Summertime Adventures

In June we headed up to Utah to spend some time with family. Josh stayed up for the first week, came back home to work for a couple of weeks and then made it back in time for the annual week at Pineview. The girls and I were lucky enough to hang out in Utah for just short of an entire month. While we had a blast with family and being back in SLC it was a loooong time to be away from home and Josh.  Here's a little bit of what kept us busy.

The first week we were there Jessie and Steve were also in town from Washington DC. I am so grateful we could see them. I'm still not 100% ok with my sister living on the opposite coast from us but they make such an effort to visit, visit when we're visiting, etc. that it works. We had fun playing games, roasting marshmallows in the canyon and hanging out with them.

Kiara and her favorite, "Unca Steeb"

Exploring the canyon

Roasting marshmallows for s'mores 

I think she liked them!

Kiara preferred her marshmallows uncooked

The second week Jason and Heather were in town with their cute family. For the first time in three years we had a chance to be together for more than a day and just let the kids play. Tienna loved following the older girls around and was quite smitten by baby Cole. Kiara kept doing her own thing but enjoyed being able to play with the cousins for really the first time. We had fun with sparklers, scooter rides, fashion shows, bubbles, jumping on the tramp and so much more.

First morning together, ready to go!

Fashion Show

Tienna LOVED Coleman - holding him, cooing at him, playing with him... I think someone is ready for a baby around the house!

Dinner in the canyons

Getting ready for a scooter ride

Huge Popsicle were the favorite treat

Braving sparklers :)

Walking around the lake and climbing rocks tired Kiara out so much she had to take a nap on grandpa's head.

Going to church. We were lucky enough to see President Monson at church . All of the kids were so excited they got to shake his hand and say hi.

Me and my girls!

Hopefully it won't be another 3 years before we get to spend some time with Jason, Heather and family again. We love you guys!

The third week we were able to be a little more low key and enjoyed a neighborhood firework show for the 4th of July. In both Arizona and California lighting your own fireworks doesn't happen so it was a new experience for the girls. Kiara made friends with the neighbor and would instruct the 14 year old boy which one to light next :) We also were able to spend quite a bit of time with my grandma and grandpa Pollei. The girls were in heaven jumping on their tramp, scouring the garden for raspberries, swinging, following grandpa around the yard and getting a snack whenever they asked. I was able to spend time helping with jam and catching up. My grandparents (both Moffat and Pollei sides) were such a big part of my life growing up, I sincerely miss seeing them on a more regular basis. Hopefully someday if we live in Utah again they will still be around, but until then I'm even more grateful for the chance we have to visit.

Snow cones at Surf'N'Slurp - aren't McKay and Brooke cute!

Our last week we were up at Pineview Reservoir with most of the Vandersteen clan. I honestly think Josh was looking forward to this trip since August of last year! We had lots of fun on the lake including tube rides, wake boarding for Josh, knee boarding for Tienna and enjoying the unusually warm water. When we weren't on the lake we were either napping, eating too much yummy food, playing games or enjoying the beautiful scenery of Ogden Valley. It's so nice to get up to the lake with all of the family sans the distractions of daily life where we can all just hang out and relax together, it is one family tradition we all love and look forward to immensely. I can't find any pictures right now, but hopefully I'll be able to get some soon!