Mt. Tom!

I LOVE THIS LAKE!!! Ever since our friends brought us to this little piece of heaven in the country, I have wanted to come back - and we finally did. It was a perfect day, with friends, sun, sand, water and food! It was so awesome for Dominick, because he was fresh off of three weeks of swimming lessons and this was his chance to show off - and that he did! If you look closely, you can see Dominick with his face in the water. He was so excited to put on his goggles and look at all of the lake life. This is how he stayed for most of the day, it was awesome!
Yes, even when he wasn't in the water you were not going to get those goggles off him.
I had to put this funny picture it. One, because Aaron looks so funny in those children's goggles. Second, because Kambree had just seen her life flash before her eyes - After seeing Dominick and Dad in goggles, she wanted a pair too. So, after getting her in her pair she ran into the water. First to greet her was Dominick who was so excited to show Kambree all of the awesome things to look at under the water that he immediately said "Kambree look" and gave her head a good shove into the water so that she could see too. As you guessed, she was not expecting to dive right in. So funny!
Later in the day I jumped in with the girls (Kambree on the left and her friend Abi on the right) to build some sand castles. It was so much fun, and those two were so excited.
She's not always so sweet! You can't go to the lake and not have a sand war. Kambree and Dominick had so much fun covering themselves in the sand there.
And don't think for a second that I am going to let my kids in the car covered in sand. So, bath time! Isn't it so convenient to have the bath right there?
This is classic Dominick. As the sun starts to fall, he is still sitting in little pools of water, entertained by the many wonders of sand and water! I can't get enough of him - when I see him in these moments, it melts my heart. I love him so much!

Sweet Moments

I found this photo of Kambree, and realized that I had not shown everyone my little darlings new set of teeth! If you look closely (or click on the pic) you will notice that she chipped her little front tooth on the day we left Utah. It was unfortunate, and I was really sad. Soon after though I really thought it added to her personality and couldn't picture her without her little chip. But...... yesterday I took her to the dentist, because Aaron noticed her other front tooth (also involved in the accident) was turning grey. I won't even begin to tell you the work that might need to be done - and the worst of it doesn't even involve the accident. So, in the end (or the middle really) I realize that I was sad about a little chipped tooth, when now I wish it could be that easy.
I don't actually make my kids pose for these moments - this is really how they are (most of the time)! I keep going over the song "Count Your Many Blessings" and these two angels right here have got to be 99% of what comes to my mind! Despite the tantrums and Whining, in the end I can't imagine a day without them - really they are what makes life worth living for me!

More Brooklyn Bridge and NYC

Behind the handsome man and adorable little girl is the view of the Statue of Liberty (but who cares when you can look at these two)?!
And of course, since we were already in walking mode, we decided that since we were already in the area - we should quickly go and see the Charging Bull. The kids loved it (I'm including Aaron in "kids" too).

The only thing worse that the way that my feet felt after that much walking in flip-flops, was the way they looked. I was horrified, and won't even show you the picture of the bottom of my feet. But, nobody ever claimed New York was clean - right?
This is why I referred to Aaron as a kid earlier - because boys never lose that urge to say potty jokes, and here to be a potty joke. Nobody can ever blame me for the potty jokes coming out of Dominick and Kambree's mouths!

Welcome back to the City

Can you blame her? After dad accidentally took an hour detour into the city, we decide to give a bored (not necessarily hungry) two year old a piece of candy - about ten minutes later when I check on her, this is what I find. So really, can you blame her?
A week after getting back from our vacation in Utah, I decided that no matter what I wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. So, we were planning on a quick trip down to the bridge, cross it and head home. Aaron first thought it was crazy for me to pass up looking at the new i-phone at the Apple store - so, after two minutes of that (and since the kids had already seen the infamous "toy soldiers" at the entrance to F.A.O. Shwartz) we had to make a pit stop to look at some toys. So, now we will go downtown - only this was by far the nicest day (weather wise) I have ever felt in the city, therefore we decide to walk - that's right walk all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge. For those of you not familiar with Manhattan, that is approximately three to four miles.....but we made it!!!

This is probably not her best angle, but Dominick was so excited to show Kambree that there was water under the bridge, that it was really hard to get her out of this position.
And the Bridge in all its glory! It was a really fun bridge to walk across with beautiful views of Manhattan and Brookly. I don't regret coming and would do it again - it was awesome!
Dominick was thrilled to be able to run the entire time (and we were too, because that made him extra tired)!

Muddy Lake

The old guy's still got it! Aaron's family and friends took us up to a lake for a day of fun one their wave runners. Aaron wasted no time testing his skiing skills and managed to make it up on his first try! He did really well until the next day when all of those muscles that he used rebelled.

Dominick and Kambree were perfectly content on the muddy beach. I have never known a kid not to be totally happy with mud!

