Soak Up the Sun

The Clarkes stopped by one last short time on their way back to home in Washington.  Dex was excited to play with McPherson again, and was sad when his friend left for good.

One more round of bouncing on couches

A neighbor invited us to go to a splash pad.  We arrived late so her kids were already finished.  Dexter hates getting his head or face wet/splashed.  He didn't last very long at all.  We did catch the friends at the playground and he was happy to play there instead.

Like more of watching the other kids play

Now was the time we had been waiting for, for 6 months!  We went to Vegas!  It was crazy to think it had been that long since we're usually always going there.  The goals of the trip were to spend time with the Hansens (and a little chunk with the Thompsons) by going swimming and just chilling, and to not come home with any broken bones.  We achieved our goals!

Lots of swimming!  We got to go three different times.  Dexter used innertube float which he used.  The first time he was grabbing onto us and wouldn't let go.  By the third time he was doggie paddling and going where he wanted.  Ellie did well in the big pool, but definitely loved playing in the kiddie pool where she could splash and sit a ton.

Ellie loved the kiddie pool

First time - not liking the big pool

Last time - floating by himself!

Floating with the cool kids

Doing the doggie paddle

He made it to Aunt Audrey!

And jump!

Ready to go for another round

Eating golf balls...

 The Hansen boys are great at doing a large cannonball.  I asked for some tutoring help.  This shot wasn't my best, but it was a good one.  They go for height on the double splash more than just splashing out.

Good run and jump is key

The angle back is apparently where the second hit happens

Large splash!

We got to spend the Fourth of July there.  That was one of the swim times.  Aunt Jana came over, along with cousin Preston, Sam (Tyler's girlfriend) and future Uncle Kunkel.

Playing the bunny game with Matt, Audrey and Jana

Twinners!  Blue shirts and red shorts.

Watching our firework display

Using a blowtorch to light the sparklers

Dex liked swirling them around

Watching all the neighborhoods' fireworks with Pop Pop

Ground blossoms

Again, just chilling with PopPop

Nub Nub on her scooter watching our finale

Another round of sparklers!

They agreed to be my test group

Sparkler writing!

After this we just snuck in lots of fun stuff.

Ellie loved the dogs and would even try to talk with them

Went to play tennis (he lasted like 10 minutes)

Nub Nub pulled out the train set

Dad and Nub Nub would build, Ellie-zilla would come and destroy

Audrey, Sam and I went shopping at Plato's closet, then stopped by Jana's backyard for some wedding planning

Audrey helped Dex make some cookies

Great cooks there

She also taught him how to "test" the dough out

Again just playing with the two dogs

Played some piano with Aunt Audrey.  We got it on video but it's a little chaotic sounding.

We had a friend get together at the Institute.  We figured playing with ping pong and letting kids run around would be easy.  Dexter woke up on the WRONG side of the bed before we got there and was a grump/whiner for about 30 minutes.  Finally he warmed up and then him and Michael were playing like crazy.

Playing up a storm, and talking too

Audrey came so that she could get some more kid time

It was great to see our friends and play. Michael even asked Dexter if he could come over to his house and play, it was sad to say no because we live 450 miles away.

They were running and wrestling everywhere.  Dexter ended up being another twinner.

On Tuesday we visited my Grandma Thompson, and then drove to visit my family for a little bit of the trip.  We had gone over on Sunday afternoon to play with them too, but this was a spend the night visit.

Visiting with Grandma Carol!

Quick pic with GG

 Melynn wanted to take the kids out but due to some late naps and then an impending rainstorm we went to a close by park.

She went down a slide

Ellie climbs up all by herself

Melynn's friend Chris came with us.

Swinging

Ellie loved walking around, and I loved that it was gated off

Going down!

Dexter's turn!

They all piled on to dad for the shortest slide there was.

Playing the carrot game with GG

We finally drove home.  The rain followed us home, which was nice and cooling.  Thankfully it let up enough for us to play at a park in Cedar City where we also happened upon a RenFaire.  Dex seemed a bit confused by all these people walking around in costumes. 

We were good so we wouldn't have to go in the stocks

Dad and Dex stretching those legs

Went down the BIG slide

It's three levels high!

There was one break on the trip.  When we first got onto the freeway we heard a nice rock hit our windshield.  Half way through the drive we saw a small crack, by the end of the trip headed home it was over a foot and a half long. 

Our collateral