The Cox Family Circus: September 2009

I have been catching a lot of flack about not updating my blog...so here goes.

It is going to be a long post. Don't say I didn't warn you.

End of June: Eli's 5th Birthday

We celebrated Eli's 5th birthday twice! We had a party as a family and then Eli got to have his FIRST "friend" birthday party. He loved it. It is hard to believe that Eli is 5...time just flies by.

Eli and his buddies. They were hilarious!

Having fun in the pool. (Don't mind the big Hawaiian hiding in the tree.)

Yep...he is 5!

*JULY*

July started out with a bang...and all of the 4th of July festivities.

The evening of the 4th, we had a neighborhood bbq. It is was SOOOOO hot that day and by the time we had the bbq, it was WELL OVER 100 degrees. But we ate good food and enjoyed great company.

Claire and her friend, Bella playing/eating lawn darts.

After the bbq, it was off to the fair grounds for fireworks. It was still blazing hot, but we came prepared with plenty of water and Gatorade and everyone survived.

Josh, Nate and Tuna's son, Gabe watching fireworks.

~Swimming Lessons~

Eli had 2 sessions of swimming lessons this summer. He had so much fun. He loved his teacher the second session, but he didn't listen to a word she said.

Tuna has a camera that takes pictures underwater and he took this picture of Eli. How cool is that? LOVE it.

Summer = Mohawks

(well, for one week anyway)

*UTAH*

We spent a week in Utah at the end of July. We packed a lot into one week and made lots of memories. We even had an "extra" member of our family with us...Ansley's good friend, Lynae came with us. Traveling with 6 kids, 2 adults, 1 dog, and lots of luggage makes for an interesting and very fun trip.

Left to right: Kathy(sister), Grandma Lowell(in the sun), & Aunt Carol

We had a picnic in Bountiful with my Grandma Lowell, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Carol and some of their kids and grandkids, my sister, Kathy & her family and my little brother, Kris even made an appearance. The kids had tons of fun with all my cousins' kids and we can't wait to do it again next summer.

Ansley and Lynae showing us their amazing talent.

*Park Fun*

While I spent a day with my friend, Kyle took the kids to the park with his dad and his sister, Janna and her son, Miles. It was hot, but they had fun.

Miles!

-Timpanogos Cave-

I had told Kyle that I thought we should spent one day up the canyon. I thought we could take a lunch, sit by a creek, and let the kids explore. Kyle decided it would be better to take the kids to Timpanogos Cave. I should have stood my ground because that 1 1/2 mile hike STRAIGHT up the mountain to the cave was a nightmare (imagine the treadmill on the steepest setting...it was worse). It is so steep that they don't allow strollers, so Claire got to walk...big mistake. It was a hard hike and it was about 100 degrees. The kids were miserable on the way up. When we hit the 1 mile marker, Claire dug in her heels and would not move another inch. She wouldn't be carried and refused to walk. I sent everyone else up to the cave and I stayed with Claire. I let her rest and then decided we could make it if I let Claire set the pace. Claire's pace is SLOW. It took us 30 minutes longer than everyone else to get to the top. Once we got to the top and went through the cave tour, Claire was a lot happier. On the way down, she let Kyle carry her and it was much more pleasant. I like downhill.

Kids BEFORE the hike. They had no clue what we were about to do.

The trail. See the kids huddled in the shade on the left in the top of the photo? Holy cow that was hard.

Claire and Miles enjoying a much deserved treat at the cave.

Janna and Miles in the cave.

Beautiful view and cute kids! (happy to be on the way down)

Miles was worn out...from being carried. I still can't believe Janna carried him the whole way...he is no light-weight!

*Temple Open House*

We were able to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House while we were in Utah. It was beautiful. It was the first time the kids have been to a temple open house (that they remember) and they were in awe.

The Angel Moroni statue was struck by lightening a couple of weeks before we were there. Notice the blackened right arm and horn.

-Ansley's 13th Birthday-

We celebrate Ansley's birthday while we were in Utah. She is 13. She is a teenager. Help us!

Ansley was very happy with her presents which included: make-up (yes, she gets to wear make-up...ugh!), a new cell phone, jewelry and other good stuff.