Summertime 2014 treated us pretty well. It only had a small touch of sadness, which was that Jon had to leave us for a month to travel to Russia for an audit for John Deere. It was definitely sad and hard for all of us having him gone for so long but it was a good, enjoyable experience for him and the kids and I had lots of fun visiting out west while he was away. We worked out that Jon would drive to Utah with the kids and I to Utah, fly to Russia from Salt Lake, we would visit lots of family while he was gone, he would fly back to Salt Lake, we'd see family and reunion for a week while he worked from home (in Utah) and then we'd all drive back to Iowa together. It made for a long, (but fun), month and a half for the kids and I on vacation!
While in Utah, I split time up in Idaho with my parents, with my sister Becky in Ogden, and with my sister-in-law Amberly in Herriman. From these places I was able to do lots of short visits to friends & family throughout the Utah County & Cache Valley areas. It was great being able to have time to see everyone I had wanted to see! Plus I got to eat lots of yummy food :)
Idaho: Idaho was lots of fun! I brought my sewing machine with me and my mom helped me hone up on my sewing skills by making dresses for Katie. I actually really enjoy sewing (though I doubt I'll ever be awesome at it) and it was fun re-learning how to make stuff! It was great to spend so much time with my parents and let my kids get to know their Rider family better! My mom was a big help with the kids and it was great spending time with her! I got to go meet up for dinner with my wonderful high school chum Bonnie and eat delicious Mexican food! I also got to see my childhood friend Addy and meet her adorable little boy. My little sister Catherine aka Babe came and visited me both weekends while I was there. I love my little sis and it was lots of fun to laugh and hang out- and get her addicted to Bones :) I totally trashed her in pool (which she is completely terrible at) but she kicked my butt at ping pong so I guess we're even. The kids loved playing on the trampoline and going to see the horses, goats, chickens, turkeys, and baby cow with Grandma. Colton even got brave enough to touch & feed the horse by the end of our visit! For the 4th of July, I got to take the kids to their first parade in Lewiston with Grandma & Catherine. It was so much fun to see the looks on their faces! They loved it! Plus, it was fun for us cause people throw more candy at you when you have cute kids :) I also got to run a 5k and meet up with my high school besties Loni & Lindsey and go for a horseback ride. I keep saying this, but IT WAS SO FUN!
 |
| Water Fun in Idaho! |
 |
| The first dress I made Katie...it was a bit big so we had to do some adjusting :) |
 |
| Play-Doh with Grandma |
 |
| 4th of July Parade- Me, Catherine, & Katie. Katie has her parade face on. |
 |
| 4th Parade- Colton & Katie both loved the horses! |
 |
| Me & Babe |
 |
| I love my goofy family! |
 |
| Lindsey w/Katie & Me w/Colton |
.JPG) |
| Lindsey, Me, & Loni |
 |
| Me & Bonnie |
Ogden: I was worried about all of us fitting into Becky's place in Ogden without making them totally miserable but it turns out I worried for nothing! Becky and Isaac were super accommodating and my kids did great! They both loved her adorable little boy Rider and probably intimidated him with how much they showed it! Becky made me lots of yummy food and treats and we got to go for lots of nice walks, shopping, get lunch, go to a movie, splash pad, and do lots of fun things! I always worry about being an inconvenience when I have to stay with people, but Beck is great at making us feel like she really wants us there! I also got to go visit my sister Kristi in bountiful and bring them dinner because she had a new baby boy while I was there! It was fun to see my brand new nephew because I don't get to see my nieces/nephews that soon after they are born usually since I live in Iowa! Colton celebrated his actual birthday while we were in Ogden and we took the kids to a dinosaur park to celebrate. It started out really rough when Colton developed a love/hate relationship with the robotic T-REX. When we were in the room with it he was terrified and wanted to leave (it was extremely life-like!) but when we left he'd cry and want to go back and "See T-rex!" After a few very frustrating discussions and time-outs we were able to move on and enjoy the museum and outdoor park. It was really awesome!
 |
| Horrible lighting....Me and Beck at the movies! |
 |
| Katie enjoyed mothering Rider |
 |
| Rider & Colton at the Splash Pad |
 |
| Happy 3 Years at the Dinosaur Park! |
 |
| Rider & Katie |
 |
| Roar. |
 |
| Ice-Cream Cake! His (ok-mommy's) Favorite! |
 |
| How to Train Your Dragon bath toys. I'm glad he liked them cause the pricing was a bit ridiculous! |
I was also able to visit my Iowa bestie Alissa while I was in Ogden and meet her for lunch. I love that girl and I've had a really hard time with her moving to Utah! It was lots of fun to catch up over lunch and top it off with a jaunt over to the Sweet Tooth Fairy- something for which we both have a definite fondness.
 |
| Me & Alissa |
Herriman: We spent time in Herriman both at the beginning of our trip and the end. Amberly and Brett are lots of fun to stay with and their girls totally adored Katie. They didn't quite get Colton's rough/loud dinosaur play (since they're only used to girls) but they were good to tolerate it :) While there I got to eat lots of Amberly's great cooking & treats, go to the splash pad with cousins, go shopping, attend the Oquirrih mountain temple, visit my BYU friend Sharsti, visit my friend Candice and meet her little girl, and lots more.
 | | | |
| Herriman Splash Pad |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Katie & Cici |
 |
| Splash Pad fun with cousins! |
 |
| Norah & Katie |
Jon In Russia: Jon had a great time in Russia. I think it was tough adjusting at first but he really enjoyed being back where he had served his mission and seeing the country through a different perspective. He got to visit a lot of places where he had been while serving and even got to take a weekend trip to St. Petersborg!
 |
| He & Co-workers roller-bladed & biked along the river |
 |
| Jon on his mission by Apartment Building |
 |
| Jon 2014 by same Russian Apartment Building |
 |
| Jon with Co-workers, border of Europe and Asia |
 |
| Jon by Russian LDS meeting house on mission |
 |
| Jon by LDS meeting house in Russia 2014 |
 |
| John Deere- Russia |
Jon Back in Utah: With Jon back in Utah we spent our last week visiting with his family, going to see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes with his siblings/spouses, attending the Jordan River temple together, meeting up with our Iowa friends the Thompsons, and the DeVores for dinner, and driving to Idaho for our Rider family reunion. The Rider reunion was short but we went camping (mostly fun- although the kids did TERRIBLE at night in the tent), had a big water party, and got to see & play with lots of cousins. They kids loved their time in Utah and so did we!
 |
| Dinner with Thompson's & DeVores |
 |
| Back in Idaho for the Rider Reunion! |
 |
| This girl loves her watermelon! |
 |
| These two stayed out playing on the waterslide long after all the other cousins had gone inside! |
.JPG)
.JPG)