Whats in a Name?: This summer....

This summer has been flying by in a blur---I figure I'd better blog about it now before it's completely over! We went on vacations back to back this summer....We headed North to Idaho for Chris and Lisa's wedding over the July 4 weekend, and then went up to Tulsa the week of July 12 to spend time with the Gibson side. It was awesome seeing everyone and the girls were able to play with all of their cousins on both sides in just a matter of a few weeks! :) It really was a blast.
The girls and I drove up to Utah with Grandma and Grandpa Lundeen in their van which the girls thought was very cool. They were head over heels excited when Daddy finally came and joined us about 5 days later. The kiddos also got to spend some time in Utah with both sets of Great Grandparents-- Great Grandma Lundeen and Joseph had not met Abby or Corban and Great Grandma and Grandpa Hall had not yet met Corban. The girls also were flowergirls in the wedding and did really well....They both even stood in the front the whole time. I was proud of my little girls. :) The hotel we stayed in at Salmon had a beautiful river running behind it...It was so good for the kids...Almost like having a backyard for a few days. The kiddos would all just run around and play together back there as our rooms were all right next to each other with balcony's opening up to the back. The girls and I also we to see Toy Story 3 while in Lehi with Grandma and Aunts Sara, Marissa, and Mickey. That was definitely a highlight for them. :) We were able to swing by Albuquerque and see some old friends on the way home too. It was the first time we'd seen our house since we left almost a year and a half ago. It was good to see that our fruit trees that we planted are still alive, although overgrown. :)
Once home from Utah, we did laundry, and the Jeff and Melanie came down to hang out with us a few days before heading to Oklahoma. It was a fun few days....It was great to be able to play games again and get to know Mel better. We saw the Fort Worth Stockyards which I'm sure I'd like to go back to again....just not when it's so hot. :) The Tulsa drive was a breeze after the Idaho trip. We all stayed in the same hotel so were able to spend as much time as possible together. Grand-dad had a conference for NACAA there (National association of County Agricultural Agents) and so we got to see a lot that Tulsa has to offer--we went on an amazing tour of two historic mansions there in OK and got to eat more BBQ than you could dream of. The girls really enjoyed the "fancy dinners" they ate there. :) We also managed to fit in fun at a water-play park, the zoo, and swimming....It was fantastic to have everyone there---including Great Grand-dad.

So, here's to a BUNCH of pictures--we took so many--not necessarily in the right order, but you get the idea. :)

No Utah trip is complete without a trip down memory lane. Here is Grace by the sign of my Elementary school.

The boys. :) It's amazing how quickly we added so many more males to the side. All these guys are just months apart.

My girls!

Random addition of how we spend the summer when actually at home. :) This was the end of May.

The girls with Aunt Marissa and McKayla

The family with Great Grandma Lundeen and Joseph

We stopped by Great Grandpa Lundeen's grave

Corban watching Grandpa fix a pipe in Lehi

Cool tunnel Craig got to go through on his drive up

He saw some gorgeous mountains through Colorado as well!

Grace is 6!!!

She looks so excited, huh?

The kids all got to take turn riding a horse at Lisa's house.

Sara, me, and Great Grandma Hall

My handsome boys

Chris and Lisa reading vows

Flowergirls Abby, Katy, and Grace

Flowergirls Annie and Grace

The river behind the hotel--so pretty!

The kiddos playing out back

Jeff and Melanie at the stockyards

The train in the Stockyard Station

Marland Mansion-Wednesday tour

Side view of the mansion--This house could be summed up as SOLID. There was so much concrete and stone....I LOVED it. It was absolutely immaculate inside as well....painted celings....ornate statues.....and the woodwork! Wow....Well worth a visit!

Abby and Great Grand-dad Gibson--She was being very good at keeping her hands behind her back :)

Abby in the mansion

Amazing celings!

Me and Abby and Corban by the front gate (Grace was in a different tour group with her cousin)

Some of the incredible woodwork

The tourbus! Craig loved that we didn't have to drive. :)

Grace at Pawnee Bill's museum at his ranch. Pawnee Bill worked with Buffalo Bill in the Wild West shows. His house was beautiful and still has the original furnishings.

Abby, Grace, and Katelyn at the ranch

Corban got pretty tired throughout the day....

That evening we ate dinner at Discovery land that had blow-up bounce houses, pony rides, a play with awesome authentic costumes, and a mechanical bull--very fun night.

Abby on a pony

Craig on the mechanical bull....

and right back off of it... :) Love you honey

Abby turned 4 on Wed. as well so she got a special cupcake and got sung too (We couldn't find a cake anywhere nearby.. :)

Water fountains in the park :)

Abby

Corban

My son likes to gross me out--I guess he just really needed a drink :). I wish we had gotten pictures of the banquet that was the evening following all the water fun...Everyone looked so nice!