Boating

Aug 7 - Our good friends, the Lifferth's, got a new boat and invited us up to Bear Lake for the night to go boating with them.  Sadly, we were late and didn't get to spend as much time as we wanted. Daddy got off work later than planned and we didn't realize that their cabin was ALL the way around the lake, so it took us much longer than planned.  But, we finally got there and had a fun couple of hours. 

The WHOLE Lifferth clan was there, so there were plenty of kids to play with.  As soon as we got there, Logan took off on the boat with Grandpa Lifferth (Ric) so we didn't get to see him much but he had a great time and even went tubing!  He is sometimes a little nervous to try those things, so I was really surprised he did it and without mom or dad there.  I was a little worried he'd be too afraid but he had a great time.  I'm a little sad he went on the other boat because we didn't get to see him do it or get any pictures, but he loved being with all the other kids and had so much fun.

The girls and Bron went on the boat with Robb and Carlie and Mom and Dad.  Avery looking a bit nervous about riding on a boat.

 

Rylee liked being the flag girl on the boat and did a great job holding it up! 

Bron had a hard time at first.  It was one of the first times I've seen him really mad! I don't think he has ever cried so much. He really hated the life jacket.  I think he tried to eat it.  He was screaming and wouldn't nurse and was really grouchy until he finally fell asleep.  When he woke back up, he was much happier.

Mom and Dad got to ski!  It has been a REALLY long time since we have, but we managed to do OK.  Dad also tried this surfboard thing that Robb had, but it was kind of hard on his knees and he couldn't quite get the hang of it.  Robb was pretty good at it and could even get cute little Kendal up with him.  We tried to talk the girls into trying to but they wouldn't go. Our girls are usually so brave but for some reason, they were really nervous about that. 

Bron finally sleeping and trying to get some shade from Daddy's hat

Cute girls on the boat

Kendal was so cute!  She loved going fast on the boat and surfing!  I wish I had pictures of her doing that.  It was pretty cool.  Don't you just want to pinch those squishy cheeks? 

Daddy skiing - This went much better than the surfing thing.  Mom skied for quite a while too, but no pictures of her. 

Since the girls wouldn't surf, we made them jump in for a little bit and swim.  Avery was hilarious.  She loved it as long as Daddy was holding her.  As soon as he let go, she started to hyperventilate a little and panic and made the funniest face. 

This is the face...

Daddy and his girls

Mommy and Bronson - Bronson was MUCH happier after his nap.  He still didn't love that life jacket though.

We had such a great time!  After skiing for awhile, we had a yummy dinner.  The Lifferth's were so nice to let us crash their family vacation.  After dinner, the kids went back down to the beach and we couldn't get them out of the water!  They were loving it! They thought this tramp was so cool. 

A beautiful sunset

Funny Avery on the beach

Logan still out in the water

I had to get a picture of him since he was on the other boat the whole time. 

Robb and Randy let the kids help drive the boat in with them.  They were so excited! 

Hogle Zoo

August 4th - The kids were so excited to visit the Hogle Zoo this summer and see the new Rocky Shore exhibit with the polar bear and the seals and sea lions.  I think Logan asked once a day if THIS was the day we could go to the Hogle Zoo.  Anytime we said we were going to do something fun, he hoped we were going there and seemed disappointed with anything else. We finally found a day to go!  It was REALLY hot but we had a great day.  Aunt Heather and her kids and Uncle Kyle came along, too.  The polar bear was so much fun to see and we had a great day.  It was a teddy bear picnic day, so if you brought a teddy bear you got a discount on your ticket for the day. 

Bronson ready for a day at the zoo.  Poor guy was SO hot and SO hungry!  I kept trying to find a good spot to stop and feed him but he fell asleep first.  He is such a trooper to go along with all our craziness! 

Little cuties ready to hit the zoo. 

Logan couldn't wait to get the map and find his way to the new Rocky Shores exhibit.  He was also relieved there were no moving dinosaurs like on our last visit. 

Have to get a drink from this fountain.  It is a classic at Hogle Zoo! 

Checking out the little monkeys.  The kids thought they were so cute.  There was even a new little baby on one of the mommy's back. 

This funny monkey was playing right over the girls' heads.  They thought it was so silly! 

Avery LOVED the elephant!  It was her favorite!  She even wore her elephant shirt to the zoo. 

Little Baby Zuri was so cute while we were there!  She was running all around and kept getting in the water and splashing all around.  It was so fun to watch her. 

Rylee really liked baby Zuri. 

 

Playing around

Watching the Seals!  We LOVED the Rocky Shores exhibit!  It was definitely as cool as we hoped it would be! 

Avery watching the seals and sea lions with Aunt Heather and cousin Ethan

The Polar Bear was so fun!  We stayed and watched him forever.  He just kept doing the same thing and after talking to some other friends who had been to the zoo, it sounds like it does it quite often.  He would  He would push off this rock, go up to the glass and then do almost a backflip off the glass and swim back to the rock and start all over again.  And again.  And again.  My kids decided to name him the Backstroke Bear.  They were very entertained! 

There are lots of polar bear pictures.  It was our favorite part of the day! 

So glad our cousins could come with us!  Ethan, Robin and Aunt Heather

Logan with the bears - It is hard to get many good pictures of him.  He is always so excited and running ahead to the next thing.  We had to talk to him about ENJOYING each thing instead of being in such a hurry!

I love this little guy! 

Why is it so hard to get everyone to look at the camera for a picture? 

 Mommy and Bronson at Mommy's favorite - The giraffe! 

 

I had to go and feed Bronson right after this.  (He is looking pretty hungry in this picture...)  Some lady stopped and told me what a good job I was doing for feeding him.  It was a little odd...

Ry's favorite was the giraffe, too.

We stopped for a break on the carousel.  The kids chose this over the train and I was a little sad because I like the train ride.  Rylee had gotten into trouble before we left the house for the day.  She almost got left at Grandma's instead of going to the zoo.  Instead, she lost the chance to ride the carousel so that is why she isn't in the pictures. 

Avery LOVES the carousel!!!  She was so happy she got to ride the baby elephant.

Ethan and Aunt Heather

Uncle Kyle

There are a lot of pics on the carousel.  I just love all the faces Avery pulls.

Logan loved riding on the cheetah.  His favorite animal!

Little Monkeys measuring up.

 Avery wanted her OWN picture...

 

Bron looking hot and sweaty but still happy! 

An attempt to get a pic of all 4 kids.  Avery was NOT having it! 

3 out of 4.... 

My Monkey Boys!

 Avery would only do it if I did it with her.  I love my monkey!  Even if she wouldn't cooperate with pictures!   

Playing on the slide.  This made Avery happy again!  As you can see, she was in heaven! 

It was HOT but they still wanted to run around and play on the playground. 

Rylee in character on the spider web.  She refused to smile! 

Bronson still sweating...

Rylee always wants to hold Bronson and have her picture taken. 

Cute baby Robin.  I love her eyes! 

Bronson "talking" to Daddy!  So sweet!

 

 

Avery having some snacks.  She is so sweaty! 

Avery and Ethan pounding some treats.  They are the cutest little partners in crime! 

Uncle Kyle

Such a fun day at the zoo!  We LOVED the new Rocky Shores and can't wait to go back again and see the new African Savannah when it is done.  They have made the zoo SO much better over the last few years and it is always something we really look forward to each summer!