Summer Fun

Summer is my favorite season and here is why:

GRANDMA MECHAM'S VISIT

Dennis' mom came to Utah for two weeks and we had so much fun, especially Benjamin. Grandma had way more energy than mom!




BAKING A CAKE

Benjamin is always excited when he hears the mixer going and he is more than willing to do quality checks on all the baking I do.






SWIMMING IN THE BACK YARD
Since Rachel was so pregnant this summer we didn't go to any community pools to go swimming, but that didn't stop us from having some fun in the water!








RACHEL'S BIRTHDAY!

Ok I just had to throw this one in because Dennis' sister Kami made me the cutest cake; it looks like a giant cupcake.



HOGLE ZOO (IN SALT LAKE CITY)

Benjamin LOVES animals and Dennis and I decided that as a family treat we would take Ben to the zoo. The morning we went before we left I asked Ben what animal he wanted to see and Ben said "A duck!" I suggested tigers and elephants, but Ben just shook his head and insisted "Duck". Luckily, the zoo had ducks! Ben had a good time with the other animals too.


This is the classic zoo drinking fountain shot. Pretty sure all zoos need at least one of these.


Ben riding a wooden camel, ironically not located next to the real camels.


Cool statue outside the Ape House


The zoo was having a cool temporary dinosaur exibit while we were there. Every time Benjamin sees this picture he says "Scary!"


Since it was a treat at the zoo, we decided to let Ben ride their carousel. Ben LOVED sitting on the bear and every time he sees this picture he says "A bear, a ride".


Ben's commentary: "A giraffe; it tall!"

FAMILY REUNION/GREAT GRANDMA THOMPSON'S BIRTHDAY

Ben had such a fun time playing with his cousins and seeing all the family together during our reunion in Idaho Falls.


Rachel's family: From top left: Stephanie holding Taydom, Adam (Stephanie's husband) holding KaileeJo, Liz, Daniel, Dennis, Rachel (pregnant with David). Front Row: Dad holding Hadley, Mom holding Ben. We're one good looking group!


A happy family of 3 and 8/9ths


KaileeJo pulling Taydom and Benjamin in the wagon at Great Grandma Thompson's house

THE BEAN MUSEUM

I'll admit it: ever since I moved here to Utah I've thought that the Bean Museum was a museum about beans and never understood why people got so excited over it. Turns out it's a taxidermy museum with TONS of animals from everywhere and it has free admission! It's on BYU campus and we had lots of fun seeing the animals.






I love this picture because Benjamin looks so scared of the bears behind him.


"A lion!"

THANKSGIVING POINT FARM COUNTRY

Keeping up with the theme of enjoying animals, we took Ben to a cute "zoo" of farm animals at Thanksgiving Point up in Lehi. Aunt Kami came with us. Ben's favorite part was the pony ride, which was adorable!


Ben and Dennis in "jail"


It could be a while before they get out on good behavior :-)


Ben dancing in the dance hall


Kami and Ben doing "Jazz Hands"


Ben and Kami on a wagon ride pulled by two draft horses around the farm


Benjamin learning about soil...sort of.


Ben refused to get off this tractor even though it didn't even move.


Ben called everything a cow. This time he was right!


Ben on his pony ride; he has some skills for a two year-old!


Ben called this a cow, but to be fair, some of the goats were black and white like cows.


This sheep let Ben pet him, probaby because he though Ben had food.


Ben and Kami kickin' it on a cow bench

A short video of Ben's pony ride. He started letting go of the saddle to wave to us so I didn't get a very long video.