**Salt Lake City Band/Choir Trip--May 2013**

More Catch-up

 The band performing for their competion.

The judges had problems with their recording devices, so they had to play their song again.

This is at an aquatic center in Clearview, UT.

Brienna, (on the left)--not sure who is in the center, & then Lindsay Farr & Zane on the right.

The water slide.  Jill Grover worked on some school projects, and so I decided not to go swimming either (I'm sure Zane was grateful for that)

 Walking to the bus & looking at the temple.  I only had my iPod, so the pictures didn't turn out that great.

 Our band (and later the choir) joined Highland High School's band for about an hour--

So they were able to experience being in a "big" band.  It was fun to listen to just our few kids play "Pirates of the Caribbean" & then for the whole band to play.

 We ate our lunch at a park & then we were able to relax for a little bit.

 Then we were able to spend the day at Lagoon.  Jill went to visit her family, & so I was on my own.  I decided to ride the rides I wanted to--and enjoy the day even if I was by myself.
This was my favorite ride (at least to ride by myself).  I went on it at least a dozen times.

 Rode the train a few times.

Then we had the awards.  Brienna receiving the trophy for the band.

A swan sitting on her nest at the end of one of the rides.

 I found Brienna & Lindsay on the swings.

Here they are at the very bottom of this picture.  It about made me sick just watching them, and even sicker trying to take a picture of them!
It was a fun trip for everyone.  I'm glad the kids were able to experience everything they did.

***Salt Lake City Band/Choir Trip--May 2, 2013***

Playing more catch-up!

Thursday morning I took Benjamin to Grandpa's house & we met at the school at 8 am.  We loaded everything onto the bus (band equipment & suitcases) and headed to SLC.  I sat up front with the "threat" of sitting right by Zane if any misbehavior occurred.    We ate sack lunches provided by the school on the bus.

We headed to the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy, UT.  There were lots of fun animals there.

Here is the biggest tank--with sharks, 

sting rays, 

and sea turtles.

Plus lots of other fish (another picture of the shark).

Here the kids are at the "petting" tank.

Brienna was brave enough to reach down and pet the sting ray.

It was deeper then you'd think.  You could also pet the small shark--but you had to use only 2 fingers.

Zane, Karina, Brienna & Kyle

this the the octopus.  We couldn't use flash because bright light can damage their eyes.

Mini sea horses

And another kind of sea horse.

I loved the jelly fish tank.  it was by the octopus tank so it was darker.  I could have sat on the bench watching them for a while.  

Zane riding a giant frog

Hanging on for dear life??  I could have spent another hour or 2 there--about every 1/2 hour to an hour, they had a presentation (usually associated with feeding an animal).  

After the aquarium, we headed  to check into the hotel (by the airport).  To save on $ and an extra room, Brienna & I along with Josey & her mom, Jill, shared a room.  Jill drove the bus.

After we checked in (we had to wait for 1 room to be cleaned/ready), we got back on the bus to head to the Gateway Mall in downtown SLC.

I walked around a little when we first got there waiting for Jill to park the bus.  She said she parked on the north side and to walk to the north side (it's an outdoor mall covering a few blocks).  Well, I was over a block and missed her but we finally met & walked around the outside mall.

Brienna decided she wanted her ears pierced--so I called Rusty to make sure he was okay with it & so I went & gave permission.  I just told her that she was responsible for taking care of her ears & not to complain if she gets infections.
After the mall, we went back to the hotel.

 Some of the kids sat in the hot tub.

 Zane is on the left (with the black tank top) and Brienna is on the right.

Summer--More Catch up

I didn't ever get all my summer pictures posted--so I am working on catching up.

 Sleeping out on the trampoline--Everyone was excited to begin with.  I wasn't sure if they would stay all night.

 All cozy & comfy!

 Ben & Emmalee

 Emma & Brienna

 Brienna early in the morning--couldn't go back to sleep after the sun came up so she started reading.

 Playing in the pool in our back yard.

 While we were in Lander, Rusty & his dad re-did our shower walls.  When I came home, I cleaned the bathtub extremely well--I took a few hours to scrub it down good.

 They surprised me with also doing the walls & installing a bathroom fan.  I love my white walls!  

 And so does Ben!  No more "70's" wall paper!!

 Trying a new hair-do (in my "new" bathroom)

 I thought it turned out pretty cute!

And a close up.

Summer Catch-up Continued

 We had a backyard bbq--roasting hot dogs & marshmallows in a wheelbarrow.

 Grandpa, Zane & Carter

 Callum made a nice, shaded eating place with his tent fly.

 Brienna & David

 Callum roasting a peanut.  Silly kid!

 Janna Lee, Ashlee & David

 Me cooking a "biscuit on a stick".  We just use canned biscuits, wrap it around pinching it closed at the top & then slowly cook it.  

 when they are done, you can squeeze some butter in it & also some honey.

 Running thru the sprinkler to cool down.

 Ashlee sitting on the spinkler

And finally Emmalee's turn.