Eli's Family Party...

My niece, Rachel, showing me her googley eyes It's not very often I get to hang out with my sibs...and with my sister, Staci, moving to AZ. (sniff, sniff), this was a great opportunity! I'm not sure why the mug shot!!!

The birthday boy himself...

Present time!

Some of the decorations I made for the little monkey!

Cupcakes were chocolate with banana filling and banana cream cheese frosting.

It was a lot of work, but I LOVE doing stuff like this! I'll take every opportunity!

Poor mangled monkey!!!

So after trying DOZENS of chocolate cupcakes to find the right ones to fill, my kitchen looked like this...

It was pretty awful! I made a HUGE pot of meat/beans for enough navajo tacos to feed 60 people the night before to save on time. While warming them up, an hour before the party, I got side tracked and scalded them COMPLETELY!! I had a breakdown!!! Justin and I put our heads together and started over. He ran to the store for more ingredients, including canned beans (there was NO time to simmer more) and we got to work...however, when it was all said and done, the rest of my downstairs looked like this...

On our way to the park, it started to downpour! I've NEVER had my children's bdays that wasn't cancelled or postponed due to weather (and they were born in April and July!) Luckily, the Bishop agreed to let us into the church building. It was a little chaotic at first, but overall, a fun time! I know it sounds like a lot of work for a one year old's bday (and it was!)... but I enjoyed the process (for the most part) and wanted my little monkey to look back one day and know just how much I LOVE HIM!!!

Ahhh...the end of the day!!!

Foam Day!

What a FUN thing foam day is! This was our first year attending the Lehi fire department event, and I'm sure we'll be going back again! Basically, the fire department uses their hoses to spray the field with foam... bring your goggles...this could get messy!!!

I LOVE this picture!! My boys are ready!

It took Estin a little time to warm up to the idea...

I can kinda see why

Eli loved it!

The BEFORE...

The DURING...

The AFTER...

Frontrunner and Backyard Camping

We decided as a family that it was time for a little R&R. We've always thought it would be fun to take the Frontrunner, and since Estin loves trains so much, what a perfect opportunity! We rode TRAX (the "electric train") to SLC and then hopped on the Frontrunner to Ogden. What a FUN day!! Estin entertaining us on the train... Still entertaining...

Once in Ogden, we went to the Railroad "nueseum." Estin was in HOG HEAVEN!!!

Can you imagine a day when train stations and depots like these were used? I can just picture a soldier coming to meet his young bride! BEAUTIFUL!

Mesmerized by the miniature trains that ran along the tracks and through the miniature towns.

And of course, a stop at the train table!

Eli loved it too!

Now it's our turn to entertain!

The Frontrunner was REALLY nice. Double decker, bathrooms, food and drink allowed and WIFI! Who knew! Next time we'll come better prepared.

After a fun day riding trains, we camped out in Grandma and Grandpa Oswald's backyard; complete with hotdogs, smores, and a movie on the laptop under the full moon.

Estin playing hide and go seek. "I'll hide here and you'll never find me!" :)

Kennecott Copper Mines

Justin has always wanted to go see the Kennecott copper mines, so on his day off and due to free admission, we said, "Why not?" The drive is only about 15 minutes from our apartment. We decided to start taking advantage of all the things we've been wanting to do or see. It was pretty incredible.

It was a really windy/rainy day. Can you tell how much Estin is enjoying the weather?

Our attempt at a family picture

Estin LOVED the trains (BIG surprise!)

On our way home we stopped at a craft store and the boys found these flutes. They played them the rest of the way home! Glad we made that stop! :)

Days of 47...

I've never wanted to brave the crowds at the Days of 47 parade, but this year we got to see the floats up close without sitting in the heat or the traffic. Our neighbors, Ashley, and birthday girl, Destiny, came with us. There were some pretty AWESOME floats (this is just a sample)! I think this may become a yearly tradition!

Popsicle Time!

Accomplishments!

My neighbor and friend, Manda (holding the cake) just got her Patriarchal blessing. My other neighbor and friend, Patty, just got her Temple recommend. What awesome things to celebrate! I'm SO proud of these amazing women!!!

True Love...

Just ONE of the reasons I love Justin so much!