The Real Reason..

For our mini-vacation was Mitch's mission farewell on Sunday.  We are proud of him that he has chose to serve the Lord for 2 years and set a good example to his cousins.  After church it was time to eat and visit with everyone.

Especially this cousin.

Reganne loved on little poodle all morning.

Hanging with the big cousins.
Please let me play with your phone???

All in one place.
Brothers & Sister

We had a great visit and a mini-vacation.  However, it was time to say goodbye and head home for another busy week.  We look forward to getting updates on Mitch's mission and wish him good luck.

This Is The Right Place...

To hang out on a sunny summer afternoon at This Is The Place Park.  We had the added bonus of the MacPherson Cousins join us on this adventure.

Ryder has been begging to visit all summer long after watch a story on the news about all of the fun new activities.

Digging for jewels

Look at my gold!!

Panning for gold.

Riding the small train.
I begged to ride but everyone vetoed it.

Pioneer Toys

Plowing the garden

New chores...Beating the rugs & washing the clothes.

Getting a shave.

Oops talking in school without permission.

Riding horses

Petting the rabbits
&
Seeing baby bunnies.

Taking a break
Who is in charge here?  Rachel of course.

Check out the tent
I mean Tepee
Can we get one???

After saying goodbye to everyone it was time to go swimming at the hotel.  I was hoping for an early night.  Instead the kids found Pocahontas on TV and begged to watch it.  A few snacks and a movie is a perfect way to end a busy day.

New School Year Begins

Our summer came quickly to an end this year.  It was hard to believe that 12 weeks flew by so fast.  However, the last day was a challenge the kids were tired of each other, tired of being home, and wanted to see their friends.

School started on a Thursday morning bright and early.  Time for pictures....

Eighth Grade
Desert Hills Middle

Second Grade
Little Valley Elementary

Fifth Grade
Little Valley Elementary

Brother was pooped.

Everyone had a great day and even made new friends.  Rylee found all her classes and discovered that she didn't have many friends in her class.  That didn't slow her down she quickly made new ones.  Ryder fell asleep long before bedtime he was plain pooped from a busy day.

We look forward to another busy school year full of adventures and new friends.

Summer Ending Party!!!

We love Simister Orthodontics and were excited for the Summer Ending Party at the Rec Center.  Time to party!!!!  The kids ran off to play the games and we found the Swig line for a yummy treat.

Photo booth pictures

Reganne demanded a close up picture.
Do they look like their having fun??

Instagram photo booth
I love these smiles braces and all.

The kids demanded we stay till the end and hopefully win a prize.  No prizes this year instead 3 tired kids ready for bed.  They didn't even go swimming instead kept playing the games.  Ryder came home with a silly flashing bracelet that gave us all a headache.

Finally!!!

Time to knee-board and Rylee was hesitant to try again.  Miss amazing pops right up and even has a smile on her face. 

Love that blurry smile

She is amazing!!!
I wish I had her talent for these things.  I can't pull myself up on the board.

Time to get off the lake.
Check out those clouds.

We made it off just in time as the wind picked up.  The rain started just after we got  home for the night.  Everyone was tired and ready for bed.  

Cannonballs

Time for diving and cannonballs instead. Let's see who can make the biggest splash??

Rylee eagerly showing off her skills.

Reganne wants to float and show off her new pose
"The Dead Man"

Ryder tried to make a bigger splash
and
I think he made it.

It was a tie until Dave jumped in and then he swamped us all.  Time to climb inside and try the knee-board before it was time to leave for home.

New Lake Toy

We found time for another trip to the lake this week and added a little surprise for the kids.  It was a single rider tube.  The kids weren't sure if this was a good surprise or not.  Dave was excited for them to try it out but who would be first?

Rylee was the winner.

Bouncy ride

Ryder wanted his turn next.

He forgot the hand signals to stop.

Last up was Reganne.
She wasn't to eager to repeat the ride.

Waiting for another ride to start.
First Ryder had to take a swim or take a potty break.
Not sure which???

She wanted a real ride.
Dave gave it all he could and she loved it.

Do we have time to knee-board before we call it a night??

Tube Time

The tube was ready, the kids were ready, and time to make some waves.

First up...Rylee, Ryder, and Dacoda
Dave had a glint his eye a sure a sign that trouble was coming.
Instead screams of joy could be heard.

Girl time
Somebody filled up my side up with water.
I couldn't see a thing.

Add Ryder and still more water in my eyes.
Until....
Dave stopped and the water came over the top and down my back.

Time to fly.
Rylee & Dacoda begged to go alone.
Please go fast and find the bumps.

A couple of time around the lake Reganne & Ryder were begging for their turn again.  Except this time the boat started making strange noises.  Time to pack up and head for home while we still could without using the paddles.

We made it back to the dock without any problem.  After cleaning up and securing all the toys for the trip home Dave made a discovery..... The knee-board was right were he put it in the under storage compartment.  I guess we are planning another trip sometime this week for everyone to have more fun on the knee-board.

Waters' Water School Session 2

The kids were really excited to go out and play at the lake and practice knee-boarding again.  However, something was missing from the boat.  NO KNEE-BOARD!!!!! where did it go?  Did someone steal it or did it fly off the boat during the drive out?

Instead let's try Wake-boarding.....

Unhappy kids that plans have changed.
They patiently listened as Dave told them what to do.
Who will go first?

Dacoda
I snapped this picture too fast and missed him getting up on his first attempt.
He quickly tired out and was done.

The teacher taking his turn.
Showing how it's done.

Serious face
He won't convince them to try it this way.

There were no more takers for the wake-board.  Can we please tube now was the whiny plea.....

Let's first have a snack while Dave gets the tube ready. 

20th Anniversary Party

For A Child's World and it was time to party.  It's hard to believe that we have been a part of this place for 13 of those years.  The kids were ready to ride the rides and play with their friends.  I was excited to see former teachers and see how the kids have grown.

First up the rock wall.
Ryder scaled it with no problems.

Friends since they were 5 months old.
Know they are teenagers!!!!

Riding the swings
Ryder told me I was small enough to ride this.
 He was right I couldn't reach the ground.

Those crazy teens bouncing the ride.
I did see a few smiles along the way.

Picture time
Saying goodbye to Ms Jasmine.
She is moving to Minnesota this weekend.

It was a great party with lot's of yummy food and good friends to visit with.  Only 2 weeks of summer camp left this year.