Summer Swim Team Ice Cream Social

Ryder was excited for this party to happen.  He had waited patiently for his last ribbon from the last meet.  Time to party and eat lots of ice cream.

Finally, his last ribbon of the season
Third Place for his IM.

Trying all the water features
at Sand Hollow

Jumping off the diving board

Climbing the rock wall.

It was a great party full of screaming kids, drippy ice cream, and smiles.  They reminded all the kids to register for Select Camp on Saturday.

July Odds & Ends

July coming to an end and I still have so many extra pictures.  All good memories but maybe not enough for their own post.

Here we go with a quick catch up.

CVE Principal brought this
goodie bag to all of his new students.
Ryder loved all the stuff inside and is excited for his new adventure.

Reading his fines down.
What a better place to snuggle than in a bean bag chair.
A great summer program for the kids to get extra incentive to read.

Patiently waiting for Mom to take our picture.
In the parking lot at the hotel in Rock Springs. 

Hanging with the cousins
at the zoo.  Nothing is better than being with family.
Unless, you lose one.

Great play
Thanks, Julie for inviting me to go.
It was a great girls night out.

New Slip & Slide
Waters have fun in the water.
Even the dogs got into the act.

July was a great month full of family, friends, and awesome times.  School is around the corner so not many more days full of fun in the sun.

Good Morning ..... Pine Valley

Everyone was asleep to be awakened at about 4:00 to thunder and lightening.  Quickly followed by heavy rain.  Dave & Blake quickly jumped into action making sure everything was secure and not drowning too bad.  We are definitely in the mountains camping in the rain.

Time to rise and shine!!! The sun was shining!!!! Blake & Julie made an amazing breakfast of biscuits and gravy.  Afterwards I could have just sat in the sun and snooze a little more.  I did just that.  One group headed towards town for Pine Valley Days.  A few of us lazed around camp like slugs enjoying the peace and quiet.

Quiet doesn't last long as the travelers returned.  Ryder reminded everyone that it was game time.

Yummy food

Crazy inventions

Silly boy trying to keep cool.

Striking a pose

Let's play in the water

Someone needed a shower.
Too bad it was so cold.

We had a small break between rains storms.  Ryder followed Dave around securing everything once again.  Dave poked at the awning and rain came tumbling down. Next thing we noticed Ryder doing the same thing.  One minor problem when you are short the water will come down on top of you.  We all thought he could use a shower.  

We are planning on another campfire tonight.  Will the weather cooperate or will we end up in bed sooner than we planned.

YEAH!!! Fire  

Yummy Smores

The rain stopped just in time to build a big fire and enjoy the night.  We broke out the graham crackers, peeps, marshmallows, and chocolate.  There is no wrong way to make this gooey treat.  There are many different ways and all you have to be is adventurous to try them.

Everyone was full, sugared out, and even a little tired.  Everyone settled down to enjoy another quiet night perfect for sleeping.  However, there was a noise outside the motor home.  Just the ladder Dave tells me.  He tried moving it just a bit through the window not good enough so he headed to the door.  He opened the door to a horrible smell.  SKUNK!!!  It must have been close to the motor home and Dave startled him enough to spray.  Close the windows and hold your breath.  It would be awhile before anyone falls asleep tonight.

It was a great camp this year but way to short.  We don't say goodbye instead see ya next year.

Annual W&W Campout

Who is ready to cool off and relax?  We are definitely ready for cooler weather and just plain relaxing.  This year everyone was ready to go earlier than usual so we headed off.  We were on the road but not before we witnessed a horrible traffic accident.  A muddy jeep t-boned a minivan right before our eyes.  We all looked at each other on what to do or how to help.  People jumped out of their cars and quickly ran to help.  Everything was under control so we headed towards the mountains.

This years site looked perfect.  It was shady, quiet, and not near the bathrooms or trail.  It took awhile to get everything setup.  Dave & Blake are perfectionists with how everything is arranged and setup.  We all enjoy their efforts and are glad that they are this way.  However, we all get worn out before they are ready to stop.

Taking a breath

Shooting guns together

Coloring
Christmas presents 6 months later being used makes me smile.

Birthday presents finally being opened.
Going hunting for bugs with salt guns.

Giving it a try.
I do believe this birthday present was a winner
with both Blake & Dave.  Even Ryder & Dacoda enjoyed them.

Camp tradition...Cheese Balls
They jumped into my basket at Walmart.
Wouldn't you know that everyone enjoyed a few.

Fire time
It was the kids turn to make it.
Reganne made the first attempt.  Soon followed by the boys.
The Dads soon stepped in to finish the job.

New addition solar lights.
They looked really cool.
One minor problem...they don't have an off switch.

It was a great first day.  Everyone was pretty much exhausted and ready to go to bed.  We snuggled into bed and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Summer Vacation... Headed Home

We have had a couple of busy, crazy, and stressful days.  Everyone was eager to relax and sleep in.  Dave couldn't make it much past 7 before he was up getting ready.  He then convinced Ryder to join him for breakfast downstairs.  They came running back to the room due to the fire alarms going off.  Hurry, Hurry get up!!! They yelled as they walked in.  The girls & I rolled over in confusion but we quickly jumped to when we realized that we might be on fire.  We hurried out of the hotel in our pajamas only to discover the hotel wasn't on fire.  Instead, the construction next door had tripped it.

