My trip home from Utah

So after visiting my sister in Utah and my sister in Nevada, I headed home for Arizona with two of Vicky's girls (Hayley & Holly) and Nancy's oldest son (Alex). On the way home we stopped in St. George to buy Bryn a dress at the outlet mall. Alex and Hayley found a pink tutu at Gymboree and put it on Nick. Unfortunately, he really liked it. And even though I hated the fact he liked it, it was really funny and I did take a few pictures.

That night we stopped in Vegas to spend the night. We went to M&M world and Coca Cola world like we always do. I would love to meet my sisters and their kids in Vegas sometime and spend more than one evening there. They are great kids!

Monkeys on my bed

I have a 2nd grader!

Bryn started her first day of 2nd grade on Monday. We switched schools this year and I was very nervous for her, but she did great and is really enjoying it. After I uploaded this picture, I realized that I always take her picture of the first day of school by the front door....except for last year. I really wished now that I had done it by the front door because it's so fun to see how she's changed and grown. I'll be sure to do it like that from now on.

First day of 2nd grade!

First day of 1st grade.

First day of Kindergarten.

First day of her 2nd year in pre-school.

First day of her 1st year in pre-school.

Trip to Elko

During our trip to Utah, we drove over to Elko, Nevada to visit my sister, Nancy. She and her family moved to Elko last summer and Bryn was dying to see where Andrew lives. I took Vicky, Hayley, and Holly with me and the kids. We spent two days there and Bryn LOVED it! We played games, ate some yummy Mexican food, saw "The Proposal" (which was hilarious!), went swimming in the Elko pool, and as you can see from the picture below, Bryn and Andrew played with Legos every other minute of our visit. I thought I had a few pictures of them playing with the Legos, but this was the only photo on my camera with Legos in it. They must be on Bryn's disposable camera.

The weather there was SO NICE! The night we came out of the movie it was about 70 degrees with a cool breeze. Pure heaven!

Don't you just love how she tucked in her shirt that day?!?!

They have an extra bedroom where they've put a tv and the video games. Nick loved the "love sack".

You can see a mini fridge in the background. Nancy's a cool mom!

This is a picture of Andrew that Nancy had on the wall. If you know me well, you know I love pumpkins. I almost stuck this in my suitcase, but then decided to just take a picture of it. SO CUTE!

An afternoon at Cheryl's house

While in Utah, we had the opportunity to visit with friends that live in our ward and some friends that use to live in our ward. It was lots of fun! We saw the Andersons, Gibsons, Williams, and Baggiores. Cheryl has a creek behind her house and the kids LOVED it. My niece, Hayley, and Nephew, Alex, offered to watch Nick for me if I bought them a cheesecake. Um, let me think.....Sure! I'm not stupid :-) So, it was a quiet afternoon for me and I was able to relax and chat with friends.

Mason, Nick, Tyler, Austin, Bryn, Riley, Sadie, and Braden.

Thanks for a great BBQ, Cheryl!

4th of July!

I know, I know....this post is almost a month late, but Dave did remind me that it is still July. So, it could be worse :-) Anyway, we went to Utah for the 4th. My brother-in-law's niece (that just reminded me of a scene in Ferris Bueller's Day Off) lives behind the stadium at BYU and she invited us all over to watch the fireworks. The Jonas brothers were performing and although we couldn't see them, we did hear them. It was lots of fun. We ate licorice, laughed, sang along, Dave crashed a Luau and brought back some yummy eats. Vicky pulled out the glow sticks after it got dark and just before it rained. Luckily, the rain only lasted a few minutes. It was great. The Lowders know how to party!

HapPY bIRthDay, aMerIcA!!

Dave and Bryn.....Todd is lounging in the background.

Ya, glow sticks!!

Holly, Janelle, and Janelle's roommate, Malissa.

Hayley and Janelle's nasty foot.

Hayley, forcing Nick to love her. Nick, wanting to get away.

Hollywood!

Todd B. Lowder, Party Animal.

Zach and Allison.....getting married Oct. 10th!!

Nick and Hayley playing football. Nick looks like an Aussie in that cute little hat. I love it!

Malissa, Hayley, and Janelle.

All the girls (and Nick).

Curse You, Holly Lowder!