Highland Splash Pad

Our ward does a weekly summer play group that rotates through some of the local parks.  We couldn't always attend, but we were looking forward to the week at the Highland Splash Pad.  Chase would watch the water spray, and I basically had to drag him out of the water when he was so hungry but couldn't leave the fun.  He was all smiles the entire time.

ISSI with Chase

The Suzuki music world is awesome in Utah.  There are lots of great teachers and students, and they have a big Institute every year.  Some amazing teachers were there, including Pam (my teacher from NYC) and Carey Beth Hockett (a big group class teacher I had met in CT).  I really felt lucky to live close enough to go.

On the final day, I took Chase with me to the final concert.  Kate was playing in it, so we thought we'd get her some flowers first.

Of course Chase had other ideas...

In the blurry mess, you can see Kate and Pam

Chase did a great job trying to listen and not be too loud

Afterwards we went out for lunch at his favorite place... McDonalds.  And we took silly pictures.

It was a great day!  Suzuki + Chase.

Lehi Round Up Rodeo

Living basically in Lehi and having Logan marry into to the family means we need to learn a little more about rodeos.  So when it was time for the Lehi Round-Up Rodeo, Marcus and I decided to take Chase and go with some friends.

He was really intrigued with the whole thing

I couldn't believe how many people were there!

This is a monkey riding on the back of a dog...

Next time I'll have to go with Logan and Trevor to learn more about the rules and how it all works :)

Chase caught a glow-in-dark ball from one of the prize cannons

He really liked it!

And after the rodeo, they had a motorcycle show.  That was amazingly impressive too!

Chase wanted to watch the motorcycles at the fence with all the kids.  Cute.

We had a lot of fun.  Who would've thought?! :)

Alpine Slide

We tried to do something fun with Gram once a week over the summer, but it didn't work out that often with the weddings and vacations.  One week we decided to go to Park City and have an afternoon there.  It was actually our third idea for the day, but nothing had been working out.  Luckily it turned out to be great.  

Chase and I rode the ski lift up for the Alpine Slide.  I was nervous he'd hate it, but of course my adventurous spirited little guy thought it was great.

And he was a super helper.

And we were off!!!!

Ty also seemed to enjoy being in Park City.  There was a lot to see from his stroller.

Definitely a fun afternoon!  Thanks, Gram.

Marcus' Birthday

Marcus seemed to really enjoy his birthday celebrations.  He loves going out to dinner with family.

Even Chase ate his dinner - a slice of chocolate cake :)

Marcus thought that was going to be it, but he didn't know I'd been saving all year.  We decided not to do birthday presents since we were buying a house and all, but I put away money each month to get him something I knew he'd really, really, really wanted.  It took some good planning, budgeting, and timing.

He just stood there staring at it, so I must have really surprised him!

He picked out his birthday meal and then made it himself.  It's like a present for me too!  haha

His first bite of meat off his grill

And of course he wanted a banana split.  Always. 

And Chase blew out his candles

And he finished his great day chasing the ducks in the backyard...

Happy Birthday, Marcus.  Enjoy this final year in your 20's!