August 2014

Before we start talking about what happened in the month of August I want to tell you about my bestie Fischer (because we are best buddies, and saying "first cousin once removed" is a mouthful) .  He was very upset at me for not posting ANY pictures of him from our big family 24th of July holiday weekend, and he let me know about it.  I was surprised too, because when I got home and looked through all my pictures, I did not have a one of him.  That's probably because we were too busy causing trouble like we normally do.  Although I do have to admit I am not as good as coming up with pranks as he is.  So as an apology to him I dedicate my August post to Fischer Rose, my partner in crime. :)

Alright, now onto August!

It has been another busy month here for us Hastings'.  Not sure what happened to the summer break, but it is officially over.  We packed A LOT of fun into these past few months, and the time has flown by.

We started out the month taking a short weekend vacation to Vernal.  We didn't have a ton planned heading out there, but we found lots of things to do and everyone had a great time.

We spent the evenings in the pool

This is me, my dad and my mom all doing cannon balls into the pool.  I hate to have to be the one to tell you this, but my parents are cooler than yours!!

Dinah the pink dinosaur

Getting a closer look

The first day we headed out to Dinosaur National Monument

On the tram

In the quarry.  This was so cool seeing all the bones in the mountainside.

Touching a real dinosaur bone

It was a beautiful day!

Jeffy hanging out in the middle of the road.  Where is his mother?!?

We took a hike from the quarry back to the information center - we all lived, so I would call it a success.  :)

Dan and Kwinton share a hamburger after the hike.  Aren't they so cute!  Hahaha!

Then we went to the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum

The kids had a fun time completing the journals that Nana bought them at the front desk

Every time I see a woolly mammoth I think of Ray Romano.  Anyone else?  Maybe I've been watching too many kids movies.

My cute family!

Hannah needed a nap after the long, hot day

That night we found a park to eat dinner at where the kids could play

The next morning we went to the McConkie Ranch to take a hike and see the petroglyphs.  This was a lot of fun for all of us.  It was cool because it was just on some guys property, and he lets people come and hike up to see the petroglyphs.

The map

Donation Box

Off we go!

We made it to the top!  All the kids did such a good job with the hike.  Jeffy was the only one that wanted to be carried back down the mountain.

Afterwards we headed over to Flaming Gorge Dam, but we needed lunch first, so we headed out to Dutch John to find some food.

We found a little cafe, but the service was super slow.

The kids thought they were going to die!

But they all lived, and I bought them a candy bar afterwards for being such good kids!

Then we headed back to the dam to take the tour

Feeding the fish off the back of the dam

The next morning before we headed back home we stopped by the pioneer musuem

The kids were fascinated by the old typewriter

Cali and Emma enjoyed looking at the first ladies doll collection

Before we knew it we were back home and we had a few birthdays to celebrate.  Jeffy, Nikki and Cole all have birthdays right together.

Happy Birthday Jeffy!

Then it was Cole's turn

Happy Birthday Cole!

 The next day we had a surprise birthday / anniversary party for my mom.  She was turning 60 and it is my parents 40th wedding anniversay.  I failed to take any pictures of the event because I spent most the time visiting with people, but it was a lot of fun and my mom is the best!!  We headed out to Washington DC that same weekend, you can read about that fun time here.


After we got home from DC it seemed that it would not stop raining.  So naturally the kids decided they wanted to go outside and play in the rain.  So fun!!

The last weekend before school started we headed up to the cabin with our neighbor friends.  Once again, I was horrible at taking pictures, but I stole a picture from one of their Facebook pages.  Look at all these cute faces!

And before we knew it, it was time to head back to school.  My Hannah is in the 3rd grade this year and Emma is a big 6th grader.  This is the last year that they will both be in the same school. :(

Off they go!

With all the rain we've been having, we've had some beautiful rainbows.

Emma loves making things with her loom.  Here is Psy, you know, the guy that sings Gangnam Style.

Now I do realize that there are still a couple days left of August, but since all we have planned for the next few days is yard work, I figured there won't be much to add.  If anything exciting does happen, (like if we actually get all the yard work done, hahaha) I will be sure to include it in September's post.  See you then!