Lake Adventure

Colby and his family joined us over the fourth of July weekend for a tubing trip out on the lake. I stayed shoreside in the shade (being 9 months along and all) and kept company with the snacks and whatever young 'uns weren't on the boat at the time. At some point in the trip Colby got a bit "seasick" and came shoreside with me, too. Mike and Jamie manned the boat and tube. All eight of the kids took turns being out on the tube together. They loved it! Even our Josie loves the water and being on the tube. There were lots of little thumbs up for 'go faster' from all the crew. We hope to go out on the boat a few more times before summer's end. Thanks Colby and clan for joining us!!

40 YEARS

Just a quick congratulations to my wonderful parents. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary recently. We took family pictures and went to The Chocolate after to celebrate with a bit of dessert. Absolutely yummy desserts there! We were able to have a room to ourselves upstairs (even if the rest of the establishment heard our noise with 14 grandkids!) Anyway, just want to say that I love you Mom and Dad!

A Visit from Texas

My sister, Tammy and her clan from Texas came to visit for a few weeks. We had a wonderful time with them here. This picture above of Craig and Tammy was taken by Josanna---not bad for a budding photographer.

We went to Bridal Veil Falls to let the kids play in the water. They loved it. Much better this year since we had flip-flops and water shoes on---instead of barefeet like last year.

Cousins are great---what more can I really say. I guess I can say this . . . for Josh his boy cousins are like brothers. He has been blessed with only sisters. So, cousins, especially male cousins, are FABULOUS!!!!

While the Texans stayed with us we went to the Kennecott Copper Mine. The truck tires at the mine are really big---almost as big as the tires in Texas (hee, hee, a bit of Lone Star humor.)

We also took them to the city splash pad. Lots of water fun!
Alyssa found her school friend, Maniah, there.
I loved visiting with my sister and her family. She celebrated the 4th of July with us and they were here to see Chelsea after her birth. I'm grateful for the time spent with her and look forward to the next time we are together.

Daddy-Daughter Pinewood Derby

Isn't this a cool Pinewood Derby car?
Our Activity Day girls had a Daddy-Daughter Pinewood Derby (no regulations) for a Father's Day celebration. They enjoyed dinner together and had fun racing their cars.
Mike and Aly found this design on the internet. Mike and Grandpa Bob helped her with the carving. Alyssa painted it (and ate the real chocolate bar to get the wrapper!) I helped her glue on the wrapper. And last of all Mike put on the wheels. She got "Coolest Design", which she was excited about.

Aly Kat has a Birthday

What a beautiful birthday girl!

Notice the Willow Tree flute figurine at her side which she is mimicking.

She was just a little bit excited about receiving an iPod shuffle! (Thanks to all who gave money for that request.)

Alyssa loves Kraft caramels, Radio Disney, Justin Bieber, riding the scooter FAST past our house, and helping in the kitchen.
We love you!

Swim Lessons

We started summer off with swim lessons the first week of June. I knew it might be cool weather still, but we were pleasantly surprised that only the first day was cold and after that the weather was perfect.

Josie is a little water bug. She was happy as could be to go to class and be in the water.

Both Josh and Alyssa did great, too. The lessons just got them more excited to swim in their grandparents' pool. Cousin Jaycie came with us to the last day of lessons since she had a sleepover with Alyssa.

Oh, What Do You Do In The Summertime?

Besides celebrating Alyssa's birthday, swim lessons and the Pinewood Derby, this is what we were doing in June:

Madelyn went to girls' camp the day after Memorial Day. It was her first year. She loved it. They were up in beautiful Mantua-near Logan. (As a side note, Madelyn also had summer band every day for three weeks in June. She is in percussion and really enjoying it. Alyssa is still practicing flute and Maddie, Alyssa and Josh are taking piano through the summer, too. We sort of have our own "summer band.")

Alyssa and I went to the Parade of Homes together. I was so glad to have that one on one time with her over the course of three different days. She is a lot of fun to be with!

We had our friends, Brian and Bobbi and their 6 kids come to visit twice in June. We had a great time with them. Here are the boys eating pizza in the park together.

We poured (I should say our good friend, Trent poured) cement for our backyard patio. We love having this new space. We have had a Father's Day dinner and a friend BBQ on it already. It has been "christened" properly with a grease stain from grilling up enough hamburgers and hot dogs to feed 32 people! (Anyone know how to take a large grease stain off of cement?) Anyway, I hope your summer has been wonderful so far.