Summer Fun: Days of '47 Parade, Trafalga & American Fork Steel Days Carnival

Days of '47 Parade. Today was an awesome day, and I'm glad we were able to make it to watch the Days of '47 Parade.  My kids enjoyed it, and so did we.  The highlight for us was the Polynesian Cultural Center Promo Team. They had did their "HA, Breath of Life" show at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center last Thursday and Friday, and I was sad we couldn't attend, but when I found out they were going to be in the Parade I made sure that we would be there to see them.  Maybe it's because I haven't been home since January, but whatever the reason I was in need of some familiar faces from good ole' Hawaii-nei!

We made plans with my sister-in-laws and at about 11pm last night we met up at my in-laws house, packed up and drove up to Liberty Park, where all the polys camp out at! We had actually scored a good spot on the corner of 900 south and 500 something east. We kicked it with the family for a couple hours and then we headed home. We didn't want to sleep over, well 1. because we weren't prepared too, and 2. I didn't want to have my baby Hinckley sleeping outside, so it was home for us.  We woke up at around 7:30am this morning and then got ready and headed out to Liberty Park. Let me just say that we will never attempt that again. lol. Traffic getting up there was crazy, and then we had to park at about 400 east and like 850 south, so it wasn't too far from where my in-laws were, but still... finding parking was a pain.

It was HOT as heck (for us people without umbrella's) but I'm grateful that my baby slept through the whole thing.  My brother in law held him while he was seated under the shade so I was able to sit on the road with my other 2 kids and my hubby in the blazing hot sun! lol.  I haven't seen a parade since I was a teen, so I was excited to be able to watch it again.  My kids loved it, and loved seeing all the floats and horses.  Every time a float would come with the princesses, my son would say "Mom that's Saia's princess ok?" lol.  (We call our daughter "Saia"... it came about because Moe couldn't say her whole name "Kesaia" when she was first born, and so it just stuck.) Like I said the highlight of the Parade was when PCC came through, we got excited because one of our good friends saw us and came out and gave us hugs and said Hi, and then as he was leaving someone else ran to me and said Hi and it was one of the girls I grew up with in the same ward, and she was one of my young women when I was serving as a YW Girls Camp Director.  Just seeing all the familiar faces got me so happy and excited, but more-so homesick. lol. But not to worry cause next week Monday me and the kids are headed to Hawaii for a week! So I can't wait for that!

Anyhow, after the Parade we just headed home, and my poor husband had to go to work an hour later.  It was funny because as soon as we got home and parked, it started pouring rain! But the rain definitely help set the mood, cause right after that we all knocked out for like 5 hours.. hahaha, talk about catching up on sleep. Today was a great day for family time, and I'm loving all the things we have been able to do this summer.  Here's some pics:

I also wanted to throw in our activities we did last week... We went to Trafalga last Tuesday, and then to the American Fork Steel Days Carnival last Thursday.

Trafalga. We used the perks of our Pass of all Passes and went to Trafalga in Lehi. Baby Moe loved the go-carts and had a blast going on it with Daddy and he even went on the little "boats" thing he calls it with Daddy as well.  Kesaia probably didn't have as much fun because she couldn't go on the rides Moe went on because she didn't meet the height requirement, but we all still had fun as a family.

American Fork Steel Days Carnival. So Thursday started off with us going around to all the Kid-to-Kid's to look out for a stroller for my Baby Hinckley (I have yet to find one).  We didn't have much luck at the stores in Salt Lake, so we decided to just drive out to the one in American Fork.  On our way there I had seen an instagram post from a friend who had taken her kids to the American Fork Carnival.  I figured since we were going to be in the area, why not check it out.  So I googled it, and found out where it was held at and after going to Kid to Kid we headed over there.  The kids had no idea where we were headed because we kept it between the two of us, but as soon as we drove past it they all got excited and were so ready to get out of the car.  I was glad that we went to this AF carnival because we weren't able to go to the Taylorsville Dayzz Carnival because I had given birth the day it started.  We probably spent a little too much money than we needed too, but money doesn't matter when your kids are having fun and we're able to enjoy some great family time together. 

Summer Fun!!!

So if you read my last blog post (about resting) yeah... well obviously I don't even listen to myself (hahaha) cause I'm still out and about.  I will say though that I did rest up on Tuesday, but on Wednesday we went out and had some family fun.  Because my love works 2 jobs and his schedule is hectic, we always try to do something as a family on his days off.  So on Wednesday we decided to take the kids out to go swimming.  It's been a little over 2 weeks since we last went swimming (before I gave birth to baby), so it was about that time to go again.  I had heard about this place called the "Herriman Beach", and so I thought we'd go and check it out.  It's (of course) a man-made "beach", well in reality it's a reservoir with sand. So we all got in our swim attire, packed up the kids, filled up the cooler with drinks and then headed over to the "beach."

