

 We took the kids to the Zoo one morning and by noon it was so hot we had to come home. Our family is not used to being in 100+ weather, especially not after living in cold, grey, rainy Europe for 7 years!

BBQ's are a favorite treat in summer; although being from Canada, I can BBQ in the rain or snow but summer is defiantly a time to turn on the grill.  Thanks Grandma Robison for sending us these adorable corn cob holders!

Father and Son Priesthood Campout

At the beginning of May my boys went out together on their first father and son camp out.  Dave was really excited to camp with Owen but I was nervous it was too cold.  The temperature got below freezing that night.  Dave didn't bother with a tent they just blew up an air mattress and slept in the back of the van.

Dinner by Dad = Beans and Hot Dogs

 Ladera Ward Camp Site

 Owen was a bit exhausted and didn't take too long to fall asleep

morning breakfast doughnuts

Staying warm

 Once they packed up camp Dave and Owen went on a personal hike, to check out some of the Jemez mountain trails.

They found a hot spring and got in with the tiny guppies...yuck.  

Dave said that didn't last too long

 Good times with my Dad