Mini-Vaca

As a last hurray and as a way to say we actually did do something this summer, Celestra, Grandma Eiko, and I headed down to Salt Lake for a little mini-vacation packed with all kinds of touristy type activities. I mean, if you can't be a tourist in your own back yard, where else can you be!

Our first stop was for a quick bite of dinner at one of Celestra and my favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel.

Yep she's being goofy, trying to blow out the lantern

Grandma Eiko and Cele at dinner

Our first stop on our tour of Salt Lake was the Kennecott mine, the largest open mine in the world and one of the only man made things that can be seen from space and it's right here in our backyard.

Our shadows

A train whistle made of copper

The Statue of Liberty is completely made of copper

(click on the picture and enlarge it so you can read the inscription, its really interesting)

How Kennecott looked in 1960; which was the last time Grandma Eiko visited

It has rocks in it mom!

Check out the view

Eiko taking it all in

Cele having waaaay too much fun

Now we move on to the Living Planet Aquarium

in Sandy

Jellyfish

A photogenic lion fish

Lets steer the ship

hello Mr. Octopus

Mrs. Sea Turtle says hi.

Penguin, penguin, Cele

And now we're off to the Gateway and the Planetarium

because we cannot come to Salt Lake on a fun trip and not go to the

Planetarium with our science nut along

Watching the pendulum

lost in space

check it out

floating in space with the Hubble telescope

A Martian

Oh look! Now there are two

cheeky girl on the moon

What do you weigh on a neutron star?

It's the earth

Two new Martians

She has joined the astronauts

a moon rock

And now its time for some shopping

Hello horsie

And last, but certainly not least, dinner at Thaifoon. Yum!

We had lots of fun and it was a great way to end summer vacation.

Have a Seat

I finally had had enough of our lack of seating, let alone comfortable seating. And since I had enough money, I found this set for $500 and we now have good couches in our front room! We love them. Sorry just had to share.

If you can't tell, Cele loves them

new 'do

Since it's back to school time, it was time for Celestra to get her hair trimmed. This time the hairstyle stayed pretty much the same, we just added layers, did some major thinning, and retouched her highlights.

Cele before

Ooh look she can conduct electricity

and that's just from thinning her hair

Cele after (even though the hair is still wet)

Horses, Horses, Horses! And did we mention Horses?

Cele spent the last week up in Ephraim Canyon with a couple of her second cousins from my mom's side of the family. You might ask what the kids were up to and I would have to respond with bonding time and living, breathing, horses; and loving every minute of it! This was Cele's first year at the camp and she can't wait till next year to go back!

A couple scenery pics to give you an idea, just a taste really, of the beautiful area she has been enjoying this last week.

My stinker

Cele's second cousin Peyton (her grandpa is my mom's brother Randy)

The cabin the girls stayed in

Maybe we can get Celestra to get on here and write down some of the really fun stories she told me on the drive home. I never had to ask her anything except who this or that person was that she was talking about. She couldn't stop talking about the camp. I am really glad she had such a good time. Of course, getting to ride horses every day for an entire week never hurt her chances for that!

A Little Magic

Tonight my friend Tiffany and I hit the movies, getting a chance to see a really great flick. Sorcerer's Apprentice is definitely a movie for the whole family. Disney has done it again! There are a lot of pop culture references just for the adults that will just make you laugh but tons of fun for the little ones as well. Tiff and I had a great time and I plan to take Celestra some time soon.

Happy Birthday America

Happy Independence Day to all! It's America's birthday and to celebrate Celestra and I did some of our favorite things, watched the fireworks show and hung out with family. We hope you all had a great weekend and we want to thank all those out there who make (and have made) our freedom possible. A great big thank you to all the soldiers who have fought and continue to do so for our freedom. We owe you more than we could ever repay.

Cele and I at the fireworks show on Friday night

Fireworks finale

Then there was today (after work)

Dad grillin'

Ethan playing with the cars

cute little Byron with more cars

Grandpa gets everyone wet

Cele just chillin'

Hanging out with the fam

(David, Desiree, Alisha, and Kellison)

Cool dude Kellen

A rather tired Cele

Anderson-Lowe Family Reunion

Yep it was the annual family reunion this past weekend and instead of making you read about everything, I will just let the pictures speak for themselves (at least for the most part!)

Paul, Kristine, Joyce, and Eiko

The Willson family plus Eiko and Cele

Celestra's art project

Wesley ready for the game

Grandma Eiko and Cele face off before the game starts

Grandma Eiko waits for the game to start

Mark with the twins

Kristine gets in on the game action

Abbie and Skylie are ready for the game to start

Celestra is ready to pop everyone else's balloons

Paul, Jayson, and Jeremy hanging out

Joyce

Cele hanging out

Cute little Skylie

Kristine and Eddie

Eddie is the oldest living member of the family

he turned 95 this year

Ken with his newest granddaughter Zoey

Brand New Daddy Nick with baby Zoey

Adorable Abbie

Cutie pie Annie