May 2013, Part 1

 

Above: These expressions basically sum up how we felt upon returning from our family vacation to California. It was had to come home! I think we all would have left on another vacation that very day if we could have.

 

Above: Rather than leaving for another vacation, we opted to have a picnic outside with our toys.

 

Above: Best picnic ever.

 

Above: It was still pretty cold up on our mountain before we left for our vacation. When we returned, we discovered that spring had apparently come with full force while we were out of town.

 

Above: So, we decided to celebrate the warm weather with some water balloons!

 

Above: Cooling off the fun way.

 

Above: Good times with good brothers.

 

Above: Then we decided to have even bigger water balloons.

 

Above: They were kind of heavy for the boys though. :)

 

Above: While the boys were playing with water balloons, I decided to pick all of the dandelions that had sprouted up in our absence. Seriously, none of these were here before we left. The boys wanted me to put the flowers in a vase so they could admire them.

 

Above: We decided to get over our vacation homesickness by enjoying the beautiful nature that Utah has to offer. We went for a hike near the Draper Temple.

 

Above: Good times with Dad.

 

Above: There is nothing better than wading in the water and chucking rocks in at the same time.

 

Above: No explanation needed. :)

 

Above: There is a fun log bench on one of the trails so we stopped and took a little family picture.

 

Above: Another day, another water balloon fight.

 

Above: Take cover!

 

Above: I like making the big water balloons because the boys have so much fun with them...and because they don't pop them as quickly.

 

Above: This day, Mom decided to wise up and let the boys play with water balloons while wearing their swim suits.

 

Above: That sweet Johnny is always ready to smile for the camera!

 

Above: Daddy decided to mix things up by adding the hose to the water balloon fight.

 

Above: Happy boys!

 

Above: Every now and then, we play Mario. Peter can actually beat the first board. Jonathan just holds the controller and pretends to play--and he gets soooooo mad if you try to take the controller to play a level yourself!

 

Above: My birthday was on a Sunday this year. We stayed home and had a quiet evening together. We decided to take a shot at another family picture. Yup. This is about right. :) Peter not looking or smiling, and Johnny giving what I like to call his "demon cheese." He says, "Cheese," in a monster/demon voice and, as you can see, the passion shows on his face.

 

Above: Movie night cuddled up to Daddy.

 

Above: We celebrated my birthday a few days later by taking advantage of one of the zoo's late nights. It was beautiful weather and it wasn't crowded. Just the way I like to spend my birthday with my boys.

 

Above: Peter and Daddy playing it cool while sitting on an elephant's trunk.

 

Above: Jonathan loved the carousel.

 

Above: Peter had a good time, as always!

 

Above: Seriously, I don't know what I did right, but usually all of my pictures turn out blurry on the carousel, but this time, I got a ton of great pictures!

 

Above: The otters were even out and the boys got to race them back and forth!

 

Above: The boys really liked the Lego exhibits too.

 

Above: The polar bear decided to put on a show right by the window. The boys thought it was cool! Freaky!

 

Above: Peter, the Orangutan Dad.

 

Above: Johnny, the Ape Dad.

 

Above: Jeremiah, the Ape Dad Dad.

 

Above: Johnny was supposed to be posing with me, but he ran away. :)

 

Above: I just want to take a picture with my sweet guy! Is that so wrong?

 

Above: Around Memorial Day, we got the boys some patriotic balloons. They were overjoyed. They thought is was soooo cool. Simple pleasures really are the best. :)

Next up, the real Memorial Day and the conclusion of May!