Roden Family Pictures

This year when we went to Steamboat Springs with Glen's family, we had our family pictures taken. It was great because everyone was actually able to make it. We had a couple called Rife Photography take them at the Botanical Gardens. Not only was it hard to keep all the kids together and happy, try to keep ourselves clean and composed, but we were eaten alive by mosquito's the entire time. Not the funnest at the time, but is now fun to look back at. Overall there were some great pictures taken.

We had such a hard time keeping Jordan happy. My once photogenic boy now hates getting his picture taken. In the picture below he was finally a little bit happier (since we let him pick a flower from the gardens...which is a forbidden thing to do. At the time, we didn't care as long as he was happy, or somewhat happy). Jordan was showing the photographer his flower.

All the families together (28 of us!)

Glen with his brother's, sister's and parents.

And yes, we even had a picture taken of all the significant others

4th of July BBQ & Fireworks

Our 4th of July was a great day. In the past, the 4th has never been an exciting holiday for myself, but after this year I can't wait for the next. Besides Glen having to work the morning it was the perfect day. We had my sister Madison over, were able to take a nap, had a BBQ & went to the park for fireworks.

Here's Glen pushing Jordan around in the car at the BBQ. We are seriously debating about going motorized....this kid could be pushed all day long!

He had a great time just helping himself as we waited for the hot dogs to get done. We found out that he likes chili Frito's. He was so sweet, he would eat one and then share one with everyone else.

He loved having a table just his size that he could eat at.

Poor kid....he is constantly getting his hands and face washed by mom.

After the BBQ we went to Riverton park to watch the fireworks. We went with Aaron & Katie, and then met up with my parents, Wyatt & his girlie friend, Randy & Megan, and the Goodrich's.

Randy & Megan were so nice to share their Slurpee with him. He thought it was great!

So, not quite sure what we were thinking. We left the house with only $4...that won't do much at a carnival. Poor Jordan was watching this little train and wanting to ride sooo bad. Randy and Megan were nice enough to give us another ticket so Jordan and Auntie M could go on it. At first he was excited, then got a little nervous, but once it started he loved it!

Auntie M was such a great sport to ride on it with him. It was so sweet, afterwards I was holding him asking him if he had a good time and he shook his head yes and then signed please (he doesn't say please yet...only does the sign). It was so sweet and sad. He really wanted to go again but we were out of tickets. Next year we will have to remember to bring cash (well more than $4) with us.

Jordan had a great time sitting on the blankets, eating treats and waiting for the fireworks. He had licorice for the first time, and loved it...even though it made Grandma very nervous. Grandma also brought his favorite, messy Cheetos!

Wyatt & his girlie friend Chelsea

Missie, Tiffany, Tyler, Lisa, Mom & Dad

Aaron, Katie, Glen, Troy & Dan

Jordan had a lot of firsts today. One of them was sparklers. I was nervous that he would be scared and not want to hold them once lit, but it was the exact opposite. I wonder if I should be nervous that he had no fear. Heck, I think I was scared of them until I was like 12. He had a great time running around with them.

He didn't understand exactly what they were, so he kept on trying to go over to show and share them with everyone sitting on the blankets. Glen had to intercept a few times. Poor Missie had her leg grazed by him and lost a little bit of leg hair. No burns though.

Jordan sitting on Grandmas lap eating messy, messy Cheetos and loving it! He enjoyed the fireworks just as much as the night before. Clapping and cheering at them.

At the end of the night he gave Katie sweet loves as we were getting the car packed up and ready to go. On the car ride home he told us all about the fireworks in the sky. He even did firework sounds...so cute. He also did choo choo sounds telling us about the train. As we put him down for bed once we got home, the last thing he said as we were leaving the room was "choo choo". So cute. I can't wait for the 24th of July. Anyone have any great ideas for places to go on the 24th?

3rd of July in Park City

Usually every year we help out my brother-in-law with his Snowie up in Park City at the Canyons. This year we went just for fun. Glen normally doesn't like crowds, but will do anything for Jordan. We thought that Jordan would love going and watching the fireworks.

It is great...but getting more and more crowded up there. Every year on the 3rd they do a free concert and fireworks up at the Sundial Lodge. Jordan thought the gondola ride to the top was fun.

On our way up to the festivities!

Once up at the top we ate at Pizza Hut...I can't believe how much Jordan is growing up. He has to sit in a big boy chair now....no more highchairs!
My sister Madison went with us. We always enjoy spending time with her and Jordan just adores her!

Uncle Terry was nice and gave Jordan a snow cone....and of course he loved it!

Jordan and Missie eating their treats!

Of course Jordan wanted to try and be a mountain man and climb the hill side. Anything to give me worry and stress:) Auntie M was so good to help him.

After listening to the music and eating our treats we decided it was time to go for a walk and get away from the crowd. We found a little play set in between the hotel. I both love and hate how he is growing up. It seems like every time we go to a playground, he is more daring and can do more on his own. Heck, instead of crawling up the steps, he climbing right up with no problem.

Jordan was cute, he would try to help us all up the play set so we could also have fun like him and go down the slides. We all went down several times!

