#8 The Chocolate Factory

We toured that local chocolate factory. It was fun to learn a little more about how chocolate is made, to watch them make different kinds of chocolate covered candies, and of course to sample a few savory treats as well.

The kids got to watch the classic I Love Lucy--at the chocolate factory. It was great to see that kids today still think it is funny.

#9 Utah Things

We decided this year to get to know Utah a little better, as we always spend our summer vacation time out of state. So, we went to new parks, toured temple square, went to Kennecott (copper mine), went on some hikes, and went out to Antelope Island. There is so much more we would like to do here in Utah, but I guess some of it will have to wait until next year's warm season.

Derek and Audrey keep talking about the brine flies that live at the Great Salt Lake


This is the back side of the Island. It is funny to think that most of the lake is on this side since we can't see over the island from where we live.

#10 Jack Johnson Concert

I decided to take Christian on a "special" date. I wanted to surprise him with something really cool, and Jack Johnson was coming in town that same weekend. So I got front row tickets, literally! I made a brochure about some international festival thing. He was a little disappointed that a festival was the "big surprise." It wasn't until we were walking up to the front gates--it was a miracle I kept it a secret that long--of the amphitheater that I told him the great news. It was so much fun to feel young and free and not responsible for a few hours. We are both obsessed with Jack now...he was super down to earth and seemed like such a good guy...and we love his music.
On the downside, one of our sweet little children dropped our new camera and broke the focusing mechanism. So the only proof we have of being there are these blurry pictures. Oh well.

#11 First Day of School

Derek loves kindergarten! He loves the new friends, and especially when the boys roll down the hill in front of the school and knock each other over.


Audrey loves Joy School still. She is excited to have another girl in the group this year. She loves being the "know it all." As much as she loves Joy School, she still wishes she were really in Kindergarten.

#12 Audrey's "4" Birthday

For Audrey's birthday we told her we would take her out to lunch at her favorite restaurant. Her favorite--Taco Bell. Audrey was so excited that they had decorated the restaurant for her birthday (more likely for Labor Day--but we went along with it). Thanks Taco Bell for making her day that much more special.



"The Cake"--Audrey saw a cake just like this in a picture and said "that is the one I want!" So after one late night run for more food coloring, and 5 hours of creative thinking, she had her princess castle cake.

After lunch we went swimming at the Rec Center

Audrey was ecstatic over every gift she received. She would oooh and squeel even before she got the paper off. (Can you always stay that sweet and grateful Audrey?)

HAPPY "4" BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL AUDREY!

#13 Utah State Fair

Our next stop was the state fair. It was so neat to see all the animals, and especially to be there with my family.


Chad is obsessed with drinking out of a water bottle

This baby cow was only about 7 hours old!

Railway Inspector Derek

I didn't realize how big milk cows really are!

#14: Road Rally

Road Rally: A fun picture scavenger hunt game we played with some of our good (and very fun) friends. Some of the things we found are:

"A drive through"

"A grocery cart"

"Something broken"

"A team flag"

...A challenge: Sing Christmas carols to someone. The only way we could get someone to listen was to pay for Christian to get a message (rough).