Farmers Market and Gateway

On Saturday my mom and Tess' three kids joined us for a fun morning at the Farmers Market in downtown Salt Lake. I am a huge fan of any kind of outdoor gathering; nothing makes it feel like summer more than live music, good food, and lots of people watching!

Then we walked over to the Gateway, where the Utah Foster Care Foundation was hosting the annual chalk art festival. When we were foster parents in Utah, I always wanted to go and never did, so I was happy to be able to check it out. Plus, the UFCF will always hold a very special place in my heart because it brought me to two of the biggest blessings in my life.

The artists were incredible.

Then it was on to the fountains, always a hit with my water-obsessed kids.

Salt Lake Adventures

A few weekends ago, we went to Salt Lake to my baby sister Madi's bridal shower. Since Garreth was going to help his brother's family move that weekend, the kids and I decided to spend the weekend with my sister Cait.

Grace and me with my mom and some of my sisters. We missed you, Quincy!

Cait and I took the kids to This is the Place State Park, and I was blown away by how awesome it was! I can't believe I haven't been there before now. We were there for about 5 hours and the kids tired out before Cait and I - next time we're staying a full day!

Doing laundry.

Plowing the field.

Riding the train.

One of Brigham Young's houses. We took the inside tour with all six kids! Lucky for us, we had the most patient grandpa tour guide and it was a very fascinating place. And nobody broke any 200 year-old furniture or dishes. Always a plus.

Totally thrilled to be in school.

All the pioneer cabins were my favorite part. Most of the families who owned these cabins raised 7-13 children in them.

When we got to this statue of a family who had just reached the Salt Lake valley, I tried to talk to the kids about the sacrifices the pioneers made and how happy they must have been to finally get there. I asked "What do you think they're praying about?" and Liam said, "I bet they're praying that somebody would hurry up and invent the car!"

After a very fun day in the sun, snow cones were just the ticket.

Horse Camp

Grace and Liam had a fantastic time at horse camp! I haven't seen them so excited about something in a long time!

The camp was twice a week for two weeks and they went for four hours a day. They learned absolutely everything about caring for a horse and did it all - catching the horse, putting on the saddle and bridle, tying them up, brushing them, even mucking out the stables. It was a really great experience for them. I only wish I could joined the class, too!