California Adventure

Katelynn already has a Halloween Costume. Here is a sneak peek.

When Jen's parents came back down after their adventure in the West, Jen convinced her parents to take her with them. Actually, Greg flew home and Jen and Diane waited a few days and drove home together. Katelynn really loves being with her cousins. Jen did get some great pictures as shown here. The best thing about Katelynn's pictures is that she looks like she is just lounging or hangin'. What is that quote about buy them a toy and they play with a box? How many hours have been spent by kids playing in simple boxes?

The gang went to Fashion Island. I think that the power was out when she was there, or partially out. It was really hot while Jen and Katelynn was there so power was scarce. Luckily, the marry-go-round/carousel was working. Katelynn was very excited to go on it.

She wasn't so excited to be on it. This is before she freaked out.

Ethan had fun though.

The moment right before this picture is cute because all the cousins were holding hands. So just use this picture and your imagine.

Cute girl.

Cute Annalise.

At the park, Katelynn had fun on the slide. Ethan showed the way.

Then Katelynn went down with my dad.

Then Jen (and everyone there) became really brave and let Katelynn go down alone.

Katelynn really loves her cousins. Since the California trip, Katelynn calls all girls Anna now. When we video chatted the other day, Katelynn and Anna just laughed and screamed at each other.

Dan's birthday

Diane and Greg came through Utah on their West US Adventure and we celebrated Dan's birthday. Sean came over for the festivities.

Here are all the candles. Can you find the candle Katelynn placed?

The rest of the pictures in this post tells the funny story that happened. Dan posing for his birthday picture.

Dan thinking of a really good wish. I am sure there was a mention of a wife or something.

The mighty blowing out of the candles.

And as the smoke cleared. . .

This picture does not display it well but. . .

There was a missed candle. And Dan was not happy about it.

So Dan, being Dan, re-lit those cursed candles.

And came out victorious.

Long time gone

Well, it has been a while since we have posted anything but there is a good reason. Well, good enough. We have been very busy. All of August we had family coming and going and September has been school and stuff. We have been so busy that we had to get Katelynn a daily planner.

We have split the time from then to now as three seperate posts. The first is when my dad, Jen, and I went hiking up to Mount Timpanogos Cave. My dad wrote about their trip here to Utah way back when. The hike and having them in town was a lot of fun. Tiring, but fun.

I doubt that Jen would want me do give any detail so I will be brief. I think that this was the heart of the cave and weighed about 200 tons, I think. 

Now, I think everyone knows how a stalactite and stalagmite formations are created but these formations go downward, horizontal, and vertical. It was crazy. (For those interested, the current theory is that the water is forced through small capillaries in the rock and that creates a water pressure that allows the water to "spray" in the direction that the hole happens to be, so that it isn't dependent on gravity.)

We thought this one looked like a dead rat hanging by its tail. The picture doesn't capture the true drama of the situation.

This picture is kinda typical for the whole cave. I really is very cool. It looks like it will start moving at any moment.

A look down. My dad and I both have a fear of heights so this was kinda crazy of us. I think Jen was freaking out more than us.

Jen has a picture with her siblings at this spot years ago. I am mimicking what Jen did in that picture.