Anyhow, the 4th of July came just in time. On Friday the 3rd, we had Lyle, Sherrie, Reese, and Sandra over to our front yard for a fireworks spectacular presented by yours truely. Then despite numerous invites to join the Nelson fam at the Provo Freedom Festival on Saturday morning, we slept in, it was great. Saturday afternoon we had the first-ever Blackhurst Family Reunion in PG, complete with KFC and random mayo-based salads. Then spent the evening at Brian & Andra's neighborhood spectacular Cul-du-sac of Fire!
On Monday, our BFF Tisha brought her baby McKinley over for breakfast at our house before she had to return to AZ. She had been in town for the weekend. It was great to catch up with them, McKinley changes everytime we see them.
This weekend we have been housesitting and tending my brother and sister-in-law's five kids while they took a little vacation. We, well I should say I, was pretty nervous about the whole experience. But it turns out their five kids pretty much equal our one Kate. Seriously, she has been pretty difficult to manage, while their five kids have been great. We've kept them pretty busy this weekend. On Thursday we went to see Ice Age 3. Friday we cashed in some coupons at Liberty Land. I don't know if you have seen this place off the freeway in Lehi. It totally reminds me of the mini golf course in that 80's movie Overboard, you know the one where Goldie Hawn has amnesia the entire movie. It was surprisingly fun. We putted a very patriotic 18 holes of miniature golf, then the kids split up for various activities. Josh and Caleb took Dallin and Allyssa on the go-carts while Kate and Cammie enjoyed the creepy carousel. (The workers were really nice, but the rides could use a little TLC, they make the carnival seem clean in comparison.) Then we tried out the roller coaster through Mount Rushmore. It was truely a thrill ride. You sort of strap yourself in with a rather rickety old bar then the operator yells, "The ride with start in about 10 seconds." Then he jumps down below the track to actually start the coaster. I'm sure that's not okay, there's got to be some sort of OSHA or regualtory board that thinks that's not okay. At the end of the excursion the older kids took the younger ones on the bumperboats around the Statue of Liberty and everyone came off completely soaked except for Kate who had refused to get on.
This weekend we have been housesitting and tending my brother and sister-in-law's five kids while they took a little vacation. We, well I should say I, was pretty nervous about the whole experience. But it turns out their five kids pretty much equal our one Kate. Seriously, she has been pretty difficult to manage, while their five kids have been great. We've kept them pretty busy this weekend. On Thursday we went to see Ice Age 3. Friday we cashed in some coupons at Liberty Land. I don't know if you have seen this place off the freeway in Lehi. It totally reminds me of the mini golf course in that 80's movie Overboard, you know the one where Goldie Hawn has amnesia the entire movie. It was surprisingly fun. We putted a very patriotic 18 holes of miniature golf, then the kids split up for various activities. Josh and Caleb took Dallin and Allyssa on the go-carts while Kate and Cammie enjoyed the creepy carousel. (The workers were really nice, but the rides could use a little TLC, they make the carnival seem clean in comparison.) Then we tried out the roller coaster through Mount Rushmore. It was truely a thrill ride. You sort of strap yourself in with a rather rickety old bar then the operator yells, "The ride with start in about 10 seconds." Then he jumps down below the track to actually start the coaster. I'm sure that's not okay, there's got to be some sort of OSHA or regualtory board that thinks that's not okay. At the end of the excursion the older kids took the younger ones on the bumperboats around the Statue of Liberty and everyone came off completely soaked except for Kate who had refused to get on.Then Saturday we went to the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. If you haven't been to the aquarium in a while or haven't been at all I highly recommend it. Reese & Sandra and our niece Cabrina joined us at the aquarium. They have some pretty cool exhibits and they've added a new section from South America since we were last there.
After the aquarium we made our way over to the Buca di Beppo for some great big Italian food. We had a large enough party that they sat us at the Pope's table, which definitly merits a few photos. All in all we've had a great weekend playing with other peoples kids...but don't get any ideas blog-readers. The answer is no, we won't tend your kids. Seriously. Don't ask. You all know who you are, yes, I'm talking to you.
Side note: We've been raising some baby robins in a nest outside our front door and they've finally flown away. There were three of them but currently there is only one left and he's roaming our yard trying to fly. The next-door neighbors have brought their cat indoors to keep him away from the tastey little snack. On last inspection he had crawled under the car in our driveway. Here's a shot of the little guy.
Well, that's it for me. This blogging thing takes way to long. And the uploading of the pictures...there's got to be a faster way to do this.
That was fun getting Dave's blog for a change. Sounds like a crazy two weeks! I love Kate's expression in the fireworks pics...she looks so amazed. We are BIG fans of the aquarium at our house and I agree with you that it is well worth a visit. As for Liberty Land...I've heard that it's kind of scary and dirty...do you think it's worth a try once? Thanks for the HUGE update...and don't worry, we won't be asking you to watch our kids...though you sound like the funnest babysitters EVER!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a story about the owners of Liberty Land. Remind me to tell you later. Also, does anyone else think that the Pope's table is just a little bit creepy/weird in a possibly offensive sort of way? I'm glad you made it through the weekend.
ReplyDelete