Surprisingly this Herriman Beach (it's real name is Black Ridge Resevoir) is right up the road from where my uncle and aunt live. When we got there Fehi was surprised, I guess he's never seen a reservoir like this before.  We unpacked and got the kids down by the water, and sat there for 5 minutes then decided to leave lol.  I guess we all didn't like it as much as I thought we would, so we decided to go to none other than Seven Peaks! I just wish we changed our minds before we made the 30 minute drive up to this "beach"... oh well, you live and learn right? ;)

Seven Peaks was a blast (as always) and it was nice because it wasn't as packed as it usually is.  My son is getting a little too brave in the wave pool though.  I noticed that he would walk in more, and then the water would be up at his neck (he's a crazy little 3 year old lol), but you would think that when the waves started going he'd run away.. nope.. he was right up there jumping with every wave.  It didn't matter if he got water in his face, or up his nose, he would just wipe his face and go for more... hahaha.. It must be the island boy in him. ;)  I didn't do much swimming because I sat out with Baby Hinckley, but I still had a blast watching the kids.  We did walk around a little bit, and I didn't even know that they had a splash pad for the kids, and a snake river.  The snake river isn't as big as the one in Provo, but it's nice to know that they do have one. 

After swimming we basically all went home and knocked out.  I was feeling a little bit of the cramps again when we got home, and I have noticed that I'm still bleeding a little bit, so I keep telling myself to just RELAX but of course I NEVER listen.  Because what did I do the next day... go to Wheeler Farm! lol. (I'm laughing now, but it's not funny really... I'm relaxing for real this weekend!) Our friends invited us to go with them to feed the ducks at Wheeler Farm.  I've only been there once before for Fehi's work christmas party, but that was during the winter so it was nice to go back this summer.  The ducks were not no small ducks.. they were huge geese! We were all freaked out because as soon as we started throwing pieces of bread the whole swarm of geese started coming towards us. The kids however loved it and weren't even afraid of them.  

After feeding the ducks/geese we had a little picnic there. And after that we headed home.  It was a fun day for us, and I'm glad that we are finding these little activities for the kids to do this summer.  Here's some photo's from our time at Wheeler Farm:

Though I am having fun taking the kids out and going on little new adventures with them, I am going to force  myself to stay home this weekend.  I'll be finding more activities to do at home with the kids so that they aren't bored, but more importantly so I can recover properly.  Here's to trying to recover again. ;) Wish me luck (for real!)

Fun Times! ( Vacay, Mothers Day, and Kids)

So I've been off from work since the 7th of this month and it's been AWESOME! Though I've been feeling like such a neat freak lately cleaning and what not (lets blame the pregnancy) but it's just been really nice to be home with the kids and my hubby. Today was especially fun because I took the kids out to Liberty Park. I could seriously live there... And the kids had so much fun playing in the water and running around.

After spending some time at Liberty Park we went and got some ice ream and then did a little shopping at Ross. I wanted to go and look for a cover for my iPad. Ahem... Yes I said "my" iPad. Lol. After getting my husband his iPad as an anniversary gift, he let me get one... And I told him how it makes so much more sense to have an iPad rather then my laptop... So we're thinking of selling our laptops and getting a Desktop (Mac of course). So I guess we'll wait and see but so far I'm LOVING my iPad! I do everything on it.. But I especially love it because I can do my scripture studies from it and also keep my notes and stuff on it too.

Anyhow, that was basically my mothers day gift. Mothers day for me was awesome! Though It did suck a little cause Fehi had to work, it still actually turned out to be good. For a long time we've been wanting to attend the English ward and on mothers day it was our first time going to that ward. It was so cute when I got Moe ready for church he told me "Mom I go temple ok?" Then I asked him, "Moe are you going on your mission?" and he said "Yeah mom I go temple and mission ok?" lol. Hes just the cutest lol. So anyways, the ward started at 1pm and usually Fehi works at 1:30pm, but thank goodness they changed his schedule that day and he didn't work until 2:30pm. So we were able to go to sacrament together then I dropped him off at work came back for the rest of church. I couldn't stop telling Fehi how much I LOVE this ward. Everyone was soooo nice and very welcoming. I had at least 10 people come up to me and ask what my name was and they introduced themselves.

On Tuesday I got to meet more of the sisters in our ward at our Relief Society activity. It was set up like "speed dating" but instead you were meeting other sisters. It was really fun, and we got to eat some yummy icecream sundaes afterwards.

Fehi and I have been really trying to instill the gospel more in our family, especially with our kids. So I'm glad I was able to get this time off to kind of concentrate on that. On Monday we had FHE and did a short little lesson with our kids on prayer. Kesaia was really good about it and helped out with leading the opening snd closing songs and singing as well as saying the prayers... Moe on the other hand was rowdy and acting like a typical 3 year old boy lol.

My vacation is coming to an end and I go back to work next thursday but I've definitely enjoyed my time off. I've been able to get my house in order (somewhat lol) and also spend some much needed time with my kids, doing activities with them that they enjoy. We should be in Hawaii but I decided to stay... well for a number of reasons, main one being because I dont want to fly right now being 32 weeks pregos and all. But i dont regret it, cause I've enjoyed doing things with the kids. So for the rest of my vacay I've made it a goal to do fun things that the kids would love to do and also get more time with daddy (when he's not working). So tomorrow is another day and I think it'll be another day at liberty park for the kids, maybe do a picnic as well. :) goodnight!

Princess Kesaia ready to go to church on Mothers Day

Kids and their cousins in our bed lol

My spiderman! :)

Baby Moe LOVES watching movies/cartoons on the iPad

32 weeks pregnant! Ah almost there! :)

The kids ready for church on mothers day :)

Kesaia turned Moes spiderman costume into a spiderman dress lol