Jordan had a great time pushing the stroller around the empty tennis court. It was nice not to have to worry about him running anyone or anything over!

We also found a lost tennis ball up in the tree. He was a big helper and got it down for us.

Of course he wanted to get dirty and play in the bark.

Running around having a great time!

The grounds are just gorgeous at the lodge. Here is picture of Missie...so beautiful.

We didn't want to sit in traffic all night after the fireworks, so we decided to head down to the car and watch them from the parking lot. Unfortunately, which ended up being a good thing, we missed the gondola. They shut down the gondola during the firework show. So we decided to do the 10 minute or so walk down the mountain to the car. Which worked out great. We walked right past where they were shooting off the fireworks so we had the best view.

Honestly I was a little nervous on how Jordan was going to handle the fireworks....but he did great! After each firework he would clap his hands and say "yay!". It was soo much fun seeing how much joy they brought him.

Glen was so good and either walked backwards or pulled Jordan backwards that way Jordan wouldn't miss any of the the fireworks.

Auntie M holding Jordan's head up as he slept on the car ride home. She is so good with him.

We truly had a great time and I love how much joy having Jordan can bring to holidays!

It's a Girl!!!

So on Glen's birthday we found out that we are going to be having a precious baby girl! When we went in, she did not want to cooperate. She was trying to sleep and wanted to be curled up in a ball. After trying to get a definite gender check, the ultra sound lady decided that we better go and get a coke and walk around for a while to try and get her awake. At that time we were thinking girl, but needed to get some better pics. After walking around and drinking a coke, we went back and got some really great pics and confirmed that we are having a girl!!! I have her ultra sound pics and will post them later (when I figure out how to scan them in!).

When we left the hospital, of course we had to go right out and buy her some cloths. We had a time restraint (but of course that didn't stop us), and the closest store was Target. We both picked out a cute little outfit.

(Actually, this was her first outfit. We got it a few weeks ago. It was just darling and I fell in love with it...we thought that we would "think pink". Last time with Jordan we "thinked pink" and had to spend an entire day returning outfits. No returning this time!!!)

(This is the outfit that Glen picked out.)

(This is the outfit I picked out...sorry, for some reason I can't get the pic to turn the right way on the blog.)

That weekend we went to the Tooele Art Festival. Can I say scary for someone who has a little bit of cash, just found out she is having a little girl, has always wanted to shop for a little girl, and is surrounded by darling homemade bows & headbands for little girls! Needless to say the cash didn't last that long. I really need to find my inner self control since I still have 5 more months to go...this could get expensive:) I really need to learn how to make bows for her...if anyone knows how, has any tips, etc, please let me know!

(The bow in the bottom left hand corner is the one Glen picked out for his outfit. Later, we figured out it is really black and not brown, so, of course I needed to get one with brown to match the outfit. So We got the one in the top right hand corner to go with it. Naturally we didn't return the other one. It is so cute and I will just have to find an outfit to match!)

It was fun though, even Glen had a good time looking and actually was the one who picked out her first little bow to match the outfit he picked out. For being a guy, he has wonderful taste...heck, I may have to share dressing and picking out her outfits with him:) I love that Glen is such a great daddy and so involved in mine, Jordan's and now our precious little girl's lives.

Scottish Festival

Every year I look forward to going to the Scottish Festival. It is the second weekend in June at Thanksgiving Point. I have always had a liking for bag pipe music, kilts & Scotland. I would love to go back there again someday. Heck, I would move there if I could:) I will have to pull out my Scotland pics another day and post them (they were done on an old school camera with film!).

Usually we work the entire festival, but this year we went to it and worked it. We were able to go Friday night, and then worked Snowie on Saturday.

On Friday Jordan had such a great time there.

He enjoyed "Celtic Mint" ice cream....

Was a big helper by pushing his stroller....

Every so often he would stop and fix his wheels, not quite sure why, but it was sweet....

And enjoyed dancing with me to the band!

Once the clouds started looking really angry, we decided it was time to go! Once we got in the car it started to down pour!

Nice call on heading out when we did sweetie!

On Saturday Glen and I worked Snowie. I always enjoy working them with Glen. Glen is such a sweetheart and puts up with me and my Scottish fetish. I can't help but get teary-eyed when I hear or see the bag pipers! I think it stems from watching them with my Pa when I was a little girl. He was also intrigued by them.

Of course, Saturday was such a stormy day. At one point it rained so hard even the cover of the Snowie building didn't keep us dry and we were drenched! I loved how the bag pipers still played in the rain and marched to their competition sites. At one point, right before "the big" down pour, one clan was marching so bravely in the rain.

Once they passed us and the big down pour hit, they all took off running for cover. It was both sad & funny to watch. Moments before they were so bravely sticking out the storm...I guess it got to be too much....and I don't blame them:)

Next year I would like to just go to the entire festival and not work it. They have all sorts of great dancing, bands and sports. I was lucky to see a little bit of one of the sports this year. They were tossing small bales of hay with a pitch fork over a high pole! Thanks sweetie for watching the booth so I could have a little fun.

Until next June.....