Big WHEEL fun at Kennecott Copper Mine

All summer I had been hearing radio commercials to come out and see the Kennecott Copper Mine. So while my sister, Chelsey, and my niece, Arlee, were here I thought it would be a great idea to go out. I thought, something fun for a little 2 1/2 year old to do with the big trucks and their big wheels, plus a huge hole to look down.

Well Chelsey ended up going to with Hans' family to witches at Garnder Village and she asked me to babysit. I asked my mom if she wanted to go with me. We took my 2 nieces, Kasiah (4) and Arlee (2 1/2), to the mine.

Well it wasn't what I thought it was going to be exactly. There was a big hole and a big tire, but no bug trucks, unless you count the ones down in the open copper mine and they looked tiny.

BIG HOLE!

BIG TIRE!

We walked around the visitor's center and watched a movie about the mine. While we were watching the movie, a picture of the Earth came on and Arlee said, "Look at that big ball."  Kasiah proceeded to correct her and said, "That's not a ball, that's the Earth." Quit funny and cute!

After the copper mine, I took everyone out to eat at McDonald's. What a fun night!

Trips for work - Part 2

I went on a second trip for work from September 17 to September 22nd. This trip was to Atlanta, Georgia for a Store Development Conference. We had seminars and classes during two of the days we were there. On the other days, we went and toured some stores in the Atlanta area. Why you might ask...well by touring stores, you can find ideas that you might want to incorporate into your store. Or that you might not!

I know I found one idea that I would never want to see in a Grocery store again, maybe a pet store, but not a grocery store...LIVE Frogs! Yes, they had live Frogs to buy at a grocery store to go home and cook. YUCK!, but I guess some people like that.

I also got to go to this Fresh Market and they had tanks full of live fish, crab and lobster to buy and they would kill it for you on the spot.

 My favorite thing I found was "Uncle Matt's" products....reminded me of my Matt.

At the end of my trip, I was able to go to the Georgia Aquarium....It was fun looking at all the sea creatures. Check out my pictures....I even touched the sting ray...and it only took me an hour to get up the courage.

Ever since I watched Jaws, I have been afraid of Sharks. I don't really like going into the ocean because of them. Ever since the movie "Soul Surfer" came out, people keep asking me if I have seen it. Definitely not, I would probably never set foot in the ocean again and one of the things I want to do is go to Hawaii one day. So why would I pictures of sharks, well they are behind glass and are safe to look at.

Looks alot like Jaws!

The best thing I liked about the aquarium was the Beluga whales. It was fun to watch them dive and play around. They reminded me of the dolphins, which are really my favorite, but I really didn't get to see because they were in the dolphin show.

Here are the Beluga whales and a couple of pictures of me trying to take my picture with them.

I was also able to get my picture taken with a penguin, a white allegator, a large fish, and a manta ray.

 The biggest surprise of the trip was that I actually touched a manta ray in the touching pond. Mind you, I had to go back three different times and on the third trip, I waited an hour until I got up the courage. This was silly, because all the kids would touch the manta rays with no problem. I really need to get this figured out, because one of my life goals is to swim with dolphins.

California Monson Boys came to Visit

In July, Matt's brother and his family came to visit. One night, Matt and I, slept over at his parent's house, so Matt could have a sleepover with the boys, Sam, Nate, and Eli, in the backyard.

First, we had a water party.
Second, we set up the tent.
Third, we light fireworks. In California, were the boys live they can't have fireworks, but with the new laws this year allowed us to light some really cool fireworks. (Thanks for spoiling us, Mitch! Hope you enjoy the pictures, because your boys sure enjoyed watching them.)

After the water party, the boys decided they need to sit on Matt in order to get dry.

Starting to put up the tent. Matt, Sam, and Nate

Sam was a big help. He was able to put the poles together himself.

Nate also helped with the tent poles

Eli wasn't as much help, but was cute to watch.



Matt and Nate posing for the camera

Sam and Matt posing for the camera

Eli had all the tent pegs, lets just say he lost a couple while the other boys were trying to hammer in the pegs that they did have with them. Eli even lost a couple in the grass. We found them the next morning.

All of us together. Matt's mom took the picture for us.

Eli requested ranch dressing and thats all. I really mean all he wanted was ranch dressing, so Matt's dad (Grandpa) gave Eli a bowl, a spoon, and some ranch dressing.

The Monson boys had a tank war. They loved it.

Sam picking out the firework that he wanted to light. We told the boys the rules for fireworks were that they had to watch the fireworks from the chairs and if it wasn't their turn to light the fireworks with Matt then they had to be on the chairs. They said okay and could always be found on the chairs waiting for their turn to light a firework.

Waiting on the chairs for their turn to light a firework.

Watching the show with Grandma and Grandpa

Waiting for the show to start with Grandma and Grandpa



Sam and Matt lighting the fireworks



Eli hanging out with Grandma

Nate and Matt lighting the fireworks

Eli and Matt getting ready to light the fireworks.

 We had a lot of fun with the Monson boys.

We were sad to see them go back to California.