Trafalga...aka Liberty Land

July 16, 2010

Caleb got free passes to Trafalaga from school. I was excited to find out that Liberty Land had been bought by Trafalga and we were able to go close to home...like Orem is THAT far away:)

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We played miniture golf...and it was hot...103 degrees hot.

Rode the coaster...and it was hot (can you see their poor red faces)

We rode the airplanes...and it was hot.

We rode the go carts...and it was hotter.

....water helped cool down the kids on the bumper boats. Josh wasn't too good at driving and got stuck out in the middle. Caleb had to push him back to the dock.

The boys even played laser tag while Bella and I ran around with them...in the nice airconditioning. This was their favorite!!! The want to go back soooo bad.

They even climbed the rock wall. Caleb made it to the top...

Josh just dangled...LOL!

Cecret Lake

July 16, 2010

Cecret Lake is a great little (1.5 miles) hike up Little Cottonwood Canyon in SLC. It was 103 degrees in the valley and we needed to escape the heat.

Back in "the day" August and I use to go trail running in CA. It usually involved running up hill in very hot temperatures. I was feeling very nostalgic this day and thought it would be a great idea to go "exercise" like back in the day. This is what I learned:

1. That was 'the day'...but his is "to-day". 

2. You can't exercise with three kids...you only sweat because they might fall off a cliff or into the lake, but that is about all of the sweating that may go on.

3. Having kids rocks. We may have had a great time when it was just Aug and I, but it is even better now.

Even in the middle of July there was still snow.

Puh-lease let me out!!!

Even Bella came dressed to exercise!

Highland Fountains

July 14, 2010

I'm just going to say it. THIS PLACE IS CRAZY!!! Stephanie and I went on a Wednesday and it was so crowded that I don't think I will do it again during the day. I am guessing that it was play group day because EVERYONE was there in LARGE groups.

The kids had a blast. They didn't mid the crowds at all.

Steph, Madi and Abbi

Can you see all of those kids!!!! Nuts.

August and I took the kids back another night at 8:30pm we were all alone. Much better. The fountains are a great idea and super fun...even better without a bazillion people.

(FYI: the fountains stop at 9PM)

Pudding Painting

July 11, 2010

We had Stephanie and her kids over for some "puddin" painting. It was MESSY!!! I thought that the kids would love getting messy and dirty. But, I think they had funner cleaning themselves off in the pool!

Beni...aka Josh's BFF

Abbi...aka future dauther-in-law

Random Photos

Handsome Hubby...This is a picture to prove that he was home during the summer.

Those are lady killin eyes....

Go play in the stree girls...as Dad Spangler would say.

The jeep now has to fit three. Too bad we don't have a bigger jeep.

We planted a garden this year. All that survived was lettuce and radishes.

Indiana Jones frequents our table.

A girl must always look her best...but that shouuld probably include a shirt:)

California: Day 7 & 8

July 4, 2010

We got up early on the 4th of July and headed to church. We love going to wards outside of Utah when we are on vacation. It gives our kids a chance to see that the gospel is true no matter where you live. This Ward extra special because it was the Ward August spent 6 months in on his mission. We feel extra blessed to take vacations and we always want to make sure that we make time to do what is MOST important on Sunday. We left the testimony meeting feeling uplifted and very inspired. The bishop is a convert from India. He had no previous Christian affiliation prior to his conversion. The testimony meeting was full of converts and their testimonies. It was AMAZING! Best part of the entire vacation.

Leaving the Hotel Sunday AM.

After church we did 17 mile drive around Carmel. We visited the Lone Cyprus...

...stopped to check out the tide pools...

(this was everyone's favorite....wish we had more time)

Oh ya baby! Take my picture!

Family Picture: Mission Impossible

After the drive, we headed back up to Tracy to spend the evening saying good bye to friends. The kids hung out, we had a great BBQ and we "thought" about going to see fireworks but opted for the easier, more relaxing stay at home fun.

We spent on last night visiting and laughing and headed out early Monday AM. The drive home was long and included all of the following: diarrhea, lost camera, lost diaper bag, kid crying, rude California gas station attendants, more crying...by mom this time and lots and lots of potty breaks (all for Tyler). But we made it and I was glad August was with us!!!

California: Day 6

July 3, 2010


Saturday we set out early to make the most of our day. We headed down to Monterey and Carmel.

I have always wanted to do the paddle boats in Monterey. Now I can say I have. I would much prefer to have someone else peddle next time. The kids liked them...Bella even sat still throughout most of the ride...up until we saw the ducks and geese. She sooo wanted to go swimming with them:)

August was scared to death that his boat was going to capsize. I'm not sure what the people were thinking when the "calculated" the best seating arrangements by weight!



Man over board!!!!

After the paddle boats we headed to Dennis the Mennis Park. We use to take Caleb to this park when he was little. It is a great park...yet again...one I wish we had in UT.

Bella loves parks. However, she thinks she can do EVERYTHING by herself. She insisted on going up and down alone. No help.

Hello Mom!!!

Josh's favorite was this slide. It is a bunch of tubes that roll as you go down. I was afraid something might get munched...but he loved it.

The boys raced down the slides.

I laugh when I think of these slides. When Caleb was little...under 1. We took him to this park. August took him to the top of this slide and thought that he would be ok going down alone. He was wrong. Caleb hit the first curve and tumbled head over feet down the rest of the slide. I was petrified...and then he was ok...and then we laughed that August sent him on his merry way only to have him do flips!! First born...what do say?

Large

Medium

Small

The boys climbed all over the train.

I was glad that I didn't see josh on top...I would have had a cow! August said that right after he took this picture he climbed on top of the smoke stack!

"Hey mom...take my picture"

After the park we headed around the Monterey Coast. It is so beautiful. Words and pictures (that I take) can not describe it adequately. I love the thought of this place!!

The big boys got out and climbed around the rocks watching the waves crash. Josh took a nap in the car while I stayed close.

Bella loved the sand and the sea shells. She just wanted to keep trying to see if they all tasted any different. Nope...all tasted like salt.

Proof: I was THERE!

After lunch we headed to Carmel-by-the-Sea. My favorite beach in California. It over looks pebble beach golf course and has the most amazing soft sand.

Josh was scared of the waves last October in Florida, but he was super excited and not scared at all this time. What a difference 9 months makes!

That cold.

Beach wouldn't be complete without snacks. In Bella's case: a little snack with your sand:)

Tyler has spent so much time in the pool the previous days that his feet were torn up. The salt water kept burning all of the open sores! Ouch!

After dinner we walked down Cannery Row.

We ate yummy treats, we shopped and we enjoyed the ocean smells and sights.

August was in charge of the Hotel and booked the ONE place I have always wanted to stay: The Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. It certainly lived up to my expectations!

The kids sat by the windows and used the binoculars to try and find sea lions and scuba divers. This room was so relaxing. Most hotels you don't even want to walk on the carpet with bare feet.

I came home and have been trying to replicate this bed.

It was amazing. The bed. The linens. The space.