Week long Send OFF

Day 1- Monday, June 17th

 We went up to my aunt/uncle's place in East Garland.  We were able to eat, play and visit.  Great times.

After we finished eating we gathered all the kiddies up (big and little ones) and headed out back to the bardyard. (above: Syrie, Stryder, Jovi, and Kaiya)

Kotah was SOOOOOO excited.  He remembers the last time we came up here for riding horses and has asked us every summer since them when we are going again.  It has been like 4 years so he was SUPER excited when he heard the news.

The first time each kid got on the horse my uncle Kurt guided them around the pasture.  Kotah was first... then we put Kenai up for a circle with him...

 ...after that Kotah got off and Kenai rode around by himself

 ...Kaiya didn't go as far around simply because she was a little nervous and kept trying to get off...

...SO, I got on with her and she LOVED it, if she could have sat up there the whole night she would have, but we had to allow time for the other kids to get a chance.

While the other cousins were getting their own turns with riding the horses, we went around to the backside of the barn to play with these two cute puppies.

 When the others were finished our kids got another ride around the pasture.  I took Kaiya around again, and when it was her turn to get off she was upset, but willing to let her brothers have another turn.

This time Kotah was able to guide the horse around BY HIMSELF... talk about getting excited, he went around and around 4 or 5 times.

Kenai was a little more nervous to go it alone, but he did a great job.  Kurt walked around in front of the horse so that IF anything happened he'd be right there.  However, Kenai did an awesome job also stirring the horse where he wanted to go.  I was so happy for both of them.

After all the animal fun we went back up to the house for homemade ice cream and chocolate brownies.  We had such a GREAT time getting together and making wonderful memories with loved ones.  I was happy that it was later in the evening so Jeremiah could go with us, he is STILL working 12 hour shifts M-Sat.

Here's hoping it won't be another 3 or 4 years before the next time we get up there for some horseback riding.  Kurt and Pam are ALWAYS the greatest of hosts, so I'm guessing this will happen again sooner than later.


DAY 2- Tuesday, June 18

Fishing at Coldwater Trout Farm in North Ogden.  First, though we had to eat, so we had some chips and sandwiches at the tables right by the "small fish" pond at the east end of the farm.

 The kids were finished eating and ready to get their fish on... I LOVE the picture below of the kids peering into the water to see all the trout.

 Kotah could hardly wait to wet his hook... he tried catching one without baiting in the swarms of fish to the hook, but there were NO fish falling for it so we started tossing in small amounts to see if he'd have better luck... SUCCESS

 Kenai got his fish next... Notice the POSITION of the hook??? That's right, he hooked in in the belly.  He was being so patient and then this guy swam right INTO the hook andwas hardly snagged at all, but snagged enough that it couldn't get off.

 Kaiya was next.  Since I was working the camera and tossing the food my dad was able to help Kaiya land the biggest fish of the day :)

 After my dad took the hook out of its mouth Kaiya walked it right over to the bucket and dropped it in.

 The boys each got one more fish each and I too got to catch one.

 It was fun to see all the kids catching fish.  (Funny side note- see Jovi in the right side of the picture above? She thought she was going to get to take her fish home as A PET.  I told her she was going to eat it and SHE FREAKED OUT at me... haha sorry Jovi, and Tenisha.)

 While we were waiting for all the fish to get cleaned and filleted my dad and the boys went across a small bridge to another picnic area which included TEATHER BALL, my dad and Kotah were so much fun to watch playing.

Day 3- Wednesday, June 19
Played in the water at Grandma/Grandpa Bennington's house... pretty much a relaxing day.

Day 4- Thursday, June 20
Fun at Kangaroo Zoo in Ogden

Day 5- Friday, June 21

What a cute movie.  We went to the 1:40 showing in Layton and JEREMIAH met us there... YEAH!!! He got off early (after a 10 hour shift is it really considered early?) It was so nice to have him with us for another one of our activities.  SOME times I feel bad that he is missing stuff I do with the kids during the day while he's at work.  I was so happy this was the ONE activity he could make, besides the horses.

 

AND FINALLY

Day 6- Saturday, June 22

 We were invited up to Logan for my cousin Kaylee's little boy's FIRST birthday.  So we took advantage of the double opportunity by heading up early and taking the kids to Willow Park Zoo.  First of all, this is such a nice short walk around this zoo.  Second, it is $2/adult and $1/child 3 and up.  So it was a great inexpensive activity for the kids.