At Grandma's house, every day is filled with "rainbows." We love that she is the most incredible preschool teacher around, and brings all her fun ideas home for us to be entertained. It doesn't matter how big of a mess it makes, she is ALWAYS happy to let us explore, and create. Our favorite....making humpty dumpty walls out of sugar cubes, chocolate frosting, and easter eggs.
We love celebrating summertime birthdays. Just another reason to get together, eat, and party. This party was to celebrate Aunt Annette's big day with our cousins, Clayton, Gracie, and Rainy. This summer we were especially proud of Clayton's new dog walking business "Newt's Paradise." He got his name from his awesome, dog "Newt" himself. We loved knowing he had grundles of clients who trusted him with their dogs, and was making great money too. Tyson envied the idea so much, he asked to take the idea to China. Unfortunately, millions of other Chinese people have this same idea, and charge a lot less than he was willing to take!
This summer, we were able to meet a few new cousins that were born shortly after we left last summer. Here is Aunt Bethany with adorable little Brooklyn. We were only able to see them ONE day, before we left for Florida, but it only took seconds to know we loved this little girl.
We also loved getting to know sweet little Katelyn who always had a smile. Aunt Carrie had her just a week after we left last year, so we just missed meeting her. We also missed her first birthday having to get back to school in time. We were sad because Carrie and Tyler's party's are always the best! We are so appreciative of Carrie and Tyler for helping us organize Bracken and Parker's scout camps with their ward every year. They have incredible friends, that continue to welcome the boys to all their activities--this year was no exception.
We love meeting at the park with our Wilde cousins. Grandma Wilde helps us make our own boats, and we float them down the streams. Other than Bracken and Parker, everyone was here!(Brooklyn, Gracie, Caleb, Lizzie, Rainy, Tyson, Collin, Clayton, Annie, Katelyn and Colby)
One day we spent at the Gateway Children's Museum. There are so many hands on activities for kids here, but it seemed like the balls were by far the most popular.
Tyson looks forward to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point every year. He and the cousins can spend hours either digging in the mud making forts for the dinosaurs, or digging for dinosaur bones.
Of course, every activity must include ICE CREAM! We probably ate more ice cream this summer than we do the entire year. It makes it even funner to have more than two ice cream choices like we do in China---No, green tea ice cream is not ever our first choice!! Tyson sits next to Annie and Colby who he loved having play dates with. Colby had just recently got a new pet lizard that Tyson found amazing. Annie, of course is one of the sweetest girls ever!
Sweet Great Grandma Jorgensen is such an amazing woman. We are so grateful for her good health, and strong mind. She has never, ever forgotten one of our birthdays, and continues to send birthday cards to ALL her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids every year---with a $5 bonus buck inside!! We love her so much, and are amazed at the service she gives to everyone. We love being able to spend time with her each summer.
Tyson, Clayton, and Gracie enjoyed a couple weeks of tennis camp with a neighbor as their coach. We are not sure how many techniques were actually learned, but they definitely had fun, so what else matters? While Tyson attended a neighborhood tennis camp, Bracken and Parker attended Tennis camp and Soccer camp at BYU. They came home tired, but loved their week away in Provo.
With all the camps the boys were attending, we were grateful they came home safe and healthy. Who would have guessed it would be a fall head first from the suburban that would have caused our biggest scare!! Lucky for us, Preston has a hard head, and a happy spirit that helped him get over his nasty fall. Unfortunately, he will have his battle wound for quite some time!
Our day-pass at Snowbird allowed us to take in all the activities. Our favorite was racing down the slide. There was a lot of "betting" going on amongst the boys as to who would make it down the mountain the fastest. However, the biggest win of the day came to Annie who lost $95 when it fell from her pocket. She was devastated as she had earned the money going without candy for ONE year! We all felt so bad for her, and figured noone would turn the money in to Lost and Found. However, to our surprise, after checking with Lost and Found, someone had actually taken the money to security, and Annie was able to get her money back! We were happy to know there are still honest people out there--it was a great lesson for all of us.
Tyson does a couple tricks and flips on the trampoline. Lucky he has had a lot of practice at home.
The boys had a great time on the bucking bronco, and we all had a good laugh, but we can definitely say they are not headed to any rodeos any time soon!
Our summer is not complete without our annual weekend visit to the Nevenner cabin. The activities never change, every year it is a replay of the year before, but this is what keeps it the best---four-wheeling, card playing, "Perfect Stranger" watching, junk food eating, nature exploring, and fun! This is one of the boy's MOST FAVORITE summertime activities they look forward to. The entire Wilde family, (and Connor of course) come together for a lot of laughs to say the least!
Bracken and Connor are especially proud of this picture---they got a least three feet of air!
This was the first year Preston was able to ride along with the big boys, and he too became an immediate fan!
The boys sit around the "card table" that truly you can find a card game of some type taking place at any time!! The Wildes' are famous for their card skills!! This picture, however, the boys confidently take on Uncle Troy in "Seinfeld Trivia." Ever since they found out this game exsisted, they planned to take Troy on the first opportunity they could. It was a good match, however, in the end it was a close tie between Troy and John. It's obvious what John does with his free time driving to work and home in Shanghai traffic every day.
