Summer 2014

Another wonderful summer visiting my kids in the U.S.A. I started my trip July 1 flying from Hong Kong to Seattle. At that time, Greg and Lindsey lived in Seattle so it was perfect to crash at their house and have them show me the sights of Seattle. I loved it.

 

From Seattle, Greg, Lindsey and I drove to Cody and Whitney's house and enjoyed the 4th of July in Oregon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cody, Greg and Lindsey were like little kids lighting the fireworks.  Cassidy and Warren were excited/scared.

The boys risked their lives jumping into an ice cold river. Lindsey took the plunge in the cold water, but jumping in the shallow. 

I flew to Utah and stayed a few weeks before heading to CA to pick up Camryn and return to Oregon so my little OC city girl could experience the country life with her cousins Cassidy and Warren. 

I got to meet Fallon for the first time. She stole my heart!

 The girls modeling new clothes.

Ryan's work gave him tickets to the circus. It was so fun to see the excitement of a circus through the eyes of the girls.

 

I enjoyed eating outside with the kids. Fun tradition Ryan and Erica do with the girls.

 Next up: City Mouse meets Country Mouse. There was a lot of time spent in the garden.

 

 

And climbing trees to eat apples every day.

 

We were all so happy that Grandpa flew to OR to spend a few days with all of us.

Especially Warren. Grandpa brought him Thomas the Train cars.

 

We enjoyed: swimming at the Lake.

 Going with Grandma and Grandpa for treats.

Walking Bald Hill and eating berries along the way.

 
Watching Cody play softball.

 

 Walking to the neighbors to feed the horses all the apples we picked.

 

 Playing.

Working in the garden.

 

Going to the Farmers market.

The kids played and worked hard until the last drop of sunshine set.

After we had a wonderful time in OR, Cody brought the kids to Park City to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa. We loved it. 

 

 

 

 

Cassidy spent a lot of time playing with the doll house.

 

We went to our land in Oakley for a hot dog roast on the river. Always a fun time.

 

We promised Warren that we would take him for a ride on "Heber", Thomas the Train's cousin.

 

 

David and Cody were able to find time to fit in a hike.

And then I headed back to CA to tend the girls while Ryan, Erica and Fallon headed to Guatemala for a business/pleasure trip.

I gave Camryn an early birthday present since I'd be back in Hong Kong for her birthday.

 

We went on a grandma date every day. First up: Disneyland. It was SO HOT.

Reagan decided to wear her Elsa dress I bought her. She was happy.

Grandma worked hard at potty training Reagan. She loved going outside, peeing on a rock, while saying, "look a waterfall".

We walked around the block to have breakfast at TK Burger for one of our dates.

 

We did crafts.

I bought Reagan a special present for giving up her binki. She chose a veterinarian kit.

Another grandma date was taking the girls for manicures.

 

And of course we followed it up with ice cream....way too much ice cream!

One day we went shopping. We can't go to the mall without hitting the Disney store.

And then grandma had to go back to Utah. I found some time to take a few hikes, one with Shawna and Neil, that I should never have gone because I could not muster the energy to hike to the top of Timp. I wimped out and we went to eat instead. 

 

 

I had a great time spending time with Shawna and her family. Sierra had her darling baby boy, Beau blessed while I was there. And I saw a lot of the Smart family. It was wonderful.

One thing that happened that I wasn't planning on was buying a home. I was not looking for a house...but the house found me. It was a house that David saw back in 2006 when it was being built. Greg and David walked through it. David came home and told me what a great house it was going to be, with great views when it was done. Well it came up on the market and we bought it. 

  I hated saying good bye to my town home with all of the memories, but we are keeping it. We have renters in it now. The rest of the summer was moving in. I completely lucked out because Greg, Lindsey, and Ryan came to Utah on the very day I closed. Ryan and Greg ran a half marathon. They were sore and tired, but they worked hard helping me move in. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of us moving. We were all too busy working. Lindsey took over the move after I was overwhelmed with all that the "professional movers" didn't do. I couldn't have made the move without my kids.

I bought the house for the great little neighborhood it's in (only three cul de sacs), trail access from each house to enjoy biking, running and walking in the summer. The trail is groomed for cross country/skate skiing in the winter.  I love the beautiful entry way and the many windows that boast wonderful mountain views of Park City. 

David loves the garage.

 

The pictures are from the listing.

Many people ask me if I'm excited about the house. I always pause before answering. I am excited, but it doesn't quite feel like home yet. After Christmas, when all the family is in the house and memories are in the making, then I will love the home. Family. The sole purpose we bought the house.