The 4th of July, 2009

We had a great 4th of July. David's always busy with the Kiwanis' breakfast. The rest of us (those who like parades) go to the spot Grandpa Dayle got up early for and saved so we all could enjoy the parade. He even put up a couple of gazebos for us.

The kiddies get a front row seat. They wave and clap and shout for everyone.

The girls were all decked out in the "fourth of july" attire. Aren't they cute?! A photographer from the paper came and took lots and lots of pictures, took the kid's names - AND we still didn't get in the paper. Oh well, their loss.

There was some serious parade watching going on . . . .

and some serious studying going on!! Kevin takes the Bar Exam in a couple of weeks and uses his time wisely!

Don't you agree this is the cutest picture ever! And to think we got passed by for the front page!

The girls like to have their picture taken and really hammmmm it up!

Say CHEESE! Kaja didn't get off the wall once, the whole parade long.

The best seats in the house!

It's been way too long since my last blog!

Yes, it has! (That's for you Christine!)

We've been having some fun and I haven't been recording it for you all. So sorry.

As you can see here, Tyler can never miss any of the fun. David pulled this bike out of the shed. It was Tyler's old bike that we saved for when we have the grandkids come over. Tyler just had to see if he still 'has it'! And yes he does!

And here's Kylee following Tyler and taking the curbs like jumps. Her dad was a bit nervous because she would slow down just before she got to the curb. But, she made it.

I don't think jumping the curb for Tyler is quite like it used to be!!

And of course, Christine had to get in on the fun. And she did the curb first thing!

Tyler gives Christine a little encouragement (push) to help her feel secure1

Kylee really like the jump! Notice Christine stays on flat ground. Although, she did end up taking the jump!

Grandpa's helping Jayce with the two wheeler, but she's not quite sure!

Kylee is quite the athlete. She loves biking. In fact, Jared took her to get a new, bigger bike right after this.

Tyler thinks he's one of the kids! Well, he really is!

Jayce played it safe with the trike.

Ok I need to make a correction to the Orem Summerfest entry on my blog. I have been humbly corrected that it was not 30 years ago, but more like 27 years ago. So sorry girls!

Orem just finished celebrating it's Summerfest. Well here are two beauties who appeared in Orem's Summerfest parade 30 YES I said 30 years ago.

They are on this boat, back in the corner.

You can pick Andrea out in the corner in the white, Leslie is over one person in the middle of the back of the boat.

No one we know, or know that we know, just the firing of the canon. This is State Street and 400 South in Orem.

Compare Andrea to her boys

Andrea has been told a lot that her Blake looks just like Jaxon. I thought I would add my 'two cents' and show you pictures of Andrea at a young age and see what you think.

Sorry girls, but this picture is way too cute and shows a great face on Andrea.

I couldn't find any real young shots of Andrea, this is as young as I could find.

Four wheelin' and campin'!

It's so much fun to get out in the mountains and get away. It's kind of a bit of work to prepare and all, but oh so worth the trip. We went this weekend with good friends and family. It was a GREAT trip. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the trailer and campsite.

David's always good for a picture moment. This was at the top of a kind of scary ride. There was so much water every where. In this climb we rode up a road with water coming down it. Kind of like a little stream. The views were spectacular.

SEE! I always have to get my flowers in. This picture really doesn't do justice for the pretty purple, yellow and white flowers.

It's always good to have a map. It's even better to agree on where to go?

Serious contemplation! These are the times we really miss Duane!
We see some really pretty sites. Can you believe this wall of white.

Can you read this sign? Notice where it's telling us the road goes. It really goes the direction David is headed and goes right up a rocky stream bed.

Here are the "WHEELERS". What fun we had with our good friends. We saw everything; pine trees, snow, waterfalls, streams, flowers, deer, snakes, etc. It was a great ride. We were gone for 8 hours and did 39 miles.

The kids arrived Friday night and this is at the beginning of Saturday's ride. Tyler and David checking out the little stream. Yes, the water was cold.

Kevin; always the 'goof'. He is fun to have along. Jared's picking him up on the way down.

Tyler doing a little log throw. I missed this picture.

The kids were throwing rocks at Kevin to get him off balance. Didn't work.

Here we all are. Left to right: Christine, Tyler, Kevin, Jared, Leslie and Denise. David had to take the picture. I wish I had taken a picture of this stream just to the left. We crossed it earlier. Probably 20 to 30 feet wide. Leslie did it twice for Jared could get her picture.

When looking for a place to "do my thing" we found this man made latrene. Didn't dare use it. In fact, didn't dare go anywhere near it. I went the other way.

And here's this little "man cave". We didn't get too close just took pictures.

Kevin and Jared had races through the mud puddles on the way home. I think Kevin got the worst of it.

We had a great trip and it just got us more excited to get out this summer.

Andrea and the kids came over to spend some time with me. Here is sweet little "Blakers" just chillin' to his mom and sister playing Guitar Hero.

Kaja loves to join in on the fun.

Here's David taking a little rest on our way home from Lovelock Nev. Tyler and Christine were on their way home (a day early) from her sisters wedding reception in California. when their car broke down with only 3 hours out of town. David and I left home Monday night, went as far as Elko then met the kids in Lovelock where we picked up a car dolly and started our trek home. Ya know you would think the rental people would have helped us with the instructions and directions of hauling and loading the dolly, but nOOOOOO, this guy was not helpful and soooo very slow filling out the information on the computer. But, we met a real nice LDS guy who helped us with loading the car onto the dolly and made us smile. He was a funny guy! in several different ways. He gave Christine his nephew's name and told her to call and say Hi from his uncle and that was payment for his help.

Here's our ride. It was most interesting. Tyler and Christine did well. They were cheerful and had a great attitude.