Slip and Slide fun

Scott's elder's quorum put on their annual Elderpalooza. We all meet in our neighbor's backyard to barbque and then they pull out this enormous piece of plastic. The back yard is very long and forms a hill with two bumps in it. We draped the plastic over this long hill and turned on the sprinklers. You can imagine the fun (and damage) we did with this enormous piece of plastic. Here are some fun pics of us sliding down the hill!


Even Paige liked it


That's as far as I got (the 1st time)



Paige kicking back

Las Vegas or Bust

Last week we went on a journey to Las Vegas with my sister, Megan, and her husband, Trent. Talk about good times. We were quite proud that we didn't follow the slogan, "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". So here I am to talk about it.

Our rental car

Tuesday night: We dropped off Paige to our good friends the Stones to babysit. Then off to the airport. We picked up some Quiznos for dinner and then found a good spot by the window to watch the planes take off. (We're both airplane nerds). Then the desk attendant came on the intercom to anounce that our flight would be delayed due to circumstances in Vegas. One hour and 1/2 later, we were on the flight. Scott had taken his dramamine but I thought I'd be fine. Then we started taxiing down the runway. I'd venture that the pilot may have had a quick taste from the liquor cabinet because we were swaying from side to side just taxiing. Scary but not as scary as takeoff. Roller coaster ride. Everyone around us had out the white throw-up bags. When we reached for ours, they weren't there. I panicked just a little and finally 30 minutes into the flight, we were able to settle our stomachs. Kind of a scary plane ride. When we got to the airport, we claimed our bags really fast. Then our two options were the shuttle at $8 per person and it hit every hotel along the strip, or take a taxi which we didn't know the fare. Scott suggested the taxi and if it cost a lot we would attribute it to a learning experience. $32 later (and a suggestion from the taxi driver to hit the "BITE" nudie show at our hotel) we were at our hotel at the Stratosphere. The heat at 11pm was 85 degrees. Thank goodness for Utah's cooler nights.

Us at the airport terminal

Wednesday: Megan and Trent flew in very early this morning and picked up our spunky little rental car. They drove around for a little bit and then finally called us to see if they could come to our hotel room and shower. We had free breakfast at the hotel buffet and then it was off to Megan's hotel at the Sahara so they could check in. We thought it was very thoughtful for Casablanca to put us up at the two nicest hotels on the Strip. They spared no expenses. (Sense the sarcasm in that statement). We originally had planned to go to the temple but with our luck, we picked the very week they were doing maintanance on it. We decided to head to Primm to do some shopping at the outlet. It was really fun to go shopping and fun for the boys to hit the massage chairs for a break. We were hoping to see a cirque de soleil that night but they were sold out for our ticket range so we ordered tickets for the next night. Next on the list was the Lion habitat at MGM grand and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. Yummy food and superb company. We had thought to go back to our hotel and play cards but found that we were too tired so we all went our separate ways and conked out again for the night.



Thursday: Our true reason of coming to Vegas was because we got roped into the "free vacation" if we saw a Worldmark presentation. So in the morning, we all headed out to the presentation to be coaxed and prodded over and over again. We practiced saying no over and over again. Yet still we wanted to say yes. Ohh they are good at what they do. In the end our No's ruled and we walked away from the presentation with our gift perks. Then it was off to the Strip. We rode the monorail all day which saved us a lot of walking in the heat. Lunch was the buffett at the Sahara. Free but Yucky!!! One big presentation we (okay, I) wanted to see was the human bodies exhibit. We had both heard wonderful things about it. My sister didn't think she and her husband could stomach seeing dead bodies, so they stayed behind. Such as our luck, the exhibit had moved hotels, and wouldn't start until the day after we left. How sad, huh?? Our next stop was the shark reef. Wow! We had a great time and really enjoyed this informative exhibit. Then down the strip to dinner at Planet Hollywood and seeing shops we'll never be able to shop in:). The Cirque de Soleil's Ka was next and can I tell you, it was phenomenal. Scott and I kept saying who comes up with this stuff. It was so creative and what they can do is unbelievable. Wow. Then home to bed.

Us taking an illegal picture at KA.

Friday: Check out and off to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummmy. Scott is so great and gave our leftovers to a homeless guy. Cruising the strip with Scott and Trent playing the basketball machine was next. Then off to the airport (much better flight) and home to Paige whom we missed so much. Dave and Candace are great to watch her for us so thank you!!!

What a great vacation and so fun to spend it with my sister and her husband.

Pioneer's Day

Our Pioneer's day was pretty relaxing which was just what we needed. We went to Logan and spent the day with my family. We went to a park for a little fair that North Logan was having. It was definitely geared for the kids. They had face painting, ring toss, blow up slide, and basketball shootout. We met two of my sisters there and got some lunch (hotdogs and nachos!!) then Scott took the clan over to the blow up slide for some sliding fun. I even think he enjoyed it.
Paige was pretty tired at that point so we headed over to my parents for some family naps. AHHH! If anyone knows me, you'll know my great love for a good nap. It was nice to just kick back and relax.
Once everyone was up, the men were off to golf and the women (me, my mom, and two sisters) watched the kids swim at my sisters house. Paige loved swimming with her cousin, Breanna, and jumping on the trampoline. We also made a yummy dinner and had it ready to eat at the time the men came home. Then some street fireworks and home to bed for us. It was such a nice day spent hanging out with my family. It doesn't get much better than that.

