So much fun in only a few hours...

Back in July my sister Misti started teaching the kids in the family a dance. Friday night was the recital and it was awesome. The kids did great!! Sara even performed. We were all a little worried that she would back out because she won't usually perform in front of people. But SHE DID IT!! Ben and I were so proud of her and she was, too. The girls performed to "How Does She Know" from Enchanted. The boys danced to "Getch'a Head in the Game" from High School Musical. And all the kids together danced to "Jungle Jim". It was adorable. All of us parents were so proud to see them up there. Thanks Misti for all the time you spent on it. We all enjoyed it!!

All the dancers - before and after

Misti prepared a program with the dances and their names

The girls' dance involved ribbons, umbrellas, and flowers - all very girly

Evan and Sabrina

Misti gave them all a medal at the end. They thought that was pretty cool.

The adoring audience

Misti even did a dance for us

Pace decided the kids were having so much he wanted to join in, too.

After the recital, a bunch of us went to the Bee's game. Ben got some tickets from work so we headed out for a late night. We left Kamri home with Maria and Malia - thanks Maria. After the game they had fireworks and then the kids got to run around the bases. The kids were excited to do it, but I think Ben was a little more so than the kids. It was supposed to be kids under 12-years-old, but Ben got in right in there with them.

Some of us enjoying the game

Evan, Corbyn, and Misti

Ben was totally in his element out there on the field and in the dugout. Total heaven

Lovely picture

Coming toward home

The kids got a coupon for a free kid's meal at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Looks like we'll be going there sometime.

It was a fun night and I'm grateful to have family around to share these memories with.

Thanks guys. We love you.

Sweet Tour

For the past 4 years, my family has gotten together once in the summer to take a tour of the Sweet's Candy candy factory. We started this little tradition because my sister, Trista, went into labor with Sabrina that day - just a short time after she got back to work after the tour. Sweet's is lucky her water didn't break while she was on the tour.

I didn't make it to the first one because I lived in Provo, but I've been the last 3 times and it is fun and free and the kids love it. We learn how they make all sorts of candy and get lots of free samples. This year we got to try Christmas jelly beans (before they were all shiny), Chocolate Peanut caramel clusters, cherry sticks, and caramel-flavored taffy. We also got to see how they make cinnamon bears (yum) but didn't get a sample of those. They also have a store in front where they have a bunch of their candy for sale. Some for real cheap. I got some dark-chocolate orange sticks and chocolate covered cinnamon bears (soooo good). They also give you a free bag of taffy after the tour. Seriously, if you're looking for something fun to do with your kids, this is it. They'll love you. My kids did say, "I don't want any more candy. My tummy hurts." After we went to the park for a picnic with the fam where my mom brought chocolate donuts. I guess they don't consider that candy because my kids definitely couldn't do without one of those.

To go on the tour you have to wear these hair nets, take off ALL your jewelry (wedding rings and watches included), and wear closed-toe shoes. They want no surprises in their candy. The candy actually goes through a medal detector before the package is sealed.

The crew (minus the adults and Blake)

She seriously ca't make a straight face for the camera. Oh well. It's cute.

Evan and Sara both kept their "cooking hats" and want to help me make dinner just so they can wear them.