The Hurricane Pool

The kids had a swim meet last week at the Hurricane City Pool. They loves the pool and wanted to come back. It is about a 35 minute drive but we decided to bring friends and have a last hurrah before school starts. The reason the kids love it is because it has a high dive. They have spent almost the entire time on the diving boards and they usually are he only ones on there. It has been so fun!

I thought Courtney would be afraid of going off but she didn't hesitate at all. 

Kyle, Ethan and Brennon

Courtney and McKaye:

Swim Team Party

On Wednesday night they had a party for the swim team and their families. We were asked to bring a desert and they provided hotdogs. It was a lot of fun to swim in the college pool. 

There is an extended season but life is too busy with piano, dance, scouts, activity days and homework. But I am looking forward to next season!

Fast Trip to California

When the swim meet was over at noon, we loaded in the van and drove to California.  My cousin Kristina had a baby and we wanted to be at the baby blessing.  It was great to see everyone.  We stayed at my cousin Kevin's house with his sister's family, his brother's family, his family and my parents.  It was a large house.  We showered and then went to bed.

Sunday morning we got ready to, waited around and then went to Church (we were up really early).  Mark gave Sydney a beautiful blessing.  Then we took pictures and went to the park for a luncheon.  

Then we drove home.  Quick trip!

Last Swim Meet of the Season

The kids had their last swim meet on Saturday.  It is kind of sad because it has been a lot of fun.  We were going to California Saturday afternoon so they only got to do the morning events.  But they did a great job.

Here is Courtney's freestyle relay leg.  Her team got 3rd place.

Here is Ethan's freestyle relay leg. His team got 3rd place.

Here is Courtney's butterfly.  She got 2nd.

Here is Ethan's butterfly.  He got 9th.

Here is Courtney's back stroke.  She got 2nd.

Here is Ethan's back stroke.  He got 9th.

Here is Courtney's breast stroke.  She got 4th.

Here is Ethan's breast stroke.  He got 14th.

They had fun! And the Hurricane City Pool has a high dive so we are going back just to swim.

Pioneer Day

The Relief Society was in charge of the Ward's float for the 24th of July parade in Ivins.  I knew I was going to be gone and I have new counselors so I tried to do it as simple as I could.  I asked the sisters in the ward to send me the names of their pioneer ancestors who were women.  There is a couple in the ward who do vinyl signs and embroidery.  They called to ask if they could do the sign for me and I gladly said yes!  So I gathered names and sent them to the couple while I was on vacation.  A man in the ward offered to let us use his trailer and another man offered to pull it for us.  I asked for volunteers of women who would be willing to dress up in pioneer clothes and ride it.

This is how it all turned out.  It was super easy and I think it went well.

There were 7 of us (including Courtney) who rode on the float and threw candy.  It was a quick and easy parade!

Martin Harris Farm, Alvin's Grave, Sacred Grove Visitors Center, Niagara Falls and Flight Home

Since it was our last day and our flight was in the late afternoon we decided to hit a few more sights before we flew out.  We took Andrew and Jessica with us in Bryan's parent's rented van.  The car situation got crazy at the end but it all worked out.

We drove to the Temple to look around.  It was small but really pretty.  There was a path that we followed for quite a ways but we aren't sure where it comes out so we turned around.

 We went to the Martin Harris home which you can't tour but you can look around outside.

We went to see Alvin's grave.  The antique white stone is the original marker.

Then we began the long drive to Niagara Falls.  It was a pretty expensive disappointment but the kids can now say they have been there.

Then we drove to the Rochester Airport and met up with everyone.  Julie was there so she drove Lisa and Mike's van back with Brooke.  John, Shelley, Great-Grandpa Pack, Jessica, Andrew and our family were all on the same flight to Chicago.

Great-Grandpa Pack gave Ethan $20 to spend on things for the group as we waited for our plane to arrive.  (The plane was late, as per the usual for the vacation.)  Ethan bought gum, mini snickers, wheat thins, mints and red vines.  He had 20 cents left over that he donated to charity.

John was trying to figure out how to get us all on seats next to each other.  He and Bryan were trying to get it all figured out.  After a long discussion they thought they had it figured out except they probably couldn't get Jessica and Andrew close to us.  But they didn't mind because they wanted alone time. ;)

It actually worked!  Ethan sat by Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Pack and LOVED it! Did you know you can ask for the can of pop and they will give it to you?  Ethan thought he had died and gone to heaven.  Courtney sat by Grandma and talked her ear off the entire time.

When we got to Chicago we all had to separate and go to different planes.  We watched as our plane pulled out and we were the last of the Pack Clan to leave the airport.  Such is our life.

When we finally got to Las Vegas the kids were pretty tired.  And then we had the drive home.  We were happy to see our beds again but we had a great trip!

Church and the Whitmore Farm

Lisa and Mike go to Church at the Whitmore farm.  That was cool because the building was really nice!  Someone took a family photo of us all but I don't have a copy.  I will have to work on getting that so you can see everyone.

Here's Courtney:

 Ethan just sitting on the fence:

 The outhouse!

 Upstairs in the house (the kids were really tired by this point in the vacation):

 Goofing off.  I can roll my tongue I just didn't know she was rolling hers.

There were interactive games in the visitors center that the kids had a lot of fun  playing on.

Then we went back and hung out at the lake house, ate lasagna and tried to get things clean so they all could check out the next day.

Ethan and I had to get our Tyler cuddles.  He is such a smiley baby!