1st Day of School.

I can't believe that I am old enough to have a kid going to school. It seems a bit weird to me because we live in the same school boundaries that I lived as a kid. So Blake attends the same elementary I did and to top it off he is in the exact same class room. Luckily the teachers have changed, however the librarian has not. When I came around a corner and saw that it was her I thought there was no way that lady was still alive AND still looked the exact same. She was "old" when I was there and that was a good 20 yrs ago. (do you think she could be one of the three Nephites??) Excited and ready to go!
Watch out! BMOC
Highlight of the day the bus ride.

I did not let him ride the bus to school in the morning, and he was OK with that and didn't really want to. Then at the end of his day I met him at school and showed him which bus he would get on and where to go. So I sent him off on the bus and headed home to meet him at the bus stop. When he got off he said that was the funnest ride he ever had and asked if he could ride the bus everyday. So it looks like his first day of school was a success and if he doesn't care for school, at least he has the bus ride to look forward to!

Soccer

Soccer superstars!
Sprinting a head for the pass
Private coaching with Grandpa

Blake has started his first season of soccer. He loves it and is pretty good at it, but really does it surprise you?? Need I remind you that his mom played on the high school soccer team and oh, Chad played in elementary. So this is in his blood!

I think that he loves it so much because his cousin and best friend Savannah is on his team and so not only does he get to hang out with her more he gets to show off his sweet moves and impress her even more! And I am sure Savannah loves it because they get to wear matching outfits!

NYC Trip!

CAUTION: Really long post...sorry.

Our NYC trip was FANTASTIC! We had so much fun and were able to fit in everything we wanted to do and then some. A big thanks to Jenn for letting us move in and for hanging with us all week. Also, thanks to our moms for watching our kids. It made my trip worry free.

NYC Stock Exchange- we were staying just a few doors down from here with Jenn. It doesn't getting better then staying right on Wall St.
Ground Zero Experience-The church were the firemen stayed during 9/11. It is now turned into a little memorial museum. Very cool to see.
View of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Here at South Street Seaport it had the best street freaks, always entertaining!

You haven't visited NYC until you visit the bull. Everyone was standing around waiting for photos with the head. Clearly we got the better end and no line!
We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and yes, it's as long as it looks a few photos above. So we had worked up a good appetite for some NYC pizza.
The hottest girls in NY!! This is a view of Jenn's neighborhood.
Ahh, Grimaldi's! Some of the best pizza ever! The 3 of us were able to down this in no time and then still have room for ice cream!
The famous ice cream house in Brooklyn. I recommend the double chocolate chunk on a cone but...

on a HOT day with crazy humidity watch your new kicks,

there was no way I was getting chocolate on these beauts!

The city from across the river.

Yankee Stadium. The real reason I finally got my NYC trip. Chad had to make it to the "house Ruth built" before it was too late. The game was fun and as always you get the rowdy crowd in the bleachers!

Lady Liberty!

Chad and I were not planning on going to Ellis Island. But glad we did, it was very interesting and who doesn't need a history lesson every now and again?

Radio City Music Hall

NBC Studios-this was really fun. We were able to do a studio tour and see how this joint works. We visited a few different sets including SNL-Chad's favorite.

Rockefeller Center- Chad really starting to feel like a tourist!

Chad and the Spam knights. We had to hit a Broadway show, so we ended up meeting Craig and saw SPAMALOT. I was not real excited about it at first but I loved it...HILARIOUS!

Times Square in the rain

Leaving our show in the down pour that came seconds after this photo was taken. The streets turned to rivers and the muggy subway stations got a whole new meaning!

Mr. Roker! The man is tiny, but does a fantastic weather segment. "And here's whats happening in your neck of the woods... " LOVE IT!
We were able to make it on the Today show. Nice job on our part for getting by the girl who was having her sweet 16. You know that is always a given!
Note the two happy people in the back! Hi mom!

Just in case you missed our television debut...no worries KRisti has amazing bootleg skills. I knew that girl learned something while living in Mexico City.

Wrapping up things at the Today show.

Central Park.
This is for my Dad- the ultimate Beatles fan.


Jenn and I enjoying huge bowls of rice pudding. Yum!

Little Italy- After this street and Chinatown I can say I am well traveled and will never pay full price for anything.

Holy Cannoli

Ghost busters Firehouse

This is how we knew we got the right one...our "tour guide" had been confused before and somehow missed the HUGE sidewalk mural.

We had a great time and ate great food. I'm just glad we made it safely after our cab ride from the airport to Jenn's place I thought we were going to die! Apparently traffic rules don't apply to cab drivers -traffic?? who cares that's what the shoulder is for right? No need to stop or slow down, if people are smart they'll get out of the way. But I guess one good thing is we made from JFK to Wall St. in record time...25 mins....amazing!!

The CCC

Blake, Savannah, Luke, G-ma
Blake
Luke and Chad thinking about a nap
Cousin Ken introducing Blake and Sal
Sal (one of the four)
Blake being a boy and asking if we could take it home.

Every summer we try to get together and do a camping trip with Chad's extended family. This year we went to the Uintah's and camped at Soap Stone. The boys had a great time 4-wheeling, playing flashlight tag, and Blake's highlight catching salamanders.

Cook Family Fun

Ryan, Shelley and kids were able to visit for the 4th of July weekend. We were able to get in lots of fun while they were here. Thanks Leslee for volunteering your Dad's pool so we could have our own private pool party!

Blake found out that going down a water slide by himself was quite the rush, he ended up really liking it and having a great time.

Luke- my lounge man! Just working on his tan. He doesn't have time for frivolous things like water slides and diving. He's all business!

Later that night we were able to see the fantastic fireworks show that PG city puts on. We have been going for years and are never disappointed!

What better place for a photo opt then a firework show? Fantastic lighting! We all have a natural glow. Blake loved them even though he looks board out of his mind.

My Mom and Dad -two of the best people I know! I don't think my dad is happy with me for interrupting his firework show to get this photo. The man takes his pyro-technics very seriously!
We were all pleased that Schaack & Co paid us a visit that night. What could be better then a bunch of Cooks, carmel popcorn, red vines and glow sticks? Obviously they made a good choice to join us!
The next day we ventured off on an ATV trip. We hit up a trail from Wasatch State Park to Cascade Springs. The kids loved it and I don't think I have ever seen my Mom so dirty or with a mustache!Ryan, Camden, & Sue Ann finishing up their ride. Ryan once again thinks it's a race and is giving us the fist pump because he thinks it makes him look cool. I think it's still up for debate. Still not sure what kind of gang sign my mom is flashing. I will have to follow up with that.

Bryce and Caiden -the wild ones! If there was any extra bump or jump to hit they were the first to do it. Also Bryce thought it was fun to spin donuts in the parking lot we were all hanging out at....thanks for the dust bath!

Here are the real riders, Blake and myself. Blake can never get enough of this machine. I just wish he would hang on more often.

We stopped for lunch at Cascade Springs. We found a nice shady spot right in the middle of the trail. I'm sure people were annoyed but we were hot and hungry. Steph, Bryce, and Chad snagged the bench after the old lady with the cane was all rested up.

Shelley and the beautiful Londyn.

Ryan and boys. Ryan was giving a bit more of the "nature" feel by making duck calls with grass and leaves. End of a long weekend, Blake said it felt like we were on vacation and we should do this everyday! I agree. We had a lot of fun and were able to squeeze in lots of activities. Thanks everyone for all the good times and memories!