SLC

Since the race was in Salt Lake City and it was Dino's first time there (my second) we decided to see the sites. Well, the Mormon sites at least. First up was the Convention Center. We walked around inside and looked at the art exhibit there were having then we got a guided tour.

David was in awe of the size of the inside. Gotta say, although I've been in there before, it does seem a whole lot bigger when it's empty. I explained to David that this was the building we see on TV during conference. He paused for a moment then asked, "then why isn't the prophet sitting up there?"

Dino & David.

Checking out the other side of water. hehe.

My little family on top of the conference center.

David & me on top of the conference center

Parker & Dave with the beautiful SLC Temple in the background.

The 2 cutest boys in the whole world posing in front of the SLC Temple.

Not sure if it was 'allowed' but Dave & the boys had a nice game of tag on the lawn of the tabernacle.

They needed it. A boy can stay quiet and keep his hands to himself for only a short period of time!

The next day was the race so we went 'home' early to get some sleep. But since it was Dino's birthday weekend also, we decided to celebrate it the next day. We headed out to The Mayan. Dave had always talked about The Mayan. He liked the atmosphere. He often says he would like to open a restaurant like it in Cali. I gotta agree, the vibe was fun. But the food...not so much.

Dino really likes water.

After The Mayan we went to the Down East Basics store. ('Cause that's where you go if you're a Mormon Woman who lives in California and visiting Utah.) On the side of the shopping center was this cute little walk way with a bridge and a small river. We had to stop for some photo ops, it was just too cute!

My 3 main men.

Pretty cool (& somewhat creepy) tree.

Never a dull moment

Daddy always knows the way.

That's the end of the road, and this post!

Easter Sunday

Every year we head out to Dave's mom's house for Easter Sunday. The boys hunt for their eggs there and we have dinner with the whole family. This year was no exception. We inform the boys that Mommy left the Easter bunny a note to please hide our eggs at Grandma Fletcher's house because that is where we will be. During church and after they kept asking when are we going over there so they can find their eggs. So impatient! I wonder where they get that from? hehe. When we got there, Grandma Fletcher informed everyone that the backyard was for the little kids and the front yard for the bid kids. (As in Dino & Andrew, both 18 and Adam, 14!) The little kids got to go first. Grandma told them that there was a "Golden Egg" that contained $2.00 in it! That's a fortune when your 2, 3 & 5!

Parker showing off his first find. Nope not golden...rats!

David, inspecting his egg. you can never be too careful these days.

Kathryn & Parker making their mommies proud and sharing.

David found the Golden Egg!! He's rich!!

Parker was not happy he didn't find it! What a sad, yet cute, face!

Inspecting the golden egg. Safety first.

David, being the kind, warm hearted big brother that he is, re-hid the egg so Parker could find it. How sweet.

Me and Talia. Isn't she cute?!

Apollo Park

If you ever lived in the Antelope Valley chances are you have visited Apollo Park. I wish I could fill this post with tons of info on it like how long it's been there and other historical info. But I have no idea. I know it has been there at least 25 years because my first memories of it begin when I was around 5. One very vivid memory, when I was around 7, is of my cousins, sister & me swinging on the swings and hearing coyotes howling. Except we didn't think it was coyotes. We thought is was a woman being murdered. (We watched WAY to many horror movies for our age.) We kept swinging higher and higher in hopes that whoever was hurting her couldn't reach us. Our parents called for us but we wouldn't get off. We were convinced we'd be dead. Yup, I was paranoid way back then. I remember our older cousins (the ones in their teens) & some of our parents having to come get us off the swings and carry us to the car. In hindsight, I wonder why they allowed us to continue to watch scary movies? Anyway, I do have many more great memories of that park. Bar-b-ques with our 'extended' family, feeding the ducks, fishing, riding our bike, playing 'till the sun went down. I loved Apollo Park growing up. And I'm so glad I get to re-create some of those memories for my kids.


Dave has taken the boys fishing out there a few times. We've had our little family picnic's there. And finally last week, David got to ride his bike out there. I remember thinking that park was HUGE and that I could never ride ALL the way 'round it. Now, it seems small. But I'm happy to report, it seems HUGE to David. We packed a small picnic and headed out there for lunch before Dave had to leave for work. It was fun re-living the good ol' days through adult eyes. Watching Parker 'feed' the ducks. (We forgot the bread, so he tried to feed them rocks. Funny part was he couldn't figure out why they wouldn't eat it!) Watching Dave help David maneuver over all the cracks in the pavement. I look forward to making many more memories with my kids at that park. Hopefully they'll have as great memories of it as I do.

Here Duckies...yummy rocks!!

It takes about 3 'out-takes' to get one desent pic with these two silly boys. But I love the out-takes!

Memories in the making.

This made me kinda nervous. I kept thinking of an action plan if Parker fell in by accident. It involved me diving in after him, of course.

Parker took this pic of me. You know, for proof that I was there! lol!

Bulls Eye FHE

We recently bought a new desk that was shipped to us. Of course, it came with TONS of packaging. Dave got this great idea and turned it into a FHE activity. The lesson was on sharing & taking turns. They got to take turns shooting toothpicks out of a straw!

Just a Styrofoam board and some permanent markers!

Ignore the messy house. Yes, that is a snuggie David is wearing. See, proof you can do anything while using it!

Parker's turn.

Veterans Day

This Veterans Day, just like Memorial Day, Dino got to raise the flag at the cemetary Grandpa Dave is buried in. We all went as a family to watch and spend some time with Grandpa Dave (he served in the Air Force). The boys kept jumping from headstone to headstone and Dave & I kept(unsuccessfully)trying to stop them. Then Dave told them they could jump on Grandpa Dave's, he would have loved to have his Grandkids jump all over him. So they did. We know Grandpa Dave was smiling at that. Here are some pics I took while we were there.

This is Dave explaining to David who he was named after and why.

Grandpa Dave's site.

Grandma Fletcher waiting for the ceremony to start.

Dino & Parker

Dino & David

Dino raising The Flag

Apple Pickin' Day

A couple of weeks ago Dave & I took the kids to Tehachapi to go Apple Picking. At first David was not happy about the idea. He knows where Tehachapi is and keep saying it was to far. But, like always, he & Parker fell asleep on the way there and didn't even notice the ride at all. Once we got there both boys got really excited and were all about the pickin'.


We ended up picking 6 lbs worth of apples...but hey, they were only 75 cents a pound! We also ended up buying a small "cook book" on how to prepare yummy apple treats. Someday I'll do that! ;0)

When we were about to head over to the pinic area for a basket lunch, we noticed that the next ranch over had horses so we decided to go over and feed them. The boys were hesitant at first (okay, so were Dave & I) but then they warmed up to them.


After We feed the horses, David suggested a quick game of hide-n-seek. Sure, why not?!? The boys really liked being the "seeker," but Dave & I enjoyed watching them try to find us.

This is david, counting while we hide.
David found Dave first, but had to give him a quick pat-down...you can never be too careful!
My view of Parker while he was looking for me. Too cute.

After Hide-n-seek, we headed over to the pinic tables and had lunch...PB&J sandwitches!! With snacks of course, home made banana bread...YUM!



After the apple orchard we went and visited some good friends that live out in Tehachapi, the Shultz & the Guymons. We had a great day and will probably make it a yearly tradition.