Along the path...

I am trying to get back on track with posts and blogging. For now I'm working forward, but need to work backward at some point to document the summer. After work on Friday, Tina, three of her nieces, me and my niece AJ, Lisa, and Linda headed to the State Fair . Unfortunately I forgot my camera to document it. We started with the equestrian show, watched the lemon shark and nurse sharks, looked at some vending booths, ate a hot dog (or just the bun in AJ's case). We saw and petted sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and rabbits. The world's tiniest horse was pretty cool, but probably about the same size as a normal shetland pony. The vantage had from walking up around the horse made it seem smaller though. Al the alligator was pretty cool. AJ was nervous he would eat her until Tina pointed out the glass and bars between him and us. I also reassured her that if Al tried to eat her I'd protect her and let him eat me first. What does it say that that put her at ease? AJ didn't w...

On Saturday, May 16th, a small group of Desert Gypsy Dance Company will be performing at the Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire . The Faire is open May 15, 16, and 17 from 10 AM to 6:30 PM and is located in Millcreek Hollow at 3105 West Pioneer Road in Marriott-Slaterville, Utah. (see mapquest map above) It is about 25 minutes NW of Salt Lake City. Coming from the South an approximation of travel route is to take I-15 North, exit the freeway at 364, go West on Pioneer Road, and turn South on a dirt road about 3105 West (somewhere between 3000 West and 3600 West) . There should be signs along Pioneer Road showing the way. Water and food are available for purchase at the Faire. (Yummy turkey legs...) You may want to slather on the sunscreen and tote a bottle of bug spray since part of the Faire is out in the open and there is water nearby. (Good idea to keep a CLOSE eye on the little ones. If RD were to come, he'd need his monkey backpack. IC would need her hip scarf.) ...

I love the idea of t r a v e l i n g to far and different spots of the globe. Even places like Montana or Maine - because I've never been there before. There is a draw of mystery in the adventure and the great unknown . Smarter Travel emailed some last minute travel deals to me this afternoon. Anyone up for Seattle ($138) or Guadalajara, Mexico ($450)? You can search for deals by your departure city or sign up for their email and watch for whatever the wind blows. Fodors sent an email with top travel tips for families including ideas for Staying in the States, Big Cities, Camping, and Visiting Relatives. The tips offer to make a vacation more than a "staycation". Sigh. Anyone have relatives in Paris ?

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Jungle Jim's Playland in Midvale to celebrate RD and AJ's third birthdays. RD turned three last week and AJ will turn three this week. I think that the kids (and adults) had a lot of fun. E. wouldn't ride the Jeep Safari without her mom. Go, Janette! Erika braved the way-fast elephant ride with Zack. More of the elephant ride. The spaceship ride was a hit! The kids could pull down on a lever to make their ship go up and push up to go down. Mini-tilt-a-whirl anticipation Giant swings RD's dirt cake. Isn't Bekah clever? AJ's Barbie cake. Renee--what a Suh-weet cake! Nathan, Dad, RD, and AL. Mom and EL Party on!

Choose your own adventure: Walking , Cycling , Kayaking and Activity , Winter Walking and Cycling Tours , Guided Walking Tours , Winter Cross Country Skiing , and Most Requested . The new 2009 Headwater’s Europe Walking and Cycling Holidays brochure is available . Doesn't this sound fun? How it all Works

Karyn, Melinda, Andrea, and I decided to jaunt up to Park City this past Saturday to catch some amazing deals at the outlets and celebrate two birthdays. In addition to the discount coupons printed off the Tangiers website , many of the outlet stores were having 40% and 50% off sales. There were so many incredible deals. Karyn wanted some shoes that weren't in stock and the store offered to ship them to her with no shipping charge. One of us spent $28 in The Children's Place for three shirts, one skirt, and two pairs of pants. Another bought a darling, red name brand purse for 1/3 of the retail price. (Melinda- I can't remember, was it Coach?) Here we are showing off our spoils. Melinda is in black; Karyn's in pink. Andrea and I (both on the left) have birthdays in October. This picture is care of Melinda's camera and a lucky passerby. (Thanks for stopping and for Melinda's sharing.) Later, we went to Baja Cantina for dinner. The T.J. Taxi was delish! It w...