Baby Charlie

While in Utah we were able to be there for the baby blessing of my newest nephew, Charles John L.  He's a pretty cute little chub of love.  It was wonderful to share in his special day, get to know his little personality, and especially see Benjamin interact with his little cousins.

Hoggle Zoo

While visiting family in Utah we were able to go to the Hoggle Zoo with all the boy's cousins.  The zoo has been doing some great updates including recently adding seals and sea lions and a new polar bear.  It was pretty crazy going through the zoo with 10 little kids.  Poor Grandpa had two toddlers each on leashes.  It was pretty funny to watch him trying to keep them from getting tangled together while maneuvering through crowded areas.

Traveling in style.  Four kids in one stroller.

The classic picture of the lion drinking fountain.  Grandma and Grandpa Strong remember drinking out of it when they were little.

Uncle Cuyler and his peeps.  All the grandkids minus the 2 youngest.

Sittin' in a log



Ben with his Daa.  Ben was lovin' the zoo.

My two little handsome men!  Love those boys.

Elder Cuyler

Josh's youngest brother returned home from his 2 year mission to Mexico City while we were visiting.  Sadly we were late arriving to the airport and were unable to give him a big greating as he entered the baggage claim.  :(  Elijah had worked hard to create a poster for Cuyler and we made sure to get a picture of them together.  It was really nice to see Cuyler.  He was missed.  I am grateful for his wonderful example to my boys in serving an honorable mission.

My boys sure enjoyed having TWO awesome uncles living at grandma's house.  And I will add that Cuyler and Dallin have certainly earned "Super Awesome Uncle" awards for helping me with their nephews!

Smith and Moorehouse Dam

While visiting the Strongs Grandpa took us up to see the dam he helped design and oversaw being built. It was a pleasent drive up the canyon and the resevoir was beautiful. A great escape from the heat of the valley. We spent a lot of time at the end of the boat ramp throwing rocks into the water. Elijah was even able to skip his first rock! He kept trying and trying and eventually was successful. It was pretty cute and I enjoyed cheering him one. Ben (my rock lover) was very particular about the rocks he deemed water worthy. It was cute to watch him mull over which rocks to throw.

And for laughs.  A video of the big boys throwing rocks left-handed and the little boys just being cute.

Kennecott Copper Mine

Grandma, Grandpa, Charis and her family, and all of us went to visit Kennecott Copper Mine during our visit.  I went there years ago and was excited to take my boys.  What could be better than a big whole in the ground, lots of dirt, and HUGE trucks?! 

Everyone looking out over the mine.  Pretty cute bunch of people.

Ben was mesmorized by the massive trucks.  He watched them for the longest time going up and down the road around the pit.

Lucy, Kendell, and Grandma

They have a nice little visitors center and I would reccomend the video they have there.  It was amazing to see the process they go through to get copper and other minerals out of that massive hole.  All of us were impressed.

And of course we stopped at the gift shop.  I got some beautiful copper ornaments for our Christmas tree, Sam picked out a little naural looking piece of copper, and Elijah picked out an orca mood ring.  (Ben didn't care and was very content with a bag of pretzels to eat on the way home).  All down the mountain we were hearing commentary from Elijah about his ring and how he felt, be it relaxed or active, etc.  We asked him if he was hungry and his response was "I don't know, that's not one of the options on the chart for my ring."  :)

Grammie's Glasses

Grammie saved a pair of her reading glasses that the lenses had fallen out of for Ben to play with when he came to visit. Let's just say he was very pleased.

You might remember a similar picture of Sam wearing Grammie's glasses when he was almost 4 years old.

Salem Pond

While visiting Grammie and Papa we took their canoe down to Salem pond for an afternoon and then stopped at THE Hawaiian Shave Ice Shack in downtown SF.  (Best shaved ice.  Tigers blood with icecream is my favorite).

Everyone had a blast but sadly there weren't really any ducks for us to feed, well they were on the other side of the lake :(

Salem Pond really is a peaceful place.  I loved the mountains reflecting off the water.  I MISS THOSE MOUNTAINS!



My adorable nephew, Anna's son Hyrum, just hanging out.

Happy 4th of July!