Fun Filled Fourth of July

Here is a picture of four generations of Roundys. In the middle are my Grandpa and Grandma Roundy (my Dad's parents). On the outside of the couch are my parents and scattered in the middle are the four of us. It was so nice to see my Grandparents, who just moved into a new retirement home close to my parents. Dominick was hard to handle, because he was so distracted by the many fish ponds throughout the building along with the firework show fast approaching. We did make it to see some awesome fireworks with our whole family - and I must say the best part about those were that our kids wanted to sit with others in the family, leaving Aaron and I to cuddle by ourselves!
My sister and brother-in-law were kind enough to reserve a family pool for us during the afternoon. What a fun party! Here, Dominick shows off his skills (after many times backing out) on the diving board!
I, of course think this is the life and could spend every afternoon in a pool (especially if it is this easy to take care of Kambree)!
A real parade!!!! It was so much fun for me to go back to the parade that I grew up with. Dominick (the little boy in the light blue shirt darting out for all the candy he can get) had so much fun with all of his cousins chasing down candy and prizes!
Kambree didn't do too much chasing, but she was proud of the candy that she did manage to get.

The Big Surprise Party

We didn't celebrate Dominick's birthday until Dad came out to be with us. So, we decided to throw him a surprise party, and he was really really surprised. My parents were kind enough to let us use their back yard and my family and Aaron's family (all that could from our families) came and made it such a great party. Here Karson and Braden are truly belting out happy birthday before Dominick blows out his five candles.
Dominick gave a warm welcome to Aunt Dee Dee. This is Aaron's Aunt, and to the left is Aaron's Grandma Cowan (Luana). We were so happy that they came and celebrated with us. And, I must add a huge thank you thank you thank you, first for reading my blog!!! Next, for all of the wonderful things that you do and give to us and our children. Dominick has not stopped playing with the pirate toys - he carries around the cannon everywhere!
I think it is safe to say he had a good time!
This was the big surprise face (a little scared at first I think)! My Mom was with him at the neighbors house and walked him down to the back yard when we were ready - it was so much fun for me to see his face.
Grandma Cowan celebrating with the birthday boy!

Favorite Things in Life

These are two of Kambrees favorite people in life - Grandpa Roundy and her new little cousin Brooklyn. Really, I don't think there is any way she could get enough of either of them.
One of my favorite things (or places to be exact) the Salt Lake Temple! I was so excited that I was able to visit the temple this trip and actually walk the amazingly beautiful grounds. I am not going to post all of the pictures, just my favorite one. Really, it is breathtaking and so spiritual. Love it!

He Will Always be a Train Guy

Well, this was a really spur of the moment trip with my Mom and some grand kids that could have turned out fatal, but ended up being a huge highlight! Here are some pictures of all of the kids at the Union Pacific railroad station in Ogden Utah. Dominick and Karson and here working on their Engineering skills - Dominick always tells me he wants to drive Dad's train so he could really use the practice!
Another cute Kambree and Brynn moment.
The whole crew (minus me of course). Brynn, Karson, Dominick, Grandma Roundy and Kambree.
I am not sure if his face says it all, but I am going to let you imagine if he was happy or not!
I can't believe how big these things are up close! Dominick wastes no time climbing on.

Fun with Cousins

While in Utah, we were able to spend time at my Sisters houses. Dominick and Kambree both had so so so much fun. Here, Dominick and Karson are playing with the army guys.
We later went out into the heat to play in the water. This was so cute when Kambree and Brynn were both trying to get replenished from the water shooting out of the slip and slide. They had some real fun together this trip.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa

Even though we really didn't "celebrate" his birthday on his real birthday, Grandma and Grandpa Cowan could not resist giving him his gifts - and they were so thoughtful and nice. Grandma got Dominick a transformer Dinosaur (obviously Kambree is excited too).
And Grandpa gave Dominick this awesome Micky Mouse watch!!! He loves it so much, and yes he is still very careful with his arm when he has it on - can't hurt the watch! Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa!

Dinosaur Park

On Dominick's birthday, Kevin and Sue took us all to this great Dinosaur Park up by beautiful Ogden Canyon. Dominick just went crazy, literally. There are tons and tons of trails to walk on and see different dinosaurs, and he was running as fast as he could to see everything. Here, Sue is posing with Kambree and Dominick in front of my favorite Triceratop.
Again, Kambree getting in more Grandpa time and me time.
Obviously, Dominick was a little scared of T-Rex, but a little later in the day I saw him sneak away and go up to the big guy by himself - he just needed to conquer that fear alone!
This was inside of the museum, and was really cool. The T-Rex and Triceratops were robotic and this really scared Dominick (like most loud noises). It was funny, because Kambree was really scared, but there were a couple of baby Triceratops, but Kambree called them Rhinos. So, now every time we see Triceratops she gets so excited and says in her high pitched voice "oh, mama - baby rhino." So funny!
Just thought this was an awesome picture of Ogden Canyon in the background of the beautiful park. The Brontosaurus in the background (Dominick's favorite Dinosaur) was the entrance to the kids playground.

See It from Space!

While we were in Utah, Aaron's parents took us to Kennecott Copper Mine. I really am embarrassed to admit that I was raised in Utah, but this was my first trip to this awesome hole in the earth that you can see from space! Regardless, Dominick and Kambree both had such an awesome time at this place. Here, Kambree is bonding with Grandpa Cowan.
This is the size of the tires on the dump trucks that work down in the mine. I believe (but don't quote me) that these are the biggest dump trucks in the world. This is little Isis that Dominick is holding here, and he has already told us that he wants us to have a baby Isis in mom's belly, not just any baby. We didn't make any promises!