Good Morning 4th of July

4th of July starts early in St George line up for the parade is 6:30 to be ready to roll at 7:30. Everyone is slowly getting in to place.

A whole lot o people 

needed to carry the flag

for United We Pledge

A whole lot of orange

How many can we hand out in the next hour?

Dave & Grandma JeanAnn

Back by the large blow up monkey

Not sure that looks very safe.

Hold on tight.

A Grease Monkey

Maybe a little sweaty

Grease Monkey Float

Ruston did a great job

getting this organized and carried out.

The kids loved it.

He is definitely sweaty

after wearing the costume.

Thank goodness he doesn't have heat stroke.

Carrol & I hitched a ride back to the beginning of the parade route. It was a great parade and it was a great morning. I am sure the heat is coming. After breakfast at Bishop's I will need a nap.

 

Liberty Week

AKA 4th of July Celebrations! Sunday's prayer service is alway a great way to start the week. Tuachan is a beautiful setting that didn't disappoint this year. The weather also cooperated and was a gorgeous night.

Children's Choir

Awesome job!!

Listening to the practice every Thursday afternoon outside our office.

Their hard work has paid off.

Nathan Pacheco

Keynote Speaker

Noelle Pikus-Pace, Silver Medalist

People Watching

Loved this little boy as he pointed to the stage

loving the music.

Awesome program with a good crowd. The theater wasn't full but had a good turn out. Everyone who participated had amazing stories to share. This is going to be another amazing week. I can't wait.

Moving Around

Rylee & Ruston have been in their new house for a month. It's now time to let Reganne move into the apartment and enjoy the space.

Working together

makes my day.

Dang!!

That is one big spider and not a broom in sight.

Nor anyone at home to kill it for her.

The move in process has been a little slow. Her decorating is amazing she has a great eye for what looks good together. Both girls are now going thrifting with us on the weekends. Just when I think she has moved all her stuff I find more. Let's hope we all survive this transition.

 

Trying Something New. . . Sourdough

The 90 Day Challenge has really challenged me with eating no sugar or artificial sugars for 6 days a week. One of the recipes shared in our signal group was Soft Discard Sourdough Rolls using honey or maple syrup as a replacement for sugar. They looked so yummy I couldn't resist giving a try. The whole sourdough starter blew my mind so instead of starting from scratch. Ashlynn shared one with me.

Let's start this adventure!

Healthy starter

All mixed and ready for the first rise.

My house is a little too cold to start the process.

We don't lack for heat in St. George.

Outside on the balcony is the perfect spot.

Looks good?

Don't have a round pan

a jelly roll pan as a replacement?

Flat Rolls

Maybe the pan had too much space?

3rd attempt

Nice and fluffy!!

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Just as yummy as the first time.

Things I am taking notes for next time. Watch how much flour I use, time the first rise to avoid over doing it, and finally not to use to big of a pan. One question remains that needs some research is to avoid them from turning crumbly after the first day. Any ideas?

World of Craziness

Another busy week plus a whole lot of craziness. We are only a couple of weeks into summer and life isn't slowing down.

Crazy weather

I am not going to complain 64 degrees in the morning

Maybe a little chilly for some or refreshing for others.

Look who got a haircut!

Piper looks so different after getting groomed.

A whole lot less hair around the house.

A visit from the grand puppies.

Ranger sure loves all the toys.

He hasn't learned to share yet.

Ruston has been busy

working around the new house.

More work

Good work and a whole lot of sweat.

Dave & Ryder come in handy to help as well.

Dexter also got a haircut.

He is a little chilled with the crazy weather.

He loves to snuggle in a blanket.

I am ready for a slower weekend and a few naps sound good right now.

Happy Father's Day

It's time to celebrate Dave for the day!! Lunch @ Chuck A Rama,  treats, and a few gifts thrown in as well. 

Relaxing in his favorite chair.

Rylee's t-shirt gift

He will wear it proudly.

Ranger came for a visit as well.

He found a comfy spot to take a nap.

It was a great day to celebrate the main man of our family. We all hope he takes the time to enjoy his motorcycle before it gets too hot.

Saturday Ride

Dave & Ryder planned a motorcycle ride for Saturday morning. I was having serious FOMO and begged to go along. I am sure it was not what they had planned and I now that it wasn't what I expected. We were off and riding. We finally arrived in Pine Valley all hot, sweaty, and a little tired.

Stopping for a drink.

Thank goodness it was a cheat day for me.

I got a Coke.

We all have helmet head.

Beautiful scenery

Found a Friend!!

Jodie from work was camping and stopped to say hi.

Ryder's bike chewed through the gas.

He is so grown up taking care

his own gas.

Fun Selfie

We all survived the ride.

It was a fun way to start the weekend. I am stiff and sore from sitting in the same position for at least an hour. My arms are really sore from gripping the bars way too tightly. Hopefully, they will let me ride along again on their next ride.

Wild Start to Summer

Life continues to move at what seems like warp speed. The biggest change it that instead of school every morning for Ryder. He is off to work at 7:45 or even earlier depending on what he needs to do. 

Check out our craziness....

Homemade granola bars (sugar free)

Not too bad honey & peanut butter are always

a good combo.

Sweet treat for all 3 of us.

Alternative to a lawn mower?

Ruston sent the family a text.

Not sure if he is serious or. not.

Summer is heating up

I would say this is a little early.

Had a memory popup from a couple of years ago

Same day same temp!!

Luck or Miracle

This tire blew apart on I-15

headed into the Gorge. Dave & Ryder headed to Las Vegas to sell Ryder's Corvette.

Able to pull off to the side of the road, unload the Corvette, and continue on.

Definitely a Miracle!!!

Cheat Day Sundae

Brownies, vanilla ice cream, and homemade hot fudge!!

Can you say yum!!! A perfect treat to cheat.

Guess who or what made this mess?

Miss Indy

If you lock her in the back by the water.

She drowns the whole area with what ever what is left.

Her & Ranger came for a visit on Saturday afternoon.

Another treat try

and another treat failure.

No bake cookies with Stevia instead of sugar.

Ryder's opinion STOP trying to ruin the treats.

Ranger watching and waiting

for Dave to let him run loose.

Nope! just watching everything around him.

Zero Gatorade

The cashier had to show me the right way

to fill your cart when it's on sale.

Ryder likes to drink the sugar free stuff as well.

I can't keep it in my fridge.

I'm exhausted and ready for a Sunday afternoon nap. I definitely need to recharge for Monday.

2024 Utah Summer Games

There are multiple swim meets across the state one being in Cottonwood Heights. Ryder was so busy that he missed the deadline. Lucky for him the Summer Games in Cedar City still had opening for their swimming. Ryder & I headed off towards Cedar City. The ding of a text message asking if I was coming with Ryder? Would I be willing to officiate? Yes to both questions. Thank goodness I brought my clothes.

SUU Pool

It's been a long time since we have been here.

The pool is still impressive to look at.

Awards

Ryder had an awesome meet!!

He is working so hard cutting time at each event and getting closer to those zone times.

Event #8     Mens 15-16 Boys 200 LC Meter IM    2:35.06    1st Place

Event #12    Mens 15-16 100 LC Meter Backstroke    1:11.49    2nd Place

Event #34    Mens 15-16 100 LC Meter Butterfly    1:13.49    8th Place

Event #46    Mens 15-16 400 LC Meter IM    5:33.90    1st Place