The past few weeks we have had such a great time with friends! Shelley and Zander came to visit from Iowa. Shelley and I used to work at MLC together and we became great friends then, she ended up going through a separation and a divorce and in this process she moved to Iowa. We had not seen each other for like three years, we had only talked on the phone and online so we had a joyous reunion!
We met up on September 26th for the General Relief Society Broadcast at the conference center in Salt Lake

Inside the conference center..it was packed! And so amazing to listen to the choir!!!!!
Angela-Me-Shelley
After the session we took a long walk to the Gateway and ate ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s…DIVINE!!!!!! Poor Shelley though trekking along in high heels!
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“Coconut Bash”
I got a case of coconuts from the Asian Market (nine) for the meat and liquid. I thought it would be fun to make a day of it…
We invited Shelley and her son, Zander. Jacki (my new neighbor and already a bff) and her son James, and daughter Kaylee.
The boys had a blast BEATING the coconuts open, SUCH fun!
We had some duds that had no meat in them, but Addi liked to play with the slimy insides

Aiden and Addison sippin it up! Addi liked it
James opted out, with a look of disgust….

And this is the day the owie happened
Then the boys had such fun just beating the coconuts with hammers and shovels…
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Chuck E Cheese

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Swimming at the Legacy Center
Such a silly boy always sticking that tongue out
For about the first hour Addi was quiet and sweetly clinging onto me. Not sure what that was all about, but I’m not complaining. A child who will snuggle voluntarily is a rare treat.

A look at the aftermath of her fall from the porch. The top of her lip was skinned up and although you cannot see it well the inside had two holes where her teeth went through.
She eventually snapped out of it and started to enjoy the pool…
It is hard to see but I love her wild “hair”
It is practically translucent because it is so fine and there is just so little of it.
Seriously THE cutest personality!
She takes after a super cute big brother…
The boys had fun on the slides, and it was funny to watch as they were splashed upon hitting the pool…
The best was when we got into the car and Addi noticed there was something freakishly wrong with her feet (they were all “pruned up”)
It was so funny watching her poke, prod, and examine herself.
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Discovery Gateway Museum
Aiden and Zander
Aiden and Rachel grocery shopping


Aiden and Zander enjoying the water play
Addi and her baby boyfriend Jamison

We were able to get into a special class that day
They read a book about hats and then got to make their own

We took a break and went to the Gateway for lunch.

Summer-Rachel-Aiden-Zander
The kids loved being/running on the bridge.
After lunch we enjoyed some ice cream from Dairy Queen..yum!
Addi had some business to attend to though…
So serious!
Then back to the museum for some dress ups…
And movie making…
I love Addi’s “wing” (hair on the left side) Time for a trim gramma
Addi could not keep her hands OR her kisses away from “baby” Jamison…

kiss…kiss…


Addi’s favorite part was the babies….
The boys loved to construct…
We spent six hours having a blast!
We totally could have stayed longer, but had to go home sometime.
If anyone is considering…
Here is info on membership to the museum, not pricey, and WELL WORTH IT!
Let us know when you are going, we would LOVE to come
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The Planetarium
If I was wise I would just skip this part of the post completely. When we went to the Planetarium I had two extra kids since I was watching the twins (Trey and Kaden) again. There was not much to the planetarium, the kids were not fantastic and the day was quite exasperating. BUT, I took pictures of course..and it looks like all was well…
in between the tears, bug eyes, and fits (children and adults alike)…..
How thrilled do I look?
One of the coolest parts….the elevator. Who would have thunk…
It was huge. And every time we would go anywhere I had to count kids to be sure that we had them all. *siiiigh* It was a tad overwhelming.

Shelley always shared her electronics to make Addi happy as can be

OH Jamison……how Addi loves you….
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The time flew by and the day came that we had to say goodbye to Shelley and Zander
Until December friends!
And then we are planning to go visit them in April or May. FUN! They live about 15 minutes from Nauvoo and her parents have a bed and breakfast. I am excited to plan this trip!