GUYS WILL BE GUYS

You all know the our wonderful, generous GREAT Grandpa Jeffs took all his 'boys' (except 'way too young" Jax) to Alaska for a most memorable fishing trip. Well, at first I was kind of 'ticked' thinking "the guys get to do everything". Yeah I know very childish, but I'm honest. BUT, and this is a big BUT and I am confessing that I feel real bad about my first thoughts. After looking at their pictures and hearing their stories, I cried. YEP, what a terrific trip and opportunity these family guys had to be together and do something they enjoy so much . So here I have put on some pictures to show you just how great a grandpa we have, and what great guys we are related to.
This is the first group of our guys to hit the island of fishing. They were so pumped about riding on a float plane. This is something David has mentioned that he wished we had been able to do last year when we visited Alaska.

This is one of the homes they knew for a week. And isn't the scenery just beautiful

Here is a mad card game they enjoyed so many of the nights without their "wives" or other dear family they left behind.

Goofy guys. They wanted to do something to make the picture more interesting.

Now to the fishing! Here's Jared reelin' in the big one. Better than Strawberry, Jare???

Some meaningful conversation about the technigues and strategies of fishing!!!

WOW! Way to go Grandpa. You caught a great one.

Here are my boys bringing home the "bacon". These two (the fish) were eaten by a bald eagle.

What a great group! Is this the BEAR you wanted to see?

I have no bad feelings anymore. When I see my guys having a great time, a once in a lifetime experience together, I am grateful for the blessings we receive as a family.

The guys got to go play in Alaska so we girls went down to St. George and had our own fun.

Sweet lil' Jax; always smiling!

And Jayce was happy to play in the toy box

Kylee and Kaja pretty much liked to be together all the time. Here they are eating breakfast.

The always popular bath picture. (The kids will hate me some day for this)

Here the guresome twosome are coloring after swimming.

Jayce and a great big smile. Lunchtime was always a blast with the kids, oh I meant mess.

Baby Emily just layed around and cooed and was covered with love and kisses from the other kids.

Here's our group! Getting ready for bed.

Again Kylee and Kaja! This time eating their meal on the floor.

The big girls were so good to let the little girls do their hair. Kylee liked to accessorize Christine's hair with legos. Kylee said it was her crown, and that she was a Princess.

Nicole sat so still! The little girls had to have her hair parted down the middle so they each got a share.

We even got some swim time in.

Here's Kaja and Nicole stretching to start the day off right!

"Say good-bye girls!"

We had a great time. I love having my family around. I am blessed with the greatest and bestest daughters and sweetest daughter- in- laws and I can't forget my most fabulous grandkids. I love you all so much.

Memories

I am getting all sentimental! Today would be my dad's 81st birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad.

This is me with my dad a few years ago!

Leslie and Andrea and I were talking a couple of days ago about how they dress their kids, and how I dressed them (they didn't think I did too great a job) and how I dressed myself. So here I am with my brother's coonskin hat. I loved it! I wanted to be Davy Crockett.

Here in this picture - I really did dress myself. OH I am the one on your right. Starting from the left is my brother Geoff, then my beloved MOM, then my baby brother Brad and then the ever stylin' Denise. It didn't help that mom put my hair in pin curls and covered then with the bandana.

Best Friends in the World

Look at this cute cake! My friends who work with my up at BYU called and said they were a bit frantic about a fireside we have to prepare for and needed a 'lunch' meeting. Char and Cathy came to pick me up at noon. Char asked how to get back on the freeway and I directed her South and Cathy was telling her North! Hmmm. We went North. We went to pick up Cindy and they surprised me with this cute cake and a sweet card, and they took me to lunch at Pei Wei! It was so much fun and such a great get a way for me. Man! I tell you I have the best friends ever. Thanks girls.Tuesday was David and mine's 33rd wedding anniversary. He is might joy. I've been with him longer than I've been without him, and that's the way I like it. I love him to death.

Fun with the Grandkids

What a great couple of days with the girls coming over with the grandkids. There is always some fun to have when they are around. I love 'em.

We had to take a movie and popcorn break. It didn't last a long time, but the mom's and grandma needed it. It was so hot outside.

The kids are not afraid of the jeep anymore. They will drive it by themselves. Jaxon was afraid at all. All the girls have been afraid of it at some time or another.

The big girls were good at taking turns doing the driving. It's really quite a scare thinking they are going to be in real cars at some point in time.!!!!

Jayce wasn't quite sure!

Jayce did like to look on. It's too bad it only holds two kids, and an occasional hitch hiker as you saw.

This is how they ride three at a time, although the jeep doesn't like it! We were lucky that the machine would drive on the grass. We didn't have to get them in the road. It was a fun time.

Summer Burn Out

I don't mean to complain, but as I was doing some long overdue ironing, I started to think about how tired I am. WHY? I looked over the summer plans we had - and now I know why!! So I am going to give you a little run down. You, too, may have to take a break after a few pictures, but you can come back. I'll let you.

In May we walked and ran a 5 K for our very good friend NANCY who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Here I am with Nancy. I just want to say that she is my hero. She has handled one of life's worst situations with laughter and courage and strength beyond my comprehension. I love her.

To add to Nancy's load, Lindsie her daughter was married in June. We got to be a part of the special occasion.

Then we had another very special and really beautiful wedding. Matt and Tyce were married at Millcreek Canyon. The setting was beautiful. And we celebrated with family and friends.

Here's the happy couple on Father's Day (lovely picture of Andrea in the background). A dinner with family.

Then a two family affair, helping the Hadlock's putting sod in the backyard.

We did get some four wheelin' in. This has been our only trip of 2008 thus far.

Then we planted some flower pots.

David and I went to Disneyland with Tyler and Christine and had a terrific time.

Then there's always the pool parties; with or without swimsuits. (But, always with clothes on!!)

We had to have some boat trips. this is Tyler showing us how it's done.

And grandpa chillin with the kiddies.

And exercising is always good. Too bad it has to be the baby showing me how to do it!!

Another pool parties. Apparently, you can never have too many!

There's always time for a party. (Even if you have to do your own birthday party Leslie!)

Here's Tyler taking some time to do some fishin'.

Another boating trip always is fun! If you have your mommy near and a blanket!

Then there was Lake Powell. Always such a great time.

We got together as a great big family. David's brother from Hong Kong came here with his wife for their daughter's wedding. Grandma and grandpa had us up to the cabin for dinner to meet all the family of both sides.

It was great to be with those we don't see too often.

I have not seen grandma do this in a very long time. She just had to get in on all the fun.

Here is Deanna at the shower Kerry, her sister in law, gave for her. This is another wedding we have had in the family.

These two are having fun???

More pictures of girls having fun at the shower. It really was nice, I'm just making fun.

Ah Ha - some one is having fun!

Don't get me wrong I don't mean to sound unhappy, I am not. It was a great and very fulfilling summer (as you can tell). I'm just looking forward to a little slower pace, Maybe even being able to read more than a chapter in a book without falling asleep. Maybe having the whole house clean instead of just one or two rooms. Maybe being able to sit down to dinner at the table instead of

getting dinner from out of the pan on the stove and out of bags on the counter.

I am blessed! I have a wonderful family that I love and that love me. I enjoy being close to them physically and emotionally. I thank Heavenly Father every day for them.