Fireman's Parade

A little boy's dream come true firetrucks, firemen, water, and candy all in one place.  At the same time even better.  The Utah Fire Fighter's Convention was in town for their week long retreat.  What better way to end the week that having a parade.

Check out the old car.
This picture was for Dave who stayed home.

The old engine was fun to see.
Do you have candy?

We got the candy and they also shared their water.
Time to cool off??

All smiles from the treats.

Time to head home and get out of the heat.  Fire fighters love little boys and water.  Mix them all together and everyone gets wet.  Ryder & Max had a fun time running away the water and all giggling the whole time.  Maybe they will become fire fighters someday.

Flexibility

Or quick thinking was in order this weekend.  Rylee made it home from girls camp in one piece, full of smiles, and fun stories to share.  Our trip up North was delayed a week due to sickness so what can we do get those smiles back on their faces.  Let's head to Kanab and visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for a tour and maybe volunteer.

Hummingbirds on the porch.
Reganne was fascinated and kept snapping pictures of them. 

Getting ready for our tour.

Playing with the cats
See Mom I am not allergic to cats!!!  I am fine.  See??

Next up was a stop at the dogs.
He is sooooo cute!!! Can we adopt him?

We had so much fun riding around the canyon looking and playing with the animals.  The kids are begging to go back and volunteer hopefully this includes playing with them as well.

Time for lunch and Dave was begging for Houston's Trailend Cafe.  After ordering and while waiting for our food it began to hail.  Ryder came running to let us know that ice cubes were falling from the sky.  I guess that is what it really looks like.

Photo bombing each other

The hail stopped and the sun came out.  Let's check out the store next door.

Check out this chair.

Can I take this home for my room?

Holy Cow!!!
There is someone in there and he talks.

Pioneer Family

It was a great day for an adventure and I think everyone had fun.  They are begging to go back and volunteer with the animals.  I hope there is enough time this summer to squeeze this in and if not there is always September.

Summer Fun Begins

Rather another busy summer was starting off with Rylee heading off to girls camp with all the young woman.  We had to be up early since they were leaving at 6:30 getting her ready and out the door proved to be a task.  She woke up with a smile and was eager to get the adventure started with a quick hug she was off.

Early morning departure and all smiles.

We needed another adventure today since we were all missing Rylee just a little bit.  Time for a quick trip to the duck pond.  Too bad the bread doesn't longer once the ducks & swans see or rather smell it.  Lucky for us Dad came along to protect us.

Watch me!!!
They are all coming to get more.

All gone

Dad had a surprise ready to share with Reganne & Ryder.  A Slip & Slide to cool off and enjoy.

More water Dad!!!
It doesn't slide very well

Check me out I can go further.

I DID IT!!!
All the way to the end.

A perfect end to a hot summer evening.  We sure hope that Rylee is having as much fun as we are tonight.

Make Up Game

Baseball was supposed to end on May 26th but we had a makeup game due to the rain out earlier in the month.  The sun was shining and it was warming up.  Let's get the show on the road.

It's HOT!!!!

Is it over yet?

Team McDonald's

1/2 anyway the others were out of town.

Team McDonald's plus coaches

I had awesome parents always willing to step in

and

help with whatever I needed.

We are outa here!!!!

The best part was the hugs from the kids telling me how much fun they had and want to play next year.  It had warmed up enough that they didn't want to play an extra inning all the boys let out a yell NO MORE!!!!  The adults quickly agreed.

Haircuts

Rylee has been planning her haircut for the past 5 months.  It was finally long enough to donate plus keep a little for herself.  It took those 5 months to convince Reganne that she really wanted to donate hers as well.  Reganne remained unconvinced up to the last minute.

Who is this young woman and what has she done with my daughter?

Okay, I did it under slight protest.

YEAH!!!

It is still long enough to put in a ponytail.

Our girls are so awesome giving their hair to others through Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  This is their fourth time donating to the same cause.  All that is left is for their ponytails to dry and send them off.

Now maybe they can brush the snarls out of their hair without me????

Paying Tribute...

To Grandma Henderson who passed away in her sleep on May 21, 2015.  We were so lucky to spend a little time with her and tell her how much we loved her.

The funeral was really nice seeing all the family gathered together sharing good memories and fun family times.  It was great to remember all those good times during the sadness of the moment.

Ryder brought this flag for Grandpa Bob's Grave

Thank goodness the ground was soft it went right in.

The grandchildren as pall bearers.

Great grand kids checking out the deep hole.
Then waiting patiently for the adults to finish.

Sisters & Grandkids

Sisters

Aunt Kaye, Uncle Ted, and Uncle Rick

Family dinner @ Chuck a Rama

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful extended family.  Even during this time of sadness there were still smiles, laughing, and even a few happy tears.  As we left there were hugs all around and hopefully plans for a family reunion sometime in the near future.

Our Grandma maybe gone for now but her legacy lives on in all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her love of music, family, and the outdoors will always live on.

Faces of Baseball

Baseball season is in full swing and everyone is so eager to play.  Energy levels are over the top I was wishing that they would share with me.  Dave was unable to be there for a few games so I handed off the camera to Reganne.  She caught some amazing pictures that capture the game really well.

I am ready

Which way is it going to go?

What's that on my shirt?

Yuck it's on my hand.

Come on guys send the ball my way.

They had so much fun and can't wait for the next game.  Please remember the treats and we may need more water since the weather is warming up.

Go Team McDonald's!!!

School Is Out....

Where has the time gone? The school year is ending today but not without a celebration breakfast of SCONES!!!!

Morning yumminess

Let's give a cheer for surviving all the homework
and all the tests.

They enjoyed their last day saying goodbye
to their friends & teachers.

School is out for the summer let's hope we all survive the long, hot days, and have some fun along the way.

Graduation Day

Where has the time gone that Jacy is old enough to graduate from high school.  We have watched her grow up and become this incredible person with a wonderful future a head of her.  Maybe we even had a tiny, tiny, tiny part in helping her become who she is.  Possibly not Blake & Julie get all the credit.  Instead we got to share this special day with her.

No Reganne is not the graduate.

Look how much these kids have grown up.
Jacy is still the tallest for the moment.

Reganne & Ryder weren't going to the actual ceremony since it was too long for them to sit still.

Desert Hills Choir

Jacy & Rylee
Photo bomb by Blake

They had graduation all planned out and were done in 90 minutes with over 300 students.  Time for quick hugs before she was off on her senior trip.  The kids all begged her not to forget them when she leaves.  I reminded them that she would be there for our camping trip in a couple of months.

We are so proud of her and the awesome example she has been to the younger kids.  Have fun in California.

First Grade Parents Appreciation Program

Could there be enough time to fit in one more program before the school year ended?  The answer is yes!!!  Ms. Ence has been such an awesome teacher this year and worked her magic once more with this program.  Ryder was so excited to share what he had learned this year in First Grade we couldn't miss it.  Dave, Rylee, and I all showed up.  They performed "The Little Red Hen" and a Thank You Poem.  Then gave a special gift to the parents that volunteered through out the year.

Love all these little faces.

Sharing their reading skills.

Ryder & Ms. Ence

It amazes me to watch these kids perform their reading skills with us.  Each month I have watched these kids develop their skills that I was smiling from ear to ear.  Then I got my special surprise and the kids all grinning back at me as I walked back to my seat.  They all worked to hard on the thank you notes & pictures I will treasure it forever.

Ryder grew so much this year and worked hard to develop the skills he will need to go to second grade.  Now if only we can keep him reading through the summer.