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.

Lake Powell 2008

WOW! The annual Lake Powell trip came upon me way too fast. I anticipate it for so long and then just like that ! it's gone. We had a great time. Sixteen people in all, 15 big people and 1 little four year old (who by the way, got spoiled like crazy). The Butler Clan came along with us. Paul and Jaxon came late Thursday night and were able to play with us Friday. As I look the pictures over, I realize there aren't too many action pictures; wake boarding, or tubing, or skiing, or on the "rocket ship". But, they are on the video camera. It's hard to take pictures when I'm holding a baby, and Grandpa's driving crazy!!

Kaja drove the houseboat to get us to our landing spot. She was top dog for 4 1/2 days.
Trevor Butler is in the background sleeping. Yes we'd only been on the boat 30 minutes and he was out!

There was a lot of time on the houseboat to get some reading, sleeping and visiting in. Christine was bound and determined to get the 7th Harry Potter book completed. SHE DID IT.

Tyler's telling Kyle some great stories. It was great to have the kids together again. It's been such a long time since our boys have spent some good time together.

Kevin has a week long class coming up in law school, so he rationed himself with 50 pages a day to read. Nicole finished one book and started another.

We took an early morning ride in the boat. Apparently Kaja couldn't wait to get dressed. She conned grandpa into taking us our for a joyride.

Kevin, of course, has to fish. Here he's using Kaja's BARBIE pole. He and Kaja caught some ugly catfish.

This is as good as Kaja and Grandpa could get on the water weenie, or as we now call it; the RocketShip.

Here's DA MAN! Yep, the guy who makes it all possible for us. He drives the boats and makes it all so much fun for all of us.

Here are the GIRLS in our cover ups. I made the Jeff's red and the Butlers' are yellow. Thanks Nicole for getting us together for this picture.

Jaxon liked the water for a minute or two at first, and then not so much. He was very good on the trip. And he too got special treatment from everyone!

Kaja and me taking a little down time reading. She's real interested!!!

OK! It's the last day and I told David I wanted to ski and didn't want to take the time to change so we rolled up our sleeping bag and I went skiing in my jammies. Yea, Yea! It's been awhile and I'm still on two skis. I'm too old to move on, they were lucky to have me do this much.

MEMORY LANE

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Still Having Summer Fun

It's been awhile since I put anything out here for all to see. We have been busy trying to fit so much fun into every minute. There have been birthday parties and water parties and bar b qs and boating and on and on and on. I'm exhausted!!!!

Here's Leslie at her birthday party, which she planned. She is an amazing mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She teaches us all so many things. We share recipes because of her, we party because of her and we are blessed because of her. Love you girl.

Oh, and this guy?? ? Just a tourist - showed up at Leslie's party. No, really it's my David all decked out to leave for Hawaii at a moment's notice. (Not sure I would be seen with him!)

Oh - and grandma and grandpa were all decked out too. They are so amazing. They always come and participate in our parties. We love 'em. ( I was really surprised grandma got grandpa to wear a skirt!)

I didn't take my camera to our other July birthday party. Sweet little Kaja turned four on the 10th of July. We had a water party at Andrea's. Take a look at her blog and you will see the fun. She also knows how to throw a party. (Where did my girls learn this???!!!) We had a great time with all those important around us.

Again - this goofy guy. He just had to try on Kylee's glasses! Isn't he so attractive. Yes he is!!!

Last night we took a "last minute planned" boat trip to Utah Lake. Leslie really wanted to go and try skiing. I didn't get any pictures on my camera, well movie pictures yes, but no stills. Hopefully she will put some pictures of herself on her blog, check it out. She was amazing. Then she takes care of her beautiful little girls.

Whoa! Kevin just loves wakeboarding. He's quite good! Jared took these pictures with my camera. He got some real good pictures.

As you can see we are enjoying our summer. I hope all of you are too.

Pool Party

Leslie and her girls invited me over for a Pool Party. We went to get lunch at the . . . . a local hamburger joint, the name excapes me right now. Anyway, lunch was good and then it was out in the back for water and heat.

Jayce was supposed to go in and nap, but GM got her undressed too fast to try the water, and missed mom's plan. She played with us for awhile, but did go in to nap later.

Kylee took a few minutes to warm up and made faces at the camera. She says "cheese".

This is a great 'little' pool Leslie has. Since Jayce was supposed to nap, there was no swimsuit for her. She will be upset with GM in a few years for taking this picture.

We can't forget little Emily. She played inside in her exersaucer for a little while and then she went to nap also.

It was a fun afternoon Les. I think we should do it again.