Charleston, SC

My brother, Jarom and his wife, Liina, just moved from Utah out to Charleston, SC. After graduating from Medical school he is now doing his residency in Neurology at MUSC (I always get the university wrong) Anyway, we were able to make a quick trip down there to visit and to see a little of the town. It was a quick trip, but we were able to hit the beach for a few hours. The little kids had a blast playing in the sand and waves. We also did some sight seeing and took a tour of the city. I love architecture and the history of the buildings and old homes was really interesting. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to go back for a longer visit. Hailey and her cousin Kira on the beach.
Mike (my brother in law), Braxton, Mike, Hailey (asleep) Kristine, Noah and Brady in the stroller, Liina with Honele (sp?) and Jarom.

Our little visitor from Utah....

We had the rare opportunity to have my niece, Amber, come out and stay with us for a week. It was so fun to have her here. The kids really enjoyed having her around. Braxton was so happy that Amber likes to play the xbox, so when we weren't out and about doing things, they were playing the xbox.

We did so much while she was here; floating down the chattahoochee river, playing on the natural water slides at Pooles Mill park, going to the Lanier Islands water park, swimming at the pool, going up the Chattanooga, TN and hiking through the cave to see Ruby Falls. Kristine and I were also able to have a girls night with her and do some shopping. It was a lot of fun. Ruby falls
Hailey and Gabby

Amber, Braxton, Zach and Parker in the cave

Max, Braxton, Amber, Hailey and Zach at Pooles Mill

The good Ole days!

My sister, Stacy did a post a little while ago about she and her friend Dawn and posted some pictures of her college years and today. So when I got these pictures from our trip to Utah, I went and compared my pictures from my days at Utah State along with the recent pictures.

Me, and my roommates, Jodi ( we shared a room) Karen and Jeana. This was taken the fall of 1994.There were many nights up in Logan where we had to entertain ourselves. I have no idea what we were doing, but I'm sure it was fun! Why I'm the only one that looks like an indian.....heaven only knows. Jeana, Karen and me. (Jodi lives in Ohio) We are able to get together at least twice a year and catch up. And we are still pretty good friends.
All four of us decided to join the LDS sorority. We were accepted into the Xi Eta chapter. Which our career as sorority sisters didn't last for very long. I found it kind of silly, and I was just happy I got my free sweatshirt, so after a couple of months we quit. Anyway, we were selected to do the Spring Fashion show for the Lambda Delts..... This is Karen and I.....yes we look scary!
Karen and I have stayed very close over the years. Which is amazing considering I live in Georgia and she lives in Utah.

Visit with friends

A put together a cluster of pictures from our visit with the Colemans out in Utah. They've been our good friends for a long time, and we are lucky to have such great friends!

The kids playing in the fountain at Gateway Mall.

Doing sparklers. Hailey and Kenzie on the slides.

Karen, Kenzie and me. Chris and Mike

Park City, Utah

I totally spaced blogging the main part of our trip to Utah..........every year my family has a family reunion up in Park City. We all stay at the Silver King resort, and do some swimming, hiking, the alpine slide and some more swimming. This year we were up there over the 4th of July, so we had front row seats to the firework show up there. And I mean literally front row, we were right across the street from the parking lot where they were setting them off. It was amazing! Braxton had a great time with all of the cousins. And everyone was able to go except Jarom and Liina, so almost the entire family was there. Amber, Hunter and Anna
Zach showing off his back dive
Some of the fireworksThis is my favorite picture....Mike and Hailey came down the slide together and their sled stopped about 100 yards from the end. So Mike had to pull Hailey down the rest of the way.
Mike and Hailey
Braxton and Noah
Kira, Hailey and Carter

Spencer, Zach, Abe, Carter, Braxton and Uncle Craig heading up to ride the Alpine slide.
Stacy, Amanda, Jeff, Parker, Summer and Kim....below them you can see Mike, Hailey, Kerry, Sophia, Kim (Kerry's babysitter) and Amber.

Air and Space Museum

Actually, I'm not quite sure what this museum was called. It's out at the Dulles airport and there were airplanes and space equipment in it, so I just assumed. We met up with Mikes Dad and Stepmom there. It was pretty cool to see all of the old fighter jets and a real Space shuttle. Unfortunately my camera battery died, so I wasn't able to get many pictures. Braxton and Grandpa Ellsworth
Aunt Kerri and Hailey

Hershey Park, Pennsylvania

Part of the plan to go up to DC, was to also go up to Palmyra, NY and see some of the church sites up there. Along the way, we were going to stop at Hershey Park for a day. However, after driving to and from Utah, and then up to Virginia, I'd had enough in the car. We'd already bought our tickets for the park, so we decided to go up for the day. Hershey is about 2 1/2 hrs away from Mike's, mom's, so not too far. The park turned out to be a lot bigger than we had anticipated. There were a ton of rides, big roller coasters, and a lot of little rides for Hailey to go on. Braxton and Hailey on the hot air balloon ride.Hailey and Aunt Kerri on the spaceships Aunt Kerri and Hailey
Braxton and I

This is my favorite picture....Hailey wanted Mike to ride on the Frogger with her....I am surprised they let him on the ride.

