Camping at Downata

Playing "Aggravation", a fun but aggravating game
 (especially when the little kids bump the board and marbles go all over...  hence the name of the game, I guess).  

Well, we enjoyed Downata Hot Springs so much last year, we had to go back again. 

This year we brought our camp trailer, which was so nice!   We went on August  9-11.

We spent two nights there and enjoyed just being together as a family.  Aaron and I took shifts swimming with the kids because the baby is still too small to go in the pool.  The other one just hung out in the trailer with the baby and either Jared or Heidi and then we traded the next time.  

Erika and Kyle had a great time going down the waterslides.  I am sure grateful that they can swim and be pretty independent- those swimming lessons are paying off!  Yeah!  

Heidi lovin' it...

 Heidi's favorite thing was the splash park and going down the little slides in the pool.

One really nice thing about the hot spring is that the water is nice and warm, so it is really nice for the little kids.  And, it doesn't matter too much how nice the weather is.   It actually got a little stormy for awhile but no one really cared because the water is so warm.  

Once Jared discovered the splash park, he didn't want to leave!  
 It's like a hot shower that runs forever.  

The kids cuddled up for a movie in the trailer.

One other nice thing about a camping trailer is the protection from the elements.  Okay, so  you could say it's not really camping because we had air conditioning.  Also, the second night it was really windy and stormy outside and we didn't even know it until the next morning when we went outside and realized some of our things had gotten blown around and wet.  We were just snug in our little beds.  

Treasure Island

Erika had a great time being involved in the Garland Charity Children's Theatre again this summer.  The performances were July 30- Aug 1st.  It was really exciting to have her in a lead role in the play.  She was "Molly" in Treasure Island.  She had a lot of lines to memorize!

What a fun opportunity for her to have this part!  It turns out the part was perfect for her and she did really well at it.  She and the one of the other leads, "Jaime" were fighting all the time and at first I was worried this would spill over into home, but so far it's been okay.  But, the two of them were kind-of the comic relief for the show and it was fun to watch.  

Erika absolutely loved it- she couldn't get enough.  She wasn't even nervous.  The play is all put together by volunteers so I helped by making her costume and doing the makeup for the characters for all of the performances.  It was funny because after the first performance when we went as a family,  we were all singing the songs around the house for days.   I was very impressed!  

Erika with most of the lead roles in the play

Monster Cookies

A favorite of my little monsters :)

4 eggs
1 1/4 C packed brown sugar
1 C sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
12 oz jar creamy peanut butter (or 1 1/2 C)
1 C flour
1 C M&Ms (You could substitute choc chips if you don't have or want to use M&Ms)
(optional) 1/2 C choc chips or raisins
3 1/2 C oatmeal

Beat eggs and sugars and butter, add salt, vanilla, and PB.   Stir in M&Ms and then oatmeal (make sure the oatmeal is last- it will mix better.)  Bake 10 min at 350 degrees.

Jordan's Baby Blessing

Father and son the morning of his blessing.

On July 29th, we had the opportunity of blessing our sweet little baby Jordan.  There was a special feeling in our home that morning as we prepared for the day.   The kids were all excited to have family come and to have the baby blessed.  

It was nice to have so many family there- I don't think we've had this many since Erika's blessing 9 years ago.  We love our family and are thankful for their support.  

Aaron and I are honored to have such a beautiful baby come to our home.  We know he has been blessed with unique gifts and a special spirit.   Although he can't do much yet,  we already feel his spirit in our home and have grown to love him so much.  

Indoor S'Mores

8 C golden graham cereal (one box)
6 C mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C milk chocolate chips
1/4 C corn syrup
5 T butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla

Put the golden grahams and 2 C of the marshmallows in a bowl, set aside.  In a large pot melt the margarine, corn syrup, chocolate chips, and the 4 C marshmallows over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted.  Add vanilla.  Then, mix in the cereal.  Pour out onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper and let cool.

Parkinson Family Reunion 2012

Kyle loved the polar bear!

We spent a couple of days with Aaron's parents and brother the last weekend in July for our reunion.  We had a great time at the zoo.  The kids have been excited to go all summer.  

I think two of the highlights of the zoo were the polar bear and the elephants.  We got to see these in action and they were really neat!   Since we last went to the zoo, they have added a new exhibit- Rocky Shores- the sea lions, otters, and polar bear.  These were all very active and fun to watch.  

Of course, another highlight of the zoo was the carousel.   For some reason, the carousel always attracts kids.  They probably would have ridden it over and over again if it didn't cost extra.  

Erika and Kyle trying to blend in with the leopard habitat.  (See the leopard in the back?)

The elephants were great- we got to watch them in action and learn more about them.  

Erika and Heidi in their eagles' nest.

The whole crew riding on the train- the finale!

By the afternoon, Jared and Jordan were completely exhausted (as we all were- I wished I could have lied down by them and taken a nap, too!)  I just had to get a picture of the two of them snoozing in the stroller.  

After the zoo, we were all so hot and ready to get wet.  We headed to Liberty Park, where the kids had fun splashing in the water and in the "7-Canyons" park, where they have 7 mini replicas of the canyons in the Salt Lake area with little waterfalls and rivers the kids can splash in.  I love it there!  For some reason, I didn't get any pictures.  After a hot day, it sure feels good just to soak your feet!