Backtracking

Well, I've been a dismal blogger lately, so here's a bit of repentance for my wayward ways.

We had a fantastic vacation to Casa de Blomquist at the beginning of August (my brother Scott's home and his wife Tal and 4 super cute kids). Todd is always in heaven having 100% pure Kyle time. Benny and Lizzie were so cute together. Poor Aubrey is a great sport at putting up with the high energy we bring when we're around. We haven't spent much time in Utah lately, other than driving through on our way to Boise, so it was a great week. Some of the highlights:

• Hiking the "Y" mountain with all the kids--6 of them under 9. And, yes, we all made it to the top. Ben seriously climbed about 75% of it with his own little legs. Admittedly, he only made it about 25% on his own on the way down. Then we went to the Creamery on 9th for some great ice cream and a take home gallon of "The Goodness" (aka BYU chocolate milk). Very good times.




• The Legacy Center--very cool swim center in Lehi. I took the three big kids for an afternoon of fun while Tal held down the fort with the three minis at home. Aubrey, Todd, and Kyle are happy little fish.




• Thanksgiving Point Dino Museum. Very cool. The hands-on stuff at the end is outrageously fun for the kids. Todd loved the gigantic prehistoric shark. Lizzie did not.




• The Conference Center and Temple Square. We had the single most amazing guide for our tour--her name was Kim Olsen. She took our rowdy bunch of kids under her wing and loved them through the tour. I had no idea that a tour could be so kid-focused. She had those kids eating up the spirit as she testified of a living prophet--it was really amazing. I am so grateful when people take the time to love children. It was a good lesson for me as a mom to slow down, talk to my kids at their own level, and remember that their capacity to feel the spirit is so unfathomable.



• Seeing Ryan's little sister Ashley (and as a blonde, no less). She really has a way with little kids. Ben and Lizzie were just loving her to death. Maybe the three blondes were just all feeling a close kinship. It was nice to see her and spend with evening hanging out. She seems to be doing well in Orem.




• Visiting with my friend, Dina, and her kids. I haven't seen them for over five years, and it was good to catch up.




• Listening to Aubrey play the piano--that girl has talent.




• Spending time with Tal--she is an amazing sister-in-law and I love being in her home.




• Seeing cousins have fun together (and occasionally not have fun together). Cousins are such a great part of life.

So, thanks, Scott and Tal for being great hosts to our little family. Hopefully we didn't wear out our welcome. Come visit here anytime.