Even though we stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house, it seems like we make a daily trip toAlpine to visit our family there. Kevin and Angie, and Kyle and Kim have beautiful houses in Alpine, and the boys love to be with their Copeland cousins. Luckily, the adults enjoy each other as well. Alison is especially grateful for her sister-in-laws that her brothers have chosen for wives as she loves them all including her sister-in-laws on the Wilde side!!
Lucky for us, we were in town for the Oquirrih Hills Temple open house. Before a temple is dedicated, anyone is allowed to come and tour the beautiful interior. It was wonderful to be able to meet Kevin, Angie, Cameron, Anne, and their families at the temple, and be inside with all the kids. After the open house, we of course hit Chuck-A-Rama for a traditional Copeland buffet. (John is particularly fond of this tradition with his inlaws!!)
Grandma and Grandpa made a quick visit to Salt Lake City, to be with many of their kids who were in Utah at that time. We were so happy to see them again, since we had just been to their house a couple weeks before. Thanks to Angie for organizing a temple morning for the couples. We love attending the Mount Timpanogas temple, or any temple together.
Since Grandma was in town, all the grandkids wanted to be with her at all times, so she took ALL of them on a day trip to the children's museum, and then to the Gateway fountains to cool off. We were amazed Grandma was daring enough to take them all--good thing they are all great kids and super helpers (Kade, we have learned is the ultimate babysitter-- just ask Preston! Jenna, Hannah, and Lauren are the cutest girls ever--who wouldn't want to be with them!) Tyson was in heaven being able to spend more time with Grandma, and counted down the days until she got to Utah! (Tyson, Hannah,Kade, Brady,Jenna,Lauren)
More day trips with Grandma and the Copeland cousins included a day at "Cowabunga Bay." This waterpark just recently opened, and the boys had to check it out. It was a great time with Grandma, Kade, Lauren, Hannah, Kim, Carter, Jenna, Brady, and our fam!
Kade, Carter, Bracken, and Parker take a relaxing dip between riding the slides at Cowabunga Bay.
This summer Preston became a FISH! Last year he was a bit hesitant to get his feet wet, but he obviously changed his mind this year.
Since Grandma and Grandpa were in town with so many of us that had gone on our fabulous China trip in April, Mary Conley, a friend who also went with us, organized a "Copeland Family China" reunion at her amazing home. Mary and her husband were wonderful hosts, who provided not only a great atmosphere, but delicous dinner, and fun for everyone! Everyone was able to make it to the reunion except for Jerry and Shelley Rigby and their family who live in Rexburg, Idaho.
This is the pool, and diving area. It is only a portion of the incredible house Mary has. Thanks Mary for allowing all of us to come to such a palace for our reunion!
Bracken and Taylor are the oldest Copeland cousins. They are always great sports to join in with their younger siblings and cousins.
Here are Parker and Connor--inseparable at the pool. Basically, they were with each other literally the entire summer. It is amazing how alike these two are, and how well they get along. It is also amazing how much they crack each other up--if you are with these two for two minutes you would agree, and would surely be cracking up too! We are grateful for cousins!
Parker and Connor with Ethan who they think is "Awesome!" We are so happy Kent and Natalie could be with us at the reunion party. They drove all the way from Washington to be with us! It definitely would not have been the same without them.
Yes, our summer was hectic, but fabulous! Between our crazy, busy day, John and the boys found time to fit in some tee times together at courses all over the valley. John also was a perfect shopping assistant to Alison, as well as the boys to buy all their school attire. We also didn't miss any "must eats" on our restaurant list, and even got in some summer blockbusters as well. We loved getting together with friends we hadn't seen for years, and were able to attend a Shanghai Reunion, and Alison's 20-year high school reunion (blog to follow) . Of course we took time to hit Costco, and other grocery stores to stock up on our American goods, leaving no extra suitcase space to spare. We were sad when the time had come to leave, but also looked forward to our return to Shanghai. Our time was spent, and spent well. We love the memories we were able to make, and look forward to more to come!
The Wilde Family----China Bound--August 15, 2009
4 comments:
Looks like a fun summer! You looked great at the reunion. I'm sad I didn't get to see you again. Maybe next year!
Alison,
It was fun to read about your summer! You haven't posted anything for so long I was going to call your mother and see if you were okay?!? Just kidding.... We surely enjoyed seeing you at the China reunion and also for lunch while Laura was at Kevin and Angie's. Continue to enjoy Shanghai and all of the experiences there, which I'm sure you and your family will. Love, Joyce
Yeh!!! You are back with the blogging! I loved hearing about all the events and seeing all you did this summer. We loved, loved having you come to Florida. Hopefully you'll be able to do it again--only longer next time!
So great to see you back on blogger! Is it not blocked anymore? Great pix- I just get so mad to hear you were all over the country this summer and I still don't get to see you! Miss you tons! xxoo
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