Catch Up

Fourth of July - We had a great time on the 4th which for us started on the third! Scott and I had our last softball game that night so we played in that (winning of course) and then took off to Logan with Paige in tow. Logan has their fireworks on the 3rd every year so they to don't interfere with anyone else. They put on a great show and in the past, we've been able to see them from our back yard. With the trees a lot bigger in our back yard, we now congregate on the lawn of a nearby church. We bring treats, let the kids run around, and just enjoy each others company. We met up with my family that night and got caught up with everyones lives (my dad had just shaved his head due to the hairloss from chemo. It still surprises me). We were worried about Paige and the big show but when the time came she was too tired to react. She spent most of the time lying on grandma's shoulder and gazing at the sky. Then home to bed for all of us and up early the next morning for a yummy breakfast at my parents then to the HYRUM parade. My philosophy is you've seen one parade, you've seen them all. We had a good time with lots of candy being thrown and Paige almost dead asleep. After the parade, we visited with my aunt and uncle who had come down to see my dad and then it was back to Ogden for the Roberts side of the reunion. We had his whole family over to our back yard for a bar b que It's great to have that kind of space and a covered patio so everyone's comfortable. Then we spent the rest of the night having a nertz compitition. Close to ten was the fireworks all around Ogden, so the family left. It was a great holiday spent with family!


Service - Scott and I have had a great opportunity to perform some service very close to home. Both of our parents are in need of some help with the upkeep of their homes so we both decided to devote a lot of our time this summer to helping them out. First off was my family's house. My parents have had the worst luck with sheds. The two sheds they've had have collapsed on them so we decided to get them a sturdier shed. Scott and my brother-in-law, Eric, stayed up most of the night getting it put up. Along with the help of my brother-in-law, Trent and his friend Rusty, they finished it early the next morning. Then we (my sisters and I) cleared everything out of the garage and organized both it and the shed. It was an all day project but lots of fun time spent with my family. I think when you are truly serving someone with a happy heart, the lord blesses you and I feel that especially with my family. The next project was Scott's parent's basement. The boys are finally going to finish it. It was fun to go over and spend some time with the men while they mudded, sanded, taped, and talked. I got to put in a little of my talent by priming and painting. So much got done and Scott's dad couldn't stop saying thank you for all the hard work they did. After everyone had left, we took Paige with us into the backyard to clean up the paint brushes. Paige really liked the hose and was soaking wet by the time we were done! We had such a great time with our families and love the relationships that we share with them. Scott and talk all the time about how wonderful our parents are and how we'd do anything to help them. We were grateful for the opportunity to serve back.


The ZOO - Last year we kind of started the tradition of going to the zoo with a couple of my sisters and my mom. My mom has to go down to SLC every month for a medical transfusion and we usually take turns going down with her. This time, we loaded up all the kids and headed to SLC. We started with a tour around the zoo. Then off to lunch at Hires Big H (one of our favorites. Next we took mom off to the dr.'s. Then it was back to the zoo for a full afternoon of seeing the animals. I tried to prep Paige by pulling out all her zoo books about animals. She was mesmerized by a lot of the animals and loved the elephants, monkeys, and mountain cats the best. We finished up with a ride on the carosel and a trip on the choo choo. Paige loves her cousins and enjoyed the time they spent together.

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Miss you already!

Scott and I hate saying goodbye to anyone. Last night was especially difficult because our good friends, the Crofts are moving. (They're the ones who got into the June Ensign P.65 instead of us. We got cut out :( ) They are headed to the hot and sunny state of Arizona (Mesa, specifically). They are the greatest people and we have so much in common with them. Hilary is a nurse and she and I just talk about everything under the sun together. Then of course is the relationship between Scott and Zeb (whom he calls his bff). They golf, play basketball, work together, and most importantly talk Jazz. They are true Jazz fans. They are surrogate parents to Paige and we love them and will miss them greatly. (Zeb, Scott's tears were real. He already misses you!) Thanks for being amazing friends and we look forward to next summer when Scott stays with you for his internship. We can't wait!!!

How can I be?

Scott's new favorite song for the message and the ukelele!

Reunions

We have celebrated some great family reunions this summer. Every year over father's days is the Armstrong family reunion. My dad was too ill to go up so we all went up and enjoyed the company of my dad's siblings. They were all very concerned for him so it hard trying to answer all of their questions. But we had a great time. The next weekend was the Roberts family reunion. Scott's parents have time share with trendwest so we headed up to Wolf Creek for a three day weekend of good times with the Roberts. We: ate really well, swam, played games, and just enjoyed one anothers company.. We are blessed to come from some great families!!

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