Since we were all up and somewhat awake lets get ready to head towards home.

Family picture in the hotel lobby.
By the display oil well.

It was a going to be a beautiful day.

We hit the road but not before making a quick stop to Starbucks for the kids to get their frappacinos they had been craving since arriving in town.  Then an hour into the drive Ryder was begging to stop.  He needed to pee bad!!!!  Dave pulled off at the next exit it claimed a rest stop.  However, as we pulled in the gas station that also boasted of a cafe Ryder looked around and promptly told us he could hold it.  It probably wasn't as bad as it looked but with no windows on either building and a few muddy cars parked out back.  It looked deserted and if not it didn't look welcoming to little boys.

We entered Utah and decided to switch directions and head home through Heber.  The kids were anxious to see were Spencer had grown up.  The drive was beautiful and how much has changed over the past couple of years.  We then call Grandma JeanAnn to meet us for lunch.

I'm hungry!!1

I'm tired and starving.

Everyone ate until we couldn't move.  Thank goodness Grandma was with us and took all the leftovers home to Grandpa.  It was time now to hit the road for the last stretch of our trip.  We made it in great time to be home by 6.  All that was left was to unpack, put stuff away, and sleep in our own beds.  Wait a minute....how did we manage to bring home this much laundry???

There was time for me to catch my breathe before packing up again for our annual W&W Camping Trip on Friday.

Summer Vacation....Family Reunion

Morning arrived a little earlier than I or the kids would have liked.  Too much snoring most of the night the girls begged of a few more minutes.  Rylee even sent Dave a text around 2 am to please stop so she could sleep. Vacation is supposed to be sleeping in.  Funny how our vacations never include "Sleeping In'" as a part.  We are always eager for the next big adventure and what we may miss by staying in bed.

Dressed and ready to trust Google Maps to get us to the right house.  Driving with Google Maps can be an adventure for us as well.  Dave doesn't always listen and I don't always reply as quickly as I should.  We either end up lost or yelling at each other to listen.  This time however, we followed and made it in under 10 minutes.  One other slight problem...Do we have the right address....What if we go to the wrong house...What if nobody is home?

Time to open the door and ring the doorbell.  Deep breath and everyone stepped behind Dave. Waiting and wondering what to expect?

Before we could run away the door opened and we were greeted with smiles and bear hugs.  There was so much happiness & excitement in the air it was truly amazing.  I forgot all about taking pictures and enjoyed watching the wonderful reunion happening before my eyes.

The kids found their own new friend with Jasper.  He broke the ice right way jumping and licking away.  The way to kids hearts is sloppy kisses and wiggly snuggles.

Loving on Jasper

Early morning S'mores
Aunt Sarah knows the way to a little boys heart.

Visiting, learning, and sharing.

So much yummy food...
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner I could hardly move.

More talking
Reganne & Ryder were getting a little tired.

and even more talking!!!!

There was one thing that needed to be done before leaving for the night.  It didn't include saying goodbye.  We needed to take family pictures.  There was only one slight problem.  Everyone wanted to check out the pictures in between and make sure they were good ones.

How about this one?

No, This one?

I decided for them.
This one is near perfect but close enough
for everyone to enjoy.

One last one needed
Lynn, the awesome mom in the family

We had a great day full of fun, food, and family.  They opened their arms, home, and lives to us.  It has been an amazing journey getting to this point.  We look forward to many more family get togethers in the future.  Maybe someone should have warned them about us and our own craziness.  

It wasn't goodbye but see you soon.

Everyone was exhausted and ready to call it a night.  Ryder declared the night wasn't over with yet until he could go swimming.  One last dip a must to end the night.

Summer Vacation....New Adventure

We left Lagoon, stopped for dinner, and hit the highway once again.  This time headed East towards a brand new adventure.  The kids were fascinated that we were leaving Utah and going to Wyoming. The usual questions came how long is the drive, when will we there, and does the hotel have a swimming pool.  One last major one will we be able to find food.   

We reached our destination 3 hours later.  The first thing Reganne noticed was Starbuck's.  This must be an ok place if they are here.  I remember when McDonald's was the place to look for and know we could survive.  Thanks to Google Maps we found our hotel without a problem and soon were checked in.

One more ride???
Who will carry the luggage?

Rock Springs Holiday Inn
***Stars in my book.
The room was clean, the staff were nice, and they have
a nice swimming pool (Ryder)

He found his trunks
time for laps and practice.

Reganne found the pool as well

Many laps later, a few handstands, and a quick dip in the hot tub time for bed.  Oh, wait maybe some ice, snacks, and a couple of old sitcoms on TV everyone was ready for bed. 

NOT!!!  We all lasted a little longer but we needed to be up and ready to go by 9:00.  Could we do it?  Would we make it? Will they like us?  All questions for tomorrow.......Good Night!!!