Look closely at Mikes belly....tight squeeze.
It was hilarious watching him on the ride. The platform would just bounce up and down.

In a previous blog, I posted a picture of Mike, Braxton and Kerri on a ride...this is the ride. It was called "Storm Runner".

Braxton and Cheryl after we'd gone on the "wet" ride. I can't remember the name of it. But dumb us pick our last ride of the day to be one that SOAKS you! We all had to ride in the car soaking wet....well Kerri and Hailey didn't.

Hailey had seen little girls with their faces painted at the park, and had begged all day to have her's painted "like a princess". I had put it off all day, but while we were on the wet roller coaster her Aunt Kerri had her face painted. She loved it so much she wouldn't let me wash her face the next day and walked around with smeared face paint.

Trip into DC

Mikes Mom and Stepdad live just outside of Washington DC, so it's easy to drive into town and do some sight seeing. It was very hot and humid, however, so that made for some cranky kids...and adults.

Me, Hailey, Braxton and Mike at the FDR memorial. (there were some amazing sculptures and water fountains)

Braxton, Mike and Hailey standing in line with the unemployed workers, during the depression.

Grandma Cheryl, with Braxton and Hailey.

Me, Braxton and Hailey standing in the Jefferson Memorial, you can see the Washington Memorial behind us.

Virginia/West Virginia 08

Another week, another "vacation". I am vacationed out at this point! It's been fun, but I'm tired of being in the car. We just got back from a trip up to DC and West Virginia to visit Mikes parents. It was a lot of fun, and it was nice to be back up there.

The first part of the trip was spent with Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Dave. We did A LOT of stuff and most of it was done in 95' or higher heat! We visited the treasury department and saw how they print money, we saw the new FDR memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, we did some shopping, and we drove up to Hershey Pennsylvania and went to Hershey Park, which was a blast!



The second part of our trip was spent with Grandma and Grandpa Ellsworth. They both work during the week so we were only able to spend a couple of days with them, but we still had a great time. We got to see the space and air museum, saw "Batman" and went and played at their house, which is located on 3 acres. The kids love being with their grandparents, and their Aunt Kerri. Braxton was so upset when we left and wanted to go back.



I have lots of pictures to post, but haven't loaded them from my camera yet....but this one I had to scan in....it's classic. This is Mike, Kerri and Braxton on a rollercoaster at Hershey Park called Storm Runner..... Their faces say it all.

Fathers Day

I noticed that I didn't mention Father's Day this year. I usually don't blog about things if there aren't pictures to go along with it and we didn't take any pictures on Father's day. But I thought I'd just pay tribute to Mike..... If any of you have seen him with the kids there is no doubt at what a great father he is. He's loving, patient (most of the time), fun, a great listener, and loves to just play with the kids. I asked Braxton and Hailey what their favorite thing about their dad was and Braxton said that "he's fun and playful" and Hailey said that she loves when "daddy tickles Braxton and wrestles Braxton and she jumps on his back." :)

We had a pretty low key Father's Day this year. The Crosby's and the Sampson's (Minus Destin) came over for dinner. Kris and I were supposed to cook, but it turned out that Mike and Mike did most of the cooking.

Mike, you are a great father and a wonderful husband. Thanks for all that you do! We love you.

Utah

So I'm noticing as my kids get older that I just can't go to my parents and hang out anymore, they get bored very easily. And when they are bored they are kranky and obnoxious. So I had to come up with things to keep them entertained, which when you live in a place for most of your life you take for granted all it has to offere and it's hard to come up with things that you can do. I decided to take them to "Heritage Park". When I was growing up it was just the "this is the place monument", but it's grown into a whole little town of things to do. I figured it would be good for Braxton to see Brigham Youngs house and get a taste of how the pioneers lived. So one morning we went with my mom and the kids had a great time.

My Mom, Braxton and Hailey at Brigham Youngs farm house.Braxton and Hailey in one of the bedrooms in BY's house

Hailey, My mom and Braxton taking a wagon ride

Me, Hailey and Braxton sitting in BY's gazebo

Braxton petting a friendly horse.