Hogle Zoo

Before we left Ketchikan I told Jaden and Sam that we were going to go to the zoo when we were on our trip. They were SO excited. They would entertain themselves for long periods of time just sitting at the computer looking at all of the animal pictures from the Hogle Zoo website. They had a blast at the zoo. We took Bobbi's girls with us so they had cousins with them. They were so happy to be in Utah having fun with cousins.

We took this picture of Jaden with the birth announcement sign because she shares a birthday with the little critters. She thought that was really cool.

Sam's favorite was the giraffes. He LOVES giraffes!

By this point in the trip we only had our younger four with us. Jayley was in Spokane and Travis we dropped off at UVU in Orem for a basketball camp. It's weird that 4 can feel like a much smaller family. Emyly and Averi Frampton came along with us to the zoo.

First thing in Utah

Right when we got to Bobbi's house in Utah, Jake said,

"Aunt Bobbi, will you give me blonde tips?"

She obliged him and bleached his hair. Everyone was so happy to be done traveling...at least for a day. Then it was on to Arizona.

Driving through Idaho

Um, where is your seatbelt mister?

Visiting with Randon and Chrissy

While we were in Spokane we spent time with Randon and Chrissy. They live a few hours from Spokane and so they came over to spend a few days with us. We stayed 2 nights in Spokane with them and watched Jayley's pre-camp tournament. Then we were back on the road.

Jaden was our lovely photographer. She took the picture of me and Chrissy and Ron and Randon. This was during the basketball games.

Next stop Spokane

The next day we traveled about 8 or 9 hours. We took a break to see the Coolidge Dam. Not everyone wanted to stop. So some of us got out and stretched and some of us stayed in the car and stretched. We drove until we arrived in Spokane, WA. We met Jayley's basketball team at Gonzaga University. They flew down that day. They were attending a team camp and then 3x3 tournament. It lasted 9 days. (Jayley stayed with her team and then flew to Las Vegas and met us later.)

Traveling through Canada

The first day we traveled for 18 hours. We got off the ferry in Prince Rupert about 1:30 a.m. We drove for 18 hours until we got to Kamloops, BC. We stayed at this Comfort Inn. It had an indoor water slide. The kids had a blast swimming and were so happy to be out of the car.

Life is VERY busy!

Seriously?!? Has it really been nearly a month since I tried blogging our summer and catching up. I think I do so bad because I really hate blogging. I don't enjoy it. Maybe it's because I'm always so far behind that it's a chore. Or maybe it's because I'm not a writer. I've never enjoyed writing so again it's a chore :) Anyway, today I am going to attempt to post just the pictures on our Hellacious 4 day drive from Alaska to Utah. Man nobody should be stuck in a car that long:)

I just thought of another reason I hate to blog.....sorting pictures. Why do we take so many pictures. I swear I only use 10% of them. ughhhh!!

First Day of School 2011

Travis is a senior this year. Where has time gone? This was almost impossible to get a picture of Travis. He was so put out by it, but I snatched one anyway.

Jayley is a sophomore.

That white building behind Jayley is the high school. They don't have to walk far :-)

Jaden and Jake were the next ones to leave. Jaden loved posing for the camera. They are both at the Elementary school. Jake is in 5th grade and Jaden is in 3rd grade.

Sam doesn't start school until next week. They have a delayed start for the kindergarteners. He was bummed about that, but I'm enjoying my last week of having him home with me.

And I just realized that I left Brent out. Somehow he snuck out without me getting a picture of him. I will try tomorrow.