It's been a long time...

We'd like to thank all our dedicated fans; those who returned to view the blog in hopes that the camera had been replaced and the Utah trip was over. Well, prepare to be rewarded with a very long post! Since we've been blog-absent for 13 days (and probably would have averaged an entry per day), we thought we'd treat you to...

Our Top 13 List!!! (notable events of the last 13 days)

13. We replaced the camera. Jane was devastated to find out that because mommy and daddy weren't able to use one of their toys, Jane also would not be able to use her bike! (Thanks Grandma Dorrie for the perfect consequence--I don't come up with these things on my own.) When mom and Dad purchased and received their new camera, Jane was able to purchase her

bike back ($3).

12. Jessica finish her new favorite book East of Eden. Some grisly parts, but so well written. I had no idea Steinbeck was so enjoyable!

11. Swimming. Lots and lots of swimming, in pools, lakes and parks.


10. Our return trip home. We loved Utah (see numbers 8-2) but we were excited to see Ryan, who remained home (see number 1), and get back to our routine. I am a hardcore road tripper and we had a personal best on the way home: 730 miles in (drumroll, please) 9 hours and 50 minutes! I had lots of snacks, a TV/VCR and kids with awesome bladders. I didn't even go more than 8 miles over the speed limit!

9. The 4th of July. We had a great time at our little Liberty Lake parade and out at the Daines lakehouses for dinner and fireworks. I tried not to be too Mommy Dearest about the 4th of July outfits and pictures, but it was not easy. Jane does not look at a camera ever and Seth's Old Navy shirt surfaced this morning--not to mention all the drooling of parade candy.
Here's the result:


8, 7, 6, 5. Visits to our favorite Utah spots.
Thanksgiving Point (my favorite place ever--we go every visit)

Liberty Park (we love the balls, the canyon replicas, the waterpark area, the Tracy Aviary) but we have no picture. Too bad, because Jane screamed for 20 minutes (seriously) because I couldn't find her swimsuit and then when she'd finally calmed down, it was in my purse. I started crying then...that would have been a good picture.

Hogle Zoo--the perfect size of zoo. We went with my brothers, sis in law, mom, aunt and cousins.

This is the Place Heritage Park--we really got the pioneer experience. It was 103 degrees as we tromped from schoolhouse to church (see picture) to smelly stable. The kids loved doing pioneer chores, making candles and learning pioneer school lessons.

4. Church on Sunday. We remembered being a part of a great ward and our wonderful lessons and Sacrament meeting confirmed it. We miss you guys!

3. Eating with the Nelson side of the family. We had a fun Sunday dinner and a fun lunch at Buca Di Beppo. (I also enjoyed the requisite Cafe Rio and Sweet Tomato trips--Utah has way better restaurants than Spokane).

2. The visits with Romneys. Ryan's sisters all live in Utah and we had a couple of fun visits just hanging out at houses while kids played and eating Lemon Meringue Pie (Happy Birthday Betsy). I have the BEST in-laws ever and my kids love their cousins. We have no pictures since I was using my sister's camera and she didn't come. Boo!

1. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST--RYAN EMAILED HIS FINISHED MASTER'S THESIS TO HIS PROFESSOR. See re-enactment picture below:

This week my husband has mowed the lawn, watched movies, done the dishes, come home at 5:15, rollerbladed with the kids--none of which were possible when he was working on his thesis 20 hours a week. We are so proud of him!

Thanks for reading our update...I kept trying to get my humorist husband to write commentary (he's so much funnier) but he was too busy trying to find a lab coat for his Russian scientist costume we are wearing to a "How to Host a Murder dinner" tonight...anyone out there with a lab coat?