What a couple of weeks !!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. The death of Dave's Mom two weeks ago started the week long decision making process. The family decided to have the funeral the following Saturday. Dave drove to Salt Lake on Wednesday and I stayed home with the kids until Friday. I promised the kids that we would go to the zoo. This was a bribe to be good on the airplane ride from St George to Salt Lake. Amazing what bribes can do. They were great. Randy, Janelle, Brinton, and Holland met us at Hogle Zoo. The kids had so much fun watching the animals. I am not sure what the difference was but they were all awake and active (the animals not the kids). The kids were so eager to watch them. Ryder got so excited at seeing the elephants it made us all laugh. We had just watch Madagascar 2 last week. The new exhibit was about Madagascar. The kids thought this was so cool and started looking the the animals by name.

Dave & Ryder watching the elephants.

Rylee & Brinton watching the elephants. The elephant was trying to rip apart a tree post.

Rylee, Reganne, Brinton, and Ryder

Conservation Carousel...Janelle and Reganne

Rylee & Reganne at the elephant habitat. They wanted to bad to sit on his trunk. There were too many people waiting in line. I told Reganne if the elephant sneezed on her she could get the elephant flu and turn into an elephant. She thought that would be cool.

On Saturday they had the funeral for Grandma Waters. There was a lot of family there. I was so worried that my kids would knock over the flowers or the urn. I was a nervous wreck before it was over.

Uncle Mike with his kids Jennifer & Christopher. They came from Ohio for the funeral. It was great to see them. It has almost been a year since they were last out to visit.

We had the kids all sing I Am A Child Of God. I was trying to lead and play the top hand. Reganne stepped in to lead for me. They did a great job without much practice.

Here are all the grandkids together. I couldn't miss the opportunity to snap a picture. They are all growing up so quickly.

Afterwards they had a nice family dinner at the church. Then it was off to Brandon's house to let the kids play and run off steam. Ryder had been watching the older boys play video games. When they weren't looking he quickly sat down and started to play. It must be a boy thing.

Dressing Ourselves

I have been working with the girls on getting dressed by themselves. Rylee of course can and does get dressed by herself. Reganne still wants mom to help her or if she moves slow enough mom will dress her. Ryder decided that it takes mom to long to get him ready. He wanted to try to dress himself for church. This is the child that cries if you take his clothes off. So he just wanted to add another layer. He is very good at putting his shoes on and most of the time they are on the right feet.

That is my sweater.

I think this is how you start

Houston, we have a problem. I can't this over my head.

Reganne decided this week that she needed to wear sunglasses to school. Then everyone needed glasses. Ryder broke one nice pair so out came the cheap party glasses. Ryder of course had to match Rylee with her pink ones. Reganne had to get her pose just right for the picture. We were then off to daycare / summer camp. The glasses didn't survive. Ryder arrived with both lenses missing. Reganne was missing one. Rylee took them off because they hurt her eyes.
So much for fashion or eye safety.

Friday afternoon Dave's mom was rushed the hospital after suffering a major heartattack. They quickly did surgery and found two blockages. She was then placed on life support. The doctors then told the family the next 12 hours would determine if should would survive or not. Saturday there was very little improvement. They decided as a family to turn off the life support. She passed away within 4 minutes. Dave flew to Salt Lake City to be with his dad, brothers, and sister. We are expecting the funeral to be later this week.

Nay Dean Stewart Waters

October 29, 1933 - June 13, 2009

We Love You Grandma

Backyard Campout

This week has been full of activity. Dave planned a backyard campout with the kids for their day off with dad. They were so excited to sleep outside in the tent. They could hardly wait for it to get dark. We decided to try and make smores with them. It wouldn't be camping unless you have a treat.

What campout wouldn't complete without an air mattress to sleep on.

Let's try a sword fight with these cool swords or roasting sticks.

Here they all are roasting their marshmallows. My job was to have the cracker and chocolate ready for them.

YUM, YUM, YUM....Marshmellow goo all over our faces.

Ryder loved to separate them and then eat. Reganne shoved it all in her mouth and then slowly savored it. Rylee ate it really dainty trying to keep clean. They only ate one each and were ready to play again.

Thursday, we were invited to a summer barbeque party with Families Supportin Adoption. This was a group we belonged too during our adoption adventures. Each year they invite everyone back for fun, food, and conversation. This year it was held at a new park Sienna Hills Park in Washington. Our kids love the water and couldn't wait to get wet. There weren't as many people this year, but the kids made up for it. They had alot of fun and made new friends.

Saturday, our social butterfly Reganne had another birthday party. This week it was a slip and slide part with makeovers thrown in. Rylee, Ryder, and I were off to the library and the rec center to play. Rylee loves to go to the library and look at the books. Ryder loves to run around and make as much noise as possible. We only stayed long enough to get new books and then it was off to play in the water. The splash pad was down for repairs. So the shallow side of the pool is where they ended up. We were able to meet Filipe & Sione participants from this last season of Biggest Losser. They are doing a Boot Camp for Life at the rec center this coming week. It was great to seem them and knowing how much they have accomplished. It was nice to see that they are really working towards their goal of helping their community.

Time to get geared up for another fun filled week. The weather has been extremely nice in the high 80's to low 90's. Who could ask for better!