Murase Plaza {July 10}

On Tuesday, we made our first trek of the summer to the fountains in Wilsonville.  I love these fountains, and the boys always have such a great time there.  We met our friends the Campbells and the Kojimas there, played in the fountains, and had a picnic lunch before heading home. 

   

One of their favorite things to do is to put boats down the water and chase them as they float down.

   

Another favorite is to fill up cups with water!

Davis, Jared, Landon, and Ellie

 

 

James and Leela

 

The boys also always like to stand and plug some of the fountains with their feet, then to watch the other ones spray even higher!

Grandma Landon’s 80th Birthday Party {July 7}

I was excited when I heard that everyone would be celebrating my Grandma’s 80th birthday while we were already in Utah.  It worked out perfectly to drive up to Idaho Falls Saturday afternoon and be there for the celebration!  There were a lot of people who came to wish her happy birthday, and it was fun for me to visit with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course my grandma!
    

Some of my aunts and cousins visiting behind the table, and Adele and Travis relaxing together for a minute (this was actually the only time I saw Adele sit down!  She was busy replenishing the refreshment table most of the night.)

 

Me and my fun cousin Rachel – we always had great times together growing up.  Wish we lived closer!

A picture of my family with my beautiful Grandma

 

My mom’s brothers and sisters – my mom couldn’t make it since she was in France.

My Grandma with my aunts and uncles (without John since he went home sick, and my parents gone in France)

After the party, we went back to my Grandma’s house for dinner, and several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins came by to visit.  Landon and Davis played in the backyard with Adele’s and Jill’s kids (my cousins and my cousin’s kids).  They jumped on the trampoline, played tag, and played kickball while we sat inside and chatted.  It brought back memories of many evenings out on my grandparent’s back lawn playing games just like that while my aunts and uncles laughed and visited inside.  I was so glad we were able to make it and see so many people.  I just love my Grandma Landon!  She is pretty much the epitome of all that comes to mind when you think of the word “grandma.” 

Dinosaur Park and James’s Birthday Party {July 5 & 6)

Thursday morning, we met Shane’s cousin Ben, his wife Carli, and their kids at the Dinosaur Park in Ogden.  This was our first time going to there, and it ended up being better than I was expecting.  They gave each of the kids a field guide book, and they had to find certain dinosaurs in the park and answer questions about those dinosaurs.  Landon, Alexys, and Laci had fun finding the right dinosaurs on completing their little booklet.  There was also a fun dinosaur playground for the kids to play on.  It started to rain on us after that, so we headed inside to see the dinosaur bones and displays inside the museum. 

     

That afternoon, we went up to Salt Lake to walk around the new City Creek shopping center.  On our way, we stopped in Centerville to see the Lovelands and their new house.  The kids had fun seeing their house, playing hide-and-go seek, and jupming on their trampoline.  It was fun to see them one more time and be able to picture where they’re at now.  After shopping at City Creek and eating a yummy Spaghetti Factory dinner, the boys rode home on the frontrunner while Shane and I drove back and met them in Ogden.  They had fun on the train and laughing with their cousins as they went.

Friday, we had a little birthday party for James since we would be driving home on his birthday.  Christie got a super cute Cars cake for him, some Cars decorations, and some fun party favors for all the cousins.  We played with punch balloons, had an obstacle course, enjoyed some cake and ice cream, and watched James open his presents.

   

Davis and James going through the tunnel for the obstacle course.

 

Grandma Brewer, Kelly, and Kent watching the kids, and Laci and Alexys

  

Blowing out the candles, and licking the frosting off the Lightning McQueen car

 

Eating birthday cake, and trying on his new Cars sunglasses

  

A scooter from Grandma Malan!

 

Anxiously watching Dad put it together.

 

One of the party favors Christie got were bubble necklaces.  Laci and Landon had fun blowing them at each other.  They got laughing pretty hard!

   

This was our last night at the Malans, and we were so sad to leave the next morning.  We always look forward to our trips to Utah, and then they seem to go by so fast!  Thanks Kent and Christie for a great time!  We can’t wait until the next time!